Brian McLaughlin - Poughkeepsie Martial Arts Instructor and Hudson Valley MMA Fighter
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Rss
  • Home
  • BJJ Techniques
  • Train with Brian
    • Precision MMA
    • Sussex County MMA
    • Pure Mixed Martial Arts
  • About Me
Home» MMA

Sean Santella – A Champion’s White Whale

Posted on December 18, 2017 by fighter in MMA
Sean-Santella1

He’s too old, too small, too many miles, he’s had a stroke! These are the criticisms from Sean Santella’s detractors. Their words have been ringing in his cauliflowered ears since he fell short against Joseph Morales on Dana White’s “Looking For a Fight”. Santella has been on the 1 yard line of the UFC for years, narrowly missing out on his shot at the big show time and again. Like a modern day Sisyphus, every time he seemed to reach the summit his dream came crashing down. Years ago the UFC called him up on late notice, but it was just days after having major knee surgery. He seemed a shoe-in for the flyweight Ultimate Fighter, but despite holding multiple belts over the years he was not a current champion and was therefore passed over. He stepped up to fight Wilson Reis after champ Demetrious Johnson pulled out, but the UFC was too scared by a a stroke he suffered 8 years and 20 fights ago. He scored a 1st round submission with Dana White sitting cage side, but his victory flew under the radar. Against Morales Santella floored him immediately and put him in a myriad of submissions, victory seemed certain, but he got caught and had to watch as Morales won his debut UFC fight. He has been told point blank from the most powerful men in the UFC they aren’t signing him, with the implication being he should just stop trying.

The MMA world rarely operates in absolutes. When asked when women would fight in the UFC Dana White once famously replied, “Never”. Dana White claimed Conor McGregor would not box Floyd Mayweather. Fighters such as Tito Ortiz, Josh Barnett, and BJ Penn have all been told they’d never fight in the UFC again only to return once cooler heads prevailed. Sean Santella has decided he is going to keep fighting and continue beating all the top prospects until the UFC has no choice but to sign him.

Santella’s first fight back he made it clear he only wanted to fight battle tested champions. He took on Lawrence Diguilio, a World Series of Fighting veteran and the reigning V3 flyweight champion with 29 fights on his resume. Diguilo was bigger, younger, the #1 ranked fighter in the midwest and had won 8 of his last 10 bouts. Santella was coming off a loss, it was the first time he’d been finished in a decade of fighting. The established logic is to take a “tune up fight”. An easy bout where victory is a foregone conclusion allowing the fighter to build back their confidence and return to form without risking another injury or defeat. Diguilio was no tune up. Santella was traveling into enemy territory against an established veteran to prove to himself and the MMA world that he was better than his last performance and he deserved his spot among the best in the world.

santella2The fight was an absolute mauling. In less than 2 minutes Santella left Diguilio face down and unconscious. This fight was supposed to be the final nail in the coffin for Santella’s career. Instead it was the first highlight reel victory on his comeback. Santella had a new belt around his waist and a new lease on his MMA career. He set his sights on another title, the PA Cage Fight strap. In his way was Nate Williams, a Bellator veteran with 26 wins on his resume. Williams was a ground specialist who had just rattled off 4 straight submission victories. Santella, who has always prided himself on having the best jiu-jitsu at 125 pounds, was eager for the challenge. In many ways this bout was even more one sided than Santella’s last. After flooring Williams three times with strikes Santella secured the submission in the 3rd round dominating every exchange from bell to bell. With this bout Santella made a statement that he wasn’t just looking to lead the pack of contenders, but to leave them in the dust.

The next chapter in Santella’s comeback would be returning to the CFFC cage. CFFC was the organization where he made a name for himself. It has also become a proving ground for the UFC. Aljamain Sterling, Mickey Gall, Doug Gordon, Paul Felder and many other UFC veterans got called up after getting their hands raised in the CFFC cage. In fact, no one has ever won as many fights in CFFC as Santella without going to the UFC. CFFC was also the site of Santella’s last defeat. Earning a victory and having the title back around his waist would be the litmus test he needed to show that he was back on top. The UFC kept him off the Ultimate Fighter because he was not a current champion, a victory here would be his 3rd title in as many fights.

The opponent was Kevin Gray, who was fresh off Dana White’s Contender Series and his last 2 wins were against Bellator veterans. Santella had set a high standard for himself in this fight. He not only wanted to win, but he wanted to finish Gray. Moreover he wanted to show himself to be in a league of his own. Someone trapped in the local scene who clearly didn’t belong there. Mission accomplished. Despite working patiently and methodically Santella disposed of Gray in 2 and 1/2 minutes. He left the cage with his hand raised, a new title around his waist, and not a scratch on him. Chants of “U-F-C” erupted throughout the arena as his hand was raised in victory.

Post fight Santella credited his rigorous training as the secret ingredient in his path to success. Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, Marlon Maraes and a host of other ufc champions, contenders, and record holders are who Santella counts himself among on a daily basis. After swimming with sharks in the deep end of the ocean local champions are little more than guppies by comparison. Now the only question is what’s next? Will the UFC decide that after 20 victories, half a dozen title belts, and being ranked #1 in every region in which he fights that Santella can finally be granted a shot at the big time? Or will he be forced to follow the path of Ben Askren? Collecting victory after victory, but never being given his shot against the best in the world.

Mixed martial arts is a meritocracy. It may take some more time than others, but eventually everyone will rise and fall based on their abilities. Keep winning and they can’t deny you is the prevailing logic that is passed on to aspiring champions trapped in the seeming purgatory of the local MMA scene.  At this point, keeping Sean Santella out of the UFC is a punishment. However, it is unclear who it is worse for – Santella or his unfortunate opponents 1 by 1 being sent to their slaughter. UFC or not, Santella will continue taking on all comers.  

santella3

flyweight, Sean "Shorty Rock" Santella, Sean Santella, Shorty Rock, UFC No Comments Read More

The Secret to my Success – Strike Based Jiu-Jitsu

Posted on July 30, 2016 by fighter in BJJ, MMA
javi



I’m making this post with some reservation. On the one hand, I’m excited that the world will have instant access to arguably the most complete jiu-jitsu self defense system. However, another side of me is disappointed the secret is out. Learning Javier Vazquez’s strike based jiu-jitsu system for the past few years was reminiscent of training jiu-jitsu in 1999. It was as if I had a top secret security clearance and was granted access to a high grade military weapon. Well, now everyone can crash the party.  Aside from the unique perspective, the thing that sets Javier apart is the organization and attention to essential details. You are not learning “moves”, but rather a complete system of positions that seamlessly flow together.

If you view jiu-jitsu as a system for fighting, a combative art designed to keep you safe from all methods of attack then you owe it to yourself to invest in the strike based jiu-jitsu system.

Check it out HERE

gracie rancho, javier vazquez jiu-jitsu, Javier Vazquez MMA, strike based bjj, strike based jiu-jitsu, strike based jiujitsu No Comments Read More

Karl Nemeth MMA Champion

Posted on April 4, 2016 by fighter in MMA

karl fight
My black belt Karl Nemeth put his skills on display at Kaged Kombat 25 walking away with the first round calf crush submission. Karl is so well rounded as a fighter, but he is mainly known for his muay thai skills earning multiple titles with his high flying strikes.

As his jiu-jitsu coach I’ve always wished the world knew more about his world class ground game. His MMA career has become the showcase for his submissions. Everyone thinks they are safer taking the bout to the ground, but once they get there they come to the realization they aren’t safe anywhere.

http://bjjfighter.com/blog/2016/04/congratulations-karl-nemeth-on-defending-his-mma-title/

Precision MMA

Precision MMA

Brian McLaughlin MMA, Karl Nemeth MMA, Karl Nemeth precision mma, Precision MMA No Comments Read More

My MMA Journey

Posted on January 30, 2016 by fighter in BJJ, martial arts, MMA

My friend Sam Rivera stopped by my school Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY and made this incredible video.  Sam is really an incredible film maker and he perfectly captured many of my deeply held views on martial arts and got some great shots of my students in the process – check it out and be sure to subscribe to Sam’s channel!

  

Brian McLaughlin BJJ, Brian McLaughlin black belt, Brian McLaughlin coach, Brian McLaughlin instructor, Brian McLaughlin martial arts, Brian McLaughlin MMA, Brian McLaughlin Poughkeepsie, Brian McLaughlin Precision MMA, Professor Brian McLaughlin No Comments Read More

Why Sean Santella Should be on the UFC’s Short List

Posted on November 26, 2015 by fighter in MMA

shorty

Anyone. Any time. Any place. It is a credo that many fighters espouse, but few are willing to accept the consequences of the edict.  One fighter who has embraced taking on all comers is Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella.  During Sean’s MMA career, easy street has been the path less traveled by.  During his very first day of training he broke his arm, but in typical form he left undeterred.

Sean was committed to being a fighter and he stepped into his first amateur fight confident that he could use MMA as a way to get ahead.  Sean grew up with a single mother in poverty, a troublemaker who never finished high school and seemed to be speeding down a road toward failure.  MMA was his clean slate, his chance at redemption and he jumped at the opportunity with unrivaled enthusiasm. 

Sean would lose his first amateur fight.  His investment in his MMA dream had yielded a payout of a broken arm and a heartbreaking defeat.  0-1 is the most common record in mixed martial arts competition.  Aspiring combatants, expecting to be the hammer, play the role of the nail and find a new hobby.  However, it would take more than that to deter Sean.  In a pattern that would become all too familiar he took time off, regrouped and came back strong.  In 2008 Sean rattled off 4 consecutive wins including an amateur title and a victory over future UFC fighter Louis Gaudinot.  Sean proved he was ready to step up and in his pro debut informed the promoter he would take on anyone.

sean2Young fighters typically select “safe fights” early in their careers, match-ups in which they have an obvious advantage and will allow them to play to their strengths and cruise to victory.  Sean wasn’t interested in that path.  He made his pro debut against Nick Pace.  Pace came from one of the premier schools and boasted a perfect 6-0 record with 5 consecutive finishes.  He was someone no one wanted to face.  Sean fought hard and found himself on the wrong end of a judges decision.  Once again he was 0-1.

Loss wasn’t new for Sean, but what happened next was.  After a hard training session he was feeling weak and light headed.  The feeling persisted and Sean found himself in the hospital where doctors told him he had just suffered a stroke.  No one could tell Sean why at 24 years old in his physical prime he had suffered an ailment typically reserved for people in their 70’s.  Sean’s back was against the wall.  He had just lost his pro debut and suffered a health scare that would send even the toughest of characters into a panic.  Sean did what he always did when things didn’t go his way, he worked hard and kept on fighting.

Sean kept his stroke a secret and after taking a 7 month hiatus he found himself back in the cage taking the fights others ran from.  Sean rattled off 5 wins in 2009 finishing the year undefeated, ending all but one fight inside the first round.  Sean began to develop a reputation with promoters as someone who wsean3ould take on all challengers.  At one point, while cornering a friend, Sean took a fight out of the crowd when a fighter had his opponent no show. Despite having to move up in weight and knowing literally nothing about his opponent, Sean drove to the nearest sporting goods store, bought a cup and mouthpiece and won by submission.  He even went on to earn a submission victory over the man who defeated him in his amateur debut.  Sean’s determination had finally begun to pay off.  He wasn’t going to be known as the dropout who never amounted to anything, he was the fighter bound for greatness.

Things are never that easy for Sean though.  His winning streak came to an end following a back and forth battle with crafty veteran Josh Rave.  Following the fight the New Jersey athletic commission got wind of Sean’s prior stroke an placed him on indefinite suspension.  Sean went from fighting every month to sitting on his hands not knowing if he’d ever be allowed to fight again.  The problem was that no doctor could answer the obvious question – why did Sean have a stroke in the first place?  Sean refused to go quietly though, petitioning the commission he underwent a seemingly never ending battery of medical examinations poking and prodding every conceivable possibility.  Finally, after 6 months of uncertainty, Sean was granted a license to fight. 

sean4Sean let every promoter know he was back in business and ready to take on the toughest fighters in the region.  Top prospects, Strikeforce & Bellator veterans, Jiu-Jitsu black belts and NCAA wrestling champions all quickly earned a notch in the loss column when they stood across from Sean Santella.  In 9 fights his lone defeat came at the hands of still undefeated UFC star Aljamain Sterling.  Along the way Sean had won titles in both Ring of Combat and CFFC the region’s top MMA promotions.

Sean was set to face feared flyweight Zack Makovsky.  It was no secret that the winner of this fight would likely be called up to the UFC.  Sean’s goal was finally within his grasp, his shot at the big time.  Then, while rolling in jiu-jitsu class, Sean heard a loud pop.  He tried to ignore it, but he knew something wasn’t right.  He hobbled into his doctor’s office and was given the bad news.  He had completely torn his LCL, his fight was off and he would require reconstructive surgery.  Sean would have to sit and watch from his couch as Makovsky was signed by the UFC and began collecting victories and turning heads.  Adding salt to the wound, unaware of his surgery, the UFC reached out to Shorty and offered him a last minute replacement spot on a card when a fighter dropped out – right place, wrong time. 

It would be an entire year before Sean would be able to return to competition.  He would fight Nick Honstein in his return bout.  Maybe it was the ring rust or perhaps the pressure to make up for missed opportunities, but Sean was not himself.  He was a step behind Nick the whole fight.  Despite locking up submission after submission Nick would escape by the skin of his teeth and land shots.  Shorty would lose his title and suffer his first loss in 2 and ½ years.  Sean wanted to bounce back quickly, but fighters would either outright refuse to face him or days prior to the bout would claim they were unable to make weight.  After 9 fights fell through, Sean signed to fight Jimmy Grant.  Grant came in over weight.  Sean and his team had decided long ago that they would not fight anyone who missed weight.  However, Sean felt pressured considering opponents dropping out had kept him out of the cage for 10 months.  Grant would go into the fight, use his size to take Sean down and then defend offering little to no offense.  Sean actively pursued submissions the entire bout, but his opponent was awarded the split decision victory.  Grant would miss weight again for his next fight, proving that he is in fact a bantamweight who has simply been fighting flyweights for his own advantage.

rizzoSean now had his back up against the wall.  He had consecutive losses for the first time in his career and finding a fight had never been harder.  Rather than allow himself to be discouraged Sean stayed in the gym.  He worked to improve his wrestling to ensure a lay and pray loss would never again be marked on his record.  He also let promoters know he was ready to step in against the toughest opponent they could find in the northeast.  Finally promoters gave him a fight against Matt Rizzo.  Rizzo was riding a 3 fight winning streak and more importantly he had finished Jimmy Grant.  This was Sean’s chance to jump right back in the rankings against an opponent no one wanted to face.  Rizzo was a ground specialist and it was clear whoever won this fight would be recognized as the most dangerous jiu-jitsu fighter in the region. 

The bout was billed as two of the top flyweights outside the UFC battling to see who was more deserving of a shot at the big time.  The fight began with Rizzo pressing Sean against the fence and looking to smother him and take him down.  Sean countered every attempt and landed

Side of the head or back of the head?

Side of the head or back of the head?

big shots that staggered Rizzo.  Eventually Sean timed a takedown of his own and immediately advanced to the back where he flattened Rizzo out and began landing heavy blows.  Rizzo was able to make it to the end of the round, but the tide was clearly in Sean’s favor.  In round 2 Sean once again brought the fight to the ground and advanced to half guard.  Sean threw a back elbow and Rizzo’s corner protested.  The referee stopped the action deeming that the blow struck the back of Rizzo’s head.  Rizzo was unable to continue and the bout was ruled a no contest.  Whether the blow was legal or not depends on your definition of “back of the head”, but as the replay showed on the projector screen the court of public opinion ruled in Sean’s favor. 

Sean had fought the perfect fight in a showcase bout against a top ranked opponent, but he would not earn the victory that would have surely catapulted him to the front of the flyweight line.  The path was clear; rematch Rizzo and get that victory back.  Ring of Combat 53 would be the venue and the bout would be for the flyweight title.  To raise the stakes even higher, UFC president Dana White would be in attendance.  It seemed like the stars had finally aligned for Sean, nothing was going to stop him now.  However, things are never that easy for Sean Santella.  Just when things seemed to be at their best a setback is always waiting in the wings.  Halfway through the fight camp we received word that Rizzo pulled out of the fight.  The promoter didn’t think anyone would be willing to step up against Sean considering his track record.  Sean once again faced an uncertain future at a pivotal juncture in his career.  Staying the path paid off though.  Ring of Combat found a worthy adversary in the form of Jay Pressley.  Jay was undefeated at flyweight and was being touted as the next big thing out of team Roufusport, the same camp that produced UFC champion Anthony Pettis.

In training Sean was looking unstoppable.  After his last fight we knew we couldn’t leave things to the judges, we had to finish the fight and leave no doubt that Sean wasn’t simply the better fighter, but that he was leagues above the opposition – this was Sean’s now or never fight.  No injuries, no ring rust, no weigh-in problems, or health issues, he was going to show the UFC what Sean Santella was capable of when firing on all cylinders. 

sean5The fight began and Sean fired off a series of leg kicks before charging forward and putting Pressley on his back.  Pressely was touted as a skilled wrestler, but Sean had no trouble keeping him down.  Pressely knew his only chance was to get to his feet.  He turned his back in order to stand and in the blink of an eye Sean had a fully locked body triangle.  Seconds later he slapped on the rear naked choke and earned the submission victory.  His celebratory breakdancing routine was nearly as long as the fight.  If Sean’s pink hair didn’t get Dana White’s attention his grappling certainly did.  The chants of “U-F-C” filled the arena as Sean’s hand was raised in victory. 

For Sean’s career to continue he needs the UFC, but in many respects the UFC needs him too.  The flyweight division has no compelling fighters, no strong story line, no characters that inspire the public.  Sean has that story that makes people sit up and take notice.  He was the kid who was supposed to end up dead of in jail.  He wasn’t supposed to make it in the sport.  He should have quit when he broke his arm, when he lost his first fight, when he had a stroke, when he tore his knee.  His story is one of perseverance and triumph in the face of adversity.  His fighting style is a metaphor for how he lives his life, guns blazing and full throttle.  Dana White is famous for asking the question, “Do you want to be a fighter”?  After 20 professional bouts Sean Santella has shown he’ll take on all comers.                 

sean6

Dana White, Sean Santella, Shorty Rock, TUF, UFC No Comments Read More

Post Archive

  • December 2017 (1)
  • July 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • February 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • November 2015 (4)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (1)
  • September 2014 (2)
  • July 2014 (3)
  • June 2014 (3)
  • May 2014 (5)
  • April 2014 (9)
  • March 2014 (6)
  • February 2014 (2)
  • December 2013 (4)
  • November 2013 (8)
  • October 2013 (11)
  • September 2013 (4)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (9)
  • June 2013 (14)
  • May 2013 (5)
(c) 2013 Brian McLaughlin - Poughkeepsie Martial Arts Instructor and Hudson Valley MMA Fighter
Site by Precision SEO