The French Konnection

James & Sammy Schiavo Interview

Interview by SFUKU/Droc 13 May 2002

SFUKU: How did you start in Martial Arts?

James: Like many children we saw a Bruce Lee film and we went and started Karate, then Judo. Later we did TKD, Boxing and JiuJitsu.

SFUKU: And when did you start MMA?

James Schiavo : We did Kickboxing to a high level and at the same time we did JiuJitsu so in 1997 we said why not find a discipline that allows you to do it all. So we turned to MMA.

SFUKU: What do you like about Mixed Martial Arts?

James Schiavo : MMA is the real sport, no strings attached, where you can test yourself to the limit without reserve. For us Martial Arts is research that that we've been doing for a long time, we experiment to become better technically, Physically and spiritually. Many people for get the spiritual aspect of MA and that's wrong.

Sammy Schiavo : If you look for the Truth you find MMA

SFUKU: James, you fought in the Golden Trophy in 2001 and won, tell us a little about the Golden Trophy and the level of fighter.

James Schiavo : The Golden Trophy is a world class Professional tournament. The rules are adapted (limited time on the ground, clothes) but the level is excellent. The best Europeans and Japanese Shooto fighters faced each other. (Hayato Sakurai, Takuya wada, mansuri suda, isuru takeuchi, ogawa, tschuchida.... AndrŽ Panza, the Riccios, DiabatŽ, Rimbon, Alberch) It's simple all the best French Fighters have fought in the Golden Trophy at one point.

SFUKU : What fights did you have before that ?

Sammy Schiavo : I fought in Golden Trophy 2000 against a Japanese (tschuchida) The fight was hard but very good. I won by decision and I broke my hand hitting him. Before that I had quite a lot of fights, notable en 'Complete Combat' against a European BJJ Champion, and victories in Pancrace. Before MMA I fought a lot in TKD, I was also French Champion of ' Full Contact' (American Kickboxing DROC)

James Schiavo : We're only talking about MMA/NHB because we've both had lots of fights in Traditional disciplines (Karate, TaeKwondo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai) about 110 for me and 90 for Samy. In MMA I won a national MMA tournament in 1997 (8 man tournament), then the French cup of 'Combat Complet', then I lost to Hayato Sakurai in the Golden Trophy 1999 (there was controversy because the submission was done outside the fight area). We won the Monaco Pancrace Open.

SFUKU: Both of you won in England in Cage Wars 1, did you enjoy fighting on this event?

James Schiavo : Cage Wars was good, I was already used to the cage because in the USA we trained in the Lions Den and with Fabiano Iha, they had the same cage so we weren't surprised by the size of the Cage!!!

Sammy Schiavo : Yes we we're very happy to do this competition, the show was worthy of the best competitions in the world! I didn't like the weigh in which was done in a pub, and the absence of purse. But that's not important because if everything goes well this will be a stepping stone for our professional careers. In effect having been chosen as the best fighter of the night should allow me to fight in the USA since even the fighters who lost in Cage Wars went to Gladiator Challenge.

SFUKU: Who were your opponents? Did you think they were good fighters?

James Schiavo : My opponent (who I salute) was experienced on the ground, he was very technical. It was in the standup that I made the difference, I like to strike before going to the ground.

Sammy Schiavo : Brian Woodward was an excellent fighter, very physical, good wrestler and good control. It was a pretty close fight.

SFUKU: You used to be affiliate with the Pancrace organisation but now you don't have the right to take part in their competitions, why is that?

James Schiavo : After a tournament our club won all the fights in less than 1 minute (I beat the Vice Champion of France by armbar in 47 seconds and my brother beat the Champion of France in 29 seconds). The president of the federation (Jean Noel Charollais) is a man who doesn't accept others beating him. He thinks he's the best. He's afraid of us which is why he looked for any way to disqualify us. JN Charollais went to Abu Dhabi and he knows nothing on the ground that's unforgivable. I'll make a deal with the organisers of Abu Dhabi: Put me or one of my students in your tournament and if we are submitted as quickly as mister Charollais I'll give you back the cost of the plane ticket!!!!! Think about it!!!!

SFUKU: Who are the best fighters in France? Is it the French Konnection?

James Schiavo : In the UK nobody knows us but in France it's different, names like Riccio, DiabatŽ, Alberch, Rimbon, Mougassa, Pora, Schiavo here everyone knows us. I don't think anyone would say that we're not the best team in France, all you have to do is look at each one of our records. Golden trophy winners, Cage Wars winners, Too hot to handle Finalist, Shooto veterans, World Champion Kickboxers, European Pancrase Champions. No team has ever been as strong in France, together we're going to shock the world. Of course there are other fighters in France and some of them are good but if they don't make the effort to join us it's because they don't really want to have a career.

SFUKU: Sammy, Your student Benoit Derot fought in UKMMAC 2 recently but it was actually you who was supposed to fight, what happened?

Sammy Schiavo : The fight was supposed to be at -70kg, I weighed in at 69 and Chin Weakasingh was at 65Kg. His trainer preferred for him not to fight. For the show we said that one of our students would fight in my place, Benoit was there and was the same weight as Chin so that fight happened and Benoit won.

SFUKU : Do you have any other students who are going to fight soon ?

James Schiavo : yes, we're bringing 3 students to fight in Switzerland on the 15th of June in Amateur Vale Tudo In August we're hoping to get a fight for one of our student in Cage Wars 3 then in September Lee Johnstone wants some of my students.

SFUKU : Professional MMA is illegal in France, what do you do so that you can compete ?

James Schiavo : We go to the UK (Laughs)

Sammy Schiavo : The Amateur competitions in France are very close to pro' rules, some of the rules are very hard (punches, knees and kicks to the head standing, all subs, striking to the body on the ground, no time limits) it's not bad for amateurs!!!

SFUKU: What's in store for you and your students?

James Schiavo : I might be fighting in Japan at the beginning of July with one of my students, then normally we should be fighting in the USA next year.

Sammy Schiavo : I might be fighting in Japan in July, then Cage Wars 3 in August and UKMMA in September but negotiations are in place for fighting in the USA.

SFUKU: And for the French Konnection?

James Schiavo : Only good things, Vale Tudo in Switzerland on June 15th, The Riccio brothers are fighting in Czechoslovakia in a Full Vale Tudo rules competition, Moise Rimbon in fighting Bueno in Cage Wars this weekend....

SFUKU: Any last words?

James Schiavo : We'd like to thank all the people who support us in France and in the UK, If someone is interested in having us fight on their event don't hesitate to email jschiavo@club-internet.fr

Just for fun .......sea , sex ,and NHB......FOR EVER J