American Fighter Management and Rich Franklin support our troops

11Nov09

It is Veterans Day. These are thoughts from the last year. I have been with UFC Star Rich Franklin and the American Fighter team on many visits for the troops. As the business manager for Rich and American Fighter, we have been honored to see, visit and befriend many of the bravest people who have EVER walked this earth. This past weekend Rich and I visited the Center for the Intrepid at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. We have visited Walter Reed, Bethesda and many other Veterans hospitals before. This day was different. This was one of the first times that I really noticed just how young these heroes are. Rich was invited to play dodge ball with the troops.

As they moved about the outdoor court in wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs, you couldn’t help to notice the spirit the troops had. How they joked back and forth and kidded each other and Rich about getting put out. However, I noticed how the hurt was still on their faces at times. I started to understand that these young men and women, just a few short years ago, were walking down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas. They walked on that graduation day on their own two feet. Just a few short years ago they were playing dodge ball in gym class….with all of their limbs, with no burns over their young bodies, with no limp, with no scars from a blast or shot that changed their life forever. FOREVER.

 

On this warm Saturday morning these young men and women were playing dodge ball, not for fun, although it was fun, but they played for therapy. They played so that they could learn how to walk and move on the six million dollar man type limbs that had replaced the God-given real thing that had been blown off by a blast of hate.

As we walked around the hospital that day and met the troops that have had their lives changed, I thought to myself, “There is no way in Hell I am brave enough to put my life on the line like that.” That is an honest thought. That is reality. The reality is also that I enjoy the freedoms I have because some young person like we saw Saturday wasn’t afraid to lay it on the line. The risk is amazing..the reward is our freedom.

It is not just this generation, but many generations that have produced young brave men and women that have fought for OUR freedom. We were given a ride in a B-25 bomber from WWII. The courage it took to fly those planes in combat is unbelievable. It was scary enough to just ride in one. Every generation has it’s heroes. They are more than worthy of our thanks…That is not near enough…Thanks? How do you express that? Rich heard on more than on occasion this weekend “Thanks for coming.” They were standing there thanking us. No Sir. We must thank you. Not with words that will be gone soon after they leave our lips, but with substance. Investing in future heroes. Giving something that makes a REAL difference to these REAL AMERICAN FIGHTERS.

If you are thankful for your freedom. I invite you to do more than give lip service to these men and women. Rich Franklin and American Fighter in partnership with the Disabled American Veterans have created the REAL AMERICAN FIGHTERS program to raise money to help hospitals like the Center for the Intrepid to provide care and six million dollar man type arms and legs for the ones who had theirs stolen by war. Purchase the DAV/Real American Fighters special shirt right now and invest in a hero. It is your freedom….they paid the price. They say “Paybacks are hell.” Not true…War is hell…payback is our duty. Support the Real American Fighters.

http://www.americanfighter.com/store/product/special-edition-af-dav-never-accept-defeat-tshirt/384.oa

 

J.T. Stewart

American Fighter

Rich Franklin LLC

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Tags: support our troops, UFC, us troops disabled veterans, veterans day

MLS Soccer Glasses and Stemware

06Nov09

Official PRO Sports now offers a huge range of MLS Major League Soccer gear including glasses, mugs, and even thermos. Soccer is the largest sport in the world with millions of fans and each country representing their own national team. The MLS was founded in 1993 so professional soccer is still young in the Unite States but as the years go by the fans of MLS have grown to a huge surprising proportion that is leading American soccer players to a new level.

You can now get all of your favorite MLS team gear at Official PRO Sports with great soccer teams logos such as the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, even the Houston Dynamos.

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Tags: cups, gear, Major Leagu Soccer, MLS

Relentless Fight Wear Kicks it with Mario Lopez

04Nov09

The great thing about the MMA industry is there are always great people. In a show Relentless Fight Wear showed up to Mario Lopez took a great interest in the Mixed Martial Arts fight clothing and decided he liked the designs. So much Mario was great enough to take some images with the Relentless Fight Wear team and take a few shirts for himself, family, and friends. There are so many celebrities out there who ignore or pass by the common working man. But Mario Lopez showed he is a stand up guy and enjoys being a part of people lives. Relentless fight wear is proud to have him as a part of the family.

You can view more Relentless Fight wear gear at Official PRO Sports one of the only online stores to carry the full line and support their cause.

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Tags: Mario Lopez, relentless fight gear, relentless fight wear

American Fighter Clothing and What They Stand For

15Oct09

American Fighter Clothing brand that is rooted in the Midwest, where hard working men and woman have helped to build this great country. The brand stretches beyond the farm lands that feed our nation. American Fighter stands for those who fight for freedom. It stands for those who came to this country and built a nation based on values and hard work. As America faces tough times we do what Americans always do….we FIGHT. Fight for our familys, our jobs, our future. That fighting spirit will bring our nation through the tough times and keep America Great. American Fighter is a brand that salutes everyday people who are in the fight. American Fighter is Americas Brand. Your Brand….What are you fighting for?

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Tags: american fighter, mma clothing, rich franklin

HIT AND RUN by Rich Franklin – MY BEST PERFORMANCE

15Oct09

All of my fights hold distinct memories for me. The fans tend to remember my quick knock out of Nate Quarry,  or my successful armbar escape from Travis Lutter’s submission attempt, or my 3 round battle with Wanderlei Silva.

I think the one that stands out the most though- is my 5 round war against tough competitor, David Louiseau.  I broke my hand in the second round and fought over 15 minutes more with the broken hand.  I could feel my bones clicking together every time I threw a punch or tried to make a fist.

That victory was bitter sweet. David and I ended up hanging out in the hospital for the rest of that night.  Somehow fighting with a broken hand didn’t seem as glorious to me as the fans make it seem, but I am glad the fans were impressed.

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Tags: David Louiseau, rich franklin, UFC

Relentless Fight Wear Clothing Goes Ballistic

15Oct09

Relentless Fight Wear is emerging to the world with a new influence setting it apart from many others, specializing in bringing warriors, legends and beliefs together expressed in MMA and Boxing clothing. Made from top quality material giving the ability to wear or train in, they have created over 20 designs including the new Samurai and Grim Reaper shirts just released. Relentless Fight Wear has been a part of many local fight events throughout California and sponsors fighters all across the nation in hopes to help athletes reach their goals and spread new talent to the fastest growing sport in the world. Newly sponsored fighters include All-Star / Ka-Boom MMA Relentless Bantamweight Champion Tommy Vargas who has no fear to stand up with anyone as well as a ground game that makes quick work of opponents, Joe “Blood Money” Bryant who towers over most contenders at 6′ 7″ whose nickname speaks for itself with an undefeated record, and Stephen Martinez a ground game technician built like a machine, all fighting October 22nd at the Commerce Casino! Our shorts they fight in are the same that are available for the public so you can be sure the durability has been tested and is sure to last. All artwork comes to a certain portrayal for each shirt sharing connection to what drives you, being Relentless Fight Clothing.

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Tags: relentless clothing, relentless fight gear, relentless fight wear

WRECK MMA: A Member of Legendary Gracie Family to Fight

29Sep09

WRECK MMA is proud to announce that a member of the legendary Gracie family will be fighting live for the first time ever in Eastern Canada. This historic event takes place at WRECK MMA: FIGHTS FOR THE TROOPS on December 12th, 2009 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau.

Igor Gracie, son of the legendary Rolls Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, and currently resides in New York teaching with his cousin, the world renowned Renzo Gracie. Igor Gracie is a black belt from the Gracie Barra Academy and is a successful competitor, including two time state champion and Pan American and Mundial medalist.

This should be a star studded event as when a Gracie fights; you never know which members of the family will come to show their support. It is rare for a Gracie to compete in North America. Expected to be present are Renzo Gracie, who will be working Igor’s corner and Igor’s brothers; Rolles and Gregor. But other members of the family are expected in Gatineau as well.

For this historic fight, Gracie will be facing Bruckmann MMA member Eric ‘Diesel’ Muir. Muir is one of the top students of Shooto veteran and former UCC Champion Justin Bruckmann and is considered one of the top up and coming welterweights in Canada.

When it was initially announced that WRECK would be supporting the Canadian Forces with this event, Alex Sung contacted WRECK and said he would appreciate the opportunity to be on the card. As a servicing officer (Captain) in the Canadian Army, this was the perfect opportunity for Sung to support the Canadian Forces. After some easy negotiations, Sung will be on the card and facing Ottawa’s own, Louis-Philippe Carle who brings a solid 5-1-0 record to this fight. The two welterweights expect to leave it all on the line as both have pride on their minds.

Also added to the card is a women’s fight involving the first two female fighters from the Ottawa region. FIT MMA’s Anna Barone will have revenge on her mind as she takes on Josée Aupry from Team Machado from K2 Martial Arts. Barone and Aupry fought what many considered the fight of the night at an amateur event in Gatineau and Aupry came away with a razor-thin decision. This time around, Barone is looking to even up the score and Aupry hopes to put to rest any doubts of who the better fighter is.

Scheduled to appear are fighters representing the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts, Team Bushido Martial Arts, Ronin MMA, NX Martial Arts and many of the region’s top schools.

ABOUT WRECK MMA & SOLDIER ON
WRECK MMA is looking to place MMA in a positive light, a major focus of the promotion will be charitable work. With this goal in mind a portion of the proceeds will be going to SOLDIER ON, which contributes to optimizing the functional independence of ill or injured Canadian Forces personnel or former personnel by delivering programs and services and facilitating and integrating opportunities that support their full and active participation in physical fitness, health promotion and sport. For more information about SOLDIER ON, visit: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/SoldierOn/index.asp.

WRECK MMA: FIGHTS FOR THE TROOPS – CONFIRMED FIGHTS
Date: DECEMBER 12th, 2009
Venue: ROBERT GUERTIN ARENA
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT
Sean ‘The Pimp’ Pierson (Ruffneck/Tapstar, Toronto) vs. Fabio Holanda (BTT Canada, Montreal)

Eric ‘Diesel’ Muir (Bruckmann MMA, Oshawa) vs. Igor Gracie (Gracie Barra, Rio de Janeiro)
Alex Sung (Positive Impact MMA/WAMMA, New Maryland) vs. Louis-Philippe Carle (FIT MMA/Zahabi MMA, Ottawa)
Anna Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa) vs. Josée Aupry (Team Machado/K2 Martial Arts, Ottawa)

Also scheduled to appear are Mark ‘Boots’ Holst, Stephane Bernadel, Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis, Nabil ‘The Thrill’ Khatib and Randy Turner.

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Get Maximum Performance out of a comfortable jock

23Sep09

Spider Guard cup brand has come out with an optimal product that will protect your groin and private area in one athletic cup. Spider Guard cups are made in a unique spider web design that give full impact resistance and shock absorbing defense. The spider like design also give the athletic cup the ability to be much lighter than the regular sports cups and with its flexible design fit comfortably in any jock strap pouch or compression shorts pouch. This product was developed for all athletes whether in football, baseball, MMA Mixed Martial Arts, even soccer players. And designed by medical doctors as well as Karate Students to make sure the product was developed properly for peak performance and protection.

You can now get the complete Spider Guard Athletic Cupline at Official PRO Sports th leader in MMA gear and Professional sports merchandise. This includes all ot Spider Guards compression shorts and jock straps with the brand name you trust in Spider.

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Tags: athletic cups, spider guard, sports cups

Authentic Professional Sports Autographed Pictures and Posters

22Sep09

Now a days it’s hard to find an Authentic autograph of your favorite professional sports players without feeling like it may be a fake or be ripped off by a replica. American Icon is a company that is specifically designed to put all of those fears to rest they are an authentic distributor of signed sports merchandise everything from signed football pictures and footballs to signed baseball posters. Each one come with a certificate of authenticity or a picture of the professional player actually signing the item. Never be duped again into purchasing a part of sports autographed products that may be just a large fiasco in the end.

Official PRO Sports the leader in Pro Sports Merchandise recognizes American Icon as one of the only distributors that carry authentic autographed products and are proud to carry a huge line of these pieces of history. Since Official PRO Sports slogan if it’s not official it’s not Official PRO Sports it was an easy partnership to allow customers of signed products to feel at ease when they purchase any autographed football, baseball, basketball, hockey signed products.

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Tags: american icon, autographed photos, autographed posters, phillip rivers

Authentic Wood Legendary sign replicas of great NCAA football Games

22Sep09

Official PRO Sports now offers NCAA college wood signs of some of the most fantastic NCAA college games from the past and of all the great College schools. Everything from College promotions, great historic legendary games, and even logo signs. From Standford, to Berkley even the buckeyes in all different sizes from 9 inch by 12 inch to 30 by 40 inch.

These signs are great for the football fan game room, or give a home a rustic feel. Each one is authentic from by Arte House who is the official NCAA wood sign distributor. These collector wood signs really are works of art and made for the highest quality of wood. Comes complete with back hangars and are specifically designed for indoors.

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Tags: arte house, college wood signs, ncaa wood signs