Cain In The Cage

Matthew Jackson talks to Corey Cain about stepping into the cage for his 1st MMA fight on March 2nd 2013.

MJ  So you are a former World Champion in semi-contact and light contact disciplines. As a kickboxer what set you apart from the competition?

CC  The simplest answer to that is I was willing to do what my competitors would not. I fought many people who were better than me and beat them by being disciplined in my approach putting in hard work and realising that it is not all just about punching and kicking. If I lost a match I would go back to the drawing board, tweak it and keep going back at it until I did what I set out to do.

MJ  Why the switch to MMA?
CC   To be honest with you I do not really see it as a switch as I will only be doing one fight. I personally try not to get wrapped up in all of the MMA hype and titles that people like to call things. If MMA stands for mixed martial arts that means to me any martial art can take part as long as you can abide by the rules. I have watched a few matches and always walk away thinking that a lot of the competitors do not actually show much martial art skill in many aspects of the ‘game’ and look more like street fighters. I also live by the code of ‘Don’t talk about it, be about it’. I have not been active for many years but still believe that I should not expect others to do what I would not attempt to do. Lead by example and not live on what you have achieved in the past. What is life without challenges? I have a few students who train in kickboxing but actually fear going to competitions and testing what they have learned. Sometimes they need to see others step into the unknown in order for them to try it for themselves. For me this is the first time in the cage so it may inspire some others to take a step into something they are not sure of. Also for some strange reason that may come to me in the future I have this urge to do it.

MJ   How did you get involved in MMA with a back ground in Kung Fu and Kickboxing?
CC    I just like fighting, I am a fan and I have been looking for something over the past couple of years to motivate me to up my training intensity. Also my mind could do with the opportunity to focus as sometimes I have bad thoughts running through it and it needs channelling in the right direction. For the moment this will fill the gap.

MJ   What do you see the main challenges be in MMA compared to Kickboxing?
CC   MMA has many different areas that you need to be aware of but to me this is not the problem. As in all fighting it is what your opponent has to offer and how you deal with it. As an individual it is up to you to control your destiny and not let others control it. I see fighting as just another task or action in life. You do it, put as much effort into it as you can and hopefully at some stage you will get some enjoyment or satisfaction out of it.

MJ   Have you experienced the joys of leg kicks during your training? What was your initial reaction to them?
CC   Yes I have. We are not best friends but if I see them down the street and we need to have a passing conversation then I will say hello and go about my business. I would rather be kicked in the leg than punched in the face. They both hurt but I value my face more!

Cain Kicks Out at the Irish Open

MJ Are there any significant changes you have made to your training regime compared to your previous kickboxing training?
CC  I just roll about more regularly on the floor I suppose. The time of the rounds are longer so that has been something to take into consideration. There are so many things to consider and improve upon but you can only do so much in a certain amount of time.

MJ     In MMA there seems to be a culture of weight cutting so that you are bigger than your opponent. What do you think of this pursuit and will you be adopting its use for your fight?
CC   I fight my natural weight and always have done. The amount of times I would see people at comps skipping off etc. It’s crazy. It has its pros and cons but I have always fought my natural weight and probably would find it hard training for weight loss rather than training for performance.

MJ       You had an operation some time ago. Tell us a little bit about that and how your recovery went. Has the operation effected you preparation at all?
CC   I had a tumor located in my chest wall about the size of a golf ball resting on the back side of my left lung. I had to have it removed but they had to take a large bit of lung with it. A bit of a scary experience that taught me a lot about myself and others around me. It hasn’t really affected my preparation as I have got over the worst of it and my lung function is back up there.

MJ       Your last fight was a title bout against Ed Lofts right? How long ago was that? And do you think ring rust will be an issue for this fight?
CC   It may well of been as I probably haven’t fought for about 4 or so years. That fact together with never fought MMA before or fought in a cage could be an issue if I make it one, but I’m not. I knew all that when I signed up for it.

MJ    Ed is now training MMA is he a future opponent for you?     
CC    Nope

MJ    What are your current goals go you intend to continue fighting MMA after this bout or is it a one and done situation?
CC   Nope, I’ll only fight it once in the cage

MJ    Do you intend to make a return to kickboxing or Taekwondo at all?
CC   Not competing. I actually want to study catch wrestling or Sambo but can’t find any clubs locally so may have to travel to make this happen. The competing side has taken too many years of my life and I have other things apart from martial arts that need my time.

MJ    The Fight show has already sold out with 5 weeks to go, which if unheard of. Why do you think this is?
CC   I’m not sure, there could be many reasons. It could be the fight card or that people enjoyed the first one so much. I haven’t got a clue and I’m probably the wrong person to be asking.

MJ    How do you see the future of TKMMA?
CC   I think it will go on to be a big success with more great fights happening on the shows. If there was a time to be doing an MMA show it is now as it is fashion, very popular and everyman and his dog seems to want to be able to say they are a ‘cage fighter’ It will tail off though eventually when people realise that there is actually hard work involved. Hopefully TKMMA will still be around after the buzz dies down a bit still promoting a quality show for the die hard fans.

MJ     Your opponent is John Gilbert who was a kickboxing instructor at Combat Academy and currently trains jujitsu under Roger Gracie trained Kevin Capel and MMA at Neil McCloud so he is well rounded. How do you see the fight playing out?

CC   He’ll probably try and take me to the ground and try to choke or armlock me. That’s what I would try if I was him. I don’t really care because the way I look at it is, I can either win or win. What I mean is, for me to get in the cage and fight something that is not really ‘my thing’ is a win for me from the word go as I know I will grow from the experience and be taken out of my comfort zone. That is more important for me at this stage of my life than being announced the winner at the end of the fight. But with that being said I still want to beat him at his own game.

MJ   What rules will you be fighting under?
CC   I do believe we will be fighting TKMMA pro rules with the exclusion of heel hooks and elbows. Apart from that

Training with sponsor Tony from Hartgraph Print Solutions

everything goes.

MJ    You are actually fighting under MMA rules which is commonly known as Cage Fighting, Human Cock Fighting or UFC. What would you say to the uneducated?

CC   Firstly, Go to school and get an education then when you get home go on youtube watch a few fights so you get the picture of what is going on. Lol!

MJ  You are making your MMA debut at the age 43 years old. What would you like to say to anybody who thinks you are too old to be competing in MMA?

CC   You think I care what other people think? That’s a problem with some people who do not know who they are and feel they have to do things to be liked or accepted by others. I’d tell them to mind their own business and find something to focus on in their lives that will make them a better person tomorrow than they are today. So many people go around talking muck and trying to knock people away from their dreams. They walk around after a while saying I coulda or I woulda instead of just getting on and doing the things they enjoy. If I saw a ninety year old man running a marathon I would not say to him ‘Oi mate you’re a little old to be running a marathon’. I would say go for it granddad run until you drop! There is a guy called Sid who comes to my circuit class every week, he’s gotta be at least 65 and runs rings around a lot of them half his age. He’s one of my role models that inspire me on my journey. At the weekends he does his hobby of riding trials bikes and tells me stories of an 80 year old guy who races. He says the guy hobbles up to his bike like he is 80 but when he gets on it and starts to ride he comes alive and looks like he’s 40!

MJ    Finally you spar and help to train TKMMA Champion Matt Holland. Would you ever take that fight?

CC   No, I wouldn’t fight Matt simply because it wouldn’t be a good fight for either of us. I’ve sparred with him too many times and near enough know him inside out. Maybe 15 years ago if winning that title was my goal then make no mistake he would have to get it big time but that doesn’t matter to me anymore. I would be more happy to see him go on and achieve what he wants to achieve and help out if I can.

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Genesis MMA Team tastes victory!

 

Genesis MMA Team had their first team outing together on Saturday 9th February 2013, at the ‘Berserker Brawl – Valhalla’ tournament, run by Reading based MMA gym ‘Gods of War’. This was an interclub, beginners tournament with 3 gyms taking part; Genesis, Gods of War, and Exile Gym from Southampton.

After a year of tuition in Jujitsu, Wrestling and Kickboxing, the Genesis MMA Team was formed at the start of 2013, with the aim of producing top level competitive MMA athletes. Our goal this year is to give our team as much experience as possible in the way of training sessions around the country, and building up amateur careers for the fighters before they turn semi pro or pro. Although this tournament was an interclub, each fighter had to make weight, the bout took place in the cage (grappling or MMA), with entrance music, a cheering crowd, the full deal.

We had 9 fighters taking part: Soroush Mahdavi, David Knight, Kirk Dixon, Ed Gamster, Kane Holloway and Julian Kerr were taking part in an open grappling tournament. Sam Balfour was in his first full MMA bout, with Leon Delafonte and Ashley Allen taking part in exhibition bouts (no possible winner). This team was supported by Wrestling Coach Chad Edwards, Senior Instructor Paul Busby, plus team mates Marley Lidster and Andrew Gibson there to cheer them on.

 

GRAPPLING TOURNAMENT:

First up was the open grappling tournament, with all gyms having fighters enter. David ‘Smasher’ Knight was up first, and quickly overpowered his opponent throughout the 5 minute round to take victory for Genesis.

Soroush Mahdavi was up next into the cage. This was an incredibly hard working bout, with both fighters showing supreme fitness levels. Soroush took the win based on takedowns and agression.

Next up was Genesis Wrestling student Kirk Dixon, who had to work hard against a very fit opponent to also take the win. David, Soroush and Kirk went through to the next round.

Kane Holloway has been taking part in Genesis Kickboxing classes for years, but is new to MMA. He fought a hard 5 minute round against his Gods of War opponent who clearly had more experience. Kane went out on referee’s decision, but will be back next time!

Another Genesis Wrestling student was up next, Ed Gamester. Ed took the bout on last minute decision, so was slightly underprepared, but fully up for the challenge. Being so used to pinning people down (instead of going for submissions), Ed was easily overpowering his opponent however not scoring too many points. Ed was beaten by a rear choke late into the 5 minute round.

Julian Kerr was up next for Genesis in the cage. Julian has only had a few months training so this was to be a real test for him. Immediately he went in for the kill, securing a guillotine choke on his oppoent and winning by submission in 30 seconds, the fastest win of the day!

1st, 2nd and 3rd place to Genesis MMA!

Grappling – 2nd ROUND:

David ‘Smasher’ Knight was back up again in the second round. David weighed in as the heaviest competitior of the day, and was up against the lightest, with a 30kg weight difference! His lighter Gods of War based opponent piled on the pressure at the start of the round, however David kept his cool and won by an armlock submission (keylock) after 90seconds.

Two Genesis fighters had to battle it out next, with Soroush Mahdavi up against Julian Kerr. Julian gave it 110% however the experience of Soroush showed through, winning by points decision.

Kirk Dixon was now up against another Gods of War fighter, who had beaten Kane Holloway earlier. Kirk showed complete skill, dominating the fight throughout to take a clear referee’s decision.

 

Grappling – FINALS:

This set up a 3 way final between David Knight, Soroush Mahdavi and Kirk Dixon. They all had to compete against eachother in a round robin system. David was up against Soroush first, and showed why we named him ‘Smasher’! Soroush, as hard working as ever couldn’t beat the power and strength of David. Kirk was next to face David (who decided he didn’t even want to rest), David took the win with a rear naked choke 3 minutes in. David was the winner! Soroush and Kirk battled it out for third, with Soroush’s experience and workrate winning by points decision.

Genesis MMA Team took FIRST, SECOND and THIRD places in the open grappling tournament! Well done guys!

 

 

 

MMA BOUTS:

Next up were the MMA bouts. First up for Genesis was Leon ‘Handsome’ Delafonte. This was an exhibition bout (no possible winner) as no strikes to the head were allowed. Despite the lack of headshots, this was probably the hardest hitting, most intense fight of the day. Leon remained calm under the pressure, and worked brilliantly on his slightly superior ground game, to stay on top of his opponent through 3x 3minute rounds. A very hard hitting fight! No winner was possible.

Next up was Ashley ‘Big Marlow’ Allen against a hugely experienced Gods of War instructor. This was a demonstration bout, giving Ashley huge experience of such an event. Ashleys vastly more experienced opponent gave Ashley a great experience and we are very greatful to him for doing so. Ashley completed all 3x 3 minute rounds.

Last up was Sam ‘Animal’ Balfour against Gods of War, 6foot 4inch, Judo Blackbelt Kyle Grady. This was under MMA rules, allowing head contact. With high hopes on him, Sam started brilliantly with greatly timed punches and kicks. Unable to compete with Sam at standing up, Kyle forced the clinch and managed a take down, both fighters ending up evenly on the floor. A quick skirmish later and Sam was against the cage wall, Kyle won with a Kimura (arm lock). This competition was intended only as a great learning experience, and an inconsolable ‘Animal’ will be back for more very soon!

 

So ended the first day out for the Genesis MMA Team. Our next outings include training at a BJJ gym in London on 23rd February, followed by an MMA squad training on 23rd March at Gods of War in Reading. We are setting up matches for the next interclub competition in early July, and could possibly be entering fighters for shows before that. Genesis MMA Fighters Corey Cain, Phil Collins, Matthew Holland and Matthew Ford are all competing in TKMMA 2, ‘Blood and Iron’ on Saturday March 2nd at Handy Cross Sports Centre, for what is set to be on of the biggest events of the year. Tickets are SOLD OUT, info here:

www.tkmma.co.uk

Kyle Grady Vs Sam 'Animal' Balfour

Kyle Grady Vs Sam ‘Animal’ Balfour

 

 

 

 

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Watford Open 2013 results

In a speech in 1857 Frederick Douglas delivered a speech towards the emancipation of West Indian slaves. The most quoted line within the speech is “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”. This was written in a different time but over a century and a half later it is most apt for Genesis Martial Arts outing at the Watford Open.

Check out all the highlights

2012 was a coming out party for the Genesis Martial Arts Unleashed fight team and culminated for success for many of its junior members. All the fighters within the team have demonstrated improvement each time out and the coaches at Genesis constantly look to push them beyond their comfort zones seeking improvement and development of their fighting spirit. Well the Watford Open certainly delivered a tough test for all.

In his first ever competition Ethan Rapsay demonstrated the promise he has shown in class and progressed to the second round in the boys semi contact before being edged out by a single point in the second round. Ethan didn’t let the intensity of the light contact section daunt him but it did mean he struggled to fight his fight. As expected Ethan performed well and maintained technique and poise throughout although did and excellent job for his first ever outing.

Fighting in the boy’s semi contact intermediate and advanced sections under 150cm Liam Blandford’s goal is to get as much mat time as possible to get up to speed to catch up with his more experienced piers. In the advanced section Liam fought an experienced blackbelt with excellent timing and feints, which kept Liam off balance throughout and left few openings for him to capitalize on. Despite the defeat Liam showed growth from his previous fights and increased confidence. In the intermediate section Liam scored a moral and technical victory in the first round and a much needed confidence boost before losing in the second round.

Kieran Johnson looked to compete in the double semi contact and light contact sections at intermediate level over 160cm for the first time since growing 5 inches in 2012. At 162cm Kieran was one of the smaller competitors in both sections and struggled with the size, range and power of his fellow competitors. In light contact he fought a tough first round against Watford Freestyle Fighter Max Chapman Tripe. Max’s continuous pressure fighting was ultimately slightly to much for Kieran who was forced to fight on the back foot throughout.

In the semi contact section Kieran was able to use his speed and timing to win the teams only medal of the day with a spirited performance, which earned him 3rd place.

In the boys advanced black belt sections over 160cm Archie Thompson had difficult match ups in both semi contact and light contact being undersized in comparison to his opponents. Never one to quit Archie acquitted himself well in both sections but the size deficit was slightly to much for him to overcome and he was beaten in the first round in both sections. Look out for Archie in the same section in 2014 as he will have grown into given the time.

Louise Birkett was up next in the girls over 160cm black belt sections fighting in semi contact and light contact divisions. Going into the event Louise was carrying a nagging back injury, which hampered her performance and ability to kick. Unable to perform at her usual level Louise was unable to progress past the first round in semi contact but her grit and determination allowed her to win third place in the light contact section. Louise will now look to recover and bounce back from the injury.

Armid Akram was keen to demonstrate his form of 2012 and improve over his Kwon Grand Slam performance. Demonstrating decent movement throughout the first round, Armid failed to pressure his opponent or to provide any deterrent for him to attack which cost him the match. In semi contact points can be accumulated and lost quickly and a lead of 1 or 2 points can easily be negated with a go for broke competitor in a single attack. Still young in his Martial Arts career Armid will be working hard on his ability to secure match winning points at will.

Anchoring the team Adam Spittles fought in the men’s semi contact intermediate section over 75kg. Like Liam, Adam is a beginner who is transitioning into the intermediate section and is gathering more experience with each outing. As with life in competition experience is key. With 2 seconds left in the round Adam was level with his opponent on points and just needed to stall out to go to a 30 second overtime. The other option in this situation for a confident fighter is to go for broke and score the point leaving no time for any comeback. Either option can provide a winning outcome and when you fight for long enough wins and losses will occur either way. In this instance Adams last second attack was countered and he lost the match however the bold attack has proven successful in the past for Adam and shows that he is an all or nothing fighter.

2013 will be a long year with competitions throughout the calendar and despite the Watford Open resulting in the lowest medal haul for Genesis (a single bronze) in 2 years the team is fighting at a much higher level and against much better competition and for some in categories which they are at the bottom of. Regardless of the results the team remains positive and are motivated to train harder. They will return and are always aware that “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”.

Thank you as always to parents in attendance, Steve Birkett, Stewart Thompson, Dave Blandford and Sharon Barlow who bought Shannon along to support the team while she recovers from her knee injury. Special thanks to Andrea and Jason for supporting Ethan and allowing him to become part of the Genesis Team.

If you would like to join the Genesis Team and fight with them on the competition circuit, join them and train alongside them at Genesis Unleashed Squad Training 6.30 till 9.30pm on the 5th March 2013 at Genesis Gym. http://www.facebook.com/events/335891339852535/

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