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Wednesday, December 6, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Duke Roufus Academy MOVES!!!: A new era dawns for Duke Roufus Academy with the opening of our modern, new facility conveniently located at 320 North 76th Street in Milwaukee today. The new telephone number is (414) 453-KICK (5425) (5425).
The move puts the academy smack dab in the middle of a well populated neighborhood, which also happens to be the same area where Duke Roufus grew up and attended high school, at Pius, which is 60 seconds to the south.
Talk about home cookin', Duke's ready to take his message back to it's roots. And it's a very good thing!
The new facility is located much closer to the southwestern, western and northwestern suburbs, lake country and is situated only 6 blocks north of the I-94 expressway and 1 block south of Bluemound Road on the east side of the street across the road from Heinemann's Restaurant. Parking is free and ample.
Once you step inside, you'll see that bigger isn't always better. While a quarter the size of what the legendary Virginia Street space provided, the new location offers the same amount of training area layed out in an open concept, modernized fashion.
Ten solid heavybags hang from the ceiling, ready to take on all comers. Many have tried, but none have succeed in knocking these baby's out! A new professional boxing ring awaits you, ready as well, to provide the bridge for those who think they have what it takes to go all the way or for someone looking to shed weight and/or stress!
While the majority of renovations are complete and the school is ready to charter a new beginning, many additional surprises and touches are planned that will delight members even more.
A couple that took place in the move - kids classes, sparring and open mat/gym on Fridays!!! Plus Advanced Kickboxing classes twice-a-day on Monday and Wednesdays!!! Please be sure to visit the 2006-07 Duke Roufus Academy Class Schedule for exact class times.
Response from those who have seen the new location has been excellent, to say the least.
Duke, along with Scott Cushman and craftsman Vince Tarantino have created a common sense, completely functional training mecca. It serves fitness seekers and serious fighters equally as well as any facility could when it comes down to real training.
Special THANK YOU, as well, to all of the generous volunteers who helped clean and get the school ready to open on time, as scheduled. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
Many have wondered if Duke Roufus Academy's new home will have "the look," "the space" or "the feel" of the old one (pictured at right). An honest question indeed. The answer lies in the fact that nothing will or could ever replace the feeling, the look, the smell, the grit, the history and memories of what 9+ years in a place gets you. The point isn't to recreate what has been done before, but to create something that hasn't. Then, and only then, can you really call it "new."
Welcome to our new location at 320 North 76th Street in the city of Milwaukee. Opening today at 9:45 a.m.
Remember to check the Class Schedule for changes and new class times. Or if you are thinking of joining, please take a moment to stop by and take a look around. We look forward to seeing you!
And Duke, welcome back to the neighborhood.
Monday, November 20, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Eight Make the Level Testing Grade: Muaythai Kickboxing Level 1 Testing was held this past Thursday, November 16th and Saturday, November 18th at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
Eight academy members took and passed their Muaythai Kickboxing Level 1 skills tests during the two November sessions. Spirited performances were delivered by all in what will be the last Level Testing sessions to be held at the Virginia Street facility as the school moves to 320 North 76th Street in December.
Head Coach Duke Roufus administrated the level tests and was quite pleased with all of the performances. Duke now looks forward to the next set of exams in the academy's new location.
Congratulations to all of the graduates who passed their Level 1 Testing skills competency exams in November 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coach Scott Cushman for assisting with the November 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• November 2006 Level Testing Photos
Sunday, October 22, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Dual Level Testing Name of the Game for October Exams: Muaythai Kickboxing and Boxing Level 1 Testing was held this past Thursday, October 19th and Saturday, October 21st at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
Three academy members took and passed their Muaythai Kickboxing and Boxing Level 1 Tests on the same day. Rick Carter, Issac Krull and Alex Torres each graduated into their respective Level 1 Duke Roufus Academy programs with top notch, praiseworthy performances.
Head Coach Duke Roufus saw some excellent talent displayed by the October 2006 Level Testing class and the prospect of one or more achieving their goal of getting in the ring one day looks very promising. Good work one-and-all.
Congratulations to all of the graduates who passed their Level 1 Testing skills competency exams in October 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coach Scott Cushman for assisting with the October 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• October 2006 Level Testing Photos
Thursday, October 6, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) An Amazing Transformation: Congratulations to Ben Stroeh, Duke Roufus Academy student and new member of the Duke Roufus Fight Team, on being named "Student of the Month" for September 2006 at Wisconsin's Muskego High School.
Ben, an active member for a little under a year, was referred to the school by a family friend who was concerned with the direction the teenager's life was beginning to take.
Ben's grades (and outlook on life) were in the can and his caring mother "Tina" was at wits end and running out of options fast. Their relationship had deteriorated to the point where Ben had absolutely no respect whatsoever for his mother. Her rules and love meant nothing to Ben, and he was getting worse day-by-day.
Ben was running with "the wrong crowd" and had been caught for a few petty crimes, but law breaking crimes nonetheless. His life was constantly being monitored and under the microscope as part of routine progress meetings with his Juvenile Parole Officer. Ben was content with this way of life, his mother was sure he'd end up dead or in prison. Bleak forecast for both to say the least.
When he started, Ben was immediately welcomed into the school's "family" atmosphere and now he was under the watchful eye and caring heart of Duke Roufus. How would a typical rebellious adolescent respond?
Well, luckily Ben wasn't typical.
In the beginning, things were a bit rocky for a while. Ben's only human and not a programmable robot. His old way of doing things and reacting to situations wasn't going to change overnight. All anyone wanted was Ben to stick with his training and hopefully everything else would start falling into place.
It didn't.
Ben, though he made some decent progress in his relationship with his mother, was tanking in school. Duke suspended him from training at the gym until further notice! Apparently Ben didn't see this coming and was devastated. Here is where the "amazing transformation" part comes in. Let the trumpets sound.
Ben, through his own efforts, is now a "straight A" student and was nominated for "Student of the Month" by his Muskego High teacher "Mr. Simpson," the same Mr. Simpson who left a recent voice mail message saying how well Ben was doing in school and to "keep up" whatever it was we were doing at the gym to help him. It is those kinds of messages that make your day, your year, your life, most meaningful. When we change one, we change the world as they say. Ben had changed, and it was for real.
His mother lights up when she speaks of Ben and his "new" behavior. It's as if she's tripping over her words when she describes how different things are now compared to just a few months ago. "In the morning, he'd jump in the shower when I left for work, and then head right back to bed as soon as I left!" she offers, "But now, he actually goes to school and enjoys it. I am completely blown away."
"He made dinner the other night!" Tina continued, "Then he told me about being named "Student of the Month" by Mr. Simpson and that he had won a gift certificate to a local restaurant. I am so proud of him. Just very, very happy."
His family at Duke Roufus Academy is also very proud of him. Just knowing Ben was capable of putting forth the effort to change his ways for the better is quite impressive. It's a delight for all to hear his mother speak about him now.
Ben didn't change one life through his hard work and determination, he actually changed two. And no mother could happier or more pleased than one Chris"tina" Gibbs.
Ben will be making his way into the ring for the first time when he takes part in an exhibition Kickboxing match on the undercard of the upcoming Gladiators Fighting Kickboxing & MMA show "Gladiators Forever" next Saturday, October 14th at Wisconsin State Fair Park in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion building. The event starts at 5:00 p.m., the main card begins at 7:30 p.m..
More information can be obtained by calling (414) 967-7767 or visiting GladiatorsFights.com. Good seats are still available and can be purchased in advance.
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED: Volunteers are needed for set-up and tear down for the Gladiators Fighting Kickboxing & MMA event "Gladiators Forever" next Saturday, October 14th at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Gladiators Volunteer Production Staff members get a VIP wristband and get to see the entire show FREE for their assistance. Please call (414) 967-7767 for more information.
Crew calll is at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 14th at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion near the northeast corner WI State Fair Park gounds.
Sunday, September 30, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) DEFENSE KEY FOR SEPTEMBER LEVEL TEST GRADUATES: Muaythai Kickboxing and Boxing Level Testing was held this past Wednesday, September 27th, Thursday, September 28th and Saturday, September 30th at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
On the first day of testing, Level 1 Muaythai Kickboxing and Boxing Graduates T.J. Brabant and Scott Sievewright each put on an impressive display of defense with both showing superb poise in the ring. T.J. and Scott came armed with a controlled offensive style that complimented their top notch grasp of both style's defensive skills, setting the tone for what was an excellent performance by all who tested in the September 2006 exams.
More than a few of the September graduates have aspirations of getting in the ring someday and competing. Head Coach Duke Roufus was very impressed with the quality of their tests and is looking forward to watching their progress as they move closer to their goal.
Congratulations to all of the Level Testing graduates who passed their skills competency exams in September 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coach Scott Cushman for assisting with the September 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• September 2006 Level Testing Photos
Monday, September 4, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Duke Roufus Academy Closed for Labor Day: Duke Roufus Academy will be closed Monday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
The school will reopen as usual at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5th.
Happy holidays to all!
RESERVE TICKETS NOW FOR MILWAUKEE'S "GLADIATORS FOREVER": Tickets may now be reserved in advance for the Saturday, October 14, 2006 Gladiators Fighting Kickboxing & MMA show "Gladiators Forever" inside WI State Fair Park's spacious Wisconsin Products Pavilion.
Doors open at 5:30 with an "Awesome Amateurs" undercard, followed by the main card at 7:30 p.m. Over 20 bouts are planned for the evening.
Gold VIP Table seats are available for $80.00 each and include waitress service and light food. In addition, Bronze Floor Reserved seats are also available for $30.00.
All tickets may be reserved by calling (414) 967-7767. VISA and Mastercard are accepted.
In the main event, the current Gladiators Fighting Featherweight Kickboxing Champion Hiroshi "El Samurai" Takamatsu (right), fighting out of Duke Roufus Academy, will battle for the vacant Gladiators Fighting Bantamweight Kickboxing title against Bruce Sessman, representing Sessman Muay Thai in St. Louis, MO.
Other local fighters appearing on the packed card include: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist and Duke Roufus Academy MMA instructor Jon "White Trash" Friedland, Milwaukee's Kickboxing Ironman Horace "The Real Deal" Craft, MMA fighter Reese "Old Man" Shaner and Duke Roufus Academy Kickboxers "Danny Boy" Downes, "Crush 'em" Casey Garza, "The Savage" Dan LaSavage, Sasa "The Serbian Warrior" Perkic and Kyle "Wicked" Weickhardt.
The event is presented by KISS FM, Shepherd-Express.com and Time Warner Cable. For more information, please visit GladiatorsFights.com or call (414) 967-7767.
Saturday, August 5, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Summer Level Test Graduates Impressive: Muaythai Kickboxing Level Testing was held this past Saturday, July 22nd and Wednesday, August 2nd at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
The summer 2006 Level Testing class came prepared and gave maximum effort throughout the testing sessions. It was evident that this group is eager to move on to the Intermediate level of Muaythai Kickboxing and they are ready for the challenges that their next level of training at Duke Roufus Academy will bring.
Head Coach Duke Roufus was, once again, quite impressed and pleased with skills this group brought into the ring for the Level 1 Muaythai Kickboxing testing session. A few even have expressed interest in someday getting in the ring and competing. Given their performance, they seem to be on the right track to succeeding in their goals.
Congratulations to all of the Level Testing graduates who passed their skills competency exams in July and August 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coach Scott Cushman for assisting with the July & August 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• July-August 2006 Level Testing Photos
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - Enjoy the Fireworks: In recognition of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Duke Roufus Academy will be closed from Saturday, July 1st thru Tuesday, July 4th.
The school will reopen as usual on Wednesday, July 5th at 10:45 a.m. On behalf of all the employees of Duke Roufus Academy, have a very happy, healthy, safe and fun Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Gladiators Clash on Milwaukee's “Festival of Fights” Supercard
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) By Rob Hinds, Gladiators Fighting Representative - Whitesel and Zuniga crowned new Gladiators Champions: Gladiators Fighting invaded Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Ramada Convention Center Grand Ballroom this past Saturday evening with a monster show of force called "Festival of Fights."
In an exciting exhibition showcasing two of the world’s most popular combat sports, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts, fans witnessed what many are calling one of the best Gladiators fight cards ever.
On a star studded night every fighter let it all hang out in the squared circle in front of a loyal, boisterous Milwaukee crowd. From the under card through the main event, every bout was worth the price of admission and then some.
Orlando, Florida's Striker Productions was on hand filming the show for the Mayhem Fighting Series television and DVD properties. "The Ultimate Fighter - Season 1" reality show favorite and UFC Star Stephan Bonnar was in attendance to assist veteran commentator Jay Adams with calling the fights for Mayhem.
Seated ringside were former NFL defensive superstars Gilbert "The Gravedigger" Brown and Santana Dotson of the 1996 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, Joel Przybilla, the 7' 1" center of the NBA's Portland Trailblazers (formerly of the Milwaukee Bucks) and actor/comedian Dustin Diamond, more commonly known as "Screech" from the hit television show "Saved by the Bell." All of the personalities took a turn as the third man in the broadcast booth and as the dvd will show, each did an exceptional job behind the mike.
The night started out with a bang as all of the amateur undercard fights were outstanding. Those enjoying victory include: Eric Markgraf, Jon Eldridge, Mike “The Volt” Vaughn and Adam “Bomb” Vander Veen.
The main card continued to please the crowd with an array of knockouts, submissions and hard fought battles making the judges decisions very challenging. The action was fast and furious in all bouts as fans watched the action live in the ring or on 1 of 8 video and plasma screens placed throughout the venue. This was an A #1 show from start to finish.
Two new champions were crowned in Gladiators Fighting Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing.
Ashland, Ohio’s own Mitch Whitsel earned a victory over Milwaukee's original ultimate fighter Adrian Serrano in a see-saw battle that saw ace Referee Al Wichgers stopping the bout late in the first round when an injured (hyper-extended knee) prone and mounted Serrano had no answer for a barrage of punches raining down from Whitesel. Mitch is now the Gladiators Fighting Middleweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion.
In an ultimate show of sportsmanship, Serrano (with an ice pack taped to his injured knee) asked to be able to help present the title belt to Whitesel. Now that's class.
As for the Gladiators Fighting Welterweight Kickboxing Championship, Winnipeg, Manitoba's “Dangerous” Dave Zuniga earned a unanimous decision win over the reigning champ “Battling” Ben Dauck of Hinsdale, Illinois. This fight was a display of non stop heart and technique from both competitors as they went toe-to-toe in a Gladiators Fighting version of Gatti vs. Ward.
Dauck started strong and looked to have Zuniga in trouble in round 1 with relentless round kicks and punch bombs, but ultimately couldn't seal the deal. The tide turned in rounds 2 and 3 as Zuniga, on the rebound now, showed excellent composure as he stalked Dauck from corner post to corner post. Using presision Boxing skill combined with high front and round kicks (one of which sent Dauck to the canvas in round 2), Zuniga's tough-as-nails performance earned him the right to take the title belt back to Canada.
The crowd roared it's approval for both fighters as the judges decision was read by Gladiators Fighting ring announcer Kieron Davis.
Congratulations to Dave Zuniga, the new Gladiators Welterweight Kickboxing Champ and to Ben Dauck who put up quite a battle in a losing effort. If Dauck gets his wish, fans can expect to see an explosive rematch between these two warriors in the near future.
"Festival of Fights" was presented by John Ellenbecker's All Construction and Shepherd-Express.com and sponsored by the Branded Steer Restaurant, Cush Lounge, Euro Cafe Bar, Joey Buona's Pizzaria & Restaurant, On the Border, Share Chemical Corporation, Sunbusters, Tendercar, and US Beef.
Undercard Gladiators Kickboxing Exhibition
Jeff Banaszak vs. Zach JensenGladiators Kickboxing Exhibition
Carissa Carrasquillo vs. Hillary BoydLight Heavyweight Gladiators Kickboxing 205lbs.
Eric Markgraf (Madison, WI) winner vs. Cyrus Washington (Lansing, MI) by 2 round TKO 1:13Heavyweight Gladiators Kickboxing 265lbs.
Jon Eldridge (Madison, WI) winner vs. “Terrible” Terry Brown (Hanover Park, IL) by U Dec (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Welterweight Gladiators Kickboxing 170lbs.
Mike “The Volt” Vaughn (Madison, WI) winner vs. Alex Borges (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada) by Sp Dec (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)Heavyweight Gladiators Kickboxing 265lbs.
Adam “Bomb” Vander Veen (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. John “Paladin” Van Buskirk (Lansing, MI) by 1 round KO :47
Main Card
Middleweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts 185lbs.
Tom Grubb (Cedar Rapids, IA) winner vs. Danny “Ghost Dog” Campos (Milwaukee, WI) by 1 round Ref Stop to strikes 2:39Bantamweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts 135lbs.
Dan “The Savage” LaSavage (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. Lee “The Kid” Kreisher (New Philadelphia, OH) by 1 rd RNC 2:12Lightweight Gladiators Kickboxing 155lbs.
“Crush 'em” Casey Garza (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. Brandon Mickens (Richmond, VA) by U Dec (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)Light Heavyweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts 185lbs.
Justin “Bacon” Hutter (Waukesha, WI) winner vs. Matt Truckovich (Ashland, OH) by 1 round RNC 2:19Middleweight Gladiators Kickboxing 170lbs.
Kyle “Wicked” Weickhardt (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. Jack Greene (Richmond, VA) by 3 round TKO 1:44Light Heavyweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts 205lbs.
Reese “Old Man” Shaner (Waukesha, WI) winner vs. Jerry Burns (London, KY) by 2 round Guillotine Choke 1:10Welterweight Gladiators Kickboxing 170lbs.
Sasa “Serbian Warrior” Perkic (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. Philip Sargaent (Richmond, VA) by 3 round KO 1:01Welterweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts 170lbs.
Jon “White Trash” Friedland (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. Chad “The Insane One” Truckovich (Ashland, OH) by 1 round RNC 2:40Featherweight Gladiators Kickboxing 145lbs.
“Nasty” Neal Fox (Milwaukee, WI) winner vs. “Relentless” Mark Streator (Chicago, IL) by U Dec (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)Middleweight Gladiators Mixed Martial Arts Championship Bout 185lbs.
Mitch Whitesel (Ashland, OH) winner vs. Adrian Serrano (Milwaukee, WI) by 1 round tap to strikes 2:33
Mitch Whitesel is the new Gladiators Fighting MMA Middleweight ChampionWelterweight Gladiators Kickboxing Championship Bout 170lbs.
“Dangerous” Dave Zuniga (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) winner vs. “Battling” Ben Dauck (Hinsdale, IL) by U Dec (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Dave Zuniga is the new Gladiators Fighting Kickboxing Welterweight Champion
Friday, June 2, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) "Festival of Fights" Ready to Light Up Milwaukee: Good seats still remain for tomorrow night's Gladiators Fighting Series "Festival of Fights" Kickboxing & MMA event at the Ramada Convention Center, 6401 South 13th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Over a dozen bouts are planned for the evening's card, including a double main event that features two Gladiators Championship title fights.
Hinsdale, Illinois' "Battling" Ben Dauck defends his Gladiators Welterweight Kickboxing title against Winnipeg, Manitoba's "Dangerous" Dave Zuniga, while Milwaukee's Adrian Serrano battles for the Gladiators Middleweight MMA belt with Ashland, Ohio's Mitch Whitesel. A complete lineup is available to view online.
For the first time in Milwaukee four large video screens will be positioned in the ballroom so fans will be able to see all of the "ground 'n pound" MMA mat action, as well as get a bird's eye view of the wild Gladiators Kickboxing these shows have become famous for delivering.
Gold VIP Table seats ($80.00), Silver Ringside ($50.00) and Bronze Floor Reserved ($30.00) may be reserved by calling (414) 967-7767. Tickets may be purchased over the phone via VISA or Mastercard and picked up at the convenient Will Call positioned just inside the Ramada's front doors. Ample free parking is also available.
This will be the last Gladiators Fighting show in Milwaukee until Fall, so plan on coming out to witness for yourself what undoubtly will be one of the best fight cards ever. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the Gladiators Hotline at (414) 967-7767.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Downes Starts Summer Break With Victory: "Danny Boy" Downes started his summer break from Marquette University on a high note with a Unanimous Decision win over a hard charging Adam "Madman" Saunders of Madison, Wisconsin on the Gladiators Fighting Series show "Rocktown Showdown" this past Friday in Rockford, Illinois.
Downes, a Chicago native who trains during the school year at Duke Roufus Academy, represented the Brew City and Windy City superbly with a well executed game plan. Though the scrappy Saunders will no doubt be heard from again, it was Downes who impressed the judges more so this night, winning 30-27 on all 3 scorecards.
Employing a consistent, technical approach, Downes was able to fend off Saunders with workmanlike jabs, jab-cross combos and menacing low kicks. Both fighters pushed the action throughout and the crowd, which included Cheap Trick guitarist and Rockford native Rick Nielsen (who stated he absolutely loved the show), was into this one the whole way.
While Saunders tried to figure out a way to turn the tide, Downes kept coming forward, controlling the action while leaving little doubt in the judge's minds as to the final outcome.
Danny, the son of a Chicago violent crimes detective, typifies the term "fighting Irish." When he's not fighting, he's duking it out on the Rugby field as part of the successful Marquette Rugby Team. Needless to say, he's a fierce, fearless competitor who fans should look forward to watching again in the near future.
Congratulations Danny on your victory. The entire Duke Roufus Academy family looks forward to your return in the Fall.
Monday, May 15, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) May Level Test Graduates Impressive: May 2006 Kickboxing and Boxing Level Testing was held this past Thursday and Saturday, May 11th and 13th at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
Once again, the level of talent on display during the testing sessions was excellent. One could easily tell that this group had been paying attention in class as evidenced by an incredible dedication to proper technique and execution.
Kudos to Alex Druzny (left), Guy Lindekugel, Erin Peterson and Adam Schmidt who passed their Level 2 exams with skill, focus and determination, showing all gathered that they were indeed competent and ready to take it to the next level.
Head Coach Duke Roufus was extremely impressed by all of the students who tested, commenting that he was very excited and quite pleased with the skills and enthusiasm shown by the current group of students training at the academy.
Congratulations to all of the Level Testing graduates who passed their skills competency exams in May 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coaches Scott Cushman and Kyle Weickhardt for assisting with the May 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• May 2006 Level Testing Photos
• Past DRG Level Testing Sessions
Tuesday, April 18, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Giuseppe DeNatale Wins World Muaythai Title: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's pride and joy Giuseppe "The Godfather" DeNatale won the I.K.F. World Muaythai Heavyweight Title this past Saturday, April 15th in his own hometown when he decked Glasgow, Scotland's 6-Time World Kickboxing Champion "The Lion Rampant" Duncan Airlie James for the third time at 1:53 into the 3rd round of their scheduled 5 Round Title bout, thus forcing Referee Al Wichgers to stop the contest as the crowd of over 3,500 roared with approval.
The title fight was the featured bout of the evening on the Gladiators Fighting Series "Colosseum of Champions" Triple Style fight card presented by King John Promotions along with C.K.M.T.C. at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing were all featured, marking a "first" in Manitoba's long sports history.
The Godfather's Kickboxing Coach, Milwaukee's Duke Roufus, beamed with pride watching his apt pupil don his first World Title belt as presented to him by I.K.F. President Steve Fossum. To celebrate his World Championship, Giuseppe sprayed the crowd with champagne, stopping only momentarily to savor the taste of victory himself, bubbly and blood dripping from both combatants.
Each fighter's shins cracked open like the Grand Canyon after a 3rd round bone-to-bone collision. Forced to block out the pain from his gaping wound, The Godfather did what he does best, "refuse to lose."
If kicks couldn't do the trick, then a few atomic bombs from DeNatale's hands surley would. But one of Scotland's all-time best proved to be a tough comer, beating the count twice before finally secumbing to The Godfather's onslaught as Winnipeg's entire Italian community went berzerk for their boy, the new world champ!
Congratulations to Giuseppe DeNatale and Coach Duke Roufus on your tremendous accomplishment in winning the I.K.F. World Muaythai Heavyweight Title.
It is something many will dream about, few will attempt and you have achieved.
Friday, April 14, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) DAYTIME MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES START MONDAY, MAY 1ST: Starting Monday, May 1, 2006, Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy will begin offering daytime Mixed Martial Arts classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Coinciding with the start of the new classes, the school will open at 10:45 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and close at 1:00 p.m. after adult Kickboxing concludes.
The classes will be taught by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist and pro MMA fighter Jon Friedland (left) of Milwaukee, who also will be teaching the Tuesday evening 6:30-7:30 p.m. MMA class. Jon joins fellow coaches Brandon Adamson (grappling/submissions) and Duke Roufus (standup) in rounding out the multi-talented Duke Roufus Academy Mixed Martial Arts Instruction team.
In addition to Kickboxing and Boxing instruction, Academy members are welcome to attend every Mixed Martial Arts class offered on the schedule, as well, regardless of skill level or ability.
For a complete listing of all Duke Roufus Academy classes available to all members, please refer to the DRG Class Schedule.
RESERVE GLADIATORS TICKETS NOW: Tickets are now available to reserve for the next Gladiators Fighting Series show, "Festival of Fights," set for Saturday, June 3, 2006 at Milwaukee's Ramada Convention Center.
Over 17 Kickboxing & Mixed Martial Arts bouts are planned for the evening. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with an Awesome Amateurs undercard. The main card starts at 7:30 p.m.
Gladiators Welterweight Kickboxing Champion "Battling" Ben Dauck (right) will defend his title against Winnipeg, Canada's super tough"Dangerous" Dave Zuniga while in another explosive matchup Hinsdale's (IL) Hiroshi "El Samurai" Takamatsu goes for the vacant Gladiators Featherweight Kickboxing Title against Winnipeg's Agostino "The Bull" DeNatale, younger brother of "KIng of the Gladiators I" 8-Man Tournament Champion Giuseppe "The Godfather" DeNatale.
Featured Mixed Martial Arts Gladiators Brandon "High Voltage" Adamson, Adrian Serrano, Jon Friedland and Reese Shaner. Gladiators Kickboxers set to battle include Kyle Weickhardt, Tom Grimmer, Casey Garza and Neal Fox.
Gold VIP Table seats ($80.00) and Bronze Floor Reserved ($30.00) tickets may be purchased in advance by calling (414) 967-7767. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
To ensure that you have tickets for "Festival of Fights" it is advisable to order them in advance, as they are expected to sell extremely fast.
For more information, please visit GladiatorsFights.com.
UFC'S BONNAR SCORES VICTORY ON SPIKETV: Stephan "The American Psycho" Bonnar, UFC star and runner-up on SpikeTV's hit reality show "The Ultimate Fighter - Season One," pulled out a unamimous decision victory over a tough and mean Keith Jardine on SpikeTV's "Ultimate Fight Night 4," broadcast live Thursday, April 6th from "The Joint" inside the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas.
Bonnar gave credit to his coaches, which include Duke Roufus, who attended the show's taping and worked the winner's corner. Residing in nearby Hammond, Illinois, Bonnar often trains with Duke and the fighters on the Duke Roufus Academy competition team in Milwaukee.
During the show, it was easy to see the familiar DRG logo prominently displayed on the front side of the "Psycho's" fight shorts.
Stephan Bonnar is not only a tough, tenatious, exciting fighter, he is also a class individual who takes time to recognize those around him who help him succeed. It is easy to see why he has become a huge sensation in the UFC and ultimate fan favorite! As they say, "Go, Psycho!"
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Gladiators X Photos Now On-Line: Please take a moment to look at the Gladiators Fighting Series News page with an updated article and results from the recent show "X - A Decade in the Making," held Friday, February 24th at the Ramada Convention Center.
A link is provided to a special photo gallery of shots taken at the fights by Duke Roufus Academy's Scott Joffe and MilwaukeeNights.com.
Former academy instructor Ben Dauck, now fighting out of Hinsdale, Illinois' Team Toro, was impressive as always on his way to winning the Gladiators Welterweight Kickboxing title with a third round TKO (left) over a solid Toby Grear of Columbus, Ohio.
MMA veteran and Duke Roufus/Pat Miletich trained Ben Rothwell of Kenosha, Wisconsin, used a barrage of punches to force his opponent Joey Smith of Hilliard, Ohio into submission midway through the first round to stay undefeated in MMA Gladiators Colosseum action.
Duke Roufus Mixed Martial Arts Head Instructor Brandon Adamson (right) sharpened his Kickboxing and stand-up skills, putting them to good work in his second round TKO victory over Rochester, New York's talented Keith Nesbitt. While MMA is his specialty, Brandon showed he's serious about being an excellent, all-around fighter with a win in his first ever Gladiators Kickboxing bout.
Duke Roufus Kids Class Head Instructor Kyle Weickhardt (left with Green Bay Packers legend Gilbert Brown, who attended the show) and fellow teammate Dan Downes each went the distance in their Kickboxing bouts and took home Unanimous Decision victories for their efforts.
Duke Roufus MMA fighter Dan LaSavage defeated his opponent 2:21 into the opening round via the proven rear naked choke.
Look for all of these talent, hard working fighters to be featured on the next Gladiators event in Milwaukee, "Festival of Fights," set for Saturday, June 3rd in the Ramada Grand Ballroom, 6401 South 13th Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the main card starts at 7:30 p.m. with over 17 bouts planned for the evening.
For more information or to reserve tickets please call (414) 967-7767.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) DJ Machi Goes Global: Around the Duke Roufus Academy he is known as Machi Gulinski, but soon his fellow students, the city of Milwaukee, state of Wisconsin and possibly the rest of the world will know him simply as "DJ Machi."
Machi (left), a longtime member of the DRG family, has been practicing relentlessly in his pursuit of being a topline DJ specializing in the popular Trance genre of dance/club music.
This Wednesday, February 15th from 1:00 pm - 4:45 pm, DJ Machi will be featured on di.fm (the largest) Internet radio station's show "The Other Side" hosted by the ultrapopular "Granddaddy DJ" who has been tutoring DJ Machi for the past 7 months.
Granddaddy DJ sounds like a pround papa saying of his star pupil, "This month Granddaddy is proud to present a mix from DJ Machi who has been (my) student for about 7 months! Don't miss this!"
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, catch the other side of Granddaddy DJ, as he takes us on an excursion to The Other Side of Trance.
Thursday, February 9, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Team Miletich Welcomes DRG Team With Bumps & Bruises: It's not often when a fighter gets a chance to go a few rounds with true, proven professionals the likes of superstars:
Pat "The Croatian Sensation" Miletich former 5-Time UFC Champion & Legendary coach of multiple UFC, Pride, & Mixed Martial Arts Champions;
Tim "The Maniac" Silvia, former UFC Heavyweight Champion;"Ruthless" Robbie Lawler, former UFC Welterweight Champion;
Jens "Lil' Evil" Pulver, former UFC Lightweight Champion and Pride Fighter;
Sam Hogar, star of UFC's The Ultimate Fighter-Season 1 (above, doing splits!);
Spencer "The King" Fisher, won last month on SpikeTV's Ultimate Fight Night 3;
Josh "The Dentist" Neer, won last month on SpikeTV's Ultimate Fight Night 3.
On Wednesday, February 9th Duke Roufus Fight Team members K-1 fighter Pat Barry, Kyle Weickhardt and Adam VanderVeen travel to Bettendorf, Iowa with Head Coach Duke Roufus (at right, with Jens Pulver) to rendezvous with fellow fighters Brandon Adamson, Dan LaSavage, Ben Rothwell and Chris Trautsch.
This is great preparation for the fighters who are competiting on the Gladiators Fighting Series 10 Year Anniversary show "X - Decade in the Making," on Friday, February 24th in Milwaukee.
Former Duke Roufus Fight Team standout Ben Dauck traveled from his new home in Hinsdale, (IL) to represent Team Toro (thanks for wearing the DRG shirt Ben, always classy).
Their Iowa destination? The fabled Miletich Fighting Systems school for some spirited sparring and camaraderie. They got more than their share of both, as Pat Miletich (at left, far left with Ben Rothwell and Duke) and his crew laid out the welcome mat along with some UFC "as real as it gets" come-and-get-it style sparring.
Besides sparring, Duke held pads for Jens Pulver and Tim Silvia, giving them some pointers in Muaythai and stand-up fighting. "It is great to work these Champions," said Duke. "They want learn everything they can to improve their game. That's what makes Miletich Fighting Systems a great team!"
Everyone had a great time as a gracious Pat Miletich and his team stuck around for a while and everyone shared some great conversation and memories, plus talk of the Roufus team returning on a weekly basis for the next few weeks.
Coach Miletich said, "It was great to see the guys adjusting to each others styles, a great learning experience for all."
Team Miletich and the Duke Roufus Academy have formed an alliance and plan to exchange instructors and host additional high end sparring sessions on a regular basis. You don't know who you might see at DRG soon from Miletich Fighting Systems.
Duke Roufus Mixed Martial Arts program is part of of the Miletich Fighting Systems affiliate program. Look for Pat Miletich coming up in the future near future for a weekend seminar.
Saturday, February 4, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - Groysman's Level 3 Performance Impresses: February 2006 Level Testing was held this past Thursday and Saturday, February 2nd and 4th at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy. It was exciting for all gathered to see the level of talent that is about to graduate into the Intermediate Level.
Gino Groysman went eight tough rounds on the way to passing his Level 3 Muaythai Kickboxing test with flying colors on Saturday morning.
Assistant Coach Jon "Pee Wee'" Costello had his hands full during the sparring portion of the exam as Groysman landed some nice jabs and well placed kicks, while showing a solid grasp of ring movement and defense.
It was an excellent performance for sure, but then again that's what you would expect from someone who diligently shows up and trains hard every day possible. Kudos Gino on a job well done.
Head Coach Duke Roufus was extremely impressed by all of the students who tested, all demonstrated that they were indeed ready to take their game to the next level. Congratulations to all of the Level Testing graduates who passed their skills competency exams in February 2006.
Special thanks to Duke Roufus Academy Coaches Scott Cushman and Jon Costello for assisting with the February 2006 Level Testing sessions.
• February 2006 Level Testing Photos
Friday, January 20, 2006 (Las Vegas, NV USA) Bonnar and Duke Live on SpikeTV - When Stephan "The American Psycho" Bonnar, UFC star and runner-up on SpikeTV's hit reality show "The Ultimate Fighter - Season One" fought this past Monday night on the UFC's live special event, Ultimate Fight Night, his Kickboxing coach Duke Roufus was right there alongside him.
Bonnar faced off against a tough James Irvin in one of the show's featured bouts broadcast across the globe from the jam packed Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's hip venue "The Joint." Also in Bonnar's corner was Carlson Gracie of the legendary Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family.
With two of the best coaches he could surround himself with, Bonnar went to work quickly and submitted Irvin by "Kimura" armlock near the end of the first round.
Duke noticed a possible kink in Irvin's armour and suggested that Bonnar take him to the ground and work from there. The strategy was a success and Bonnar improved his record to 8-2-0. Afterward, Bonnar graciously thanked Duke for his help during his post fight interview live with UFC television host Joe Rogan ("Fear Factor").
Watch for more of the UFC's "The Ultimate Fighter" on SpikeTV every Monday night at 10:00 p.m. CST.
To see Mixed Martial Arts (and Kickboxing) fighting live in Milwaukee, be sure to attend the Gladiators Fighting Series "X - A Decade in the Making" special 10 Year Anniversary show, Friday, February 24, 2006 in the Ramada Convention Center's Grand Ballroom, 6401 South 13th Street. Please call (414) 967-7767 for more information and to order tickets.
Sunday, January 8, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) Colletta, Loyola, McNamee Get the Job Done: A very special "thank you" to DRG members Rose Marie Colletta, Enrico Loyola and Kathleen McNamee for the tremendous job they did assisting with a winter clean-up project at the academy.
The trio moved with lightning speed and efficiency, doing the work of 10 people. Kathleen also brought delicious home baked chocolate chip cookies for the group to enjoy in recognition of fellow DRG member Liz Haight's birthday. Now that is nice.
Brian Roufus was key in the clutch as Duke's younger brother pitched in to help make quick work of the task. It's also good to see Brian training at the school on a regular basis as his upbeat personality only adds to the positive vibe.
Throughout the years, numerous people have given time and lent their talents to help improve the facility in so many wonderful ways. Regarded as one of the best of it's kind in the world, this distinction is only made possible because of your contributions.
Thank you very much. Each of you (and your efforts) are, and always will be, truly appreciated.
Sunday, January 1, 2006 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - HAPPY NEW YEAR: As a tumultuous 2005 comes to a close and we enter the year 2006 A.D. with hopes of prosperity and well wishes from one and all, every member of the DRG family is asked to take a moment and remember those who's lives were forever changed by the uncontrollable force that is Mother Nature and other fateful natural disasters in the past year.
in September 2005, Hurricane Katrina uprooted K-1 fighter Pat Barry and his entire New Orleans based family. In response, DRG established the Barry Family Fund of which the funds and clothing donated went to help Pat and his family. Other Gulf coast based friends and associates of DRG were also severely affected and they have been in our thoughts ever since.
Many current members (and some past, nice to see you!) took time to attend the 2005 DRG Holiday Party held at the academy on Thursday evening, December 29th. Everyone enjoyed sampling the huge assortment of delicious food and homemade desserts. Once again, thank you to everyone for bringing all of the tasty treats and for popping in to say hi. It was good seeing you all.
Here's to a very happy and healthy New Year to all of our friends near and far. We hope that 2006 brings only the best for you and your family.
2006 DRG SCHEDULE POSTED: An updated 2006 DRG Class Schedule is now available.
Please note that a new Mixed Martial Arts ("MMA") class has been added on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday morning from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. This class is open to students of all levels, including beginners.
The first class is always free, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a try. These new Mixed Martial Arts classes are included in each of DRG's "All Inclusive" membership plans, which allows students to attend all regular (non-fighter) classes listed on the schedule.
In addition, the Muaythai Fighter Training program is now being offered from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday evening.
Plus, as an added benefit, the school will now remain open for member use until 8:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday evening. Students are encouraged to stick around and practice their punching and kicking, knees and elbows, hit the cardio machines or work the weights. Or, just unwind in the Pro Shop & Video Lounge and reflect on a great workout.
Once again, please refer to the 2006 DRG Class Schedule for the latest, most up-to-date schedule of all classes available and open/close times at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts & Boxing Academy.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - REMINDER: THE DRG ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK PARTY IS TOMORROW NIGHT FROM 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM AT THE SCHOOL.
All current and former students are invited, as are all family and friends. Please bring your favorite dish or beverage to pass.
This is a great chance to meet, mingle and relax with your fellow DRG students as we celebrate the end of a busy 2005 and get ready to welcome in 2006.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Joffe at (414) 305-3474.
Happy holidays from all of your friends at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing, Boxing & MMA Academy. We look forward to seeing you at the party.
Happy 2006: The Duke Roufus Academy will be closed this Saturday, December 31st in observance of the New Year's holiday. The school will be open as usual on Monday, January 2, 2006, starting with the adult Kickboxing class at noon.Happy New Year to one and all from the entire DRG family.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - DRG Bids Tweet A Fond Farewell: DRG Instructor and Kickboxing Team member Charmaine Tweet has decided to return with her family to their hometown area in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, with hopes of being back by Christmas. Originally from Saskatoon, they will be residing in the nearby city of Regina.
Char's last day at the school was Tuesday, December 20th and all of the DRG Kickboxing and Boxing members/friends present gave her a warm and heartfelt send off.
Char (at right, on her last day Char poses with fellow DRG Instructor/Fighter Kyle Weickhardt) was presented with a large, bath & bodyworks type gift basket which will come in handy when she's taking a hot soak on those cold Canadian nights. Her parents actually laughed when they overheard someone at the school complaining about the recent bout of freezing temps the Milwaukee area has been hit with! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Char will be missed, as she made a great addition to the DRG family. Her quick smile and easygoing personality made her a perfect, natural fit.
Through consistency and dedication, Char became a capable fighter and also moved into an important roll at the Academy as the Main Kid's Class Instructor.
Char also assisted with the adult class instruction and helped out whenever asked at off campus events and promotions.
Char hopes to continue her fighter training back home while also looking forward to stepping back into instructing, as she enjoys working with the diverse group of people the sport brings into the mix.
We'll also miss her two sons, Josh (9) and Christian (6) who were Kids Class regulars. It's a safe bet to guess Josh will grow up to be a successful editor/writer type and Christian a multi-talented musician. Or maybe it will end up the other way around.
Regardless, Josh and Christian were always fun, smart kids to have around. When Christian was 5 he asked DRG's Scott Joffe if he wanted to play a game of chess and proceded to pull out a chessboard and set it up, correctly. So they played. And on second thought, Josh could just as easily go into Anthropology/History/Science/etc..., as evidenced by the many interesting books he reads on the subjects.
During this holiday season, the entire Duke Roufus Kickboxing & Boxing Academy community wishes Charmaine and her family the very best that life has to offer, with tidings for good health and much happiness in the new year. "Bonne chance."
That's Sergeant Green, Now Drop And Give Me 50!: DRG member SGT Brittany Green recently returned on leave from the U.S. Army
where she had been stationed for 10 weeks of intense Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.
Upon returning, Sergeant Green, 23, mentioned that her Kickboxing training at DRG prior to enlisting really helped in multiple areas, physically and mentally.
In the overall fitness competition Brittany finished third among 60 women, that's the top 5% of her class. She also won her match in Unarmed Combat Training. Good work indeed.
Brittany hopes to go into Army intelligence or security work in the future, but hasn't ruled out other areas of interest, as well. Next stop, Ft. Benning, Georgia for Officer Candidate School. Sounds impressive, and it is.
It's commendable what Brittany has decided to undertake for herself, and if you know Brittany, you know she will do more that just succeed. She will excel, she will stand out, she will achieve, she will accomplish, she will dream, she will realize.
It's nice to see Brittany training again in the gym, even if it's only for a short while. Happy holidays and best wishes on a safe, happy and healthy new year. Show those boys in Georgia how it's done.
Saturday, December 17, 2005 (Milwaukee, WI USA) - December Graduates Impress: December 2005 Level Testing was held this past Thursday and Saturday, December 15th and 17th at the Duke Roufus Kickboxing & Boxing Academy. All of those testing brought their best stuff into the ring for their Level 1 or 2 tests, giving it their all until the final bell sounded.
Mike Bellanger had enough energy in his tank to take (and pass) both his Level 1 Kickboxing AND Boxing tests on Thursday. Crystal Boyd RN used her break time from work wisely, quickly fitting in her Level 1 Kickboxing test and then running back to work to finish up her 12 hour Saturday shift. Crystal usually can be found training regularly at the academy alongside her daughter Hillary and is the epitome of a parent leading by example through action and dedication.
Head Coach Duke Roufus was impressed by the progress exhibited and the high level of enthusiasm shown by all of the December Level testing graduates. Once again, congratulations to all of the Level Testing graduates who passed their skills competency exams in December 2005.
Special thanks to Coaches Scott Cushman and Charmaine Tweet for assisting with the December 2005 Level Testing sessions.
• December 2005 Level Testing Photos
Thursday, December 15, 2005 (Milwaukee, WI USA) It Is With Distinct Pleasure That We Introduce Mr. & Mrs. Jason Barto: Congratulations to DRG member Jason Barto who married his Hartland Arrowhead High school sweetheart Gretchen Kanzleiter "barefoot on the beach" Tuesday, November 22nd at the beautiful Sandals Resort in Antigua.
After dating for over 7 years, the pair enjoyed a week-long honeymoon having fun in the sun and relaxing together under the stars.
With an eye toward someday getting in the ring and competing, Jason has shown a genuine dedication toward his training and conditioning while maintaining a busy personal and work schedule, a true sign of a winner, no doubt.
On behalf of the entire DRG family, Congratulations to Jason and Gretchen Barto on their recent wedding and best wishes for a fun filled, happy and healthy life together.
"X" Bout Lineup Announced: The Bout Lineup for the Friday, February 24, 2006 Gladiators Fighting Series Kickboxing & MMA special 10th Anniversary show "X - A Decade In The Making" has been released and can be found HERE.
Over 16 bouts are planned and feature new K-1 discovery Pat "Get Hype" Barry of New Orleans, LA facing off against
