The FIRST fully sanctioned Amateur MMA event in NYC!

I have the honor of witnessing history as its happening. And with my hands I freeze those moments in time. What happens to me while I’m shooting cage side is a bit emotional, spiritual and surreal and while it’s not easy for me to always put in words, I try to express that through my photos . At every fight night I shoot I always have in my mind I could be capturing a future UFC champion. I could be photographing future legends. This weekend’s event was way beyond that. I truly witnessed HISTORY IN THE MAKING. And I am still shocked that my path has led me here. That I was chosen to be apart of this event. On Saturday January 26, 2013 New York City held its FIRST EVER USMTA fully sanctioned Amateur Mixed Martial Arts event. While that may be a mouthful of words to some, for MMA enthusiasts this is a GIANT step in NY MMA history. The event took place at St. Raymond’s in the Bronx. Fight team supporters and MMA fans traveled from all over the tri-state area to witness this huge step for our city. And the entire night was nothing less than amazing for all of us! I am born and bred in NY and one thing I know is that there are no group of sports fans more passionate and more animated than us NY’ers. And tonight was no different. With over 1,000 people in the building that night, Aggressive Combat Championships gave us all a true professionally produced NYC MMA experience. The breaths that I took were not only in sync with the fighters, but they were driven by the roars from the crowd. The energy in the room that night was way beyond anything I have ever experienced and it reminded me every moment how spectacular this night was. Of course each fighter had their own supporters. Of course some teams were louder than others. But at the end of every fight it felt like the entire room was cheering for both warriors no matter the outcome. We were all proud. One thing that was surely proven that night was that us NY’ers know how to bring it. We know how to make the ground shake. We know how to blow the roof off any building. Because when we believe in something, we want the world to know… And I truly believe that this event showed the MMA world that NY deserves to officially have Mixed Martial Arts Fight Nights apart of our sports culture on amateur and professional levels just as much as any other state. My pride is soaring from my soul today… and this is just the beginning. Congrats to all the fighters that participated in this event, congrats to all the officials and judges that had the honor of working that event, and congrats to all the fans that came out to support and witness something great.

First and foremost I have to give a HUGE thank you to Eugene, Tom, Joe and the ACS team for giving me the privilege of being their photographer for this event. I hope to have that roll for many fight nights to come. You guys put on an amazing show, and I am very proud of you all. Huge thanks to Dead Serious for always welcoming me in, where ever we are, like I am apart of their family. Huge thanks to all my family and friends for your constant support and for believing in my dream. Huge thanks to my TSMMA family for being the stepping stone that has helped to lead me here. Huge thanks to “You” for reminding me that… “I got this” ;* . And huge thanks to ‘Hugs’ and ‘Kisses’ for being my reason.