Leonard Garcia
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With Urijah Faber now slated to fight Jens Pulver at WEC 38 on Jan. 25 in a rematch from the classic June encounter, multiple sources have informed FiveOuncesOfPain.com that current WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown is now expected to make his first defense against former UFC lightweight Leonard Garcia.
Five Ounces of Pain spoke to […]
Written by admin on November 25th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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(“Boys, please, can’t you settle your differences with words?” Photo courtesy of MMA Weekly.)
The California Kid invades Hollywood (Florida), Chael “RE/MAX” Sonnen aims to do a bit of closing on Paulo Filho’s middleweight title reign, and Leonard Garcia will be smuggling nothing but his fists and feet across the border that is Jens Pulver’s face. I’m coked-out Mauro Ranallo and I’ll be your liveblogger tonight — the specials are honor, glory, pumpkin crème brûlée, and maybe some championship gold?
Just kidding, it’s only me, BG. Hit that “More” link and refresh the page every few minutes to get all the latest from tonight’s live event on Versus. Should be a monster.
Whoa, are you guys watching this Sports Soup shit? Garbage! Joel McHale is not to be imitated. And alright, here we go…
I like this intro. Leonard Garcia just punched some guy so hard that he turned into glass and shattered. Literally. Florida is “not a swing state tonight,” according to this commentator whose name I didn’t catch. Frank Mir is in the house, of course, wearing what seems to be an outfit from Penn Jillette’s closet. “See how we elect a champion in the WEC,” says Mr. Dude. Mauro Ranallo is spinning in his martini right now.
Jake Rosholt vs. Nissen Osterneck (middleweights)
Both men are undefeated and are making their WEC debuts tonight; interesting, considering the WEC is reportedly folding their middleweight division after this event. I wonder if they know? Rosholt is a three-time NCAA wrestling champion. Mir makes the bold claim that Rosholt might be the third-best college wrestler ever.
Round 1: Osterneck rushes forward throwing punches in bunches, but Rosholt clamps on and scores a takedown. He moves from side control to back control, and tries to set up a choke but Osterneck wriggles out. Osterneck looks for an armbar from the bottom. He gets up and rocks Rosholt with punches. Again, Rosholt tries to stop the damage with a clinch, but Osterneck bashes him off. Rosholt tries to clinch against the cage and eventually gets Osterneck down, throwing punches from the top. Rosholt throws a big knee into Osterneck’s body, then one to the shoulder, close to the head, that earns a warning from the ref. Osterneck tries to create some space after kicking off Rosholt, but Rosholt sticks right back on. Rosholt throws elbows into Osterneck’s body. Rosholt takes Osterneck’s back and drills punches into the side of his head. Osterneck rolls and Rosholt takes half-guard. Rosholt tries to set up a choke as the bell rings.
Round 2: Rosholt’s face is mad swollen. Leg kicks from Osterneck. Rosholt shoots and wraps Osterneck’s leg up, but Osterneck is able to flip Rosholt to the ground, looking for a kimura. Rosholt escapes and gets on top. He takes a breather for a moment, then gets side-control. Rosholt continues to lie on top of Osterneck and the crowd boos. They get to their feet and Osterneck slugs Rosholt with a punch combo and a knee. He misses a spinning backfist and gets taken down, and Rosholt is on top bashing Osterneck in the side of the head. He turtles up and Rosholt jackrammers him until the fight is stopped. Jake Rosholt def. Nissen Osterneck via TKO, 3:48 of round 2.
Hey look, a Urijah Faber No Fear commercial. “What do I fear? I’ll let you know when I find it.” Cool, but I’m still not gonna wear those t-shirts.
Jens Pulver vs. Leonard Garcia (featherweights)
Garcia, for some reason, comes out to “Jukebox Hero” by Foreigner. And it looks like Pulver’s double black-eyes have cleared up in time for the match. Monte Cox is in Pulver’s entourage, wearing a XXXL TapouT shirt. And Garcia tweaks his nipples when he’s introduced! It’s over, Jens!
Round 1: Hard leg kick from Garcia. Jens moves forward with some nice punches, rattling Garcia. Head kick from Garcia off Pulver’s glove. Garcia sticking/moving nicely, now he’s landing some brutal punches. Pulver stiffens up against the cage and Garcia finishes him off with power shots. Very impressive. Leonard Garcia moves one step closer to a title shot against Faber. (Or, Mike Brown, obviously. Cough.) Leonard Garcia def. Jens Pulver via TKO, 1:12 of round 1. Garcia says he’s the #1 contender now, but a guy named Wagnney Fabiano just signed to the WEC, so we’ll see.
David Avellan vs. Aaron Simpson (middleweights)
I don’t really know who these guys are, but SOMEBODY’S ‘O’ MUST GO!
Round 1: Simpson slips in the overhand right death-blow in the opening seconds, Rashad Evans style! Knockout. That’s all she wrote, bros. Aaron Simpson def. David Avellan via KO, 0:18 of round 1.
Paulo Filho is backstage, hitting pads in his signature sleeveless flannel shirt. Do you think he has an entire closet full of those things? Or does he just have the one, that he never washes?
Paulo Filho vs. Chael Sonnen (middleweight quasi-title fight)
Filho has a rather cavalier attitude regarding his missed weight. Sonnen, on the other hand, is incredibly pissed about it. “I promised my father on his death bed that I would win this title…and now I won’t be able to.” Filho? Beware the ghost of Chael Sonnen’s father. And then Filho comes out. Somewhere, Larry the Cable Guy is walking around shirtless. The crowd boos Filho. The announcer shouts out Tapout’s slogan as “Arrogant, Inyaface, and American.” FAIL.
Round 1: Filho shoots and hangs on to one of Sonnen’s legs after some feeling-out. Sonnen sprawls and throws some fists into Filho’s body. Sonnen gets up and cracks Filho twice in the head. Filho rushes forward with a punch and falls over. Sonnen throws a punch down from the top, then a kick to Filho’s leg, then another punch. Filho aint doin’ dick but eating blows. Sonnen stupidly goes to the ground with Filho briefly, but backs off. The crowd boos the stalemate. Sonnen moves in and almost gets caught in an armbar. Sonnen stomps on Filho’s foot, and Filho rushes forward for a leglock attempt. Sonnen escapes and Filho goes to his back again. Bullshit fight. Sonnen should just let Filho up and end it. Sonnen kicks Filho’s legs, and Filho returns the favor. The horn sounds, the crowd roars angrily.
Round 2: Filho with a nice reverse kick, then a couple leg kicks. And another. Filho shoots, then clinches, but Sonnen falls on top in Filho’s guard. He lets Filho up. Filho shoots again and gets kicked in the head. He falls on his back, and Sonnen lets him up again. The crowd is back into this fight. Filho looks sluggish as hell. Filho grabs on and tries to pull guard, but Sonnen slams him hard and backs off. Filho misses a left hook and lets his arm swing back lazily. Can he possibly be gassed? Sonnen misses some punches. Filho shoots again, Sonnen sprawls. Sonnen punches Filho in the face and Filho rolls on his back; Sonnen backs off. Now Filho seems to be waking up, and he tries to steal the round with strikes, but the horm sounds before he can do much damage.
Round 3: Sonnen working his jab. Filho does nothing except try a lazy shoot that he gives up on. Filho just flops on his back, Nick Serra style. This is sad. Sonnen tagging him with kicks to the legs and body punches from the top just to get up on the scorecards. The ref orders Filho up. Sonnen throwing some light punches, then lands a good combo. Sonnen keeping busy, but he’s not over-committing on the punches; he’s just waiting out the bell. The crowd hates it; they chant “bullshit.” Filho tries to clinch and takes an elbow. He swings weakly and gets tagged. Filho whiffs a big reverse head kick. Sonnen drills a knee to the body and circles until the final horn. Pathetic. This is the #2 middleweight in the world? Not anymore. Filho probably blew his shot at the UFC entriely. Sonnen didn’t deserve that fight. The judges put this sad spectacle to an end, calling it 30-27 x 3 for Sonnen in a unanimous decision. And I guess it’s back to rehab for Filho. Or fat camp, maybe?
“There will be no dangling chad in Florida tonight…” says the announcer. BITCH THAT REFERENCE IS EIGHT GODDAMNED YEARS OLD. Is a Monica Lewinsky joke next?
Hurry the hell up, it’s 9:50 already. No word from backstage yet on whether Filho fulfilled his gentleman’s agreement to give up his worthless belt to Sonnen if he lost.
Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown (featherweight title fight)
Round 1: Faber with a body kick. Urijah shoots in with a left, then a right. They clinch and separate. Head kick from Faber off the glove. Brown catches Faber with a couple right hooks and pushes him against the cage. Knee from Faber, but Brown returns, and they’re free after Faber tumbles backwards. Brown rushes forward and cracks Urijah with a punch, shaking him badly. Faber springs forward with an elbow, but runs directly into Brown’s fist, and he goes down. Brown swarms Faber on the ground, firing punches until the ref stops it. Mike Brown is the new WEC featherweight champion. WTF?!? Mike Brown def. Urijah Faber via shocking the world, 2:23 of round 1. Craaaazy. Mike Brown chokes up during the post-fight interview. Urijah Faber loves life, and is a happy person, and will be back to get that belt. So he won’t be killing himself after the show, is what I think he’s trying to say. Good for him. Mike Brown has to be helped out of the cage; it looks like he effed up a rib. So, it’s bittersweet, I guess.
Anyway, I’m out, because I love life and I’m a happy person. Flannel party at Fatty Filho’s place!
Written by admin on November 5th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Chael Sonnen and liveblog and mike brown and WEC 36 and Urijah Faber and Paulo Filho and Jens Pulver and Leonard Garcia and WEC and MMA.
The source for this one is a bit shaky, but Fightline is passing along news that Ben Rothwell will indeed be taking on Andrei Arlovski at Affliction: Banned (July 19th; Anaheim, CA) according to a Sherdog thread where Rothwell personally confirms it. As Rothwell writes:
I tried to never say if i was/was not fighting AA but most all the forum took it that way, sorry i guess.
anyway I’m excited to fight a top10 HW, so thanks for the support, peace
CagePotato reported this rumor two weeks ago, but there has been no official statement from the organization yet. Speaking of Arlovski, the Pitbull’s presence in an upcoming Adrenaline MMA meet-and-greet could suggest that he will fight for that outfit as well.
In other non-UFC news…
— HDNet has agreed to broadcast Adrenaline MMA’s first three fight cards. The first one is going down June 14th in Chicago (headlined by Jeff Monson vs. Mike Russow), and the second is slated for September 6th in Moline, Illinois, and will feature Tim Sylvia and Ben Rothwell; yep, just like the first Affliction show. Personally, we wouldn’t book Tim to fight less than two months after throwing down with Fedor Emelianenko, but hey, we’re not Monte Cox.
(more…)
Written by admin on May 28th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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(A courtroom victory would be a thousand times sweeter.)
In an e-mail exchange with MMAJunkie, Leonard Garcia claimed his innocence regarding his recent drug trafficking arrest, and implied that the charge is based only on groundless hearsay:
“I am fighting it because there is nothing but someone saying I was involved,” said Garcia, who was released from jail on a reconnaissance bond and will return to court on May 5. “I hope to have a smile on my face after this is said and done, but I feel like I’m in a fight for my life…
“I’d like to tell my fans to stick with me and pray that the liar in this case tells the truth,” Garcia said. “I want to get back to doing what I do best: fighting for the fans…
Your past is exactly that. My life has a bright future, and people that don’t have that don’t want me to have one either. May God forgive them.”
On his MySpace page, Garcia adds the following:
“This is leonard, I want to ask all my fans and supporters to keep me in their prayers. Know that I can clear my name and continue to give fans the fights they deserve to watch. And know that I am innocent of a crime that I’m being accused of from 3 years ago…I will get through this mess and make everyone proud of me as I have done before.”
Three years ago, eh? Too bad there’s no statute of limitations on filling two dozen condoms with cocaine, inserting them into your body cavity, then taking a train from El Paso to Lubbock. We’re kidding of course — we actually have no idea what Garcia used to transport the coke.
Written by admin on April 7th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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Props: MySpace.com
Quoteworthy:
“This is leonard, I want to ask all my fans and supporters to keep me in their prayers. Know that I can clear my name and continue to give fans the fights they deserve to watch. And know that I am innocent of a crime that I’m being accused of from 3 years ago. Pray hard and let’s let god do his best work for me to keep me where I belong, in the cage fighting the best in the world. Thank all of u and I will not dissapoint y’al.l I will get through this mess and make everyone proud of me as I have done before”
WEC featherweight fighter Leonard Garcia informs fans of his situation for the first time since his arrest last week. Garcia was arrested for the participation and distribution of cocaine in a drug-trafficking crime ring and was busted last week in Texas. No word yet on a court date. He is innocent until proven guilty.
Written by admin on April 7th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) featherweight fighter, Leonard Garcia, was recently among 13 suspected individuals arrested for allegedly being involved in a major drug trafficking organization in Lubbock, Texas, according to KCBD.com.
Here’s a snip:
“NewsChannel 11 has learned one of those arrested is mixed martial arts fighter Leonard Garcia. He was arrested Tuesday in allege connection with the cocaine ring. Garica is currently ranked sixth in the featherweight class in MMA. He has fought in UFC and Ultimate Fighting championships.”
Garcia is perhaps best known for losing a three-round war against Roger Huerta at UFC 69: “Shootout” in April 2007. He recently transitioned to the WEC and dropped down to 145 pounds, taking out Hiroyuki Takaya via technical knockout in his debut earlier this year.
After the bout he lobbied for a title shot against WEC Featherweight Champion, Urijah Faber, which is even more unlikely with this recent bad news.
The report reveals that all of the suspects under arrest have conspired to sell cocaine going back to as early as 2001. And the “Bad Boy,” if convicted, could face up to 40 years in prison and up to a $2 million fine or life in prison and up to a $ 4 million fine.
Clearly, these are extremely serious charges that apparently were four years in the making. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “skatanicus” for the assist.)
Written by admin on March 28th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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(Mug shot courtesy of MMAWeekly.)
Thirteen members of an El Paso-to-Lubbock cocaine smuggling ring were arrested this week during raids that followed a four-year investigation. And now the bad news:
NewsChannel 11 has learned one of those arrested is mixed martial arts fighter Leonard Garcia. He was arrested Tuesday in alleged connection with the cocaine ring. Garcia is currently ranked sixth in the featherweight class in MMA. [Ed. note: According to KCBD News Channel 11’s independent rankings?]
If convicted, three of those arrested could face up to 40 years in prison and up to a $2 million fine. The others could face up to life in prison and up to a $4 million fine.
Cripes, so 40 years is the best case scenario? Let’s hope “Bad Boy” has a good attorney. When reached for comment, Garcia’s manager Sven Bean said:
“It was a shock to me. It definitely came out of left field. I’ve talked with his family and I’ve had one phone conversation with his lawyer. We’re just letting him do his job at this point. Hopefully, we’ll know more as the days progress.”
Obviously, we’re just as shocked. Could Garcia’s managerial position at Frito-Lay have just been a front for something more devious? We’ll update you when more details emerge…
Previously — Leonard Garcia: Stalking Urijah
Written by admin on March 28th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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By CagePotato Special Contributor Brian Knapp
“Bad Boy” wants a shot at World Extreme Cagefighting’s immovable object.
Perhaps best known for his epic bout with Roger Huerta at UFC 69 last April, Leonard Garcia (11-3, 2-0 WEC) expects to compete next at a WEC show scheduled for June 1st in Sacramento, CA. A featherweight title bout between reigning champion Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver is slated to headline the event, and the 28-year-old Texan believes he could be within arm’s reach of a shot at the winner should he continue to perform at a high level.
“I would say whoever the winner of that fight is…if I fight on that card and do well, I would hope I’d get a title shot shortly after,” Garcia says. “They’re talking about giving me two more fights [before I challenge the champion], which would be good for me, too, because I’m getting better and better.”
Garcia — who dropped to a more natural 145 pounds after posting a 1-2 mark in the UFC’s cutthroat lightweight division — returned to the WEC for the first time in seven years last month, and made the most of his opportunity. The charismatic former Ring of Fire lightweight champion blasted through Hiroyuki “Streetfight Bancho” Takaya — a man with victories against Hatsu Hioki and Antonio Carvalho on his resume — in just 91 seconds at WEC 32.
Spawned by Jackson’s Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Garcia was believed to be on track to compete again in April. However, WEC promoters could not secure a suitable opponent willing to step into the cage with him; at least one potential challenger turned down a fight with Garcia.
“I’m glad I’m in a position where people are worried about fighting me,” he says. “But I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that too much, because in our division, there aren’t too many people who are worried about fighting anybody.”
(more…)
Written by admin on March 13th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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A year ago, Leonard Garcia was just one of many up-and-coming MMA fighters looking for his big break. At that point, the “Bad Boy” had racked up a at 9-1 record competing in smaller local promotions. Little did he know that his next fight would springboard him into MMA folklore.
Houston, Texas, provided the setting for Leonard Garcia to make his auspicious Octagon debut against lightweight sensation, Roger Huerta, at UFC 69. The clash would become one of the fights of the year.
Though Huerta won a clear but hard fought unanimous decision and later beczme the first MMA fighter to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, Leonard Garcia earned a reputation as a tough as nails brawler during his three round slugfest with Huerta.
He recently told MMAWeekly.com:
“I was excited about being able to fight a guy as tough as Roger (Huerta), but this year I hope to do more. Last year I got my name out there, and I feel l should accomplish more than I did.”
After compiling a 1-2 record in the UFC with a win over Allen Berubie and a loss to Cole Miller, Garcia moved to the WEC to compete at his more natural fighting weight of 145 pounds. Garcia — a member of Team Jackson in Albuquerque, New Mexico — is looking to move into contention in the WEC’s packed featherweight division.
Here’s a snip:
“Now that I’m going to be at 145, I think it is going to allow me to get to where and do the things I was supposed to do at 155. Last year it was good to get my name out there, but this year is the year I’m going to work towards achieving my goals and get a title somewhere.”
The “Bad Boy” is already starting to reap the benefits from dropping down a weight class.
Another snip:
“I’m a little bit faster and I look leaner. Strength-wise everybody thinks I feel stronger now than what I did. I’m doing more push-ups, pull-ups, and cleans, so I’m getting a lot stronger now at 145 than I was at 155.”
Even with the new weight division and new promotion, Leonard Garcia still faces the same old task of fighting another exciting combatant. For the WEC: “Condit vs. Prater” show on February 13, Garcia will make his WEC debut against the explosive Hiroyuki Takaya.
Garcia’s thoughts on the upcoming challenge:
“Hiroyuki is a tough guy, so I think that this is going to be one huge step in my career. I don’t think it’s going to be the only step, but I think it’s a pretty big jump coming into the weight class and fighting a guy as high-profile as him.”
Finally, Garcia has a suggestion for the fans watching his upcoming fight.
“To the fans, just letting you know that on paper this looks like Fight of the Night. Don’t blink; don’t take your eyes off the fight for one second, because you’ll miss something. I’m going to give you all everything I’ve got. I don’t know what he’s bringing to the table, but he better bring everything he’s got, because I’m bringing mine.”
We wouldn’t expect anything less from Garcia … no matter who or where he fights.
Written by admin on February 11th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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Much like another famous Wild West gunslinger Billy the Kid, Carlos Condit (20-4) is blazing a trail back home to New Mexico. “The Natural Born Killer” headlines the WEC: “Condit vs. Prater” event on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, from the Santa Ana Star Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The WEC live event, which will feature not one, not two but three championship fights, is slated to air on The Versus Network at 9 p.m. ET. It marks the first time since the Zuffa purchase that the WEC will venture outside the confines of Las Vegas, Nevada to host an event.
Jiu-jitsu ace Condit defends his welterweight belt in front of his hometown crowd against the formidable Carlo Prater (21-5-1). The Albuquerque native looks to avenge his first ever pro loss at the hands of Prater. Prater hopes that history repeats itself as his previous victory over Condit was four years ago in Albuquerque.
In what promises to be an exciting lightweight championship match, Muay Thai knock-out artist “Razor” Rob McCullough (15-3) defends his title against submission specialist Jamie “The Worm” Varner (13-2). The two fighters have had a total of only five fights go the distance, so this one is likely to end early, either with Varner taking a nap or McCullough tapping.
Miguel Torres (20-1) comes into his bantamweight championship fight riding an amazing 13-fight win streak with three knockout wins and 10 submission victories. Champion Chase Beebe (13-1) has also been on a roll, winning his last six fights with four submissions and two decisions. Both fighters hail from Chicago, so Windy City supremacy is on the line as well as the WEC bantamweight championship.
The undercard features a hard-hitting fighter climbing his way up the bantamweight ranks, Manny Tapia. “The Manger” puts his undefeated mark on the line against undersized Antonio Banuelos in what could be a quick night of work for Tapia.
Leonard Garcia — who was in a UFC 2007 “Fight of the Year”-type battle with Roger Huerta — makes his WEC debut against K-1 and Shooto veteran, Hiroyuki Takaya, in a battle of entertaining featherweights.
Nineteen-year-old featherweight phenom and WEC newcomer, Josh Grispi, faces a stern test in his bout with the proven Mark “The Machine” Hominick. American Top Team member and brother of Ultimate Fighter Cole Miller, Micah Miller and former WEC featherweight title challenger, Chance Farrar, meet in a bout of once-beatens.
And the always-exciting Charlie Valencia locks horns with experienced Japanese fighter Yoshiro Maeda in bantamweight action.
Here’s the complete line up for WEC: “Condit vs. Prater:”
170lbs: Carlos Condit (20-4) vs. Carlo Pater (21-5-1) vs. for the WEC welterweight title
155lbs: Rob McCullough (14-3) vs. Jamie Varner (10-1) vs. for the lightweight title
135lbs: Chase Beebe (12-1) vs. Miguel Torres (18-1) vs. for the bantamweight title
135lbs: Manny Tapia (9-0-1) vs. Antonio Banuelos (15-4)
145lbs: Hiroyuki Takaya (9-4-1) vs. Leonard Garcia (14-3)
145lbs: Josh Grispi (10-1) vs. Mark Hominick (12-7)
135lbs: Del Hawkins (22-12) vs. Coy Wheeler (6-1)
135lbs: Charlie Valencia (9-3) vs. Yoshiro Maeda (22-4-2)
145lbs: Micah Miller (8-1) vs. Chance Farrar (5-1)
135lbs: Scott Jorgensen (4-1) vs. Jess Moreng (8-1)
This is going to be a fantastic night of fights — don’t miss it!
Note: MMAmania.com reader Stephen Roe contributed to this write up.
Written by admin on February 9th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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