MMA pioneer, Erik Paulson, will be making his annual Combat Submission Wrestling(CSW) Seminar visit to Titan Fitness, State College, PA on October 24th and 25th, 2009.  To reserve your spot please contact Paul Zelinka or Bruce Lombard @ 814-235-1015 or info@titanfitness.com.  You can also visit www.titanfitness.com or www.lombardmma.comfor more information.  Do not miss this opportunity to learn from one of the top MMA Coaches and former fighter’s in the world.

Erik Paulson is the former 2-time light heavyweight Shooto World Champion.  He is the only American ever to achieve this title.  Coach Paulson travels around the world to share his MMA knowledge and fighting system.  His seminars are known for the abundance of information, interaction, and charisma.

Erik Paulson is the founder of Combat Submission Wrestling(CSW).  CSW is regarded as the most dominant MMA system in the world.  This fighting system encompasses three areas: kickboxing, clinching, and grappling.  Combat Submission Wrestling is a blend of many systems which includes: Muay Thai, French Savate, Western Boxing, Greco-Roman, Freestyle Wrestling, Shooto, Judo, Brazilian Jui Jitsu.

Erik currently trains some of the top MMA fighters in the world, including: Josh Barnett(UFC veteran, Pride Veteran, Affliction #1 heavyweight contender); Bobalu Sobral(UFC veteran, Affliction light heavyweight); and coach/cornerman for Brock Lesner(current UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Please visit Erik @ www.erikpaulson.com

Overview:  Forrest Griffin knew what he was talking about in this pre fight interview as he talked about his upcoming light-heavyweight title defense against top contender, Rashad Evans.  Griffin mentioned, he was not going to under estimate Evans and was well aware of his knockout power;  he was going to keep him at jab length and work his low kicks;  finally, he was going to try to avoid any take downs and make Rashad work at his potential attempts.  The fight mirrored everything he said.  Unfortunately for Forrest fans, Griffin did everything he wanted for two and half rounds before he got caught with Evans powerful right hand, which he warned of.

Summary:  Griffin vs. Evans

Forrest Griffin clearly came out and dictated the pace for the first two rounds.  I felt this is some of the best stand up I have witness from Forrest in his UFC career.  He was very unpredictable while using all four limbs in his fluid and accurate combination attacks.  Evans, known for sitting back and waiting for the big shot, was on his heels most of the fight.  When Griffin was not attacking, he was covering and counter striking well and his footwork and angles were making it hard for Evans to land any solid attacks.

Throughout the first two rounds Griffin landed kicks seemingly at will.  The main reason for this success is that he was setting his kicks up with punches first and he was changes targets from low(legs) to high(head).  Ultimately though, he got careless when he kicked to the body without a great set up, which usually makes it easier for an opponent to attempt a kick catch and a quick right cross counter.  This is all Evans needed as he drilled Forrest with the straight cross counter to the chin that dazed Griffin enough to allow Rashad to dominate in Forrests guard.  Griffin, who has an effective MMA guard which usually has him standing back up, could not recover and took much punishment after over a minute on the ground.  The ref stopped the fight and Rashad Evans took the title from fan favorite, Forrest Griffin.

hard knocks cage fights

 Mike Putnam, trained by MMA Coach, Bruce Lombard, of Titan Fitness in State College, PA won his amateur MMA debuwith a split decision victory(29-28,28-29,29-28) over previously unbeaten Ohio native Josh Baker, in the 145lb weight division.  The two strong willed fighters went back and forth for three rounds with no clear advantage for either fighter standing or on the ground.  In the first round Putnam almost got caught in a choke in Josh’s guard, but he cleared the submission attempt and threw down some effective ground and pound as he cleared Baker’s guard.  Baker landed a few heavy punches to the head of his opponent in the second round, but they did not seem to phase Putnam’s attack.  The third round was a back and forth battle as well, but in the end, I think the judges decision came down to Putnam’s control in the clinch game.  Mike controlled his tough opponent in the clinch throughout the first two rounds keeping him pinned against the cage and landing many effective knees. 

This event was promoted by ‘Hard Knocks Cage Fights’ and was held in St. Clairsville, OH.  The  event arena was sold out as over 2,500 MMA fans enjoyed 15 cage fights.

For more information go to:  www.hardknockscagefights.com

Allison Glenny trains Muay Thai under coach, Bruce Lombard, out of Titan Fitness and MMA in State College, PA.  On April 18, 2009 she had her first amateur Muay Thai fight in Hamburg, PA.  Glenny won a unanimous three round decision in a fast paced battle over a determined opponent from Allentown, PA.

As displayed in the video above, Allison showed amazing poise in her first Muay Thai fight displaying accurate punch to kick combinations and powerful knees in the clinch.  Knocking her opponent down twice with her straight rear cross, plus her relentless high to low attack and dominance with the plumm position, the judges rewarded her the decision with scores of: 30-25, 30-25, 30-26.

Allison Glenny will return to the ring this July.

Kristen Althouse is a Amateur Muay Thai Fighter training under coach, Bruce Lombard, out of Titan Fitness & MMA in State College, PA.  Kristen had her second amateur fight on April 18, 2009 in Hamburg, PA.  Althouse was involved in a highly competitive fight against a very strong opponent, Ally McGinley, that resulted in a draw through the judges eyes: 29-28, 28-29, 30-30.

The video above shows the competitiveness of the back and forth fight.  Kristen showed great heart and will as she withstood the aggressive first round attack of  McGinley.  But, she was able to recover and push the pace the rest of the fight.  Althouse seem to win the end of each round which could have given her the decision in most judges opinion.  She displayed good high to low offensive attacks and attempted to neutralize her opponents effective punching attack with countering front kicks(teep) and a few jumping knees. 

Althouse was able to effectively counter  McGinley’s clinch by using her over/under arm position and returning knees at her opponent.  When Kristen applied her plumm she was very dominant and landed knees at will as Ally could not defend or counter the position. 

This was a fast paced fight against to well conditioned athletes!  Viewers, please feel free to be a judge and give your own opinion on who won the fight!

Overview -This DVD set features former 2-time light heavyweight Shooto World Champion and now world renown MMA coach, Erik Paulson.  Also featured is Greg Nelson, veteran MMA coach and trainer for UFC Heavyweight World Champion, Brock Lesner, and former UFC Lightweight World Champion, Sean Sherk.  Erik Paulson and Greg Nelson share and demonstrate tons of  standing to ground the material. Valuable training tips, techniques, and drills are presented throughout this series.   

Review -  This video is over four hours of MMA techniques and drills.  Erik Paulson and Greg Nelson are two of the most recognized MMA coaches in the world and train some of the best fighters in the world for a reason. This video covers everything a student and fighter of any level would want in an MMA instructional video.  Paulson and Nelson demonstrate multiple techniques and tips in all areas including: boxing, kickboxing, submissions, ground and pound, clinching, strength training, wrestling, and much much more. 

Rating – (5 out of 5)  In my opinion, CSW 2008 Camp DVD is one of the best Mixed Martial Arts instructional videos available today.  This is one of those videos that you will have to watch numerous times just to gather all the information.  It is worth every penny! Have a notebook ready!!

How to Order - Visit www.erikpaulson.com for purchasing information

Review By: Bruce Lombard, Certified Combat Submission Wrestling Coach. Titan Fitness, State College, PA