Sexual exploitation, extortion charges dropped against Sensei Shane Weaver
Local News, author unknown
Posted 3 days ago

Source: http://www.westniagaranews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2738705

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Personally, I don’t think that pleading guilty to a lesser charge indicates his complete “innocence,” however, based on certain comments received by Mr. Weaver through my personal email account, I can sense that he certainly feels vindicated by any wrong doing.

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Shane Weaver:

It shows your true character when you trash someones name and then don’t have the balls to admit it.

Can you even talk with that foot in your mouth? Next time, get the facts before you decide to comment on something. It will make you seem more intellegent, although that might be asking a lot.

And for the record… We have never met, I would remember someone with your degenerate qualities!

Have a nice day.

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James Ryan:

Hi Shane,

I most certainly did not “trash” your name.

Like many, I was incredibly disappointed to hear about the charges, but reserved judgment until the facts became more clear. My only source of information was from the local newspapers, so if something has been mis-stated or mis-communicated in any way, particularly if the information is false, then please let me know and I would be more than glad to make mention of it on my blog. In the meantime, maybe you should take it up with the local news media.

I am a “degenerate” for reading the news and having an opinion on it? I guess the whole town of Grimsby is full of degenerates as well then. Whenever news breaks that someone who has been trusted with the care and supervision of children has betrayed that trust, as a parent, it is very hard to take. You would know this if you even had kids of your own (assuming you don’t). Frankly, after meeting you in person, my impression after watching you with your students was that you didn’t even “like” kids. That was my first impression and YES, we have met.

I am curious, do you feel that you did “anything” wrong in this entire situation? Even if you were not guilty of anything criminally (didn’t you plead guilty to criminal harassment?? The St. Catharines Standard says that you did), then how about morally or ethically? Should you be excused from those responsibilities as well? You’re really coming off like the victim here, and I’m not sensing that you are taking much responsibility for the fact that you are even in this situation to begin with.

How about an interview, Shane? That way, you could tell your side of the story. I would have no problem with that – would you? Do you think that you could actually tell your side without getting all defensive and calling me names? Because I can assure you, that only makes you look worse.

Sincerely,
JR

ps You spelled “intelligent” wrong.

pss I thought it was absolutely absurd to put “WE PUT THE F.U. IN FUN” on your building sign – especially given the nature of your charges. If I had one suggestion for you Mr. Weaver, it would be to start demonstrating better judgment – and do it quickly!

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Shane Weaver:

I find it very interesting that I am the only “person of trust” who is before the courts to be on your website. Last week a school teacher was arrested for Sexual Luring (nothing posted on your site??) hmmm?

If your first impression of me was that I don’t like kids than you definitely did not meet me. But if you say so than who am I to argue?… I clearly have no clue who you are!

As far as how I feel, it is no concern of yours. But because you feel the need to live a righteous life over the rest of us in this world, I will share with you a little glimpse of what you are after. Yes I feel extremely remorseful for what I have done, I betrayed the trust of my sick wife….[Content Removed for Privacy]”

As for the student thing, do not pass judgment. You do not have the facts…

But when you have a website to post what you want… do the facts really matter?

By the way, Thanks for the speellcheckin!

Here is another interesting thing. I posted a reply to your website on my wonderful “lets hate shane page” Funny, you were quick to respond to this email but still haven’t posted that reply?

Perhaps it is you that needs a lesson in judgment. I hear YouTube has some great lessons you can download!

As far as defensive goes, I believe I have a right to be a little defensive after I was accused of such an absurd charge!

Glad you read my sign, I never know if people actually read it or not?

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James Ryan:

Shane,

Why did I choose to mention you? Many reasons I guess, but mostly because I used to live in Grimsby and my kids went to school and grew up there. I guess your story hit “home” so to speak.

Perhaps you were having a bad day when I met you. Perhaps it was a bad week, but I brought my son to your club and watched you and I did not like what I saw. Needless to say, I did not leave my son in your care. It just goes to prove the importance of first impressions. It is possible that I misread you, but what else does a potential customer have to go off of?

The story of your wife is tragic and for that I am truly sorry.

Facts are always very important and I am not an unreasonable person. If you would like to share actual “facts,” then I would gladly post them in your defense. Calling the charges “absurd” does not support your case. Pleading guilty to criminal harassment is even worse.

Sorry about the comment/reply, I get about 50-100 spam messages a day now, so I just ignore all of them. I am glad that you sent me an email though, although I’m not entirely sure that this has been productive.

As for the sarcastic tone…well…it is what it is.

Hope everything works out for you.
James

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Readers will decide for themselves how to feel about this entire situation. No doubt, Mr. Weaver has many supporters and I am in no way trying to tell them that they should not be.

But my impression of Mr. Weaver is that he remains strangely unaccountable.

Whether the girl was underage or not (apparently not), she was still approximately half of his age. As the father of an 18-year-old girl, this obviously bothers me a great deal, but admittedly, it is not a crime.

The girl was a student of his (and possibly an employee?), which to me, seems incredibly unethical, even if the relationship was consensual (but again…not a crime).

Mr. Weaver, as her instructor/teacher/mentor/friend – should have exercised better judgment and should have known better than to cheat on his wife (still…not a crime).

Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes—Mr. Weaver is not expected to be exempt from that fact.

I just hate it when people who instruct and influence others, particularly our youth, live their lives by the old saying “do as I say, and not as I do.”

As someone who works with children, should Mr. Weaver be held to a higher standard of morality and responsibility? I would think YES—absolutely!

Am I perfect? Of course not – nobody is (although I try for the sake of my kids and my players).

Do I expect Mr. Weaver to be perfect?

No—but taking full responsibility for his actions (and the events that have transpired as a result) would be nice.

Nobody has the right to make a mistake that seriously affects and hurts the lives of others without some form of repercussion (or embarrassment).

Mr. Weaver feels picked on?

How sad for him.

I wonder how the young girl (victim) feels? Or her family? Or the community of Grimsby as a whole?

I question whether or not Mr. Weaver has even learned anything from this. I would hate to see him repeat this type of mistake, which also happens to be something that people with poor judgment skills are prone to do.

I should probably just keep my mouth shut and look the other way though—maybe we all should?

Well, at the risk of sounding like a “degenerate”…I refuse.

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Mr. James Ryan
Freelance Mixed Martial Arts Sportswriter
www.mrjamesryan

Grimsby Martial Arts Instructor Shane Weaver Speaks: Remorseful or Bitter? is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

J. Michael Bennett, was the supervising pharmacist at Applied Pharmacy Services and was the first to be sentenced from a group of five men who have been found guilty after a five-week trial earlier this year.

Prosecutors referred to Bennett, 44, and the others in a sentencing memorandum as “drug dealers in lab coats.”

They argued that Bennett played a key role in an enterprise involving unethical doctors and health clinics across the country who used the pharmacy to supply people with steroids.

According to court records, Applied Pharmacy Services shipped 762,388 dosages to 17 doctors and clinics from April 4, 2004, until Aug. 30, 2006.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Mobile, Alabama, claimed that did not include many other doctors and clinics that they say participated in the conspiracy as well.

The performance-enhancing drugs (PED’s) were purchased by users ranging from professional athletes to teenagers who were simply looking to build additional muscle mass.

Prosecutors cited 22 professional athletes who obtained steroids from Applied Pharmacy Services during the time that Bennett worked there.

In court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Dobbins, named several athletes whose orders included Bennett’s signature or initials.

Shane Carwin, an Ultimate Fighting heavyweight was among them.

We should all be concerned about the use of anabolic steroids in athletic competition and the message that it is sending to our young children.

Personally, I hope that all of the pharmacists and doctors involved get what’s coming to them.

Please read the following:

Anabolic Steroids: A Quick Lesson in Morality and Ethics

Anabolic Steroids: An Olympic-sized Impression

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www.mrjamesryan.com

UFC Fighter Shane Carwin Linked to Convicted Pharmacist and Steroids is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

The Dalton McGuinty government will officially sanction and regulate the wildly popular MMA, allowing matches to be fought anywhere within the Province’s boundaries.

Despite previous claims by McGuinty that permitting MMA was a “non-priority” for the Province, it would seem that Ottawa has had a major change of heart.

Tom Wright, director of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Canadian Operations, said that the organization made a significant commitment to Canada by opening a Toronto office earlier this summer, and is prepared to hold at least three or four global pay-per-view events in various major cities in the country, every year—starting with Toronto.

“We feel confident that properly managed, that we would probably take our first event to the [Toronto] Rogers Centre, understanding that no decisions have been made and really it’s premature until such a time as our sport is actually sanctioned.”

“Hamilton and even Ottawa could handle a large pay-per-view event as well.”

This is a decision that is long overdue for many fans and local business owners, who have been waiting patiently for this decision to come.

For those in opposition, they need to simply understand and appreciate that MMA is not about brutal violence as some critics have depicted it to be.

Mixed martial arts is about discipline, skill, agility, and most importantly, mental strength.

These factors make this sport more than just mindless fighting and brawling. It is about training, physical education, and perseverance, all of which are advantageous qualities for the youth of today.

To read more on the benefits of legalization of MMA, click here.
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www.mrjamesryan.com

MMA to be Legalized in Ontario is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

“He cheated, he did drugs, and he gave himself cancer. Well, instead of saying ‘Hey listen, I cheated and gave myself cancer, don’t be like me,’ he actually made himself the victim and then went out and profited something like $15 million from this ‘Hey, poor me, let’s find a cure for cancer’ campaign instead of just coming clean and saying, ‘Look, here’s what I did, I screwed myself up, and I hope people learn from my mistakes.’”

Apparently, for Chael Sonnen, it’s just not enough to say ridiculous things about Anderson Silva (among others associated with the UFC) when trying to hype his upcoming fight at UFC 117.

Sonnen has apparently decided to branch out and voice his opinions on other professional athletes as well, and was apparently answering a question about the type of people who bother him for being as much of a fraud as he thinks that Silva is.

Armstrong, an American professional road racing cyclist who is best known for winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, has repeatedly denied that he ever used performance-enhancing drugs and has never tested positive for any type of PED, despite dozens, if not hundreds, of tests.

Obviously, Sonnen has no evidence for his theory that using PEDs caused Armstrong to contract cancer and as easy as it is to speculate based on the massive athletic achievements of Mr. Armstrong, suspicion alone does not give Sonnen the right to say such things in the media.

Lance Armstong isn’t new to this sort of controversy, but even he would have to be surprised at how these comments have come so far out of left field.

I’m not a lawyer, but I hope that Armstrong sues the pants off of Sonnen for some type of slander.

Not to mention, Sonnen’s statements are incredibly distasteful and offensive to every cancer survivor out there.

Move over Tito—there’s a new “King Douchebag” in town, and his name is Chael Sonnen.

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Please read the following article which may help to explain Sonnen’s odd behaviour:

UFC 117 Manipulates MMA Fans with Classic WWE ‘Hero-Villain’ Psychology

www.mrjamesryan.com

UFC 117: Chael Sonnen Accuses Lance Armstrong of Giving Himself Cancer is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

The saga between Dana White/UFC and Fedor Emelianenko/M-1 Global is very long and complicated.

The short version is that Dana White has historically been incredibly disrespectful towards Emelianenko for his refusal to fight under the monopoly known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This has apparently created a lot of resentment from Mr. White who has seen fit to try to undermine and destroy “The Last Emperor” by any means necessary.

“Damn you Fedor and you insolent behaviour!!”

The UFC has made recent claims that they would love nothing more than to sign the legendary Fedor, although they sure have a funny way of showing it.

Co-owner and President of M-1 Global, Vadim Finkelchtein, accused the UFC this week of blocking a potential deal between Fedor Emelianenko and TapouT, the world’s most recognizable brand of Mixed Martial Arts apparel and merchandise.

TapouT produced a Fedor shirt that will probably never see the light of day under threat of a lifetime ban from the UFC.

“I’m afraid to disappoint the fans, but it seems like, never. Literally today, they called me from the TapouT firm and told me that they were contacted by [UFC President] Dana [White] of the UFC, and that under the threat of tearing up all the contracts with their organization demanded that TapouT categorically stop producing all the shirts from the line of Fedor Emelianenko.

“This is how Dana White feels about Fedor. So tell me, what can we think about such a person after this, that even in things that have nothing to do with UFC, he still tries to mess it up for us? So it seems that the shirts will just stay a rarity that fans will see in pictures. Say thanks to the UFC and their politics of monopoly.

“The person from TapouT management originally told us that, no, there weren’t going to be any problems, that TapouT was a company that was older than the UFC and they were a company which has been in the market with fighters that don’t necessarily fight in the UFC.

“Fedor isn’t greedy. He’s used to these kinds of fallouts from our friend Dana White, and to be honest, this didn’t come as a surprise [to him].

“How does a T-shirt deal for a fighter have anything to do with the UFC? The same thing happened with the RVCA deal we had, and this shows that there is constant pressure, that we’re constantly trying to be tripped up by the UFC. We’re not the UFC. We’re not Dana White and we have no interest in hurting the business of other companies and organizations.

“Unlike Dana White, who is sometimes cruel, we have no interest in hurting other people in this business, or companies for that matter.

“There are a number of companies that, because of pressure from the UFC, have never gone into a deal with us because they were afraid of what the consequences would be based on the precedence of companies that have sponsored him [in the past]. Currently the conductor of everything is Dana White, so what can we do? The only thing we can do is shrug our shoulders and continue on. We’ve told the truth and there’s no reason to hide.”—Finkelchtein

The UFC has apparently cost M-1 a seven-figure deal with the popular MMA clothing company, TapouT, after threatening to ban the company from future events if they didn’t back out of the deal they had with Fedor Emelianenko.

Are we starting to get the sense that the UFC isn’t as concerned about the success of the MMA Industry as a whole, as they are with their own Global dominance?

I am.

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www.mrjamesryan.com

Read: UFC and the Game of Monopoly

UFC Threatens Lifetime Ban Against TapouT Over Fedor T-Shirt Production is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

The previous bench press record for eight and nine-year-olds in the 88 pound weight class was 77 pounds. Aaron now holds the record at 99.21 pounds, which is more than 22 pounds greater than the previous record.

Aaron was being coached by the two best power lifters in the world and current world record holders, Dennis Cieri and Cliff Tallman.

Now that Aaron is the current world record holder, he has qualified to represent the United States in the World Championships this upcoming November—assuming of course that it fits in his wrestling schedule.

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If you would like to learn more about this remarkable young man, please read the following articles:

World Record Countdown: Nine-Year-Old Aaron Brooks Ready to Make History

National Wrestling Champion Aaron Brooks is Determined to be the Best

Stay tuned next week as I will be interviewing the man (boy) himself—Aaron Brooks.

This young man has some serious Mixed Martial Arts aspirations, and I for one, can’t wait to hear them.

Stay tuned.

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www.coachjamesryan.com

Carried Out Fight Gear was founded in 2009 by a group of Ex-fighters who realized that the true essence of a warrior was being lost by some people giving up. The Carried Out mindset of “One Way Out—Carried Out” signifies that a fighter will never surrender, and will fight to the very end. Leaving everything he/she has in the ring, on the mat, or in the cage.

ONE WAY OUT…CARRIED OUT!

Nine-Year-Old Aaron Brooks Sets New World Bench Press Record is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

As I write this article, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is still illegal in many parts of the world. In particular, the politicians in my home Province of Ontario, Canada are still feeling that the legalization of MMA is a “non-priority.”

Quite simply—MMA is not on the political radar because the powers that be do not stand to benefit personally from its acceptance.

How else can you explain why each element of MMA is legally permitted in competition (wrestling, boxing, karate, taekwondo, judo, jiu-jitsu, etc.), but that any combination of these combative aspects is completely prohibited?

It is ludicrous and ignorant on the parts of the politicians to think that MMA is any more harmful than…oh gee, I dunno…cigarettes perhaps??

Cigarettes cause 440,000 deaths per year by the way, which is perfectly okay I suppose when you consider that the government rakes in a heap load of tax dollars as a result.

Thank goodness for “free” Health Care—we’re gonna need it!

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On a more positive note, Saturday May 22, 2010 marked the first Annual MMA Day in Ontario. This event was organized by the Toronto-based Mixed Martial Arts Expo.

In attendance were many of the brightest stars in the Ontario MMA community, including: “Showdown Joe” Ferraro (MMA Analyst, Host of MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet), Loudon Owen (Chairman of the Fight Network), Carlos Newton (Business Owner, First-ever Canadian UFC Champion), Mark Hominick (Business Owner, professional MMA fighter), Shah Franco (BJJ and MMA Instructor, Pro Fighter Coach), Sean Pierson (Bellator Welterweight Pro Fighter), Jeff Joslin (Business Owner, Radio Announcer, MMA Instructor), and many more…

MMA Day organizer and president of Mixed Martial Arts Expo, Gerald Chopik, stated that, “MMA Day on May 22 gives Ontario families, related industry workers, and MMA athletes and fans the opportunity to raise awareness about not only how they—but the province at large—will benefit from MMA being sanctioned in Ontario.”

I repeat…”the province at large will benefit from MMA being sanctioned in Ontario.”

This may shock you fight fans, but politicians tend to respond more enthusiastically when they see something to be gained for themselves.

Well, if the Honourable Ontario Premier, Dalton McGuinty, is looking for a few good reasons to legalize MMA, then here they are, thanks to the incredibly diverse and intelligent guest speakers at MMA Day.

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Jeff Joslin: “Bringing the sport of MMA to Ontario is very high on my list. I’ve been training in this sport for a long, long time, training since I was about five years old under my father. I’ve never had a job that didn’t involve punching, kicking or choking people, and honestly, it’s been a very good life. There are so many positive things about Mixed Martial Arts, I’m going to share that with you.

“Seeing MMA sanctioned in Ontario would be a great thing. As a fighter, I’ve never really had an opportunity to fight close to home. I’ve fought in Quebec, I’ve fought on a US Marine base against a US citizen, but I really don’t know what it’s like to have a home town advantage. So hopefully, MMA can get sanctioned so that fighters can fight in front of their friends, family, and everybody else.

“As a coach, it’s done so many good things for me. It’s given me the opportunity to test my techniques. To get out there and really see if my stuff works under pressure. Mixed Martial Arts has given me the ability to do that and to come back and show my students the techniques that really work and are really, really effective.

“Without a doubt, Mixed Martial Arts is the most positive thing in my life and it has done so much for me.”

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“Showdown Joe” Ferraro: “Standing here on Queen’s Park to talk about Mixed Martial Arts has been a dream of mine since 1998 when I first contacted our government just to see what would be required to host an MMA event. It has taken me 12 years to get here and I am so humbled and blessed to be given an opportunity to speak about a sport that I have so much passion for.

“To all the parents who have long seen the benefits that Mixed Martial Arts has given to our children—the ability to be respectful, to show honour, humility, while giving them an avenue to be physical, as opposed to sitting in front of a television. Moms and dads, uncles and aunts, guardians of our future, I thank you for your support to green-light MMA.

“To the professional fighter whose only option is to compete outside of Ontario, away from your friends, family, and fans, we do this for you. And soon enough, this travesty will end as I firmly believe that the Ontario government will green-light MMA and be right there in your corner to support you on the road to becoming a world champion.

“To our Premier, the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, the sport of mixed martial arts has drastically changed since its introduction to the North American market in 1993, nearly two decades ago. In 2001, nearly 10 years ago, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions of which our very own Ontario Athletic Commission has been a member of. Most people don’t know, but these rules were created with one thing in mind—to make the sport as safe as possible for the competitors.

“Over the past five years, an estimated 40 million dollars has been spent by Ontarians outside of our Provincial borders to support the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Mr. McGuinty, I ask that you consider keeping this hard earned money here in the Province of Ontario.

“I also ask that you task your Minister of Consumer Services, the Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, to make changes to the Ontario Athletic Controls Act to amend the definition of ‘professional contest or exhibition,’ so as to include the sport of MMA which according to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine by the esteemed John Hopkins University School of Medicine, has a lower knockout rate than boxing, which is a sport which we sanction in Ontario. And some food for thought for everybody—mixed martial arts has a lower injury rate than even cheerleading. If you don’t believe me—Google it.

“The time has come to seriously review the facts and ignore the misconceptions associated with MMA and to give the people, the parents, the children, the athletes, and the consumers what they want. I sincerely ask you to please green-light Mixed Martial Arts. Thank you.”

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Loudon Owen: “The Fight Network is in over one million homes in Canada today and largely based on Mixed Martial Arts. We’re the only channel of our kind in the world.

“I am very proud of several things. One—Shah Franco who has been training my son since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and he hasn’t gone on a wild rampage. In fact, he’s a pretty good kid. I’ve been taking my son to Mixed Martial Arts events since he was 13 and guess what? He’s learned a tremendous amount about discipline and respect.

“So I’m a father, I’m a businessman, I’m a lawyer—this is the first time that I have spoken at Queen’s Park publicly since the late 1980’s. The last time I spoke here it was to a group that was about this size, and we were fighting against the budget that at the time was a crazy, lunatic budget that had been introduced. A few months later, we had 3000 people here in front of Queen’s Park. And about five months later, we had 10,000 people protesting and we changed the budget. So folks, you’re at the beginning. You’re at the launch pad. You’re all contributing to what is critically important and what’s gonna happen, which is getting a lot of people directly and forcefully changing the laws and ensuring that Mixed Martial Arts comes to Ontario, sooner rather than later.

“I’m going to talk to you as a father and I believe that the leadership in the Mixed Martial Arts community is outstanding and is as important as anything else. The fitness is critical of course, but the respect and the attitudes demonstrated by these gentlemen on stage and so many of you in the audience are just essential to the growth and improvement of our kids over the next generation.

“The last thing that I’m going to talk about is money. 50 million dollars was brought into Montreal with a single Mixed Martial Arts event…people have to make a living folks, and we have to help them.”

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Shah Franco: “I’m here to give the perspective of the gym owners, the teammates, the sparring partners, the guys who grab ice for the fighters, and everybody who puts their time and energy and heart into the sport that we love.

“For some of these fighters up here, not be able to go home directly to their houses, to their wives, to the girlfriends, and the girls that fight for their boyfriends, and to have to go back to that hotel room, win, lose, or draw, and not have them have somebody that they love and they represent, their moms, their dads, their kids—be there for them. And have to go to a hospital sometimes because sometimes you get cut and it’s not your hospital and it’s not your place.

“I’ve seen all these guys fight away and represent our Province, their cities, their families, their gyms, and all I can say is, you’re looking at some of the bravest guys that you’ll ever meet.”

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Carlos Newton: “I started competing when I was 18 and I started martial arts when I was four years old. It was a long road to become the UFC champion, but for me it wasn’t about winning the UFC title or anything as the goal. The goal for me was to really be the best person that I could be. Be the best athlete. Be the best martial artist.

“For me, martial arts has given me so much. It has given me everything. Because of martial arts, I see a very bright future for myself after fighting. And before fighting, I always wondered what that would was like. I chose martial arts as a way to discover that and for me it has just opened my mind in so many ways. I’ve been able to travel around the world, meet so many different people, meet tremendous cultures and experiences along the way, but one of the greatest things that I’ve always missed was I’ve always come back home and realized that Toronto is the greatest place. I’ve always known that from the first time, and the only thing now that’s left to do is to be able to fight in Ontario.

“This sport’s going right to the top. It really is just the first time in human history probably that it’s been off the radar and it is the first Olympic sport—pankration. I always said, there are only two Olympic sports that count—running and fighting. If you can’t fight, you had better learn to run.

“For me, being able to fight here in Ontario will be a great opportunity, not just for myself but for everyone, for us as a community to get together. Help raise the guys that are really young in the sport and show them the way so that they themselves can discover their full potential. That’s what life is about—being our best.

“Everyone always over-estimates what they can do in one year and everyone under-estimates what they can do in ten. So this is the first step and we’re gonna get there.”

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Mark Hominick: “It’s an honour to speak on behalf of the MMA community at this event and it proves that the love and passion that we all have for this sport is alive and present in all of us. As a professional Mixed Martial Arts competitor for the last 10 years, I would just like to state that MMA has instilled the work ethic, character, and overall man that I am today.

“MMA contains some of the finest, most passionate, athletically gifted athletes in the world with Ontario holding many of these. Due to our Provincial government’s viewpoint and rather ‘neglection’ of the sport, it still remains at a grass roots level in the Province, as opposed to a National and International level that I believe that it should be on—and deserves to be on.

“MMA deserves to be showcased in a sanctioned, regulated, taxed environment in our Province, the same that has been shown proven and so successful in Quebec, Alberta, and soon B.C. in the coming month.

“As an athlete and business owner, the withholding of sanctioning MMA in Ontario hinders my financial well-doing with such aspects of competing, sponsorship, limitation of promotion, as well as, notoriety as an ambassador to the sport. I stand here, a proud member of the Mixed Martial Arts community asking for acceptance, sanctioning, and promotion of the sport that I truly love.”

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Sean Pierson: “Growing up from a wrestling background, my parents never missed a wrestling match for about 10 years straight. I started wrestling in grade four and wrestled all the way through the University level. My parents were at every match, all the time. I look at my career now as a pro fighter and things are completely opposite. I myself, am just looking for the opportunity to have my family actually see me compete. I haven’t had my family actually be able to show up live to an event yet because I’ve never fought in Ontario. I guess I’m being a bit selfish but I want them to see what I do now, and how much I have grown as an athlete, and how much I respect what they have done for me in the past.

“Not being legal in Ontario has made this a tough sport to grow up in. The profile of me as a fighter is—I work a full-time job, I’m a father, I’m a husband, and without the support of MMA in Ontario, it’s made it tough to be a grass roots fighter growing up. My colleagues will all contest that on the lower levels, we all have to work other jobs. I’m at a time in my life right now where first and foremost, I have to make sure that I take care of my family. I can’t base my career off of hopes and dreams all of the time. I have to make sure that my family and my son are taken care of first, and then my career as a fighter is taken care of second.

“Without the support in Ontario that we’re now getting in, with everybody here, ya know—I almost want to tear up—but feeling that it could be legalized in Ontario in the near future makes it so that guys like myself and upcoming fighters throughout the system will be able to follow a dream and get better support from their community.”

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Gerald Chopik: “I love this country and I love this Province and all that it stands for, including the fact that we can actually get up here on the lawn in front of the Legislature and voice our disagreement with their current position. If you watch the news everyday—that’s not something that you can do in every country. So we begin from that perspective. We are really appreciative of the opportunity to state our position here today.

“When I started Mixed Martial Arts Expo, the Company in 2004, honestly I never imagined for a moment that six years later I would be standing here saying ‘c’mon! Let’s get with the program!’

“We’ve had lots of examples today of hard working businesses—people ‘duking’ it out in the industry today, whether you’re fighters, there’s a retail community, there’s the health and wellness, and the fitness end with all the gyms and everyone else in Ontario today working their butts off in a tough economy and still delivering good tax dollars to the Province in a market which is being stifled by the inability to sanction an MMA event.

“We all know it’s going to happen and we all know that it’s going to happen reasonable soon, so the question really is, ‘what are we waiting for,’ if we’re stifling it today?

“Our objective here today really is to raise awareness for the Mixed Martial Arts to the general consumer and to the Government and to the politicians that are out there. I can’t help but to draw a comparison to some of the silly things that we have had to go through in the last few decades, and off the top I would say that the ban on Sunday shopping—that went on for a long time—that was crazy. We also had the ban on having an alcoholic beverage with your meal and you couldn’t buy a lottery ticket. How silly those things are now when we look back on them today. The scenario with MMA is really no different at all.

“It’s time for the change.

“Premier McGuinty, we would say that it is time for a change and our Government and our policies and politicians have to keep pace with that change. I really do want to make a point that now is the time to green-light MMA in the Province. Now is the right time to move forward—it’s going to happen eventually anyway. Thank you. It is the long weekend and we sincerely appreciate the time, energy and effort that you have taken to show up here today.

“In closing, I just want to say—Premier McGuinty, we’re here to tell you that the Provinces current position on the sanctioning of MMA is way out of date. We’re behind the other Provinces and we are definitely behind the times. The time for change is now, so let’s green-light more legitimate business in the Province of Ontario. Let’s green-light more world class athletes like the ones that we have sitting up here today from the Province of Ontario and let’s green-light more jobs in the Province of Ontario. Let’s take advantage of these opportunities now. Let’s green-light MMA in Ontario and let’s get it done today. Thank you very much everyone for coming out today.”

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I told you fight fans—reasons for legalization examined to perfection.

It was truly an honour to be in attendance and to be a part of our Provincial history.

I will simply leave you with this:

Mixed Martial Arts is about discipline, skill, agility and most importantly, mental strength. These factors make this sport more than just mindless fighting and brawling. It is about training, physical education, and perseverance, all of which are advantageous qualities for the youth of today.

And in case you are not familiar with my work-to-date, please note that our younger generation of athletes are my absolute priority in life.

Perhaps it should become the priority of our Canadian Government as well. If you want to ban something Premier McGuinty, try banning alcohol, or better yet, video games.

But please…leave MMA alone. Our inactive youth desperately need something positive to believe in.

Thank you
James Ryan

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MMA ONTARIO PETITION: Please sign the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ontariomma/

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(Left-to-Right) Loudon Owen, Shah Franco, Sean Pierson, “Showdown Joe” Ferraro, Jeff Joslin, Carlos Newton, Mark Hominick, and Gerald Chopik

MMA Day a Success: Reasons for Legalization Examined to Perfection is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

The event was hosted by Ontario businessman, radio announcer, and mixed-martial arts instructor (and former UFC competitor), Jeff Joslin.

Also in attendance were representatives from the tourism and hospitality industries, local and provincial politicians, and many of the brightest stars in the Ontario MMA community, including:

“Showdown Joe” Ferraro (MMA Analyst; Host of MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet), Loudon Owen (Chairman of the Fight Network), Carlos Newton (Business Owner; First-ever Canadian UFC Champion), Mark Hominick (Business Owner; professional MMA fighter), Shah Franco (BJJ and MMA Instructor; Pro Fighter Coach), Sean Pierson (Bellator Welterweight Pro Fighter), and many more…

MMA Day organizer and president of Mixed Martial Arts Expo, Gerald Chopik, stated that, “MMA Day on May 22 gives Ontario families, related industry workers, and MMA athletes and fans the opportunity to raise awareness about not only how they—but the province at large—will benefit from MMA being sanctioned in Ontario.”

Given that I only live approximately one hour outside of Toronto (Niagara Region), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show my support for the sport that I love—despite the crappy weather.

For starters, I had a chance to finally introduce myself to my Facebook friend, “Showdown Joe” Ferraro.

This is my brief interview with Joe before the start of the event.

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James Ryan: Mr. Showdown, how are you sir?

Showdown Joe: Great, how about yourself?

James Ryan: Doing great! James Ryan…nice to finally meet you in person.

Showdown Joe: Hey James! Great to finally meet you also.

James Ryan: Thanks. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about today?

Showdown Joe: Not at all. Shoot!

James Ryan: So here we are at MMA Day and it was a battle to get through downtown traffic of course, but once we got here, I have to admit, I expected to see a few more people. Where is everybody? [Laughs]

Showdown Joe: Well, I want to choose my words carefully [Laughs].

Being around this business for a very long time, especially in the province of Ontario, I told parts of the team organizing this event, if we get “X” amount of people, I’ll be happy. They were going with “Y” amount of people, we’re gonna get “this many” people. I told them not to expect the turnout to be as big as we think it’s going to be because I understand the mentality here of the fans in Ontario.

But those that are here are the most vocal and the happiest. These are the true fans of mixed-martial arts. I really love it.

The thing in Ontario that I find is that many of the fans like the big show. They want to be at the big show, right? And a lot of the stuff that I got by Facebook or via email was, “So who’s competing? Who’s fighting?” And it’s like—no, no, this is a rally. We’re going to raise awareness about mixed-martial arts so one day you can actually come out and support an event, whether it’s the grass roots or a big time event like the UFC.

In the meantime, we’re trying to sanction this sport, trying to regulate it, trying to get the government to be aware that this is a great sport.

You’re only going to get handfuls of people that are going to come out to support this. We tried our best to get as many people out there. I’m actually happy with the people that are here. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is having a good time, checking out all the tents, but you know, it is what it is in Ontario, right?

James Ryan: Well I think that the rain is probably a bit of an issue today as well. For lack of a better word…it sucks! [Laughs]

Showdown Joe: [Laughs] Yes absolutely, the rain isn’t helping.

And you know the traffic situation. You’ve got the traffic, plus we were also told that the TTC Subway stop here that lets people off right across the road is actually closed down. They’re re-routing so that it stops just one block north, or one block south, so hopefully there aren’t that many people right now out there wandering around going “where do I go? Where do I go?” [Laughs] But everything is pretty close and again we still have about another 15 or 20 minutes to go. People are coming. You can see people walking down the streets that are showing up so, good times.

James Ryan: Ya, it’s actually a really good turnout when you consider all of that.

I was reading on your Facebook page the other day about the UFC’s upcoming announcement. Was this day organized in anticipation of the UFC’s “big announcement” or how long have you been planning this event?

Showdown Joe: We started organizing MMA Day in full about three to four weeks ago. We did approach the UFC, just to let them know what we were doing. The last thing that you want to do, I mean, it’s one of those things, where you let the “big show” know.

I’m always in front of Dana White, whether I’m at an event or not.

There are so many other people that we speak to. The organizers work with the UFC, so we try to let them know ahead of time—here’s what we’re doing, here’s what we plan on doing, and of course you’re going to ask them if they want to be involved.

So they’re aware of what we’re doing and they have their press release that’s coming out talking about a major announcement on Tuesday. I have a good feeling that I know what that announcement is going to be. I think they’re opening up offices in Canada, but that’s their announcement. That’s their thing. There are also other things that they are doing.

What we’re trying to do is get the sport sanctioned and raise the awareness in Ontario to get this done which in essence helps the UFC and helps grass roots MMA.

James: Wow, MMA Offices in Ontario would be a huge step for this sport. Let’s hope you’re right [Laughs]. Not to steal the thunder away from the UFC but since they have already announced that they will be making a “big announcement,” we’re obviously allowed to speculate on what we think that might be, right?

Joe: Precisely.

James Ryan: Joe, this has been awesome. Thank you so much for speaking with me and best of luck today.

Showdown Joe: Thanks James. My pleasure.

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In the next few days, I plan on releasing statements from all of the guest speakers. Combined, they provided exceptional insight into everything positive about this sport and absolutely reinforced why I love it so much.

Thanks to everyone today for the inspiration.

Cheers

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MMA ONTARIO PETITION: Please sign the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ontariomma/

The All-Mighty CN Tower (this photo was taken on a NICE day!!)

Jacob Ryan-Albertyn (my son, age 13 – plays MLB and RB) and Anthony Carbone (age 13 – plays QB)
According to my son, his plan was to make a face in every picture that I took today…hmmmm… let’s put it to the test, shall we?

Beautiful girls seemed to put an end to the “face-making” pretty quick!! LMAO!

“Showdown Joe” Ferraro welcomes the MMA supporters in attendance

Yeeeaahhhh!!! People!!

Jacob, James Ryan, “Showdown Joe,” and Anthony

Jacob, Angie Chessman (MMA Connected), and Anthony

Carlos Newton with a bit of a wardrobe malfunction

(Left-to-Right) Loudon Owen, Shah Franco, Sean Pierson, “Showdown Joe” Ferraro, Jeff Joslin, Carlos Newton, Mark Hominick, and Gerald Chopik

James and Angie

Cool shirts coutesy of JAKT Apparel

Anthony, Mark Hominick, and Jacob

Jacob, Sean Pierson, and Anthony

Anthony, Jeff Joslin, and Jacob

Jacob, Gerald Chopik, and Anthony

Carlos Newton and James Ryan about to throw down!?!?!…

…Naaaaaa…we’re buds!

MMA Day in Ontario and the UFC’s Upcoming “Big Announcement” is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

This was in the news today (April 3) and I just had to post in onto my blog. Why?

Quite simply—it’s beyond tragic.

And not just because he was a football player.

James was a very young man with a very promising future and I think that as the details are revealed, it will serve as a valuable lesson to young people (not just athletes) as they start to learn about the dangers associated with “partying.”

Like anyone, I can only speculate and make assumptions at this point, but unless foul play was a factor, it’s pretty safe to assume that alcohol was involved to some degree.

Alcohol + A Feeling of Invincibility = Poor Judgement

My thoughts and prayers go out to the James family, as well as his friends and teammates.

If anyone hears of any news or updates, please leave them in the comment section below. It would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
James

Matt James, Top Irish Signee, Dead After Spring Break Balcony Fall
By Matt Hinton
Yahoo! Sports Canada

As his future teammates sweated out the first days of spring practice in South Bend, prized Notre Dame signee Matt James was sweating out one of his final weeks of high school the usual way for an outgoing senior, on spring break in Florida. That week ended abruptly and tragically Friday evening, days before James’ 18th birthday, when the 6′6″, 290-pound Cincinnati blue-chip fell to his death from a hotel balcony:

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – St. Xavier offensive lineman Matt James, one of the nation’s most sought-after football recruits, died Friday in a fall from a hotel balcony on a Gulf of Mexico beach while on spring break.
James, 17, died almost instantly after falling from a third-floor balcony at about 6:25 p.m. at the Days Inn on Front Beach Road, according to police reports cited by WJHG-TV in Panama City.

In Florida, Panama City Beach police are continuing to investigate details of the incident.

“The best that we know is Matt fell,” Gary Massa [father of St. Xavier quarterback and fellow Irish signee Luke Massa, who was with James in Florida] said.

Without confirmation on the cause of the fall, it would be unfair to present the obvious assumption that alcohol was involved as a fact. There are a number of balcony falls on spring break and other alcohol-fuelled occasions every year, one of the reasons officials have tried to distance the annual Florida-Georgia game from its unofficial brand as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party; WJHG-TV reported another spring breaker from Georgia fell to his death last week about a mile from the hotel where James fell on Friday.

James’ death is tragic, but pending further details, it is not necessarily freakish.

Students at St. Xavier High in Cincinnati — already hit with one senseless death earlier this school year when another classmate was hit by a car and killed last September — set up an impromptu vigil for one of the community’s rising stars late Friday night, as well as a Facebook group with nearly 2,900 members as of 6 a.m. ET. Last month, St. Xavier coach Steve Specht told an Irish Web site James was “the biggest freshman who ever walked through the doors” at the school, but was “just so clumsy” that coaches weren’t sure he’d ever be able to play.

Friday night, Specht described James as a “perfect” player to the site, but didn’t get much further because, he said, “I just can’t do this right now.”

Matt James, Top Irish Signee, Dead After Spring Break Balcony Fall is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan

“Vehicle Driven Into Front of Fallsview Casino

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009, a lone male drove his vehicle into the front of the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, following a series of incidents in the city.

Earlier, the male had been involved in a dispute at a residence in Niagara Falls. The dispute resulted in the male assaulting a male and a female with a weapon and fleeing the residence in his vehicle.

Police encountered the vehicle as it drove through the North end of Niagara Falls. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the male continued driving. The pursuit ended when the male intentionally drove into the front entrance of the Fallsview Casino.

Fortunately, no patrons were injured when the vehicle drove through the front of the casino and the vehicle came to rest a short distance from the gaming floor.

A 51year old male from Niagara Falls was quickly taken into custody without incident. Several charges are pending.

The male and female victims of the initial assault are being treated at hospital for serious but non life threatening injuries.

Further details will follow.”

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Even though I live about ten minutes away from the Fallsview Casino, this news really didn’t shock me when I heard about it (the part about the crash) over the radio. It seems like every three months or so, someone is driving a car through a plate-glass window of some sort of business. I figured that it was no biggie – just chalk it up to drunken driving…again.

A couple of days later, I was at my mother’s house opening Christmas gifts and she asked me if I had heard about Harold Howard.

“No” I said, “what about him”?

You see… I grew up as a local martial artist in the Niagara Region and had even trained briefly under Harold.

In fact, my very first ever full-contact point-fighting tournament (it was an “open” tournament, meaning that it allowed all styles of fighting) was hosted by Harold Howard. Unfortunately, I lost in the finals, but I wasn’t overly disappointed in myself given that I was 15-years old at the time competing in my very first full-contact event against grown men in my weight class.

I was mostly proud of the fact however, that I even beat one of Harold’s prized Jui-Jitsu students who also happened to be a very young black belt at the time.

Although, no real information can be found out about Harold through Wikipedia, I knew him as a well-respected World Heavyweight Judo, Karate and Jui-Jitsu Champion who trained in multiple fighting disciplines. Please remember that this was years before his appearance in UFC 3.

In case you didn’t know, Harold Howard was the real deal. A true mixed-martial artist who was a very well tested (and rumour had it – unbeaten) street fighter.

Well my jaw nearly dropped to the floor when my mother told me that it was Harold who had crashed his truck into the Casino. And to add to my surprise were the details of the incidents leading up to the crash.

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I found this today in the Niagara Falls Review (posted four days ago):

“Martial artist Harold Howard, who police allege drove his pick-up truck through the front doors of the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls early Tuesday morning, has been released from hospital and remains in police custody.

He was reported to have a few bruises, but no serious injuries, said Niagara Regional Police Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson.

Howard, 51, is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, attempted break and enter, fail to remain, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief and two counts of breach of recognizance.

Howard remains in custody pending a bail hearing.”

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According to my mom, the weapon that Harold had used was a “hammer”.

The first question I asked myself was “why would he need a hammer”? It seemed to me that if he wanted to hurt someone, he could have easily done it without a weapon of any sorts.

It certainly puts the charge of “attempted murder” into context.

Wow…

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I know that this may seem like a black eye on MMA (at least that’s how many will probably perceive it), but this isn’t about the UFC or MMA. This is about a man’s life and his obvious desperation.

Harold Howard spent many years as a community leader and martial artist who did more than most people will ever understand or appreciate to promote the sport of martial arts.

I don’t know Harold Howard.

I “knew” him yes, but I don’t know him.

My heart truly goes out to his family and children – and obviously the victims – but for all I know, they had it coming (although “self-defence” seems very unlikely).

But that’s for the courts to decide.

Desperate men will do desperate things. How unfortunate for Sensei Harold that his life has now come to this.

UFC Pioneer Harold Howard is Not Having a Very Merry Christmas is my opinion, I have more, visit my website: James Ryan