GeneChing
03-12-2015, 09:31 AM
Another Olympic medalist like Satoshi Ishii (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?52352-Satoshi-Ishii) and our dear queen, Ms. Rousey (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?63565-Ronda-Rousey) (Askren (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?52408-Ben-Askren) is also in this gang, although he didn't medal). I find the Olympians in MMA very interesting. Having trained with former Olympians, they are a different cut of athlete.
Mixed martial arts good fit for Olympic wrestling champ Henry Cejudo (http://gazette.com/mixed-martial-arts-good-fit-for-olympic-wrestling-champ-henry-cejudo/article/1547753)
By Joe Paisley • Published: March 12, 2015 • 0
Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo has found a new home in mixed martial arts.
It fits him as well as any wrestling singlet ever did.
"I enjoy the gladiator mentality," the Coronado High School graduate said. "My mind is wired that way. This may sound arrogant or ****y but I am a good enough athlete to do well in any sport, except basketball (laughs). I have the mentality to fight and conquer."
http://cdn.csgazette.biz/cache/w300-8e2e6e322b5da3abd85da8da3b123be9.jpg
It has shown so far with a 7-0 record in MMA, including winning his December 2014 debut at bantamweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The youngest American (age 21) to win Olympic wrestling gold (2008) faces his toughest foe at UFC 185 this Saturday. He takes on former flyweight title contender Chris Cariaso (17-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC). The bout opens the pay-per-view main card at American Airlines Center in Dallas following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.
"Kamikaze" Cariaso lost his last bout, but that came against reigning UFC champ Demetrious Johnson in September 2014.
Cejudo remains undaunted even after he missed the weight cut for UFC 177 in August 2014. Rumors spread that the former Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center resident was not committed or too scatter-brained to become a serious contender. That amuses him.
"This will sound arrogant again, but my strongest weapon is my mind," he said "I have that warrior way of thinking. I see an opponent and start thinking about the best way to take them down. It all comes down to strategy, strategy, strategy. I see what the opponent's strategy is and adapt to take away their strengths."
The popularity of UFC has enhanced Cejudo's post-Olympics notoriety. After his 2008 Olympic gold, only serious wrestling fans - and some locals - remembered the story of his upbringing.
Cejudo, the youngest of six children, was raised in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Las Cruces, N.M., and Phoenix. All six children slept on the floor and often did not know when their next meal might be. That motivated him to succeed in athletics and led to what he hopes will be a lucrative professional fight career.
That drive came at a cost. His focus on wrestling gold kept him from putting down roots in the Pikes Peak region.
"Honestly, I didn't make any long-term friends," he said. "It sounds a little sad but my best friend was the wrestling mat. I had no time for high school life."
Cejudo, 28, is focused on the future. A win over Cariaso would propel him into contender status with more lucrative bouts - paydays of about $100,000 - ahead.
The Grand Canyon University student hopes to use his continued fame to live up to his nickname of "The Messenger." He hopes to spread the word how God helped him achieve his Olympic dream and the next; an UFC world title.
"I think my story can inspire people," he said. "I finally understand that."
Cejudo flirted with becoming a pro boxer; a sport he considered before wrestling. That training helped him win one bout by submission so far; far less than expected of a wrestler.
He has a nutritionist to make sure he stays a flyweight as the UFC requires. He credits coach Roland "The Latvian Assassin" Silaraup for his success.
"He has done wonders for me," Cejudo said. "He approaches training with an aggressive attitude."
That approach is a great fit, Cejudo said. He hopes it leads to a world UFC title and honors God by succeeding.
"This is who I am," he said. "I'm born to be a fighter. I have a God-given ability, and I'm here to praise that by making the most of it."
Mixed martial arts good fit for Olympic wrestling champ Henry Cejudo (http://gazette.com/mixed-martial-arts-good-fit-for-olympic-wrestling-champ-henry-cejudo/article/1547753)
By Joe Paisley • Published: March 12, 2015 • 0
Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo has found a new home in mixed martial arts.
It fits him as well as any wrestling singlet ever did.
"I enjoy the gladiator mentality," the Coronado High School graduate said. "My mind is wired that way. This may sound arrogant or ****y but I am a good enough athlete to do well in any sport, except basketball (laughs). I have the mentality to fight and conquer."
http://cdn.csgazette.biz/cache/w300-8e2e6e322b5da3abd85da8da3b123be9.jpg
It has shown so far with a 7-0 record in MMA, including winning his December 2014 debut at bantamweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The youngest American (age 21) to win Olympic wrestling gold (2008) faces his toughest foe at UFC 185 this Saturday. He takes on former flyweight title contender Chris Cariaso (17-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC). The bout opens the pay-per-view main card at American Airlines Center in Dallas following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.
"Kamikaze" Cariaso lost his last bout, but that came against reigning UFC champ Demetrious Johnson in September 2014.
Cejudo remains undaunted even after he missed the weight cut for UFC 177 in August 2014. Rumors spread that the former Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center resident was not committed or too scatter-brained to become a serious contender. That amuses him.
"This will sound arrogant again, but my strongest weapon is my mind," he said "I have that warrior way of thinking. I see an opponent and start thinking about the best way to take them down. It all comes down to strategy, strategy, strategy. I see what the opponent's strategy is and adapt to take away their strengths."
The popularity of UFC has enhanced Cejudo's post-Olympics notoriety. After his 2008 Olympic gold, only serious wrestling fans - and some locals - remembered the story of his upbringing.
Cejudo, the youngest of six children, was raised in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Las Cruces, N.M., and Phoenix. All six children slept on the floor and often did not know when their next meal might be. That motivated him to succeed in athletics and led to what he hopes will be a lucrative professional fight career.
That drive came at a cost. His focus on wrestling gold kept him from putting down roots in the Pikes Peak region.
"Honestly, I didn't make any long-term friends," he said. "It sounds a little sad but my best friend was the wrestling mat. I had no time for high school life."
Cejudo, 28, is focused on the future. A win over Cariaso would propel him into contender status with more lucrative bouts - paydays of about $100,000 - ahead.
The Grand Canyon University student hopes to use his continued fame to live up to his nickname of "The Messenger." He hopes to spread the word how God helped him achieve his Olympic dream and the next; an UFC world title.
"I think my story can inspire people," he said. "I finally understand that."
Cejudo flirted with becoming a pro boxer; a sport he considered before wrestling. That training helped him win one bout by submission so far; far less than expected of a wrestler.
He has a nutritionist to make sure he stays a flyweight as the UFC requires. He credits coach Roland "The Latvian Assassin" Silaraup for his success.
"He has done wonders for me," Cejudo said. "He approaches training with an aggressive attitude."
That approach is a great fit, Cejudo said. He hopes it leads to a world UFC title and honors God by succeeding.
"This is who I am," he said. "I'm born to be a fighter. I have a God-given ability, and I'm here to praise that by making the most of it."