The Awakening - World CSC

Wai Jia: The Kung Fu Forum Mixed Martial Arts
1

We all know Jenna and Jose from the Sanshou circles. Christine Toledo was featured in a report on Wulin Feng: USA Versus China in our March/April 2009 issue which was also the issue that covered Female Fury. See the Female Fury thread for some history.

WCSC presents California’s first five-rope ring Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai fight line-up on May 30, 2009 in San Francisco

San Francisco, CA (April 7, 2009)—World Combat Sports Challenge (WCSC) made history in California by presenting events such as the first all-women’s Muay Thai fight card. The WCSC is now preparing to do so again with The Awakening, the first event in the state to showcase MMA and Muay Thai in a five-rope ring. This “Pride”-style event, which will be held May 30th at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, promises an exciting line-up of talented male and female contenders from the Bay Area, around the country, and abroad.

The headline Muay Thai fight features San Francisco’s own Rick Cheek, who boasts a record of 25 wins, 2 losses, and 23 K.O.s, in a bid for the WCSC Super Heavyweight World Title. The other headline event will bring former three-time World Kickboxing and Muay Thai Champion Michael Espinoza out of retirement. Putting his record of 32-0 on the line, Espinoza will be fighting for the WCSC Super Lightweight Muay Thai Belt. His challenger is Victor Cortez, a rising Muay Thai star from Mexico with an impressive record of 23 wins, 2 losses, and 16 K.O.s.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring,” says Espinoza. “I’ve been training hard, and Cortez is a talented kid. I’m sure it will be a good fight.”

Other Muay Thai fights that promise to excite the crowd include San Jose’s Jenna Castillo, defending her WCSC Women’s Super Bantamweight World Title, and Christine “Blade” Toledo, who comes from Las Vegas to fight for the WCSC Women’s Bantamweight World Title. Brandon Banda will face off against Las Vegas’ Danny Davis for the WCSC U.S. Middleweight Title, and Coke Chunhawat will enter the ring against Vishnu Golata. In a fight that was a year in the making, Dino Pagtakahn will go up against Eric Faria to defend his WCSC U.S. Title, and in the long-awaited “rematch of the giants,” Cliff Fua faces Bond Lapua for the WCSC Super Heavyweight California State Title. In the first-ever WCSC Junior Lightweight World Title, sixteen-year-old Gaston Bolanos will fight “Bad” Brad McDonald, also sixteen.

The well-matched MMA fights should provide fans with an exciting evening. The MMA main event bout pits Ky Hollenbeck, King of the Cage Champion, against Blas Avena, WEC Champion, for the WCSC World MMA Welterweight Title. Jessie Gillespie, Strikeforce fighter, is matched against Gladiator Challenge fighter Mike Fazzino for the WCSC California State MMA Middleweight Title. Dave Velasquez will take on Gracie Black Belt Team’s Edwardo Baiao for the WCSC U.S. MMA Super Lightweight Title, and A.J. Fonseca will compete with Gabriel Solario for the WCSC California State MMA Lightweight Title.

Dan Merrill, VP of Operations at the WCSC says, “Bringing MMA and Muay Thai together on the same card is something that we have been looking forward to for a very long time.” Merrill goes on to say, “We are thrilled to be in a position to put on this ‘hybrid’ show which will cater to both the MMA crowd, as well as our Muay Thai fan base. This event will be an explosive night of action.”

World Combat Sports Challenge has been promoting martial arts in the Bay Area for over 20 years. Since its inception, WCSC has staged several exciting events, such as 2008’s “Best of the Bay” and “Female Fury”. For ticket information regarding the WCSC May 30, 2009 event “The Awakening” please visit the World Combat Sports Challenge at www.worldcsc.com or Virtual Box Office at www.virtualboxoffice.com.

Matchups

Ky HollenBeck VS Blaus Avena

Rick Cheek Santa Rosa, C.A. VS Ethan Cox

Michael Espinoza San Francisco, C.A. VS Victor Cortez Modesto, CA

Christine Toledo Las Vegas, Nevada VS TBD.

Jesse Gillespi VS Mike Fazzino Daly City, CA

Jenna Castillo VS Tiffany Connell Saint Petersburg, F.L.

AJ Fonseca VS Gabriel Solorio Modesto, C.A.

Brandon Banda VS Danny Davis Jr. Las Vegas, NV

Kyle Rideau San Francisco, C.A. VS David Barrios

Edwardo Baiao VS Dave Velasquez Modesto, C.A.

Vishnu Golata VS Coke Chunhawat

Adam Albright San Jose VS Jay Rodriguez

Ryan Roy VS Anthony McDavitt

Travis Johnson VS Ryan Wong

Raymond Cole VS Jose Palacios

Josh Niel VS Josh McDonald

Linda Loyce VS Jade Hayes

Derek Williams Modesto, C.A. VS Erick Lupicerio

Cliff Fua Daly City, CA VS Bond Lapua Santa Rosa, CA

Phil Baldacci VS Orlando Catbagan Jr.

Amber Pope VS Angelica Jimenez

Gastone Bolanos VS Brad McDonald Oakdale, C.A.

Bryan Padilla San Jose, CA VS Thong Syvanthong Oakland, CA

2

I just heard from Rudi Ott

Rudi has two fighters in this. Bryan Padilla trains under him. He also says that Marisela Badillo is fighting for an Amateur World Title, although she’s not listed on this card yet.

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Christine “Blade” Toledo

We met Christine Toledo for the first time face-to-face yesterday. She is charming. I’m eager to see her fight.

Here’s her website.

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Just got this press release from Christine

She fronts a line of clothing called Alias. It’s worth a look.

The youtube vid has some nice footage of Christine’s Wulin Feng participation.

Hi! Just wanted to share the latest… Watch my new promo video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTCr2DzcL2U

Also, my next fight is now a week and a few days away (May 30). If you are planning on going and would like to buy your tickets in advance, please purchase them online at www.aliasfightwear.com General seating is $50.00, VIP tickets are $125.

My opponent has now been announced. Her name is Denise Jacobs who fights out of Elite Muay Thai in Orlando, Florida. She is a Muay Thai and Boxing instructor at Elite Muay Thai and has a a great reputation as a fighter and an instructor. She has trained in Thailand with some of the best camps and trainers. Although, I don’t much about her fighting style, I do know that she trains all year long and the last thing I would expect of her is to come to the ring unprepared. Anyone that takes Muay Thai as seriously as she does wants to win. I want it just as much, if not more than she does. This will be a great fight!

As always, I thank you all for your support.

Christine Toledo

5

Getting excited for the fight this Saturday

Of course, I’m rooting for all the sanshou people: Marisela Badillo, Jenna Castillo, Bryan Padilla (whazzup w/all the illo(a) suffix names?) and Jose Palacios, plus Christine Toledo too. Anyone else going?

6

All the fighters I was rooting for ahead of time won…

…except for Christine Toledo. Her opponent backed out 2 hours before the match. That makes me a lucky charm. Just remember that everyone, when it comes to those press passes.

The Awakenings was a great night of fights. It combined amateur Muay Thai, pro Muay Thai and MMA in a 5-rope ring, which made for a great show. Having Muay Thai and MMA kept the pacing up with constant shifts in the tone of the fights. It got off to a slow start because the ropes were new and needed to be restretched. This made things very tight at the end because the insurance runs out promptly at 12:01 so some of the last fights were canceled. Mike Espinosa, who is a promoter of this event, was one of the fights that were canceled, which was very disappointing to everyone. But such is the fight game. The card is always subject to change. There’s was some trepidations that there might be some riot when after midnight, but that didn’t happen at all. The rest of the night was so great that the audience all went home very satisfied.

MT: Bryan Padilla def. Thong Syvanthong Unanimous
Bryan is one of Rudi Ott’s fighters. He busted some textbook sanshou leg catch takedowns in the 2nd, then they were swapping in the the 3rd.

MMA: Osman Delina def. Juan Nunez Armbar
Delina was cornered by Kru Sam, Nunez by Gilbert Melendez

MT: Ryan Roy def. Anthony McDavitt Unanimous

Derik Williams def. Erick Lupkerio Rd1 TKO @ 1:40

MMA: Jesse Gillespie def. Mike Fazzino TKO Punches
I was rooting for Fazzino because his entrance song was Jamrock, but Gillespie got on top of him in the 2nd and drilled his face with punches. He was tapping for a good 30 sec before Gillespie let up. The ref didn’t see the tap. He shrugged in shock when the fighters stopped. We were all screaming at him, including the sideline judges. I was texting a martial brother on the other side of the house and he didn’t see the tap, but the ref should have. That was really bad. Fortunately, Fazzino only suffered an eye cut.

MMA: Taylor McCorrison def. Andrew Valladarez Split
Vallarez is one of Cung Le’s fighters. Josh Thompson was in his corner. There was some nice barrages, but he gave up a leg lock in rd 2.

MMA: Josh Neal def. Josh McDonald Unainimous
Neal was cornered by Jake Sheilds

MT: Amber Pope def. Angelica Jimenez Rd 1 KO @ 1:05

MMA: Adam Albright def. Jack Cumings Triangle @ 2:15
I think that was 1st rd, but I didn’t make a note…

MMA: Jose Palacios def. Ray Cole Rd 2 KO @ 2:20
Palacios had a textbook takedown in rd 1. The KO kick was a brutal shot to the head and sent Cole flying into the ropes where he dangled unconscious like a fly in a web. Magnificent. I was really struck how much Palacios reminds me of Cung sometimes, especially with some of his high kicks and his fight face.

MT: Marisela Badillo def. Denis Jacobs Unanimous
Badillo is one of Rudi Ott’s fighters. She was outreached and it was a bludgeoning match of shots to the head.

MT: Brad McDonald def. Gastone Bolanos Unanimous
Amatuers with headgear, but both fighters fought furiously.

Edwardo Baiao def. Damaso Pereira Split
Pereira was cornered by Anderson Silva. Baiao was cornered by Kru Sam.

MMA: Gabriel Solorio def. AJ Fonseca Armbar
I had to go the bathroom and missed most of this fight. Saw the armbar. It was classic.

MMA: Chris Cariaso def. Alvin Cacdac RNC
I was rooting for Cacdac because his entrance song was One Love. Mi rasta bredren all lost.

MT: Jenna Castillo def. Stacey Scapeccia TKO (Strikes)
This was supposed to defend Jenna’s belt, but because of the time constraints, they changed it from a 5x2 to a 3x2, so the belt wasn’t up for grabs. It was totally irrelevant though because Jenna pummeled Scapeccia with head shots. When the first one connected, you could see that expression of shock and awe in Scapeccia. Jenna knocked her down in the first minute, and put her down for good before the 2nd minute was done. It was so fast, I didn’t even get the time. Jenna came out and completely dominated the fight.

MT: Vishnu Gaulati def.. Phanuwat Chunhawat DQ
Elbows to the back.

Rick Cheek def. Ethen Cox Unanimous
Good finish, but I was way tired.

Check out our article by Rudi Ott, featuring Jenna Castillo, on the newsstands 6/2/9 (NOW!)

I’ll have more coverage in our next issue (Sep/Oct, on newsstands 8/4/9).

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I found Chris Cariaso def. Alvin Cacdac on Youtube

Cadcac should change his entrance music. If you’re gonna rock Marley, you better win.

Round 1-3
Round 4-5

You can see me if you look carefully at ringside. I’m on the right side of this vid, behind the lighting scaffolding. You can tell it’s me because I’m wearing a Got Game shirt.

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Press release from Christine Toledo

We chatted at ringside at the fight. I was really disappointed not to see her fight.

Announcement: Toledo’s Scheduled Fight in San Francisco on May 30 was Canceled

Christine Toledo was scheduled to fight at the Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco on May 30, 2009. Unfortunately her fight was officially canceled as of two hours before weigh-in on Friday, May 29, 2009 due to her opponent, Avery Vilche of California, confessing she could not make weight at 122 lbs. Vilche was contacted two days before weigh-in on short notice to replace Toledo’s scheduled opponent Denise Jacobs of Florida. Jacobs was denied by the California State Athletic Commission of a professional California license due to specific medical requirements not met.

Toledo’s original contract weight was 115 lbs. When Jacobs was denied by the commission, and Vilche agreed to take the fight on short notice, Toledo was to move up in weight at 118 lbs. and Vilche was to drop to 122 lbs. to compromise a four pound weight difference.

Toledo says, “This was such a disappointment to me but something I had no control over. I was very unhappy about what had happened because this was an event I was really anticipating and trained with a new motivation for. I am truly sorry to all those who were looking forward to seeing me fight in San Francisco - the grounds on which Muay Thai all started for me. I hope this does not discourage your support for me in the near future for upcoming fights. I do thank you all so much for always believing in me”.

The next fight scheduled for Toledo will take place in Las Vegas, NV at the Hilton Hotel/Casino on July 25, 2009. This event is promoted by Dennis Warner and In Sync Prodcutions. The card line-up includes top competitors from the U.S and China, including a rematch between Kang En (WBC Muay Thai Champion) and Kevin Ross. The theme of the event is USA vs. China.

For more information and updates on Christine Toledo, visit www.christinetoledo.com.

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just a casual observation but from my perspective, kickboxing style fights for women seem to be getting rarer, and they weren’t so popular before !!!

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I feel that their about the same here on the West coast…

…but that’s just from casual observation as well. I don’t really have any numbers to back that up and I really only watch the fights happening in my immediate area. I have no idea what’s happening outside the bay area. Are you saying that you think that’s happening nationally or just in your area?

I hope it’s not declining. I love women’s kickboxing.

Muay Thai seems to be on the rise here now, so maybe that’s skewing my perspective.

Check out the WCSC site for pics of The Awakening.

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I’m not really sure how to say this, lkfmdc, so I’m just gonna be blunt about it. It’s not that women’s kickboxing is getting rarer, it’s just that all the women kickboxers recognize you by now. They’re just hiding from you. Now Gene on the other hand, Gene is an Asian Pimp. He’s a pimpiental.