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When it comes to MMA, there is no bigger name in the state of Maryland than John Rallo. He is the legendary MMA star who has a Black Belt under one of the Greatest MMA fighters to ever live….Renzo Gracie. John has also served as a bodyguard for Motley Crue’s very own Tommy Lee. And John is the man responsible for bringing MMA to Maryland.* We recently had the chance to interview John Rallo, and here is what he had to say….

National Sports Review:* How did it feel the day you were given a Black Belt from the Legendary Renzo Gracie(My favorite MMA fighter of all-time) ?

John Rallo:* It was one of the proudest days of my life. I was traveling to NJ-NY twice a week to help Roger Gracie prepare for his first MMA fight. During these training sessions Renzo told me he was promoting me to black belt. He wanted to do the promotion in NYC at the main academy. So I went up to Renzo’s home had lunch. Went to the main academy that evening. I rolled with Roger for about 30-40 minutes and was given my Black Belt in front of all of the students present. There were also 8 members of the Gracie family present for the promotion.Very surreal considering it was watching Royce in the 1st UFC’s that got me to begin training jiu jitsu. After the promotion we all went to dinner. I stayed at Renzo’s house that evening and came home the following day. Renzo is the man. He has had a huge impact in my life. He is both my teacher and my friend. I truly value the relationship I have with him.

National Sports Review:* *You are the man responsible for bringing MMA to Maryland. How hard of a process was it, and how good did it feel, the day the Maryland politicians signed the bill you worked so hard for, and made it legal?

John Rallo:* It was a lot of hard work. I spent the first days talking to people and making sure that this was something people thought could happen. Then I spent my time gathering information to prove that MMA was safer than the general public had been led to believe. Nick Lembo (attorney for NJACB)was really instrumental in helping me gather this information. He is the man responsible for writing the Unified Rules used bu the UFC, WEC, and many other states across the country. Once I had enough information we retained a Baltimore law firm (Gordon, Feinblatt) to help us lobby the General Assembly. Mr. Ed Hitchcock and Tim Perry were the lawyers who did our lobbying. With their help we retained Senator Joan Carter Conway to sponsor our bill on the senate side. Then we also retained Karill Reznick to sponsor a second bill on the House side. Next came my testimony before the senate and the house of delegates. I was able to get many influential people to testify on our behalf. Nick Lembo, Dr. Mike Kelly from NJ, Dr. Frank Reid, Marc Ratner (UFC ) Micheal Mersch (UFC), Paul Rosner (president of ISKA) to name a few. Only one bill had to make it through. Both were approved by a landslide.

National Sports Review:* *You are bringing the first ever MMA fights to the 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday night, October 24th. Can you tell us about this upcoming event that you have put together for MMA fans in Md.?

John Rallo:* We are really hoping to establish a strong regional show that can place talent in the UFC and the WEC as our show gets established. I really want to showcase local and regional fighters. I want to give fighters in the mid atlantic region a chance to fight for a solid organization without having to travel far north or south to do so. This event has 12 fights scheduled. there is a VIP prefight party that will have a catered dinner and meet and greet for our fans that purchase that package. Barring any unforeseen problems some of the people scheduled to make appearances are Renzo Gracie, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone(WEC), Kurt Pelligrino(UFC), Leonard Garcia(WEC) and we hope to add more. Bink Jones is the headliner. Binky has fought for Elite XC, Bodog, Ring of Combat, UWC, etc. He has represented Baltimore all over the world. It is only proper that he has this opportunity to fight in front of his hometown fans at the best venue in Baltimore, the 1st Mariner arena.

National Sports Review:* *Do you know any of the fighters who will be fighting, or any of the matches?

John Rallo:* Please check out our website www.shogunfights.com for the fight card. As we know these cards are always subject to change. But many of the guys on this card have committed either verbally or by contract to fight for us. We are finishing signing everyone as we speak.

National Sports Review:* *Your Ground Control Academy MMA school is stacked with talent. From the instructers to the students. Can we expect to see any of them participating in the first ever MMA fights at the 1st Mariner Arena on Oct. 24th?

John Rallo:* For sure. We are scheduled to have 12 bouts on this card. Of the 24 fighters scheduled 5 are from Ground Control. They are Binky Jones, Dave Daniecki, Ryan Mackin, Rick Desper, and Mike Paschall.

National Sports Review:* *Is there anything you would like to add? It can be on any topic, any subject.This is your chance to say anything you would like.
John Rallo:* Just make sure to support the event on October 24th at 1st Mariner Arena. The event is called Shogun Fights. We have an agreement with the arena to do 3 shows per year there. This will be a history making event and I am hoping that MMA fans in the area will come and support the show. This is our first one and we are doing our best to bring you a top notch event with top notch action. Please come out and support the show. Check out www.shogunfights.com for more info.

Also I would like to thank a few people Frank Remesch, Nick Lembo, Ira Rainess, Pat Pannella and the MD State Athletic Commission, Dr. Frank Reid, Dave Wilson, Brian Hamper, Jeff Atwell, Tony Rellis and Design Factory* and MOS Creative for their help in bringing this event to life.

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