Jim Genia Leads a Panel on NY Underground MMA

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 Rodriguez were both victorious in the cage.  Jonathan Rodriguez, currently on a winning streak of over ten wins, got through the wrestling and kickboxing rounds and secured his patented triangle choke midway into the final grappling round. Look out for these two.

MMA Documentary Filmmakers Kahleem Poole-Tehada and Stephen Kpeofer

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 and the fight to get professional MMA sanctioned in New York State.  New York Mixed Martial Arts beautifully captures the essence of what it is to be an MMA fighter in New York.