WCL TALK

oldsensei · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 51

I'll rate the fight first. Grade = C- and thats being generous.

The NE team was overmatched. There are better martial artists out there than these guys. The NE team was out of shape, inexperienced and did I say a few overweight. You cannot keep putting the fatboys out there and expect the public to go nuts over this new league. I may have spoke to soon about the woman fighters. Both of these didn't deserve to be on TV. Poor technique even sloppy at times.

They didn't allow the fans to see Thompsons first fight and then my favorite topic "The Referee" cheated the fans and Thompson out of a spectacular Knockout. I don't know how much more of these point karate referees I can handle. Again, to the referees, let these guys fight and try not make the match more about the referee than the fighter. Passivity should only be used when a fighter is trying to avoid fighting. Fighters can fight out of a clinch quicker then a referee can break them for 7 to 10 seconds. Referees are slowing down the fights and preventing inside strategy.

Philadelphia is a solid team and I like the Coach's energy.

Now as far as the fighters of the WCL. Here's a few tips from an Old Sensei who is a former professional fighter with the PKA.

OLD SENSEI'S TIPS

#1. Do not drop your hands at no time. This is full-contact, not point karate.

#2. Take some boxing lessons. Set your spinning techniques up with some boxing skills.

#3. Are sweeps allowed? Because I haven't seen any. If they are start using them.

I see a league that is trying to take point fighters and make them full contact kickboxers. Some are ready for it, and some are not. Just remember first impressions are important and for those who viewed last nights fight didn't have much to be impressed with.

The debut so far provided the most excitement. It had everything you want in a full contact event. Spectacular Knockouts, Incredible Talent, and fighters that had that "Look" in their eyes. You know what I mean by that "Look" if you studied the Martial Arts as long as I have.

Good luck WCL! I want tou to succeed, because it will help Karate all over the country if you do.

Just some constructive criticism from an Old Sensei.

Valiss · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 260 Location: Earth

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought the second Thompson match was BS. His oppoent gets a little wobbly and they call it?! It wasnt even the third down for a TKO!!! Let him at least knock the guy over. When Thompson fought Antoine Mcrae (Maimi), Mcrae was stumbling all over the place after his first knockdown, but the ref let him go till he got TKO'd cause he was still up and defending. I know it's 'fighters safety first' and all that, but it looked really premature.

And I agree that if you are only going to show half of the matches on the VS channel, then at least show us the good ones, i.e. Thompsons first match with the KO. Showing a recap of that fight with the KO is not exciting. In fact, any KO match should be shown in preference of some 3 minute circling match (like the first fight).

By far this was the least exciting WCL event; maybe they showed the good ones first on purpose to get us going (which is probably a smart decision - of this was my first impression, I wouldnt be watching today).

That said, there was a couple of exciting hits and knockdowns. Also I liked how the commentators on this one talked about the fighters while showing the pre-fight stats; in the last episode they just played music and leftit up to the viewer to read the height and weight. Looking forward to the next one. I hope the 07 season is shown live (or real close).

the210 · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 137

Thompson was clearly going to win the second fight, but I agree, let him knock the guy out.

rcopeland · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

Old Sensei,
Sweeps are not allowed in the WCL. Leg kicks must be three inches above the knee. In the matches that are airing on TV now the leg kicks could be thrown inside or outside of the leg only. Mid season some changes were made to make the fights more exciting.
1. No boots. (Now fighters only wear shinquards with instead protection)
2. Leg kicks are allowed to the support leg as well as the lead leg. ( You no longer have to leg kick in a combination)
3. You may now grab and immediately throw one knee. (No clinch and jockey for position then knee.)

The penalty system has evolved. The referee now holds up a yellow card to the fighter who committed the offense. At that point the penalty point is awarded to the other team.

The WCL as a whole fighters, referees, and coaches has improved over the season. I think next year is going to be very exciting.

All of the referees were boxing/kickboxing referees and are evolving like the rest of us are.

bigj · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 253

the grab and knee was not the case in austini the were calling holds . the oficiatiing needs to improve.

Valiss · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 260 Location: Earth

Are these rule changes in effect for 2007 season as well? Also do you know the weight classes? I'm trying to keep the Wiki page up-to-date. Thanks!
_________________
-Valiss

rcopeland · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

I think the rule changes are permanent. The weight classes are
-147lbs
-164lbs
-179lbs
-195lbs
+195lbs to 235lbs

There is only one weight class for the women and I do not know that one for sure.