UFC 136’s fallen contenders: What’s next?

October 10th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

UFC 136 was a phenomenal mixed martial arts card. In fact, some people are calling last Saturday’s event the best in UFC history. While we saw two champions defend their titles and at least one other fighter earn No. 1 contendership status, several other top contenders saw their hopes dashed. What’s next for the fallen stars of UFC 136? Let’s have a look at four fighters’ whose fates have greatly changed after Saturday.

Gray Maynard (155 pounds)

Gray Maynard had his second shot at the UFC lightweight title against Frankie Edgar and, boy, did he blow it. Their third bout opened exactly like their second, with Maynard hurting Edgar badly and almost finishing him. Maynard looked like an evolved man at first, conserving his energy, but sat back too much, threw nothing but haymakers and let Edgar back into the fight before the little guy knocked him out.

The defeat was Maynard’s first ever as a pro, so his future remains bright. The lightweight division, however, is the most stacked in the sport. It looks like the winner of Ben Henderson and Clay Guida will get Edgar next (unless Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez swoops in), so I’d give Maynard someone hanging around the top five.

Recommended fight: Anthony Pettis

Kenny Florian (145 pounds)

Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. He just can’t win the big one. The perennial bridesmaid at least gave a solid effort against Muay Thai master Jose Aldo but I wonder if he’ll ever be a champ. At bigger weight classes, Florian got pushed around. At featherweight, he has to cut so much weight to fight there that he loses muscle and can’t use his size advantage. Aldo was the stronger man on Saturday.

I honestly wonder if Ken-Flo would be better off retiring and becoming a commentator. If he doesn’t, though, he should consider jumping back into the lightweight fray against a lower-tier top-10 guy.

Recommended fight: Nate Diaz

Brian Stann (185 pounds)

After tearing through his first three middleweight opponents, knockout artist Brian Stann had no answer for his friend Chael Sonnen’s wrestling. With his striking and marketability as a decorated U.S. Marine, Stann will still land another big fight next. Demian Maia would make sense after winning has last bout. So would Yushin Okami. But the idea of Stann battling Vitor Belfort in a striking war is just too fun. Do it, Dana!

Recommended fight: Vitor Belfort

Melvin Guillard (155 pounds)

Like Gray Maynard, Guillard is tremendously talented but, like Gray Maynard, Guillard makes too many mental blunders. He was too confident and fired up against Joe Lauzon on Saturday and got caught with a punch before Lauzon tapped him out. The Young Assassin’s ceiling remains high if he can mature.

Instead of giving Guillard a striker to run through, I’d test him right away and see if he can learn from his mistake. Someone like Jim Miller, a BJJ expert who is a threat to submit him, would make sense.

Recommended fight: Jim Miller

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The Top Five Rematches in UFC History

October 6th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

With Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard set to meet for the third time at UFC 136 this Saturday, I have rematches on the mind. Excluding their epic draw, what are the greatest rematches in UFC history?

1. Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II (2005)

Considering some call this bout the best in MMA history, it has to top the list of best rematches. I’ve discussed it on this blog before: Hughes took a low blow from Trigg, the ref didn’t see, it, he got caught in a choke…but he battled back, slammed Trigg and reversed the choke. Absolutely epic.

All time series: 2-0 Hughes

2. Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Hughes II (2006)

In the second of their three bouts, St-Pierre exploded into superstardom with a spectacular head-kick knockout. Hughes lost the welterweight title and was never the same.

All-time series: 2-1 St-Pierre

3. Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski II (2006)

Like No. 1 on this list, Sylvia/Arlovski deserves recognition for being a spectacular fight, let alone a rematch. Arlovski rushed in after he appeared to have Sylvia knocked out but the big fella rebounded with a devastating KO punch of his own.

All-time series: 2-1 Sylvia

4. Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II ((2009)

In the most watched pay-per-view UFC bout ever, Brock Lesnar made plenty of fans and enemies by pounding Mir into dust. The rematch was special not only because these two hated each other but because of Lesnar’s brash speech after winning the fight, in which he called out Bud Light as an inferior sponsor and talked about going home to get freaky with his wife.

All time series: Tied 1-1

5. Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin II (2007)

I struggled to pick this one but I chose Silva’s spectacular Muay Thai display because of its significance. Before his first loss to Silva, Franklin was considered an unstoppable middleweight champion. The second straight devastating defeat against the Spider showed us that Silva’s first win was no fluke – and that he was the world’s best fighter.

All-time series: 2-0 Silva

Honorable mentions: Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva III, Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell II, BJ Penn vs Jens Pulver II

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Has Jon Jones passed Georges St-Pierre in the pound-for-pound debate?

September 27th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

Another high-profile fight, another easy-breezy win for Jon “Bones” Jones.

Last weekend, the UFC’s light heavyweight champion and youngest belt holder in the promotion’s history battled a legend of the sport, Rampage Jackson, and tossed him aside like nothing.

The fight lasted four rounds but wasn’t remotely close. Jones picked Jackson apart with his ridiculous reach and unpredictability in the striking game, softening him up before choking him out. Rampage barely laid a finger on him. Most other high-profile MMA fighters even believe Jones toyed with Rampage and could’ve finished the fight sooner.

The epic performance called to mind the current world pound-for-pound rankings. Jones is almost a consensus top-four pick, with Cain Velasquez arguably deserving the fifth spot. After Jose Aldo got beat up in his last defense, it’s fair to argue that Jones deserves at least the No. 3 spot. But what about the top two spots?

It’s fair to say that Anderson Silva remains untouchable at No. 1. He’s won 15 straight fights and has never lost in the UFC. But what about Georges St-Pierre?

On paper, the welterweight champion has done little to lose the second rung on the ladder, having won nine consecutive fights. But a look at four pound-for-pound factors shows suggests GSP and Jones may be interchangeable.

1. Longevity

Naturally, GSP still has the edge at this stage. He’s 22-2 for his career and has defended his UFC welterweight title six straight times. Jones’ defense streak sits at one and counting.

Edge: St-Pierre

2. Dominance

A few years ago, GSP would’ve gotten plenty of votes, as his wrestling has made him dominant. But Jones has taken dominance to an even higher level. In 15 pro fights, the kid hasn’t sustained a scratch. No opponent has landed a noteworthy strike, takedown or submission attempt. Jones has utterly owned his rivals with unorthodox, accurate striking, powerful wrestling and evasiveness.

The crazy thing about Jones: as his opponents get tougher, he doesn’t become less dominant. He made legends like Rampage and Shogun look just as bad as his early conquests like Stephan Bonnar and Jake O’Brien. He beat an elite wrestler like Ryan Bader with superior wrestling. He beat an amazing Muay Thai striker in Shogun with superior striking. No fighter in MMA history has ever obliterated the competition like Jones through his first 15 bouts.

Edge: Jones

3. Quality of Opponents

GSP still gets the clear edge here. Jones was coddled to start his UFC career and, after breezing through some vets and young pups, arguably has only three victories that matter (Bader, Rua, Jackson).

GSP, meanwhile, has cleaned out the competition at 170 pounds. He’s beaten two of the greatest fighters of all time, BJ Penn and Matt Hughes, twice each. He’s avenged his only two defeats (Hughes and Matt Serra). He has turned aside everyone thrown his way.

Edge: St-Pierre

4. Intimidation factor

St-Pierre was a much more intimidating fighter a few years ago, when he used his Karate to pummel opponents. But his lack of finishing ability in recent years has been well-documented. Dana White has defended GSP, stating that his opponents have gotten tougher and thus made it tougher for him to put guys away. But tough competition hasn’t stopped Silva from burying opponents and it seems no one can go the distance with Jones anymore.

As Pat Barry explained, Jones has reached “Mike Tyson status.” Fighters are afraid of him and have no idea how to solve him.

Edge: Jones

To me, St-Pierre and Jones are on equal footing as co-No. 2s in the pound-for-pound rankings. The way things are trending, Jones may be alone in the second spot before long.

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Are MMA fans ready to accept “The Nice Guy”?

September 22nd, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

For mixed martial arts and, more specifically, the UFC, 2011 has been very much about ushering in the mainstream. Adding two new weight classes, enveloping the WEC, buying Strikeforce and signing a huge network TV deal with FOX were all major steps toward making MMA a more widely recognized and accepted sport.

With the increased mainstream popularity, in theory, comes more concern over fighters’ images. In other major pro sports, the bad boy isn’t often the superstar, it’s usually the squeaky-clean guy. Cal Ripken, Peyton Manning pre-scandal Tiger Woods, and Sidney Crosby are the types of personalities that rule sponsorship deals and billboards.

We could only expect, then, that the UFC would work to market its own “nice guys.” In Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones, it has its two flagships. However, I wonder if MMA is an exception to this rule. Are we sure the nice guy is built to be a star in the UFC?

Take The Jimmy Kimmel Show, for example. This week, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and his No. 1 challenger, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, appeared as guests alongside Dr. Phil. Can you guess which fighter drew the audience’s warmth and which one was jeered?

The likeable, good-looking, talented Jones didn’t get the response as he expected. He smiled through his teeth, trying to “take the high road” and answer everything diplomatically. Meanwhile, the street-tough Rampage wasted no time tearing into Jones, insulting him every chance he got and “being real.”

The crowd laughed at everything Rampage said, so much that Jones told the audience “Come on, don’t clap for that.”

Looking at that reaction – not to mention the negative fan backlash against the “safe” St-Pierre over the last year, I wonder if the Nice Guy has a place as an MMA star.

Who are the biggest draws, the most talked about fighters? Chuck Liddell, Former pro wrestling star Brock Lesnar, Nick Diaz. Cocky, taunting Anderson Silva. Mouthy Chael Sonnen.

Maybe we simply must accept that the core of this sport is still combat and a form of violence. It’s possible that nice guys finish last in MMA. There’s something very raw and elemental about fighting and perhaps a polished, eloquent fighter just doesn’t feel right to fans.

The one major contradiction to this theory – and the man who should give us hope about Jon Jones – is Randy Couture. For now, though, Randy is the exception, not the norm.

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What to Expect from the Ultimate Fighter 14

September 15th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

The UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality show returns for its 14th season and final go-round with Spike TV next week. The program has fallen on hard times recently. Ratings were down and the coaches were duds last season; winning the show also seems to “mean” less in MMA these days, as recent victors haven’t accomplished much in the UFC.

However, I expect TUF 14 to be one of the show’s better seasons. Here are a few things to watch for that I believe will make this season plenty of fun.

Charismatic coaches

I expect middleweight contenders Michael Bisping and Jason Miller to be among the most entertaining coaching tandems in the show’s history. We all know how outspoken Bisping is; the Englishman always has something to say and loves the camera.

The BJJ expert Miller is a lesser-known commodity. However, he’s just as brash as Bisping and just as much of an attention hog. He hosted the MTV show Bully Beatdown. It’s too bad Chael Sonnen was barred from coaching this season but Miller should be a more than adequate replacement. The coaches should be more front and center than they have been since Tito Ortiz’s last coaching go-round.

More fights

This season features two weight classes, bantamweight and featherweight, and should treat us to more action than in previous seasons. TUF 14 opens with 32 fighters in total instead of the 16 who started last season; the show has brought back the “fight your way into the house” format. So we’re guaranteed more action this season right from the start.

Wild fights

Despite being perceived as a lacklustre season, TUF 13 deserved more credit for having some excellent bouts. That trend should continue with the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. These guys have insane speed and gas tanks. We don’t have to worry about the huffing and puffing we saw in the heavyweight season.

Better fighters

Secondly, it won’t be amateur hour with these weight classes. Since bantamweights and featherweights are only just starting to break into the UFC, it’s possible Dana White will uncover some highly talented, undiscovered fighters in TUF 14.

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The UFC on FOX: What it means

September 5th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

Well, this should be exciting. As you’ve probably heard in the MMA community over the last week, the UFC and FOX will debut their massive TV partnership on November 12, with Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos battling it out for heavyweight title live. It will mark the first-ever UFC event, let alone title fight, on network television.

Many casual fans out there are wondering: what does the partnership really mean? How will it change the sport and how it’s perceived? Let’s break down a few changes we should notice.

1. More mainstream promotion.

As the top network in America, FOX obviously has a lot of influence, and it’s charged with the task of being the first major network to acknowledge mixed martial arts as a sport and not something barbaric. FOX has already begun its work. It promoted the Velasquez/Dos Santos fight during a baseball game over the weekend.

2. A shift to a cleaner image.

During the initial press conference when the UFC and FOX announced their agreement, I noticed that the accompanying highlight clips were “clean.” Lots of submissions and, when there was striking, we saw no blood. The UFC is also changing its opening title credits, saying goodbye to the gladiator imagery and (probably) the hardcore heavy metal. The transition to mainstream TV is all about trying to show the layman viewer that MMA is not the “dangerous,” violent sport people think it is.

3. More pressure on fighters to sell bouts.

With the UFC’s advent of mandatory Twitter posting for all athletes, it already took a step in this direction before the FOX deal. But fighter personalities will be much more important as millions of new viewers get to know who they are. This could be a challenge for a guy like Cain Velasquez whereas the Forrest Griffins and Rich Franklins of the world will flourish.

4. “Babying” the audience.

When asked about how he intends to fill the hour-long time slot for the heavyweight title fight, Dana White explained that a lot of introductory programming is in order. Many new viewers will have to learn the rules and be taught the basics of the game, such as what BJJ, Muay Thai, the clinch, full mount, and other terms mean. It may be temporarily frustrating for the diehards.

5. A major leg up on boxing.

Sorry, boxing, but unless you put Manny Pacquiao on NBC, ABC or CBS, you’re officially behind in the race to be the world’s top combat sport.
MMA Training Toronto, North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.

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The Great G.O.A.T. Debate

September 1st, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

Any time a superstar in a sport gives a signature performance, it’s common for fans to start up a “Greatest of All Time” or “G.O.A.T.” discussion. MMA is no different from any other sport; after Anderson Silva’s decimation of Yushin Okami last Saturday, people are wondering if it’s safe to call him the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

It especially helps The Spider’s cause that (a) Fedor Emelianenko has destroyed his legacy over the last year to the point where he’s not even in the running and (b) Despite his continued dominance, Georges St-Pierre has lulled us into forgetting how good he is because of his conservative, uninspired efforts of late.

To me, the interesting part of the G.O.A.T. debate in MMA isn’t whether or not it’s Anderson Silva. To me, there’s no question right now. He holds the record for consecutive UFC wins and title defenses and he has never lost in the Octagon.

The more fascinating hot topic I’ve stumbled upon lately is whether or not MMA is old enough to have a G.O.A.T. Some people believe that, because MMA is so young, it can’t have a greatest of all time yet. People of this mindset believe that we haven’t even scratched the surface of how good mixed martial artists can be, and that the next superstars, physical freaks in the Jon Jones/Rory MacDonald mode, will be far superior to guys like Silva when their careers end.

Personally, I think it’s ludicrous to say that a G.O.A.T. can’t exist. It’s implied that the greatest of all time is always the greatest of all time so far. Even if MMA was one year old, it would still have the right of having a “greatest.” Royce Gracie held that honor in the 1990s, and deservedly so. He was an innovator whose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu changed the sport forever.

Anderson Silva deserves his G.O.A.T status just as much. He, too is a trailblazer because of his amazing grace, evasiveness, accuracy, showmanship and finishing ability. He’s a Muay Thai version of Muhammad Ali.

The best way I can close the debate on whether or not a young sport can have a G.O.A.T: saying that Anderson Silva doesn’t deserve the title yet would be like saying in 80 years ago that Babe Ruth didn’t deserve it in his sport because “baseball was still too young.”

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Who’s next? Five possible Anderson Silva opponents

August 29th, 2011

NEXT!

That was the emphatic message Anderson Silva delivered to the MMA world at UFC 134 last Saturday, tossing top contender Yushin Okami aside like he was nothing. As we’ve often wondered after a dominant Silva performance, who deserves the next shot – or the next chance to be the Spider’s personal punching bag?

Here are five intriguing Anderson Silva opponents on my mind.

1. Chael Sonnen

Last week, before Silva locked horns with Okami, I re-watched the Sonnen fight. I’d forgotten just how badly Sonnen beat the champ up before succumbing to a late submission. Sonnen totally overwhelmed Silva with his wrestling and imposed his will for four and a half rounds. No one has done anywhere near as much damage as Sonnen did. If he beats Brian Stann, he should get his rematch. The buzz and trash leading up to the bout would be off the charts.

2. Georges St-Pierre

Sure, the size difference could hurt GSP, but he could have a shot if he deployed a strategy similar to Sonnen’s. As a plus, St-Pierre could hang with Silva in the striking department better than most. It would also be nice to see GSP out of his comfort zone for the first time in years in a new weight class. Historically, GSP’s best performances always came when he was in the underdog role and forced to do something spectacular. He pulled out all the stops the first two times he challenged Matt Hughes for the welterweight title; maybe he’d wow us the same way if he faced Silva?

3. Dan Henderson

Next to Sonnen, Hendo probably came the closest to making Silva sweat when the two legends met in 2008. Since losing to Silva, he’s gone 6-1, scoring wins over Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping and, most recently, Fedor Emelianenko. Rumors recently swirled that the UFC was looking at bringing Henderson back to the UFC as a middleweight challenger. I personally wouldn’t be too excited about this bout. Other than Sonnen, a rematch wouldn’t excite fans – or Silva – too much.

4. Jon Jones

This is a dream – and we may see it someday – but I doubt the UFC will pit its reigning middleweight and light heavyweight champions against each other any time soon. Still, the thought of a Jon Jones fight is amazingly intriguing, simply because Jones may be the only fighter on the planet who can match Silva’s rare athleticism and general “X-factor” unpredictability.

5. Brian Stann

In theory, Stann will become the No. 1 contender at 185 pounds if he beats his friend, Sonnen, this fall. Stann would represent an interesting challenge to Silva in that, like Okami, he’s well-rounded and, unlike Okami, he’s more of a finisher. Stann’s size and power would definitely keep Silva honest. At the same time, I wonder if Stann is ready yet. He’s not the most experienced challenger out there.

MMA Training Toronto, North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.

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Grant Brothers MMA hosts summer BBQ with Chuck Liddell

August 23rd, 2011

When the Iceman cometh to your MMA gym, you know you’ve hit the bigtime.

That must be how the Grant Brothers Boxing and MMA Gym feels these days. In less than two years, the training facility has become one of Canada’s best and brightest. The likes of Gray Maynard, Mark Bocek, Dan Hardy, Roy Nelson and Claude Patrick have stopped by to train and chat. Fighters like Sean Pierson and Wagnney Fabiano train there.

And now, UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell will co-host a summer barbecue this Saturday, August 27 at the gym, located at 4884 Dufferin Street, unit 6 in Toronto, Ontario. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Want a free autograph or photo with the former longtime UFC light heavyweight champion? Liddell is available until 7:30 p.m. Then, he’ll hold a press conference at the barbecue to make a major announcement. From 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., he’ll make himself available for one-on-one interviews on a first-come, first serve basis.

If hanging with Chuck Liddell isn’t your cup of tea (yeah, right), the Grant Brothers summer barbecue has plenty more to offer. Rockstar Energy and GP8 Water will be on hand to provide free drinks and Headrush Clothing will give away free clothing.

Barbecue guests will also get their shot at some cool prizes. Signing up for the gym enters you in a draw for a trip to Las Vegas; entering the GP8 Fitness challenge also qualifies you for prizes.

The fun doesn’t end at 9:00 p.m. For all the UFC fans out there, Grant Brothers MMA will screen UFC 134: Silva versus Okami live and free. The event will feature lots of Brazilians – including Muay Thai legends Anderson Silva and Shogun Rua.

For more  information on the Grant Brothers MMA summer barbecue, call 416-736-7770 or e-mail info@grantbrothersmma.com. You can also inquire at the Grant Brothers front reception.

Anyone looking for a one-on-one interview with Chuck Liddell, Grant Brothers ownership or Headrush clothing can contact Mimi Ngo at 647-267-4692 or e-mail Mimi.ngo@umusic.com.

MMA Training Toronto, North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.

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Shawn Tompkins: Death of a Canadian MMA legend

August 18th, 2011

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

Hearts are heavy in Canadian MMA this week. Shawn Tompkins, the legendary Canadian kickboxer-turned MMA trainer, died suddenly of a heart attack on Sunday at age 37.

His loss is a major blow the sport we love. But nothing can bring him back now. All we can do is celebrate the man Shawn Tompkins was and what he did for mixed martial arts.

Shawn was a teacher and mentor to numerous high-profile fighters, known for his Muay Thai expertise. He taught Canadians Mark Hominick and Sam Stout; he was married to Stout’s sister, Emilie Stout. Shawn also taught Brazilian striking legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort.

Shawn really made a name for himself over the last several years, starting in 2007 when he took over from Bas Rutten as head coach of the Los Angeles Anacondas in the Independent Fight League. He migrated the Anacondas, plus his Team Tompkins from London, Ontario, over to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

Shawn became Xtreme Couture’s head instructor. In 2009, he left there to become a team trainer at the TapouT Research and Development Training Center. Despite taking on a new job, he remained closely tied to all the fighters he trained, consistently cornering them. He was particularly thrilled when MMA finally gained Ontario sanctioning and cornered several of his fighters’ first bouts in the province.

His sudden death leaves a massive void among the fighters he mentored and most of all, with his wife. It also begs the question: did we celebrate his contribution to Canadian MMA enough while he was alive?

Canadian mixed martial arts is still in its infancy. Naturally, Georges St-Pierre put it on the map like no one else, and several other fighters have risen to prominence since. But there may have been no more respected Canadian MMA trainer than Shawn Tompkins.

Just look at the reactions among the MMA community:

“Shawn is one of my best friends, one of the best if not the best striking coaches on the planet, and I mean this,” said Bas Rutten. “He always puts his students and friends before him, would do anything for them.”

“Sad to hear the news about Shawn Tompkins,” said Chuck Liddell. “My condolences to his family. He was a great guy and coach.”

“RIP Shawn Tompkins – your impact on MMA and this world will be remembered by millions,” said Shane Carwin.

“Big loss for our sport,” said UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta. “Shawn Tompkins. We will miss him!”

Looking at that list of names, it’s clear Shawn was revered around the world. In hindsight, I wish Canada did a better job honouring such a meaningful contributor to MMA.

It’s not too late, however. We can still pay tribute to him by celebrating his life and accomplishments. Here’s hoping someone makes a documentary to tell his amazing story. It would be a major step toward doing him justice.

R.I.P., Shawn Tompkins, and thanks for what you’ve done for our awesome sport.

MMA Training Toronto, North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.

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