Staff Blog
Philly Fighters Rep Hard at the ‘War at the Shore’
Some of the best local Mixed Martial Artists will be on
display at 9 p.m. tonight when the Extreme Challenge MMA kicks off at the
Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City.
Philly, which maintains its reputation as a hand-to-hand powerhouse from its
proud and gritty boxing heyday, will be well represented.
Recently, City Paper’s own Charles Cieri caught up with some of the notables, including the evening’s headliner. In a Sports Complex exclusive, he gets inside the world of local MMA action and previews the fights.
Tara LaRosa
Port Richmond’s
own Tara LaRosa, age 31 and former BodogFIGHT champ will headline the
evening’s card. An admitted “farm kid from New Jersey,” LaRosa has transitioned well to Philly, noting, “People aren’t all
stuck on their silicon and Gucci around here.” Training in Fishtown at the
Philadelphia Fight Factory, she seemed very relaxed as she took a break in
between rolling with an all male crew (although their numbers are rising,
Female fighters are still greatly outnumbered by their male counterparts). Her
opponent, Alexis Davis, is coming off four consecutive
wins and will be bringing the momentum to LaRosa,
who hasn’t fought in over a year.
LaRosa’s hiatus,
caused by the collapse of multiple Mixed Martial Arts leagues (one of which she left as the undefeated champion), was excruciatingly long
due to the loss of her Boyfriend and former Sergeant
First Class, Adrian Elizalde, who died in Iraq. “I
tried to keep myself busy,” she said, “throw myself into my career, but that’s
not how it worked out. That made it 10
times worse, I lost my momentum and enthusiasm; I wont ever be the same.” The
agony in LaRosa’s face, passed as
she reveled the affects of her comeback: “I’m
ungodly nervous.” When asked when she expects that to pass, she replied, “when
I’m ‘dead man walking–’ that tranquil acceptance of this is how it is, what I got is what I got–
that’s when my music hits and I walk to the cage.”
ATJ we have video showing off some of LaRosa’s Port Richmond Charm, (remember her face in case
you’re the type who gets lippy) as well as much from some of the local fighters.
Zack Makovsky
One of LaRosa’s Training partners from the night I caught up
with her will be in action as well: Queen
Village’s Zack Makovsky, a Philadelphia Fight Factory loyalist since 2002, will
take on Justin Robbins.
Makovsky, an
excellent collegiate wrestler at Drexel (he captioned the Dragons and left the
school 17th all time in career wins), came to the Philadelphia Fight
Factory for supplemental training and never left. His opponent is more
experienced (Robbins has 14 pro
fights to Makovsky’s 5) but Makovsky may actually have the edge:
While both men have recently suffered a loss to EliteXC Champ Wilson
Reis, Makovsky’s loss may have gotten to his head. “I started putting
[training] in front of everything after that fight,” says Makovsky. “I have been fortunate enough to become friends and train
with Reis, and he has helped me a
lot. He hasn’t taken me down, in training, since our fight.”
Look for Makovsky
to step his grappling up a notch after his Reis
inspired revelation.
Charlie “The
Spaniard” Brenneman
Charlie Brenneman, age 27, hails from the small
town of Hollidaysburg, in Central
PA, but now trains in and around our fair city. For him and his
opponent, Bucks’ Edward O’Daniel,
this will be the seventh pro fight. Surprisingly, Brenneman’s nickname isn’t
cultural – he earned it teaching Spanish at his former high school: “I was back
home and living the normal life– all settled in,” says Brenneman who has been
wrestling since 1st grade and ranked in the top twelve in Division 1 Lockhaven University. “But I
couldn’t sit still behind the desk,” he says, “I needed to compete.”
 |
| Brenneman, winning. |
| via charlie-brenneman.com |
Brenneman’s anxieties lead to an “on a whim” audition for
Spike TV’s Pro’s vs Joe’s. Surprised by his acceptance, he was initially
intimidated by the likes of Hershel Walker, Kevin Greene and John Rocker. “I
knew if agility and quickness were important, I had a good shot,” says
Brenneman, “and as it turns out, that they played a huge role.” He adds, “I
don’t know if a lot of the other guys trained for the show, but I would wake up
everyday before school and do everything I could. [It] paid off; towards the
end- the other guy was falling apart and I was just getting started.” Breeneman
went on to win the competition, leave the desk and has been fighting ever
since. “I absolutely love this stuff, everything about it.”
Eddie Alveraz
Also appearing is Kensington product Eddie Alveraz. Though
taking the night off due to an injury sustained while fighting in Japan,
he will be honored for his role in the 2008 fight of the year: An brutal eight
minute blitzkrieg against Tatsuya Kawajiri that Alveraz finished with vicious hammer punches.
Alveraz, who has since moved to the North East revels in his
Philly heritage: “Kenzo is exactly what I am. I didn’t come from much and I
want to get rid of the stereotype that people from the neighborhood can’t
succeed and are destined to fail.”
Check out his award winning fight here.
Also Appearing and Other Notes
Wilson Reis from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu United in
Jenkintown was originally on the card, but his fight was changed on Thursday due
to unforeseen circumstances. Reis sat down with
CP, back in October to recap his title fight and natural Philadelphia style (extreme politeness
complemented by brutal viciousness).
Also scheduled to make their pro debuts are Philadelphia based
amateurs Jesus Martinez and Tuam Pham.
The fight game is always unpredictable, but this crew in particular shows
a lot of promise for success; those who make the trip are more than likely to
see some good highlights and leave with a swelling of local pride. if your
lucky, you may even bring home a couple extra teeth for the tooth fairy.
Tickets are available HERE. It should be a good show.
