NOLA XTREME FITNESS

There is a new place to train MMA if you are in the New Orleans area!  The first place to train in a full cage in NOLA.  Open now in Lakeview at 5304 Canal Blvd in Lakeview, NOLA Xtreme Fitness was opened by local fighter Gino "The Machino" Ascani.  The long awaited gym features a full workout area, mats and cages.  Furthermore the gym is now the second home of the top BJJ school of the South and my personal BJJ school, NOLA BJJ.  NOLA Xtreme Fitness is guaranteed to become THE place to train MMA in New Orleans and beyond.  NOLA Xtreme Fitness can be reached at 504-301-9066.  Their hours are 5:30am-10:30 pm Monday-Friday with slightly reduced weekend hours.  They also have a free parking lot, a true luxury in our cramped city.  So, you should probably check them out ASAP.  By the way, like everyone to day, you can "like" them on the Facebook.

Not the kind of gym owner you want to piss off!

Bellator Fight Card

                                              Bellator 28 Fight Card

                                           Rich Clementi vs. Jamie Varnier
                                  Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Alvin Robinson

Should be some solid fights.  The fights take place at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. 

Bellator

So Bellator is coming to my hometown of New Orleans.  I am extremely excited, as it's decent card featuring Rich Clementi, whose fights are usually enjoyable.  I will also say I enjoy Bellator.  Decent mid-level cards broadcast on free tv.  It beats spending my evenings drinking beer and watching Dog and House re-runs.  This is also perfect because Nola needs high-quality MMA.  At $30 a head, it's the same as the local shows in the area.  This is all good news right?  WRONG.  I have no idea what Bellator is thinking, THEY BOOKED THEIR FIRST NOLA CARD DURING THE SAINTS-VIKINGS HOME OPENER.  Those of you not from the gulf wouldn't understand.  Half of the city goes to the games and everyone watches them.  The Saints pull the highest regional ratings in the country.  Maybe I'm the idiot, maybe, just maybe there is no crossover between football and mma fans.  Prove me wrong.  Although it will be hard to prove me wrong when you're not marketing the event in New Orleans.  Non-business minded MMA promoters and people in general drive me crazy.  This may be the height of ineptitude.  Mr. Dana White, do not let Bellator's stupidity influence your booking decisions.  We want you here.  We will pack the house. Lots of Tapout shirts will be sold and Bud Light purchased.  Your sponsors will love it.  We will make the Boston fans look classy....and sober.  Please Dana, come to New Orleans, just not during a Saints game.

UFC 118

Not too much more to say about UFC 118 that hasn't been said.  Frankie Edgar deserves all the respect in the world.  That guy can fight.  Quickness and movement on the feet are phenominal.  Right now, I am horrified at the thought of Gray Maynard beating him again.  Noooooooo!

 Ground game?  I'll knock Randy out from his back.  Oops.  Randy fought well, but does he really deserve his black belt for knocking out a boxer?