^
UPDATE: NYS ATHLETIC COMMISSION TO REQUEST PROMOTER LICENSING IN LIEU OF 'APPROVED LIST'

In a conversation today with the NYS Athletic Commission's General Counsel, it was learned that the request is being made for the elimination of the 'approved list' of martial art sanctioning organizations and writing proposed legislation that would have 'kickboxing' promoters be licensed with the Commission. In addition, the 'promoters' would have to follow certain insurance and safety requirements to be able to promote 'kickboxing' events in the State of New York. The proposed time frame for this to happen is; drafting proposed legislation by Friday (December 20, 2002) to be offered for review and legislation in January 2003 and to be passed and implemented by Spring 2003.

^
WORLD CHAMPION LOUIS NEGLIA SCORES BIG WITH "RING OF COMBAT 2" IN NEW JERSEY

USKBA Promoter World Champion Louis Neglia (Louis Neglia Martial Arts) triumphantly returned to New Jersey with his "RING OF COMBAT 2" extravaganza that featured Professional Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai and Full Contact Kickboxing sanctioned by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, Commissioner Larry Hazzard, and USKBA Action Sports and co-sanctioned by ISKA and KICK. This event was taped for video sales and a documentary for future broadcast. Thousands of spectators filed into the Meadowlands Exposition Center on December 7, 2002 to see some of the best fighters in the sport today. "RING OF COMBAT 2" was part of "The Martial Arts Classic" held by Tiger Schulmann's Karate that also featured the Master Seminar Series and the Challenge of Champions.

The Main Event had SHENNEN MACEO going against MIGUEL ARAOZ in a scheduled five round USKBA Super Lightweight Muay Thai bout. Maceo was making his second venture into professional competition. His first pro fight was in October 2002 at The Mohegan Sun Casino where he knocked out his opponent in 45 seconds. This time he was facing an opponent with a 5-2 record who flew up from Miami for this fight. At the opening bell, both fighters came to the center of the ring to begin their battle. Araoz used his hands to get inside and began leg kicks. Maceo did not back up, but instead was able to trap Araoz' leg and countered with punches to Araoz' face that sent him to the canvas. Araoz got up and Maceo was relentless with his attack. Maceo never gave Araoz one second to breathe. Maceo delivered punches and kicks, including knees, that had Araoz on the defense. Araoz attempted to land punches on Maceo, but Maceo kept up his attack moving Araoz into the corner. Referee Fred Fitzgerald broke the fighters and began a standing eight count on Araoz. After talking to Araoz, the referee waved his hand that the fight was over. The winner by TKO at :56 of the first round ...Shennen Maceo.

In a match for the USKBA Grappling Cruiserweight Eastcoast Championship Title, current champion STEVE ANSHELEWITZ faced off against KADIR KADRI in  a scheduled ten minute time limit bout. Anshelewitz won the title on "RING OF COMBAT 1" in October 2002. Kadir a champion kickboxer, was ready to walk home with a Grappling title this night. The only thing standing in his way was Anshelewitz. That proved to be a big obstacle. The match saw Kadir holding his own against the more grappling experienced Anshelewitz. The bout quickly went to the canvas as both fighters tried to gain the mount and superior position. As both fighters attempted various leg locks and submission holds, neither was able to effectively complete the techniques to submission. Twice during the match both fighters were able to regain a standing position. Kadir was the first to land blows to Anshelewitz' head. Anshelewitz was able to reverse positions and began pounding Kadir's head as both fighters went under the ropes. With three quarters of the match over, it looked that Kadir was ahead and might walk away with the title. As time dwindled down, Anshelewitz was able to complete a submission hold that had Kadir tapping out. The winner by submission at 8:40 ...Steve Anshelewitz. 

In a non-title five round USKBA Full Contact Kickboxing bout, ring veteran MIKE "Fighting Irish" RYAN took on KADIR KADRI. Kadir, accustomed to tournament competition where competitors fight multiple times in multiple sports, was rested and ready for this kickboxing bout. Ryan, known all over as a champion kickboxer, was also ready for this bout. Ryan seemed confident in the first round as he threw an assortment of punches of kicks. Kadir, with his long legs, was able to move Ryan back with his kicks. Two judges gave the round to Ryan and the third judge called it even. The second round resembled the first round but found Kadir more active. Two judges gave this round to Ryan and one judge gave it to Kadir. The third round seemed to be Kadir's best round. He was able to connect with punches on the inside, but Ryan, with his tremendous ring experience, was able to slip a lot of the punches by ducking and sliding from side to side. This round had two judges giving it to Kadir and one judge giving it to Ryan. The fourth round seemed to be the hardest to score. While both fighters were able to work their punches and kicks. neither fighter seemed to overpower the other. This round saw one judge giving it to Kadir, one judge giving it to Ryan and one judge scoring it 10-10 even. It was clear that both fighters needed to win the fifth and final round. The final round had both fighters fighting at the first sound of the bell. The momentum went back and forth as Ryan kept moving and picking his opportunities to mount an offense. Kadir pressed the fight and was able to land a kick to Ryan's midsection that backed Ryan up. That didn't stop Ryan as he came at Kadir. The bell sounded the end of the fight and the judges were called on to render a decision. The scoring was 50-46, 49-47 and 46-49 for the winner by split decision ...Mike Ryan.

In other bouts
Grappling
ANDY RUGGIERO def EIRIK CERTO by submission at 8:53.
Grappling
ELVIS GARCIA def THEMI PAPADAMITRIOU by submission at 1:22.
Grappling
PETER SELL def TED GOVOLA by 10 minute referee decision.
Grappling
ERICK SHAVER def JOHN ROTONDELLA by submission at :52.
Muay Thai
WILLIAM HAMILTON def DEREK RIDDICK by split decision.

The New Jersey Athletic Control Board's Chief Inspector was Sylvester Cuyler and in attendance was Commissioner Larry Hazzard. Also in attendance; UFC fightersMatt and Nick Serra, USKBA World Champion Tim Lane, USKBA Muay Thai Champion "Extreme" Lacosta, Tiger Schulmann, the Miller Brewing Ring Girls and the USKBAbabes(see picture at right; USKBAbabes Paige and Brenda sandwich Matt Serra). The referees were Jim Gargiulo, Fred Fitzgerald, Kipp Kollar and Ray Martin. The judges were Fred Corritone, Frank Barroso and Jim Gargiulo. Fighters were from; Tiger Schulmann Karate, Ray Martin/Renzo Gracie, Ultimate Gym, Pitts Penn, Bellmore Kickboxing Academy, Dog Pound, Serra Jiu-Jitsu, Combined Martial Arts, Ultimate Sambo, Michael Ryan Martial Arts, Shaolin Self Defense Centers and Miami Muay Thai Academy.

^
"BATTLEGROUNDS 2" EXPLODES WITH SUPER BOUTS, SUPER CROWD AND SUPER USKBAbabes

USKBA Promoter Ace Ramirez (Unlimited Arts Promotions) (pictured at left with USKBAbabes Paige and Brenda) assembled a super show that thrilled the SRO crowd in Bergenfield NJ on November 30, 2002. "BATTLEGROUNDS 2" featured top amateur Muay Thai fighters fighting under modified rules. Every bout went the distance confirming the superb matchmaking and tremendous fighting talent.

The Main Event showdown featured CHRIS ROMULO going against BRETT HLAVACEK in scheduled three round USKBA Amateur Light Heavyweight bout. From the opening bell, these two fighters came out wanting to end the fight early. Hlavacek looked a little tentative as Romulo kept pressing the fight. In a short time, the tentativeness turned into a good fight plan. Hlavacek landed a kick to Romulo's body that saw Romulo rushing Hlavacek and being knocked down and given a standing eight count. The first round went to Hlavacek on all three judges' scorecards. The second round saw a close battle between these two fighters with two judges scoring it for Hlavacek and one judge giving it to Romulo. Romulo came on strong in the third round but was unable to send Hlavacek to the canvas. Hlavacek fought back and turned in a good offense. When the final bell rang, the crowd went wild in anticipation of the decision. Judge Potenza scored the fight 28-28 even, Judge Kenney scored the fight 30-26 for Hlavacek and Judge Ronquillo scored the fight 29-28 for the winner by majority decision ...Brett Hlavacek.

In one of the best bouts of the evening, JONNA BERRY and OLGA PETRYNIAK kept the crowd cheering for their entire three round USKBA Amateur Female Featherweight bout. In the opening round, Berry came out strong and seemed to have the fight going her way. Although Petryniak fought back and established that she was in the fight, the judges gave the round to Berry. The second round had Petryniak connecting with punches to Berry's head and Berry fighting back. Both fighters fought well out of the clinch. The judges gave this round to Petryniak. Sensing that the fight was even at this point, both fighters came out feeling the need to win the last round. And fight they did. The crowd was on their feet for the entire last round. The action never stopped as both Berry and Petryniak threw punches and kicks that might have stopped other opponents. The action went to the sounding of the closing bell. Both fighters received deafening applause and cheers for their effort. It was clear that no matter what the decision was, the spectators were the clear winners. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision ...Olga Petryniak.

Some of the schools participating in "BATTLEGROUNDS 2" were; Team IMATC, Varlaro's Martial Arts, Extreme Muay Thai, Sitsutam Gym, Team B.A.D., Maisonet Muay Thai CAMP, The Edge Kickboxing and Team Suriyasak. The crowd also thrilled to the entertainment and sexiness of Paige and Brenda of the USKBAbabes. No matter where you looked, there was always something to see.

In other action
USKBA Super Welterweights
ANTHONY URENA def ROLANDO GARCIA by 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
USKBA Cruiserweights
LUKE FORELLE def JACK WILLIAMS by 29-28, 30-27, 29-28.
USKBA Junior Super Bantamweights
TERRENCE HILL def GERALD JAVIER by 29-28, 30-27, 29-28.
USKBA Welterweights
ANDRE GONZALEZ def DARRVI CALOTES by 27-26, 26-28, 28-26.
USKBA Junior Featherweights
REUBEN QUINIT def KEVIN CUETO by 30-26, 29-27, 30-25.
USKBA Light Heavyweights
MARK KONHEISER def ADAM CARDONA by 29-27, 30-27, 30-27.
USKBA Junior Super Lightweights
RAMIN ROSHAN def GILBERT COLLAZO by 29-28, 29-27, 30-25.
USKBA Junior Flyweights
NAS SINGH def ARJUN NAIR by 30-27, 30-27, 27-30.

The referee for this event was Kevin Mulhall and the judges were Shawn Kenney, John Potenza and Marvin Ronquillo. The ring announcer was Dan Kosa, the timekeeper was Louis Musa and the scorekeeper was Evan Chait. The USKBAbabes were Paige and Brenda. For additional information on this event and future "BATTLEGROUNDS" events, call 866-MUAYTHAI or visit their website at www.battlegroundsusa.com.