New York MMA Photography Focusing on Organized Violence since 2001
What Crew Was Badder Than This? Pat, Matt, Jens
Three UFC Champions Pat Miletich, Matt Hughes & Jens Pulver show up to UFC 41 to coach their teammate, Tim Sylvia to a successful Heavyweight UFC Championship win. Miletich Fighting Systems circa 2003 was arguably the best MMA team of all time.
UFC 205 Press Conference at Madison Square Garden
MMA.US Asks Conor A Question That Leads To The Funniest Moment In MMA History? Jimmy Kimmell had something to say about it too! And from the official video at 26:39
UFC Rally to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York
Promotion – Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Event – Rally to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York. Location – 250 Broadway, outside of the offices of the State Assembly. Date – December 11, 2015. Featured in the Images – David N. Weinraub (Lobbyist for the UFC http://www.brownweinraub.com/), Bruce Kivo (http://www.MMAConfidential.com), “Sambo” Stephen Koepfer (http://nymmanow.blogspot.com/ http://www.nycombatsambo.com/), […]
A Brutal Display of Respect, Honor, and Friendship.
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. Three 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned. Location of Show – World Class Boxing Gym – South […]
UCL Invite Only Event – For The Love Of MMA
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. Three 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – World Class Boxing Gym – […]
UCL – The Realest MMA Competition in the USA
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – World Class Boxing Gym – South […]
Brain Rattling MMA In A Church Basement – Victory 8
Promotion – Victory Combat Sports – VICTORY VIII Rules – No elbows or Knees to the head. Status – Amateur MMA Competition (plus some Muay Thai). Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – USKA. Date of Show – April 10, 2015. Location of Show – Manhattan, NYC – The Hall […]
Ryan LaFlare’s Underground MMA Fighting Debut
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – UFC 1 Rules “Vale Tudo” (this was October, 2007). Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – Undisclosed Martial Arts Gym – Queens, NYC. Date of Show – October, 2007. Featured Result: […]
MMA Pops Off At MSG for the First Time – Victory VII
Promotion – Victory Combat Sports – VICTORY VII Rules – No elbows or Knees to the head, no foot stomps, no striking joints. Status – Amateur MMA Competition (plus some Muay Thai). Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – WKA. Date of Show – November 21, 2014. Location of Show […]
First Ever MMA Event At Madison Square Garden
Victory Combat Sports broke the ice tonight, putting on the first official MMA event at the world famous Madison Square Garden. From 6-8pm, inside the Garden, a mix of MMA and Muay Thai fighters weighed in before a crowd of coaches, teammates, media, officials, and fans. Kevin Lillis, CEO of Victory Combat Sports, is being […]
Jonathan Velez KOs 2 To Win UCL Belt
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – John’s Boxing Gym – South Bronx, […]
Justin Vargas Wins Big at Golden MMA 4
Promotion – Golden MMA Championships. Rules – No Elbows or Knees to the Head. No Twisting Leg Locks. Otherwise Unified Rules. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – ISKA. Results : Chris Francis def. Eric D’Arce via Majority Decision William Calhoun def. Marwin […]
MMA Grows In Manhattan – Victory Combat Sports
Promotion – Victory Combat Sports. Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA !!! Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – WKA. Results – http://www.themmajournalist.com/2014/04/victory-combat-sports-scores-another.html Ali Zebian def. Carlos Monteiro via TKO (Punches) in R2 Adam Pakiela def. Ethan Gomes via Unanimous Decision John Pina def. […]
Jerome Mickle Moves to 10-0 at NYFE 2
Promotion – New York Fight Exchange. Name of Event – NYFE 2 – The Ides Of March. Rules – No Elbows or Knees to the Head. Otherwise Unified Rules. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – WKA. Results – Jim Genia’s MMA Website. […]
Underground Combat League – Night of Submissions
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – Queens Elmcor – Queens, NYC. Date […]
Fists Fly In Queens, New York – Golden MMA 3
Promotion – Golden MMA Championships. Rules – No Elbows or Knees to the Head. No Twisting Leg Locks. Otherwise Unified Rules. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – ISKA. Results – Jim Genia’s Video Blog: http://www.fightline.com/fightline-field-golden-mma-championships-11-23-13/ Date of Show – November 23, 2013. […]
Victory Combat Sports – Another NYC MMA Player
Full Rules amateur NYC MMA surfaced once again this past May when Victory Combat Sports put on a show at Terminal 55 in Manhattan’s West Side nightclub district. With legit sanctioning and full rules, it was a noteworthy event that packed the audience with casual and serious MMA fans alike. I applaud this promotion’s efforts […]
UCL Suicide Kings Ends In A Heated Confrontation
Undefeated NYC fighter Jerome Mickle (9-0) refused to defend his belt and fight promoter Peter Storm in their scheduled 185 pound title fight citing Storm’s weight as the reason. Storm reputedly weighed in at 186 lbs roughly 3 hours before the fights began, then gained 6 pounds of water and banana weight. Mickle arrived after […]
NYFE’s Debut Event Crowns Two Champs
Promotion – New York Fight Exchange. Rules – No Elbows or Knees to the Head. Otherwise Unified Rules. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – WKA. Results – Jim Genia’s Blog: http://mmajournalist.blogspot.com/ Date of Show – October 4, 2013. Location of Show – […]
Another Night of Finishes at the UCL
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – Bronx, NYC. Why would somebody fight […]
UCL 10-Year Show Part 2 – Two Champions Crowned
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – Bronx, NYC. Quick Results: Will Cavali […]
Kings of New York – Full Rules Amateur MMA
Promotion – Kings of New York. Rules – Unified Rules of MMA. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – Yes. Sanctioning Body – MMAF through Karate International. Results – Jim Genia’s Blog: http://mmajournalist.blogspot.com/ Date of Show – March 23, 2013. Location of Show – Manhattan, NYC.
Underground Combat League – 10 Year Anniversary
Promotion – Underground Combat League (UCL) Rules – Full Unified Rules of MMA or UFC 1 “Vale Tudo” Rules, depending on agreement of fighters. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – Unsanctioned (legal). Location of Show – Bronx, NYC. The Underground Combat League’s […]
“Sanctioned” Amateur MMA Resurfaces in NYC
Promotion – Aggressive Combat Sports Rules – No strikes to the head on the ground. No knees to the face. No elbows. Shinpads required. No twisting leg submissions. 3-Minute Rounds. Status – Amateur MMA Competition. Sanctioned by Organization Approved by NY Statute – No. Sanctioning Body – USMTA (not approved by NY statute). Location of […]
UCL Fate of Eight – Clash of the Heads
In the final matchup of the Fate of Eight tournament, Peter Storm, UCL legend and promoter, faced off with rising MMA star Jonathan Rodriguez. Rodriguez used Storm’s Judo coat to his advantage and maintained a tight clinch throughout most of the two rounds, firing off knees at close range. Storm connected with a good right […]
A Night of Submissions – UCL September 2012
Redacted photos from the elusive NYC MMA club – the Underground Combat League – Quick Results — Danny Estrella def. Owen Thomas by Guillotine Choke — Desmond Nelson def. Ty Navarrio by Guillotine Choke — Peter Storm def. Adam Nadler by Kimura Shoulder Lock — Chad Hernandez def. Pedro Villa by Tapout due to Strikes
Local NYC MMA Stars Showcase Their Skills
Quick MMA Results from the Show: Irish Todd def. Thiago Chavez – Guillotine Choke. Israel Martinez def. Kevin Wall – Front Kick KO. Jonathan Rodriguez def. Nico Agusto – Rear Naked Choke. Mark Agnew def. Desmond Nelson – Rear Naked Choke.
Local New Yorkers Clean Up at MMA World Expo
The Jacob Javits convention center in the far west side of midtown Manhattan hosted the World MMA Expo this past November 17-18, 2011. The multi-faceted event was comprised of a jiu-jitsu tournament, mixed-fighting exhibition matches in a cage, autograph signings from famous MMA stars, panel discussions, and more. NY MMA stars Kenny Rivera and Jonathan […]
America’s Only NHB Show Strikes Again in NYC
In another action-packed unsanctioned MMA event, Peter Storm hosted the Underground Combat League – New York’s only NHB show. This time out we saw the return of hard-hitting Kenny Rivera who stormed back onto the scene and took Chad Hernandez into deep waters earning the split decision victory and becoming the UCL’s only reigning champion. […]
Ottavia Bourdain: Grappling with Greatness
MMA disciple Ottavia Bourdain takes her grappling seriously, working out about five times a week with BJJ giant Igor Gracie at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC. I spent an hour at the academy shooting the friendly and enthusiastic martial artist at work preparing for an upcoming grappling tourniment that she plans to compete in. […]
NY Voices Its Love For MMA
A loyal crowd of MMA faithfuls gathered in front of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NYC Office at 633 Third Avenue to rally for the legalization of professional mixed martial arts in New York. As one of the last holdouts, New York is currently preventing valuable sports revenue from boosting its economic goals. This backwards bureaucratic policy […]
Underground Fights Pop Off During MMA Media Event
Unsanctioned MMA fights in a cage in downtown Manhattan were the focal point of a book launch event this past Saturday hosted by authors Jim Genia (Raw Combat) and Matthew Polly (Tapped Out). It nearly came to blows in the ring as Genia and Polly faced off, each clutching copies of their book in a […]
Raw Combat – A Book About Real Underground MMA
Decades from now, long after MMA has been sanctioned and “legalized” in New York State, the tales and history of the mysterious and hidden world of Underground MMA would have long been forgotten … but for this book right here. Having personally attended and photographed just about every NYUCL show since the beginning of the […]
Local NYC Fighters Hungry For Experience
Local New York City fighters ride the subway to undisclosed locations every month or two to test their fighting skills in reality scenarios. Style vs. Style vs. Crosstraining – the NYUCL is the original proving ground for the up-and-coming hard-hitting young breed of combatants, forced to fight off the radar until the Athletic Commission sanctions […]
Closed Door Vale Tudo Invitational Fights in NYC
Hiding in plain sight, Peter Storm’s Underground Combat League showcases unsanctioned Vale Tudo MMA fights in NYC. By invitation only, both spectators and fighters attend the city’s only long-running legitimate MMA show. Operating just outside of the reaches of the NY Athletic Commission, this event is a throwback to the early days of MMA, using […]
New Yorkers Rally to Legalize MMA
The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York organized by MMA instructor Stephen Koepfer held its first public rally in lower Manhattan across the street from New York City’s city hall. The rally popped off on On February 8th, 2011 as a crowd of MMA loyalists gathered in front of Sheldon Silver’s district […]
UFC’s First Lightweight Championship Fight
Caol Uno calmly strategized his escape from BJ Penn’s grasp. Just minutes from glory, the two courageous lightweights honed in on the UFC’s first lightweight belt. Two UFCs prior, Uno and Penn both advanced in the lightweight tourniment which led them to this fight. At the end of five hard fought rounds, the UFC 41 […]
At UFC 32 Tito Ortiz Reigned Suprime
Soon after Zuffa purchased the UFC in 2001, UFC 32 took the NYC area by storm. Blasting off just miles from the heart of the city, the Arena at the old Meadowlands in NJ was host to Tito Ortiz and Elvis Sinosic, headliners of this pivotal fight show. Tito showed the world why he was […]
Hard Hitting Sluggers Go To War In NYC
If you want to fight in NYC, you need an invitation to compete at the City’s only MMA club, the Underground Combat League. There is no publicity and no purse. These are not prize fighters, they are hard hitting warriors who fight for honor and experience. Tossing aside the usual rules that govern sanctioned MMA […]
New York Mixed Martial Arts Movie Screening
New York City, the future home of MMA, was host to a media screening of a hip MMA documentary directed by Kahleem Poole-Tehada and produced by Stephen Koepfer. “New York Mixed Martial Arts” explains the history of New York MMA and gives you a glimpse into the MMA minds of fighters, polititions, journalists, and insiders […]
Underground Legend Iron Will Blasts his Opponent
Teacup Kung Fu was the style claimed by “Iron Will” back in September of 2004 when he faced NYC Boxer “Lump” Rasheen. The party didn’t last long though. After landing a few glancing blows to the much larger boxer, UCL legend “Iron Will” got blasted off his feet, pounced on, and throat choked into submission. […]
And Not a Single Cat Challenged Her That Day
With the grace and swagger of a seasoned prizefighter, the gym cat took center ring shortly before the first fight was set to begin. In those few moments she gave fair warning to those who followed her: own the canvas, be at peace, never lose focus. Her lessons were lost on most that day.
Phil Baroni Cements Top 5 All Time MMA KO
Dribbling his opponent’s head off the cage twelve times in a couple of seconds cemented Phil Baroni’s knockout of recently dethroned middleweight champ Dave Menne at UFC 39 as one of the most exciting and popular finishes in MMA history. After one of the most explosive finishes in Zuffa-era UFC, Phil straddled the cage and […]
White Collars & Underground Fights in NYC
His entourage wore suits and ties. They could buy the room if they cared to. Between high-stakes deals, they took a train from Wall Street and watched as their friend and coworker demolished his opponent with a series of viscious punches and kicks. After his fight, the anonymous fighter changed back into his business attire […]
Human Enigma Marches To His Destiny
Usually when the bell rings or in this case, the ref steps in, the fight is over. Not the case this time around. Emotionally charged underground fighter, tattooed from belly to cranium and identifying himself as “Sekau Mau Mau,” needed to be contained in his corner by promoter Peter Storm following his beatdown loss at […]
James Funaro KOs “Prison Fighter” Christian Darrow
When self-proclaimed undefeated prison fighter and underground MMA champion Christian “Wargod” Darrow showed up on the local Long Island, NY scene opening a new MMA gym, it rubbed some people the wrong way. After months of online trash talking, a parking lot fight, and a no-show at the NYUCL, Darrow showed up late one night […]
The Most Dominant MMA Champion Questions it All
Fedor Emelianenko dominated the worldwide MMA heavyweight division for over a decade going undefeated and beating the best of the best. As a small heavyweight fighter who routinely obliterated much bigger competition, Fedor calmly contemplated retirement after getting severely beaten during the second round of his Grand Prix fight against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at Strikeforce […]