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The Joy of Sumo
One of my new karate students recently shared his love of sumo wrestling with me. I’ve always admired the wrestlers and their special mix of enormous size and explosive athleticism. Here are some...
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3 Events, 7 Days: Part One!
UFC Fight Night 27: Condit v. Kampmann Rejoice! I have returned from a diet destroying bender on the Outer Banks to grace you with my eloquent MMA prose once again! A big shout out to the boss for some...
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3 Events, 7 Days: Part Deux!
ALar previews UFC 164: Henderson v. Pettis II With all this UFC action, my blogging fingers are growing weary, but I will fight through the pain and deliver for you, my loyal readers! This Saturday the...
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3 Events, 7 Days: The Brazilian Finale
I’m dragging, barely functioning, but I will still answer the call for my loyal readers! If you watched this weekend’s UFC 164 card, there was no doubt that you were entertained by a tantalizing night...
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Passion and Warfare: How to Stay True to Your Fighting Spirit
When I was a teenager, I was sort of obsessed with guitarist Steve Vai. His wild, fiery rock and roll playing is outrageously technical, and, some say, a tad overwrought. But his craziest runs are...
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UFC 165 Preview: Within Reach
ALar takes a look at UFC 165 Well, well, well… There was an outcry from MMA fans the last month or so that the brass over at Zuffa were over-saturating their product and pumping out far too many shows....
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Samurai Sword HQ
If you’re like me, then ever since you were a kid you wanted a real-life, razor-sharp, totally beyond badass samurai sword. I wanted one even before I started martial arts after reading the Return of...
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Legal Doping? A List of Nutritional Supplements That Are Too Good To Be True
I’m not a competitive athlete, but I am interested in becoming as healthy and fit as I can be. I do have martial arts students and my new son to stay in shape for, after all. So I research and …...
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Wednesday Night Fights: UFC Fight Night 29 Edition
ALar takes a look at tomorrow night’s UFC event Follow us on Twitter! Another Wednesday and another UFC card for your viewing pleasure… Hey, guess what country this thing takes place in? “Brazil?!?”...
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UFC 166 Quick Picks
Well, well, well. It hasn’t been a fun week in the world of ALar. I had an exhaustive event preview in the can for all of you loyal readers out there, but my trusty Macbook decided to bite the dust …...
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UFC Fight Night 30: Machida v. Munoz Quick Picks!
Woah, this one snuck up on me! This Saturday afternoon the UFC is throwing down another Fight Night card on Fox Sports 2 (AKA Fuel TV). This card isn’t exactly setting my inner MMA fanaticism on fire,...
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Karate Congrats!
This was a big weekend for several of my karate heroes! First, I’d like to congratulate my sensei, Ed DeCosta for achieving his 9th-dan while training in Okinawa this week. After a lifetime of training...
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UFC Fight For the Troops 3: A Preview
I have to say, I am a fan of absolutely anything that benefits those that defend our country. I genuinely respect the UFC for throwing this fight card at Fort Campbell in Kentucky in front of a packed...
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Holy Hendo, Batman! A UFC Fight Night 32 Main Event Preview
Wow! Talk about a quick turn around for the crew at Zuffa. Wednesday in Kentucky, Saturday in Brazil… The brand is clearly working towards that global domination goal. Now, I hate to say it, but this...
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UFC 167 Preview: GSP’s Toughest Test Yet?
ALar shares his thoughts on Saturday’s 20th anniversary card We have finally arrived at the UFC’s landmark 20th Anniversary. From Royce to Tank to Bones, the sport has remarkably come a long way. I can...
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Thanks from Your Favorite Martial Arts Blog!
I don’t have anything profound to say right now about gratitude or the holiday season or self-defense tips on how to stay safe during Black Friday. All I can say is that ALar and I appreciate another...
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Taking a Quick Look at the TUF 18 Finale
I try to watch TUF, I really do, but the show is just so damn stale at this point. Sure, the Ronda Rousey fueled antics spiced this season up a bit, but even the injection of women into the TUF …...
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Karate Kids Book Project Preview
This is a quick preview of a project I am working on with a local artist, Marissa Dziedzic, whose work can be found all over Gracie Farmington Valley. We’ve written and illustrated a karate book for...
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Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
A UFC Fight Night 33: Hunt v. Bigfoot Preview Grab a Foster’s and settle in for this rare Friday night UFC event. Due to Brisbane being on the opposite side of the world than most of the UFC’s loyal...
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The Grand Master
Here’s a nice article about my sensei, Ed DeCosta from a local newspaper. I mentioned his promotion to 9th-dan recently, and you can read more by following the link below. Congratulations to Ed and...
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