Dan Richards – Page 2 – Five Rounds with Emma

Meet Amateur Fighter Zowie-Marie Trevena – A True Pure Warrior!

Amateur Female Fighter Zowie-Marie Trevena currently works as a Personal Assistant for her niece and mother in-law to help them with everyday tasks, as they are both disabled her niece also has health problems as well as ADHD and Asperger’s she is also a self-employed beauty therapist who can work between 30-40 hours a week with both jobs. Has two children and her partner Scott lives with her, but life was not so Rosie for Zowie. Here we get to find out about whom ‘Zowie-Marie Trevena is, but first we start at the beginning.

“It just goes to show you can achieve anything you put your mind too” Zowie -Marie Trevena

EB. You are from Cornwall originally, what was it like for you growing up in what I would call a place I would go for a ‘British beach holiday’.

ZT. I was a typical tomboy. Growing up on an estate I spent most of my time playing football, building camps or riding my bike to the beach to go surfing or my favourite past time… Cliff jumping!

EB. You were also quite into your sports and very active during your teenage days. Can you tell me about what other active sports you did?

ZT. I have always participated in football, rugby, rounder’s’, gymnastics, dance just to name a few, the only thing I could not do was long distance running, but that was back then!

EB. It was not all ‘fun’ for you growing up, you went through a ‘rebellious’ stage in your life. Can you tell me a bit more about this time?

ZT. I was quite rebellious back then and always strived to be different from everyone else. Quite often, I would go home with a new piercing, tattoo, random coloured hair and some new crazy hobby!

EB. This is when you came across a love of mine as well ‘Modified Cars’, ‘Racing’, ‘Drifting’. Can you go into more detail?

ZT. I first got into modified cars when I learnt to drive in an Mk 2 Astra GTE at the age of 15, my ambition then was to get my licence and first car ASAP. Over the years I’ve had cars such as Peugeot 106 GTI’s to Nissan Skylines, Subaru Impreza’s and a few Japenese RWD cars that I used to drift or do track days in.

EB. You also came across the well-known 90’s Rave scene and went off the ‘Rails for a while’. Do you think this was due to your ‘addictive personality’ and wanting to be ‘different’ from everyone else?

ZT. When I was 16/17 I got in with a bit of a tougher crowd and started going to all night parties and raves in Plymouth and Newquay, but to be honest, some of those moments were the best days of my life. The feeling of oblivion and dancing the night away was immense… It was all about “One Love”. To be honest I do not regret any of it.

EB. In 2002, you gave birth to a gorgeous Son, then in 2004 a gorgeous Daughter. Life must have felt quiet complete for you at this moment in time, two gorgeous children?

ZT. It was after the birth of my daughter that I suffered in the hands of a physically and mentally abusive partner. I lost my confidence, my zest for life and my self-esteem. The only thing that kept me going was the children and the fact I was studying at college.

EB. Was it as this point you decided you wanted to try out kickboxing?

ZT. Yes it was. I joined WAKT (West Area Kick Thai) run by Al Oakley in Camborne Cornwall. I spent six months training at WAKT and during that time, I met and married a soldier, which meant I moved from Cornwall to Hampshire. I wanted to continue my love for kickboxing and joined Impact Martial Arts run by Wayne Timlin. I spent 3/4 years training with them and was only two belts away from black belt before yet another disaster struck.

EB. Can you elaborate about this time in your life?

ZT. My marriage crumbled and my children and I found ourselves homeless.

For some reason, I had a gut feeling to move to Devizes in Wiltshire; to this day, I cannot explain it other than it felt right. It meant moving to an area where we had no family or friends, I had to change my job, the children had to move schools. It was a very hard and depressing time. However, it also gave me time to reflect on my life choices, the way I treated others, and a chance to put my children first before anyone else, including myself.

EB. You joined a new martial arts club, how was that?

ZT. I joined a local martial arts school, made new friends, my children also joined and we trained together. I then progressed to an instructor I’d already won gold and silver medals in the national and southern championships, however, I did not believe in the ethics of the club so left and joined Revolution Gym in Trowbridge which is run by my now coach Scott Clist.

EB. What changed for you being at Revolution Gym?

ZT. It is here that I began to think about fighting, and felt that even though I was 30 I had more to give. What also spurred me on was my ex said I would never be good enough to fight! Scott Clist is my coach at Revs, I joined Revs as the atmosphere was more relaxed and I could be who I wanted to be. Scott, has actively encouraged me to push myself, and never allows any self-doubt! Being part of Revs is like having an extended family! Sometimes with the hard training he gives us, it is nice to know you are not the only one vomiting at the end of a session!

EB. Sunday February 3^rd 2013 was a huge achievement for you, can you tell me why?

ZT. I entered my first inter club, at Spartans, then in May 2013 I had my first K1 fight, and then I fought K1 again in August 2013 again.

EB. You have another fight coming up this Saturday February 22^nd at Ulitmate lmpact Cagefighting 11, GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester against Lea Fendt, do you know much about your opponent?

ZT. I believe Lea, is trained by David Willmot, who has a fantastic reputation, so I expect my opponent to be tough! However, I am ready I have been training hard It has not been easy between working, running a home and spending time with my kids, but my partner and kids have been very understanding and a great support!

EB. The fight also co-insides the day before your 32^nd birthday, how excited are you about this?

ZT. Pretty excited about fighting on my birthday. I Could not ask better people to spend it with. I have made many friends through fighting; these are people I admire and respect.

EB. You have a female fighter that you really look up to as your ‘Hero’ can you share this with us?

ZT. My hero is ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings, she is also a mum of two who has overcome a Domestic Violent relationship. She has fought in the Invicta championships and has now signed to UFC in the straw weight women’s division. It just goes to show you can achieve anything you put your mind too!

EB. Anyone you would like to Thank.

ZT. I’d like to thank my coach Scott Clist, the guys and gals at Spartans Gym for the additional training, Marc Smith at Pure Warrior for his support and last but not least, my partner Scott and my children. Without their support and understanding I wouldn’t be able to train so much. Oh and I’d like to thank my training partner and corner “man” Polly Beauchamp for teaching me to push past those barriers!

Quick Fun Questions

EB. Favourite Food?

Got to be a Cornish Pasty!

EB. What song are you usually singing in the shower/bath?

You will never catch me singing… I’ll leave that to my daughter!

EB. Most inspirational person?

There isn’t one person who particularly inspires me… I seem to admire many people for different reasons.

EB. Dream Car?

If I could have my dream car … It would be an Skyline R32 GTS-T , I love my old skool jap turbos!

I would like to thank Zowie for her time given to myself to do this Interview. Thank you.

FULL FIGHT CARD

Tommy Cook v Leighthan Benskin MW Title
Laura Handy v Anya Baker k1 title eliminator
Terry Doyle v Ryan Legge
Chris Astley v Toby Harman
Shane Riley v Jamie Richardson
Mark Finney v Karl Evans

Undercard:
Sammy Donnelly v Helen J. Harper k1
Aman Sakhizadeh vs Michael Jones
Matthew Kaufman v Steve Smith k1
Matt Sansom v Matt Harthill k1
Paulina Malina v Katie Elkova k1
Daryl Grant v Euan Wallace
Jay Grazier v Matt Michal Figlak
Lea Fendt v Zowie Trevena k1
Jack Shore v Jack Machete Price

VENUE GL1 Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DT

FEBRUARY 22nd 2014

Doors open at 5pm, first fight 5.30pm

Afterparty: Liquid Nightclub, Gloucester (next door)

TICKETS

Standard Seats £25.00

Ultimate Impact Cagefighting 11 VIP Table

V.I.P Table £360.00

Tickets still available click on the link below

http://www.ultimateimpactevents.com/index.php/mma/events/ultimate-impact-11

Photo credit: Zowie-Marie Trevena, Emma Bramford, Esther Lin and Steve Dyer, Ultimate Impact Events.

Season One.. Episode seven..Jorge ‘Michelan’ Bezerra

With his BAMMA World Middleweight Title fight against Scott Askham being tomorrow night (September 14th), I managed to catch up with Jorge ‘Michelan’ Bezerra at London Fight Factory for a brief chat about it.

Everyone knows that my greatest weapon is my jiu jitsu I can now show the true value of jiu jitsu ,what I learned from the Master Leo Vieira’

EB: You’re managed by U I Management who manage a whole host of predominantly UK-based fighter’s such as Che Mills, Mark Godbeer and Matt Ewin who are a little more ‘known’ to us here, how did UI Management and yourself first become involved?

JB: A friend of mine, Mauro Chimento who is also managed by U I Management who are affiliated with Checkmat BJJ here where I train in Sao Paulo, mentioned it to me so to cut a long story short I am now managed by U I Management. It is a great pleasure and I am very happy to represent them. It is the start of a great working relationship together.

EB: Growing up in Brazil was not easy for you, yet alone trying to gain a MMA career for yourself. How does it feel for you to be fighting in Europe and gaining more recognition?

JB: Growing up in Brazil I come from a humble family and my childhood was as normal as it could be, with thanks to God as a saviour. I started Jiu jitsu and Karate at a young age then I was introduced to MMA, for which I have never looked back on. It is really good to see that I am finally making my way and name over here in Europe.

EB: You began your professional fighting career as a Welterweight fighter and went to Middleweight in April 2012. What made you decide to move up a weight division?

JB: In Brazil I have fought in almost, all of the divisions, but now I have found the correct division for me that suit’s me a lot better, to my natural height and build. I feel this is the right move for me in this division.

EB: You hold a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Leo Vieira, an impressive record of 18-9, it’s no wonder you’re fighting on BAMMA 13 against Scott Askham for the Middleweight World Title bout. How much do you know about the unbeaten Scott Askham?

JB: Scott Askham is a very dangerous athlete, he has a very strong striking power with his knees and kicks, also some Jiu Jitsu skills but he is standing out too much here in Europe at the minute and we will make this a good fight. I’m the biggest black belt of all time in jiu jitsu, thank God for all these years, I can now show the true value of jiu jitsu I learned from the Master Leo Vieira, my record speaks for itself and it’s the result of good jiu jitsu I learned.

EB: Having had 27 professional career fights to date, you have only seen the third round six times (last time was back in 2009) most of your wins have come by way of submission, 16 to be exact, is it safe to say that the ground game is second nature to you?

JB: Although predominately, yes I am a BJJ specialist, I train for every aspect in this sport but the ground game is as you would say is second nature to me.

I have trained and workout a lot to be a champion . I have my failures and limitations as do all athletes, but I ‘m trying to evolve in all areas. Everyone knows that the greatest weapon is my jiu jitsu, people avoid falling into my game, so I’m trying to evolve in everything else.

EB: Scott Askham complimented you on your BJJ skills in a recent interview he did and also hinted he would stand and trade with you, this said though, in his last fight with Jack Marshman he also stated he would stand and trade, but this did not happen, do you feel this could just be part of his “Game Plan”?

JB: I am not worried about his Game Plan, I will concentrate on what I have come here to do and that is to put on a great fight for you fans and of course to win the fight by whatever way I can.

EB: How do you feel now that your fight has been moved from the Prelims to the Main Card on BAMMA 13?
JM:I am training for everything for this fight. I am very well prepared and I will embrace the opportunity that BAMMA is giving me to be able to make the main event card, it is a great opportunity, I truly am thankful.

EB: How did you get your nickname ‘Michelan’ and what does it mean?

JB: When I started training with Leo he had some people who loved giving nicknames to people , and I was chubby, so he began to call me by the name ‘Michelan’ I looked the Toy spreading the ‘Michelan’ tyre brand so that nickname stuck with me, and now they call me ‘Michelan’ for more than 10 years.

EB: Being the “away” fighter, what impact if any does that have on you?

JB: I don’t feel it has an impact on me as such, it just makes for a more interesting fight, one person always has to come out to be the not so favourite one I guess.

EB: What can BAMMA fans expect to see on Saturday 14th September?

JB: All the fans, whether they are supporting me or Askham, can expect a very busy, full night of action, I like my fights to be fast paced and ready from the off, I will give a great show come fight night.

EB: Is there anyone you would like to thank?

JB: Yes I would like to thank my many Sponsors, Paul Sutherland and Dan Richards for they’re giving me the greatest strength.

5 Quick fun Questions

If you could change 1 rule in MMA what would it be?
I would have Pride rules back, because those rules do not favour anyone, the time of the pride days was so much better.

Favourite Food?

I love Japanese food, and Italian

Walk Out Music?

I ‘m evangelical, and like to hear praises to Christ.
Favourite UK Fighter?

Paul Daley

If you held a dinner party and could invite 3 guests past or present, who would it be and why?

You may call me crazy, Call God the Creator of the universe and our lives , Jesus Christ, who gave his own life for love , and the Holy Spirit. I would gather all 3 and be very Blessed… Jesus Christ loves you!

Last post for 2013 – A lot of Thank You’s and some pictures :)

It’s been a challenging year for me but I wouldn’t change it for one second, after all I got to do what so many of you still want to do and I have achieved all of it in the six months that I started this harsh challenge – which fell into my lap purely by coincidence (you will have to refer back to my very first blog read about that one)!

I will however give a big shout out to the person who got me started not only in writing my own blog but who introduced me to what I currently do, and that is Jonathan Millard, for whom I am forever grateful to.

What alot of people, more than likely do not know about me, is that I have been in the ‘combat sport industry’ for just over 20 years now, so I have legitmately worked my way up the ladder – although, it’s fine for you to believe whatever you choose to believe, I personally don’t give a shit, again those that really know me, know that also!

I got to cover local grass root shows, which to me I have always been a great fan of and will always take time out of my schedule to go cover them as much as I can, I covered Pain Pit 3 times, Ultimate Impact, Into The Cage, Neilson Promotions White Collar Boxing then I also covered Cage Warriors, BAMMA and UFC Manchester, not bad even if I do say so myself!

Then a great event happend for UKMMA – The UKMMA Expo in Manchester and I got to be part of the only Media Team that had Access All Areas and when I say that, I truly mean that; not like all the other Media people that came in, the team I was with we were set up in the ‘Green Room’ with all our equipment and at one point their was one great surreal moment that I for one will never ever forget 🙂

It was a great run event by Darren Sherlock and Paul Crossley and of course Darren’s wife Michelle, all timed perefectly for when Michael Bisping would be in the UK, Manchester as it happens (his own town) and just after being announced he would be facing Mark Munoz, here also in Manchester in October (unfortuntaly due to Michael needing eye surgery he was forced to withdraw from the bout and Lyoto Machida replaced him)!

There were UFC athletes, Guest athletes, Guest speakers, Seminars to train with some of the Guest athletes and stalls for the MMA community to come together and show there products of to the public; also there was the stall for SAFE MMA – for which I personally went over to Izzy Carnwath and spoke to her to see SAFE MMA was all about, how promotions could get involved and WHY they should. I had such a better understanding afterwards.

Here is mine and Izzy’s SAFE MMA interview we also talk BAMMA 13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGFMXpvdHE

There was also a big NoGi BJJ competiton on, running throughout the Sunday which was awesome and six females took part amongst the hundreds of men.

At the show I managed to Video Interview (yes that was a very first for me) The Legend Ian ‘The Machine’ Freeman straight after his MMA Seminar – let me tell you know this guy is 100% gentleman when talking to him, Ian made my first video interview effortless (well I thought) 🙂

Here is mine and Ian’s interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLO5WYrGcCM

I would however like to say a very big thank you to all the athlete’s I have worked with (so far) without you giving up your time I would not of had your stories/journeys to write about and some very memorable moments to say the least, so in list of when they were interviewed here they all are:

Leigh Remedios

Alexei Roberts

Mario Saeed

War Machine

‘Rowdy’ Bec Hyatt

Ian ‘The Machine’ Freeman

Hector Lombard

Colin ‘Freakshow’ Fletcher

Bryony Tyrell

Aaron ‘Smackwell’ Blackwell

Jack ‘The Hammer’ Marshman

Lew Long

Jorge ‘Michelan’ Bezerra

Rosi Sexton

Faisel Ghazghazi

Mark ‘The hand of’ Godbeer

Lauren Murphy

And of course it would not be me, if I did not add in afew pictures of me with some of the athletes I had met 🙂

Have a great New Year.

Emma

PS I’ve kept all my boxing ones out of this one but look out for it next year 🙂

Bellator signs Trojan Free Fighter Stuart Austin

Bellator have added a new UK heavyweight to their growing roster of talented fighters.

CEO Bjorn Rebney tweeted:

Fighting out of the well known Trojan Free Fighters in Cheltenham, Stuart Austin (7-0) , known for his ‘He-Man’ style in appearance; the undefeated heavyweight had his busiest year to date fighting three times, including defending his Heavyweight Title Belt at Pain Pit Fight Night 7 – Collision in Wales and just coming off a . 40 second KO win against Lewis Tynan at Ultimate Impact 10 on November 16th.

Austin has finished six out of his seven opponents with only one going to a decision, which was his second pro fight back in 2011; his first pro fight lasted 1 min.12 sec back in 2010 winning via TKO.

Being signed to Bellator is certaintly what Austin deserves, and the big step up in competition he will be facing is clearly one he and his team, along with Head Coach Paul Sutherland are fully committed to taking; after all Austin now gets to join the ranks of fellow team mate Mark Godbeer in the Bellator MMA heavyweight ranks.

No official date or opponent has been confirmed as of yet, but it is expected that the debut will be in the spring for his first outing and NOT part of the tournament format to begin with.

Photo Credit: Huw Fairclough (Short&Round)

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