Shalorus, is currently stuck in a two-fight losing streak after bouts with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jim Miller, had been undefeated in his MMA career prior to moving from the WEC to the UFC.

As the second Iranian-born fighter to compete with the UFC, Shalorus knows he has plenty of followers back home. His actual decision to begin fighting himself started after training other fighters in England.

“I got exposed to it in Europe (MMA), and when I moved to the U.S., I wanted to compete myself,” said Shalorus, in a recent interview with FindMMAGym. “Wrestling is a great foundation for MMA. It helps to have more control on dictating where the fight will go.”

Shalorus represented Great Britain in an Olympic Qualification tournament, placing 19th, and has competed in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club event, as well.

As for finding a gym as an up-and-coming student, Shalorus says, “Go to a gym with knowledgeable coaches that have your best interest at hand. You don’t want to go anywhere where you learn poor fundamentals or have coaches that are not qualified to be in your corner. Also, train with all pro levels, especially in your weight class.”

Head Instructor John Clarke is a first degree Carlson Gracie, Sr Black Belt under Fabio Araujo. John has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 12 years and has five years of folk style wrestling experience. John has also trained extensively in western boxing, muay thai, and JKD. John has trained all over the world including Thailand, South America and various locations in Europe and has had the opportunity to train under some of the worlds best instructors including Carlson Gracie, Sr, Renzo Gracie, Carlos Gracie, Jr., Boxing Hall of Famer Gaspar Ortega, Fabio Araujo, Roger Denton, Marcio Stambowsky and Kru Yoi. He owns a professional MMA record of 9-2 and has appeared on The Ultimate Fighter Season 7. In addition to MMA, John has medaled in countless wrestling, NAGA, and Grapplers Quest tournaments.

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Recently, Ludwig was given the title of fastest knockout in UFC history for his six-second destruction of Jonathan Goutlet. While the Nevada State Athletic Commission has failed to switch the win from 11 seconds to six, UFC president Dana White has given Ludwig the title.

For Ludwig, everything dates back to a decision to begin training karate at a very young age in his hometown of Denver, Colorado.

“I trained karate at eight for a few months, then Thai boxing from 15 until now,” said Ludwig, in a recent interview with FindMMAGym’s website. “MMA came to me as kickboxing died off basically. I received great experience fighting with K-1, but looking back, I wish I would have just signed with the UFC in 2003.”

As a professional kickboxer, Ludwig amassed a career record of 43-7-1, including nine victories by knockout. His MMA mark is 21-11, with 10 KO wins and six submission triumphs.

“Bang” trains with the Grudge Training Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, which is an affiliate of Jackson’s Submission Fighting. The instructors include Trevor Wittman, Mike Van Arsdale and Alvin Robinson.

For Ludwig, when finding a gym to train at, it is important to find, “a competent coach who cares for his or her members as it’s a family to me and not a business.”

Ludwig-Neer will be part of the main card for the UFC event, which features a main event pitting Melvin Guillard against Jim Miller. Ludwig-Neer will be the co-main event.

By: Dana Becker

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From our Lil Dragons and Karate for Kids programs to our Karate, Kardio Kickboxing, UBC and CDT for Adults, American Martial Arts total program of family fun and fitness and self defense is the reason tens of thousands of active students have made us their choice for getting more of a kick out of life. Our Students are Motivated, Dedicated and on a Quest to be their Best! At American Martial Arts Academy, We Empower Lives Through the Martial Arts.

Our instructors are certified and train personally with Master Ricardo Liborio; founder of American Top Team. Our teaching philosophy is based on a spirit of teamwork, family, and hardwork. These classes are primarily dedicated to AMAA members but classes are open to professional and amateur MMA practitioners from other schools.

James “the Genius” Wohlmacher, Head Instructor, is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt under Rylan Lizares and the head instructor at Gracie Technics Hillsboro. He has been training in the “gentle art” for over Eight years and has competed and won the Oregon Open, Naga Hawaii, and Oregon Sub League. Prior to Gracie Technics Hillsboro, James was training at the Newbreed Academy under the guidance of Eben Kaneshiro. James was the head instructor at the Oregon Pound in Corvallis from 2006-2007. James received his purple belt in 2006.

At the Gracie Technics Academy, we offer classes to accommodate EVERYONE (except children under 10). If you ever wanted to try a new work out or are interested in learning an effective martial art there’s no better time than now! Come into today to try a free! Gracie Technics Hillsboro is located at The Gym-Nest in Hillsboro.

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Woodley sat down with FindMMAGym.com one afternoon discussing the opening and his wishes to build the American Top Team brand in the Midwest. The dream of opening the gym was one that resulted in a longer process than you would expect.

“I’ve been thinking about it for the last seven years,” said Woodley. “That was when it first came to my mind. In terms of getting it going. That process and finding a location was probably two and a half years.”

Setting up a gym in his own hometown was a great bonus but only a small added positive compared to spreading the message of American Top Team and promoting MMA as a great source of fitness.

“It was just getting people to understand the brand of ATT and the legacy they created for team atmospheres. Everybody in Missouri and St. Louis don’t yet know who American Top Team is yet. They ask, ‘What does (American Top Team) stand for?’ It’s kind of bringing them up to speed on the history behind the academy too.”

“It’s also showing them that MMA is something you can learn for all ages and skills,” the Mizzou Tiger stand-out continued. “Not just for amateur and pro fighters but something kids and adults can learn, and you don’t have to get punched in the face when you’re learning. We have a safe environment – It’s good, it’s clean. Safe for the kids. Safe for the moms and the dads to get in there and come in there and do their thing. That’s what we’ve been trying to brand and get across.”

Regularly, a localized gym might seem an advantageous benefit for a training fighter, but as owner Woodley admits there has been little lifted off his shoulders in that regard.

“I don’t know if it’s a strain off (my shoulders) at all” Woodley playfully responded. “In the beginning it’s really crazy. You’ve got to set the foundation to function whether you’re there or not. If it’s functioning it’s good, but if it’s not, it’s bad because I’m in the gym (training). I’m just trying to do the best I can to showcase my trainers, showcase my programs and what we offer. The facilities, the environment, so people really benefit from the gym itself, and less from me and the idea that ‘Tyron is the teacher.’ We want that to be an added bonus that they can actually be trained by a professional athlete, but we want you to come in because we have good instructors.”

It’s Woodley’s ultimate wish to turn ATT Evolution into the biggest and most effective gym it can be, gathering the strengths of his team and the community. He still believes there is a lot of room for growth in a sports rich city.

“I think overall it hasn’t happened,” Woodley said with regard to a potential “Halo Effect” with MMA in St. Louis. “You have the work ethic and dedication though. The St. Louis MMA community…we’ve got to do a better job of rallying up together, and building each others’ brands. I think once we get the concept…we’re far behind when it comes to Las Vegas or Florida and California and places like that in Mixed Martial Arts…we’ve got to pull together, get each individual athlete with their story out there. Get the fans behind them, do it collectively as a city. We’ll have plenty of opportunities”

Woodley paused for a moment and continued on with his long term wishes for ATT Evolution. “I want to reach capacity. Obviously, when you do something like this, you want to get to the point where you maximize your opportunity and that location,” he began before adding an equally important note. “I just want to increase fitness in the home, and to have families come together and leave together to be a better unit as a family. That’s a goal that I and all my trainers have in mind.”

Woodley closed by thanking all of the people that helped pull ATT Evolution up into where it is today.

“I want to thank all the people that supported me. Clinch Gear, ATT, my wife. I want to thank everybody that supports me and believes in me, and believes in the vision I have, because it’s been more than just training lately. I’m just really grateful for everything I have going into this fight for sure.”

ATT Evolution is located at:
9751 Manchester Road
Rock Hill, MO 63119
Phone: (314) 716-2186

Visit them online at ATTEvolution.com or follow them on Twitter at @ATTEvolution

Woodley meets Mein on the main card of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, and will take place January 7, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be broadcast live on Showtime in the United States, and Superchannel in Canada.

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UFC 141 comes to you live on a rare Friday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 30, and it’s a big one. Two of the biggest competitors in UFC heavyweight history will step in the Octagon to determine the next challenger for champion Junior dos Santos when former UFC champion Brock Lesnar meets former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem. It’s a classic striker vs. grappler battle: can Lesnar get Overeem to the mat before Overeem’s far-superior striking skills finish the fight? UFC 141 also features two exciting top lightweight contenders when the surging Donald Cerrone takes on Stockton bad boy Nate Diaz. Top welterweight contender Jon Fitch also faces tough prospect Johny Hendricks.