Karlovac 10K
Karlovac 10K
Jedna mot-fot!
Jedna motivacijska fotka.
Prvo život onda sport!
Nakon dugo vremena otrčao sam dugu stazu zg kros lige (8.6km) što je ujedno i moj prvi nastup poslije par godina kompetitivne neaktivnosti. Razlozi za pauzu su višestruki: problemi sa koljenima, korona kriza, financije i uopće borba za egzistenciju. Na ovom ludom svijetu prvo se moraš izboriti za vlastiti život a tek onda na red dolazi sve ostalo. Krenimo redom: 1) problemi sa koljenima – nitko mi od profesora tjelesnog u osnovnoj i srednjoj školi niti itko kasnije u životu, od svih tih “trkačkih stručnjaka” koje sam upoznao, nije rekao da prije početka bavljenja trčanjem treba obavezno napraviti dijagnostiku stopala. Mehanički slijed ozljede je jasan: iskrivljenost stopala prenosi se na koljena i onda na leđa. Događalo mi se da ujutro idući na posao, pogotovo tijekom hladnijih perioda, doživljavam paralizu u koljenima. Nisam mogao hodati po 10-15min. Naučio sam iz vlastitog iskustva, isto kao i puno drugih stvari. Napravio sam statičku dijagnostiku (stručni pregled u stanju mirovanja) i kupio posebne anatomske insole (uloške) oboje za 500kn ukupno. Asics tenisice za korekciju pronacije sam platio 800kn. Dinamička dijagnostika je skuplja jer se vrši dok se gibamo i iznosi nekih 1000kn ali ne znam da li su ulošci uračunati u cijenu. Godine prolaze, 1-2-3-4, drastično sam smanjio količinu trčanja, doduše zadržao nadbazalnu mišićnu aktivnost i orijentirao se na hodanje, tjelesna masa narasla na oko 70kg uz suzdržavanje od slatkiša, gaziranih napitaka (mineralnu vodu pijem) i masne hrane. Kad sam bio u najboljoj životnoj formi nije prelazila 65kg. To su sve sitnice koje se lako vrate na idealno, ali koljena su problem koji zahtijeva pojačanu brigu. Liječnička dijagnoza je kronični patelarni tendinitis tj. kronična atipična upala patelarnih tetiva. Atipičnost se očituje u nedjelotvornosti protuupalnih lijekova i standardnog RICE tretmana što znatno otežava oporavak. 2) korona krizu i mjere opreza mislim da ne moram objašnjavati, 3) financije – 30kn mi nije malo dati za startninu. Sve one godine dok sam redovito trčao godišnji izdatak samo za zg kros ligu mi je bio preko 300kn. Uračunajte još druge lige i utrke. Godišnje sam na trčanje trošio u prosjeku oko 1000kn samo na startnine, ne računajući odjeću, opremu i vodu za tuširanje. Na moju državnoslužbeničku plaću od cca 4000kn to je prilično mnogo. 4) borba za egzistenciju – na ovom ludom svijetu, ne samo kod nas iako kod nas postoje određene negativne specifičnosti kojih nema drugdje i obratno, prvo se moraš izboriti za vlastiti život a tek onda se možeš posvetiti borbi za sportske rezultate. Prvo ide borba za život, a tek onda borba za rezultate!
Što se tiče samog nastupa, ispunio sam svoj jedini cilj za ovaj put a to je doći nakon dugo vremena i otrčati dugu stazu. Rezultat i plasman su mi danas bili u drugom planu i nije mi bila namjera s nikim se natjecati osim sa samim sobom. Vrijeme oko 41:20, po mom satu, a službenu ciljnu listu dobivamo kroz koji dan. Odmah potom već čujem komentare poput “zašto nisi stigao onoga” i “zašto nisi trčao brže”. Takvi neupućeni komentari, i općenito svi glupi komentari koje sam dobivao sa raznih strana kako unutar tako i izvan klupskog okruženja, uz druge stvari, su razlog zbog kojih godinama iz protesta ne plaćam klupsku članarinu i zbog čega više nemam namjeru biti član ijednog kluba. Osim ako se precizno ne definiraju uvjeti za ubuduće. Zasada trčim koliko mogu i kako mogu ali uvijek dajem svoj maksimum u trenutnim okolnostima. To jedino znam ja sam. Nitko ne može znati bolje od mene samog koliko sam spreman, koliko sam raspoložen i kako se osjećam. Juče, niti sam bio odmoran niti sam bio u trkačkoj formi kao prije. Raspoložen jesam bio zbog prekrasnog, sunčanog vremena i upravo zato sam dao svoj maksimum u svim tim postojećim okolnostima. Ozbiljan trening zahtjeva mentalan mir. Tu mislim na sve egzogene faktore. Onda me netko poslije pita, prepoznati će se, zašto ovo i zašto ovako. Trčanje je najprije borba sa samim sobom a ne sa drugima. Treba uopće naći volje za fizičku aktivnost nakon što dođeš s posla (ako si radnik). U šali juče rekoh da krevet pokrivam ceradom a otkrivam tek prije spavanja. Jer je inače “sila ležeće gravitacije” prejaka. Osobni rekord na ovoj stazi mi je 34 minute.
Krenuo sam, i nastavio, laganim tempom znajući da je nerealno za ovu priliku očekivati brže od 10min po svakom od 4 otrčana kruga – svaki dužine 2.1km tj. ukupno 2.1 x 4 = 8.6km (ili preračunato: 5min/km). Na kraju je tako i bilo. Svoj sam cilj ispunio – došao sam nakon dugo vremena, otrčao i pošteno se oznojio. Plan je nanovo početi sa treninzima i s vremenom popravljati rezultat a koliko će mi bolesna koljena i radne prilike dozvoliti to ćemo vidjeti. Ponavljam, prvo se moram izboriti za vlastiti život a onda tek mogu razmišljati što i kako dalje.
Moj novi trkački dnevnik.
Nadnevak: 21.5. 2021.
Teo Klima, amaterski trkač sveprugaš
Miočić vs Ngannou 2
With Miočić confident as usual and 8.5 kilos of muscles weaker than Francis, I expected superb tactics just as we seen it in their first clash. But immediately after the second fight started, I noticed something very strange. Miočić had no tactics – he simply tried to repeat the sequence from their first encounter. He tried to copy&paste first fight. How stupid is that? Especially now when you have even stronger Ngannou than before.
Single-leg take down attempt failed but Miočić couldn`t let go of Francis foot. Why no transition? You can not raise 120kg of active muscles from the ground! Even if you do you will get tired. From that position you start with upper cuts and knees instead. Round 1 finished with Ngannou fresh. Compare first round before with this one. There is huge difference in Miočić`s activity.
Stipe began second round like he achieved his tactical goal in the first. Be he didn`t. Francis was fresh and waiting to hit hard. Stipe is fighting with wrestling guard against power striker who is ready to perform. One shot in the head, two, three, Miočić is shaken, four, five – his head is receiving heavy damage and brain shuts down. Stipe falls unconscious on the floor. Ngannou savagely jumps and lands hammer blow to the Miočić’s face. Ngannou proved that he is a beast. Every normal fighter would just confirm knock out not doubled it. Not Francis, he is not sportist and this was not sport move. This was pure hatred. This was street mentality behaviour. Jungle massacre. I respect him zero level. Really, UFC has a new champ? Unfortunately, we have lost sport at the same time. Do not fool me, I see Francis Ngannou, without judges near, rampaging over unconscious opponents and decapitating them.
Suspicious fight. No tactics on Stipe`s side, nothing new, fighting front and back at exact Ngannou`s hand distance. Luckily I suspected it and bet for only a small amount of money. How can something like this occur? Gambling bookies had more informations. They knew Stipe isn`t improving not nearly enough. I was believing he is. But for this kind of a fight, title fight against the 120kg of muscles, you must train specifically not only regularly.
Look how Croatian media and public change their vocabulary. When Stipe Miočić was a champion everyone adressed him as Croat living in America. Now when he lost they call him American with Croatian roots. What a hipocracy. In few years time, no one will remember him having Croatian roots at all. He will just be – ordinary USA fireman. But for me – Stipe will always be a true sportist and a role model!
When two top opponents meet I expect tough and close encounter. This was one way street from the start. Ngannou never stronger, Miočić never with less power. With 38 years on his shoulders, Stipe Miočić could just have retired. At least he would save his health and, I am certain, no one would mind him doing so. Now first 6 months rest from the fights and then we will see. Future holds the keys of our destiny but we choose what locks to open with them!
Taoistic spheres self-massage technique
I have pair of taoistic spheres which I bought a long ago. Two billiard or tennis balls will suit the purpose as well – not so efficient though.
Before starting the massage, we must set priorities: 1) healing of the muscles, 2) tired muscles recovery and 3) stimulation of the most important muscles. That means if you have muscles which need regeneration then you will start with them following with muscles which suffer from fatigue. At the end you stimulate the most used muscles which you want to improve with dual purpose of the injuri prevention and performance enhancement.
In laying position, spheres, or alternatives, are placed under the muscle. We can rotate in both directions, press dynamic or static, slide in any direction. Feel how your muscle(s) react. If it becomes painful just gently change the course. Interesting phenomenon occurs: it seems like spheres are moving by themselves. Actually, it is our neuromuscular control. Comfort and relaxation are the target points here.
This kind of massage is more beneficial and pleasant than the usual one with other person doing it. Of course, live massage has its own specific advantages over spheres method. Combination of the two would be ideal.
I will publish video in few days.
S.O.S. to the world
Dear Guardian, Premier League and the rest of the Nick’s bunch,
I can not resist starting this e-mail with ARE YOU THAT F****** STUPID? Obviously you are. And I do not care will you read my e-mail or not. It is your life and business in matter. I couldn’t care less. The most important thing for me is that I have new topic to write about on my sport blog and laugh at the same time.
The story is centered about Nick Littlehales – bed mattress seller who convinced entire Premier League, and more, that scientifically proven 7-9 hours best method of sleeping is wrong. On the other hand, I find this method to be accurate. I don’t need Nick to tell me: there is expert literature, there are expert Internet sources and self-experience which I always regard to be the most important of all – at least in the relationship to the expert knowledge.
My latest inquiry in this field of brain, sleep & recovery led me to the dr. Walker studies who confirms everything I knew from before and even expands my understanding of proper rest. Let me enlighten you with 7 mandatory pillars of snooze (night shift workers and families with little children are special story): 1) 7-9 hours per night is obligatory, with 23-04 period included without exception, 2) REM all four (4) phases completed – known as deep sleep, 3) 30-60 minutes afternoon nap, 4) darkened bedroom, room temperature – not cold or warm, socks off – blood cools in our feet and then cools our core, avoid looking at the lights one and half hour before going to the sleep, 5) do not go hungry in the bed nor too full – eat light but enough for dinner, 6) sleep in the most comfortable position (fetus posture is desirable but not binding), 7) softly stretch your spine immediately before and after sleep.
“Sixteen years later he is a leading figure in the field, having assessed and reconfigured the bedrooms of a legion of international sporting stars as well as working with…”
Leading figure in the field? He is marketing guy, bed mattress seller, nothing else. Just one look at his face reveals to me that he is charlatan, fraud, mountebank, etc. He managed to convince all of you against the truth? One hell of a swindler I give him that, but nothing else.
“Littlehales makes sure sportspeople get the right hotel rooms on the right floor, the right air conditioning and temperature control, plus appropriate lighting and beds.”
This he can do.
“Endurance events such as the Tour are mentally taxing, so he also instructs team bosses to ensure each rider has seven sets of white linen, to be washed, dried and replaced each night to give the rider a greater sense of calm. Filters are placed over air-conditioning vents to remove allergens from the room and each athlete wears nasal strips to open their airways and avoid mouth-breathing.”
Well, well, he is not 100% fraud. This are actually good advices. 99% I say.
“And what about the age-old theory that eight hours of kip per day is what we need? Rubbish, says Littlehales. “Nobody gets it and nobody achieves it.” He says everyone has different physical and mental recovery times but that for elite athletes, five 90-minute sleep cycles a day is optimal, no matter what order they are in.”
So, Nick says that REM is rubbish. Rapid Eye Movement, deep sleep, is rubbish – so says Nick. Nick, Nicky, nickel… The only thing here that is rubbish is your theory of sleep without deep sleeping involved. Neural recombination is rubbish – says Nick. Neural restructuring, neural renewing is rubbish – says Nick. Doctors and scientists talk rubbish – says Nick. And so many sport leagues, sport clubs and sport media took Nick’s garbage along with them – that is the biggest rubbish in here.
“Routine is also vital. Each athlete has their own chronotype; they’re either morning people or night owls…”
This is true. I withdraw Nick’s rubbish to be 98%.
“The one electronic device Littlehales does recommend is a small dawn light simulator that emits gradual light to replicate the natural circadian process of sunrise.”
I do not recommend this. As the matter of fact, avoid this gadget at any cost. It will mess your biorhythm (circadian process) for certain.
“…many young athletes have grown up in the world of online gaming and take consoles with them wherever they go, playing against team-mates and friends until all hours of the night… Littlehales says athletes wouldn’t be banned from having sex before big games (“absolute crap”) but most definitely sleep solo, with partners leaving for a separate room once it’s time… Many top football clubs agree. At Real Madrid’s training centre only the player himself can gain access to his customised sleeping pod.”
Nick’s rubbish is lowered to the 97%.
“Littlehales says people would be surprised by the spartan, purely functional bedroom facilities at Manchester City’s academy, where the emphasis is on player recovery rather than pampering. City players will sleep there before home games.”
I am not surprised. Spartan – that is exactly how every perfect bedroom should look like. Nick you are going down to the 96%.
“For players who do sleep with their partner there are many extra factors to consider; the size of the bed; whether the partner is a light or fitful sleeper; that a right-handed athlete is best sleeping on their left side but on the right side of the bed.”
True. 95%.
“Littlehales says most elite athletes he works with have previously paid no attention to their sleeping environment at home, sending a partner or assistant out to buy their mattress and bedding. At worst that decision can lead to shoulder and neck complaints and contribute to other injuries. “I very rarely find that they’re sleeping on the right stuff,” he says.”
94%.
94%. That is the approximate amount of rubbish Nick is selling to the world. 1.5 hours times five is his sleeping theory. 1.5 seconds times one is what took me to realize that he sells nonsense, 1.5 hours times one is what took me to write this review on my mobile phone.
Go for it, please. Follow Nick’s sleeping advice. The rest of the sport world will run over you like high speed train over shopping cart.
Do you know what the only thing 1.5 hours times five method is better than? It is only better than sleeping less than that or not sleeping at all (which both leads to brain damage and death eventually).
Sincerely,
Teo Klima
editor of sport blog Fitness&Training
Svetice streetworkout 28/02/2021
Nakon Klake, Trnovčice, Kušlanove, Bundeka i Maksimira na red je došao streetworkout Svetice – nova trim staza. Trenirao sam davno prije na staroj stazi ali kada sam počeo raditi overall reportažu o zagrebačkim streetworkout parkovima to mjesto je bilo očišćeno zbog gradnje nogometnog kampa. Projekt kampa je otpao pa je na tom prostoru ostala postojeća atletska staza i napravljena je nova za trim koja sadrži sve uobičajene sprave ali i pet metarsko uže za penjanje. Uže je više zanimljivo djeci i mlađima, nego odraslima radi svoje kratkoće (manje od deset metara je neozbiljna visina za utrenirane vježbače), koja tako započinju svoje prve korake, u šali kažem, “koruke” na putu da jednog dana postanu vrsni streetworkout praktičari.
Nažalost, zbog svog javnog karaktera na ŠRC Svetice dolaze svakakvi profili vježbača pa i ne-vježbači. To su ljudi koji se motaju po stazi i oduzimaju dragocjeni prostor a uopće ne izvode trening. Leže na trim podlozi, naslanjaju se na sprave i ostavljaju svoje stvari na istima. Dobro, barem služe kao slučajna publika.
Napravio sam svoju zasada skromnu streetworkout rutinu: široki zgibovi iza glave i na prsa, uski zgibovi i dipsevi. Prije i poslije toga sam doma radio bench press.
Zima mi je protekla u održavanju forme, ne u napredovanju, pa mi je proljetna ulazna količina ponavljanja identična jesenskoj izlaznoj. Mora se uzeti u obzir da sam i preko zime napravio pauzu od korištenja kreatina pa je forma čak malo slabija, ali kako sam unazad par dana počeo opet uzimati kreatin ova razlika će biti anulirana već kroz tjedan-dva. Početkom travnja očekujem prvi ovogodišnji napredak. Za svibanj razmišljam da pozovem neke prijatelje i poznanike pa da organiziram pravo streetworkout okupljanje kako bi se definirao daljni razvoj ove zanimljive i pristupačne trenažne discipline.
U srijedu, 03.03.2021. ću napraviti repetitivni bench press trening a preko narednog vikenda ću testirati maksimalnu snagu. Ne mislim da je u ovom slučaju tj. testiranju maksimalne snage umjesto pojma “maksimalno” moguće upotrebljavati i pojam “apsolutno” jer je za mene pojam “apsolutno” uistinu jednak maksimalnom mogućem ne samo maksimalnom. Da su idealni uvjeti, da je sve idealno onda tek možemo govoriti o maksimalnom mogućem tj. apsolutnom. Ovako je maksimalno – “samo” maksimalno u datim, neidealnim okolnostima.
Nisam fotkao zgibove na prsa jer je bilo previše statista u kadru, a filmiće koje sam snimio na Sveticama pogledajte na mojem youtube kanalu.
27.3.2021. Stipe Miočić vs Francis Ngannou (hrvatski prijevod)
Ovo je više od borbe. Ovo je sukob između dva sportska svijeta: onog koji promiče skroman pristup životu i treninzima uz poštivanje – koji potječe iz istinskog borilačkog okruženja, hrvanja, i drugog koji promoviraju novac, mediji i sama organizacija UFC-a – koji potječe negdje iz glave Dana Whitea. Kad pogledam većinu boraca u UFC-u, vidim samo ružni govor i nekolegijalnost. Ne Stipe, ne ni mrvicu. Od tog tipa nećete čuti nikakvu uvredljivu riječ ili samo naslutiti podsmijeh. Dugo sam tražio istinski uzor u svijetu MMA-a i napokon sam ga pronašao u Stipi Miočiću. Izvrstan borac, posvećen svojoj obitelji i zajednici, vatrogasac, inteligentan, duhovit, doista vrlo posebna osoba. Nije mi se svidjelo kad se Cormier pretvarao da mu je prijatelj, tijekom snimanja UF 27 i nakon toga, samo da bi zadobio njegovo povjerenje, a onda ga je gađao prstom u oko u prvoj borbi koju je Cormier dobio, ali na sumnjiv način upravo zbog tog pokanja koje je nezakonito i ozbiljno je utjecalo na Stipin pogled. Ali u redu, to je što je: Cormier je pobijedio i Stipe je morao tražiti ponovni meč koji je dobio na TKO način. Navijači s obje strane čekali su treći susret i dogodio se: Stipe je ovog puta ponovno pobijedio ali odlukom sudaca. Prije prve borbe s Cormierom Stipe je imao niz pobjeda nad dobrim i opasnim protivnicima kao što su Gonzaga, Hunt, Arlovski, Overeem, Werdum, Santos i Ngannou, izgubivši samo od Stefana Struvea ranije, ali obranivši naslov u teškoj kategoriji tri puta zbog čega je ušao u legendu UFC-ovih teškaša – nitko nikada nije obranio naslov u teškoj kategoriji tri puta zaredom. Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar i Cain Velasquez to su učinili dva puta, ali Stipe Miočić to je učinio TRI PUTA !!! Fedor Emelianenko u PRIDE-u je također tri puta zaredom obranio naslov u teškoj kategoriji, ali kada je došao u Strikeforce i Bellator izgubio je ne od vrhunskih boraca, tako da ne mogu podjednako uzeti važnost ova dva postignuća. Ono što mogu usporediti između Stipe i Fedora je njihovo časno ponašanje na sceni i izvan nje te fokusiranje isključivo na sportske performanse, a ne na divljanje.
Stipe je jedan od posljednjih vitezova u svijetu sporta. Učinio je to što je učinio, a danas je to što jest, upravo zato što je bio takav kakav je bio – pristojan, skroman i plemenit. Nije progonio puku zaradu razuzdanim ponašanjem koje žele krvožedni mediji koji potiču mediokritete u začaranom krugu prljavo stečenog novca. Umjesto toga, prihvatio je mnogo manje komercijalni pristup, ali upravo ga je taj put doveo do statusa prvaka i, štoviše, donio mu reputaciju najvećeg borca u teškoj kategoriji u povijesti mješovitih borilačkih vještina. I nemojte ga učiti o marketingu – on ga je diplomirao kao i komunikacije.
Stipe je član ekipe Strong Style Fight. Trener mu je Marcus Marinelli. Marinelli je 2005. otvorio Strong stil mješovitih borilačkih vještina i fitnes centar, objekt od 20.000 četvornih metara, u Independenceu u državi Ohio, 2005. Stipe je prvo trenirao hrvanje i boks prije nego što je započeo svoju mješovitu borilačku karijeru.
S druge strane, Francis Ngannou trenira u UFC Performance Institutu smještenom u Enterpriseu u Nevadi. Počeo je boksati, a zatim se prebacio na MMA. Trenutačni je rekorder najveće snage udarca koju je ikad izmjerio UFC. Svaka strategija borbe protiv Ngannoua mora sadržavati izmicanje i ulaz u klinč kako bi se izbjegle njegove teške ruke. Zaboravite na uobičajenu apsorpciju – bolje izbjegavajte njegove udarce onoliko koliko možete obrnuto koristeći istodobno svoje najbolje tehnike kako biste prevladali svu tu silu koju Ngannou posjeduje. Ali da budem iskren, sumnjam da je Stipin udarac znatno slabiji od Ngannouvog. Pa čak i da jest – to je još uvijek samo jedan element. Gledajući Ngannouov MMA niz, ne vidim ništa osim poštovanja: Blaydes, Arlovski, Overeem, Velasquez, Dos Santos i Rozenstruik – svi su pali nokautirani. Jedino Ngounnuovi porazi bile su odluke protiv Stipe i Derricka Lewisa. Možda je vrijeme da osjeti kako je biti nesvjestan u oktogonu?
Oni su iste visine, 193 cm, ali Ngannou-ova uobičajena težina veća je za cca 10 kilograma: 259 lb / 233 lb (117 kg / 106 kg). Naravno, samo službeno vaganje prije borbe otkrit će masu oba borca za ovu priliku. Sve je moguće. Možda će Stipe doći malo teži, a Ngannou lakši, što bi ih savršeno uravnotežilo na oko 242 lb / 110 kg.
Koji su faktori koji doprinose svakom borcu da pobjedi? Sa Stipine strane definitivno njegove vještine hrvanja i boksa, inteligencija, okretnost, brzina i izdržljivost. S Ngannouove strane snaga i uobičajena afrička genetika što ih u većini slučajeva čini fizički superiornijima. Mislim da kardio ovoga puta neće biti problem za Ngannoua – sigurno je radio taj dio od njihovog prvog susreta. Dob je približno ista: Stipe ima 38 godina, a Francis 34 godine. Mjesto borbe je UFC Apex – upravo preko puta UFC Performance Instituta u kojem Ngannou trenira. Smatram da je ovo neutralno tlo za oba borca, ali smatram to i pomalo nepravednim, jer je njihov prvi susret također bio na neutralnom terenu u Bostonu, u Massachusettsu. Mislim da je Stipe zaslužio domaći teren, Cleveland, za ovu drugu njihovu borbu, posebno zato što mu je ovo obrana naslova. To pokazuje kako je UFC sklon svom favoritu. Od 7 Stipinih borbi za naslov, bilo napada ili obrane, samo je jedna održana u Clevelandu. Dakle, nakon ove pobjede, očekujem da će barem sljedeće dvije obrane biti u Clevelandu.
Odredio sam kvotu 60:40 u Stipinu korist i sigurno ću se kladiti na ovu borbu. AJMO STIPE! Gubitak nije opcija jer mi se nikad nije sviđao establišment i njihove pristranosti.
27.3.2021. Stipe Miočić vs Francis Ngannou
This is more than a fight. This is a clash between two sport worlds: one which promotes humble approach to life and training accompanied with respect – originating in true martial arts environment, wrestling, and other boasted by money, media and UFC organisation itself – originating somewhere in Dana White`s head. When I look most of the fighters in the UFC I only see trash talk and non-collegiality. Not Stipe, not a chance. You will not hear any offensive word or sense mockery from that guy. Long time I searched for true role model in the world of MMA and I finally found him in Stipe Miočić. Excellent fighter, dedicated to his family and community, fireman, inteligent, witty, indeed a very special person. I didn`t like when Cormier pretended to be his friend, during UF 27 filming and after, just to gain his trust and then eye poked him in the first fight which was won by Cormier but in dubious manner exactly because of that eye poke which is illegal and seriously affected Stipe`s vision. But ok, it is what it is: Cormier won and Stipe had to ask for re-match which he eventually won by TKO. Fans on both sides waited for third encounter and it happened: Stipe won again this time by decision. Before first fight with Cormier Stipe had a row of victories over good and dangerous opponents like Gonzaga, Hunt, Arlovski, Overeem, Werdum, Santos and Ngannou, losing only to the Stefan Struve earlier, but defending the heavyweight title three times which made him enter the legend of UFC heavyweights – no one has ever defended the heavyweight title three times in a row. Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez did it two times but Stipe Miočić did it THREE TIMES!!! Fedor Emelianenko in PRIDE defended the heavyweight title three times in a row also, but when he came to the Strikeforce and Bellator he lost not from the top-notch fighters so I can not take the importance of the two achievements equally. What I can compare between Stipe and Fedor is their honourable „on and off stage“ conduct and focus solely on the sport performance not rampage.
Stipe is one of the last chevaliers in the sport. He did what he did, and today he is what he is, exactly because he was like he was – decent, humble and noble. He didn`t pursued mere profit through wild behaviour wished by bloodthirsty media fueling mediocrities in enchanted circle of gore money. Instead he took much less commercial approach but precisely that road led him to the champion status and, moreover, granting him reputation of the greatest heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history. And do not teach him about marketing– he has degree in it and communications also.
Stipe is a member of Strong Style Fight Team. His coach is Marcus Marinelli. Marinelli opened the Strong Style Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Center, the 20,000-square-foot facility, in Independence, Ohio, in 2005. Stipe first trained wrestling and boxing before he engaged in his mixed martial arts career.
On the other hand, Francis Ngannou trains in UFC Performance Institute located in Enterprise, Nevada. He started boxing and then switched to MMA. He is the current record-holder of the highest punching power ever measured by the UFC. Any fighter`s strategy against Ngannou must incorporate dodging and clinching to avoid his heavy arms. Forget about usual absorption – you better evade his hits as much as you can vice versa utilizing your best techniques simultaneously to overcome that sheer power Ngannou holds. But to be honest, I sincerely doubt that Stipe`s punch is significantly weaker than of Ngannou. And even if it is – it is still just one element. Looking at Ngannou`s MMA record I see nothing but respect: Blaydes, Arlovski, Overeem, Velasquez, Dos Santos and Rozenstruik – they all fell knocked out. Only loses Ngannou suffered were decisions against Stipe and Derrick Lewis. Maybe it is time for him to feel how it is being unconscious in the octagon?
They are of same height, 193cm, but Ngannou`s stated weight is over 20 pounds bigger: 259lb/233lb (117kg/106kg). Of course, only official weigh-in before the fight will reveal both fighters mass for this occasion. Everything is possible. Perhapse Stipe shows up a bit larger and Ngannou a bit smaller which would perfectly match them about 242lb/110kg.
What are the contributing factors to each fighters winning chance? On Stipe`s side definitely his wrestling and boxing skills, intelligence, agility, speed and endurance. On Ngannou`s side power and common African genetics which makes them physically superior in most cases. I do not think cardio will be issue for Ngannou this time – he surely worked that part since their first encounter. Age is approximately close: Stipe is 38 years old while Francis is 34. The bout location is UFC Apex – just opposite to the UFC Performance Institute where Ngannou trains. I consider this to be neutral ground for both fighters but I also consider it to be a bit unfair since their first encounter was also on the neutral ground in Boston, Massachusetts. I think Stipe deserved home ground, Cleveland, for this second fight of theirs especially this being his title defense. It shows how UFC is inclined towards their favourite. Out of 7 Stipe`s title fights, either attacks or defenses, only 1 was held in Cleveland. So after this win, I expect at least next two defenses to be in Cleveland.
I set odds 60:40 in Stipe`s favour and I will surely bet on this fight. GO STIPE! Losing is not an option because I never liked establishment and their biases.
Good news!
Yesterday I weighed the bar. It has 7kg with threads which means that I have lifted not 75kg but 77kg. 20kg x2 (x1 on each side) + 5kg x6 (x3 on each side) + bar 7kg = 77kg. I immediately corrected the amount in my previous posts.
Also yesterday I lifted 77kg again and ten minutes later repeated it. I feel maximal pressure but without any cheating. 80kg is just 3kg more – 1.5kg on each side. I will try this Sunday. Not a gram over because it would be exaggeration and I could injure myself.
One more important thing: I had 67.7kg yesterday which means that I am lifting 10kg over my body weight.
Fitness & Training 