Post by PCW on Jul 27, 2005 9:37:41 GMT -5
Winnipeg, Mb - Premier Championship Wrestling today confirmed that Donnie Dicaprio will engage in another Mixed-Martial Arts exhibition at PCW's Beat the Summer Heat on August 4th at the LID Nightclub!
Dicaprio has recently be training with Curtis Brigham, a Rings Japan veteran and Carlson Gracie Jr. Brown Belt holder (www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=394) as well as DiCaprio's long time team mate and training partner Judo Black Belt Colin Lemieux.
"A lot of people wonder why I haven't fought at the recent Cage Wars or against a more challenging opponent," said a chiseled 200lb DiCaprio. "It has 100% to do with politics in the MMA game. Most clubs won't put their fighters against someone in shape that is a new face on the MMA scene".
DiCaprio has been very impressive coming out victorious in his last three fights, 2 of which came by way of knockout and 1 by armbar submission. As a result, there has been a lot of speculation concerning a possible opponant for the dynamic young star at the upcoming event.
PCW's Director of Operations Andrew Shallcross confirmed that talks are under way to feature a more experienced fighter then at previous events.
"A fighter from Montreal, QC has recently shown interest in taking a fight against DiCaprio and has confirmed that he will be at Beat the Summer Heat on August 4th," he reported.
The man in question is Jean Barnabe, a Black Belt in Judo and an alternate on the 2000 Canadian Olympic Judo Team.
His impressive credentials haven't intimidated Dicaprio, but he has scouted Barnabe as much as possible.
"I know his ground game is tight," Dicaprio explained. "But this is MMA and in Judo you don't usually lose by KO and that's what I'm aiming for. I'm confident in my ground game to the point where I think I can hang with Jean but what worries me is his throwing ability. My throws are good, but not on an Olympic level. Three gold medals at a Provincial tourney don't mean a lot on his block."
Those three gold medals came to Dicaprio, an accomplished Judoka himself, as a result of his sweep of the Heavyweight Division at the 2005 Saskatchewan Open Grappling Tournament.
Shallcross said the fan's reaction to the MMA exhibition at the critically acclaimed Premier Cup meant a return engagement was all but assured.
"With the increasing popularity of MMA and the fans response to the last few fights DiCaprio has had, we were anxious to sign another bout," he explained.
DiCaprio's last opponent, Don Douglas, was sent in on a week's notice due to two cancellations at PCW's Premier Cup: X-Raided on June 2 2005. DiCaprio was disappointed in the late confirmation of that match, but impressed with his young opponants effort.
"Douglas stepped up to the plate when no one else would. That was bad and good for many reasons. Mainly bad because I was expecting to take on a striker and that's what I trained for."
With August 4th fast approaching, Dicaprio is looking forward to the increased challenge of an experienced opponant.
"With my new team, I think my ground game and striking are on a whole new level. I will going back to my roots and training a lot of amatuer wrestling to counter my opponents great Judo. It would be like bringing a knife to a gun fight if I went Judo for Judo with him. I am looking forward to stepping in the ring with a real warrior like Jean."
Beat The Summer Heat runs August 4th 2005 at the LID Nightclub, 2935 Pembina Hwy. In addition to the Dicaprio's MMA exhibition match, two world champions will be featured at the event as AWA World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino defends his title against 'Showtime' Robby Royce. That is a re-match of their incredible 2001 encounter.
And 'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels will defend his TNA World X Division Championship against PCW Heavyweight Champion Mentallo. That historic match will be champion vs champion, title for title. Tickets are on-sale now at all live PCW events, via PCW superstars or by e-mailing andrewofpcw@gmail.com
Dicaprio has recently be training with Curtis Brigham, a Rings Japan veteran and Carlson Gracie Jr. Brown Belt holder (www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=394) as well as DiCaprio's long time team mate and training partner Judo Black Belt Colin Lemieux.
"A lot of people wonder why I haven't fought at the recent Cage Wars or against a more challenging opponent," said a chiseled 200lb DiCaprio. "It has 100% to do with politics in the MMA game. Most clubs won't put their fighters against someone in shape that is a new face on the MMA scene".
DiCaprio has been very impressive coming out victorious in his last three fights, 2 of which came by way of knockout and 1 by armbar submission. As a result, there has been a lot of speculation concerning a possible opponant for the dynamic young star at the upcoming event.
PCW's Director of Operations Andrew Shallcross confirmed that talks are under way to feature a more experienced fighter then at previous events.
"A fighter from Montreal, QC has recently shown interest in taking a fight against DiCaprio and has confirmed that he will be at Beat the Summer Heat on August 4th," he reported.
The man in question is Jean Barnabe, a Black Belt in Judo and an alternate on the 2000 Canadian Olympic Judo Team.
His impressive credentials haven't intimidated Dicaprio, but he has scouted Barnabe as much as possible.
"I know his ground game is tight," Dicaprio explained. "But this is MMA and in Judo you don't usually lose by KO and that's what I'm aiming for. I'm confident in my ground game to the point where I think I can hang with Jean but what worries me is his throwing ability. My throws are good, but not on an Olympic level. Three gold medals at a Provincial tourney don't mean a lot on his block."
Those three gold medals came to Dicaprio, an accomplished Judoka himself, as a result of his sweep of the Heavyweight Division at the 2005 Saskatchewan Open Grappling Tournament.
Shallcross said the fan's reaction to the MMA exhibition at the critically acclaimed Premier Cup meant a return engagement was all but assured.
"With the increasing popularity of MMA and the fans response to the last few fights DiCaprio has had, we were anxious to sign another bout," he explained.
DiCaprio's last opponent, Don Douglas, was sent in on a week's notice due to two cancellations at PCW's Premier Cup: X-Raided on June 2 2005. DiCaprio was disappointed in the late confirmation of that match, but impressed with his young opponants effort.
"Douglas stepped up to the plate when no one else would. That was bad and good for many reasons. Mainly bad because I was expecting to take on a striker and that's what I trained for."
With August 4th fast approaching, Dicaprio is looking forward to the increased challenge of an experienced opponant.
"With my new team, I think my ground game and striking are on a whole new level. I will going back to my roots and training a lot of amatuer wrestling to counter my opponents great Judo. It would be like bringing a knife to a gun fight if I went Judo for Judo with him. I am looking forward to stepping in the ring with a real warrior like Jean."
Beat The Summer Heat runs August 4th 2005 at the LID Nightclub, 2935 Pembina Hwy. In addition to the Dicaprio's MMA exhibition match, two world champions will be featured at the event as AWA World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino defends his title against 'Showtime' Robby Royce. That is a re-match of their incredible 2001 encounter.
And 'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels will defend his TNA World X Division Championship against PCW Heavyweight Champion Mentallo. That historic match will be champion vs champion, title for title. Tickets are on-sale now at all live PCW events, via PCW superstars or by e-mailing andrewofpcw@gmail.com