Here is a taste—with MORE coming in April—welcome to the Sexy Side of MMA
ALL Found right now on www.fightchix.com
Archive for March, 2009
Gina Carano has Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos in her sights, but the sport’s first female mega-bout is looking more and more like a late summer blockbuster.“I probably will shoot for August,” Carano told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown Radio” show on Saturday from The Fight Expo in Del Mar, Calif. “I can’t really think about anybody else [but Cyborg] right now. Everybody’s like, let’s get some tune-ups or let’s get some of this, but I can’t fight anybody else in that position because there’s this big fight between me and ‘Cyborg’ and I feel all my energy should just go to that. Before I can even think about anybody else, I just can’t fit another opponent in my mind without getting that one done.”
Gina Carano exclusive interview.
Since the announcement of Strikeforce’s purchase of select Pro Elite contracts in February, the congenial Carano’s status has been a key topic of discussion. Reports have suggested “the face of women’s MMA” was gung-ho to return to the cage in April or May, but she said those accounts were premature.
“If you haven’t heard it from my mouth… I never said I was going to fight in May,” said Carano. “I never said I was going to fight in April, so people might talk and make guesses, but if it’s not coming out of my mouth, it’s not true.”
Although the promotion offered Carano bouts in its April and May events, Strikeforce has apparently given the newly proposed timetable its blessing.
“We would love to have Gina come fight for us in August,” wrote Mike Afromowitz, director of media relations for Strikeforce, in an email to Sherdog.com on Tuesday. “A fight between her and Cyborg in August would be great. It’s important that fighters return to action when they feel comfortable and ready to do so.”
Gina Carano exclusive interview.
Whether the August matchup would be slotted as a headliner, or if there is any chance the anticipated bout could be relegated to a CBS broadcast or even allotted to pay-per-view was something Afromowitz wouldn’t comment on. Strikeforce announced a multi-year broadcast deal on Feb. 5 with Showtime, which will host up to 10 events in 2009, and up to 16 in 2010. CBS, the parent conglomerate of Showtime, is expected to adopt a couple of those events as well, possibly as early as the fall.
The extra time will also allow fighter and promoter the opportunity to come to terms on money, while Santos faces grappling ace Hitomi Akano next in the interim at Strikeforce’s April 11 event.
Carano’s agent, Matt Walker, of the Wasserman Media Group, has been in talks with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker since February to restructure the undefeated fighter’s contract with the San Jose-based promotion. Carano (7-0) was paid a measly $25,000 for her three-round decision over Kelly Kobold last October on EliteXC’s “Saturday Night Fights broadcast on CBS. However, she has drawn just as much attention to the sport as her top male counterparts.
In addition to her stint on NBC’s revitalized “American Gladiators” last year, Carano was named one of Yahoo’s Top 10 Influential Women of 2008, alongside New York State Senator and former first lady Hilary Clinton, vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, media guru Oprah Winfrey, and movie star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie. The striking 26-year-old was also coupled with to the late Bruce Lee in a retrospective Pepsi commercial, which aired during the last Superbowl.
Carano’s last fight on CBS was seen by nearly 5.2 million viewers, and drew in an additional million set of eyes from the bout that preceded it. Carano’s only visible downside would be her struggles to make weight before her fights; Carano noted that she’d just undergone a month-long diet detox program.
Regardless, a pay raise would seem to be in order, but the two sides have yet to come to a deal. At a Strikeforce press conference on March 12 in Los Angeles, Coker likened the negotiations to a “holdout” from “training camp,” but both sides have described discussions as both open and amicable.
The sport’s ultimate lady-in-waiting has had other suitors as well. Carano confirmed to Sherdog.com that she met with UFC owners Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White one day before the Strikeforce-Showtime union was announced, after Fertitta contracted Carano’s father, Glen. Carano and Fertitta formerly served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission together.
“It was really the first time I really ever talked to either one personally,” said Carano. “They expressed doing something with me, but the very next day, Strikeforce had the contracts. [Fertitta and White] are pretty intelligent guys. They had a strong presence about them and it was really cool to meet them. I can’t not take that as a compliment that they had me in.”
Carano was impressed with the UFC contingent — which has told the press it has interest in promoting one-off bouts with her. However, Carano knows she has more futures to consider than just her own.
“Strikeforce has a vision for women. They want to do something with women,” said Carano, who’d likely have to enter into the legal realm to contest Strikeforce’s claim to her present contract.
Some might argue that Carano, Strikeforce, Showtime, and possibly even the sport itself would be better served to have the raven-haired beauty face another opponent, both for the sheer experience and to further suspend build-up for the anticipated showdown with Santos. The Xtreme Couture fighter seems to have made up her mind though.
“I really just want something to make me train, to make me mentally take it to the next level, and I really think a fight like ‘Cyborg’ will do that,” said Carano.
24
Mar
09
Not much time left
21
Mar
09
MASK Memorial
A memorial service to honor TapouT founder Charles “Mask” Lewis Jr., who died last week in an early-morning California traffic accident, is set for April 14.
TapouT officials today released details of the service, titled “Simply Believe: A Celebration of Charles Mask’ Lewis Jr.”
It’ll take place at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. The memorial service is open to the public.
“We first and foremost want to thank everyone – TapouT fans, (the) mixed-martial-arts community and more – for their kind words and support in the wake of Mask’s death,” stated TapouT co-founder Dan “Punkass” Caldwell. “Whether you’re a fan of MMA or not, Charles’ goal was to inspire people to make a difference in the world and never settle for anything less than their dreams. With TapouT he reached more people than we could have ever imagined, and his dedication to the sport and brand will live on forever through his fans around the world.”
TapouT President Marc Kreiner echoed those sentiments.
“Mask was the ultimate entrepreneur,” Kreiner stated. “I’m still in awe of his marketing and business prowess that brought his dream from the back of a pickup truck to a world-renowned brand. We’ll miss his drive and intensity for the business, but the leadership he instilled in the company will carry on.”
“Mask was one of the most genuine and honest people I have ever met,” TapouT crew member Timothy “Skyskrape” Katz stated. “He created TapouT as a way to share his passion and energy for MMA with the world, and the inspiration and attitude of TapouT will continue to live on in Mask’s memory.”
Lewis died on March 11 when his vehicle was struck by another car. The collision forced Lewis’ Ferrari over a curb and into a utility poll, which nearly cut the car into two pieces. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene, and his girlfriend, Lacy Lynn White, was ejected from the vehicle and treated for a fractured elbow and several lacerations and abrasions.
Two days after the accident, the driver of the second car, Jeffrey David Kirby, was charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and causing great bodily injury to multiple victims.
Kirby twice had been convicted of past DUI offenses. He now faces a maximum sentence of 19 years and eight months in state prison if convicted of the new charges.
Lewis, 45, founded Tapout Clothing Inc. in 1997 with a trunk full of T-shirts and a few thousand dollars of start-up money. Over the past decade, he and his partners have made the company the biggest apparel success story in MMA.
Tapout, which grossed just $30,000 in sales in 1999, pushed that number to more than $100 million in 2008 alone. The company now has licensed retailers (including the likes of Dillard’s and Champs) around the world and is one of the UFC’s most prominent sponsors.
Lewis was a fixture at MMA events around the world, and his company sponsored numerous fighters. He also appeared in a TapouT TV show that airs on Versus.
(credit:mmajunkie)
Fight Chix has been invited to join the Women Talk Sports blog network. This is all women related sports items from fans to athletes. Please check them out!
Jacob Nuesser, the creative force behind the designs at FIGHT CHIX and husband to the owner, was featured this week on Rear Naked Choke Radio show. The topic was Mask and what he ment to the MMA world. Jacob shares some interesting Mask stories as well as a few Vegas adventures. Also—he reveils a few new items coming from FIGHT CHIX.
Check it out!!
16
Mar
09
Mask Tributes
See more at Throwthembos.com
Charles was a person who was high off of life. His enthusiasm was infectious and he was just such a positive person. I try to associate myself with positive people who are genuine. Mask was definitely that. He was such an intense guy and you could feel his energy and emotions when he spoke. We spoke for a while on time on a plane from Vegas to Boston and the majority of the conversation was about how he wanted to help people and the sport.
Mask could have easily made his money from behind the scenes and not care about the fighters or the sport. Mask was not about that and neither are the other guys from Tapout for that matter. They truly love the sport and love the fighters. Even when I was not a part of the Tapout team, they always showed me a lot respect and love. He followed his dreams and sacrificed and worked hard to make it happen much like us fighters do. Mask was always asking if I needed anything, how I was feeling before fights, asked me how my gym was doing just always caring about people he knew. I just felt good talking to the guy. There was definitely an aura about him.
Mask is gone now but lives on forever through his legacy, the brand that he helped create and through the other guys from Tapout. He was an inspiration to so many people and I pray that people remember that about him. We lost an amazing and one of a kind individual.
– Kenny Florian
www.kennyflorian.com/
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I am sad and in shock after being informed of the sudden death of my friend and MMA colleague Charles Lewis Jr… Charles or as most of you know him as “Mask” of the Tapout Crew was a true pioneer of MMA… I remember when he and his crew were at every MMA related event selling their T-shirts from the trunk of their car to sales booths to their grand offices building their amazing business from the ground up into a multi-million dollar empire and all they received from it was justly deserved being the passionate workers and true entrepreneurs they be… to know Charles was to know a man who always had a smile on his face and nothing but good things to say about everyone.
Charles… It was only last week that we flew on a plane with Dan and Skrape to Ohio for UFC 96 laughing all the way… I will sincerely miss you as you always put a smile on my face… no future UFC event will ever be the same for me without you there jumping up and down in your seat screaming my name in support as I roar my Octagon announcements… thank you for your friendship, your support and for all you did for all UFC/MMA fans. You will be missed by all of us… My prayers are with you and “Rest In Peace Forever” as you will be sincerely missed but never forgotten.
– Bruce Buffer
www.bufferzone.net
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Mask was the inspiration for both my wife and I to pursue the dream that has become Fight Chix. His message is clear and we have taken it to heart.
I took my daughter to her first UFC. We had seats right by where the fighters walked in. Mask and the crew walked by a few times and my daughter Justyne gave Mask some FIGHT CHIX stickers—he thanked her and then took off one of his Believe dog tags, and gave it to her. It literally made her first UFC experience one that will never be forgotten.
We will never forget what Mask stood for, how he gave back to the sport, and most importantly his message, BELIEVE.
– Jacob Nuesser, FightChix.com
www.fightchix.com/
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I would have to say that I’ve known Mask a little over two years. He’s always been an enthusiastic and passionate person. He loved what he did; he loved everything he was a part of. And he, Punkass, and Scrape have been a part of so much.
I can’t tell you how many times, I invited Mask and Scrape out to party. they were always the ones to turn in early. Punkass was my roll dog on more than one occasion. But I have an experience I’d like to share with everyone. It’s pretty personal because everyone’s always wanting to know about my financial existence.
I got to Tampa for UFC in early February. I was going through some really rough personal issues at the time. As I was leaving the weigh ins, I ran into Mask and Scrape being picked up in a limo and they gave me a ride back to the hotel. They started inquiring about how I made it to all the shows and I told them I paid for it, shared rooms when I could and basically try to do photo shoots and sell advertising. I said it’s tough, but I love what I’m doing so it’s worth it. As I got out of the car at the hotel, mask shook my hand and said, go get yourself something nice.
They drove off and I looked in my hand and there was a $100 bill sitting there. I was blown away! A few days later, they called me up to try to schedule a photo shoot. I wish to god that we had been able to get a shoot done. I’m crying just thinking about it.
There are very few people in this industry that have contributed as much as Mask, Punkass and Scrape have. I’m very happy to have called Charles my friend.
You will be sorely missed, Charles Lewis. You have left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
– Tracy Lee, NapkinNights.com
www.napkinnights.com/
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when I did have the opportunity to see Charles, I very much enjoyed being around him. He was an energetic and fun guy to be around. His enthusiasm was contagious. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and he as well as the rest of the TapouT family will be in my thoughts.
– Nick Thompson
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Mask was a part of MMA, his character, Charles the whole TapouT crew have contributed so much to the sport.
– Shane Carwin
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Charles was a great guy with high energy. I remember him coming out to our gym and looking for fighters that he could help, financially and in any way that he could to help their progress. He was selfless in that manner. I also remember his passion for the sport and for the fighters in it. From the beginning he and Tapout were at almost every single show, showing their support and helping fighters out whether they were wearing Tapout or not they were still fans and supported the fighters. This was a class act and awesome to see in the sport. He most definitely made an impact on us over here and will no doubt be missed.
Rest in Peace Charles… God Bless,
– Jorge Rivera, Tom Hafers, Matt Phinneyand, the entire staff at USMMA and Tim Burrill Jiu Jitsu
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What a loss for MMA…..thought he did a lot for the sport and I know he’ll always be remembered.
– Olga Bakalopoulos
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Charles was a great guy who believed in this industry to such a degree that his memory will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of meeting him and feeling his passion for MMA.
– Sam Hoger
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Charles was great he was the guy who you thought didn’t know you then all of a sudden he was texting or calling you, letting you know how great he thinks you ar., He always had a sense of humor, never serious without a good laugh in between. He gave me a shot when others wouldn’t. He was a great person, and an inspiration for all business owners. He made millions out of what started in a trunk of a car, a true pioneer and a huge mark on MMA. We love you Charles you’ll never be forgotten and that is the goal of all goals– to be remembered forever
– Leonard Garcia
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He was always in good spirits and made me laugh. I will miss seeing and talking to him at the events… RIP buddy…
– Mike Swick
www.mikeswick.com/
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He was a cool guy, and always made time for anybody who asked. He changed sports marketing as we know it. I really didn’t know him or hang out or anything. I just would see him at events and we would say “What up!!” And we would “Hook ‘Um Up” of course. My 15 year old daughter got a real nice pic with the crew, and got it signed by all the guys a few days before this all went down. So I must say. It is one of the best things I have to remember this sport. And it will always have a place on my wall. The fans have lost a true Icon. It won’t be the same without him there. And I mean that. I hope I helped. God bless his friends and family. And thanks for asking,
– Steve Mazzagatti
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Charles “Mask” Lewis’ passing is a great loss to MMA, but most importantly to the fighters of MMA. Tapout is a company that made it easier for fighters to accept the hardships that this job entails. With “Mask’s” passing we are all the less fortunate. His friendship and character will be greatly missed.
– Rory Markham
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I only know Charles as Charles I never could get used to the idea of calling him Mask. When he asked me to call him that in public years ago I laughed and just couldn’t bring myself to do it… he was a cool guy at the small OC gyms helping out the little guys in MMA. He had a TON of passion was as smart as they come, and played a huge role in helping make MMA mainstream and what it is today. I was extremely happy for his success and am very saddened by his death. I saw him at the movies a little while ago and he seemed so happy, Charles may you RIP knowing you did a lot of good for a lot of people and I for one of many will miss you and your smiles I will never again be able to go to a show and have you sneak up at me from behind, scare the crap out of me and give me one of your huge hugs. Thanks for everything
Your pal & lots of love
– Debi Purcell
www.debipurcell.com/
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The first time I ever saw Tapout merchandise was at a Jiu Jitsu tournament in Southern California in 1998. They only had stickers, tight fight shorts and shirts. They had a table and all the extra merchandise was held in the back of a car. As time passed, I was going to more tournaments and started fighting in 2002. Charles and the guys were there and at ANY(I mean ANY) fights or event. It was great to see them go from the back of a car, to a van, to a bus and so on. Every time you would talk to Charles, you could sense his energy about what he was doing. I was always on good and friendly terms, but in 2006 I became a member of the Tapout family with a sponsorship. This brought my respect and face time with Charles up by a lot. We would have long talks on the phone and he would break down his beliefs on the sport of MMA and being true to yourself. It was great for someone to believe in something so strong and to never change his persona, regardless of the success of his company. Charles and TapouT were at the start of MMA, prior to anyone knowing about it, before it was on cable and main stream. It was great running into him even after that and I’m saddened to know his rabid energy and personality won’t bless my life anymore.
– Gabriel Ruediger
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I’m a Sprawl sponsored fighter. Always have been. But every UFC I would sit next to these 3 clowns… who couldn’t make me feel more welcome. I can’t tell you how many times Mask would grab me in a bear hug and say to me, “Nothin but love and respect for you brother. Ever think about coming over to the dark side?” And we’d both laugh. I never knew Mask nearly as much as you all but his passing has affectied me more deeply than I would have thought. I think it’s because I saw in him that which I appreciate most about people… a passion to follow a dream no matter what the consequences. And to enjoy every minute of it. Love to all his family and those mourning his passing.
– Nathan Quarry
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I first met Charles back in 2001 at one of Montre Cox..s shows in UTah. Even though i..d lost my fight against a tough Jason Miller, he really took his time to cheer me up and make me feel like a professional. Tapout was THE brand that was synonimous with the sport of MMA, and we would not be where we are without people like him.
– Denis Kang
www.deniskang.com/
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I’ll never get Charles’ laugh and voice out of my head and I will smile every time I hear it. Being the first fighter sponsored by them makes me proud. Seeing Mask, Skrape, and Punkass at the shows has always been something I looked forward to. I will continue to see Mask in the crowd at every show I’m at. God bless.
– Pat Miletich
Black wings shirt, Face Off Tee, Black Track Jacket, and car decal—all for $75! It would retail for over $105!!! Hurry while supplies last.
Just $18 this month
All available now at www.fightchix.com
On March 11th the MMA community lost one of it’s most inspirational figures and the Godfather of MMA clothing. Charles, “Mask,” Lewis died early today in Newport, CA in a car accident. Lewis was the Co-Founder of the most popular MMA clothing brand, TapOut.
Tapout was the first major MMA brand that brought an array of clothing, gear, hats, etc and eventually a realty T.V. show. The Tapout crew is survived by Punkass and Skyskrape who were not a part of the accident.
The Tapout crew has been an inspiration to all clothing companies to fight for their line and never give up. Tapout gave Fight Chix a chance and we would never be here if it weren’t for The Tapout Crew.
Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to all friends, family members and people of the MMA community.
Sincerely,
Fight Chix
(The TapOut Crew)
(Fight Chix Posing As TapOut for Halloween 2007)
(Fight Chix CEO/Founder Elisabeth with Skyskrapke and Mask)
(R.I.P.
Mask, you will truly be missed)
… “I left that show hurt, but I made a vow- I said that I will never walk up to somebody again and (have) them not know who I am. You will never see me coming and not know who I represent and what I’m about. . . . It sparked a lot of anger and a lot of creative juices I had.” Charles, “Mask,” Lewis, 2007.
12
Mar
09
Mask We Will Miss you
The guys over at Tapout have asked me to help spread the word. Tomorrow is Friday the 13th, and they’re calling it Black Friday.
Please wear anything you have that is Tapout related in remembrance of Charles “MASK” Lewis.
They have a tribute page they are putting together; you can go leave a comment on their webpage:
http://www. tapout. com/index. cfm?fa=comments. home
There is also a Tapout phone line you can call to share a story, or leave a message for family and friends: 1-888-6-TAPOUT
