Is Bryan Schwartz still fighting?

[Jason (fight geek)]

Just curious if he is fighting still? I would have liked to see him fight before he retires.

[Gorkat]

Jason - Brian Schwartz fought last Oct. 21st in San Jose, CA. He won over Michael Corleone by 5th round TKO and then announced his retirement from kickboxing. I think I've seen him post on this board before, so maybe if he sees this, he can explain. He's still young and has never got a chance to defend his belt.

[Brian Schwartz]

Geek-

Let's clear some things up. First, no self respecting Brian spells his name with a "y". Now that that's clear...

I appreciate you showing interest in my fighting career. It is true, I did recently retire. I recently got engaged. Fighting is a dangerous sport. I believe fighters have to be a little selfish in their careers in order to be successful. I think with the amount of hours that goes into training, as well as all the sacrifices a fighter makes, it would be very hard for me to be the kind of husband I would want to be. Also, I have someone else to take care of now. I don't want to risk injury to myself in fear that I wouldn't be able to provide for my family anymore. Its very weird. I have never worried about anything happening to me. I shattered my hand in the 2nd round of my fight with Zack Day and finished it without hesitation to get the win. Everyday, I come home with some kind of bump or bruise, and never once thought about quitting. I love fighting and competition. But, its different now. I decided that it was the responsible thing to do, to hang them up and start a new chapter of my life. So, I have decided to retire, open a gym with my trainer and pass on my experiences to young fighters. It will definitely be a trip to watch from ringside, but I am ready for the change.

I hope this answers your question. I am sure my decision will be criticized to a degree, but everything I do has to be in the best interest of me and my family.

Take care and keep stirring things up on this site. I love reading the bantering back and forth.

Brian Schwartz

[Gorkat]

Brian - Thanks for all the thrills over the years. Sorry to see you retire, we will really miss you. I'd say you were one of the most popular fighters around -and one of the best. Good luck and good health to you in your new life.

[Brian Schwartz]

Thanks Gorkat.

[Jason (fight geek)]

Bry...Brian,

Thanks for the update. Family comes first and good for you for moving on in a new rewarding direction.
Good luck with the gym etc.

And a follow up question...nice segue huh?

How is the KB scene in CA? What is the deal with no teams coming at least to the midwest for NAC?
Will you bring your fighters?

thanks
Jason....what self respecting person would intentionally call themselves geek...oh.

[admin]

"Take care and keep stirring things up on this site. I love reading the bantering back and forth."

:confused:

Was this meant to be negative or sarcastic? We didn't see anyone "stirring things up" about your retirement. Did we miss something?

Best of luck Brian.

[Randy Pogue]

Schwartz!!! You slacker!
I knew it. First, those chumps at that other place take my title for no good reason and hand it to Brian. Then he decides to quit instead of fight me for it. He's scared, I tell ya. He's duckin' me. He'd rather quit the sport then face me in the ring. Grrr!!!
Just kidding, Brian. I don't think I could have beaten you after you already had the belt.
Admin, I think that's what he meant by stirring things up. I don't think it was negative, it's just that the smack talking is fun to read, and not only when it's about him.
Doesn't anyone have anything to talk about anymore???

Nov. 12 Ronnie Copeland vs. Antoine Mcrae... who wins?

Can FCR survive the challenge of K-1 and MMA?

Nov. 26 John Marzullo vs. Luis Ruiz... who wins?

Would FCR be more marketable with no footgear or shinguards?

Nov. 18 Tommy Bach vs. Fernando Luevano... who wins?

Has anyone with a decent side kick tried it in IR or MMA and decided it was a
bad idea? Why?

Can speed be taught? If yes, are there any elements of fighting...power, timing, focus, heart, endurance, rhythm, etc., that CAN"T be taught, and either you have it or you don't and need to work around it?

I say that the best 147 lb. female amateur fighter in the world, in any rule style, is Craig Smith. Does anyone want to dispute that?

I think that the WCL is a cool idea, but I don't think it should go on your regular fight record. Any thoughts? I further think it would be infinitely cooler if it was done in three periods, like hockey and amateur fights. Counterpoints???

Anyone have any opinions on this WAKO thing? What do you think about pros and amateurs competing against each other? Are pros at a disadvantage to go back to three rounds with headgear & heavier gloves? Can it be competitive?

What do you think about instructors dating their students? How often do you do it, 'cause I know most of you do? Better yet, how many at the same time? For those of you in traditional arts, is it ok to date your student's mom? Please don't tell me it's a bad idea if you are currently married to one of your former students. http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/wwwboard/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Hello? Is this thing on? Does anyone have anything interesting to say?

[Jason (fight geek)]

First,
To Admin, I don't think Bry..Brian is saying stuff negative, just that he likes the banter that is started. I took it positive.

Second.
Randy Pogue has some interesting comments. Of course he couldn't address all his other comments and questions on his own post, he has to hijack mine. I am not upset, he was born in the 60's. :eek:

But since we are digressing from Brian Schwartz into other stuff, my ADD mind can handle Randy Pogue's ADD questions, so here we go.

1. Ronnie Copeland gets the W with a ko or tko finish with his hands. He will have to be careful in the first two rounds, but if he weathers the storm it is his.

2. FCR can weather the storm, HOWEVER, I think MMA, K-1, and now WCL all have more TV time, and it is unfortunate that there is not a forum for FCR on mass media. It is starting to make me mad.

3. No idea on the Ruiz fight.

4. Yes it would be. Randy Pogue's fight in Atlanta with Lopez was a FCR with knees in a cage. Even on the Velocity web site they call it the fight of the night. I agree and it looked good. It wasn't stupid, it was a solid fight. PRO FCR should be not footgear and no shin guards. I do like pants, but I think the Lopez v Pogue fight proves it looks just as good without.

5. Tommy Bach gets the W

6. Side kick is the best kick in all of KB which is why I am upset Brian Schwartz isn't fighting anymore. Luckily we have Peyton, Pogue, Thompson, Cichon, et all. (although they all covet my sidekick)
also I told the Python I would give him ten bucks for each side kick that landed....what's up with that Pete, I don't think I saw one?

7. The fight game is about miliseconds and fractions of inches...speed can be taught. It just is hard to see. You can teach all of your things, some people are just better at some. The real test is focusing on which ones will help you win, do you focus on your good ones, bad ones, or all of them, and to what extent. This is what a GREAT trainer can see and work on with each fighter individually.

8. Craig Smith is 147 pounds?

9. I don't know if it is a cool idea or not. I want to see it first. It SHOULD go on your fight record. You are fighting, and getting paid to fight. If I get paid and then get punched in the face by someone else who is getting paid, I think it is a fight. And should be on your record. The question is WHAT RECORD.

10. WAKO is awesome. I have heard great things about it. Fight the best from Europe etc. This is a good way to help relations in the world. Go win and be humble about it, make friends with those dudes and dudettes.
PRO/AM this is tricky, but since everyone has headgear and 3x2 minute rounds, I think it is a Solid idea and event. Go Team USA.

11. I think dating a student is fine. I mean if that is all you guys/gals can get...whatever. ;)

[Craig Smith]

To answer some of the questions Randy asked:

FCR without FootPads or Shin Guards? If it ever goes to that I will stop promoting. That is totally crazy. Was that a question Randy asked or does he really believe this is the way we are heading. Randy has not been in touch with any of the Athletic Comm. of any State. matter of fact the rules are going to start getting tougher, in the State of Va. MMA is going to start being sanctioned and the rules are going to be tight. In FCR's alone they are headed towards females mandatory cups, go figure, and Randy thinks that they will allow no FootPads or shin guards. NEVER IN AM. Maybe Pro. and that seems to be far fetched.

Ronnie Copeland should Win, but time in the ring with quallity opponents in training is a must. Especially with fighting partners his size or bigger, thats the question, has he had enough of them. I say Ronnie in a decision going the distance. KO would be pushing it, no disrespect Ronnie, I just wish you could ahve made it up here to the conference to go some rounds with some of the big boys such as mark Graden and others. Good Luck my friend.

Now for the question of whether FCR's fighting can weather the storm of MMA. FCR's has been around for decades, its not going any where. In the long haul, FCR's is here to stay, MMA with the tightening of the rules in each state is on its way out. Atleast the No Holds Bar'd fights. Sorry guys, just ask your local Senator's.

As far as Craig Smith being the best female 147lbs kickboxer, I disagree.

As far as randy Pogue being the better fighter of the two. How come randy comes on the board and says qoute " Who are your top ten fighters pound for pound; Randy always puts his name in there somewhere. How about tooting your own horn,Ha.

Now I have a question, when you first met Randy Pogue before you knew him and you first shook his hand, how many people thought he was GAY?

[Randy B]

I thought he was gay right up until he hooked up with the ring girl at one of Pete Peterson's shows. :D

[deanadimples]

I thought Randy Pogue WAS the ring girl at that show.

There was that round he was topless and wore that cowboy hat. Maybe he thought it was tryouts for the new Village People.

[Randy Pogue]

First of all, you must be confusing me with someone else, I never hooked up with a ring girl.

Number 4, I personally think I did a fine job as a topless, cowboy hat wearing ring card boy.

Letter B, I have NEVER asked for anyone's pound for pound list, nor have I ever put myself on one. Not my bag. People usually have dumb lists with fighters they've never seen fight.

Fifth, IR is legal in most states. They use no shins or feet. Why is FCR still wearing booties? Don't get me wrong. I like the bones in my foot, so I'm not saying I like the idea, but maybe FCR needs to make the move that EVERY other rule style involving kicks has made.

Thirdly, Copeland by right hand in 5 or less.

2nd of all, you call me gay like it's a bad thing. Do you mean like "dumb gay?" I think I'm more like a "cool gay."

What's so funny?

[Brian Schwartz]

Admin:

I didn't mean anything by my comments other than I enjoy reading the back and forth between the guys on this site. It had nothing to do with me retiring. I would hardly say that my retirement would warrant much "banter". You guys are so sensitive. :)

Randy Pogue: We have never spoken to each other. As a matter of fact, I looked for you at the K-1 so we could talk. I wanted to fight you. I wanted to fight you the minute you beat Tony Ventura for the title. I always thought we would make a good fight being that we are both south paws and both good kickers. Unfortunately, it never worked out. I have a lot of respect for you as a fighter. The reason I looked for you in Vegas was to tell you this to your face, shake your hand and clear any tention that might be between us. In the end, I am not going to talk trash about anyone or any organization. That was one of those situations that I had no control over and I had to take advantage of the opportunity that was presented to me. I hope you understand where I am coming from.

Good luck to you in the rest of your career and I hope we can meet at an event in the future.

[Nelsmooth]

I've hooked up with several ring card girls!

[Michael Dean]

[QUOTE=Nelsmooth]I've hooked up with several ring card girls![/QUOTE]

At a boy Nelson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely, Michael "The Steamroller" Dean

[Craig Smith]

I guess if you have tried out for more than one team, you should have hooked up with more than a few! RawRaw Nelson GoGo

[Craig Smith]

I had not more than three days posted that womens cups were coming and now its a Law, am I tha man or what,HaHa.