Blog

Damien Norris Victorious Once Again
2/20/2012

Bodylock Presents Winter Brawl took place on Saturday February 18 at the Melrose Park Civic Center in Melrose Park, Illinois. The night featured a total of eight amateur mixed martial arts bouts that took place in front of a packed house. The night's Main Event saw Damien "Pretty Boy" Norris square off against Dennis Sherman in a Lightweight matchup.

To start the action, Sherman threw a kick before running Norris against the cage as he attempted a single leg takedown. Norris showed good balance, but eventually was takendown down and Sherman layed into his guard. From the bottom, Norris gathered hand control on Sherman and secured the triangle position at a mere 1:06 into the first round to secure the victory.

Official Result: Damian Norris via tapout due to a triangle choke at 1:06 of Round 1.

Rob Hinds to Host a Seminar at The Midwest Training Center
2/16/2012

(http://chicagosmma.com/2012/02/rob-hinds-unified-mma-rules-seminar-at-mtc/)

The unified rules of MMA are often misinterpreted, and confusing to some. Judges and referees often come under scrutiny for miscalls and inaccurate score keeping leading, many times, to controversial decisions. For those who want clarity, now you can find out more about why refs and judges do the things they do.

UFC referee and MMA judge Rob Hinds will be giving an informational seminar on the unified rules of MMA at The Midwest Training Center in Schaumburg. It’s also a good opportunity for you to check out the brand new MTC facilities at their new location.

The cost is just $15 if you register before 3/1/2012. Click the link below to register.

Unified MMA Rules of Mixed Martial Arts- An Informational Seminar
Sponsored by: Midwest Training Center
Presented by: Robert Hinds- Combat Consulting LLC

Friday, March 16, 2012
Check In: 5:00pm
Program Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Venue:
Midwest Training Center
455 E. State Parkway
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Clay Guida Wrestling Seminar at MMA Stop Fitness
2/14/2012

Here’s your chance to learn from fan favorite and one of the best, most ferocious light weight wrestlers in the UFC. Clay Guida is returning to Chicago to put on a wrestling seminar at his own gym MMA Stop Fitness, in Crest Hill. The seminar takes place on Wednesday February 29th and goes from 5pm-8pm. Following the seminar, Clay will be sticking around to sign autographs. The three-hour seminar costs $100 for non-members of the gym, $75 for members, and VIP members can attend for free.

MMA Stop Fitness is located at 16101 Weber Rd, Crest Hill, Illinois. For more information check out http://www.mmastopfitness.com/

LVRG fighter Mike Pitz featured on HDNet's Inside MMA
11/5/2011
LVRG sponsored fighter Mike Pitz was showcased on the 10/24 broadcast of HDNet's Inside MMA. Press the (Click to Play) button and forward to the 39:10 mark to view Mike Pitz's segment. (Notice Mike rocking the black and white LVRG fight shorts!!) - http://bit.ly/uwYHyQ
MMA Recap Checks in with LVRG's "ILL" Will Brooks
10/31/2011
(News article can be found at http://mmarecap.com/2011/10/checking-in-with-ill-will-brooks)
by Brent Todd :: 10-31-2011

It’s been nearly two weeks since Will Brooks was in the toughest fight of his career, but he’s already back at the gym training for his next fight.  Brooks is scheduled to meet Chris Tickle at XFO 42, a fight that will take place at the Sears Centre, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.  For his fight with Tickle, MMA Recap is going to check in on Brooks through out the training camp to see how things are going for this fight.

Let’s start off with your most recent win against Ryan Bixler.  That was the toughest fight of your career to date.  In the first round you suffered an accidental eye poke and weathered a storm of punches from Bixler.  You were able to recover after taking him down and held on to him.  How much trouble were you in while he was unloading on you?

Before the fight went to the ground I believe I was in more trouble being that I couldn’t see and he was able to land some very solid shoots. Once I was able to hold him I didn’t feel in trouble as much I was more focused on getting my vision back in my eye.

In the second round you looked extremely fresh compared to Bixler.  And it showed as you took him down again with ease.  I noticed that you took his back, much like you did in your previous two fights, only this time you had to finish with the rear naked choke instead of the armbar.  Did you attempt the armbar or was it just straight for the rear naked choke?

When I took his back I was looking to gain control more than looking for any type of submission. I didn’t really look for any submission in particular I I just took what was presented and at the time it was the rear naked choke.

How much time did you take off before you got back into training for your upcoming fight?

I took about a week off that has kind of been the routine of my last couple of training camps and fights lucky not because of injury but just to rest, relax, and go back home to Gurnee to spend time with my family and friends.

You are scheduled to fight Chris Tickle, have you researched your opponent at all and if so what skills do you think are his best?

Yes I’m scheduled to fight Chris at the XFO 42 I’m very excited for this fight it will be another tough opponent and I look forward to it. I haven’t researched him I don’t really research many of my opponents my coach does most of that for me. It’s works better that way so I can focus on more the training camp I trust my coaches and know that they will put together a great game plan for the fight.

With this training camp is there one thing in particular that you want to improve on with your own skill set?

This training camp will focus on just getting better in every aspect just like previous training camps. We train not to focus on working one thing during training camps because we feel as though it takes away from the instinct to work other aspects of MMA.

Talk to us a bit about the start of training camp.  What’s the schedule like for the first week or two?

The first 2 weeks aren’t too much different from later weeks of the training camp. The only difference is that I’m more just focused on getting some weight off and getting back in the mix of strength and conditioning.

Any sponsors or people you want to thank?

I would like to thank LVRG clothing, GNC in south Elgin, the academy of advanced athletics, and last but not least my family and friends.

Damian Norris Victorious at the Rocktown Showdown 13
10/15/2011

Congratulations to LVRG fighter Damian Norris on his WIN last night via armbar at the Rocktown Showdown 13 event that took place in Rockford, IL. Damian took home the Submission of the Night Award for his efforts.

LVRG Fighter "ILL" WILL BROOKS FEATURED ON CHICAGO TRIBUNE LIVE
10/14/2011

Check out LVRG fighter Will Brooks as he is featured on Chicago Tribune Live just days before his fight at the Chicago Cagefighting Championship 4, being held this Saturday at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park. You'll also notice LVRG fighter Mike Santiago in the fight clip being played in the background from his fight at the CCC 3 this past March. 

Check out the segment from the show - http://bit.ly/t0bbTY
Will Brooks to be on Recap Radio Tonight
9/20/2011
Will Brooks will be a guest on MMA Recap's, Recap Radio tonight to discuss his upcoming fight at the Chicago Cagefighting Championship 4 event, taking place Oct 15. Show starts at 8pm and goes till 9:30pm. To listen live go to blogtalkradio.com/mmarecap

 

*UPDATE*

Will Brooks joined Brent Todd yesterday on Recap Radio. Will discussed his training in preparation for his upcoming bout at CCC 4 against Ryan Bixler. He aso talked about what lies down the road and how he has came to be one of the Chicagoland's hottest prospects  If you missed it check it out here. Will takes the mic just after the 60 minute mark. - http://bit.ly/ohq6VS
LVRG Figther Michael "Lil Bully" Santiago Steps into the Cage Tonight at XFE Presents: CAGE WARS 8
7/29/2011
Good luck to LVRG sponsored fighter Michael Santiago as he steps into the cage tonight at XFE Presents: CAGE WARS 8 inside the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City.
MMA Recap | Future Stars - LVRG's Will Brooks
6/7/2011
(News article can be found at http://mmarecap.com/news/Future_Stars_-_Will_Brooks-4328)
by Brent Todd :: 06-07-2011

In this day and age when looking at up-and-coming fighters, one looks for improved performance in each of his fights.  To say that Will Brooks has improved from fight-to-fight is an understatement.  In his three professional fights he has looked better and more dangerous in each one, making him an easy candidate for our future star series.

 Brooks made his professional debut at XFO-38 in January of this year against JR Hines.  Hines looked to use feints to set up his attacks, but it was Brooks who shot in for a takedown and put Hines on his back.  He then utilized a new strike as he was now a professional and threw multiple elbows mixed in with punches.  Hines tried to escape by giving up his back, but Brooks continued the attack until the ref stopped the fight in the first round.

 Brooks got a step up in competition in Guillermo Serment at Chicago Cagefighting Championship 3 in March.  Brooks attempted to touch gloves at the start of the fight, but Serment declined.  Brooks decided to test his stand up game against Serment and was extremely successful.  Multiple times Brooks found his target forcing Serment to shoot for a takedown as a defense.  Brooks opened up the second round with a massive uppercut that buckled Serment's knees and he quickly secured Serment's back and locked in a fight ending rear naked choke.

 Normally a professional fighter who has less than five fights can only fight other fighters who have five or less fights in Illinois.  But Brooks' third fight was against a true veteran of the Midwest circuit in taking on Bobby Reardanz.  Reardanz at the time of the fight had competing in thirteen professional fights with a record of 6-7.  Brooks looked huge and a new strength and conditioning program was showing it's results.

 To say Brooks dominated Reardanz is an understatement.  He quickly found his range and dropped Reardanz on more than one occasion.  Brooks followed Reardanz to the canvas to work for a rear naked choke, but couldn't secure it.  Reardanz attempted to stand up, and once he did, Brooks just suplexed him back to the ground.  In the third round Brooks was clearly the fresher fighter and dropped Reardanz with multiple knees.  Brooks again worked from Reardanz's back looking for a rear naked choke, but opted to transition into a beautiful armbar to end the fight.

 MMA Recap's Brent Todd caught up with Brooks to talk about his career and learn a little more about this upcoming star.

What got you into fighting?
All my life since I can remember I've wanted to be a pro athlete I played every sport I could and for a long time football looked to be the way I would become a pro athlete. Unfortunately football didn't work out but my drive to be a pro athlete never died one day I was watching TV and I saw one of the old UFC events and feel in love with it so I went out and searched for gyms and found MTC and have been training and fighting every since.

Your most recent fight at XFO 39 was against a big veteran in Bobby Reardanz. What was the game plan going into that fight and were you able to execute it?
The game plan was just to weather the storm from the start of the fight we knew that he liked to throw a lot of spinning back kicks, spinning back fist, and had a strong jiu jitsu game. The idea was to stay in front of him and push forward through all the flashy technique and with doing so break his will and take the fight out of him on the fight and on the ground. I feel that I executed the game plan very well and was able to come out with a win.

Was there anything that surprised you in that fight?
To be honest I was very surprised on how tough bobby was I felt that I hit him with a lot of hard shoots and I actually dropped him a few times during the fight but he was able to tap into his warrior spirit and battle through and I respect him greatly for that.

I've gotten to see all of your professional fights. But something seemed different about you in this fight compared to your previous two. What has changed in your training schedule?
Coming into this fight I changed a lot in my diet, strength and conditioning, and my training. I've been doing my strength and conditioning at a facility called the Academy of Athletic Advancement working with them has busted my power, strength, cardio, speed, and explosion. Also I've been on a better diet put together by a buddy of mine who's a nutritionist which has helped in a big way. As for my training at MTC it's all the same just really working hard in the gym every day with really tough talented guys and great coaches.

What's next on your plate?
We are looking to fight some time in June right now I'm not sure what date but I leave that to my coaches and I just focus on my training and getting better each fight.

Anyone you want to thank?
I want to thank my friends, family, teammates, and coaches with out their support nothing that I'm doing now would be possible. Also thanks to the fans that come out to see me and give support and the Academy of Advanced Athletics.