Celeb jiu-jitsu showdown: Ashton Kutcher vs. ‘Al Bundy,’ who wins?

A guy breaks into your home and gets on top of you. Can you find a way to get yourself off the floor?

Here's a shocker. Ed O'Neill of "Al Bundy" fame from "Married with Children" would probably be standing in a matter of seconds and chances are Ashton Kutcher would have no shot of rising to his feet. You ask why? The 61-year-old O'Neill has been training jiu-jitsu for 15 years, meanwhile Kutcher is a novice, who borrowed a black belt, during this recent visit to Brazil.

Black Belt Magazine tells the story that O'Neil, who played a dumpy shoe salesman on FOX's hit television show, got hooked on jiu-jitsu during a quick visit to Rorian Gracie's gym in Torrance, Ca.

O'Neil was pushed by a producer/writer friend John Milius to visit the gym. Gracie put "Al Bundy" through the robber drill and he failed.

Taking the bait, he asked Gracie how he'd managed to maintain complete control (while on top of O'Neil). Once the principle was explained the simplicity of the art floored O'Neil. He set up an appointment to begin training and has been rolling ever since.

Black Belt reports that in 2007, O'Neil received his black belt.

"Ed has a vast knowledge of moves," Gracie said. "He has great execution of the techniques and does them with a certain level of ease. We're worked with this guy every single week for 15 years."

Maybe Kutcher, 33, will have his black belt in 15 years. The photo is from Rio de Janeiro where Kutcher stopped in to visit a Carlson Gracie disciple.

Ashton Kutcher, [was in] yesterday, June 13, [to see] Ricardo de la Riva, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Ashton showed that understands the subject and trained very well with the black belts of the academy.

Ashton learned the secret of one of the world's most famous guards, the De la Riva guard, which was demonstrated by the master himself, to the finest detail.

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Father knows best: Advice from MMA’s dads

Fathers are known to dispense advice, so in honor of Father's Day, Cagewriter collected some of the best advice given to the MMA world.

Daniel Cormier, Strikeforce heavyweight: "My father died when I was seven, but the man who raised me, Percy Benoit, told me to work hard, you're a good person and good things will come to you."

Joe Lauzon, UFC lightweight:" My father was huge with 'Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.' My dad has always hustled... no matter how well he did something, there was always room for improvement and he was going to squeeze out every ounce of improvement in everything he did."

Dan Henderson, Strikeforce light heavyweight champ: "My dad was my wrestling coach for most of my life, and then when I started MMA, he didn't know too much about it. But he'd watch my fights on TV, and I was fairly new in the sport, and he'd always have some sort of critique, even though he didn't know what the hell he was talking about. Even if I knocked the guy out, he'd say, 'It seems like he's hitting you an awful lot. Maybe you ought to move your head a bit.'"

Scott Coker, Strikeforce CEO: "My dad knew I loved martial arts, and he said find a way to make that your career, as you get older, because then you'll love it, and you won't have to feel like you're going to work. Find something that you love to do."

Sam Stout, UFC lightweight: "My dad's give me tons of good advice in my life. He's the one who taught me to work for what I believe in. He's a very motivated guy. He's the one who taught me to stick up for myself. He's the one who put me into sports and encourage me to play."

Aaron Simpson, UFC middleweight: "If you want to continue to be great at something, never be satisfied. He told me this after I won state my freshman year of high school."

A very Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially my father, who gave me the advice to not let idiots get in the way of my dreams. Thanks, Dad.

Picture from Combat Lifestyle

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Surf Artist - Robert Heeley

We've just added a new featured artist; Californian Robert Heeley. "Robert draws upon his surfing and sailing lifestyle to create inspired images of seascapes and ocean living. He captures the surfer's dream of spectacular waves at famous surf spots throughout California, Hawaii, Mexico and beyond." Enjoy…

www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/robert-heeley.php



- www.robertheeleyfineart.com
- www.facebook.com/robertheeleysurfart

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Carano MIA and ‘Cyborg’ unsigned, how much longer will Zuffa-run Strikeforce stick with female fighting?

It's not looking good for female fighters with the biggest promotions. This week's Strikeforce Challengers card in Washington and next month's Strikeforce cards in Las Vegas and Chicago feature some female fights. After that, who knows?

The two biggest female names under the Strikeforce banner still don't have fights scheduled.

We're now a few weeks removed from Gina Carano bailing on her Strikeforce: Dallas fight and there's still official no word on what the injury was, or a timetable for her return. When Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker spoke with AOL, he still had no answers.

"Gina is feeling much better after having undergone some medical attention and is looking forward to getting back into training very soon. She would like to express thanks to Team Jackson for a wonderful training camp, Strikeforce and the fans," said Coker, reading from a text message he received from Carano's management team.

Beyond that the boss didn't have any details.

"She evidently had some medical attention provided and she looks forward to getting back soon. So that's everything I know," said Carano.

Coker couldn't even answer if the medical issue was career threatening, saying the text was all he's seen.

The situation with Strikeforce's No. 1 female star is just as unclear, or is it?

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos is currently without a contract.

"Absolutely. I'm pretty sad not to be fighting and I'm trying to renegotiate my contract for a year, but Strikeforce doesn't want to made a deal, they want to keep paying me what they paid before, but now I'm the event's champion and I've never been defeated in Strikeforce. I just wanted to be recognized," Cyborg said.

She also told Tatame that she has taken an August fight in Brazil and just has to wait until her Strikeforce contract runs out this month.

One has to wonder if this is the end of the line for Cyborg in Strikeforce. If Dana White has zero interest in female fighting in the UFC, why would he allow a company that he owns to lock itself into any more long-term contracts with female fighters?

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Demian Maia Fighting With New Purpose Since Birth of First Child - UFC 131

Demian Maia Fighting With New Purpose Since Birth of First Child Video by UFC 131

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Krzysztof Soszynski Discusses Preparing for Third UFC 131 Opponent - UFC 131

Krzysztof Soszynski Discusses Preparing for Third UFC 131 Opponent Video by UFC 131

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Father knows best: Advice from MMA’s dads

Fathers are known to dispense advice, so in honor of Father's Day, Cagewriter collected some of the best advice given to the MMA world.

Daniel Cormier, Strikeforce heavyweight: "My father died when I was seven, but the man who raised me, Percy Benoit, told me to work hard, you're a good person and good things will come to you."

Joe Lauzon, UFC lightweight:" My father was huge with 'Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.' My dad has always hustled... no matter how well he did something, there was always room for improvement and he was going to squeeze out every ounce of improvement in everything he did."

Dan Henderson, Strikeforce light heavyweight champ: "My dad was my wrestling coach for most of my life, and then when I started MMA, he didn't know too much about it. But he'd watch my fights on TV, and I was fairly new in the sport, and he'd always have some sort of critique, even though he didn't know what the hell he was talking about. Even if I knocked the guy out, he'd say, 'It seems like he's hitting you an awful lot. Maybe you ought to move your head a bit.'"

Scott Coker, Strikeforce CEO: "My dad knew I loved martial arts, and he said find a way to make that your career, as you get older, because then you'll love it, and you won't have to feel like you're going to work. Find something that you love to do."

Sam Stout, UFC lightweight: "My dad's give me tons of good advice in my life. He's the one who taught me to work for what I believe in. He's a very motivated guy. He's the one who taught me to stick up for myself. He's the one who put me into sports and encourage me to play."

Aaron Simpson, UFC middleweight: "If you want to continue to be great at something, never be satisfied. He told me this after I won state my freshman year of high school."

A very Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially my father, who gave me the advice to not let idiots get in the way of my dreams. Thanks, Dad.

Picture from Combat Lifestyle

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