UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) SERIAL NO: 75/982336
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Zuffa, LLC
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) PARKER H. BAGLEY, ESQ
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY LLP
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 1 CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) NEW YORK, NY 10005-1413
`
`ULTIMATE FIGHTING
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`2900 Crystal Drive
`Arlington, VA 22202-3514
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160) 36784-05500
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please provide in all correspondence:
`
`(cid:160)1
`
`.(cid:160) Filing date, serial number, mark
`and
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`applicant's name.
`2.(cid:160) Date of this Office Action.
`3.(cid:160) Examining Attorney's name and
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Law Office number.
`4. Your telephone number and e-mail
`address.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`O AVOID ABANDONMENT, WE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`OFFICE ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OUR MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Serial Number(cid:160) 75/982336
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`his letter responds to the communication received May 20, 2004.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n a previous action, registration of the mark was refused under Section 2(e)(1) of the Trademark Act
`because the mark is merely descriptive of the applicant’s services and because applicant’s present claim
`of acquired distinctiveness is insufficient.(cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 2(e)(1) and 2(f), 15 U.S.C.
`§§1052(e)(1) and 1052(f); In re Andes Candies Inc., 478 F.2d 1264, 178 USPQ 156 (C.C.P.A. 1973);
`Ralston Purina Co. v. Thomas J. Lipton, Inc., 341 F. Supp. 129, 173 USPQ 820 (S.D.N.Y. 1972); In re
`MetPath, Inc., 1 USPQ2d 1750 (TTAB 1986); In re Redken Laboratories, Inc., 170 USPQ 526 (TTAB
`1971); In re Interstate Folding Box Co., 167 USPQ 241 (TTAB 1970).
`
`(cid:160)U
`
`nder Section 2(f), applicant has the burden of proving the acquired distinctiveness of the mark.(cid:160) Yamaha
`International Corp. v. Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd., 840 F.2d 1572, 6 USPQ2d 1001 (Fed. Cir. 1988).(cid:160) To
`establish this acquired distinctiveness, a manufacturer must show that, in the minds of the public, the
`primary significance of a proposed mark is to identify the source of the product or service rather than to
`identify the product or service itself.(cid:160) See TMEP §§1212.01 and 1212.03.(cid:160) This has not been done in the
`
`present case.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`Specifically, the attached additional evidence from LEXIS/NEXIS® and a computerized internet search
`shows that ULTIMATE FIGHTING is incapable of being a source indicator of applicant’s services.(cid:160)
`Applicant has claimed acquired distinctiveness by submitting multiple third party declarations and
`evidence regarding the proprietary nature of the term.(cid:160) This is insufficient as indicated below.
`
`The proposed mark is incapable of serving as a source-identifier for applicant’s goods and/or services.(cid:160)
`Therefore, the refusal of registration under Section 2(e)(1) as to Class 41 is maintained and made FINAL
`and the refusal of registration because the mark is generic as to Class 41 is maintained and made FINAL.
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`egistration Refused -Final
`Registration was refused because the proposed mark is merely descriptive of the identified services in
`Class 41.(cid:160) Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1); TMEP §§1209.01(c) et seq.(cid:160) Moreover,
`the proposed mark appears to be generic as applied to the services and, therefore, incapable of functioning
`as a source-identifier for applicant’s
`services.(cid:160)
`In re Management Recruiters International, Inc., 1
`USPQ2d 1079 (TTAB 1986).
`
`(cid:160)U
`
`nder these circumstances, neither an amendment to proceed under Trademark Act Section 2(f), 15
`U.S.C. §1052(f), nor an amendment to the Supplemental Register, can be recommended.
`
`(cid:160)G
`
`eneric terms are terms that the relevant purchasing public understands primarily as the common or class
`name for the goods or services.(cid:160) In re Dial-A-Mattress Operating Corp., 240 F.3d 1341, 57 USPQ2d 1807
`(Fed. Cir. 2001); In re American Fertility Society, 188 F.3d 1341, 51 USPQ2d 1832 (Fed. Cir. 1999); In
`re Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 828 F.2d 1567, 4 USPQ2d 1141 (Fed. Cir. 1987); H.
`Marvin Ginn Corp. v. Int'l Ass'n of Fire Chiefs, Inc., 782 F.2d 987, 228 USPQ 528 (Fed. Cir. 1986).(cid:160)
`Generic terms are by definition incapable of indicating a particular source of the goods or services, and
`cannot be registered as trademarks; doing so “would grant the owner of the mark a monopoly, since a
`competitor could not describe his goods as what they are.” In re Merrill Lynch, 828 F.2d at 1569, 4
`USPQ2d at 1142.(cid:160) The terms ULTIMATE and FIGHTING, when combined and used in conjunction with
`the described services, are incapable of indicating a particular source of the services.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`s previously indicated by excerpts from LEXIS/NEXIS®, the wording “ULTIMATE FIGHTING” is
`defined as mixed martial arts and mixed martial arts is referred to as ultimate fighting.(cid:160) Thus, the phrase
`describes a type of athletic competition.(cid:160) The applicant provides live stage shows and performances in the
`nature of championships featuring mixed martial arts, or ultimate fighting displays. Therefore, the
`wording “ULTIMATE FIGHTING” describes the services by their common commercial name and
`nature.(cid:160) Consumers seeking instruction in mixed martial arts refer to the sport as ultimate fighting.(cid:160)
`Similarly, consumers seeking entertainment in the nature of live performances of ultimate fighting will
`describe the competition as one in mixed martial arts.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n asserting the acquired distinctiveness of the wording ULTIMATE FIGHTING, the applicant argues
`that the mark is recognized as a source indicator and attaches copies of thirty-one declarations asserting
`recognition of the mark as a source indicator.(cid:160) The examining attorney agrees that the whole mark, as
`proposed, may be recognized as a source indicator.(cid:160) The mark in its entirety is not descriptive or generic.(cid:160)
`The only wording that is generic and thus must be disclaimed is “ULTIMATE FIGHTING” and it is
`generic only as to Class 41 services.(cid:160) The declarations all aver that the wording ULTIMATE FIGHTING
`and ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP are not generic and have been used for many years to
`identify the mixed martial arts competitions promoted by the applicant.(cid:160) The boilerplate declaration form
`drafted by the applicant is not persuasive evidence of acquired distinctiveness.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant argues that the mark is not generic because the evidence submitted by the examining
`
`

`
`attorney “constitutes nothing more than sporadic misuse by the media of a mark.” See Response p. 2.(cid:160)
`The applicant further argues that the applicant and its predecessor “have been the exclusive trademark
`users since 1993.” See Response p. 2.(cid:160) Trademark rights are not static, and eligibility for registration must
`be determined on the basis of the facts and evidence in the record at the time registration is sought.(cid:160) In re
`Morton-Norwich Products, Inc., 671 F.2d 1332, 213 USPQ 9, 18 (C.C.P.A. 1982); In re Thunderbird
`Products Corp., 406 F.2d 1389, 160 USPQ 730 (C.C.P.A. 1969).(cid:160) A term that was once arbitrary or
`suggestive may lose its distinguishing and origin denoting characteristics through use in a descriptive
`sense over a period of time, and come to be regarded by the purchasing public as nothing more than a
`descriptive designation.(cid:160)
`In re Digital Research, Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1242, 1243 (TTAB 1987); In re
`International Spike, Inc., 190 USPQ 505, 507 (TTAB 1976).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant argues that the applicant coined the term ULTIMATE FIGHTING and that the term was
`“virtually non-existent prior to November 1993.” (cid:160) See Response. P. 2. The fact that an applicant may be
`the first and sole user of a merely descriptive or generic designation does not justify registration where the
`evidence shows that the term is merely descriptive or generic of the identified goods and/or services.(cid:160) In
`re Acuson, 225 USPQ 790 (TTAB 1985) (COMPUTED SONOGRAPHY descriptive of ultrasonic
`imaging instruments); In re National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc., 219 USPQ 1018 (TTAB 1983)
`(SHOOTING, HUNTING, OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW AND CONFERENCE held apt descriptive name
`for conducting and arranging trade shows in the hunting, shooting and outdoor sports products field);
`TMEP §1209.03(c).(cid:160) The examining attorney attaches additional evidence from LEXIS/NEXIS® and
`computerized research showing use of the wording ULTIMATE FIGHTING to describe a type of mixed
`martial arts.(cid:160) The applicant argues that the term is recognized as coined in that it appears in quotes in the
`applicant’s computerized searches. The examining attorney agrees that where the wording appears in
`quotes or in upper case letters it probably refers to the applicant and the applicant’s services.(cid:160) Similarly,
`as in the evidence attached here and previously, where the applicant and its services are not mentioned and
`where the term is found in all lower case letters referring to mixed martial arts, the phrase appears
`descriptive and/or generic in reference to entertainment services and championship show services.
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`inal Response Requirements
`If applicant fails to respond to this final action within six months of the mailing date, the application will
`
`be abandoned.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a).(cid:160) Applicant may respond to this final action by:(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160) submitting a response that fully satisfies all outstanding requirements, if feasible (37 C.F.R.
`§2.64(a)); and/or
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160) filing an appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, with an appeal fee of $100 per class (37
`C.F.R. §§2.6(a)(18) and 2.64(a); TMEP §§715.01 and 1501 et seq.; TBMP Chapter 1200).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n certain circumstances, a petition to the Director may be filed to review a final action that is limited to
`procedural issues, pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(2).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a).(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.146(b),
`TMEP §1704, and TBMP Chapter 1201.05 for an explanation of petitionable matter.(cid:160) The petition fee is
`$100.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.6(a)(15).
`
`/Lauriel F. Dalier/
`Trademark Attorney Law Office 113
`tel: (703) 308-9113 x169(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`fax: (703) 746-8113
`responses: www.uspto.gov/teas
`informal
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`How to respond to this Office Action:
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), visit
`http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html and follow the instructions.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o respond formally via regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing Return Address listed
`above and include the serial number, law office and examining attorney’s name on the upper right corner
`of each page of your response.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`o check the status of your application at any time, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and
`Registrations Retrieval (TARR) system at http://tarr.uspto.gov/
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or general and other useful information about trademarks, you are encouraged to visit the Office’s web
`site at http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`OR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE
`ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY.
`
`(cid:160) *
`
`***************************013028******************************
`
`SEND TO: DALIER, LAURIEL(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2101 CRYSTAL PLAZA ARC(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`MAILBOX 314(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`ARLINGTON,
`
`VIRGINIA
`
`22202-4600
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`MAIL-IT REQUESTED: FEBRUARY 18, 2004(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`10083K
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`CLIENT:
`LIBRARY: NEWS
`FILE: CURNWS
`
`(cid:160) Y
`
`OUR SEARCH REQUEST AT THE TIME THIS MAIL-IT WAS REQUESTED:
`(cid:160) NOCAPS(ULTIMATE FIGHTING) AND NOT ZUFFA AND NOT "ULTIMATE FIGHTING
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`CHAMPIONSHIP!"
`
`(cid:160) N
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160) L
`
`UMBER OF STORIES FOUND WITH YOUR REQUEST THROUGH:
`LEVEL(cid:160)(cid:160)
`1...(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`272
`
`EVEL(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`1 PRINTED
`
`(cid:160) T
`
`HE SELECTED(cid:160) STORY NUMBERS:
`1-2,7,9,11,13,17,21,24,28,36,40,60,64-65,69,71-74
`
`(cid:160) D
`
`ISPLAY FORMAT: 30 VAR KWIC
`
`SEND TO: DALIER, LAURIEL
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2101 CRYSTAL PLAZA ARC
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`MAILBOX 314
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`ARLINGTON VIRGINIA 22202-4600
`
`**********************************00527**********************************
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2004 The New York Sun, One SL, LLC
`All Rights Reserved
`The New York Sun
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`February 12, 2004 Thursday
`
`SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 16
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ENGTH: 835 words
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`HEADLINE: Iron Mike Bankrupt In So Many Ways
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: WALLACE MATTHEWS
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... champion of the world is now virtually homeless.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "He bounces around between a couple of places," the friend said. "Girlfriend here, hotel there. He lives,
`
`essentially, on the kindness of strangers."
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Most recently, Tyson has been the beneficiary of an outfit called K-1,which promotes " ultimate
`fighting "- basically legalized mayhem without gloves or discernible rules - in the hopes of someday
`promoting an "event" between Tyson and its own baddest man on the planet, 365-pound Bob Sapp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Around Christmas time, K-1 advanced ...
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2004 The Kansas City Star
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`The Kansas City Star
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`February 6, 2004 Friday 2 EDITION
`
`SECTION: D; Pg. 6
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ENGTH: 719 words
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`EADLINE: He's a big help for MU wrestling;
`Senior heavyweight Whitehead boosts Tigers after transfer from Oregon school
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: By IAN GUERIN; Special to the Star
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... pretty fearless," Whitehead said.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Coming from Whitehead, that's quite a compliment.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Whitehead isn't just a 275-pound behemoth currently ranked 13th in the country by the Intermat Web
`site, but someone who competes in (cid:160) ultimate(cid:160)(cid:160)
`fighting(cid:160) matches, once going the final 18 minutes of one
`with separated ribs.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Such toughness has helped Whitehead -- a transfer from Southern Oregon -- post a 17-5 record since
`
`becoming eligible in December. His efforts have helped Missouri improve to ...
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... who is mature and who has won big matches before."
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) He already has won tough matches for the Tigers this season, helping the team to one tournament
`
`victory and six dual-meet wins since he became eligible Dec. 28.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Of course, compared with (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) contests, these matches may have seemed easy.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Figuring out how to handle 9-year-old Quinn Smith? That's another story.
`
`

`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2004 The Kansas City Star
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`The Kansas City Star
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`January 26, 2004 Monday 1 EDITION
`
`SECTION: C; BRIEF; Pg. 2
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ENGTH: 452 words
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`EADLINE: TOM SMITH'S THE WEEK AHEAD
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`
`... for Big Blue Monday at The Fieldhouse Sports Cafe, 9617 W. 87th St. in Overland Park. Assistant
`coach Joe Dooley will discuss the Jayhawks and answer questions starting at 7.
`
`(cid:160)W
`
`ednesday
`
`Professional boxing and (cid:160) ultimate fighting,(cid:160) which features a mix of martial arts, will be part of Battle
`Star XVII starting at 7 p.m. at Ameristar Casino. Alvin Brown of Grandview will battle Mark Burse of
`Las Vegas for the International Boxing Association's ...
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2004 Rockford Register Star (Rockford, IL)
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`Rockford Register Star (Rockford, IL)
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`January 18, 2004 Sunday
`
`SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 1D
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ENGTH: 423 words
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`EADLINE: Quick Shots
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: Matt Trowbridge, Staff
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`
`(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The IDPR lumped Toughman in with (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) and barroom-brawl type events. Toughman is
`
`not nearly as vicious as those two. With its use of headgear, heavily padded gloves and far-shorter rounds,
`Toughman is probably less dangerous than regular boxing and kickboxing.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Coordinator key for Lovie
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) A qualified ...
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2004 Capital-Gazette Communications, Inc.(cid:160)
`The Maryland Gazette
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`January 17, 2004 Saturday
`
`SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. C3
`
`(cid:160)L
`
`ENGTH: 735 words
`
`(cid:160)H
`
`EADLINE: Severn gym owners promote 'all-out' fighting methods
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Take a little bit of kickboxing, add some wrestling and throw in some martial arts and adrenalin, and
`you've got (cid:160) ultimate fighting.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The no-holds-barred, all-out fighting is surging in popularity, and trainers and fighters say the sport is
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`about to explode in Maryland.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "We're not just fighters beating people up," says Duke Koblinsky, co-owner of a ...
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... April, Matt "the Law" Lindland, who won an Olympic silver medal in wrestling in 2000.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) To put on major fights, Koblinsky would have to get the Maryland General Assembly to give the
`Maryland State Athletic Commission the OK to sanction (cid:160)(cid:160) ultimate fighting,(cid:160) something many states have
`been reluctant to do.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) As Maryland law now stands, mixed martial arts matches and tournaments aren't expressly allowed,
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`said Patrick Pannella, executive director of the commission. The commission sanctions and oversees other
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`sports like boxing and kickboxing.(cid:160) ...
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... governing body for mixed martial arts.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "There are a lot of concerns the commission has regarding extreme or no-holds-barred fighting events,"
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`Pannella said.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Koblinsky and Smith know they have an uphill battle, especially when it comes to dispelling the notion
`that (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) is a dangerous sport.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Smith is quick to point out that no one ever has been killed in an (cid:160) ultimate(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`fighting(cid:160) match. And most
`bouts don't even end with knockouts - often one fighter "taps out" after getting stuck in an agonizing
`choke hold or a painful joint lock.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Of course, there have been scores of broken noses, broken limbs and ...
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`

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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Copyright 2004 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.(cid:160)
`Chicago Sun-Times
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`January 15, 2004 Thursday
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`SECTION: NEWS SPECIAL EDITION; Pg. 28
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 291 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: State bans Toughman competitions
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`(cid:160)B
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`YLINE: Art Golab
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... scheduled for February in Peoria and Rockford.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Toughman contests are open only to amateurs, few of whom are trained or conditioned to fight, state
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`officials contend. They also say Dore has a pattern of tailoring his contests to evade regulation.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The new rules extend the definition of " ultimate fighting, " which is already illegal, to include
`Toughman events. The law banning (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) allows the state Department of Professional
`Regulation to define it.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Also banned are competitions requiring unlicensed participants to fight more than once a month. Golden
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`Gloves and United States Amateur Boxing Federation events are exempt from the last provision.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Dore's firm ...
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`Copyright 2004 Biloxi Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`Biloxi Sun Herald
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`January 11, 2004 Sunday
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`SECTION: B; BRIEF; Pg. 3
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`ENGTH: 813 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: AROUND THE REGION
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
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`... A professional fighter from Houma is hanging up his gloves to begin training for a different kind of
`fight.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Ricky Folse, 24, said he's spent the last four years as a professional fighter training in kick boxing,
`boxing and (cid:160) ultimate fighting.(cid:160) He's won a number of fights including the middleweight championship of
`the New Orleans 2001 Fight Fest.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) But Folse said none of his victories compare to the pride he has in his latest training endeavor - to be a
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`soldier in the U.S. Army.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "I've been thinking ...
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`Copyright 2004 Lancaster Eagle Gazette (Lancaster, OH)
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`Lancaster Eagle Gazette (Lancaster, OH)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`January 6, 2004 Tuesday
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`SECTION: Pg. 1B
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 812 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: A linch 'pin' of success
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`(cid:160)B
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`YLINE: JOSH HACHAT, jhachat£nncogannett.com
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... lit in Juarez. Enter the cage.
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`Juarez took part in three cage fights over the summer, all of which were put on by Hammerhouse, a
`popular fighting group in central Ohio. It often puts on (cid:160)(cid:160) ultimate fighting -type matches throughout the
`area. Juarez fought three times -- once in Columbus, the Lancaster Fairgrounds and Circleville -- and came
`away a winner each time.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The wrestling background helped, as most fighters in (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) specialize in a standing
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

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`fighting style, a la boxing or kickboxing, or a ground style, used in wrestling or jujitsu. Out of it, Juarez
`has become more assertive on the mat for the Gales.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "I think it ...
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Copyright 2004 CTV Television, Inc.(cid:160)
`CTV Television, Inc.
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`SHOW: CTV NEWS
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`January 4, 2004, Sunday 23:00:00 - 23:30:00 Eastern Time
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 409 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`(cid:160)A
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`EADLINE: A famous Canadian athlete who is unknown at home
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`NCHOR: SANDIE RINALDO
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`games, like, totally wow!
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`(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... Fighter]: Come home and play your own video
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CHAO: Totally wow for a world champion fighter. Newton is one of the best
`in a brutal sport where almost anything goes. Known as (cid:160) ultimate fighting,(cid:160) it's
`a showdown of skills between Martial artists, watched by millions worldwide.
`And while he won't exactly say, Newton's earnings are estimated in the
`hundreds of thousands.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) NEWTON: I do good. I'm doing fine.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CHAO: A Canadian, ...
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... who he is. Ultimate fights
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`are banned in most parts of the country.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) NEWTON: Our society has to grow first, I think, a little more before we
`
`understand what role, you know, combat sports play. You know, what is
`sportsmanship, what is violence.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CHAO: Newton says (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) is far less violent than sports like
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`hockey or football. The battles are more about technique than brutal force. The
`fighters, he adds, are mild mannered outside the rink.
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

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`(cid:160)(cid:160) NEWMAN: Our pot simmers at a much lower temperature than most other
`people's do.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CHAO: Newton hopes (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) will, one day, take off in Canada, but
`
`he's content to fight elsewhere, being a hero to fans worldwide. Steve Chao,
`CTV News, New Market, Ontario.
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`Copyright 2004 The News-Messenger (Fremont, OH)
`All Rights Reserved(cid:160)
`The News-Messenger (Fremont, OH)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`January 1, 2004 Thursday
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`SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 1B
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 619 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: Coleman's neck injury, age don't detract from ability
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`(cid:160)B
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`YLINE: Nick Mathews, Staff
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) As a senior in 1983, the future Olympian and (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) champion wrestled in the final decisive
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "I can't remember the final score," Coleman said, "but I came out and took it to him pretty good. Beating
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`match against rival Clyde in the SJCC gymnasium.
`
`Clyde, that was a ...
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... fighters can't say that."
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Coleman is scheduled to compete in a pro wrestling showcase at the jam-packed Tokyo Dome on
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`Sunday. Wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg, a longtime friend of Coleman's will be part of the event.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Wrestling and (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) are immensely popular in the United States, but the sports are not
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`taken seriously by the media. In Japan, however, they are just as popular and are covered intensely by the
`media.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Coleman said there will be 60,000 people in the Tokyo Dome. Millions will ...
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... said. "It's a very common injury. It can end your career.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "It was extremely difficult to train and fight with the injury," Coleman said. "Now, I am anxious to see
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`what I can do."
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Coleman's goal is to regain his spot atop the (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160) world.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) And he said his age doesn't matter.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Randy Courter is Pride's light-heavyweight champion, and he's 40 years old.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "Age is a number," he said. "I'm a little older, but I'm a lot smarter. Maybe not as quick, ...
`
`Copyright 2003 The Salt Lake Tribune(cid:160)
`Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
`
`December 12, 2003, Friday
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`SECTION: Final; Pg. B1
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 607 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: Ultimate Combat tries to get it right
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`(cid:160)B
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`YLINE: Kurt Kragthorpe
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... audience of 50,000 for a Sunday night show of kickboxing and fighting.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "The sport's evolved tremendously," Stidham said.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Interesting choice of words. Evolution was necessary in this business of fight promotion.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The "Ultimate Combat Experience" that Stidham sells is not to be confused with (cid:160) ultimate fighting,(cid:160)
`
`which is illegal. Even the "no-holds-barred" label is misleading, because there are rules -- nearly a full
`page of them.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Among the prohibited activities are eye gouging, hair pulling, small joint manipulation, throat strikes of
`
`any kind, grabbing the trachea, clawing the flesh, ...
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Copyright 2003 Landmark Communications, Inc.(cid:160)
`The Virginian-Pilot(Norfolk, Va.)
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`November 23, 2003 Sunday Final Edition
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`SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON, Pg. V36
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 1256 words
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: BOYS JUST LIKE TO HAVE FUN: THE MUSIC AND THE FISTS ARE POUNDING/
`AS PANKRATION ENTHUSIASTS REVEL IN THEIR SPORTY
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: Alan Keck, CORRESPONDENT
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`
`... Nov. 15 carrying two things most young people don't possess: an air of confidence well beyond his 11
`years and a deadly, 5-foot fighting stick.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Christian was the opening act of King of the Ring VII, an (cid:160) ultimate fighting(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) extravaganza sponsored
`
`by the Virginia Beach Academy of Martial Arts.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Three floors up, he stepped out of the elevator into a forest of thick necks, tight T-shirts and Asian
`
`tattoos.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Heavy rock music fired like cannons as almost ...
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2003 Providence Publications, LLC(cid:160)
`Providence Journal-Bulletin (Rhode Island)
`
`October 3, 2003, Friday East Bay Edition
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`SECTION: News; Pg. C-01
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`(cid:160)L
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`ENGTH: 990 words
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160)H
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`EADLINE: Beyond the limit
`
`(cid:160)B
`
`YLINE: Mark Reynolds Journal Staff
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) BODY:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) ... fighting.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) The sport forces an athlete to use all of his fighting skills, from boxing and striking to kicking and
`
`wrestling on the floor, known as grappling.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) "In ten to twenty years," he said, "no one is going to watch boxing."
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Extreme fighting, also known as (cid:160) ultimate fighting,(cid:160) will have to weather some criticism to stay around
`
`that long.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Tony Ventura, currently a world champion kickboxer and the owner of TNT Kickboxing in New
`
`Bedford, has more than 20 years of martial training.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Ventura expressed qualms about the knowledge of the ...
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Copyright 2003 The Tulsa World(cid:160)
`Tulsa World (Oklahoma)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)
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`September 12, 2003 Frida