MarkHolst.com

Hello everyone!

I have been extremely busy training all of the students at OAMA, Carling and Kanata location, and managing the Kanata academy! I am loving this!

Last weekend, 6 Renzo Gracie fighters competed in PRO MMA at the WRECK MMA event in Gatineau. The team went 5 wins , 1 loss. I am super proud of all 6 fighters! They were amazing and showed what a Renzo Gracie fighter is all about.

Derek Boase, known in the ring as “Bowser,” was up first. It was his first competition in MMA. I trained a lot with Bowser for this fight and watched him develop good technique with a high level of fitness and toughness throughout the training camp. The game plan was very simple; punch your way in, takedown, GNP with elbows and go for the sub. It went just about that way…I look forward to seeing Derek fight at 155lbs, lightweight division—he will be Bowser. I am very proud of Derek and you guys better keep your eyes on him in the future! All 24? seconds of action.

Next up was Kru Jeff, who I also trained and took part of his training camp for this fight. He fought a talented wrestler and tough fighter but came out on top with the judges UD. Even with a bad cold he managed to tough through the fight and come out the winner. I only managed to catch the last few minutes of the last round because I was warming up Randy. From the feedback I heard about the fight, Kru Jeff’s opponent visibly tried to keep the fight on the ground where his strengths lie in grappling, even refusing to get up on his feet once Kru Jeff had skilfully passed his guard. Kru Jeff wasn’t baited in and whether the fight was standing boxing, or his opponent trying for a takedown but instead feeling the full force of solid muay thai knees, or both fighters on the ground grappling, Kru Jeff proved that his strengths are not limited to one area of martial arts and he continually maintained a position of greater power. Congrats Jeffy!
After Kru Jeff was Randy “Relentless” Turner. Just like Kru Jeff, Randy also was fighting a really bad cold all week before the fight, but he still fought his heart out for 3 solid rounds! He showed great takedown defence and got to work on his striking, coming out the winner of the standing exchanges by landing solid punches and even a high kick to the head! Even under pressure he kept his cool, defended the takedowns very well, and didn’t let his opponent do any damage on the ground. Randy won by split decision. Very close fight, really happy for Randy and to see all his hard work pay off! Good job Rambo!
Next up was Chris St.Jean. I wasn’t able to see the fight since I was warming up the guys, but from what I heard he won the first round and in the second round got caught in a triangle. On to the next fight Chris, it will make you better and stronger in the end brother.

Remi “Bam Bam” Morvan was next up fighting. Remi made his debut at 125lbs. He came on weight and the day of the fight was a huge fly weight! Remi dominated his opponent with a beautiful double leg take down, then got the pass to mount, then missed a triangle but recovered from bottom guard and locked on a tight heel hook that got him the win and sub of the night! Great job Remi, 125lbs is your home now brother!

And last but not least was Rolles Gracie fighting Lee Mein–typical BJJ vs Striker MMA fight. Rolles quickly took it to the ground, passed and mounted. Rolles put on his favourite sub, the head and arm choke, and finished the fight in the 1st round. Great job Rolles, great to see you back in the cage fighting!

Rolles’ brothers Igor and Gregor were there as well as Bruno Fernadez and Mark Colangelo. We had a great time together!

Renzo Gracie cornered all of the guys for their fights, what a guy, he is simply awesome! I got to have dinner with Nick, Pat and Renzo Gracie and also did the seminar the following day after the fight. It was so much fun to hang out with Renzo, Pat and Nick that night and the seminar was off the hook!

All in all, great job to Nick and Logan for putting on another great MMA show. Thank you to Pat for giving me this opportunity to corner and also bringing Renzo Gracie down here! Great job to all the fighters that competed on the WRECK MMA card, all you guys stepped in the cage and put it on the line!

Fighter’s fight!

Now for this weekend, I will be cornering Jorge, Channel, Jayson E. , Jayson M., Martello, Joey, Eric, Dave and Stan at the CASK muay thai provincials in Burlington! I cannot wait! I will let you guys know how we do ASAP!

Take care everyone!

BoOts!