Ronda Rousey shows her face again! | Long Island MMA

Ronda Rousey shows her face again!

Since Ronda Rousey lost her UFC Woman’s Bantamweight Championship to Holly Holm at UFC 193 this past November it seems she has been in hiding, leaving everyone guessing when and if she will come back and what her next move will be.  It seems she thought it was a good idea to make her first appearance just a few days ago on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, but many fans of Ronda and SNL do not share her enthusiasm over it. First, this was an important show because it was the first time we got to hear from the former champ since her loss to the current champion Holly Holm.  Ronda congratulated Holly Holm on her victory and said it “was a fight Holly deserved to win.”  It did take a few months for Rousey to show Holm the respect she deserves, but it is refreshing to hear that a humbled Ronda Rousey is growing past her loss. Now that she accepts and respects what happened in that fight with Holm she can move forward and potentially work her way back to the top. Not only was Ronda’s appearance on SNL important for her and her fans, but it was important for MMA as a sport because this was the first time an MMA athlete hosted SNL.  It’s great to see that the sport has become more widespread throughout the country and the world, UFC moves the world of MMA forward in a great way.  The only problem was that people were not impressed by the episode at all. Most opinions were very critical of Rousey’s performance; the harshest ones were comparing it to her performance in the Octagon against Holly Holm.  The nicer reviews complemented Ronda on her acting ability, but criticized the SNL writers for not being able to write a good script as of late. Say what you will of Ronda Rousey’s acting abilities, or the SNL writer’s creative abilities, Ronda needed to make a move back into the public’s eye.  Losing a big fight and then disappearing off the face of the earth raises question to a champion’s character, the best thing she can do is show the perseverance to push through and learn from the experience.  A strong character is what separates the good from the great, and solidifies the true champions as legends.

Watch her opening monologue here:
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/ronda-rousey-monologue/2973576

A Win for Long Island in UFC!

A Win for Long Island in UFC!

This past weekend at UFC 194 we witnessed the upsetting loss of the UFC Middleweight Champion,
Chris Weidman, to the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Luke Rockhold.  Despite Chris’s
efforts to defend his title, Rockhold finished him with a 4th round TKO to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion.  This may have been an upsetting for many of Weidman’s hometown fans
from Long Island, NY, but luckily Chris wasn’t the only Long Island boy fighting this past weekend!
Ryan LaFlare, fighting out of his gym in Farmingdale, NY, took his 12th professional win against Mike Pierce on Friday at The Ultimate Fighter Finale.  LaFlare has won 5 of his 6 UFC fights, and intends on adding more to that list!  This fight against Mike Pierce was really important because LaFlare was coming off his first and only career loss, and he came back better than ever.  Ryan LaFlare dominated Mike Pierce for 3 rounds ending in a unanimous decision.  LaFlare had made some improvements in his striking game and out-struck Pierce with clean counters and devastating body kicks.  Pierce was forced to attempt his takedowns on LaFlare, but all his attempts failed as LaFlare was able to stuff them, create the space he needed, and continue dominating on the feet.  The excitement increased at the end of the 3rd when both fighters bit down on their mouth piece and finished with a barrage of punches until the bell rang.  Sometimes we lose, and sometimes we win.  It’s important to learn from the losses we encounter and

celebrate all the wins along the way!

Jiu Jitsu Technique - The Ninja Sweep from triangle

Jiu Jitsu Technique - The Ninja Sweep from triangle

     This sweep is a true testament to chain grappling! Professional MMA fighter Eric Uresk teaches us a counter to a counter off of the triangle choke that he calls the ninja sweep. This technique is excellent to apply during a scramble such as this and will help you maintain dominant position when you are in a tricky spot! We hope you can all apply it to your game.

MMA HOTBED LONG ISLAND HOUSES UFC CHAMPION!

     Chris “The All American” Weidman is currently the UFC middleweight champion and is the biggest name of Long Island’s MMA fighters. On May twenty third Chris successfully defended his title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nevada against Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort. In the past, regardless of his excellent performances both in acquiring the title and in defending it some believed that Weidman had not yet proved himself as deserving of the middleweight title. It seems now that many of those naysayers are turning the tune of their speech in favor of the champion. With his recent domination of Vitor Belfort it is finally becoming evident that Chris Weidman is the real deal and will likely retain the title for some time! Fighting out of Baldwin, New York, Chris trains with several other active UFC fighters here on Long Island such as Ryan LaFlare who is the owner of Long Island Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Center located in Farmingdale NY.

     Now the discussion must be had as to whom will be the next best opponent to face Chris in the octagon. Two names particularly stand out and they are Jacare Souza and Luke Rockhold. Both men are coming off of impressive victories and are riding extensive win streaks. Each time a dangerous contender has stood in Weidman’s path there has been talk of adversity and possible failures yet The All American has shown fans each time why he is the one holding the belt, by putting on fast and decisive performances. Long Island must have something in the water to be producing such a number of high level fighters, and no matter the opponent, Chris Weidman is going to show them exactly what Long Island MMA is all about with more quick and decisive finishes!

Ryan LaFlare Vs Rick Story | A fight for the fans

The world’s highest profile Mixed Martial Arts organization, the UFC, showcases the best fighters from around the world. The organization is full of fighters that have dominated their respected regional level shows and have had the privilege of having all their hard work, dedication and sacrifices validated when invited to compete on the big stage. One of the most talent filled weight divisions is the UFC’s welterweight division, once controlled by George St. Pierre, is the home of some of the best fighters on the planet.

Recently there has been a lot of movement in the official UFC rankings especially in the 170lb class

because of a combination of fighters winning, losing and injuries. One fighter that has ended up in the UFC



top 15 ranking is Rick “The Horror” Story (18-8) of The MMA Lab. Rick jumped to  the 12^th spot after his split decision win over the highly respected Iceland native Gunner Nelson at UFC Fight Night on October 4^th. Story is a tough fight for anyone; he entered the octagon the underdog and escaped with a victory. Story used his wrestling and punches to solidify the win and his spot inside the UFC “Top 15” rankings. Prior to Story and Nelson stepping in the cage, Nelson was scheduled to fight fellow undefeated UFC welterweight Ryan LaFlare. LaFlare for several years prior to the UFC destroyed the northeast in the New Jersey based promotion, Ring of Combat, going 7-0 with all stoppages while capturing and defending the ROC Welterweight title before the call up. Once in the UFC LaFlare racked up 4 unanswered wins in his first year including wins over Court McGee and John Howard. Unfortunately, due to a knee injury LaFlare was sidelined and the battle of the unbeaten welterweights never took place.  

Now with Story coming off his victory and LaFlare appearing to be getting prepared for his return to the cage I believe a match up with these two would make sense for both men.  A win for Story would show he belongs in the top 15 and that the “peaks and valleys” of his career are past him and he has turned a corner in his career. If LaFlare’s hand is raised I believe it means much more. The Long Island MMA fighter, LaFlare, would show the world that this injury is just a bump in the road on his journey to the top. LaFlare was one of the biggest prospects in mma throughout the country even during 2010-2013 time frame when working through injuries and launching one of New York’s best mma gym, Long Island MMA in Farmingdale, New York mixed martial arts insiders still spoke of him in the highest regard.

I believe if the fight takes place, it will be a great fight and a true test for both athletes but ultimately LaFlare’s hand will be raised and he will stay undefeated. In the Nelson Fight a key to Story’s victory was stuffing his takedowns. I do not believe he will be able to stuff LaFlare’s shot and underrated Jiu Jitsu. I believe LaFlare will be able to take down his opponent the same way he has throughout his UFC career thus far. As for the striking department Story can pack a stiff punch but LaFlare is great at avoiding taken damage as well as using his longer frame and extending his reach. This fight will hopefully  happen and I believe  it will be the fight that launches LaFlare into the mainstream!

Long Island MMA

Ron from Long Island MMA tells us about his experience training at Long Island MMA.

Ron from farmingdale tells us his experience at Long Island MMA.

www.limixedmartialarts.com for more information

Training Jiu-Jitsu at Long Island MMA has changed my life for the better.  Jiu-Jitsu was the best thing I ever could have done in my life and finding the proper facility to train at was a blessing. I have to say I was nervous to enter a mixed martial arts gym and take on a new journey but as soon as I scheduled my free introductory lesson, talked to the staff, and met the coaches who taught at the facility, I knew this was a great environment to train at. I thought I would feel out of place, not knowing any form of martial arts and starting from scratch but Long Island MMA welcomed me in with open arms and made me feel right at home. I am not the quickest of learners or the most coordinated of all people but the hands on training here by the coaching staff  helped me grasp techniques better than I thought I would and let me learn at a pace that was suitable for me. I have made a home for myself here at the gym and met many great friends along the way. If I can recommend picking up a hobby to anyone it would be Jiu-Jitsu here at LIMMA. One of the many great things about Jit-Jitsu and this gym is there is no such thing as an ego on the training mats, all egos are left at the door when entering the gym. You must be humble and respect all members on the mats that are trying to better themselves. When training during a class, its great, everyone feels and is welcome! All people of all ages, different careers, and ethnicities join together, and are forced to interact, workout, and better there techniques. We have everyone under one roof from actual UFC fighters (like Dennis Bermudez and Ryan LaFlare) to doctors, students, union workers, and ext., its great!

                               
(check out Billy one of the black belts at Long Island MMA show us an advanced pass)

             Not only has this gym helped me create lifelong friends, and teach me how to defend myself but it has bettered me not only in the gym but in every aspect of my life. I cannot say I was in the best of shape upon beginning my journey here at LIMMA. I was overweight and self-conscious. As I began to train I watched the extra pounds I was holding shed off like crazy. I can now say I am in one of the best shapes of my life and still going strong! I am not as self conscious anymore, both because I not only look better now but the classes that I started taking at the facility forced me to slowly interact with other members and learn how to engage in conversation more. The most important benefit I have received throughout training Jiu-Jitsu is it has actually helped me become a better person, I am more humble now. I am constantly being put in a bad position while training Jiu-Jitsu and it forces me to either find an answer for the bad position I am put in or tap out, much like different situations that life gives up. I am able to look at my own personal problems in my own life now and look at them with a more level headed perspective than I might have previously done before starting my training. I also do not get as mad as easily as I might have because I am constantly working out my stress through training and the gym.

                                If I can recommend one thing to any person of any background, or anyone looking to make changes in their life, it would be to schedule one of the free introductory lessons Long Island MMA has to offer and see what I am talking about for yourself. 

Long Island MMA is located at 590 Smith St Farmingdale NY 11735.

is Long Islands Chris Weidman the best fighter in the world? | Long Island MMA

Chris Weidman defeats Lyoto Machida to retain the UFC’s middleweight title at UFC 175. With a  big victory for Weidman, this win extends Chris’s unbeaten streak to twelve straight wins, with notable victories over top competitors such as Anderson Silva (twice) , Mark Munoz , Demian Maia , and of course Machida.

                Weidman, originally from Baldwin New York, has helped tremendously by putting New York MMA on the map alongside other top competitors from the island such as Ryan LaFlare, Dennis Bermudez, Matt Serra, and we also have many more up and comers that are on their way.

Weidman wrestled division 1 at Hofstra University where he became a two time division 1 All-American and took 3^rd in the NCAA tournament.  He quickly took to Jiu-Jitsu and progressed fast having come from a strong wrestling foundation. After just three professional fights Weidman took the Ring Of Combat middleweight belt by defeating Uriah Hall via strikes in the first round, an organization where many top pro fighters from the east coast find themselves competing before getting called to the big show, located in New Jersey.

                 Once Weidman got to the big show there was no stopping him and he began to rise up the rankings. After defeating Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva to retain the UFC’s middleweight title, Chris was crowned with “ Knockout of the year” honors and the match was deemed  “Biggest upset of the year” as well. Quickly After Weidman was crowned the champion of the division people started to notice a trend within Long Island as other big names started making their way up the ladder , such as number 15 ranked and highly regarded welterweight prospect Ryan LaFlare who recently defeated TUF winner Court McGee and a dominant performance win over John ‘Doomsday’ Howard. Ryan is a Co-Owner of Long Island Mixed Martial Arts, another great school located in Long Island where a lot of highly regarded fighters are working their way towards the UFC or up the UFC rankings such as top featherweight contender Dennis ‘The menace’ Bermudez who is on a six fight unbeaten streak and takes on fellow contender Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida in an epic 145LB matchup. A Big win for Bermudez can catapult him high up the featherweight rankings and can help the Long Islander work towards a potential title shot.

With so many big names coming out of Long island it is hard to deny that New York is a breeding ground for MMA fighters. With so many top school around the state and Island, anyone that puts the time and effort into training will undoubtedly excel in the sport, being taught by the right coaches and having the right team around them.

Are you the next UFC champion? Come down to Long Island MMA and find out if you have what it takes! Click Here: 60 days FREE

Long Island MMA is located in 590 smith street farmingdale ny 11735