The Human Cockfighter's Blog

What are we talking about?  That was a lesson I remember learning very early in life.  Respect your elders was another, and mind your own business was the moral of the story.  Respecting one’s elders would require building your own life and designing your own happiness.  Humanity has been on a receivership path for far too many generations.  Cannibalism is rampant and cancers grow by land and sea.  We are due for some hard lessons…better get to the gym.

I suppose it’s like a dog perking his ears up or fleeing for higher ground.  People are more instinctive that they will admit, but don’t like to draw attention to themselves.  That is because we have not, as a species, been free in a very long time.

Why then would I get into a cage, just to be regulated even further?  That should be our attitudes, but the reality of our situation makes the cage the only spot that freedom’s light shines.  I will do anything, for the opportunity to experience freedom’s warmth, boy is it nice.  The draw of other tangibles cease to appeal once that leap is made.  It’s a Fun Ride!

I witnessed a 290 pound amateur mixed martial artist throw a 320 pound amateur mixed martial artist 10 feet behind his right shoulder into a slam on Saturday evening.  It was an impressive toss to say the least, however my fella was the one who got thumped.  JT Tilley has been promoting mma in Branson, MO over 5 years.  ShoFIGHT packed a room with camps from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.  The facility was complete with Jack Daniel’s own, Tennessee whisky.  Over 20 men entertained the crowd with their lust for noninterventionist freedom.  Big William Moore fought proud and tough.  I look forward to working with him regularly at KC Premier in Riverside.

Next week Hillbilly Fight Wear will produce our first and only political apparel.  I have believed in myself my whole life and have shared my faith with my neighbors.  I will stand as an individual for the legalization of freedom.  Please help me elect a small business owner from Texas with two first names.  He is a medical doctor, husband of 54 years, father of five, grandfather of 18 and a state elected representative.  He has a staunch record of endorsing liberty, not only in his private home, but in his business and in public service.  This a leap not only of personal virtue, but of business risk, and I have faith in my community’s return.

Conversations are evolving about a possible overseas promotion this summer.  I cannot hardly fathom the experience that awaits us.  Sometimes men must conduct their own diplomacy.  Yes, you can.  Thump a stranger.

As a fighter, I know the only way to experience glory is to work for it.  I have to plan, train, sacrifice, and execute daily for months on end leading up to an opportunity.  Glory is the reward for my personal investment.  The glory is the feeling, although brief, of freedom.  Individuals are responsible for their own freedom.  It cannot be taught or given, only learned and won.  Our flag has gotten in an arrogant habit of giving.  Giving is a choice for the individual, not the collective.  Collective giving is force.  Individual sacrifice is glorious.

If they censor the internet, then they are censoring information and thus further regulating education.  People are responsible for their own learning and information comes from endless perspectives.  Regulating education limits imagination, programs ignorance, and defies logic.  Their notion of progress is a regression in values, knowledge and compassion.

Increased faith in governance is a recess in human nature.  We are educators and feelers.  No possible understanding can an outside force have of any situation.  No study can predict or explain motive.  This first law in science reminds us, there is no such thing as scientific law.  With so many predesigned solutions we are not free to choose.  As a species, our inability to choose has ushered our evolution into complacence.

Thus, why human combat is so popular in our society.  Human beings are desperate for an honest human interaction.  With so few rules, an mma competitor is free to express themselves, unregulated.  Contrary to more popular sports leagues, where speech, attire, legal representation and union affiliation are often predetermined behaviors.  Fighters are individuals, free from restraints inside the cage and free from organization outside of the cage.  We define our own value and bear our souls for the good of the community.

This Saturday I will travel to Branson, Missouri for a ShoFIGHT promotion.  JT Tilley has invited my friend, William Moore, to compete for his Super Heavyweight Amateur Title.  I have known William for years, per my frequent visits to Clinton, Missouri for Throwdown in C-Town.  He is a spry, 310 pound knucklehead, with a clever wit and accurate striking ability.

This will be my first experience with JT’s promotion, but my second visit to Branson for an mma event.  We visited last fall for a Midwest Ultimate Cage Fight promotion.  There are plenty of mma fans around this wooded, hilly section of America’s middle.  With our country’s awakening to out of control policy making, the numbers will only grow in support of individualism and personal sacrifice.  These are the virtues that make our sport so pure, so real, so honest and so loved.

The material discussion of people and things is turning to an exchange of ideas and philosophy.  The people are hungry for liberty and nothing can stop them.  Support a local fighter.  They are rough and often awkward, but they stand and shine light on the dark.  Sterile environments can teach nothing.  It’s the dirt that shares a story and the man unafraid to embrace it that is most valuable.

I have a busy schedule ahead for the first part of this year.  I have a tentative agreement to fight in early April.  I am working with a group to bring thumpology to the middle east come June.  In times of turmoil, one must conduct his own diplomacy.  The message is catching on and people are shedding their defenses.  One day we will walk without expectation and carefree of judgement.  Embrace your liberty and shine your love on the world.  When necessary, thump a stranger.  It cuts costs and builds bridges between communities.  Thumpin’ is lovin.’

We traveled to Columbia, Missouri this weekend for Battle at Midway, a Midwest Fight League promotion.  Midway is home to a truck stop on Interstate 70 just west of Columbia.  It has recently been home to The Travel Channel’s “Truck Stop Missouri,” a reality-esque show, highlighting the stop’s 12 businesses and daily dealings.

The card was filled with eight amateur bouts, including two title bouts.  Jett Jones was the most dominant fighter on the card, finishing his opponent, Daniel “Red” McClenden, via triangle choke early into Round 1.  Jett defeated Alex McKinney, 12-0, last weekend in Marshall, Missouri via triangle as well.  He thumps and rolls well, representing Caveman Crew, out of Raytown, Missouri.

“Red” is a sight, to say the least.  This tall, gangly, red-headed, young man walks around in wore out shoes with a smug look on at all times.  We have never spoke, but I can tell from observation that he is game.  I have seen him fight upon every trip to Columbia, and look forward to seeing him again.  He is new to this game, but up for the challenge and hungry for it’s lessons.  Keep thumpin.’ brother.

Plentiful are the characters that I encounter on my weekend journeys around the midwest.  I don’t visit the big shows and interview the big names.  I travel to the outskirts, the dirt roads, the holes in walls, the knucklehead saloons, and the seedy joints.  That is where the individuals live, unencumbered by society’s expectations and free to work toward their own image of salvation.  You could call my movement grassroots, if it’s a movement at all.  I love people, and I will do my part to remind my neighbors of just how precious we all are.  That is my fight.

Individuals flourish in areas of low regulation.  Like a plant, if you leave it alone, it will grow.  Just have faith.  Rules, laws, regulations, mandates and taxes do nothing to progress individuals.  Without strong individuals, only the society is strong.  Within a strong society works far too many slaves, while members of strong communities work freely toward their own progress.

The only progress we have made is the progress toward social culpability.  People want to be accountable for their own work.  When individuals work to mind their own business, communities progress.  Strong governments diminish individualism and weaken communities.

My most recent ex-girlfriend said to me, “Why do you think you have to do that?”  I said, “I don’t have to do anything.  I do what is good for my community, and I have faith in my own progress.”

I have never yearned for a house in the suburbs paid for by a corporate job with guaranteed benefits and retirement packages.  I don’t drive an imported car and I don’t eat out daily.  I cook my own meals, drive a Ford, and thump strangers…because it’s good for the community.  I can see the results of my labor first hand and I teach lessons daily.  The money isn’t plentiful, but the intangible rewards are endless.  I sleep well at night, eat healthy, natural meals, drive a truck made by my neighbor, wear my own clothes, teach daily, tell non-fiction stories, and speak honestly to strangers about real life issues.  I am doing something.  It’s not too late for us each to embrace our own individualism.  Mind y’own business.

A young lady said to me recently, “You are socially awkward.”  I, of course, responded, “That’s because I haven’t been socialized.”  Free thinking, optimistic, faithfully ambitious people are social, not socialized.  If all you eat is what you are fed, then you are socialized.  Find your own answers…do your own math.

I eat pretty good nowadays.  I buy my meat and vegetables at the local grocery, but I cook most if not all of my own meals.  Thus I know what I’m eating and I did the preparation.  This takes time and requires work, of course, but the work is the fun part and the time is priceless.

My days consist of painful, exhausting, humbling experiences that strengthen my spirit and broaden my faith.  I communicate with men, women and children that are interested in discipline and respectful of real professionalism.

I design and sell a line of apparel that bears my brother’s monacher and delivers staunch marching orders.  In order to sell this apparel, I travel all over several states conversing with absolute strangers.  When we indefinitely find common ground, they join my revolution with their purchase.

The minor investment in a new neighbor can only strengthen a community.  The mass redirection of work compensation only weakens everyone in any community.  People will undoubtedly do the right thing when left with no alternative to fail.  By postponing failure, people with no relative contact will unquestionably feel that failure.  The more people involved with a foreseen problem, the more lenient and less expedient the resolution.  Mind your own business.  Thump a stranger.

This Friday we will proudly corner for Andy Fleming in his amateur middleweight title fight with Chad Williams.  This event will take place inside Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Kansas City.  Blue Corner Battles is the brain child of Ben Nogueras, who has also worked in consultation with Shark Fights.  Blair Gadson will also be thumping this evening.  Blair is a new contributor to our team, and carries some great athleticism into the cage.  We will have all of our Hillbilly Fight Wear of course.  The new embroidered hoodies and beanies sold out quickly, but we reordered just in time for Christmas.  lmao

The following night I will travel back to Clinton.  Jeb Chiles and I will entertain his guests and neighbors after indulging in a three round grappling match.  It shouldn’t break out into a fist fight, but if so, then it’s good for the community.  Any professional in this economy has got to entertain himself.  Do something.

Beneath the bright lights of the strip in Branson lives a small asian fellow, Tommy Tran.  Tommy promoted an impressive fight card at the Hilton Convention Center last evening in front of over 500 locals and holiday visitors.  Jeri Sitzes, a Strikeforce veteran and seasoned muay thai specialist, entertained and won a strongly contested main event to Jessica Bartness.  Five professional mma bouts and several other amateur contests accompanied Midwest Ultimate Cage Fighting’s “Titans Rumble.”

We made the trip from kansas city, following a family feast at my sister’s home in Liberty.  It was well worth the drive, witnessing several three round contests with plenty of action.  Our apparel, Hillbilly Fight Wear, was well received as always.  Mad Croc Energy Drink, one of our sponsor brands, was in attendance with samples as well. John DeVall and I had a nice conversation, following his tough fought decision loss to Jacob Ritchie.  The twenty pound weight cut did not help his strength from bottom, despite much success on his feet throughout the fight.

We are now headed in for our last sparring session with Andy Fleming.  Andy will compete for the Middleweight Amateur Title this Friday at Voodoo Lounge in Harrah’s Kansas City.  This 34 year old has won all three of his bouts by knockout due to strikes this year.  He works days at the kansas city international airport and takes good care of his seven year old daughter, Isabella.  This collegiate soccer player has dynamic athleticism and fantastic hand eye coordination.  He thumps strangers well.  His opponent on Friday will be a wrestler from Missouri Valley.  Chad Williams recently won on a Shark Fights undercard with yours truly fighting on the main card that evening.  This will be a great matchup in a beautiful venue.

The following night we will travel back to Clinton, Missouri for Throwdown in c-town.  This Jeb Chiles Promotion has been a main stay in my travel plans for several years.  Big William Moore will compete along with plenty other hungry locals:  Pit Roberts and Cody Kreitler included.

I travel to all of these events so that I may have the privilege of sharing the stories.  These men and women are exercising their individual liberty like most never do.  Lately I have read many stories about the NFL punishing their players for celebration and individual expression.  I wonder: how long will the lure of money be enough for these men to sell their liberty?  Athleticism and courage are better served without control and conformity.  Our younger generations are abandoning the traditional sports for the cage.  All creatures yearn for one thing above all others.  The passion for freedom is the ultimate pursuit and that realization is the ultimate high.  Some jump out of planes and some ride for speed, but all one has to do is fight.  Life is a cockfight and in no other space can you feel that reality.  No individual experience can enlighten your soul, strengthen your confidence, shake your foundations and test your boundaries like human battle.  It is a contest of will, intellect and physicality;  a recipe without perfection.  Our community leaders shouldn’t wear ties and shiny shoes.  Sometimes the fella with the shiner has the staunchest character.  Remember when you look upon your neighbors to look with depth.  Behind the wall is a story.  That story is what makes the person.  Stories with bumps and bruises are hard earned and honestly told.  Let us speak with truth and we shall settle our differences.  Thump a stranger.

How many seventeen year old boys do you know that train as often as five times daily to participate in work that pays them nary a dollar?  I know one, and we call him, The Badger.  Brett Rounkles is a seventeen year old senior at Park Hill South High School in north Kansas City, Missouri.  He is on the school’s wrestling team, trains at several gyms around the city with amateur and professional fighters, earns above average marks in school, and competes as an amateur kickboxer.  Regulations disallow a man to compete in mixed martial arts before the age of 18.  Last night Brett won his second amateur kickboxing bout at One Zero Eight Promotions in Kansas City, Missouri.  His opponent, a 23 year old with a 4 inch height advantage, and amateur mma experience, was no contest for Brett, winning unanimously 30-25 on all three judges’ cards.  I was proud to be in his corner, along with our trainer, Ethan Benda, of FitInKC.com.  Brett wore my brand, Hillbilly Fight Wear, with humility, professionalism and honor.

Jason Perrotta, 24, also won last night via doctor stoppage just two minutes into the first round.  His opponent was no match for Jason’s athleticism, wrestling and overwhelmingly hard strikes.  Jason (3-1) has been training with us for just over a week at KC Premier Martial Arts & Fitness in Riverside.  He is a tall 185er with a respectable muay thai background and gifted explosiveness.  I look forward to working with him and being a part of his growth as a man and as a competitor.

One Zero Eight is the brain child of former amateur mixed martial artists, Lonnie Dodge and Dac Lam.  They have been promoting amateur events in Kansas City for about four years at the Ararat Shrine Temple.  Last night showcased 13 fights, including three title bouts.  Well over 700 people showed up to watch the action, a nice group of people that loved my apparel.  Thank you to all of my new customers.  I look forward to revisiting in the near future.

I have known both of these men for over six years.  Dac produced a film several years back, “American Cage Fighter,” documenting Lonnie’s fight story along with UFC veteran, Rob Kimmons.  Lonnie, a respiratory therapist and former law enforcement officer, dropped nearly 80 pounds in physical preparation for his amateur mma experience.  Upon developing that discipline he has competed, promoted, and continues to contribute positively to the mma community.  It is men like Dac and Lonnie, building this sport from the ground level, that contribute the most to our community.  Discipline, honor and respect must be learned.  Those virtues can not be taught.  The participation, without pay, of amateur cage fighters, is the most selfless gift that can be given.  The gift of unpaid labor, for the sake of example and entertainment, is truly virtuous.  Amateurs risk more, not less, than professionals.  Jason Perrotta’s opponent suffered a broken radius and ulna last night.  This 21 year old man left it all in the cage for no pay, but earned everyone’s respect.  We pray for his speedy recovery following his misfortune.

Next Saturday I will travel to Branson, Missouri for Ultimate Cage Fights at the Hilton Convention Center.  Rob Kimmons, a KC native, will headline this event.  As always I will carry my brand along for the ride.  Tommy Tran will serve as our host and we are appreciative of his hospitality.  I feel so blessed to get another opportunity to watch Rob in person.  I attended his contest with Joe Riggs in the WEC over six years ago.  Since then he has competed in nearly every mid and upper-level promotion, including seven bouts inside the octagon with the UFC.  Rob is a true warrior and a pleasure to watch work.  If you are in the area and want to get away from the table following Thanksgiving, then come out and enjoy the show.  It’s good for the community.

When I drive north on Interstate 29, it’s usually for a short return trip to my childhood home of Maryville.  But on this Friday I-29 took me much further north for a pro/am mma event in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Dan Lewis, the owner of Tri-State Cage Fighting, invited me up Thursday afternoon as part of a telephone conversation.  Dan has been promoting mixed martial arts events for nearly a decade, starting at his bowling alley in Sioux City.  He has promoted, sponsored, matched up and announced household names such as: Chad Reiner, Houston Alexander, Jeremy Horn and Josh Neer.  On this night there was only one name that struck a cord with me:  Jason Purcell.  A veteran of 80 some fights, Jason has been in the cage with nearly every light to middleweight fighter in the midwest.  He met his demise early in round 1 to a young opponent, but was game and entertaining as ever.  Less than 500 souls filled Lancaster Events Center for a 9 fight card.  There were 3 professional bouts that were all worth the drive from Kansas City.

I had planned on attending to watch my last opponent, Dallas Browning, do work inside Dan’s cage.  A last minute injury forced Dallas’ opponent to back out.  Instead I did what is common place for me at a mixed martial event;  I sold Hillbilly Fight Wear.  My brand has never been north of St. Joseph, so this was a reach for our business.  Nonetheless we were received greatly and made enough sales to pay for the product sold and some gas.  We even squeezed in some gas station grub for the long drive home, arriving at nearly 3am.

I always meet some interesting souls and definitely have some honest conversations.  At the end of our evening I sold an “Obama Would Tap to Strikes” window sticker to a black fella with gold in his grill.  Every educated mma fan understands what that statement is proclaiming.  It’s not a racial statement, but rather a character judgement.  That is what is awesome about this sport, and that is why Hillbilly Fight Wear takes the stand.  We say what everyone is thinking in plain respectful english.  I call it thumpology, and I stand by my premise.  In an economy like the world is currently experiencing, what more cost effective way to settle community issues?  Thump a stranger.

Saturday I had time to squeeze in a workout, visiting Impact Fitness in Riverside.  This locally owned gym is functional and welcoming.  They even hung a heavy bag from the steel structure.  I hang upside down with it in my guard and do situps.  It’s a fun ride.  Later that evening we attended a fundraiser for RaJa’s Children’s Haven, a place for immune deficient children who have fought cancer.  I donated the profit from our HFW sales to the organization.  It was a pleasure to be involved and I look forward to participating in future events for RaJa’s and their kids.

Next weekend we are in town for One Zero Eight Promotions at Ararat Shrine Temple.  My training partner, Brett Rounkles, will compete in his second amateur kickboxing bout.  Brett is a seventeen year old senior at Park Hill South High School.  He hopes to bring home a state wrestling title this year along with his first mma victory in February.  For some reason, a man must be 18 years of age to participate in combat sports;  regulations.  We will sell Hillbilly Fight Wear of course and head back to Jerry’s Bait Shop in Lenexa for another Fight Team after party.

I do not have a fight booked, but I am always looking.  It will be nice to step back in a cage at over 200 pounds.  It’s been nearly two years and three straight losses under 200.  Sometimes you gotta try things out to find yourself.  Keep thumpin’ my friends.  Life is a cock fight and we must be game.