1. Fedor looked more flabby than usual.  That said, I still expected him to beat Werdum.  I could feel the panic of the Russian M1-Global team in the cage after the loss.  The M1-Global team around Fedor has so much invested in the “myth” of Fedor as a tool to leverage on the business side.  Fedor needs a rematch immediately and to defeat Werdum in devastating fashion to regain some of his lost mystique … however the “legend” of Fedor will never quite be the same. I would still love to see Fedor face off against Randy Couture.  It would be a great chess match.

2. Recent news indicates MMA will not be legalized in New York in the near term.  There had been some buzz that the suits in Albany were close to getting the deal done fueling dreams of a 2011 New Years blockbuster PPV on 33rd and 8th.  Not so fast my friend (Yo…Lee Corso), you pavement dwellers here in Gotham will need to get your live MMA fix in other ways.  Lucky we have Chris Sblendorio (CEO) and the fellas at Urban Conflict Championships ramping up more great MMA action just across the river in Jersey City.  UCC is positioning themselves to be a major player in MMA in NYC upon legalization, and have already put on two great shows about twenty minutes from NYC, reachable via mass transit.  At UCC2 in May, a rowdy crowd saw two great headlining fights as Dante Rivera stopped Ryan Contaldi and Josh Cholish took out Hitalo Machado.  UCC3 is slated for September 10th in Jersey City, NJ.

3. I fully expect Brock Lesnar to handle Shane Carwin.  Carwin is a beast but Lesnar is a monster and freak of talent for that size.  Much has been made of the similarities between these two, but I think Lesnar has more athletic talent and is just a better overall athlete.  That said, we have not seen him take a major blow and fight while in danger.  This is a major question and if anybody can rock BL it is Carwin.  Must See TV if you are a sports fan.

4. Enough with the Edgar/Penn scoring debate.  Frankie Edgar defeated BJ Penn 3 rounds to 2.  It was close but a clean verdict, as Edgar clearly controlled rounds 3, 4, and 5.  Edgar’s professional and humble public style is one of his great weapons.  Everybody underestimates him … usually until it is too late and they are eating leather.  I spent time with him after the win and watched him spar with Eddie Alvarez. He won the session.  His hand speed and footwork is as good as it gets, and he fights as smart as anyone in the game.   Watching him tutor others and impart how to fight in a “thinking” manner is as impressive as his mat brawn.  Just two and half years ago he was welding pipe as a plumber … today he is a testament to where hard work can take you.  The rematch in Boston … Oh Baby!

5. Five Fights in the second half of 2010 I am itching to watch.

a.  Chan Sung Vs. Leanord Garcia 2.  Sung is known as the Korean Zombie and these two put on the fight of 2010 already … no discussion.  A blistering three rounds of bomb throwing went to decision and Garcia got the controversial nod.  This WEC rematch can’t happen soon enough.

b. Ricardo Almeida Vs. Matt Hughes.  The buildup to this will feature lots of chum about Hughes beating three Gracie Jiu Jitsu studs in Royce Gracie, Matt Serra, and Renzo Gracie and whether he can take out a fourth in Big-Dog Almeida.

c. Lyman Good Vs Ben Askren. Good showed incredible talent gaining the Bellator 170lb title and I am interested to see his development. Askren is a great wrestler, but will to have show some skills on his feet in this Bellator show-down.

d.  Jon Jones Vs. Anybody.  Ok, we know Jones is fighting Vladamir Matyushenko Aug 1st but that is beside the point.  I think Jones may be the most talented fighter in the UFC and more cage-time should bear this out.  Fans will clamor for him to be fast tracked to a title shot, yet Dana White will want to milk his ramp up for all he can get — that is what good promoters do.

e. Randy Couture Vs. James Toney.  I think all serious MMA fans want Couture to take Toney down and ground and pound the snot out of him to show the boxing community you can’t just pick up this sport on a whim and roll into the UFC and get a W.  This one will be a ton of fun.

6. And finally.  ESPN launching MMA Live this year with Jon Anik has been great for the sport.  The ESPN packaging puts this highlight show in the sand-box with other major sports promotion vehicles.  The MMA universe must continue to support ESPN’s coverage as it drives public acceptance and growth via new fringe ESPN viewers.  ESPN reporters in suits, in a million dollar studio, mixed with professional graphics and all that goes with an ESPN show just elevates how a new fan or critic digests the sport, even if they don’t realize it.  The optics of the ESPN machine do wonders.

By John Moody
Editor/Producer

Two of New Jersey’s best professional MMA fighters return to action on Saturday June 19^th at MMA Mayhem at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ. (Click through for live link to buy tickets)

Chris Liguori from Middletown, NJ - the current Ring of Combat Lightweight Champion and a veteran of the UFC and Elite XC, will be fighting Robert Conner. Dante Rivera, a middleweight from Jackson, NJ is coming off a major victory over Ryan Contaldi at UCC 2 in Jersey City and squares off against former UFC Ultimate Fighter contestant Dan Cramer. These are high quality match-ups featuring fighters at the highest level of professional MMA.

In addition to the great action on the mat, fans will be treated to an “A” list autograph meet and greet featuring UFC Lightweight Champion and Toms River native Frankie Edgar, Former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, and the mega popular UFC veteran Kimbo Slice.

MMA Mayhem is an all day event created by Elite Wrestling and is helping raise funds for the Jackson, NJ non profit labor union - PBA 168. Elite Wrestling is a premier wrestling school in the state, and will be holding an all ages grappling tournament during the day ahead of the professional fights which start at 7pm.

It will be great day of grappling and MMA action at one of the best amusement parks in the country. Fantastic to see more and more high quality events in the Tri-State area advancing the sports of grappling/BJJ and MMA.

A variety of ticket packages are available and can be purchased at –

www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/index.aspx.

For more information about Elite Wrestling –

www.elitewrestling.net

I first met Edgar in June of 2007 when I produced a “day in the life” video of him for NBCSports.com when he was still working his full time job as a plumber.  I think of that day often, of late, remembering just how hard he worked both as a plumber from 8am to 4pm on-to his four hour training session that evening. I find myself thinking regularly about just how far Edgar has come in 2.5 years and how everything he dreamed of in MMA has come to pass short of a victory Saturday.  He did not want to install urinals at local high schools his entire life - he wanted to be a full-time professional fighter. With the fight of his life ahead, I believe Edgar carries with him the confidence of someone who has worked hard for every inch of opportunity that has come his way. Win or lose, I suspect he will keep his perspective and discipline which will serve him well in a career that has a long way to go either as a new champion or an ongoing title contender.

WEC play-by-play announcer Todd Harris may be a new face to some  first-time MMA viewers but most sports fans have heard his voice across numerous networks the last ten years. In fact, Harris may be one of the most versatile announcers in the sports broadcasting game today. A stretch you say … well here are a few nuggets off the Harris resume. The BYU graduate has been the lead announcer on everything from the Pro Surfing Tour to the 2005 Indy 500 to ESPN College Football / Basketball to the 2010 Olympics Freestyle Skiing events. Now, Harris is a mainstay on the MMA landscape with the WEC on Versus TV. Oh, and lets not forget he host’s everyone’s favorite – The World’s Strongest Man show on ESPN.

So, who helped Harris get his break in MMA with the WEC? How did he pick up the language of MMA and what does he learn from Frank Mir? What two questions is he asked when he visits ESPN headquarters in Connecticut? What are his thoughts on Dominick Cruz and Jens Pulver? And, what in the world does he do with all the frequent flier miles? For these answers and much more, read on …

—-

Moody: Prior to the last WEC event in Columbus you had an especially hectic work schedule. Breakdown and explain your assignments/locations for the past six weeks before the most recent WEC event.

Harris: Over the past six weeks I have covered three disciplines of freestyle skiing for NBC at the Vancouver Olympic games working with gold medalist Jonny Mosely. The Olympics are always a good time but loads of work and long hours, but definitely worth it. Then, it was back to ESPN and the family of networks doing the end of the college basketball season with the WCC and the WAC tournaments for men’s and women’s basketball. I did the NCAA wrestling championships on ESPNU and ESPN in Omaha Nebraska which was great because it was another aspect of MMA and the wrestlers are great kids to work with. And finally, I did the WEC fight in Columbus Ohio for Versus teaming up with Stephan Bonner for the big Brian Bowles vs Dominic Cruz bout.

Moody: Over the past year how many different sports have you covered and do you have a favorite, if so why?

Harris: Over the past year, I think I have covered approximately eight different sports for four different networks. It always begins in the fall with the World’s Strongest Man event for ESPN. This year it was in Malta. That usually is followed by about 15 weeks of college football and then into college basketball and the X -Games and more skiing and snowboarding if it’s an Olympic year. I also have a few fights for the WEC mixed in about every six weeks. So, it can vary year by year, but normally I get about 8-10 different sports in. I am always looking to try a new sport and have yet to get a shot at Curling!

Moody: I worked with you at ESPN when you were still breaking into the big time.  Have things moved along as you predicted?  Did any one network give you the “big break?”

Harris: I don’t know if I have yet to break in to the Big Time yet! I think the career thing is all about always progressing and getting better. The day I call the perfect game or fight is probably the day I retire! You know, go out on top, and call it good and then try a new career.  I honestly think so much about this business is being in the right place at the right time for the right person to see you work and like what they see and hear.  I have been fortunate to have some of the best producers and directors around me and that has always made me better.  I do think that spending seven years as Keith Jackson’s sideline reporter alongside Dan Fouts certainly helped me get to where I am today. (Todd worked sideline for Jackson/Fouts on ABC College Football) Keith is without question one of the best of all time and I learned a lot from him. ESPN and ABC have been great to me. It’s been a bit of a challenge with the two networks merging and trying to find your place in the order of talent.  But, all in all I have been given plenty of good opportunities.

Moody: Talk a little about your early assignments … hosting pro surfing? When you were in Vietnam calling Surf events did you ever think you would be at this point?

Harris: Early events could vary from surfing in Vietnam for the Pro Surfing Tour to the National Jet Ski tour.  It was the early days of what ESPN called  ”X-treme” sports and I was lucky to be around for much of the early events.  I loved going from Surfing to Snowboarding and then Jet Ski Racing and SuperCross.  Most folks back in Bristol, CT (ESPN home office) didn’t know much about these sports, but they knew enough to get them on the air. I did a lot of work for a company in Southern California called Dynocomm and they were really at the forefront of covering those types of sports for ESPN. They all surfed and went snowboarding, so for them it was a perfect fit, and they really put everything into seeing those sports get some national exposure.  But, I think getting to call the Indy 500 (Harris was the lead race announcer for ABC at the 2005 Indy 500) and be a part of several Rose Bowls really was a turning point in me just getting exposure in mainstream sports.

Moody: Explain how the WEC hired you.  Was there a tryout period to see if you could acclimate to the sport?

Harris: I got the call from the WEC a few years back when it was just getting the deal with Versus.  Peter Dropick called me and asked about my interest and availability first. He got my name and contact information from Tim O’Toole who I had worked with on several snowboard and skiing events for another company in Southern California called Echo Entertainment. Good people who did a great job covering several national Ski and Snowboard tours back in the early 90’s.  Dropick had since moved on-to the UFC and when the WEC began getting their TV deal together.  Tim put Peter and I in touch.

My first real shot at MMA came as a tryout at the first televised WEC event at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.  I was teamed with a local radio personality, Dave Farra, and we actually got together the night before and watched some old UFC fights with the volume down and tried calling the action together as if it was live.  The next night it was a taped show and so Dave and I called a fight and then Frank Mir put on the headsets and we called a few from the truck. Peter Dropick and the powers that be decided Frank and I were a better combination.  Dave went on to be used as the voiceover guy for the WEC Wreckage shows until he left for another outfit a few years later.

Moody: When did you become aware of Mixed Martial Arts?  Did you appreciate the tactics and “science” of it right away or was it a learning process?

Harris: I had heard about the UFC and its growing fan base years ago and I knew Tim O’Toole was a part of the production.  Of course, names like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz were getting well known but I did not have a very good understanding of the whole MMA aspect.  I mean, you think about it and most people think its just two really tough guys going at it no-holds-barred, but until you either train or sit cage side with these athletes you cannot really appreciate the whole scope of what they can do with so many different forms of combat. To step in the cage you have to be a pretty solid Wrestler, Muay Thai fighter and Boxer or striker.  That coupled with a high level of Jiu Jitsu makes you just another fighter. To be really good, you have to be excellent at all of the above! These are just “complete” fighters, and I think the UFC and WEC are the best in the world.

Moody: Since you are concerned with calling the action … much of the language-metaphors for calling basketball and football don’t always crossover to MMA. Did you have trouble picking up the technical terms of Jiu Jitsu and the insider phrasing of the MMA language?

Harris: I will say this, MMA is whole different world when it comes to terminology and like other sports you cannot come in and just fake it as an announcer.  The fans are very well educated when it comes to knowing the sport, so you have to know your stuff and not try and just be generic and hope that works.  Peter Dropick asked me to workout with some of the MMA fighters and do some training.  That has made a world of difference for me.  I can relate to what its like being choked or put in a bad place.  It’s not comfortable and being able to defend a move before it happens is something I really appreciate with the WEC fighters. Frank Mir is one of the best announcers I have worked with in seeing what is “about” to happen in a fight.  He thinks like a fighter when we call a bout and that is a huge help to me in setting him up. I have full confidence in throwing it to him with a question of ” so how do you defend that move?”

Moody: Takeaway thoughts from the last WEC event in Columbus?  General thoughts on Torres losing, Cruz over Bowles, and Pulver possibly saying goodbye.

Harris: I was really impressed with Dominick Cruz.  He was so confident in his abilities to beat Brian Bowles and he certainly used his speed to offset Bowles’ power.  I think the whole night was a great card and the fans saw some of the WEC’s finest. Great town and the fans seemed really knowledgeable.  Miguel Torres’ loss was surprising, not that I didn’t think his opponent was up to it but I thought coming off the Bowles loss he would be razor sharp.  Also, seeing Jens Pulver go out like that was bitter sweet.  He is so good for the sport and I think most of the MMA community wanted to see him end with a win.

Moody: I don’t think most sportscasters could go from having the needed expertise of covering Olympic Moguls, Aerials, and Ski-Cross skiing then bounce to a ESPN college basketball game a few days later then jump right into breaking down the Jiu Jitsu of Javier Vasquez as he defeats Jens Pulver in WEC action.  Explain what it takes to being so versatile?

Harris: I don’t know how versatile I am but I just have a love for the sports I cover and I am always looking for another opportunity.  I think in this day and age you have to be adept at many sports because the networks need more than just a one trick pony, plus if all I covered was college football and I had to wait until August or September I would get bored and I am sure my wife would be sick of me being around from January to July! I have been fortunate to have a lot of opportunities and sometimes one door closes but another one opens.  I think you have to approach every sport you’re asked to cover like it’s the biggest event of the year because for some fans it is, and they deserve someone who conveys the excitement and anticipation they are feeling.  But, if you want to call me the most versatile announcer I won’t complain!

Moody: I think MMA is not a sport many network level sportscasters could just “jump” into as they might with the major sports.  Do you feel you and Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo from Strikeforce have an invaluable foothold in the sport as  ”they” guys to call MMA as it grows further?

Harris: I don’t think anyone ever has a lock on the announce seat for a sport.  I say that because just like the fighters the networks and company heads are always looking to get better and asking themselves how can we improve - which is good.  So the minute you think you have this job locked up for however long you want it, you’re asking to be removed.  Goldie does such a great job with the UFC and he is the voice of those of events, but I am sure he is always looking to get better and stay sharp.  For me, it’s all about being that recognized voice and having the fans expect to hear my voice when the WEC is on.  I would be thrilled to keep my post for years to come and I hope that’s the case but thinking you have something that cannot be lost is a dangerous way to approach any occupation.  I want my last fight call to be my best and so every time out I am trying to get a little better.  I don’t know if I have a stronghold on the WEC position, but I hope my bosses are happy with me and the fans like my call.  I would love to be a part of the WEC growth in the future, needless to say I do think the WEC future can be very bright with the fighters we have and the upcoming cards, so bring on Sacramento!!

Moody: What is the hardest thing about calling MMA after coming from a basketball or football assignment with ESPN just days prior?

Harris: The hardest part of this last fight and my switch from Basketball on ESPN to cage fighting on VS was my health! I got a nasty stomach bug that had me up all night immediately after my game in California, losing my proverbial lunch, until about 6am! Then, I had to rally and fly cross-country through Atlanta and onto Columbus where Peter Dropick arranged for a Doctor to meet me in my room and get me some medicine and fluids because, I was completely dehydrated and washed out.  That’s about as sick as I have been in a very long time.  And being sick on the road is never fun. Being that sick and then having to be up for such a huge fight?  I owe Peter and that fine Dr. a lot of thanks for propping me up for four hours!

Moody: What needs to happen for MMA to get covered in the first five minutes of Sportscenter on ESPN the night of a huge UFC event?  Do executives still fear the shots of blood when a guy gets cut on the forehead … is it the stigma?  Do stick and ball Producers who program Sportscenter still not “get it?”

Harris: For MMA to grab the first five minutes of SportsCenter it’s going to have to be a very big fight and the buzz around the fight will have to surpass any other game on that night, but it will happen sooner rather than later.  There are a lot of closet MMA fans in Bristol at the home office and it’s coming. When I get to campus, I get asked usually about two things – “Where is the Worlds Strongest Man going to be this year?” and something about the WEC, usually “When is Uriah Faber fighting again” and “Can you get me some tickets to a WEC fight?” I think there is a fear of how the general fan base of ESPN will react if a fight gets too bloody.  But, I always tell people, most fights are not bloody and don’t end in someone being choked out. It’s a high level, very intense chess match with two very well conditioned athletes.  Come to one fight and you will be a fan! I don’t know if there is a fear factor with most executives, but I am sure they know what could happen on their network in an MMA fight and they are currently a little shy about showing too graphic of a fight, especially with ESPN being owned by the Disney Corporation.  Plus, the stick and ball sports still have the biggest draw as far as ratings go so much of it is probably a financial decision more than anything else.

Moody: Has Frank Mir ever put you in a BJJ position to explain a maneuver in meetings?

Harris: Frank loves to put me in holds all the time.  He will be in the middle of telling a story about a fight and he will say, “here let me show you how I did it.” But, I will give him credit; he always respects my tap, which comes pretty quick.

Moody: Do you feel your career is peaking … you are on ESPN, NBC, Versus - what is the next level for you now?

Harris: I would like to think I am still on the rise. Someone once told me that careers in broadcasting are like a pendulum, back and forth, you may not be on top one year and the next your the hot commodity.  I partially agree with that but I would like to be more like the tortoise.  I may not be that fastest riser to the top or a hot topic on the Internet or chat rooms, but I’d rather be consistent and steady and not be the story rather the one telling the story and not being a distraction to the audience.

Moody: How many frequent flier miles do you currently have if you combine them all? What do you do with them?

Harris: I think I am fast approaching two million frequent flier miles on Delta alone.  All told I am sure I have somewhere along 500,000 miles currently in my several accounts, I fly way too much on too many airlines. That movie “Up in the Air” hit way too close to home for me! However, I use the miles all the time to take the family on trips or just to send parents somewhere nice for a gift.  I have too many for one person to use so I like to spread the love!

*Thanks, Todd, for taking time, and we look forward to watching you again soon on WEC coverage.

by John Moody, Editor/Producer

Go to www.INSTINCTFIGHTING.com

Instinct Sports Entertainment’s inaugural Instinct fighting event will take place on Saturday, April 17th 2010 at the Essex County College Sports Center in Newark, NJ.

This first event in the new sport of Professional Stand-up Fighting will feature phenomenal stand-up fighters from 10 different countries!

This twelve bout fight card will be headlined by a world class main event featuring two of the best Muay Thai fighters in the world at 155 pounds as French phenom ANTOINE PINTO makes his North American debut against Russia’s own IVAN BUSAROV. Busarov is a Russian champion in Muay Thai and at only 27, he has competed in over 130 bouts in his career. Pinto is world renowned as the young phenom of Muay Thai - born in Toulouse, France; Pinto moved with his parents and brother Victor to Thailand when he was just 4 years old. He’s trained Muay Thai 6 times a week ever since - now at the age of 19, Pinto is set to make a huge impact in Professional Stand-up Fighting.

Other bouts confirmed for this event feature Anderson Silva’s top student DAMASO PEREIRA from Brazil taking on tough kickboxer ERIC REYNOLDS of Florida. Former Olympic boxing prospect EVAN NEDD from Aruba brings his aggressive brand of fighting to the United States as he takes on undefeated kickboxing fighter from Matt Hume’s AMC Pankration camp BRENT KNOPP. Fight fans will have the chance to also witness the North American debut of Thailand’s legendary Muay Thai Champion LAMOMPHROM “KHAMLAYOK” THONGCHAI as he takes on Canada’s very best Muay Thai fighter SYD BARNIER; Barnier has travelled to Thailand before and has beaten some of the best fighters that country has to offer - now Thongchai comes to America to avenge his country’s honour. Holland’s Bulldozer JOHAN CROES will also be in action against USA’s DREW BROKENSHIRE; Croes is known for his intense and aggressive style while Brokenshire is widely known as one of Matt Hume’s top prospects.

Also on the card: DEVIN HENRY from Trinidad, Heavyweight GUIDO CARLO from Aruba, ANGELA HAYES from Denver, Colorado, GABRIEL VARGA from Canada, DIMITRI WAARDENBURG from Belgium and many more world class athletes as Instinct’s matchmaker Chris Cordeiro is putting the last touch to a stellar international fight card.

Tickets are on sale now on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000

www.INSTINCTFIGHTING.com

FIGHT CARD

Main event: IVAN BUSAROV (Russia) vs. ANTOINE PINTO (France)

155 lbs: DAMASO PEREIRA (Brazil) vs. ERIC REYNOLDS (USA)
205 lbs: EVAN NEDD (Aruba) vs. BRENT KNOPP (USA)
135 lbs: LAMOMPHROM THONGCHAI (Thailand) vs. SYD BARNIER (Canada)
145 lbs: JOHAN CROES (Holland) vs. DREW BROKENSHIRE (USA)
145 lbs: TBA vs. DEVIN HENRY (Trinidad)
HEAVY: TBA vs. GUIDO CARLO (Aruba)
Female: TBA vs ANGELA HAYES (USA)
135 lbs: TBA vs. GABRIEL VARGA (Canada)
135 lbs: TBA vs. DIMITRI WAARDENBURG (Belgium)
MIKE SEAL (Albuquerque, New-Mexico) vs. FRANCOIS AMBANG (Richmond, Virginia)
PLUS 2 MORE BOUTS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

So what does it take these days to generate over 220,000 views for a single Youtube video? Well, you can be a European TV host and lose your lunch with cameras rolling, maybe throw the name “Snookie” in the clip title and hop on the Jersey Shore TV show bandwagon, or … you can take a far more difficult path to internet stardom, as Tiger Schulmann fighter Nick Pace did, by delivering one of the top 10 knockouts in Mixed Martial Arts for 2009. (Pace KO video below)

Pace (135lb / 2-0), from Staten Island, arrived with flare last June on the under card of the Bellator Fighting Championships Welterweight tournament final in Uncasville, CT. He beat down Collin Tebo early in the first round with a flying knee (shades of Jose Aldo) and a finishing right hand to his limp opponent that would make Dan Henderson proud. It was the finish of the night, the second best highlight of the Bellator season 1 series – after Toby Imada’s acrobatic triangle choke – and put MMA insiders on notice to the talent and flash of the 22 year old teammate of Bellator Welterweight champ Lyman Good.

“He (Tebo) was talking crap. After weigh-in he looked me in the eye and said ‘make sure you get a good night sleep you are going to need it.’ He was saying he was Division-1 wrestler, so I took him down … and he said he was a K1 kick-boxer, so I knocked him out with the knee.” The video-game ready right knee brought the casino crowd to it’s feet with a chorus of “oooohs” and then Pace brought on the “ahhhhs” with a brutal right hand to the skull of the flat-on-his-back opponent.

“My mother said ‘why did you have to hit him afterwards’ and I said, would you rather it to be me down there.”

A night to remember in the Pace family and for a fighter who has known this would be his life since he was in grade school.

“When I was 10 years old, I knew the second I started, I told my father – this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a Sensei. That was my main goal, to be a Sensei, an instructor. My goal is still to be a Sensei and I am really close to that now. I have my own students now, which is awesome. Now my goal is to be champion of the world.”

It was an unconventional career choice for the kid from Staten Island whose dad drives a truck delivering milk in Manhattan and mom is a hospital worker.

“My mom and dad are behind me 100%. They say, if I am going to do it, do it 100% - don’t slack.”

After the Tebo fight last June, Pace took some time off to manage personal issues but is now full steam ahead with his career and ready to take off in 2010. He is fighting February 19^th at the Ring of Combat against Lennox Chance in Atlantic City, NJ but also has one eye cautiously looking ahead to larger opportunities. Bellator Fighting Championships has extended the option for Pace to fight in the season three tournament, starting in August, which will include the 135lb weight class. Pace also indicated his manager at Tiger Schulman is actively talking with Strikforce about future opportunities. However, Pace stressed his immediate plate is quite full; he is the full-time head instructor at the Bay Ridge Brooklyn Tiger Schulmann school and must get past Chance at ROC 28.

“I take every fight really seriously. There is no video on him (Chance) so I am going to feel him out. I am going to stand with him, whatever happens happens, if I want to take him down, which I probably will, I want to take him down and ground and pound him.”

With his MMA career on the brink of bigger things, Pace vows to stay humble each step of the way. Yet, when pressed to comment on the stars of his division, namely former WEC champ Miguel Torres, he indicated he is taking notes on the big boys.

“What they have on me is experience. I see Miguel Torres and he is a badass. When I am watching him fight, I am watching how I would fight him/them. Torres is awesome, but when he is backing up, he is swinging wild. His stand-up isn’t so sharp. When I watch the WEC, I watch because this is my livelihood and need to see what the competition is out there doing.

Talking UFC, Pace added this nugget on New Jersey’s Frankie Edgar who is fighting MMA legend BJ Penn at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi … “Maybe Edgar is the guy to tear up BJ Penn, I give him a chance.”

It is a fun time for Pace. He has a wicked highlight reel with his famous flying right knee, a school full of eager students, and the potential for a fight filled docket in 2010. There are no guarantees in MMA, but however things turn out Nick Pace is pursuing his dream and knows he is doing exactly what he should be doing.

“The first time I stepped in the cage, it is an unbelievable feeling, you hear the cage lock behind you and it’s you and the other guy. I speak for all fighters, and before a fight you get butterflies, but the second you start moving – boom – you are in the zone and that goes away and it is just you and the other guy.”

By John Moody (Founder/Editor)