Fight event...

Watched some Vale Tudo fights last night because one of the black belt instructors (Zoro) at our gym was fighting at the event. Not sure of the name of the event but the big sponsor was Rip Dorey.

The venue was somewhat small but meant that people would be packed closer together, which imo provides a better atmosphere. It's kind of lousy when you go to "big" events only to find that there are so many empty seats that really only half the place is full.

Overall I thought the show was well produced. They had quite a few sponsors, and VIP seating where the VIP's get food but also free drinks and a event T-shirt, which I thought was cool. They had a couple amateurish fights (with headgear and shinpads) on first before the "pro" or full contact fights.

At one point all the teenagers in the area where I was sitting were going for a guy from their gym and when the opponent did his entrance and walked passed them they yelled some kind of put downs, well something negative for sure. This would of been good and well IF they're mate had of won the fight, or even put up a good fight. But pretty much he got beat down in stand up; GnP'd and subbed (I can't remember if the ref stopped from GnP or a sub, but it was a quick finish probably no more than 2mins into R1). After the fight had been called one of his cornermen turned to where all the kids were sitting and put his fingers to his lips with a smile. Talk about silencing the critics.

Zoro's fight...

Zoro is a black belt from our gym and usually takes the morning (8am) classes. My impression of him is he's a quiet, intelligent guy. He doesn't speak much english but is trying to learn and always greets me with a smile. He's like that nice guy you wouldn't assume could fight until you see them actually fight. I've rolled with him once and he was nice to me but owned my ass, then I saw him roll properly with Thiago and realised how "nice" he was being to me.

From the fight I'd have to say that jiu jitsu would be his obvious strong point but it's only his second fight.

His opponent was from BTT and apparently a muay thai specialists if I understood correctly. He definitely had sharper stand up skills than Zoro and no takedown defense although his ground game wasn't too bad because he had Zoro in his guard for a bit, worked high guard and some loose sub attempts (triangle/armbar).

Both fighters really tired by the 2nd and the pace slowed to almost a stall when they hit the mats. I think for a time Zoro was on his back but managed to reverese near the end of the 2nd, get mount and started laying in some GnP. Nothing heavy but his opponent had nowhere to go and then the bell rings, signalling the end of the round. Talk about being saved by the bell.

3rd round both guys breathing heavy and their punches become more pushes to the face. The fight becomes a mental game of who will break first and it looks like it was going to be Zoro as he tried a takedown then slowly rolled to his back and an open guard. Scrambles then Zoro manages to get on his feet. Both fighters exchanging punches and it looks like BTT guy is landing cleaner punches (albeit no power behind them) as Zoro throws his own and then the BTT guy slowly falls/sits down to his back and looks like he's tired as hell and as if he couldn't be stuffed anymore. Zoro moves to pass guard, eventually passes and gets full mount. Throws about 20 punches that don't hurt the guy but the guy has no defense other than flailing his arms and weakly trying to buck/bridge. Ref eventually calls the fight as Zoro rolls over and both fighters; exhausted, try and regain their breath. You can see how it ended here.

Zoro (in black shorts and mount) getting his GnP on.

I'm really glad Zoro won, but in the finally round I think if the other guy had of lasted he could of won on points.

After the fight we went to eat at Camachara, (spelling?) a nice café near the gym and they're open quiet late (maybe 24/7 I'm not sure). After a Filé mignon sandwhich I walked to the bus stop and saw a guy with a charcoal bbq in a shopping trolley cooking satays. So being a meat lover and feeling like a fat kid in a cake shop, I thought I'd try one. While waiting for the satay to cook the guy cooking them got into a big, looong argument with another lady that was selling snacks from her trolley. Basically I think it was over her wanting to temporarily borrow one of his chairs for her clients and him denying her or saying pay for it, at least I think. Either way it made for some good late night entertainment because she was getting really frustrated and cussing, making a fuss while he was more pissed off but holding it inside.

Today's weather looks like perfect weather for the beach. So after a few errands I'll make my way down to Pepe beach to chill out in the sun and catch some eye candy from all the lovely ladies there.