Back to Bloggin...

So I was Kontaining for a bit but it ain't as good. It's pretty, it's nice, but there's something about having my own design and domain that makes me feel a bit better about things.

So - what's been happening in the year and a bit that I've been incommunicado? Fuck loads! I've moved twice, had a REAL shitty relationship (that I'm thankfully out of as of September), saw Joe Rogan Live in Manchester (which was just frikkin' AWESOME!!) and more recently, decided to join a Martial Arts Instructors programme, or at least attempt to...will find out in the next few months if I'll be able to do it.

Anyways, think I'll be back on the Blogging tip from here on so expect more soon.

Oooh - Big Giant Happy Birthday to JoJo - Have an awesome day sis :)

I'm not dead - I Kontain now...

FYI - I'm not dead, I just Kontain now....

www.kontain.com/tim-mcknight/

My first Submission and UFC predictions

So I got my very first submission last night. May have only been 1 submission but it was sweet all the same. I was in top position in a guillotine choke. Luckily he didn't have his legs wrapped around me so I could stand up and ease the pressure. Managed to get my head out - take the full mount and then went from an arm triangle to a Kimora - those 3 light pats on the mat have never sounded sweeter. OK - I got submitted about 300 times after that but the fact still remains...there is a bit of progress there I think :)

Anyways, Couture vs Lesnar this weekend and I can't wait!! I'm totally routing for Randy...the dude is one of my Heroes and just a complete gentleman. He don't walk shit about people...give it large or bring on attitude...he is a true champ in every sense of the word. Integrity and Honour. Brock on the other hand...a complete beast and a total prat in my opinion. OK, so he beat Heath Herring and I respect the dude for that totally, but as I've said before, I'd respect him more if he was a bit more humble. I know that in the MMA World you need confidence, but there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance and Brock has opted for the latter. He was talking shit about Randy even before this fight was on the cards so I think I'll get satisfaction out of watching Randy beat him (if that turns out to be the case).

OK - Predictions for this weekend and the tournament are 2 fold. My first set will contain what I would like to happen, the second will contain what I think will happen.

What I would like to see:

Couture vs Lesnar : Couture wins
Noguiera vs Mir : Noguiera wins
Couture vs Noguiera : Couture wins

What I think I will see:

Couture vs Lesnar : Lesnar wins (I want Randy to win more than anything but I have a very bad feeling about this entire thing!!)
Noguira vs Mir : Noguira wins
Lesnar vs Noguiera : Lesnar wins

OK - so my prediction for this weekend, on the record...Couture wins by submission (RNC) in the fourth round (I know this is a contradiction...but I'm a big fan of Randy and so I intend to predict with bias).

I think Demian Maia will win by submission IF he can take Quarry to the ground without being caught by a hay maker. We'll see...but I'm gonna go for Maia coming out of this with a clean record.

Check out the fight card and extras at the official UFC 91 web site.

First Black President, pinging on Paul and a change of scenery.

Well, I am still in a state of shock after reading the news on the BBC web site to find that Barrack Obama has been elected as President of the USA. Now this suprise is not derived from my not knowing obviously but more the fact that this is not something I ever expected to see in my lifetime. Even when the Polls had him as front runner all the way up until yesterday I couldn't help but cast my mind (as I am doing now) to when Senator Bush stole (in that he took something that blatantly was not his) the presidency. Al Gore had more votes, but who cares?? We have innocent people to kill, business that does not concern us to involve ourselves in, an economy that needs fucking up and some weapons of mass destruction to find (like looking in your neighbours house for your keys!). Either way, I think it a good thing that this change has introduced itself to the people of the world and it's a sight to see knowing that if you had even suggested the idea of such a thing 60 years ago, you would have been linched, laughed at or
both.

Anyways, I've left the martial arts school I was going to. A few reasons but the most important being that I really wanna concentrate on Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. Lucky for me there's a place within walking distance! Like...5 minutes away!! Had my 1st class on Monday and it was great! You spend 10 minutes warming up and stretching, the remainder of the hour practicing drills and then the remainder of the time you spend on the mat trying to submit each other. Awesome! Got submitted around 50 times which I don't actually mind in one sense being as that won't be the case forever.

Anywho, being as I want or rather, need to work on my standup, I currently spend about an hour a week now doing some pad drills with my good friend Paul. Paul and I met when we worked at Interactive Solutions together, we got on like a house on fire and were always
ribbing each other. The amount of dead arms that guy used to give me (back in my skinny days) was a joke! Anyways, just before I start the timer, Paul reminded me of what I used to say after one of these dead arms..."one of these days I'm gonna be bigger, find you and then kick the shit out of you". This comment was usually followed by copious amounts of laughter in my direction and another dead arm. 6 years on...my how the tables have turned! I was using the MMA gloves so I could only do open handed strikes but it was so much fun. Them gangly arms helped me again. Think I need to get in all the hits I can now though, a few more weeks and it'll be "one of these days I'm gonna be bigger..."

Kick ass weekend!

So I get a phone call on Saturday morning from me dear old mum. "What you doing today??" ..."Errr...nothing..." "Great, I'm coming to see you". So, ended up spending the weekend with my mum (who had yet to see my flat). Was great as I don't get to see her all that much and while she's not altogether supportive/on board with my eventually wanting to do MMA - she still watched UFC 90 with me which was a total trip.

"BUT HE'S KNEEING HIM IN THE FACE!"

Bless :)
Oh yeah, apparently she doesn't rate Anderson Silva - HAHAHA!!

So yeah, that was a weird one but I gotta say, a cracking weekend all in all.
A total blast!

Human first, Black man second!

OK, so I gotta say there are some people who I just simply do not understand. I meet people like this occasionally, as to where they see your colour 1st and you 2nd. Don't get me wrong, I know a great deal about my ancestry and am proud of both sides of it. My great grand father was Scottish and my great grand mother was Jamaican. My parents were both born in Jamaica and as such I've done research on both sides of the family as well as looking at my ancestry on both sides of the family tree. Regardless of which, I was born here (England), raised here, have lived here all of my life and this is basically everything I know. As far as I am concernced, regardless of my Ancestry, I am for all intents and purposes, English. However every now and then I meet people who feel that the best way to communicate with me is to be on what they must feel is "my level" by constantly bringing up my skin colour and/or heritage.

I don't mind having a conversation with someone as I do "on occasion" with some friends about racial history, but there are points when things seem to just get out of hand in almost a David Brent type fashion. I have friends (not just of West Indian/African origin) who can relate to this type of scenario as to where something is mentioned - such as Marijuana, Hip Hop, Reggae etc and automatically, because of the colour of my skin, I'm meant to know all there is about that subject. Dumb ass comments such as "Don't mess with him, he's bound to know some 'Yardies'", or "Smile, we can't see you" aren't funny and they do nothing but offend the recipient of these so called "Jokes".

All I am saying is this. Yes, I am of West Indian origin, my skin colour is different compared to that of the majority of people in this country. Regardless of which, I laugh, bleed, cry, feel emotion exactly the same way as any other human being on the planet. I am, before all other things, a human being.

Communicate with me in the same way that I communicate with you, as a human being.

New Blog Template Launched

OK, so being as I've actually been running this blog for over a year now (about 11 months more than I thought it would last!!) I decided it was time for a bit of an upgrade. Added some sliding bits here and there and I gotta say, I'm well chuffed with it. I prefer it to the last one but feel free to let me know what you think (which you can totally do now as I've added the ability for anyone to post comments).

Anyways, enjoy!

Thank you to Eddie Bravo and Matt Hamill

So, last night in training we were playing the "pinning" game. Quite fun and very good for anaerobic conditioning. Anyways, managed to use a move that I've seen used by Matt "The Hammer" Hamil. Was a single leg sweep and it worked like a treat. I also managed to use the lockdown which was REALLY effective. The dude couldn't do anything apart from struggle to get his leg free giving me a chance to do a sweep and reversal and get the pin.

Oh, on a side note, I've totally sprained my wrist now, my elbow is saw, my shoulder is screwed and the big toe on me right foot is knackered. Ahhh well, I WANT MORE!!!

I thought I was gonna die!

So I'm in Birmingham at the moment being as I got a pair of tickets to go see Dylan Moran (black books, Shaun of the dead). Yesterday, I go walkin the dog for like 15 minutes with my mate and all of a sudden I get chest pains! Feels very tight and uncomfortable. We get back and I aint good at all. Shooting pains all up and down my left arm and I can hardly breath! My chest keeps gettin these waves of pain and I couldn't get comfortable at all! Anyways, the way I see it, this is my body telling me to stop treating it like a 10 dollar ho! As of tomorrow, no more cigs, ting or drink. For the next 3 months health comes first. March/April, I was in a good place, cardio was loads better, I was training more, I was heavier and I felt superb! I need to get back to that! I think really push it til Christmas and then start again come Jan and keep it going. I have new goals that I want to achieve and having a healthy body is core to all of it!

I'll drop a post on how the standup gig was tomorrow.

Martial Arts competition videos

So, been meaning to post these for ages! Having started off with a cold, then moving onto a sore throat, followed by a chest infection. Just as I'm getting over my cold I get diarrhea! I'm currently "coming out the other side" with the diarrhea now but for some reason, I can not seem to keep food down. Throwing up any time I have anything other than water, but the chest is feeling a load better :

Anyways, I'm digressing a touch.
Here is a little linky to the videos. That's over a gigs worth uploaded in 1 foul swoop...my connection is going like the clappers ere and I reckon these will all have uploaded by tomorrow morning. Between now and then there is at least 1 vid on there for viewing pleasure and both my wins and losses will be on there also.

Enjoy!

Life update...

OK, been busy as a bastard of late which is the reason for lack of updates. Things have been moving along in my life though. Had a Taekwondo Tournament - won 2 matches, lost 2 matches ended up 3rd. The wins don't feel as sweet though as it was against one of my team mates and I never actually got to fight anyone from another club. That said, fair play to Everton (aka Stick Man) which is now my new arch nemesis and the only one I train with who is faster than me. Weird as I love it and hate it all at the same time. Hate it cos I just hate loosing in anything where I feel I can do better, but good in the fact that I have gauge and a new push to gets better now. Must have watched my fight vids like 50 times and I know where I'm going wrong and the things I need to work on so these WILL BE IMPROVED (Yeah, decided to score a cute itsy bitsy camcorder - it's well 'ard!!)

What else, got me a Power ball, they're freaking awesome for working out your arms. Forearms, wrist strength, grip strength etc. Got it to help with my BJJ/Grappling/Sambo training which starts on Saturday. Gonna be doing some 1 on 1 sessions with a bad ass homie down in Birmingham every couple of weeks for the foreseeable future. He's an excellent teacher who knows his stuff inside out and from the side so REALLY looking forward to working with the dude.

Also going to be doing Yoga, was thinking of starting tomorrow but I don't get back in time and I'm still recovering from this freaking chest infection (was null and void ALL last week not to mention that I had 2 days already booked off which were spent sleeping!!!). But one thing I realised above all things...If I'm fighting a hobbit, I'll be able to kick that dude in the head - MAYBE! At the moment, my leg flexibility is shat and I'm fed up of having it like that so I'm hoping Yoga will help change that.

Ooohhh, been finding new music of late - lots of Hip Hop (some of it French). Top 10 Tracks on my iPod that I totally recommend (this changes daily)

1. The Look of Love - Slum Village
2. Keep it on - This beat - Slum Village
3. Around the Clock - DJ Honda feat. Problemz
4. Trouble in the water - DJ Honda feat. Problemz
5. Hell Naw! - Slum Village
6. Multiply - Slum Village
7. Self Assessment - Black Grass
8. Just like a bird without a feather - Samuel Jackson (Black Snake Moan OST)
9. Samurai - Shurik'n
10. Oncle Shu - Shurik'n

Anyways, this weekend should be fun, Grappling type training on Saturday, seeing Dylan Moran on Sunday (Never seen a stand up live before). Then 2 weeks after that, UFC 89!! Anyways, will try and do a few more updates - peace and love.

Things have changed a bit...

Yeah, so not blogged in a while and I must say that things have changed a little. Got a new Job working in Halifax which starts in December. Proper chuffed with that!

My fight in November has been cancelled and while gutted about that scenario, I am going to be fighting in approximately 3 hours over in Doncaster. Just killing time til my lift arrives and I can't wait! I've been up since 6am this morning, had a biggest west indian breakfast EVER (need the carbs) and all my stuff is packed and ready to go. There will be pics and video being as I just acquired a new Camcorder (it's small and dinky and ever so cute) but I'll post those later on this week.

Wish me luck peeps :)

The Dilemma - a Scenario for dudes

So, while we work we chat amongst ourselves and we've come up with a question that none of us are currently able to answer (obviously - there are no females on our team)

Would you rather be Quasimodo ugly and have a giant cock?

OR

Would you rather be Brad Pitt/Denzel Washington with a little cock?

It's a tough one huh??

Super Timmy Punch!

So - in training last night we were doing this thing called "Stop Point" (atleast I think that's what it's called). The whole idea is, you square off, the ref says go and whoever gets the hit in first gets a point, everything is stopped and you start again. The entire point of this is to build up attack speed to ensure you're the first one in and we usually work to a "first to 5 points" system. Being as I ain't exactly got fat wedges of muscle weighing me down I'm able to bring speed pretty easily and I've not had a great deal of luck executing the Super Man punch during sparring being as my opponent usually see's it coming a mile off. A friend of mine suggested that I set it up with a Jab (cheers chunky) so I've been practising this little manouver infront of the mirror. Anyways - yesterday...saw an opening, threw the jab and then went in with a superman punch and totally nailed it. Unfortunatley - I ended up hitting my sparring partner square in the eye (Sorry Cuan) and the point didn't count - BUT the fact still remains that I executed that bad boy to a Tee.

I was apologetic as anything being as it's never my intention to hurt sparring partners but I was chuffed as a basta*d when I actually realised I executed it. HAPPY DAYS!!

UFC BABY!!

I am now the proud owner of tickets to UFC 89 - Bisping vs Leben. Managed to get tickets closer to the Octagon this time for the same price as I got the last tickets. Also...no more driving for hours - it's in Birmingham which is where all my homies are at, so I'm chuffed as a button!!

From Mike Bisping...

"Thanks Tim, much appreciated. Thanks for the support. It means alot. Hope
you enjoy the fights in Birmingham.
Be lucky

Mike"

Prediction : Bisping wins by 2nd round knock out.

Tee-Ay-Assimo!

OK, so I must be getting on in years being as one of my birthday presents to myself this year was a Tassimo! 5 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of getting one but now...it's one of my favourite gadgets (sad I know). You get these cool little pods, you put the pod in the machine, press the button and 60 seconds later you got a hot drink. Cafe Creme people!! It's pretty much the same coffee you get in Amsterdam not the shat they serve over here...anyways...get one!

Oooh - got me a stupidly expensive surround sound system too. HD and Optical inputs n all o that, woop ass speakers, think I prefer the Tassimo ;)

3 months of pain starts here

OK, so I'm now joining the "Pain Train" for the next 3 months. T-Total for the next 3 months which means: -

No Cigs (Ouch)
No Alcohol (I rarely drink anyway)
No Weed

I've also got 3 months to gain 7 kilos...weighed myself this morning and I was 69 kilos, need to be 76 for this fight. That is the only thing that gives me a bit of pause. Where as most people wanna cut weight, slow down on eating etc...I gotta gain it and that's hard as hell for someone with the metabolic rate of "The Flash".

We'll see how things go.

The Shindig!

Pictures from my Birthday party/Housewarming. Enjoy :)

I Ain't that good looking!!

OK - So I'll meet a chic, she be cool. We get on - but then for some reason she convinces herself that I already have a girlfriend and nothing I can say will make them think otherwise.

Example Number 1.
I'm in a bar in Birmingham with my sis and a few of her friends. She's dancing...I'm chilling having a beer (minding my own business may I add). Some chic with probably the longest legs I have ever seen comes up and starts talking to me (she was a total babe). After a quick exchange she asks me "So, do you have a girlfriend". I didn't at the time so I say "No". "Yeah yeah..." "No REALLY" - "Whatever...see ya".

I'm sat there looking like 1 o'clock half struck with a "What the fuck" look slapped all over my Chevy Chase!


Example Number 2.
Meet this chic, she seems cool. Take her to this west indian place I got to all the time (loves my west indian food!). Soon as I walk in everyone is like "Hey Tim, how's you" - the owner comes up...we shake hands, have a chat. Her reaction? "So...any of these your ex-girlfriends then?" "Errr...nope". A few days later...take her to dinner, different place this time. We walk in and the first thing she says..."So you don't know anyone here on a 1st name basis then?" "Errr...no, I don't come in here often enough". "Oh??" she says. "Yeah, me and my mate from Birmingham generally come in here". A few days goes by and I hear nothing from her. Then I get a text message "Came to see you last night for a chat but you weren't in. Hope you were somewhere nice". Now - could have been said innocently but I could totally see it being said with a bit of sarcasm. Plus, no message on my answerphone, no missed calls on my mobile either - so she didn't call or text 1st to say she was bouncing over (which if you've only known someone for like 2 weeks...you'd generally do). So my feeling is she was trying to catch me out or some shit.

Now while I know I'm not an Ogre...I can't be that good lucking for crying out loud!! I don't get it...either there's something about me that says "Play boy" or I'm just so unlucky that I keep going for these chics that have some SERIOUS trust issues!!!

Those are 2 examples....there are more but I can't be arsed to catalogue em all. Anyway...think this needs some figuring out...this is fucking with my flo people!!

Something to look forward too

Started training again this week. Things have been a bit slack on the training front since the move. Having to setup the multi-gym again was not as bad as I thought and took me all of 90 minutes this time round (instead of the 6 hours it took me when I 1st got it). I think that's mostly down to the fact that I managed to dismantle it into about 20 pieces as opposed to it's original 200! Anyways, Mondays MMA session was good, Thursdays was pure pain and I loved it...been running, lifting weights and doing drills. Did nish on Wednesday as that's my designated day off and from here up until Monday...will be nothing but resting and stuffing my fat face.

Apparently we may well have a little club on club competition - if so proper looking forward to it. Soon as a date is confirmed I'll be training like my life depended on it up until that point. I have no problems with losing to an opponent (although I have no intention of that happening), I do have problems losing to fear (and I have no intention of that happening either).

Also been told there is a distinct possibility that we'll be going up against Rosi Sexton's crew in November which I am really excited about. I've seen her on the Fight Network (Bodog fight) so there's a touch of Hero worship there too - not to mention the fact that she's bad ass! Saw her pull a very sweet arm bar on this Brazilian chic who was dressed all in pink (I ain't a fan of pink in any capacity - not as bad as green though). And if her homies are anything like her...I'll be training until I'm close to death and a little bit more until that point!! (I'll also try and score me an autograph!)

Oh yeah, that date on Saturday...went OK. I get the distinct impression she thinks I'm some kinda play boy so not too sure how far that's gonna go. Not much you can do about someone who has already made their mind up about you and I ain't about to start trying to prove that's not me. Nothing worse than being judged because you got a few nice garms and a cool pad. But such is life.

Anyways - 9 more days until my birthday...15 until the housewarming/birthday party. Still not told the neighbours yet...we'll see what they say I guess.