Time to Bleed, Fight Night

This morning started off with a early light workout at LA boxing-El Paso. Gabe and Molly both got a good sweat in with a quick 30min workout then it was back to the hotel where we had a good breakfast and I was able to go over the game plan with Gabe.

Gabe shadow boxing morning of the fight.

Molly working out fight morning.

The rest of the day was just spent resting until 430pm in our rooms. At 430pm the vans took us to the Marriott where the venue was. At first there was a little confusion as to what locker room we were going to be in. They first had Gabe in the blue corner and Molly in the red corner. Being that we were one camp it made no sense being on separate ends of the venue and different corners.

Once everything was straighten out we all ended up in the blue corner. Being in the blue corner was a treat and a curse at the same time. There was this fighter who we shared the locker with who will remain unnamed that was slightly off to say the least.

This guy did so many weird things it would take forever to list so here is just a few thing s I remember off the top of my head. First off he argued with the commissioner about when he should glove up, very bad move on his part. The he warmed up for 2hrs straight before his fight while continue to yell at the top of his lungs. He also made sure to tell everyone how they didn't know anything and how good he was. When he finally was called to the ring he decided to run around the ring at a full sprint twice like a complete psycho.

The commission then had to stop him and the crowd was laughing at him and not with him! Once the fight started, he continued to run around the ring bouncing off of the ropes like he was in WWE. Once the fight was over and he won......yes he WON!! He tried to jump on the ropes to raise his hands but actually bounced over the ropes and face planted on the floor. At this point I couldn't stop laughing and was actually getting a side pain then.... the guy gets back up and again started running around the ring again!

Okay enough about that guy lets get back to Gabe and Molly. Gabe was the second fight of the night and was called in to the ring. As we were introduced the crowd booed us being that Gabe was fighting a local fighter. The first round started off with Gabe throwing a double jab and right hand that dropped his opponent in the opening seconds of the round. His opponent Wesley Marquez who was a 4 time Regional Golden Glove Champion was a tough foe who got back up and finished the round.

The second round was a close back to back brawl that I gave Marquez that round. After that rounds three and four were clearly Gabe's rounds. Gabe had more combinations and cleaner shots. All in all it was a great action packed fight. At the end of the fight Gabe was covered in Marquez's blood from a possible broken nose that Marquez may have received in the opening seconds of the first round. The judges saw it the same way and gave Gabe a unanimous decision.

Aaron Navarro with Gabe after his win over Wesley Marquez.

Although we were booed coming in, once they interviewed Gabe and he said how well we were treated in El Paso and how he would love to fight here again the crowd cheered him as he exited the ring.

Next was Molly. Molly was up and looked very focused and ready to take home the belt. Molly had already faced her opponent Kita Watkins once before and stopped her in the third round but everyone knew this would be a different Kita Watkins and for a World Championship title.

This would end up being a very good 10 round fight. Both women came to fight. Molly clearly was the stronger of the two. Molly's right hand hurt Kita multiple times during the fight. Kita showed that she was a game opponent with flurries of combinations that she was able to score through out the bout, but it was Molly's power punching that was the theme of this title fight that proved to much in the end for Kita Watkins. The judges gave Molly the unanimous decision and the title of the new WIBF and GBU World Champion!!!!

The New WIBF and GBU World Champion Molly McConnell.

The Champion Molly McConnell and Ron Woodward.

I would also like to take this time to thank Aaron Navarro of Main Boxing Gym of Huston Texas who graciously worked as the third man (cut man) for both Molly and Gabe's fights. He did an awesome job and looking forward to working with Aaron again. Thanks Aaron!!Aaron Navarro, Leonard Gabriel, Molly McConnell WIBF and GBU Champion and Ron Woodward.Leonard Gabriel, Aaron Navarro, Gabriel Cruz and Ron Woodward.

Time to Bleed - Weigh ins, Texas ElPaso

This morning started off meeting Gabe and Molly at the Portland Airport as well as Ron and his wife Rex. We then were off to Sacramento where we jumped on our flight to El Paso. A hour and a half later we arrived to beautiful sunshine and a cool breeze. We couldn't ask for better weather.

We jumped into the van checked into our room and just had enough time to get to the weigh ins at LA Boxing. Wesley Marquez faces off with Gabriel Cruz.

Gabriel "La Fuerza" Cruz.

At the weigh ins, Gabriel Cruz (Fisticuffs Gym) weighed in against his opponent Wesley Marquez of El Paso.

Next was Molly McConnell (Portland Or) vs Kita Watkins for the WIBF and GBU World title Championship. For those of you who may not know Molly is a regular at Fisticuffs Gym with her trainer Ron Woolard. Altough Molly does not train at Fisticuffs full time she is definitely Fisticuffs family!

Molly "Fearless" McConnell strikes a pose.

Kita Watkins faces off with Molly "Fearless" McConnell.

Once the weigh ins were done we went to dinner and back to our room for a early night. Both Molly and Gabe look good and is ready for battle. Stay tune for more updates, pictures and results of tomorrows fights.

Time to Bleed Pro Boxing amd MMA, Texas El Paso

Bloodsport Championships presents Time to Bleed, a professional mixed martial arts and boxing event at the El Paso Marriott Grand Ballroom on Friday starting at 7 p.m.

The fight card will feature a total of six bouts, three boxing matches and three mixed martial arts contests.

The boxing main event will feature a couple of women. Molly McConnel of Portland, Or., will take on Kita Watkins of Albuquerque, N.M., in a WIBF and GBU Jr. Welterweight World Championship bout.

“We’ve never had a women’s professional boxing championship in El Paso before, so the fans are in for a treat,” said Marc Stelley, event president and promoter.

The other two boxing matches will have Ashley Alvarado taking on Tonia Cravens in another six-round female bout while Wesley Marquez will meet Gabriel Cruz (Fisticuffs Gym) in a four rounder.

The MMA main event will pit Jorge Ortiz of Cd. Juarez, Mexico, against Willie Parks of Albuquerque, N.M.

The other two MMA matches will feature James Gabriel against Conrad Padilla and Joe Gustina vs. Matt Leyva.

The official weigh-ins (which are open to the public) are scheduled for Thursday at L.A. Boxing (3136 Trawood), 2-5 p.m.

Lords of the Cage, Silver Reef Casino, March 19, 2011

Mohammad "Mo" Abed from Fisticuffs Gym met Gil Gourmet from Canada for Mo's MMA debut at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale Washington.

The weekend started off with Mo, Sean Mallory and I driving five hours out to the Silver Reef Casino. Although I slept most of the way I heard it was a long grueling drive! Ill take their word for it.

Once at the casino it was time for the weigh in. Mo was a little under the contracted weight of 185lbs. He actually came in at 183lbs with his jeans on. Once the weigh ins were over we checked into our rooms had dinner and headed to bed.

Gil Gourmet and Mohammad "Mo" Abed.

Saturday, fight day started off with us getting up early and getting a little something to eat. After a short rest we headed out to a local gym to get a quick workout for Mo. This workout is designed just to walk through his game plan and break a little sweet and get Mo's blood pumping.

Through a little misunderstanding we were not able to utilize the original gym that we were going to use. Just as we were leaving the area, Sean saw a sign for the West Coast Fight Club. The club was closed by we decided to try anyway.

Luckily we were able to meet Cody Houston the owner of the club who was in his office. Cody graciously allowed us some mat time although he was closed. We really appreciate Cody allowing us to workout there. Cody you're the best anytime you of one of your guys are in Vancouver you always have a gym to train at.

Cody Houston owner of West Coast Fight Club and his awesome pit "Bo".

After leaving Cody's WCFC gym we headed back to the hotel for Mo to rest. Once 5 o'clock came we headed down to the arena. Mo had the 7th fight out of eleven. As the 4th fight arrived Mo started warming up. A short time later Mo was up.

It was clear to me that Mo was ready. As soon as he got into the cage he started pacing back and forth like a cage animal. The first round started of with a bang. Mo got hit with a right hand that kinda stun him after that it was Mo all the way.

Mo dominated Gil with his take downs and ground and pound tactics. The rest of the fight went the same. Mo really impressed me with his take downs and submission attempts. Although it went the distance, Mo controlled the fight by getting Gil's back several times maintaining side control most of the second and actually hurt Gil with his right hand multiple times through out the fight.

Mo with coaches Leonard Gabriel and Sean Mallory

Although the scores were 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 a unanimous decision for Mo it was a very tough first fight. Gil Gourmet was a very tough and game fighter. Patrick Ortiz the promoter said it was one of the best fights of the night beside the main event title fight that ended in a 2nd round knockout.

Mo getting his first win for his MMA debut

UFC 127, Fight Day

Ok everyone sorry for taking so long at catching up on the blog but between all the traveling, jet lag and fights that we had as soon as I got in I wasn't able to get in done. Here is a recap of what took place at the Acer arena.

Like expected Dennis Siver was a tough opponent and proved to have a good game plan that he was able to implement to win a unanimous decision over George. In the first round Siver was able to connect twice with left hooks that put George on the canvas. To George's credit he got up both times and was able to regain his senses and finsh the round.

In the second round George came out strong and I thought out struck Siver and actually hurt Siver mid round. Siver sticking to his game plan did not want to go to the ground with George and stayed off of the floor at all cost. I thought this was a close round and gave that round to George.

The third round continued to unfold as a striking fight with George and Siver exchanging blows as well as Siver getting off more kicks. Although this was a close round, I gave the edge to Siver.
the offical decision was Siver by unanimous decision.

As the judges scores were read out loud, I felt really bad for George because I know how hard he trains for his fights and the sacrifices he makes daily to compete and be seccussful. It was later reported by ESPN that George had the second longest winning streak in UFC history.

Although disappointing to the whole camp, by no means is George done making an impact in the lightweight division of UFC. This was just a little bump in the road to a very succesful campaign to being the UFC Lightwight Champion. I truely believe this!