September 22, 2006 is the date of the World Combat League's Western Conference Championships for 2006. The Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas at Austin will be the battle ground as the Los Angeles Stars take on the Texas Dragons and the Houston Enforcers take on the Oklahoma Enforcers in an all-out action-packed event. Check out the impressive line-ups boasted by each team and the pre-event commentary on the fighters. For tickets, go to www.worldcombatleague.com.

The department of public safety is known for coining the popular phrase “SPEED KILLS”. If that is indeed true, then the Los Angeles Stars should fair very well in their match-up against the Texas Dragons. If on the other hand the adage, “Experience is the Best Teacher” turns out to be the more prophetic phrase, than the Dragons may claim victory by a sizeable margin. The Stars of LA are packed with youth, speed, athleticism and agility – all skills that are favored in the WCL's full throttle, three-minute fight format. The home-team Dragons have the edge in WCL (and overall) fight experience. You won't find two more contrasting teams, which always makes for a very exciting match-up.

147 lbs
Jack Felton (LA) vs. Santae Wilson Jr. (TEXAS)

In no single match-up is this team's contrast in styles more evident. Jack Felton hails from a sport karate background where he was one of the most successful athletes in the sport. His speed and athleticism is almost unrivaled. Santae Wilson, on the other hand is arguably the most experienced fighter in the WCL and one of the shrewdest technicians. Youth, Speed and Athleticism vs. Experience, Savvy and Grit… It's Your Call!

164 lbs
Cayenne Uno Mayes (LA) vs. Freddie Poole (TEXAS)

LA's Cayenne Mayes is unusually built for a 164 pounder. At 6'4” tall he will have a potentially overwhelming reach advantage over anyone he faces. “Reach” however, is only a real advantage while you're attacking (or if you have superior timing and enough power to keep your opponent at bay when he attacks). Freddie Poole, one of the League's most experienced fighters is slick, quick and has a great capacity to adjust in the ring in order to earn his team success. Can Mayes, in his first WCL appearance, use his reach to control the action or will Poole's experience in the “combat zone” help to get inside and get the job done? I can't wait to find out!

178 lbs.
Angel “The Terminator” Valerio (LA) vs. Fabrizio Bergamini (TEXAS)

Angel Valerio and Fabrizio Bergamini are both talented and hungry young-guns who will be appearing in their first WCL fight on September 22, 2006. Similarly, both athletes have previously held “alternate” positions with the league but without gaining the opportunity to compete. They are both very aware that this will be a golden opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to their coaches and teammates in order to “carve in stone” their position as a starter on their respective teams. Angel's foot speed from the ground to target is nothing less than remarkable. Fabrizio's classic Muay Thai skills are formidable. As in most WCL bouts it's much more than just about “SKILL”; it's about which fighter will impose their “WILL”.

195 lbs.
Raymond “The Real Deal” Daniels (LA) vs. Lawson “Meet Your Maker” Baker (TEXAS)

This match-up's been getting a lot of press, and justifiably so. In Raymond's WCL debut, he dropped Ronnie Copeland for the count with a jump spinning heel kick in the first half and then mugged Andrea Spang in the second half, putting him on his back once with a straight left cross. Daniels' performance helped edge his team past their opponent by a single point in the twelfth and final round. Raymond is one of the most confident and charismatic athletes around. Lawson Baker is a WARRIOR! He's a tough veteran with guts, tremendous heart and serious KO power. His background is in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Professional Boxing. We're looking at a classic contrast of styles; Speed, Finesse and Athleticism vs. Grit and Combat Experience. Don't Blink!

235 lbs.
Donald “The Grinch” Vickers (LA) vs. “Lightening” Mike Sheppard (TEXAS)

Donald Vickers is a talented, young and seriously skilled Combat Martial Artist. Mike Sheppard delivers his “lightening” by way of a vicious over-hand right and wicked back leg roundhouse kick. Again, echoing the theme for this overall contest, we've got agility vs. power and youth vs. experience. Can Donald (or any heavyweight) use his athleticism effectively for the entire three minutes of full-throttle action before Sheppard can drop his bolt of lightening from a clear sky? This one's a powder-keg. Let's see who has “fire” to light the fuse.

128 lbs.
Alicia “Slick” Ashley (LA) vs. Marily Martin (TEXAS)

This match is the contest's one anomaly. In this case it is the Los Angeles fighter who boasts the greater experience, with World Titles in both Boxing and Kickboxing (though they have equal experience with the WCL). Texas' Marily Martin will need to push the fight every second of her two, three minute bouts vs. “Slick” Alisha Ashley who should have the edge in technical merit. While “technical merit” is well and good – experience has shown that superior spirit and desire can trump it in the WCL's three-minute, full throttle presentation format. Martin has the spirit necessary and a natural size advantage as well, but Ashley always comes ready to put on a show so this could turn out to be another classic WCL confrontation.

A heading like, “The Destroyers vs. The Enforcers” conjures images of lethal alien invaders being repelled by a league of earth-friendly superheroes. Houston's WCL franchise is hoping that that is exactly how the scenario will play out when they host the visiting Oklahoma team on September 22,. 2006 in Austin, Texas. This contest is filled with SO MANY exciting and colorful match-ups that ANY three minutes of full throttle, combat martial arts action will be worth way more than the price of admission. The edge in WCL experience has to go to the Oklahoma Destroyers, while Houston's Enforcers will be anchoring their hopes on their very formidable hitting power!

147 lbs
Thomas “Thunderkick” Longacre (HOUSTON) vs. Tim “The Irish Pride” Connors (OKL)

This match-up will pit against each other two of the leagues most dynamic and exciting athletes. Longacre is in the 92nd percentile for league scoring and Connors has the third highest Effectiveness Ratio in the league (determined by comparing points scored vs. points scored against you). Connors is unusually large for 147 lbs., but Longacre, who has competed at 164 lbs. for the entire season is coming down to 147. If Thomas can make the weight easily, and it appears that he can, this should somewhat neutralize Timmy's size advantage. Both fighters are “in your face” attackers who can hit hard with either hand or either leg…. And don't forget about those knee strikes!

164 lbs
Anthony “The Assassin” Njokuani (HOUSTON) vs. Bryan “The Surgeon” Corley (OKL)

Speaking of knee strikes, both of these fighters should be able to take full advantage of the WCL's newly modified knee strike rule. This changed allows athletes a quick “grab and release knee strike”, meaning you can pull your opponent directly into the strike. Both of these fighters come from strong Muay Thai Kickboxing backgrounds where the knee strike is an essential part of their fight arsenal. I'm sure that “The Assassin” will use it in an effort to put “a hit” on his opponent, while “The Surgeon” tries a little “operating” of his own.

178 lbs
Ryan “The Lion” Madigan (HOUSTON) vs. Kevin “The Hitman” Engel (OKL)

This one's personal. Both of these fighters are among the elite in their weight class and they've been “nearly matched” several times in the past under a number of different circumstances. Madigan has more experience with the WCL's “sprint” style of fighting, but Engel faired very well in his last outing with a big KO over Pete “The Secret Weapon” Spratt. “The Lion” arguably has a wider arsenal of overall skills, but “The Hitman” has the edge in punching power, and appears to be the naturally larger of the two. Expect for these two fighters to square off in the center of the ring and “let it all hang out.” When the smoke clears, one is going to be looking up, and one looking down. This match will not go the distance.

195 lbs.
Ronnie “The Kid” Copeland (HOUSTON) vs. Dusty “The Dream Killer” Miller (OKL)

Here we have a very compelling match-up, with contrasting styles but identical motivations. Call it “retribution”, call it “pay-back” or simply call it the need to “get back in there and really show their stuff!”, because both of these athletes were stopped cold (in spectacular fashion) in their previous WCL outings.

Ronnie “The Kid” Copeland fell prey to a jump spinning hook kick courtesy of “The Real Deal” Raymond Daniels and Dusty “TDK” Miller ended up on the wrong side of “Lightening” Mike Sheppard's overhand right. Ronnie is tall and will have the reach advantage, Dusty, who is coming down from heavyweight should have the strength advantage on the inside. Look for two, very hungry fighters to do “whatever it takes” to earn big points and further secure their starting positions on their respective teams.

235 lbs.
John “The Panther” James (HOUSTON) vs. Mark “The Hammer” Selbee (OKL)

Both of these fighters are skillful, veteran combat athletes who know what's at stake. John James is returning to the World Combat League ring with a healthy respect for the style of “full throttle” fighting that is required. “It's the longest three minutes in sports,” James has said, “ Mark will have the toughest three minutes of his life! I'm ready to make a statement that I am one the best fighters in the league.” Though this will be Selbee's WCL debut, he was undefeated as a world kickboxing champion and his only loss to date came recently at a K-1 tournament match in Las Vegas. He'll have the height and reach advantage and the confidence that comes from a prior victory over “The Panther.” James has cut down to 218 lbs. so he can push the pace beyond what he feels Selbee can handle. Look for great emotion and extraordinary action from these two heavyweights.

128 lbs.
Jeri “Fists of Fury” Sitzes (HOUSTON) vs. Sarah “Sugar Foot” Ponce (OKL)

On paper, all variables seem to point toward a victory for Jeri Sitzes. She has more experience as a fighter, more WCL ring-time, and prior to entering the league she'd earned title belts in both boxing and kickboxing. But..., this match-up won't occur on paper! It will occur in the ring, where Sarah Ponce has a history of finding a way to win. With competitive experience in four different kinds of kickboxing, a 14-1 fight record, a two inch advantage in reach, and a reputation as an extraordinarily well-conditioned athlete, Sugar Foot may have just what it takes to frustrate “Fists of Fury.” If Sarah can “get off first,” and make good use of her speed and footwork she can neutralize some of Jeri's assets. I'm sure that Jeri Sitzes has other plans.