Both Ivan Gataoli and Johnny San Nicholas represented Marinobles with excellence at the Gladiator Challenge fights held at Red Hawk Casino this past saturday.

San Nicholas was able to secure a big takedown at the opening bell and finish his opponent at the 1:58 mark of the first round with a rear choke. Ivan dominated the 0:22 of his fight but an accidental strike to the back of his opponenets head casued his opponent to withdrawl from the remainder of the contest and it was delared a “no contest” much to the dismay of the fans that sat outside in the Rain and the cold to chear the fighters on.

Thank you to all who came out to support.

Marinoble*Elite fighters Luis Perez and Tullio “TJ” Sara both were victorious in their fights Saturday. Both won in the first round via submissions from armbars. Who knew? Marinoble*Elite fighters have submissions? Awesome work, guys.

Video to be posted soon!!!

GOOD LUCK GUYS

Many people would consider 14-year-old Joey Phelan disabled.

The Folsom resident was born with cerebral palsy – a mild to moderate case according to Joey’s mother, Sonja. The CP mainly affected his balance and gait that required braces and special shoes. At 6 years old with the encouragement of his parents, Joey shed the braces and special shoes through his training with Justin Ewen, at Marinoble’s Martial Arts Center in Roseville.

Today Joey has a junior black belt degree (which he earned at 10 years old) and spars with three men: his dad, Matt, a family friend, Granite Bay resident Tony Harb and his trainer, Justin Ewen.

Since his birth, Joey’s parents remained optimistic and determined to completely understand Joey’s condition, and more importantly they said they did not want his “condition” to define him. Before he started training for his black belt, Joey could not stand long enough to have a short conversation without falling over. His balance and gait were affecting his ability to do some of the basics – like ride a bike. So his mom gave him a scooter, which today he rides with much ease and glee.

Tired of hearing only negative outcomes from the local doctors preparing them for the worst, the Phelans took Joey to the Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA where the doctors and therapists studied his gait.

“These experts gave me hope. They told me that Joey would simply have an unusual gait on the walk to pick up his diploma,” Matt said.

And it turned out these experts were right.

Matt credits the private training from Ewen at Marinobles for the amazing transformation of their son. Ewen said that when Joey became his student, he did his homework. He researched CP and prepared a training program that would allow Joey to pursue his potential. Joey’s father insists that the one-on-one training at Marinobles is key.

“Justin [Ewen] is a great trainer”, Joey said. “He works around your problems and pushes you to your limit and he makes it fun.”

Joey said Ewen tells jokes and plays name that tune with the music turned up loud to keep him motivated during workouts. When asked what his goal is now, Joey said he wants to improve as much as he can physically; he does not want to let CP prevent him from achieving his potential.

“I just want to keep improving,” Joey said.

Life-long family friend Harb, has been sparring with Joey, his dad and Ewen for the past six months.

“He accomplishes more than children who do not have any physical disability,” Harb said.

He also said that Joey’s parents’ response to his condition has always been positive, looking for the best outcomes possible.

“They always followed through and challenged Joey physically. As a result, Joey believes that if he really wants to do something he can get there. The marshal arts have enabled him to achieve huge wins,” Harb said.

In 2005, Joey received the Youth Inspire! Award from the Sacramento County Office of Education. He also participated in the Carl Sundahl Elementary School talent show doing a stand up comedy act three years in a row. This summer Joey attended a three-week camp at Jesuit High in Fair Oaks where he played different sports, including football and basketball.

Riding a bike, however, is Joey’s Mount Everest, and his trainer is helping him to prepare for the ascent.

“Joey’s bike is waiting for him,” Ewen said. “It’s sitting in my garage. It’s man-sized and it will be there for him when he is ready.”

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In a night of action packed fights, Marinoble*Elite fighters did not disappoint. Johnny Goh came out on the winning side of his fight for his first professional victory; this time fighting at 170Lbs, not 155Lbs. Fighting against another Northern California fighter, Tim Houser, Jr, Goh showed an improved stand up to go with his slick BJJ skills he has learned at Brudda’s Jiu Jitsu. Houser, a former Vacaville High School wrestler, stood toe-toe with Johnny for the better part of the first round as the two traded strikes. Houser used his wrestling base to secure a take downs and show some good ground and pound. Goh weathered the storm and even dropped Houser with a crisp right hand to the chin. Although he was dazed, Houser was able to regain his bearings and secured another takedown. The round ended with Houser pinning Goh against the cage with some ground and pound.
The Second round began with the two fighters exchanging again in the center of the cage. The end came very quick as Houser took Goh down again but this time, Goh defended the attack from the guard slipping his legs around Houser’s arm securing a belly to floor arm bar causing Houser to submit midway through the second round.

In Bantamweight (135Lbs.) action, Marinoble*Elite fighter, Joe Baros and Rio Linda’s Randy “the Shark” Rodoni took Fight of the Night honors after one of, if not THE most exciting fight of the night. Baros looked to stand while Rodoni used his aggressive striking to pin Baros against the fence and scoring a double leg take down. Baros fought again the ground and pound of Rodoni and was able to get back to his feet where the two let leather fly as both of fighters rocked their adversary. Much of the next 2 rounds went back and forth as Baros and Rodoni traded big shots. Baros and Rodoni, each with their own fans in the crowd were able at times to get the best of each other not only standing, but on the floor scoring with ground and pound and submission attempts. In the third round after Rodoni scored another take down, the fight was restarted due to Baros’s good ground defense not allowing Rodoni to score from the top. As the fight was restarted on the feet, Baros exploded with a flying knee the hit flush on the head of Rodoni. The knee sent Rodini to the canvas where Baros patiently pounced on his fallen opponent until the referee intervened calling an end to the contest at 1:58 into the final round. This fight may not have had the size of fighters as the other fights, but what they lacked in size, they made up for in heart.

The fights are being held at the Placer County Fair Grounds and you can get your fight tickets right here at Marinoble’s. Fight Tickets also gain you admission to the Placer Co. Fair.

Also representing Marinoble’s in action Friday Placer County Grappler’s Lead Instructor “Killa-B” Niimi. He will put his slick BJJ and ever-inproving striking skills to the test in the cage.

Joe Baros will make another fight at 135Lbs. agains a tough opponent, Randy Rodhini. expect fireworks from both fighters on this one.

Finally, Johnny Goh will make his way to the cage again looking for his next victory. Johnny’s new striking abilitiess and crafty ground work are the ingredients for a hard earned victory.

This is going to be a night to remember so get your tickets today

Congratulations to Marinoble’s new Amateur fight team members, “The Regulators”; *Armando Baron with his unanimous decision win in his debut
*TJ Serra on his quick first-round front choke submission vistory
*Josh Zufelt on his first round stoppage via key lock.

Thank you to all the fighters, coaches and spectators for making Marinoble’s Friday Night Fights a great success.

-Justin Ewen