Jake Bonacci & Lifestyles

I don’t think many of you have heard about Jake Bonacci.  Jake is probably one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the world for mma.  He has His Bachelor degree in Excercise Science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  He came to us in the summer of 2007 shortly before Randy faught Gabriel Gonzaga.  He did his internship with us before returning to Duluth, Minnesota where he completed his masters degree in Excercise Physiology at the College of St. Scholastica.  Randy was so impressed training with Jake and his approach that he was offered a position on our staff. 

         Since Jake’s arrival our pro team as jumped at the opportuntiy to use him in fight preparation.  He is in such demand that a fighters camp is can base there morning training completely around Jake.    He has desigend his programs in such a unique way that it pushes our fighters to an entirely new level.  Before I moved here a few months ago I had been doing my conditioning on my own.  I knew more about the science and design of a program than anyone at my gym, but that wasn’t saying much.  I was so excited when my wife and I finally moved out here because not only was I going to have the best mma training but also the best conditioning.  I watched the workouts until my camp started.  I will have to admit looking at them from the sideline, I thought man I can handle that.  Jake got quite a laugh my first session with him during my camp.  We didn’t even go full board the first week and I puked twice.  As the weeks went by we picked up the pace and I’m telling you I could really feel it in practice.   The pace I was able to push in my fight virtually wore down my opponent in the first round.  I was just so amazed at the level Jake had taken me in the few short weeks we were in camp, that I immediately was wroking with him on scheduling my program for my next fight. 

      Jake’s popularity among mma fighters is fast growing and bringing more and more top level fighters into our gym.  Many guys our now moving their entire training camp to our facilities to work with the best.  Not only does Jake work with mma fighters he has now been working with other professional athletes in and out of competition.  Somemay think thathe only works with athletes but this is not true at all.  His afternoons are entirely open for anyone willing to dedicate themselves to getting in shape.  Conditioning is a lifestyle, a choice to live a healthy and strong life.  That is why Xtreme Couture and Jake Bonacci have come together tooffer Lifestyles.  It is an website aailable for anyone all over the world to get the opportunity to train with Jake in their own homes.  Each day he walks you through programs and excercises designed for everyday life.  It is an excellent way to get that personal touch without having to come to Las Vegas.  So if your in the neighborhood come train with Jake, even for a day it will change your life, or check him out at xtremecouturelifestyle.com.  I promise you, you won’t regret it.  And remember don’t stand on the tracks when the pain trains coming.

 

January 29, 2009

Dustin Phillips

Randy’s Autograph/ Meet and Greet with his Fans at Nellis

Randy “The Natural” Couture had a autograph/meet and greet with his fans at the Nellis BX Thursday Dec. 18th from 11 am to 2pm. Copies of his book “Becoming the Natural” sold over 127 copies and more than 250 customers greeted the UFC champ during his visit.

By: Elena Reid

Affliction Aftermath

For those of you who hadn’t heard the results of Afflictions second installment here they are.  Our guys did very well, as Jay “Thorobred” Hieron scored himself a knockout to start off the year.  It didn’t come without pain though, but not like you might think.  Jay was supposed to be the last fight on the undercard, which aired on HDnet.  However do to time restraint instead of just continueing the card as normal and airing his fight on Pay-Per view they made him wait until after the main event.  Luckily for Jay, the main card went quicker than the undercards.  Jay’s teammate, Vitor Belfort, scored himself a sensational knockout as well, over former UFC middleweight contender Matt Linland.  Jay stayed calm and when it came his time to shine, his star burned bright, for about a minute and a half.  Thats how long it took him to have  Jason High counting Serta Mattress sheep.  Congratulations goes out to both of our guys.

   My hats go off to fellow teammate and friend Chris Hordecki.  Chris was not allowed to fight because of medical reasons.  He had  a great camp and when he got out to Anaheim, the doctor was unable to pass him due to an injury suffered earlier in the year.  Chris did however stay there to support his teammates and help out.  That my friends is what being a member of our team is about, supporting one another. 

  As for the rest of the show, my long time friend and fellow Kansan, L.C Davis scored himself a nice victory over late replacement Boa Quach.  Fedor knocked out Arlovski, Barnett beat Yvel, Nogueirra won and  Babalu got himself another victory.  It was a good show overall for Affliction.  If anyone wants to catch Jay Hieron’s fight HDnet is planning on re-airing his fight shortly.  So just remember people don’t stand on the tracks, when the pain trains coming.

 

January 28, 2009

Dustin Phillips 

MMA Fitness Mopping – MFM 101

Today we took time out of our busy day to capture one of the hidden secrets here at Xtreme Couture which draws hundreds of spectators from around the world to come watch and most importantly learn.

It’s called  MMA Fitness Mopping or MFM

MFM  incorporates MMA training in the simplest of daily tasks. Dustin Phillips goes through the typical round of mopping and helps explain his theory and techniques as demonstrated in the video below. One of his trademark moves is the mop sprint which is a sight to see.

We here at Xtreme Couture feel this type of training is too important to not fully explain and dig deeper into all MFM techniques.

Please check out our youtube channel and our blog for future episodes.

By Scott Haney

How to become a Pro Fighter

It was recently brought to my attention that I should discuss how one becomes a pro mma fighter.  Well, first, there are no general guidelines one must follow to get  to the promised land known as the Octagon.  Most fighters come from different walks of life with different backgrounds of martial arts.  Then there is also a select few with virtually no background in anything whatsoever, they just want to beat someone up.  And that my friends is the true nature of it all.  We all just want to beat people up, legally of course, and get paid to do it. 

So here are my steps in getting started to become  a pro fighter.  Step one is you need to find a gym in your area.  Now to the layman this isn’t as easy as it may seem.  So what is it that you want to do, is the first thing you need to ask yourself.  When calling a gym it’s best to start out going through your yellow pages in the Martial Arts section.  This is a good step in the right direction.  Start calling up the gyms and ask them if they train fighters for MMA.  If they tell you yes, ask them what they specialize in.  The reason I am telling you this is because some schools focus  primarily on one aspect of the sport like jui jitsu or kickboxing.  Both of these styles are excellent and  very important aspects of the MMA fighter, but you need to be well rounded so don’t limit yourself.  What I mean  is, and again this is all based on your location so options will vary, is if one school does a lot of rolling (slang for jiu jitsu) this is good, but you are going to have to seek out some striking instruction.  Most towns do have a resident boxing coach, whether that be your area Golden Gloves team or a pro gym.  This is good for you to do, especially if there is not a kickboxing school or Muay Thai gym. 

I come from a relatively small town, but within that small town we have two MMA schools.  One of the schools focuses a lot on jui jistu and on kickboxing.  This was very good for me because I came from a very strong wrestling background so I needed to learn both styles.  The other school however did not really have  focus on educating a fighter, but instead a lot of sparring.  Again this is a small town and we don’t have any UFC fighters so the gyms were only open minimal times throughout the week.  What I did and depending on your dedication to becoming great is went to both.  As I became better than the rest of the members, I searched out other schools in my area.  This is what some of you might have to do.  Windshield time is very common place among fighters.  So please don’t let that discourage your desire to fight.

What I have discovered over my few short years of fighting and many years of competing is two things.  You need to analyze yourself before venturing into anything first.  Be honest with yourself, if you are the kind of person that just likes to casually do things try it out and see what you like.  Or, are you the kind of person that knows what you want and goes full steam ahead in your pursuit of excellence.  Please be honest with yourself, I have trained with a lot of people that kid themselves with this delemma.  This will help you a lot with your goals.  If this is something for fun then fight in amatuer fights.  They are not as long and the competition is usually what it means, amatuer.  I have know a lot of people that simply love competing and have no desire to fight at MGM in front of millions.  They just want to compete and have fun, there is nothing wrong with that.  Knowing this is key in your decision. 

When you figure out what your reasons for getting into the sport are you will now how much time to dedicate.  I am sorry to say but if you want to fight on pay-per view you’re gonna have to pay.  This means you might have to travel to several gyms depending on your location, you might have to work a bad job that allows for you to train, and yes you’re going to have to get in shape.  If the gym you have doesn’t know how to condition fighters, and believe me  most don’t, then get online, find famous fighters’ workouts, call a personal trainer, if they don’t know how then get on xtremecouture.tv and check out our Lifestyles page.  Jake Bonnaci is our in-house trainer and probably the best in the world.  This website gives routines on getting fight ready.

These are all things that I feel you need to know before leaping into this sport.  Whatever your background is or lack there of it’s never too late to fight, just look at my boss and coach, Randy Couture.  It is a fun sport that will always push your limitations.  And trust me fellas, wether they say it or not, it will  impress the hell out of the ladies. Just look at Ralph Machio and Patrick Swayze.  I leave you with one last thing, don’t stand on the tracks when the pain train is coming.

January 23, 2009

Dustin Phillips

Just Another Day at the Office

Hello All,

Today like most days is rather hectic around here.  If some of you don’t know already, my name is Dustin.  I recently moved out to Las Vegas from Kansas with my beautiful wife, Candace.  Well, to make a long story short I am a professional fighter at 155lbs.  I am alittle soft in the mid section so I am moving down to 145lbs.  I came out here because this is the best gym to train at in the world.  Again, this is my opinion, but if your reading this then you agree.  Well I’m not a huge name yet so I began working the front desk at the gym in November.  It can get pretty crazy around here.  Right now I am getting ready for a fight so heres my day;  Wake up 7am, eat breakfast, drink coffee, come to the gym, 9am train, 11:30am clock in and begin filling all web orders.  There are quite  a few of you who like buying our stuff, thanks for the support.  Anyway, around 1:30 I sit down and begin writing these wonderful blogs that draw so many of you to read, not unlike the mythical sirens who lured sailors towards the rocks with their enchanting sounds.  Yes I just called my writing enchanting, because that is how I roll.  Back to my day, 3pm I mop the mats, get ready for practice.  At 4pm we begin practicing or as I like to call it somedays trying not to get my head taken off.  Our practices are quite intense and I have a wonderful group of training partners.  Like I tell my wife you never feel so alive until you get punched square in the face.  Well after practice I feel quite alive, halleluha.  After all this fun and festivities I go back to work briefly, clock out go home and eat dinner.  I sit down with my wife, annoy her with my constant obsession with fight talk.  I mean come on what was she thinking, moving to Vegas.  She actually thought it I wasn’t going to talk about fighting as much.  I know she’s crazy, right?  No really though, I love fighting, I love my wife and I love my job.  After all it allows me to write these enchanting tales of “The Days of Our Lives, Xtreme style.

 

January 22, 2009

Dustin Phillips

UFC February 7th

Febuary 7th UFC Tampa Bay, Florida look out.  We have 3, count em, 3 Xtreme Couture fighters.  George Sotiropoulos making his 155lb debut against Matt Grice.  George came out here just a few months ago to begin getting ready for this fight.  His preparations for this fight have pushed the black belt jui-jitsu artist into another categorie of fighters.  So don’t be surprised to see this fight stopped short with the intensity and overwhelming strength that George brings at 155lbs. 

  Next up in the line-up is Amir Sadollah, making his long awaited debut since winning TUF.  Amir was sidelined before his last scheduled fight because of a staff infection that left him in the hospital.  He has healed up and has been in the gym for the last 2 months working hard.  His camp has gone great  and he is feeling 100%.  So wait no more because Amir is here.

   In what some consider the most anticipated fight of the night since recent headlines is Mac Danzig taking on the Josh  Hit “N” Run  ( formely known as the Dentist )  Neer.  Mac is coming  off an all out war with Clay Guida.  Although Mac lost the decision he learned alot from it.  He has refocussed on training and has a fire in his eyes since the birth of his beautiful baby girl.  Look for Mac to make this fight exciting and bring the pain.  I anticipate Neer will not expect the fight that Mac is going to bring to him.  Look for Neer to ask to be bailed out again in this fight.

January 21, 2009
Dustin Phillips

Jan 24th Affliction show check out Jay Hieron,Chris Hordecki, and Vitor Belfort

Hello Guys and Gals,

This coming weekend is going to be action packed for our gym.  Thursday on the Palace Fighting Championships, we have Lance Wipf, Evan Dunham, and John Gunderson all fighting at 155lbs.  It looks to be an exciting card with Palace signing alot of big name to headline shows in the year to come, so look for big things with this organization as well as these  three fighters.

Then on Saturday Afflictions highly anticipated second outing, will feature Jay Hieron (170), Chris Hordecki (155), and Vitor Belfort (185).  Jay has been on a role since becoming the IFL’s welterweight champ.  Our Dark horse is about to explode on the world this year so keep a look out for Jay Hieron.  Following Jay is our Canadian sensation Chris Hordecki.  Chris had an amazing 3 round battle in Japan last December that showed the rest of the world what we already knew, he is one amazing fighter with such a bright futre ahead.    And yes, the Phenom Vitor Belfort is back, and badder than ever since moving down to 185.  Since coming to Xtreme Couture he has refocused and re dedicated himself to training.  This Saturday look for a knockout or TKO from the Phenom. 

         The Place Fighting Championship will be streamlined live on Sherdog Thursday and the Affliction show is Pay-Per View for $44.95.  These look to be exciting fights so please support our fighters and check them out.

 

 January 21, 2009

By Dustin Phillips 

Lance Wipf Fighting for the PCF World Lightweight Championship

Lance Wipf (8-1-0) will be representing Xtreme Couture this Thursday at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, in Lemoore, Ca. He faces Brian Cobb (14-4-0) who will be putting up his second title defense. This will be Lance’s first time training with the Xtreme Team, and he feels more confident than ever. He was most thankful for the intensity, composure, and technique he acquired through training with his team.

        “I feel more ready than I have ever felt and will be bringing home that belt, to prove it.” I know that I am known as a ground guy but I’m excited to show my new striking ability.”

Brian Cobb is on an 8 fight win streak. He is regarded as a high level wrestler and nine of his wins coming by way of submission. Wipf knows he can hang with Cobb on the ground but feels that he would like to keep it standing.

 By: Elena Reid

Kim Couture “SUGAR FREE Success”

By FighterGirls.com (Cynthia Vespia)

Behind every good man is his woman kickin’ ass and takin’ names. That’s never been more true than with Kim “SugarFree” Couture, the wife of UFC legend Randy Couture and an accomplished MMA fighter in her own right. A few years back Kim was working as an executive casino host for The Wynn in Las Vegas, the thought of fighting in the Octagon always at the back of her mind.
After meeting and marrying Randy, Kim left her casino days behind her but brought that knowledge and experience with her into the MMA world to build the Xtreme Couture brand. “I had plenty of practice,” she notes, “it’s just a different line of work now.” It started with the birth of Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts Training Center. The Couture’s mission for Xtreme was to develop a safe haven for fighters to come train. “Guys were bouncing all over town to meet their training needs. We realized we had to do a gym with everything under one roof.”
From there Xtreme Couture put on their first major fight card dubbed “Night of Combat” where Kim herself was one of the featured bouts. “It was the ultimate test,” she says. “Someone is going to hit you and try and take your head off. They can teach you all sorts of things but once it starts all the fancy stuff goes out the window. It’s just basics and muscle memory.”
Night of Combat II came in October 2008 and this time Kim stayed behind the scenes as the event promoter, but she approached that role with as much vigor and tenacity as any of her previous fights. “Everyone jumps in and tries to do a show and they don’t know what goes into it so they forget something at the last minute. I want to give these fighters an opportunity. If I say there’s gonna be a show, there’s gonna be a show.”
Kim’s hard work is paying off getting Xtreme recognized with more shows set up for the future. Within that success they’ve given back with charitable organizations like the Xtreme GI Foundation which provides opportunities for GI’s with prosthetic limbs who are still trying to make a difference. “It’s inspiring because those guys don’t give up,” Kim says. “It puts things in perspective.”
Recently she attained her first professional win vs. Lina Kvokov at StrikeForce. “I felt very confident going into the fight, my footwork and boxing have greatly improved since I’ve been working with Gil Martinez our boxing coach here at Xtreme Couture. I’ve also spent the last 6 weeks working on my Muay Thai with Master Chan and Ray Seffo and my ground game with the help of Robert Drysdale.”
Kim isn’t looking to slow down anytime soon. “I really love MMA and I want to continue to fight at least 3 to 4 times a year. Last year I fought four times, Febuarary, April, June and November. Before I fight again I want to get back to the business side of things and work on my promotion company. We have a lot of fighters at Xtreme Couture that I want to get some work.”

Posted By: Scott Haney