In order to determine the reader’s understanding of God’s unmerited favor to us, the author asks the reader to consider two scenarios: one in which we have a “good day” (up early, solid devotional time, vital union with God) and one in which we have a “bad day” (snooze button tapping, rushing out the door without a quiet time, generally ignoring the Lord). If at the end of each day we encountered someone eager to hear about making a decision to accept Christ for the first time, in which scenario would we feel more confident of the Holy Spirit’s presence as we witness? The good day or the bad day? Choosing either means we need this book!

Villasenor

(Updated 5/6/09)

We may finally get to see two of the sport’s most exciting middleweights clash. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and Joey Villasenor are to meet at Strikeforce’s June 19th event in Tacoma, Washington. During the Q&A portion of an MMA seminar Villasenor presented at Durango Martial Arts (Durango, CO) on March 21 and 22, “Smokin’ Joe” stated that Cyborg was likely his next opponent. Originally set to fight as part of the Frank Shamrock versus Cung Le card in San Jose last March, Cyborg was forced to withdraw due to alleged visa problems in Brazil. Villasenor instead finished Ryan Jensen in the first round that night while Santos suffered an injury TKO loss to Siyar Bahadurzada during Sengoku’s Fifth Battle in September of 2008.

“He’s the other [MMA] bad boy I haven’t beaten down . . . yet!” Legend Frank Shamrock is once again doing what he does best: taking on tough opponents and promoting himself. On a teleconference today with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and Showtime’s Senior Vice President for Sports Programming Ken Hershman, Shamrock announced that he will be headlining Strikeforce’s April 11^th event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California against Nick Diaz. The match-up will take place at a catch weight of 179 pounds.

The world will have to wait for Frank Shamrock to take on oft-rumored opponents such as his brother Ken and long time nemesis Tito Ortiz, but Diaz is a compelling foil in his own right. In March of 2006, Frank Shamrock defeated Diaz’s coach Ceasar Gracie—something Diaz wants to avenge on April 11. Frank and Nick have always been quite vocal and quotable in the media, and the build up for this match should be fast and furious.

Shamrock further stated that he “expects to fight more often now” that Strikeforce and Showtime are committed to a more active programming schedule—with possibly more than one event planned per month. “MMA is a way to express myself,” Frank said. “This is my life.” Standby for the fireworks that are sure to erupt before, during, and, probably, after this fight between two of MMA’s more controversial contestants. 

“I like the pressure. Bring the fight to me!” Four-time world champion, Carina Moreno’s (20-1, 6 KO’s) punishing, straight-ahead style lends itself to exciting matches, and she moves up to 112 pounds for the first time in an eight round non-title bout this Friday at the Tachi Palace Casino in Lemoore, California as she battles Sharon Gaines (11-11-1, 3 KO’s). Moreno gets frustrated by fighters who do not engage and faced frustration again when her original opponent, Wendy Rodriguez, pulled out due to injury. According to Carina, this is the seventh time a fight with Rodriquez has fallen through.

“It’s disappointing that I wont be able to fight Wendy,” said Moreno in a press release. “I was really looking forward to that bout. She’s the only person that’s put a blemish on my record and I wanted to avenge that loss.” Moreno expects a challenge nonetheless and will bring an improved defense and better body attacks to Gaines. Carina has added several pounds of muscle weight, and she believes this will be a good test in a heavier division. “Before I am finished, I want to win championships in the 108 and 112 pound classes, too,” Moreno said.

Moreno looks to extend her twelve-fight winning streak on Friday night and knows her maturity and ring experience give her every chance to win. Her only two words of advice for any future opponent she faces? “Don’t run!” 

The Japanese are spoiled. Maybe I am stereotyping a bit, but don’t they have Judo everywhere over there? I have been trying to find good Judo—to add to my MMA training or just to watch in person—for a long time now. I never thought I would find it in Indiana of all places.

But, on January 16^th, at the GFight (Hook n Shoot) Women’s MMA Summit in Evansville, Indiana, a young mixed martial artist making her amateur debut saved me the cost of an airline ticket to Japan by showing sick Judo skill. Patricia VanderMeer, from Ontario, Canada, dominated Courtney Stowe with an identical script in two rounds: clinch, throw, ground-and-pound, and submission attempts—until the referee stopped the fight robbing the audience of act three.

Patricia gained an immediate and impressive following of elite mixed martial artists in attendance: Shayna Bayszler, Julie Kedzie, Tara LaRosa, and Kaitlin Young enthusiastically cheered with loud approval every time VanderMeer improved her position or attempted a submission. These professionals offered her post-fight encouragements such as “Awesome throws!” and “Nice ground and pound!”

VanderMeer critiqued herself, too. She knows she has some things to develop for next time. “I’ve still got to work on keeping my hands up and I need to not be fancy,” she said. “I should have been able to finish that arm bar, but instead I wanted to be cool and transition to a triangle. If my opponent were better on the ground I would have been in serious trouble for a bit there. I’ve also got to listen to my corner more because they were telling me to do things. I heard them, but didn’t do it. I don’t know exactly why.”

Although she did not get to demonstrate it in her debut, Patricia works on all facets of the fight game. Besides her black belt in Judo, she has an orange belt in Traditional Jiu-Jitsu (she is tests for green soon) and also trains in boxing and Muay Thai kickboxing.

Like many mixed martial artists, Patricia VanderMeer has to travel to multiple locations to complete all of her training. Buckley Jiu-Jitsu/MMA, Brantford Judo Club, and Kombat Arts Training Academy all play a part in her development as an athlete—which she balances with a stay-at-home career in web development.

Mixed martial arts is a natural fit for Patricia. She said her “childhood was pretty typical, my parents weren’t well off, so I didn’t play any team sports. I don’t like having to depend on other people for success, or having other people depend on me for that matter.  I always hated group projects in school, too. I was a huge tomboy. I hung out with the boys and played British bulldog and ball tag instead of skipping and being boring with the girls.” VanderMeer’s debut was anything but boring, and fans will get to witness her exciting Judo style when she fights again this year.

Patricia credits several people for her continued success. She lists Sensei Tom Thomson at the Brantford Judo Club; all the instructors at Buckley’s; “Patrick Buckley knows the MMA game in and out and backwards, and I would be lost with out him;” Brian Naidu, Collin Pinch, Brian Lindstone, Dave Kilganon (boxing coach); and Geoff Sharman (BJJ Coach). She also thanks “all my club mates. Joey and the guys at Kombat Arts have been really helpful too.” 

Go to www.paintelevision.com to see videos of Patricia’s fight along with all the action from the historic weekend of MMA.