The completion of 2007 saw Strike Force gym headed By Aaron Boyes and Karl Webber, based out of the industrious wing in West Auckland- dominate pretty much all proceedings in the NZ Mixed Martial Arts front. Kaota Puna, Sam Brown and Big Reuben De Jong completed the ROGUE MMA P4P top three, with three recognisable titles from two separate organisations taking refuge at the SF home. It’s almost like winning a 20 million$ jackpot, with the Strike, first division and power ball, all in one!
When ROGUE first caught up with SF boss and World Champion Kick Boxer Aaron “Bomber” Boyes, and quizzed him on why SF seem to have a vice like grip on the MMA front- not to mention a perfect record (zero losses in all MMA fights), he reckoned it was the historical presence and technical ability of Karl Webber. “When everyone now talks MMA they say its something very new, fair enough as being spoken more openly but we started doing MMA so long ago on our shows, so Strike Force know what it’s all about”

What’s more head trainer and New Zealand MMA’s most animated character in presence, Karl Webber is credited with his style and methods of execution at training. “Karl is the man when it comes to no holds barred! He is pretty awesome”. No doubt the results are proof in the pudding. In a sport where every inch of it is toughness-- be it talking it or walking that talk, Karl is right there to get stuck into it. “You got to train MMA, eh bro? not just BJJ and p**s around. It’s important you try and make things as real as possible, and train smart. That’s my philosophy and my guys are all committed”. No one will question the commitment of his men and with a perfect win record; neither will the methodology.

Sam “Striker” Brown right until a foot and rib injury ruled him out from fighting in 2007 after defeating Matt “NO-TAP” Toa to hold multiple MMA NZ titles in the light heavy and heavy weight classes was set to become the no.1 P4P fighter. Kaota Puna slowly but surely bolted right amongst it by submitting Leamy Tato on RW 2 (Ring Wars 2) in Wellington and a stunner of an arm bar against Tee Man Te Rangi. This meant both Striker and Puna were arguably the two best Heavy weights (P4P) in the country for the moment. It is unfair to compare men from the same camp, but given the priceless rarity of MMA occurring on cards, you can not help but do so. It is unlikely Brown and Puna will square off, as the only real possibility of keeping busy is to look off shore to Oz country or beyond.

Puna is versatile and reckons himself a stand up fighter than a MMA man. “I am more a Kick Boxer and love the stand up to be honest. MMA is fun, but it’s so hard to train and man sometimes it gets unreal at training- but you know the submissions are enjoyable, but I fancy myself more a Kick Boxing man”. Funny that being Puna has won all his fights via submission and a 100% stoppage record where he never really dominated via strikes!

Speaking of Strikes, the “Striker” Sam Brown has been the most impressive in this department. His first win against Peter Leiatua was a stunner, where he pulled out a thumping knee to the head ROGUE rates as his best win. Sam is very good at drawing blood, and he can hurt opponents. A Street worthy boxing game and a spoiler style grappling game is hard to put off and he knows how to win fights, be it a slug fest or a war of attrition.

Then there is the 6”10 big man, Reuben De Jong- who made the move to the SF camp for his Hextreme CiC (Carnage in the Cage) title clash with FOB Father Felise Lenui, which he won by a cats whisker or if that at all. It was a scratchy win and most critics argue that it should have gone to Felise. However he did win on the scorecards and yet another title was added to the already pimped out trophy cabinet. Reuben does wear the belt very well, and is a marketing gold mine in the waiting. Unfortunately no one has really made this count. After all a larger than life behemoth, who has some skill to play with is worth a lot on TV ratings. Then again in the NZ fight scene there is no real Jerry McGuire, and anyone known to be a big wig in the promoting game has ended up either being a dodgy dice roller, or a bankrupt saint trying to do too much of the good side.

Strike Force Expands to Christchurch

Strike Force with their no-nonsense, high intensity approach look set to dominate the local MMA scene for some time to come. The never ending line of talent is another reason. Boyes went on record to add -- “we have a few more new guys who are going to be better than the crop we have- but I don’t want to say too much just yet, you will find out when they fight”. Obviously the formula they have is working and the ability to cross train with quality strikers in stand up fighting makes them that much sharper.

What’s more in three weeks time Karl Webber will be moving cities to Christchurch, opening up the SF franchise in the South Island. This is an interesting move, and obvious part of the SF business model to expand horizons. Karl was thrilled with his new adventure. “Bro, It’s something different and going to be get used to- but I want to spread my knowledge, no doubt the boys down there will challenge everyone in time to come”—confidence is never in short supply, with the veteran door man. This would mean Kaota Puna taking over the reins from Karl at the SF HQ in New Lyn as head coach of the MMA camp.

Planned promotion

What’s more Aaron Boyes, who just recently- in fact five weeks ago became a father for the second time, revealed to ROGUE the intentions of promoting a cage event late this summer. They are looking at probably the ABA (Auckland Boxing Association) or a similar venue which will create the “Cauldron” like atmosphere. There is a very good chance that the “Bomber” himself will be on the card. More details will be received in due course on this very exciting fight card. Karl Webber himself might be in action, and has consistently mentioned the Jui Jitsui expert Douglas Santos in bating fashion to be his opponent! That would be something worth watching…

Formula for success

A common pit fall we see in most MMA aspirants is getting bogged down in training one dimension. Usually Jui Jitsu and Jui Jitsu only and fighters who could effectively transfer the skills they do on the mat into a competitive MMA fight. After all no matter how good a grappler or ground fighter you are it could mean nothing if you get pounded in the face not knowing how to defend strikes.

So as 2008 is about to kick off and the King of the Cage, the first major show down; SF camp will want to extend their domination. The heavier classes looked after, it could be the lighter and middle weights the only real under belly for them. That however will be sorted out- and the MMA jackpot not looking to change hands any time soon. If anything Karl Webber will strike the Big Wednesday via South Island, making things that much more interesting!

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