UFC Fighting--Strategy to Win from the Ring Get Up and Go!
by Voice of One Staff and Republished Article UFC Philly
Has the devil gotten you all figured out?
The Bible’s blow by blow report says David ran to the battle---1 Samuel 17. The loud-mouth, bully of a giant had been mouthing off for some time against Israel, its army and its God—the God of the whole earth.
Shepherd boy David, at his father’s request, had gone left the sheep, to bring food to his brothers, who served in the army Arriving David found his brothers along with the rest of the Israeli army hiding in their bunkers scared of facing the Goliath or challenging his taunts.
The Philistine army had Israel figured out. They knew their weakness. Israel only defense and strategy was to hide. Perhaps wait it out. Maybe the giant will get tired. Maybe he’d die from thirst standing in the sun. Perhaps he’d get hungry and dies from starvation. But Goliath sure hadn’t died yet and continue to defy the armies of Israel.
I often think "why didn’t they just bum rush him", as we used to call it. Ants are small creatures but when a colony of army ants are out to feed they are ferocious and will strip down the biggest obstacle.
Frank Sasso is a prophet---a man of God. A Trenton NJ resident, native New Yorker, and a nice guy. But he also is (or used to be) a mixed martial arts fighter for the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champio. In this republished article, from UFC Philly, Frank (aka Fero - short for "Ferocious") shares how he won his last major fight. I read the story and noted the allegory of using a knee maneuver in the air. I saw how in his fight’s third, last, and must win round, he did something that took the enemy off guard.
Has the devil figured you out? Are you hiding in a hole hoping that the enemy or an obstacle will simply just go away?
Read the interview, by Kevin Whittenberg, and see if perhaps using your knees, such as in prayer, and soaring through the air---mounting up with wings like eagles running and not growing weary (Isaiah 40:31), binding & loosing in the heavenly realm (Mathews 18:18)---to get results on earth.
Think I’m being a little too campy? Then what's holding you in your hole? Run, get up and do what God has told you to do. You will find that this offense may be the best defense, against failure in your life and your saving technique to experience the winner’s belt.
See what you get.
UFC fighters Frank (Fero) & Ricky B.
A MESSAGE FROM KEVIN WHITTENBERG --- UFC PHILLY
I wanted to take a moment and tell you all how excited I am to be a part of the UFC family. I’ve been working closely with the incredible team here along with our partners at Zuffa to see how we are going to bring this great company to new heights. My first order of business is to take a look at the UFC Philly roster and determine what fighters from local wells are good enough to send to the UFC pro circuits, and which ones to not. I also look at all the exciting possibilities that are in store for the future. Our goal is to make every UFC local event feel BIG and special which is a huge win for fighters, advertisers, and of course - and most importantly - you, the fans. I’ve been on the phone with dozens of fighters and to hear the excitement in their voices has been incredibly encouraging.
I know there are so many questions about what changes may be in store for UFC Philly as our qualifying fights get more and more booked. While we are still very early in the process of executing on our long term vision, the plan is simple. We want to put on the most entertaining events possible for YOU. We want UFC Philly to be the place that nurtures good fighters into great ones and we want our events to showcase the fun side of the sport – the personality and showmanship that makes MMA so entertaining. This is the best sport in the world and we want our events to demonstrate that for all to see.
We have a new feature on the site. Each season, we will showcase one of UFC Philly's BEST Tragic Hurts Warrior fighters. Someone who we feel represents the sport that is MMA and UFC. Not only possessing skills in the ring but in sportsmanship and character. I'd like to start this season with none other than Frank (FEROCIOUS - FERO for short) Sasso. Frank is no longer fighting on a CI circuit but he does help out with QUALMATs when he can. He's a pleasure to work with and a tremendous force in the ring. I give you FERO!
FEATURED FIGHTER: FERO
It was the beginning of the third and final round. Fero had just spent the last 2 rounds getting his ass handed to him by Jon Fitch. This shot of Fero (pictured left) was taken just as the bell sounded for the final round to begin. At that moment, Fero shot out of his corner like a bullet, and ran directly toward Fitch. To Fitch's surprise, Fero jumped, twisted his back knee forward in mid-air connecting to Fitch's head and brought each other to the mat. Fitch was dazed. Suddenly, Fero straddled Fitch and unloaded a "ground and pound" until Fitch blacked out.
In April of 2015, I had a chance to interview Fero after a "QUALMAT 2" he participated in at "Brazen on the Piazza" here in Philadelphia. Here's what went down: ______________________________________________________________ KEVIN: Hey Fero, I'm excited to talk with you about your UFC experience. First of all, what's your weight class?
FERO: I'm a Welterweight. Hello Kevin, by the way.
KEVIN: So sorry, where are my manners? Hello. You look great.
FERO: Thank you, you look like you put on a few pounds.
KEVIN: Gee, thanks! (laughs) When did you first get into UFC?
FERO: Back in 1993, I started studying the Kyokushin form of Karate with Danny "Tiger" Schulmann in Oceanside, NY. I got my 3rd degree brown belt in that discipline and also my "red belt" in Muay Thai. I say "red belt" like that because there isn't a belt ranking system in Muay Thai but if there were, I'd be at the traditional American-ized Karate red belt level. That's 5 up from white and 2 down from black. In Muay Thai, the belt is in the ring. Anyway, I didn't do anything for years after that. It wasn't until I started teaching a group fitness class called"Body Combat" that I entertained getting in the ring. As a matter of fact it was in the later part of 2010 that I was even competing professionally; actually getting paid!
KEVIN: You mentioned the later part of 2010. Was that the Fitch fight?
FERO: Yes, but THAT fight was after my 3 QUALMATS, which were on the same night.
KEVIN: You did something in the third round of the Fitch fight that is unheard of to this day, both professionally and in the amateur circuits collectively. Tell the readers what you did.
FERO: I charged him.
KEVIN: What does that mean?
FERO: The bell rang and I ran towards him as fast as I possibly could. Normally, you would NEVER do that.
KEVIN: Why not?
FERO: Fighting is all about strategy. It's about studying your opponent, getting to know his weaknesses and strengths. Protecting yourself from his strengths and exploiting his weaknesses. It's not about blasting after your opponent when you hear the bell and hoping for the best. It was a desperate move on my part.
KEVIN: Yeah, but it totally took Fitch by surprise as you became airborne before he had a chance to even react. He just looked up at you before getting knee-kicked in the head.
FERO: I DO love that picture of him looking up at me like he just spotted some kind of rare bird. (laughs) He owned me in the first two rounds. No question. The only reason I ran after him is because I knew he would expect me to try and analyze him for the final round, play it safe, enter the circle slowly, dance with him a bit, etc. So I figured I would do what no one would ever think to do. Charge him, as if it had been my plan the whole time. I don't think I would ever get away with that again.
KEVIN: Well, that sounds like a strategy to me. In addition, it worked. You brought him down with that knee, and then just unloaded a ground and pound on him until it was lights out.
FERO: Jon is a incredibly smart fighter and an absolute beast in the ring. I HAD to knock him out. It was the only way I'd be able to pin him. He HAD to be knocked out.
KEVIN: Was there ever a time you regretted winning?
FERO: Regret winning? No. Never. That's a ridiculous question, Kevin.
KEVIN: Ok, was there ever a time you regretted the WAY you won? Is that better?
FERO: I can tell you this. This fight tonight with [name withheld], I felt bad because of the way I knocked him out. I didn't feel like I was competing, I felt like I was preventing something from escalating into a street fight.
KEVIN: You handled it very well. Ricky [B] was also here tonight. It was great to see you guys spar before the fight.
FERO: Ricky's one of the best. Such a pro. It's always best to spar and train with someone better than yourself.
KEVIN: In the past, you've told me that if you had your choice of an opponent, you'd choose a bigger, taller guy every time. Do you still feel that way; and if so, why?
FERO: I still feel that way, yes. The reason is a taller guy's center of gravity is further away from the ground, making him easier to take down. If he's "bigger", (overly built) he's most likely slower. Muscle has weight to it. It would tend to slow him down. That's why you'll find a lot of UFC and MMA fighters aren't muscle-heads. You have a few, but not a lot.
KEVIN: I agree. So, you're currently retired. Any chance you'll come out of retirement?
FERO: (laughs) You're such an optimist. You ask me this every month. No, I am not coming out of retirement.
KEVIN: You're 47. Are you saying you're too old? (laughs)
FERO: (laughs) First of all, I'm not old, I'm old-er, secondly, I'm not interested in pursuing a fight career. I'm here because I enjoy the sport and enjoy seeing fighters come up through the ranks. I am part of the creative force behind an internet marketing company called River City e|Marketing (www.RCeMdesigns.com) and a podcast service provider called New Pod City (www.NewPodCity.com). I thoroughly enjoy what I do, and what I'm REALLY excited about is my relationship with Jesus Christ, His call on my life and my relationship with my wife, Christina. We have a ministry together called "A History with God Ministries". (www.aHistoryWithGod.org)
KEVIN: Woah! A ministry? Is God not a fan of UFC? (laughs)
FERO: He likes it very much. He enjoys all sports. I just don't have the kind of time it would take to train and still be an effective minister of His Gospel and a good husband.
KEVIN: I don't think I agree that God likes the fights. C'mon! (laughs)
FERO: That's just because you don't know Him. (laughs) If you knew Him, you'd agree.
KEVIN: Ok, well I'm not going to mess with God here but (laughs) I DO enjoy messing with you, man!
FERO: Can I possibly get ring time with you? Just one 3 minute round. Please?
KEVIN: Not even in your wildest dreams.
FERO: (laughs) You afraid I'll charge you?
KEVIN: Whatever. Fero, it was a pleasure having you as our first featured fighter for the new site. Thank you so much for sitting with us tonight.
FERO: Thank you.
KEVIN: And please reconsider coming out of retirement.
Fero shoots me a look that I actually feel.
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Fero. Check back in March 2016 when our next featured fighter will be Matt Brown!