sambosteve
7/19/2009 4:21pm,
This weekend saw the loss of Paul Rosner, Founder and President of USKBA Action Sports.
Paul was extremely instrumental, not only for MMA in NJ, but many other sports in many states and countries. The guy was a work horse and sacrificed pretty much everything for the USKBA and all the sports he supported - MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Freestyle Sambo, Grappling, etc. Paul was a fixure in the combat sports world. He built the USKBA from the groud up with literally nothing at the start.
In 2004, when the ASA was just a small new group, it was Paul who allowed us to tag along and host our first freestyle sambo tournement. It was at the 2004 USKBA Action Sports world tournament. I have very fond memories of that event. There were several international teams competing including Russia and Mongolia in the various sports. Many now well known fighters and coaches got their start at Paul's sanctioned events. Furthermore, during the years, Paul had allowed the ASA to present two combat sambo demonstrations at USKBA MMA shows. He certainly contributed greatly to the ASA's growth and subsequent notoriety.
The ASA worked in tandem with Paul on several occassions, most notably, Paul sanctioned the Battle of Brooklyn (Promoted by Mark Negron and myself). The Battle of Brooklyn, for several years was a very well respected and popular event here in NYC that offered amateur fighters (Freestyle Sambo, Muay Thai, San Da, Grappling, and Sogo Karate) an opportunity to shine. Without Paul, the show may not have been as successful as it was.
Paul was not always easy to get along with (who is, right?), but in the end, his heart was always in the right place and he always backed multiple sports and events; often to his own financial detriment. He was always willing to fight for the sports we loved by taking risks with new sports, supporting or co-writing legislation, speaking at hearings, etc. The USKBA was the driving force behind many shows and events. And, in particular, it was his efforts with the NJSAC that brought regulated and professionally sanctioned amateur MMA to the public for the first time in NJ. Without a doubt, Paul was at the center of the growth of amateur combat sports in the NY/NJ area and many other regions.
For those of us who knew Paul, he was constantly struggling with health concerns and many of us worried about his health. Despite his health, he would always been seen in the wings at tournaments and shows all over the nation and world. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Paul
Here is Paul speaking on behalf of MMA at the Connecticut Legislature
http://starkravingviking.blogspot.com/2009/03/paul-rosner-mixed-martial-arts-and-kick.html
USKBA Website
www.uskba.com
Paul was extremely instrumental, not only for MMA in NJ, but many other sports in many states and countries. The guy was a work horse and sacrificed pretty much everything for the USKBA and all the sports he supported - MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Freestyle Sambo, Grappling, etc. Paul was a fixure in the combat sports world. He built the USKBA from the groud up with literally nothing at the start.
In 2004, when the ASA was just a small new group, it was Paul who allowed us to tag along and host our first freestyle sambo tournement. It was at the 2004 USKBA Action Sports world tournament. I have very fond memories of that event. There were several international teams competing including Russia and Mongolia in the various sports. Many now well known fighters and coaches got their start at Paul's sanctioned events. Furthermore, during the years, Paul had allowed the ASA to present two combat sambo demonstrations at USKBA MMA shows. He certainly contributed greatly to the ASA's growth and subsequent notoriety.
The ASA worked in tandem with Paul on several occassions, most notably, Paul sanctioned the Battle of Brooklyn (Promoted by Mark Negron and myself). The Battle of Brooklyn, for several years was a very well respected and popular event here in NYC that offered amateur fighters (Freestyle Sambo, Muay Thai, San Da, Grappling, and Sogo Karate) an opportunity to shine. Without Paul, the show may not have been as successful as it was.
Paul was not always easy to get along with (who is, right?), but in the end, his heart was always in the right place and he always backed multiple sports and events; often to his own financial detriment. He was always willing to fight for the sports we loved by taking risks with new sports, supporting or co-writing legislation, speaking at hearings, etc. The USKBA was the driving force behind many shows and events. And, in particular, it was his efforts with the NJSAC that brought regulated and professionally sanctioned amateur MMA to the public for the first time in NJ. Without a doubt, Paul was at the center of the growth of amateur combat sports in the NY/NJ area and many other regions.
For those of us who knew Paul, he was constantly struggling with health concerns and many of us worried about his health. Despite his health, he would always been seen in the wings at tournaments and shows all over the nation and world. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Paul
Here is Paul speaking on behalf of MMA at the Connecticut Legislature
http://starkravingviking.blogspot.com/2009/03/paul-rosner-mixed-martial-arts-and-kick.html
USKBA Website
www.uskba.com