Let's face it, Nobody wants to see several time UFC veteran and professional boxer LaVerne "Fists of Fury"m Clark go to the ground and wrestle! 2 fights ago he did this with Jake Ellenberger and it was extremely boring. Laverne knows he has to stand and be exciting if he wants back in the UFC. LaVerne Clark is one of the hardest hitting guys in MMA at 170 pounds. His hands are very heavy. Ask anyone at MFS. cont....
My brother Justin has been doing a lot of mitt work with LaVerne, and drilling in his head, to stand and throw leather. Well, last night he did this and it was obvious this is what the fans want out of LaVerne. Verne got the knock-out against a game opponent in Zamie Woods. Listen what Verne said to me after the fight.... cont...
I sparred Vern many times when he was in ny in 04. Definetly not a guy you want to land a flush shot on you. Ive said it a million times and saw it in training with him, all he needs is jiu jitsu and if he is in shape, forget about it. His wrestling is sick and he never wrestled in college to my knowledge. Not sure though but still, Hughes and Trigg are world class wrestlers and anyone who has seen the fights knows Vern can hang with the best of them, he just cant avoid subs.
First off Verne doesn't pay attention to the fighters of the UFC or Pride... However, he recently discovered who Chuck Liddel was. He watched Chuck fight over the holidays for the first time. After Vern's fight last night he came up[ to me and said, "Jason, i got one thing to say" I said, "what's that" Vern say's "Chuck Liddell" Vern Clark is committing himself 100% to fight like Chuck and keep the fight standing! It was very refreshing for him to tell me this. What's more refreshing is I think he really means it. cont...
So, everyone... You will see LaVerne stand, trade leather, and defend the takedown on Pay Per View Feb. 17th King of the Cage, in Moline, Illinois. This is an event you want to come see live! Vern and i are training very hard together for both our KOTC fights Feb. 17th. Vern told me today, he will not make me look stupid, and go to the ground. He said he's standing from here on out!! My brother and i finally have it in his head, he will go no-where in his carrer if he decides to take someone down and wrestle them. We all know his wrestling is very good. The point is, i believe LaVerne Clark will be one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the sport if he sticks to our game-plan!! Vern says, thanks for all the support! He truly appreciates the Fans!!! Sincerely Jason Reinhardt
Everyone comes up to me a lot and says LaVerne has some of the heaviest hands at 170, and will KO a lot of guys! 2006 is going to be LaVerne 'Fists of Furry" Clarks year!
youthfighter. Your right, but we don't care to teach LaVerne at this point in his career offensive jiujitsu. We concentrate solely on submission defense. My brother is doing a great job with this! It just takes awhile for everything to become second nature. LaVerne knows this is his last chance to do something big! We are always honest with him, and blantanly tell him like it is. He's ok with it, and enjoys the challenge. I'm telling you, he's knocking guys out in 2006!
ttt
Totally agree that all he needs is sub defense. Hes a puncher. That is what he needs to do. When he was here in ny that was all we tried to show him, just defense cause locking up the subs seemed too complex for him. He used to crack us up. Definetly get him fighting like Lidell, straight sprawl and brawl.
How come the Clark/Lytle fight didn't get much hype on the forum? Maybe it did and I just missed out or it was before people realized who lytle was. Never heard any details, was it a boring fight? Seems this would be a great fight. I know Lytle won by decision, was it all ground n pound?
Jason your first thought, Nobody wants to see him go to the ground? Sorry this is Mixed Martial Arts, not Boxing. He might be the hardest hitting 170 pounder, but that is why you have to be well rounded in this sport.
Yes, nobody wants to see Vern go to the ground in this sport, mma, just as no one really wants to see Lidell or any other striking oriented fighter go to the ground. Duh you have to be well rounded, did you think that was an intellegent comment or a point of some sort? Its a given.
WOW, ptown thanks for the insight...Of course, just trying not to go to the ground as much and working on getting back up so he can finish on his feet, is that MMA? Works for the light heavyweight Champ. Do you want to see Chuck on the ground or KO someone on his feet? Clark likes to wrestle and is usually on top, so know he will stand back up out of a guard, sprawl on takedowns wich he does anyway,ect and bang. He's got a damn good takedown but why use it when he seems to get beat from someones guard??
Ptown, i think i know a thing or two about Mixed Martial Arts, and i'm very aware of the fact this is what we are fighting in. LOL. Maybe we should enroll Vern in NAGA this year, so you can come watch him wrestle. If you want to see someone as dangerous as Clark go to the ground, then you are the only one. Clark is not a juijitsu guy, and never will be. It's that simple!
It's not like Vern hasn't ever submitted anyone in his MMA fights. But, more than likely he wouldn't be able to submit a high level fighter at this point. Jiujitsu isn't something you can just start paying attention to at 32 years old, when your already set in your ways and expect to submit a high level fighter. It just ain't gonna happen. Our gameplan with LaVerne is right on target. I'm just happy we can finally get Clark to come to class,put his time in, and start taking MMA seriously. He's a dangerous, dangerous fight for just about anyone at 170. We still have a ways to go with him though. It's all coming together. Jason Reinhardt
muncie, I was ther for the Lytle/Clark fight. this was before i really knew Vern. He said he didn't train one day for the Lytle fight when he was living in Iowa. I thought this was ashame since he lived so close to Miletich. However, Vern is not making these stupid mistakes again. This was always Pat's problem with him. Vern lost against Lytle because of his conditioning. I'm not making excuses for Vern, because Lytle beat him fair and square. But, LaVerne wouldn't throw his hands and tried to out wrestle Lytle, and got tired. And when did try to stand just a little bit, he turned it into a damn street fight. You can't do this with a guy like Chris Lytle. He's too smart and good for this! I'm actually a fan of Chris Lytle. that fights in the past, and Vern always says he would love a re-match. The bottom line is, the UFC needs to put Clark in there with a guy who will stand. It would have the potential to be the fight of the night! what do you guys think???
As a trainer , i will never give up on LaVerne Clark. As long as he shows me and my brother heart and a desire to win. The talent is there. His future could be bright, and i believe it will. He has good people around who care about him and his future.
sorry for the long posts. LOL
ttt
I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter