mano a mano combat

By Jillian Bullock What do MMA fighters Tim Sylvia, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Mo “King Mo” Lawal, Sean Sherk, Josh Barnett, Cris “Cyborg” Santos, and several other fighters have in common? All of them have tested positive to using illegal performance enhancement drugs (PEDs) at some time during their fighting career. Once fighters are caught and… [...]

The next hungry finalist in our Proving Ground competition is Andrew Carrillo, who sent us a two-part video package containing the closest thing to a celebrity endorsement we’ve seen so far. In part 1 (above), Andrew’s coaches and teammates talk about their experience training with him, and why the featherweight prospect would be a great fit in Shark Fights. Among the well-wishers is UFC veteran and Premier Combat Center co-owner Ryan Jensen, who had this to say:

“Andrew’s one of the hardest-working guys in the gym, he puts in 110% effort every single time, he’s always pushing the guys, and he’s always trying to help the guys that are less-talented than him learn as much as they can. He’s a huge asset to the gym, and I’m just glad he’s part of the team…He is a guy that came in to us with a lot of wrestling, he had a little bit of standup, and now he’s starting to really turn into a true mixed martial artist…Andrew deserves to win this contract because he’s put in the hard work, he’s in every single day, he gives 110, 120% every time he’s in, and he’s not gonna disappoint. He’s gonna bring it in the cage, and he’s gonna throw a good show for you guys and you’ll be impressed.”

After the jump: Part 2 of Carrillo’s finalist video, in which Andrew finally shows his face, and takes us through a rather intense-looking workout. Visit Andrew’s Proving Ground page to watch him kick ass in past fights, and click his Facebook “Like” button if you’d like to see him represent CagePotato.com at Shark Fights 19!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Murrieta, CA. – February 22, 2011 Team Quest is proud to announce the opening of its newest mixed martial arts training facility in California, “Team Quest San Jacinto.” The Team Quest San Jacinto Fitness Center is located in the Inland Empire Region of Southern California and is the most comprehensive training facility [...]

PRESS RELEASE (by Melissa Ingram): Westlake Village, CA. – February 8, 2011 Young Members Learn Krav Maga Self-Defense Tactics at Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA Training Facility Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA mixed martial arts training facility in Westlake Village, California has not only become the training center of choice for elite athletes and MMA enthusiasts, but [...]

// I remember seeing clips of MMA in it’s early stages; two people just beating each other into piles of blood. I remember when I told my mother I was going to fight and of course she was afraid I was going to get really hurt. After it was all said and done, the only [...]