Welcome to Modern Farang Mu Sul

October, 2005
This month has been a whirlwind of a month with Modern Farang Mu Sul® activities. I have received so much news from all over the globe. This is so exciting, it gives me chills. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: October signals the return of one of our favorite events of the year: The Gathering, which is an amazing weekend of seminars and workshops with many living legends of the martial arts. It is sponsored by our good friend Hanshi Bruce Jutchnik, and this year, the Gathering 2005 was held in Reno, NV. As always, we were very honored to take part and expose some of the finer aspect of our art. This year I got a special treat and was paired up to teach with one of my favorite martial artists. This gentleman embodies the true martial artist and is a living legend: Sifu Bill Owens from Oakland, Ca. For those not familiar, he was one of Sifu Al Dacasco's most well known students, and a highly decorated fighter and forms competitor, who has turned out many equally decorated students himself. Sifu Owens (along with several American legends such as Wally Jay ) was part of a USA team that went throughout China in the early 80's to demonstrate martial arts. One of their stops was to demonstrate at THE famous Shaolin Temple. Very cool. We had a great time. I also was able to spend some quality time with some of my other favorite martial artists such as Grand Master Mike Young, Guru Jorge Santana, Master Randy Stigal, Grand Master Crimi, and others. What an awesome time.

(Pictures: 1- Kuk Sa Nim teaching Jung Bong Sul choking tech, 2- Sifu Bill Owens and Kuk Sa Nim, 3- Grand Master Mike Young and Kuk Sa Nim, 4- Brandon, KSN and Thomas at the famous RENO arch)

We also go to get in some much needed R&R this month. And what better than to go and take in a live game of NFL football with my favorite team: The San Francisco 49ers? Master Schleeter was kind enough to hook us up with 4 tickets. Thank you soo much Sir! So it was De Alba family time at Candlestick Park (yes, I'm old school and still call it Candlestick Park). It has been pretty tough to be a fan lately, but true fans never give up. WE certainly are not fair weather fans. I was there for my team since the beginning when we had nothing to cheer about. I was also fortunate enough to be there during the glory days of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lot and Steve Young, and I'll continue to be there to cheer on my team as they go through this latest rebuilding phase. GO Niners!!!

In prelude to our upcoming FMS-TVT fights in New Jersey, a friend of Inst. Marlon Sims got a TV station (KRON4) interested in doing a piece on Marlon's NHB training and upcoming title fight. So they had a cameraman follow him around during his daily routine of morning workout at the gym (weights/cardio, etc), then at work (Le Colonial) and then of course NHB training. This story had a whole "Rocky" feel to it. We were very fortunate to have made the perfect connection with Master Frank Shamrock, and he offered to do some final tune ups with Marlon before his fight. Even I saw a marked improvement. Wow, great job. So, we filmed him training there as well. It is a great piece that aired a few days before his fight, and I believe will be very good for Inst. Sims and Modern Farang Mu Sul® in general.

FMS Germany: Master Klaus Wachsmann recently conducted an open seminar in Köln, Germany. While there he also did color belt testing, which included a Dan-Bo half black test (Candidate black belt). Very, very good. That is just fantastic. We are very proud of all the new color belts. You are now that much closer to the coveted black sash/black belt, and all of your goals.

Also, they are working very hard on a new seminar in November titled "The New Generation", which will feature various European FMS instructors such as Inst. Nelson Pinto from Portugal and Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk from Poland. This sounds very exciting indeed. I look forward to hearing all about it.

FMS - Hollister: A HUGE thank you to Master Schleeter and Vince Troia for bringing the great Frank Shamrock out to Hollister for the third year in a row. What a GREAT time. He is not only an amazing martial artists and incredible fighter, but also the best teacher and super nice guy. We have definitely developed a very strong bond. He has become extended family to FMS, and that is a good thing. He will be fighting in the first NHB event to be held here in California. He is in the process of wrapping up negotiations to take on Cesar Gracie. We asked to be included in the action, as we would love to have some of our FMS-TVT fighters in that event as well. That will be a historic event for sure.

Well, this seminar was just as much fun as the previous two seminars we had with Mr. Shamrock in that we covered lots of cool drills from boxing to kickboxing to clinch to ground fighting material. Very cool indeed. What made it extra cool is that all of the material covered fits perfectly into our existing FMS program. PERFECT. After a great seminar, we were once again invited for an awesome BBQ party at Vince and Sandy's new home. Lots of great food, tequila and conversation. Inst. Marlon Sims kept us in stitches with his antics. What a great time. Thank you once again. I look forward to next year.

(Pictures: 1- the group working on stand up skills, 2- Frank working on clinch drills w/ Alessandro, 3- Group shot, 4- We tried to convince Frank to hand over that UFC Championship belt, ha, ha, 5- A little tequila celebration to cap the day off)

We were very happy to take part in the 2nd Annual Faultline Warrior Classic Martial Arts Tournament in Hollister and followed by our FMS Black Belt Camp. This year was a bit smaller, and a lot of FMS people could not make it, but we still had a tremendous time, and it was a resounding success. Joining us in Hollister this year were our very good friends Professor Carlos Navarro, GM Ruby Navarro, Master Jino Kang, Sifu Gardere and several others. There were a host of FMS black belts from HQ, such as Inst. Stuart McCalla, Inst. John Stenson, Inst. Joseph Gumina, Inst. Jim Staley, Inst. Chris Mague and Asst. Inst. Alessandro Padovani. Thank you all so much. From FMS Huntington Beach we were happy to see Inst. Larry Saindon, Inst. Matt Wagner and Inst. Dylan Hamilton (and family). You guys are awesome. It would not have been the same without you. From FMS Modesto, we also had Inst. John Pantoja and John Sayre. Thank you all soo much. Then of course helping Master Schleeter were a slew of FMS family from Hollister including, Inst. Earl Boyd, Inst.Beth Dudzik, Vince Troia and Chris Moore. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Your tireless efforts were the intangible factor of running this year's event in such a smooth fashion.

HUGE thank you to Master Kang, Sensei Ingebresten, Professor Carlos Navarro and GM Rubi Navarro for all your work during the event. You were the glue that kept thing all together. Thank you is never enough.

And lastly, huge congratulations to this years' new Junior Ultimate Warrior Belt winner: Inst. Dylan Hamilton from FMS Huntington Beach, who inched out his classmate Inst. Matt Wagner by 1/2 point in the breaking division. That was what put him over the top. Great job gentlemen. You are shining examples of what great martial artists should be and are Modern Farang Mu Sul's next generation.

(Pictures: 1- Chris Moore and Vince Troia square off in the sport Jiujitsu competition, 2- Master Schleeter w/Vince, 3- Inst. Mc Calla and Alessandro run the stick fighting and knife fighting competition, 4- Our new Jr. Ultimate Warrior: Inst. Dylan Hamilton from FMS Huntington Beach, 5- FMS family group shot)

After the tournament, we retired to Master Schleeter's home for another great BBQ party with Inst. Boyd manning the grill. Fantastic food, drinks, Cubanski's, hot tub and lots of great conversations was the order of the evening.

On Sunday, we hit "The Cozy Cup" for a good breakfast, said goodbye to some and the rest came down to the dojang for a great BB camp. This year we were very fortunate to have Master Jino Kang join us. He gave an awesome clinic on grappling. Thank you soo much Sir, that was some very cool stuff! We then worked Black Belt forms, some sword and knife work capped the day off. Just PERFECT. That's the way it should be....Looking forward to next year.

(Pictures: 1- Master Kang working on Guard techniques w/ Master Schleeter, 2- Inst. Saindon and Inst. Boyd working on sword forms, 3- Group shot)

FMS Portugal: Inst. Nelson Pinto and the Portugal FMS group have been going non-stop. They recently had color belt testing, and an open seminar at the HQ branch in Villar. Inst. Pinto's technique and energy is just phenomenal. He will be traveling to Germany to take part in a very large FMS seminar coordinated by Master Wachsmann called: The New Generation. That sounds like too much fun. Keep up the good work.

FMS - Puerto Rico: Master Vega has notified me that they are in the process of relocating to a new Dojang in the Arecibo, Puerto Rico area. Wow, that sounds exciting! Congratulations Sir, I know it will be a wonderful academy. The new address is: Calle Olmo #323, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. I look forward to seeing it as well as all of the FMS family in Puerto Rico in December. Farang!

FMS - Michigan: Inst. Robert Hudson recently conducted another Women's Safety and Self Defense Seminar. They had a great turnout, and this particular seminar is becoming a much sought after regular event. Keep up the good work Sir.

FMS - New York: Earlier in the month, FMS-TVT's first ever junior fighter, Ryan Washer made his debut sanctioned Amateur Kick Boxing fight at the "Junior Fighters Show" in New Brunswick, NJ. He came out on the short end of the decision, but that's OK. He put on a great show of clean technique and indomitable spirit, and that's what it is all about: Preparing our best, and Doing our best. Recognizing and learning the lessons involved. The rest just falls into place. Great job and congratulations Ryan. We are all VERY proud of you.

Now, as many of you now know, October 29th was the Ring of Combat 9 in Ashbury Park, New Jersey. We had no less than 5 FMS-TVT fighters competing and one was for the 175 lbs. championship belt. We were under the impression that it was a welter weight belt, but it turns out that it was the Lt. Hvy Wt. Belt....OK, we'll take that too. Now, there are lots of schools, systems and certainly individuals that make lots of claims. They "talk the talk", but don't " walk the walk". THIS art, THESE individuals, win, loose or draw, "WALK the WALK".

(Farang Mu Sul®-Team Vale Tudo with World Champion Lou Neglia at the weigh-ins for The Ring Of Combat IX)

So, it turned out to be a roller coaster night of ups and downs. A couple mistakes were made on our part that cost us 3 out of the five fights. We have reviewed the tapes and have identified that more work needs to be done on the clinch as well as ground and pound. One thing for sure is that FMS-TVT made a huge impact that night. Everyone kept commenting on how gentlemanly, yet tough as nails our fighters were. Everyone was very impressed with our group and supporters. "Who ARE you guys, and where did you come from" was the question constantly being asked. We are VERY proud of our brave FMS-TVT warriors - Inst. Anthony Spataro, Inst. Ken Gibson, Inst. Mike Iannone, Inst. Joe Spataro, and our team captain, Inst. Marlon Sims.

Before the fights started the promoters and the NJ state athletic commission had a meeting with all the fighters and coaches to go over the rules. They were pretty adamant about no elbow strikes, stomping a downed opponent, up kicking from the ground, knees to the groin, and knees to the face. We had lots of question about that last one: the knee to the face. The question was asked (I believe it was me), that what if the opponent eats a knee to the face while trying a take down, or you are throwing a kick and he moves in, or something like that. The answer was that as long as you did not grab the guy and pull him into the knee to the face, it would be OK, and that the fight would most likely continue. Well, that little rule and a coupe others, came back to haunt us all night.

Inst. Ken Gibson came out with a vengeance and laid into his opponent with a barrage of vicious strikes, which forced his opponent on the defense. After an exchange, Ken was going for a head kick on his dazed opponent, and he ran right into Ken's knee opening up a huge gash. The fight went to the ground with Ken on top and working punches when it was abruptly stopped. They originally gave Ken the TKO victory, then turned around and called the match a "no contest", because it was stopped by an unintentional illegal technique: The knee to the face. Obviously the wrong call, because Ken's hands were up in striking mode (i.e.: not around his opponent neck) and his hip turned into the kick. Unfortunately, the guy tried to take Ken down and ate a knee instead.

Later, during Inst. Mike Iannone's match, he absorbed a wicked illegal knee to the chin that caused him to take some shots that stopped the fight. It was very clear that his opponent clinched with him, put his hands around the neck and pulled him into a knee, which landed on Mike's chin. They gave the fight to his opponent, and needless to say we were all not happy (especially Veronica Spataro). We are challenging the call and having the NJ state athletic commission review the tapes to reverse the call. Now, THAT match should be a no contest.

The twins made a couple crucial errors in the guard that led Anthony's match to be stopped and Joey a submission. Anthony escaped his opponents guard and was going for a leg lock that really wasn't there, all the while his opponent moved on top and kept throwing shots at the back and sides of his head. Although Anthony was not hurt, it looked bad, and the ref stopped the match. As for Joey, he was in complete control of the match, even landing a couple cool spin back kicks, but kept getting tangled in his opponents guard, were he ultimately secured an armbar on Joey.

I guess the old saying "Sometimes you get the bear, Sometimes the bear gets you" is very relevant here.

The highlight of the night was the championship match where Inst. Marlon Sims was an underdog to the much more recognized, and seemingly well rounded Danny Suarez. Wow, how uninformed the media was. Tisk, tisk. That all changed after one minute into the 1st round when Marlon was finally able to work his strikes, and KO'd his opponent in lighting fast and convincing fashion. As the match started, they both tried to establish dominance and control. Marlon landed a couple punches and kicks which Danny responded to, and ultimately tried to take Marlon down to the ground. Marlon was not having any of that and was able to get the fight back up to stand up. Then his opponent pinned Marlon on the ropes and pumped a few knees. At least one landed south of the border, but no call was made. That's when Marlon took matters into his world and faked an over/under hip toss, which cause them to separate a split second. That's all it took for Marlon to land an awesome combination with a fast and accurate combo left uppercut and left hook which KO'd his opponent. As he fell down, Marlon was right on top pounding until the ref wisely stepped in to stop the fight.

Danny showed great class and congratulated Marlon. You should have seen them in the dressing room, going over the fight together as if they were classmates going over a sparring match. Very cool, and very classy. Danny, you're AOK and we must follow up and get some training together.

So, the night ultimately belonged to Marlon and FMS-TVT. This is the beginning of many new opportunities. We have all been invited to several NHB events, and the Ring of Combat wants to have all the FMS group back on the next card. It is slated for next spring and is supposed to be a joint event with UFC's Dana White. They are talking about making a USA team vs the world. There will be UFC fighters on the card, and FMS-TVT will be there too. Lou Neglia personally asked Marlon to choose between that or a title defense. It's Marlon's call. We'll enjoy this victory and keep our options open.

Thank you to the FMS black belts that helped out: Inst. Terry King, Master David Dehnert, Master Patrick Schleeter, Inst. Pat Brennan, Inst. Bobby Hudson, Malcolm Sims and Chris Moore. And thank you to ALL the FMS family for all of your enthusiastic support. And lastly, a special congratulation to Inst. Marlon Sims on his much deserved championship and to all for kickin' ass with class, and representing. Farang!!!

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:
Chief Inst. Johnothan L. Pantoja Oct -17th. Remember, you are an inspiration to so many, and this is your special day!

Next month of November will be: Inst. Cassie Van Doren Nov - 10th, Inst. Wyatt Kern Nov - 16th, Chief Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk Nov -17th, Master Klaus Wachsmann Nov - 24th, and Inst. Patrick Brenan Nov -25th.