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No Holds Barred with Eddie Goldman  No Holds Barred: Bibiano Fernandes On His May 31 ONE FC Fight On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with multi-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA champion, and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Bibiano Fernandes. He will be trying to add yet another belt to his collection, as he takes on former Shooto champion Koetsu Okazaki of Japan for the ONE FC interim bantamweight title on Friday, May 31. This fight will be part of the ONE FC: Rise to Power card at the 20,000-seat SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, the Philippines. ONE FC: Rise to Power will be televised live on Star Sports in Asia and as an online pay-per-view at http://www.onefc.livesport.tv. The current ONE FC bantamweight champion, Soo Chul Kim of Korea, is currently recovering from a shoulder injury and is unavailable to fight. We spoke with Bibiano Fernandes by phone Wednesday about this fight, how his career is going, and his plans. Bibiano Fernandes is a very busy man, While he lives and trains in the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada area, he often also travels to the Seattle, Washington, USA area to train at Matt Hume's AMC Pankration gym. In addition, while he is originally from Brazil, he has fought exclusively in Asia since 2009. When he signed with ONE FC last year rather than with UFC, he demonstrated how ONE FC has become not only the largest MMA organization in Asia, but also a major player in the world. And he has no regrets about his choice. "I'm very happy to fight for ONE FC," he said in this interview. "For me, I make a good choice. For me, for my family, I make the best choice." Citing the growth of the organization and the people running it, he summed up his experience with ONE FC clearly and succinctly: "Everything's good." But he also does not anticipate an easy fight against the veteran Koetsu Okazaki. Bibiano has seen video of his fights and noted that he has "good hands" and "good jiu-jitsu." So while Bibiano is known mainly for his grappling and submission skills, he expects that this fight may see a diversity of technique. We also discussed fighting in front of the enthusiastic fans in the Philippines, whether or not there will be any effect on his opponent who is fighting outside Japan for the first time, and more. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Malcolm X and the Martial Arts and Combat Sports On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the legacy of Malcolm X and its meaning for the martial arts and combat sports. On March 29, 1964, at a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York, Malcolm X repeated what he had said many times about the importance of the martial arts: "If you're interested in freedom, you need some judo, you need some karate, you need all the things that will help you fight for freedom." That building now houses the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, at 3940 Broadway, New York, NY 10032, where one of the many celebrations of the 88th anniversary of Malcolm's birth will take place this Sunday, May 19. Malcolm X also explained the importance of martial arts training in "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", and how the values they teach are part of the overall training in values which "are vital in a person, a home, a community, a nation, and a civilization," and not only the aspect of training in self-defense. The book also discussed his relations with Muhammad Ali, when he won the heavyweight boxing championship of the world from Sonny Liston in 1964. But the type of positive values which Malcolm advocated are today often not being promoted, particularly in combat sports like MMA and wrestling. This is discussed, including how this may be affecting the bid by wrestling to be restored to the Olympic program. So the lessons taught by Malcolm X about the martial arts and combat sports are still valid. It is up to us to learn this legacy, and to apply it to what we do today. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: A Tribute to Johnny Bos On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman pays tribute to the legendary fight agent and boxing personality Johnny Bos, who passed away on Saturday, May 11. Johnny, a native New Yorker who had to relocate to the Clearwater, Florida, area, was visiting his hometown in July 2009 to testify in the lawsuit brought by his former fighter, Joey Gamache, against the New York State Athletic Commission. That stemmed from the botched weigh-in for the Gamache-Arturo Gatti fight at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 26, 2000. We spoke with Johnny on July 21, 2009, in New York, and that interview is reposted here in its entirety. After our interview, in April 2010, Judge Melvin Schweitzer of the New York State Court of Claims ruled in favor of Gamache, saying that there indeed had been negligence in the weigh-in. However, the judge did not award Gamache any monetary damages, as he claimed that it had not been proved that this negligence had necessarily affected the outcome of the fight. Here is the original introduction to our July 2009 interview with Johnny Bos: On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with the legendary fight agent and boxing personality, Johnny Bos. There are few if any people alive who know more about boxing than Johnny Bos. But instead of prospering from that knowledge and wisdom, last year Johnny Bos, the quintessential New Yorker, had to leave this faded but still sometimes active center of boxing for a town not known for being a pugilistic capital: Clearwater, Florida. The main reason was that he could no longer find work in this alleged sport. Johnny's fortunes in boxing seemed to head swiftly downhill after an incident whose consequences, ironically, brought him back to the Big Apple this week. His fighter, former world champion Joey Gamache, was slated to fight the late Arturo Gatti in Madison Square Garden Feb. 26, 2000. At the weigh-in the day before, however, Bos and many others said that Gatti hopped on and off the scale without making the contracted weight of 141 pounds. While he objected to this, officials from the New York State Athletic Commission declared that Gatti had indeed made weight, and that the fight was on. Gatti, who reportedly weighed 160 pounds on an unofficial HBO scale the day of the bout, proceeded to score a brutal second-round knockout. Gamache had to be taken to a hospital after it, nearly died there that night, and suffers from permanent brain damage. His career, of course, was over, although he does still train fighters. Gamache then sued the New York State Athletic Commission for negligence for allegedly permitting Gatti to fight well over the contracted weight. After years of legal wrangling, that case was finally heard this past week, and this was why Johnny Bos returned to New York, in an unusual role as a witness on behalf of Joey Gamache. We had a chance while he was still in New York, and after the trial itself was over, to speak with Johnny Bos. (A verdict by the trial judge is expected in several months.) In our lengthy discussion, Johnny explained what went on at this botched weigh-in, how it affected the Gatti-Gamache fight, and what it all indicated about the quality of the regulation of boxing. He also gave us some ideas on what major changes are needed in boxing, and just who may be starting to make them. And, as always, he did so in a style and tone reflective of the long gone glory days of boxing in America. So join us on this edition of No Holds Barred for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in the world of boxing. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Bjorn Rebney on Bellator MMA Summer Series On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Bellator MMA Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. Bellator's eighth season, which concluded in April, and which was its first on Spike TV, was its most successful and had the most viewers in the organization's history. While another full regular season will commence in the fall, Bellator will be starting a Summer Series of monthly shows on Wednesday, June 19. Taking place at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, and again televised live in the U.S. on Spike TV, the main event will have the unbeaten Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler defending his belt against Bellator season seven lightweight tournament winner Dave Jansen. The June 19 event will also see the introduction of four-fighter, two-round tournaments in Bellator. Previously, all tournaments had eight competitors and three rounds. In the first round of this tournament, which is in the light heavyweight division, "King" Mo Lawal will face Seth Petruzelli and Renato "Babalu" Sobral will fight Jacob Noe. The four-man tournament format "just gives us the opportunity to keep guys rolling through the tournaments and get those champions title defense after title defense," said Bjorn Rebney in this interview, which was recorded by phone Thursday. "It's going to keep the ball moving. Occasionally you're going to see four-mans thrown in. You're going to see a four-man, and then you might see another four-man in the fall." In addition, Bellator's "Fight Master" pre-recorded series also debuts on Wednesday, June 19, on Spike TV, featuring 32 welterweight fighters competing for a spot in a Bellator MMA tournament, with MMA legends Randy Couture, Greg Jackson, Frank Shamrock, and Joe Warren as coaches. We also discussed with Bjorn Rebney how he is still running Bellator on a day-to-day basis with endless "20-hour days" even as Viacom is now majority owner of Bellator, why he will always maintain a tournament format for determining title challengers rather than using subjective matchmaking, the plans to have more women's fights in Bellator, plans to have every champion defend their belts at least three times a year, the overall status of relations with Bellator fighters, the Eddie Alvarez legal situation, and much more. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Nathan Hatton on His Book 'Rugged Game' and the History of Catch Wrestling On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Nathan Hatton. He is the author of the new book about catch wrestling history entitled "Rugged Game: Community, Culture and Wrestling at the Lakehead to 1933". Dr. Hatton, who describes himself as a recreational wrestler, will be teaching history at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, starting this fall. This book details the rich history of both amateur and professional wrestling from the late 1800s to 1933 in the Lakehead, Ontario, region, whose main city is now today known as Thunder Bay. Although it is published by the Lakehead University Centre for Northern Studies, and has numerous, helpful footnotes and ample documentation, this book was written for the general public and is highly readable. Dr. Hatton said his aim was to "bridge the gap" between popular writing and academic research, and he certainly has succeeded with this book. Unlike today, in those days much of professional wrestling was a real sport, although to what degree is still debated. There also was considerable cooperation and connection between many of the people involved in amateur and professional wrestling. "There was a real heyday for wrestling on this continent between the early 1880s and into the early to mid-1920s, where you had the development of catch-as-catch-wrestling," said Dr. Hatton in this interview, which was recorded over Skype on Sunday. "Catch-as-catch-can is really the precursor to modern freestyle/folkstyle wrestling." In catch wrestling, you can win by pin or submission. With stars like world heavyweight champion Frank Gotch and many internationally-known as well as local wrestlers, professional wrestling was a major sport. "There was a period, when much like boxing, the best wrestlers unquestionably on the planet were professional wrestlers," he explained. There were also numerous grassroots wrestling clubs and organizations, including many based in the working class and working class organizations, such as the Finnish Labour Temple and even the Communist Party of Canada and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The book details the relation of the growth of wrestling in this region to the growth of the economy, industry, and trade, as well as the accompanying national and ethnic tensions and disputes. We discussed the growth and decline of catch wrestling in this region, how much of it we can be certain was real and how much was staged, the lessons this period teaches for reviving catch wrestling today, and much, much more. "Rugged Game: Community, Culture and Wrestling at the Lakehead to 1933" by Nathan Hatton is a must-read book for wrestling historians and aficionados, combat sports fans, labor historians and activists, and anybody who appreciates good sports history. Buy it, read it, learn, enjoy, and pass on its lessons. You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another. No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher. Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Why They Do Not Have To Fix Boxing Matches Anymore (Photo by Tom Casino/Showtime) On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the major fights in boxing held Saturday, May 4, and why, despite some brilliant performances, they were all showcase fights, and the fighters who were supposed to win all won, one way or another. In those fights, welterweight and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, while heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko scored a sixth-round knockout over Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim, Germany. Also in Las Vegas, Abner Mares won by a somewhat controversial ninth-round TKO over Daniel Ponce De Leon, Leo Santa Cruz stopped veteran Alexander Munoz with a TKO in the fifth round, and J'Leon Love survived a knockdown to win a controversial split decision over Gabriel Rosado. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Charles Farrell on Guillermo Rigondeaux, Mayweather-Guerrero, the Klitschko Era, and Bad Boxing Writers On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleague, correspondent, and award-winning boxing writer, Charles Farrell. Charles is also co-editor of The Boxing Standard. The eyes of the combat sports world and the sports world in general will be focused on boxing this weekend, as two of the top fighters in the world are in action Saturday, May 4. Welterweight and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. will face Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, while heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko will fight Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim, Germany. Charles, however, reserved his highest praise for the top 122-pound fighter in the world, Guillermo Rigondeaux, who won an impressive decision victory over Nonito Donaire April 13 in New York. "I was more than impressed," Charles said of this fight, in an interview recorded Thursday by phone. "I'm comfortable saying that it's the best performance I've seen by anybody in the last half-decade." He added, "That was a performance for the ages. It was a virtuoso performance." We discussed why and how Rigondeaux was so brilliant in this fight, as well as the myriad of supposed boxing experts and writers who panned it and just did not understand what Rigondeaux was doing to dominate Donaire. Neither of us expect anything close to an upset in the Mayweather-Guerrero or Klitschko-Pianeta fights, which we also discussed, as well as the careers of both Mayweather and Wladimir and his brother, Vitali Klitschko. We also discussed whether more people will watch Mayweather-Guerrero or Klitschko-Pianeta, why the Abner Mares-Daniel Ponce de Leon featherweight fight might steal the show featuring Mayweather, a relatively impressive performance by heavyweight Bermane Stiverne against Chris Arreola last week, why the best TV boxing commentary in the U.S. is by present and former fighters, and much more. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Jeff Monson on MMA and May Day On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again speaks with American Top Team MMA fighter and two-time ADCC champion Jeff Monson. Jeff was originally scheduled to face Magomed Malikov on April 9 in the M-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinals, but a pectoral muscle tear forced Jeff to undergo surgery and postpone that fight. He is recovering from this injury, and this fight is now scheduled to take place June 7 on the M-1 card in the Republic of Ingushetia, Russia. We spoke with Jeff by phone Monday night about this fight, his career, why he is a self-described anarchist, and how he views the sport and business of MMA. Our discussion took place right before May 1, or May Day, also marked around the world as International Workers' Day. Asked what his May Day message would be to MMA fighters, Jeff replied, "My message would be solidarity. My message is, 'Be together.' We're all in this whether, like I said, whether you're trying to be a professional fighter or whether you're well-established or at the top of your game. It's the same sport. We're all in it together." He also quoted the old saying associated with the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), "'An injury to one is an injury to all.' And it really is." We discussed numerous topics, including how this fight with Malikov may be "a classic grappler vs. striker match," why he likes M-1's new six-sided ring, how he has become a celebrity in Russia, his fascination with the country and people of Russia, the reaction to his politics, and the need for a fighters' union. He also pointed out the "shameful" conditions facing MMA fighters, including no such union, no pension, no health insurance, no job security, no retirement, and often low pay, which is even less than boxers get, while they are still fighting. While the formation of a fighters' union is far from imminent, he stated, "It's going to happen," adding that more education of the fighters is needed and that he hopes to take an active role in this struggle. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: Coach Hero Triumphant At MidwoodMania IV Tag Team Wrestling On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman and our colleague and correspondent Malaak Shabazz provide coverage of the main event of MidwoodMania IV, which was held Saturday, April 27, at the Campus Road Gymnasium of Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York. MidwoodMania IV featured ten wrestling matches under American folkstyle and freestyle rules. The last three matches for the first time were tag team folkstyle matches, with three, four-minute periods and only one tag allowed per period, and only during a break. In the main event, the 55-year-old Midwood Coach George Hero scored a last-second takedown over Anthony Chu to lead his team, along with Chris Amro, to a 13-12 come-from-behind victory over Chu and Brian Anderson. Amro, Chu, and Anderson are currently college wrestlers for NYU. Right after the final match, along with Malaak Shabazz, we spoke with Coach George Hero, Anthony Chu, Brian Anderson, Chris Amro, NYU assistant wrestling coach Mike Torriero, and several others about their experience at this event. Coach Hero paid tribute to Anthony Chu. "Let me tell you, Anthony is powerful. He can move for a big man. It was the first time in my career that I was actually outweighed," said Coach Hero. "So this was a new experience." We discussed the successful debut of real, tag team folkstyle wrestling, and how that increased the action and scoring in the three matches held in that format. We discussed the need for more wrestling programs both for women and alumni wrestlers, the need for innovation and creativity in marketing and advertising wrestling, and much more. Some photos of MidwoodMania IV can be seen here. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com  No Holds Barred: How Not To Waste Your Time This Weekend On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman begins by commenting on why the four major main event fight scheduled for this weekend -- Sergio Martinez vs. Martin Murray, Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah, Amir Khan vs. Julio Diaz, and Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen -- are all largely unappealing and are essentially designed as showcase fights. There are also lesser-known but likely more entertaining events, such as MidwoodMania IV featuring real tag team wrestling, Saturday, April 27, at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York. And there is also an important benefit seminar for leukemia patient Jeremy Montes Jr., featuring veteran grapplers Dave Camarillo and Lana Stefanac, at Kaijin MMA in Santa Cruz, California, on Sunday, April 28. Also, transsexual athlete Donna Rose will be competing at the beach wrestling nationals at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, also on Saturday, April 27. The commentary continues with an analysis of some recent developments involving the tangled web between the UFC, the State of New York, the Culinary Union Local 226, and legislative opposition to legalizing MMA in New York, including some of their new tactics. Also mentioned is the recent study by Sarah Banks, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, on structural and functional brain changes in boxers and mixed martial arts fighters. Next up is commentary on the decline of TV ratings for the season (and maybe series) finale of the Robot Combat League, more problems in wrestling, the race for the SportAccord presidency and the importance of that organization, the growth of influence of international judo, the proposal for a new event with a united world championships every four years for Olympic and non-Olympic sports, and upcoming jiu-jitsu and catch wrestling events. The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow. No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by: ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com. Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/. Thanks, Eddie Goldman EddieGoldman.com BBC Sport | Boxing | UK Edition The latest BBC Boxing news plus blogs, analysis, results, schedule, rankings, boxing tips and tactics, video and audio.  Sick Cleverly cancels WBO defence Nathan Cleverly withdraws from his WBO light-heavyweight title defence against Robin Krasniqi because of illness.  Scot Taylor secures Team GB place Lightweight Josh Taylor qualifies for the Olympics, ensuring there will be one Scot in the GB boxing team.  Groves out of world title fight George Groves pulls out of his WBO super-middleweight world title fight against Robert Stieglitz because of injury.  GB boxers progress in qualifier Heavyweight Warren Baister moves closer to Olympic qualification with a thrilling win over France's Abdoulaye Diane in Turkey.  Fury stops Rogan in Belfast bout Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Tyson Fury remains unbeaten as he stops Martin Rogan in five rounds.  Khan one-dimensional - Peterson Lamont Peterson says Amir Khan is incapable of altering his game-plan for their May rematch and that his British rival is mentally "all over the place".  Klitschko to fight Thompson again Wladimir Klitschko defends his heavyweight world titles against American Tony Thompson on 7 July.  GB Boxing picks women for Worlds Britain's three female Olympic boxing hopefuls are chosen for next month's World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China.  McCloskey has change of opponent Paul McCloskey has a change of opponent for his contest on 5 May after former IBF champion Julio Diaz pulls out of the bout.  Mayweather & Pacquiao irk Leonard Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard implores Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to fight, for the sake of their own legacies.  Bellew-McIntosh fight postponed Tony Bellew's British light-heavyweight title defence against Danny McIntosh is put back two weeks to 27 April after McIntosh pulled out with a chest infection.  Sexton eyes titles with Warrens Cheshunt's Ashley Sexton believes he can become a future world champion, after signing with Frank Warren Promotions.  Maccarinelli facing title rematch Enzo Maccarinelli is ordered to a rematch against Shane McPhilbin for the British cruiserweight title.  Cleverly receives Hopkins boost Nathan Cleverly receives a boost in his bid for a light-heavyweight unification clash with Bernard Hopkins.  Chisora to challenge licence ban Dereck Chisora appeals against the withdrawal of his licence by the British Boxing Board of Control. Press Release and Top Sports Martial Arts News From 24-7 Press Release Newswire Top Sports Martial Arts, Press release and news information from 24-7 Press Release Newswire  Attend the COPA America South Eastern Grappling Championships and Stay at Nearby Hampton Inn Southlake in Morrow GA Hampton Inn Atlanta -Southlake hotel in Morrow provides affordable accommodations to guests attending the COPA South Eastern Grappling Championships at Mt. Zion High School in Jonesboro, GA on May 25, 2013.  Jose Acanda Heralds the Health Benefits of Martial Arts New discoveries reveal the health advantages of martial arts and outline redefined fitness goals. This development has triggered an announcement celebrated by Jose Acanda.  Annual World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in Annapolis World Tai Chi & Qigong Day will be celebrated this year on Saturday, April 27th 2013. We have scheduled activities at Annapolis Towne Centre from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Fitness Pioneers Nexersys Launch King of the Ring Kickstarter Campaign Revolutionary boxing arcade game would create virtual fighting ring experience.  Stoneham Martial Arts School Announces 1st Degree Black Belt Belt Test Promotion Body Mind Systems Martial Arts Training Center Adult Student Earns 1st Degree Black Belt  Mission MMA Opens Doors of New Location in Westmont, NJ America's Fastest Growing Sport, Mixed Martial Arts, Adds Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Veteran Waylon Lowe to Mission MMA Staff  Mission MMA Opens Doors of New Location in Westmont, NJ America's Fastest Growing Sport, Mixed Martial Arts, Adds Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Veteran Waylon Lowe to Mission MMA Staff  Olympian Marti Malloy Named as Marpo's First Annual Athlete of the Year Marpo Kinetics, innovators of Marpo Rope Trainers as seen on NBC's The Biggest Loser, Name Olympian Marti Malloy as their first annual Athlete of the Year  Oxygen Factor Launches New Product to Optimize Power, Endurance and Recovery for Athletes Athlete-focused oxygen supplement company, Oxygen Factor, also powers up advocate and athlete sponsorship program.  Diego Sanchez, Winner of The First "Ultimate Fighter" TV Show, Endorses Deer Antler Velvet Spray (IGF-1 Plus) from Nutronics Labs Diego Sanchez has committed himself to a rigorous and all natural training regimen to prepare for his next MMA bout, which includes deer antler velvet spray from Nutronics Labs. Judo News News on Judo continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.  Judo Chop: The Best and Worst of Luke Rockhold Connor Ruebusch breaks down the striking of Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold as he gets set to challenge Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 8. For Ben Henderson's title defense against Gilbert Melendez , I examined the flaws in each man's striking game, pointing out the defensive and offensive holes that their particular styles presented.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan Bloody Elbow.com May 11 2013 Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan By T.P. Grant on May 11 2013, 3:00p One of the finest grapplers to come out the Caucasus, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the mot complete grappler in the world.  Melissa Segura: Luke Rockhold looks to beat up another bully in his UFC debut The most legendary fight of Luke Rockhold's life thus far won't show up on Sherdog or be broken down statistically by FightMetric.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan One of the finest grapplers to come out the Middle East, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the complete grappler int the world.  It's tests, Talmud and throwing opponents at this Norfolk school Joshua Edery, , throws Aharon Loiterman during an intramural judo practice on May 7, 2013 inside Richels Hall.  Jason Zentgraf Wants To Do More Than Win When He Faces Luke Harris at MFC 37 Coming into this year riding a three-fight winning streak, Montana-based middleweight prospect Jason Zentgraf managed to keep the ball rolling with a win in February over Clay Davidson at MFC 36, but he feels he could have done better in kicking off 2013.  Judo: Conway wins bronze medal to secure Masters place THORNBURY judoka Sally Conway firmly put her European Championship disappointment behind her with a bronze medal at the Baku Grand Slam in Azerbaijan.  Judo - British Judo announce new centre a Performance director Nigel Donohue insists the announcement of the University of Wolverhampton as the location of British Judo's new centre of excellence in England marks an important moment for the governing body.  Is America About to Checkmate Russia? As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his Russian counterparts this week in Moscow to discuss Syria, much of the world is wondering what America's endgame is.  Successful weekend in Sweden for Kendal Judo Club members DESPITE a nervous start from some members of the Kendal Judo Club squad who crossed the North Sea to Halmstadt in Sweden, the weekend competition proved to be very successful with every member coming back with a trophy. Judo News News on Judo continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.  Judo Chop: The Best and Worst of Luke Rockhold Connor Ruebusch breaks down the striking of Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold as he gets set to challenge Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 8. For Ben Henderson's title defense against Gilbert Melendez , I examined the flaws in each man's striking game, pointing out the defensive and offensive holes that their particular styles presented.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan Bloody Elbow.com May 11 2013 Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan By T.P. Grant on May 11 2013, 3:00p One of the finest grapplers to come out the Caucasus, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the mot complete grappler in the world.  Melissa Segura: Luke Rockhold looks to beat up another bully in his UFC debut The most legendary fight of Luke Rockhold's life thus far won't show up on Sherdog or be broken down statistically by FightMetric.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan One of the finest grapplers to come out the Middle East, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the complete grappler int the world.  It's tests, Talmud and throwing opponents at this Norfolk school Joshua Edery, , throws Aharon Loiterman during an intramural judo practice on May 7, 2013 inside Richels Hall.  Jason Zentgraf Wants To Do More Than Win When He Faces Luke Harris at MFC 37 Coming into this year riding a three-fight winning streak, Montana-based middleweight prospect Jason Zentgraf managed to keep the ball rolling with a win in February over Clay Davidson at MFC 36, but he feels he could have done better in kicking off 2013.  Judo: Conway wins bronze medal to secure Masters place THORNBURY judoka Sally Conway firmly put her European Championship disappointment behind her with a bronze medal at the Baku Grand Slam in Azerbaijan.  Judo - British Judo announce new centre a Performance director Nigel Donohue insists the announcement of the University of Wolverhampton as the location of British Judo's new centre of excellence in England marks an important moment for the governing body.  Is America About to Checkmate Russia? As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his Russian counterparts this week in Moscow to discuss Syria, much of the world is wondering what America's endgame is.  Successful weekend in Sweden for Kendal Judo Club members DESPITE a nervous start from some members of the Kendal Judo Club squad who crossed the North Sea to Halmstadt in Sweden, the weekend competition proved to be very successful with every member coming back with a trophy. Judo News News on Judo continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.  Judo Chop: The Best and Worst of Luke Rockhold Connor Ruebusch breaks down the striking of Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold as he gets set to challenge Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 8. For Ben Henderson's title defense against Gilbert Melendez , I examined the flaws in each man's striking game, pointing out the defensive and offensive holes that their particular styles presented.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan Bloody Elbow.com May 11 2013 Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan By T.P. Grant on May 11 2013, 3:00p One of the finest grapplers to come out the Caucasus, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the mot complete grappler in the world.  Melissa Segura: Luke Rockhold looks to beat up another bully in his UFC debut The most legendary fight of Luke Rockhold's life thus far won't show up on Sherdog or be broken down statistically by FightMetric.  Gods of War: Gokor Chivichyan One of the finest grapplers to come out the Middle East, Gokor Chivichyan came from the grappling obsessed former Soviet nation of Armenia to become possibly the complete grappler int the world.  It's tests, Talmud and throwing opponents at this Norfolk school Joshua Edery, , throws Aharon Loiterman during an intramural judo practice on May 7, 2013 inside Richels Hall.  Jason Zentgraf Wants To Do More Than Win When He Faces Luke Harris at MFC 37 Coming into this year riding a three-fight winning streak, Montana-based middleweight prospect Jason Zentgraf managed to keep the ball rolling with a win in February over Clay Davidson at MFC 36, but he feels he could have done better in kicking off 2013.  Judo: Conway wins bronze medal to secure Masters place THORNBURY judoka Sally Conway firmly put her European Championship disappointment behind her with a bronze medal at the Baku Grand Slam in Azerbaijan.  Judo - British Judo announce new centre a Performance director Nigel Donohue insists the announcement of the University of Wolverhampton as the location of British Judo's new centre of excellence in England marks an important moment for the governing body.  Is America About to Checkmate Russia? As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his Russian counterparts this week in Moscow to discuss Syria, much of the world is wondering what America's endgame is.  Successful weekend in Sweden for Kendal Judo Club members DESPITE a nervous start from some members of the Kendal Judo Club squad who crossed the North Sea to Halmstadt in Sweden, the weekend competition proved to be very successful with every member coming back with a trophy.