jluchau
07-25-2007, 11:45 AM
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/JDizzle_23/IQ8Y0110.jpg
'Project' opponent signed
Sentinel Sports Reporter Jeremy Luchau is training to be a mixed martial artist, a project which will end with a bout in the Palace Fighting Championship at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in October. His column appears every second Tuesday.
It's official now.
I can let the cat out of the bag... finally.
My opponent for the Oct. 18 fight at the Palace Fighting Championship 4 "Project Complete" is Fresno's Shahob "Sickboy" Nasrabadi.
Now someone else gets to have a little pressure on their shoulders.
We inked our contracts on Wednesday, July 18 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino's Den sports bar following the weigh-ins for PFC 3.
"I think matching you and Shahob delivers a much-needed challenge for you both. You guys both have never tasted professional victory. On Oct. 18, somebody's 'O' is going to go," said Palace entertainment director Christian Printup.
"We felt Shahob was a great opponent for you, because he's confident, he's had some fights, so he's credible, and it creates a grappler (you) versus striker (Shahob) matchup, which is always interesting to see how the fight unfolds."
Nasrabadi is 0-2 as a pro and last fought at PFC 1 in January. He lost by technical knockout to Clovis' Ralph Lopez. Shahob also lost last October to Stockton's Brandon Jinnies by rear-naked choke.
"In my honest opinion, I know very little about you other than that you train at Valley Fight Club,'' said California Warriors MMA booking agent Clay Sorrick, who manages Nasrabadi. "I know Christian has taken on this project to turn you from a writer to an MMA fighter and this will be your MMA debut against Shahob, who is 0-2 in his early MMA career."
"I do like the matchup, in that Shahob having been in a cage and ring in MMA fights knows what it is like to have the spotlight on him. You may fold under all the pressure of the Palace Fighting Championship spotlight. But I also know MMA matchups are always 50-50, especially if you leave a fight to the judges decision."
I don't expect on leaving it in the hands of any judges. I hope that Nasrabadi brings the same intensity.
Since the signing of the contracts there's been a little jawing, but nothing too outrageous. No verbal exchanges really or scuffles like recently seen at news conferences between boxers Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga or even boxers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.
I do expect some more tension as the fight gets closer, because Nasrabadi is a cocky youngster and a bit of a character.
"Shahob has been very disappointed in his previous appearances and looks to make a different impression on all that have witnessed his bouts,'' Sorrick said. "He feels no better opponent than 'The Project' would be better for him and he thanks Christian Printup for the opportunity. He is currently training in wrestling at Fresno City three days a week. He is lifting weights four days a week. He's also working on his lean diet and his MMA training.
"Myself as a fan, look forward to see what exactly you have in your arsenal. And I know 'Sickboy' has a lot to prove this time around to himself and MMA in general. I am predicting a win by any means necessary for 'Sickboy.' He is not taking this fight lightly by any means."
I'm glad Nasrabadi is taking this as seriously as I am. All the training at Valley Fight Club in Krav Maga, jiu-jitsu with Luis Gonzalez, boxing with Juan Herrera and at VQ Fitness with strength coach Steve Novencido and wrestling with Rudy Lopez and my diet and supplementation with Supplement Direct's Inez Rodriguez -- it's all going to pay off.
And probably the most important aspect of my training in the coming months will be my team "Team Ochoa."
"I'm glad you got matched up with an opponent like Shahob, because he will give you a good fight,'' Team Ochoa MMA trainer Jacob Jeff said. "He's a gamer and a really tough kid. He's fighting out of his weight class and I feel he will be slower than usual because he has let himself go since his last fight. But that doesn't mean take him lightly. October is a long ways away and he will be working just as hard as you are.
"Be ready for his flurry, because that's what he is coming with. He has lost before due to a rear naked choke and by a TKO due to ground-and-pound and your ground game is sick. He won't be able to control you on the ground but that KO is always the sweetest. Now it's time to get to work."
Our contract weight for the fight will be 160 pounds -- partly because Nasrabadi does not feel he can make 155 in time. I tipped the scale at 163 last week and still feel there's weight to be lost and strength to be gained.
I must admit, though, it was awkward to sit down and finally sign the contract, sitting next to Nasrabadi with cameras in our face. I much prefer being on the other end of the camera and asking the questions.
I might be training to transition from writer to fighter, but I will always be a writer in my heart. I love this job.
The sports reporter can be reached at jluchau@HanfordSentinel.com or 582-0471, ext. 3055.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/JDizzle_23/IQ8Y0117.jpg
'Project' opponent signed
Sentinel Sports Reporter Jeremy Luchau is training to be a mixed martial artist, a project which will end with a bout in the Palace Fighting Championship at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in October. His column appears every second Tuesday.
It's official now.
I can let the cat out of the bag... finally.
My opponent for the Oct. 18 fight at the Palace Fighting Championship 4 "Project Complete" is Fresno's Shahob "Sickboy" Nasrabadi.
Now someone else gets to have a little pressure on their shoulders.
We inked our contracts on Wednesday, July 18 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino's Den sports bar following the weigh-ins for PFC 3.
"I think matching you and Shahob delivers a much-needed challenge for you both. You guys both have never tasted professional victory. On Oct. 18, somebody's 'O' is going to go," said Palace entertainment director Christian Printup.
"We felt Shahob was a great opponent for you, because he's confident, he's had some fights, so he's credible, and it creates a grappler (you) versus striker (Shahob) matchup, which is always interesting to see how the fight unfolds."
Nasrabadi is 0-2 as a pro and last fought at PFC 1 in January. He lost by technical knockout to Clovis' Ralph Lopez. Shahob also lost last October to Stockton's Brandon Jinnies by rear-naked choke.
"In my honest opinion, I know very little about you other than that you train at Valley Fight Club,'' said California Warriors MMA booking agent Clay Sorrick, who manages Nasrabadi. "I know Christian has taken on this project to turn you from a writer to an MMA fighter and this will be your MMA debut against Shahob, who is 0-2 in his early MMA career."
"I do like the matchup, in that Shahob having been in a cage and ring in MMA fights knows what it is like to have the spotlight on him. You may fold under all the pressure of the Palace Fighting Championship spotlight. But I also know MMA matchups are always 50-50, especially if you leave a fight to the judges decision."
I don't expect on leaving it in the hands of any judges. I hope that Nasrabadi brings the same intensity.
Since the signing of the contracts there's been a little jawing, but nothing too outrageous. No verbal exchanges really or scuffles like recently seen at news conferences between boxers Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga or even boxers Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.
I do expect some more tension as the fight gets closer, because Nasrabadi is a cocky youngster and a bit of a character.
"Shahob has been very disappointed in his previous appearances and looks to make a different impression on all that have witnessed his bouts,'' Sorrick said. "He feels no better opponent than 'The Project' would be better for him and he thanks Christian Printup for the opportunity. He is currently training in wrestling at Fresno City three days a week. He is lifting weights four days a week. He's also working on his lean diet and his MMA training.
"Myself as a fan, look forward to see what exactly you have in your arsenal. And I know 'Sickboy' has a lot to prove this time around to himself and MMA in general. I am predicting a win by any means necessary for 'Sickboy.' He is not taking this fight lightly by any means."
I'm glad Nasrabadi is taking this as seriously as I am. All the training at Valley Fight Club in Krav Maga, jiu-jitsu with Luis Gonzalez, boxing with Juan Herrera and at VQ Fitness with strength coach Steve Novencido and wrestling with Rudy Lopez and my diet and supplementation with Supplement Direct's Inez Rodriguez -- it's all going to pay off.
And probably the most important aspect of my training in the coming months will be my team "Team Ochoa."
"I'm glad you got matched up with an opponent like Shahob, because he will give you a good fight,'' Team Ochoa MMA trainer Jacob Jeff said. "He's a gamer and a really tough kid. He's fighting out of his weight class and I feel he will be slower than usual because he has let himself go since his last fight. But that doesn't mean take him lightly. October is a long ways away and he will be working just as hard as you are.
"Be ready for his flurry, because that's what he is coming with. He has lost before due to a rear naked choke and by a TKO due to ground-and-pound and your ground game is sick. He won't be able to control you on the ground but that KO is always the sweetest. Now it's time to get to work."
Our contract weight for the fight will be 160 pounds -- partly because Nasrabadi does not feel he can make 155 in time. I tipped the scale at 163 last week and still feel there's weight to be lost and strength to be gained.
I must admit, though, it was awkward to sit down and finally sign the contract, sitting next to Nasrabadi with cameras in our face. I much prefer being on the other end of the camera and asking the questions.
I might be training to transition from writer to fighter, but I will always be a writer in my heart. I love this job.
The sports reporter can be reached at jluchau@HanfordSentinel.com or 582-0471, ext. 3055.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/JDizzle_23/IQ8Y0117.jpg