Webmaster Will’s Blog

I just got my seat at the Ultimate Fight Night in Colorado!

We are ringside and will be blogging the whole event.  Keep checking for updates.

WW

This just in….

IFBB super start CHris Cormier just signed a contract with Vyotech!

More news coming soon!

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Bodybuilding History is being made.

24 Champions from bodybuilding’s true Golden Age - the 1950s, 60s and 70s - will be honored for their contribution to the Iron Game and the positive impact they have had within the health & fitness industry. The World Body Building Guild International Fitness Hall of Fame Awards, to be held on August 25 to 26, 2007 in Portland Maine will once again induct those who, with the desire, determination and commitment they have shown in developing themselves physically, and for the impact they have had on physical culture, best represent the bodybuilding lifestyle.  

These ceremonies, at which many bodybuilding, entertainment, and even political notables including U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood,  Sylvester " Rocky " Stallone have been inducted into the WBBG Fitness Hall of Fame began with the first Hall of Fame Dinner in 1965, at which Sigmund Klein was honored.

Head and founder of the World Body Building Guild, Dan Lurie, says the awards were put in place to bring recognition and respect to those who have worked hard and remained dedicated to the World’s Greatest Physical pursuit:  bodybuilding.

The WBBG Fitness Hall of fame ceremonies have proven to be a popular way for Dan to reach out and give recognition to those who deserve it. The events themselves are always enjoyable and for the bodybuilding enthusiast it does not get any better than seeing and meeting many multiple bodybuilding  champions all under one roof.  Now Dan, at age 84, has outdone himself. He will host more champions than ever at his 2007 version . In fact, so far, based of the number of inductees to attend, it proves to be one of the biggest bodybuilding spectacles of all-time.

Be sure to mark August 25 to 26 on your calendar, purchase your tickets for the WBBG Mr. and Miss North American Contest and on Sunday August 26th
watch history unfold as many great Golden Age bodybuilding champions join the ranks of past recipients, bodybuilding immortals Steve Reeves, Reg Park and Sergio Oliva. This one is not to be missed!

The 24 Invited Inductees are:

Joe Abbenda
John Balik
Samir Bannout
Leon Brown
Boyer Coe
Franco Columbu
Ed Corney
Chris Dickerson
Dave Draper
Marvin Eder
Warren Fredricks
Bill Grant
Bob Kennedy
Mike Katz
Anibal Lopez
Steve Michalik                                        
Sergio Oliva
Bill Pearl
Harold Poole
Robby Robinson
Larry Scott
Dennis Tinerino
Casey Viator
Frank Zane

For those that don’t know Dan Lurie (shame on you), please check out the following articles:

An Interview With Bodybuilding Great Dan Lurie:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson133.htm

The Grimek/Lurie Challenge: What Really Happened?
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson158.htm

Dan Lurie Speaks About Six-Year Bond With Lou Ferrigno.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson245.htm

We will be covering the event.  Check back a week after the show for a review, pictures and videos of the event!

WW

Gamma-O Partners With Strikeforce, EliteXC

For “Shamrock vs Baroni”

June 22 at HP Pavilion, San Jose, Calif.

San Jose, CA; June 7, 2007 – Leading nutritional supplement company, Gamma-O, has joined forces with Strikeforce and EliteXC for the “Shamrock vs. Baroni,” live Pay Per View mega-fight card featuring the long-awaited showdown between bitter rivals Frank Shamrock and Phil Baroni at San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion on Friday, June 22nd.    At stake during the fight between Shamrock (strikeforceusa.net, frankshamrock.proelite.com) and Baroni (strikeforceusa.net, philbaroni.proelite.com) will be the vacant Strikeforce world middleweight (185-pound limit) championship.  

“Gamma-O is excited about the partnership for this event that will help bring the fans the most exciting fights with the most elite fighters in MMA today,” said John Napolitano, President of Gamma Enterprises, LLC.  Gamma-O is also the official supplement sponsor of Baroni as well as that of a handful of other top mixed martial arts competitors.  

“We are looking forward to having Gamma-O aboard for our biggest event yet,” said Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker.  “The Gamma-O product does a tremendous job of enhancing an athlete’s performance.  It is a perfect fit for our product, which demands the most of its athletes both mentally and physically.”

Established in 2003, Gamma Enterprises designed its unique Gamma-O product using Gamma Oryzanol, a natural form of rice bran oil, as its cornerstone.  Gamma Oryzanol effectively boosts the body’s levels of testosterone and endorphins.  The increase in the two chemicals assists the growth of lean muscle tissue while burning off unwanted fat without the harmful side effects of steroids, pro-hormone or andro products.  Strength and energy are enhanced and stress levels are reduced.  

“Gamma-O offers athletes a world-class product that and we are thrilled about the opportunity to communicate their brand message with our world championship event,” said Gary Shaw, President, Live Events for Pro Elite, EliteXC’s parent company.

The live Pay Per View event will be distributed by SHOWTIME® PPV beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with a suggested retail price of $34.95. For more information and to order “Shamrock vs. Baroni,” viewers should contact their Pay-Per-View providers.

For more information on the free online broadcast of the four-fight undercard, visit www.ProElite.com or www.strikeforceusa.net.

Ticket prices for “Shamrock vs. Baroni” are on sale at Ticketmaster (408-998-TIXS) and Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) as well as at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070).

The star-studded event will also feature the return of undefeated world San Shou kickboxing champion and middleweight mixed martial arts contender, Cung Le (strikeforceusa.net, cungle.proelite.com), who will face his greatest test to date in Tony “The Freak” Fryklund.

Strikeforce’s latest recruit, 2003 K-1 North America tournament champion, Carter Williams (strikeforceusa.net, carterwilliams.proelite.com), will meet hard-hitting Paul Buentello (strikeforceusa.net, paulbuentello.proelite.com) in a heavyweight matchup.

In another top-notch bout,  EliteXC’s Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett (krazyhorse.proelite.com), who is coming off a stunning, upset knockout victory over EliteXC’s KJ Noons (kjnoons.proelite.com), will take on Victor “Joe Boxer” Valenzuela (joeboxer.proelite.com).  

EliteXC fighters, Joey Villasenor (joeyvillasenor.proelite.com) and former Pride star, Murilo “Ninja” Rua (murilorua.proelite.com), will lock horns for the vacant EliteXC middleweight title. On February 10th, Villasenor pulled off a shocking upset by outmaneuvering and, eventually earning a unanimous decision over EliteXC’s David “The Crow” Loiseau (thecrow.proelite.com).  Villasenor’s career is highlighted by a 15 fight-winning streak put together between December 2002 and April 2006.  A member of the famed Chute Boxe fight squad in Brazil, Rua was last seen in action on September 30th when he submitted British kickboxer Mark Weir (markweir.proelite.com), with an arm triangle choke in the second round of their meeting.  

UFC veteran and K-1 Max star, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, will go head to head with British Cage Rage champion, Paul “Semtex” Daley, in a bout that will be shown to viewers should there be sufficient time remaining on the Pay Per View broadcast following the first three of six main card bouts scheduled to air live.  

“Shamrock vs. Baroni” is co-produced by ProElite, Inc., the parent company of EliteXC, and Strikeforce.  

About ProElite, Inc.

ProElite, Inc. delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet.  ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools.  ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts.  In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations.  ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

About Strikeforce

Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  The rapidly growing organization recently re-launched its website, www.strikeforceusa.net, which boasts a bold new look and all-new features, including video streaming capability.  Since 1995, Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND™ and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.

For more information and fighter interviews, contact Mike Afromowitz, (917) 566-8754 or muaythaimes@aol.com.  

As different organizations introduce props, why have there not been any athletes utilizing the cowbell?

Who will be the first competitor to bust out the cowbell?

WW

PBW Announces AM Radio Distribution!

As part of its on-going initiative to bring bodybuilding to the largest possible audience, Pro Bodybuilding Weekly announces its latest syndication deal that brings bodybuilding talk radio to more than 60 AM radio stations throughout th e U.S. and the Virgin Islands.

For more info, go to:
http://probodybuildingweekly.com/pdf.html (PDF)

WW

New Rochelle, New York - April 24, 2007

Doing our part to support amateur athletes, CONTROLLED LABS is proud to announce the signing of competitive "PowerBuilder" Eric Helms. CONTROLLED LABS is one of the fastest growing nutritional supplement companies nationwide, focusing on products that safely improve athletic performance and fat loss. Since 2005, CONTROLLED LABS has gained popularity within the bodybuilding community with it’s ongoing support of the fitness / nutrition community, unique business strategy, and cost-effective products featured in major retailers like Vitamin World, Vitamin Shoppe, and major internet stores like bodybuilding.com.

Stats:

Name: Eric Helms
Born: April 22, 1983 Oakland, CA
Height: 6′1"
Weight: 220lbs
Contest: 180lbs
Years Training: 3

Growing up, Eric was never a very physical child, he was active in some sports but didn’t excel. Studying Karate and learning Japanese philosophies such as Bushido, he learned to meditate at a very young age and these practices interested him far more than the physical aspects. He enjoyed the focus on being balanced and controlled and eventually these concepts and disciplines would play a role in his life. After 9 years of studying Isshinryu Karate, Eric moved from the Bay Area to Sacramento where he stayed active in martial arts, discovered breakdancing, and ran track (hated it). But still, he had not found anything at this point that was his physical "calling".

Aim high…

In the Air Force, Eric stayed fit and disciplined and was soon promoted to Physical Conditioning Flight Commander (responsible for the physical conditioning of every trainee in the squadron), and he excelled at it. His friends dragged him to the gym to lift weights, but he wasn’t hooked on the bodybuilding lifestyle and lifted "like a fool". Two and a half years into his Air Force career, someone very close to him was raped. Located across the country and feeling powerless, Eric was eating himself up inside with anger, couldn’t sleep, and couldn’t cope. At Eric’s request, a close friend introduced to him what would become his life: Bodybuilding

Inspiration:

Inspired by the writings of Arnold himself, Eric starting hitting the gym regularly and imitated the training styles of the golden era bodybuilders. During his very first hardcore workout, Eric threw up (and threw out his back), but he was in the gym the next day, learning from injury and working around it. Eric’s world became protein shakes, george foreman grilling, and stories of Mentzer, Arnold, and Columbo. When they weren’t eating, talking about bodybuilders of the past, or hitting the iron, Eric and his friends would learn everything they could from books, magazines, and bodybuilding.com.

Transformation:

Focused on nutrition, dedicated in the gym, and trying every legal supplement under the sun, Eric grew from a 174lb runner to a bulked up 220lbs within 2 years. After the Air Force, he got certified as a personal trainer and transformed from 220lb @ 16-18% body fat to 215lb @ 12% body fat. With competitive bodybuilders constantly asking Eric for advice on bodybuilding nutrition and training, he started thinking seriously about competing.

Powerbuilding:

In 2006 Eric helped organize (and competed in) a local powerlifting competition, benching 320lbs (RAW) and deadlifted 495lbs (RAW) at a bodyweight of 209lbs. He placed second in his weight class, third place overall best deadlift, and had a blast. At this competition Eric met a man In his 60’s (former Mr. Alaska) that had over 30 years of experience as an NPC and INBF head judge. Mr. Alaska told Eric that with his obvious dedication, he could become a great bodybuilder. As a "test judge" at a local INBF show Eric got to see his first contest, and the confidence and grace of the competitors displaying their hard work touched something deep inside him. There was no looking back… he would compete.

New Challenges:

After getting married and moving back to California, Eric realized that in California he would face the toughest competitors in the sport. Inspired by today’s natural champions like Rob Hope, John Hansen, Phillip Ricardo Jr., Rodney Helaire, and Layne Norton, Eric decided to stay natural and see what could be accomplished with intelligence, spirit, and the genetics he was born with. January 1st 2007, Eric began his contest prep for his first show: The INBA Silver and Black 12th Annual Muscle Classic hosted by the Oakland Raiders on May 5th…. a test of himself and how far he can take his body.

Upcoming shows:

INBA Silver and Black 12th Annual Muscle Classic (May 5th)
INBA Southern California Natural Bodybuilding Championships (May 12th)
NGA Mr. and Mrs. Natural California Bodybuilding Show (June 30th)

Eric Helms on his CONTROLLED LABS sponsorship:

"I am blessed to have been given this opportunity by CONTROLLED LABS to be sponsored, and it only motivates me more to be the best bodybuilder I can be. Currently, the sport of Bodybuilding is not at its height like it was during the 1970’s, and although I love the IFBB and I respect the athletes and champions in that federation, I would love to see the world of Natural Bodybuilding expanded in an effort to broaden the perception of bodybuilding. I don’t wish to change the IFBB or the spirit of bodybuilding’s "Mass Monster" side, I only wish to do what I can to bring everything that bodybuilding is to the table: a healthy, disciplined lifestyle, and greek like god physiques with perfect symmetry and aesthetics…. physiques presented by the likes of Frank Zane, Arnold, Mike Mentzer, and Serge Nubret of bodybuildings golden era."

With the goal of becoming a Natural Pro within the next 3-4 years, becoming an accomplished powerlifter, staying natural, and lifting raw…. please join CONTROLLED LABS in welcoming Eric Helms to the CONTROLLED LABS team !

New Rochelle, New York

Doing our part to bring symmetry and aesthetics back to bodybuilding, CONTROLLED LABS is proud to announce the signing of amateur bodybuilder MarkAnthony Doublet. CONTROLLED LABS is one of the fastest growing nutritional supplement companies nationwide, focusing on products that safely improve athletic performance and fat loss. Since 2005, CONTROLLED LABS has gained popularity within the bodybuilding community with it’s ongoing support of the fitness / nutrition community, unique business strategy, and cost-effective products featured in major retailers like Vitamin World, Vitamin Shoppe, and major internet stores like bodybuilding.com.

Vision…the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be…

First introduced to bodybuilding by his father (a former competitor) MarkAnthony envisioned himself becoming very active in the health and fitness industry by competing and working with athletes. Now a nutrition graduate, personal trainer as well as a natural competitor, he is here for the long hall… and his vision has paid off. He competed in his first bodybuilding show in 2005, and is currently preparing for his fourth contest on May 26th, 2007.

Contest History:

INBF 2006 27TH ANNUAL INBF NATURAL HERCULES CHAMPIONSHIP - Placing: 6th WNSO Fame NYC - Placing: 3rd WNSO Fame Big Apple - Placing: 2nd

MarkAnthony on nutrition:

"Just like every beginner when I started lifting, putting on weight was my only concern. Taking in over 5000 calories a day and lifting everything at the gym I took myself from 192lbs to 230lbs in two years. By age 20, looking more like a powerlifter then a bodybuilder, I was not happy with my symmetry and decided something needed to change. That change was not so much my training style but diet and supplements. The past 4 years I have really paid a great deal of attention to my eating, being consistent and writing it all down. Still experimenting with my ratios and finding out what my body likes, there’s no doubt diet is a big part of bodybuilding and reaching your goals. Every year I try something different with my calories and ratios to see what works best."

MarkAnthony on training:

"From day one, my training intensity has been what Dorin Yates would call “Balls to the Wall”. I stick to a 4 day split of chest & shoulders, legs, back and finish off my week with arms. Each muscle group is trained with
2-3 exercises, 3-4 sets, 8-10 reps, heavy and to failure. Cardio will be increased depending on the date of a show. My style of training stays the same in the off/on season but my diet is what truly changes for a show."

MarkAnthony on supplements:

"Supplements are the icing on the cake. With out the actual cake mix you have nothing, but once you have the cooking down the icing can make a huge impact. I’ve experimented with a bunch of different combination of proteins, creatines and amino acids but have never really found that Boom, until I discovered Arginine and Ornithine. The combination of these two amino acids is amazing. Not only do they give you a great pump but they definitely have increased my strength and size. I take both when I’m trying to put on size or maintain my muscle mass when dieting down for a show. The only down fall is all the pills I have to pop in a day. I recently found out about a product that combines both amino acids but also gives me a nice hit energy, WHITE FLOOD by CONTROLLED LABS. This drink is definately the icing on the cake."

This vision has paid off…. and we are proud to welcome MarkAnthony to the CONTROLLED LABS TEAM !

from J.M. Manion himself:

ADELA GARCIA MAKING LEAP TO COMPETE IN IFBB PRO FIGURE
(But She’s Not Done With Fitness Just Yet!)

Two-time IFBB Fitness Olympia & Two-time IFBB Fitness International champion Adela
Garcia has targeted the 2007 IFBB Houston Pro Figure on July 21st to make her debut on
an IFBB Pro Figure stage. It appears that Adela will be the first IFBB Professional woman
to take advantage of the new ruling that was approved at the 2006 IFBB Professional
League Pro Committee meeting held at the IFBB Olympia.

The ruling states that IFBB
Professional women can compete in any of the 3 sports, bodybuilding, fitness or figure, at
any time during the competitive year. The only restriction is that they cannot compete in
more than one sport at an IFBB
competition that offers multiple women’s
divisions.

Adela’s reasons for competing
here are simple, it’s close to home, she
wants to branch out to holding fitness
camps in the Houston area and it’s 3
weeks before she steps on stage to
compete in the 2007 IFBB Europa Super
Show Pro Fitness.

The physique rounds
have been Adela’s strongest rounds in
IFBB Fitness and she has consistently
scored in the top two of those rounds in
every contest she’s entered since 2004.
“Everybody has asked me for years if I
would ever consider doing a figure contest
but at the time I did not want to make a
total commitment to just compete in
figure, which is the way the old rules
read,” Adela stated. “Now that the rules
have been changed I can give it a try.

I
have a feeling it won’t be my last time
competing in IFBB Figure and I think a
few of the other girls may try it now too.”
As you read, Adela is still competing in
IFBB Fitness and does plan to compete in
the 2007 IFBB Fitness Olympia. She
enjoys competing and feels that the new
ruling opens up fresh opportunities for her
competitive career.

—

Crazy stuff! What do you guys think, can she compete in figure and succeed like she has with fitness?

WW