Stephane Bernadel

Hello everyone,

Here is a review of how my teammates from OAMA fared at the Casino in Hull on April 20th:

First one up, from our team, was Andrew Walters who was making his professional debut. The fight started rough for Andrew who got caught off-guard and rocked early before wisely taking the fight to the ground. While he was able to secure a triangle choke from his back, his opponent slammed him not once but twice, finally breaking away from the submission and getting the fight back to a standing position. After getting caught once again Walters was on wobbly feet with his opponent sensing that he was but a few punches away from stopping him. Fighting on what looked like auto-pilot, Andrew return fire with some knee and combinations of his own before taking the fight once again to the ground. This time Andrew made no mistake and secured a fight ending rear naked choke for the come from behind win against a game opponent named Robert Seres. All I can say is what a fight and lots of heart for Andrew!!

The second OAMA fighter to make is way to the ring was Jeff  Harrison. Unfortunately I was unable to see him in action due to the fact that I was back stage warming up Mark Holst. From what I heard Jeff was executing his game plan by trying to take the fight to the ground but made a few technical mistakes that led to him being submitted. Keep your head up bro. Happens to the best of us. Official decision winner Kit Cope via Kimura at 2:12 of Rd 1.

Next up was Mark who was not the main event as previously slated. Mark looked good in his return bout after a year absence from competition. After feeling out his opponent and shaking off the jitters and ring rust in the opening round, Mark turned it up in the second and force the tap by way of Kimura. Mark took his time and displayed his superior techniques against a game and tough opponent in Stephane Lamarche. After the bout Mark confirmed that he was resuming his MMA career and looking to make another run at the UFC.

In the final fight of the night OAMA’s own Randy Turner squared off against Eric Perez for the Bantamweight championship. As previously mentioned Perez was riding a six fight win streak and came with the intention of bringing the belt back with him to Winnipeg. The game plans were clear from the onset, Randy was going to apply pressure and take Perez down while Eric was looking to do his damage on the feet. After five back and fourth rounds and 25 minutes of action Randy was awarded the unanimous victory with scores of 48-47 across the board. As the result showed it was a closely disputed bout which leaves us to believe that Perez and Turner might cross path again in the near future.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

In the co-main event, OAMA’s own Randy Turner will take on Eric Perez for the Wreck bantamweight belt. Randy is currently riding a three fight win streak and another one over number 9th rank Perez would help solidify himself as a top bantamweight in Canada. After starting his career 1-2 Perez has won six straight including one over Remi Morvan from OAMA adding even more incentive for Randy to win. This has ‘fight of the night’ written all over it as both fighters are tough and have shown lots of heart. It is my personal belief, admittedly biased, that Randy has the technical as well as the cardio advantage. If Perez is hoping to break Randy he might be in for the longest fight of his career. My prediction: Turner brings back the belt to OAMA.

Also fighting from OAMA will be Jeff Harrison who will square off against TV personality Kit Cope. While Cope sports a mediocre 4-7 record his stand-up skills are not to be overlooked. Jeff would probably have a easier route to victory by taking the fight to the ground but something tells me that he might want to test Cope on his feet, as both are Muay Thai specialist. I had the opportunity to train on numerous occasions with Jeff as he was preparing for this fight and I can assure you that physically he is more than ready. Now we will see if mentally he will fight fire with fire or choose the path of least resistance. We can never know what to expect from Jeff but the only thing that is sure is that he is game and will come to fight. Don’t blink or sneeze or even look at your watch, either way, I don’t expect this to last very long. Game on!

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

With the Wreck card only a week away here is a look at the first of a series of my teammates match-ups:

Originally slated to face Gideon Ray in the main event, Mark Holst will now face last minute replacement Stephane Lamarche. While Lamarche does not bring the name recognition, the record nor the same challenge as the previous foe he is still not to be overlooked. It is no secret that both pugilists prefer and excel in the stand-up realm, expect the fight to go anywhere and be entertaining, a real crowd pleaser. I give the advantage, technique-wise, on both standing and on the ground to Holst while Lamarche will have the upper hand in striking power and physical strength. Should be a good one while it lasts. Due to the uncertainty surrounding his  year-long absence, and here my personal opinion says no, the biggest question mark on “Boots” is whether or not ring rust will be a factor. I can say for a fact that during his “retirement” he was a reliable coach and sparring partner to many competitors from OAMA including yours truly: a big thank you and best of luck from all of us!

Look for my forthcoming breakdown which will feature Randy “Relentless” Turner.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have”. - Frederick Keonig

Hello everyone,

Due to the fact that I have not had the time to train adequately lately, let alone write blogs, I have decided to not partake in the Wreck event on April 20th in Hull. I will still be playing a part in the event as I will be helping many of my teammates get ready for their upcoming fights. With each passing week, look for me to keep you posted on each fighter’s progress.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

After bringing a multitude of MMA fighters abroad (U.S and Guam) OAMA is at it once again. This time it is none other than Remi “Bam Bam” Morvan who will be representing the Renzo Gracie team on foreign soil. On February 25th Remi, who recently dropped down to the 125lbs division, will bring his talent and fighting spirit to Kiev, in Ukraine. Already considered a top flyweight in the country he will now try to make his mark on the international scene as he will exchange leather with Phil Harris. He will without a doubt be facing the toughest opponent of his career and an win would not only propel him up the flyweight world ranking but possibly land him a shot at the big show. While there is a lot at stake I am persuaded that Remi will be well prepared for what should prove to be not only his greatest challenge but also his greatest opportunity.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “When you are up in life, your friends get to know who you are. But when you are down in life, you get to know who your friends are.” – Anonymous

Hello everyone,

I apologise for not updating my blog as frequently as I would like. Following the holiday break I was ready and eager to resume training but unfortunately things did not go according to plan. For the past month I have been dealing with sickness, work and all that life consists of, well that and everything else thrown my way. After being slightly sidetracked I can say with great enthusiasm and relief that I have finally resumed training last week. Therefore look for me to post blogs on a regular basis.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” – Flanney O’Connor

Hello everyone,

As a new year begings one cannot help but stop to think about the one that just ended. It is a time where almost everyone, professional fighter and amateur alike, sit down and reflect upon the year that was while looking towards the one that will be. The only difference is that while the common folk talk in terms of resolutions, we fighters talk and think in terms of goals. Before setting those (sometime) ambitious goals one would be well advised to analyse the good and bad, the ups and downs in order to have a better grasp of how things went and how to improve upon them. Without further ado here is my 2011:

In terms of MMA most individuals would probably rate this year a bad one with some saying I was unlucky while a few cynics calling it a flat out failure. It is easy to see how someone could come up with such conclusions, I was sidelined by injury for most of the year and when I finally returned to action I got the short end of the stick. All in all I only fought once in the whole year, which is by no mean remarkable. Therefore if I was not fighting and on the bench so to speak what was I doing? What does most people with too much time on their hands do…they think. God knows I have plenty of time to do that and do that I did.

Thinking, analysing, problem solving are all beneficial in that these processes helps us avoid turning into mindless drones. Having a critical mind is something that I took to heart from my University days, which I still use today much to some people’s dismay. On the other hand, I personally believe that the problem could also lie in over-thinking. With that said I believe that while in terms of MMA this year was far from what I had hope for, in terms of my overall progression the same cannot be said.

My striking skills continued to improved under the tutelage of Jean-Yves Thériault while adding some Muay thai tools with Mark Holst which I was able to showcase in my only outing this year. As for my ground game rating it a success would be an understatement. I took a gold medal in the only tournament that I partook in and as icing on the cake, was awarded my blue belt. With that said yes 2011 was not the best of years by my account but like the good optimist that I am the glass is indeed half full as I look towards 2012.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef