[It’s a beautiful day in Long Beach, California and from all around the nation and even some publications from outside the US are present in the media sections of the crowd. The press conference also being open to a certain number of the public are also watching from the back row all facing the long stage placed in the front courtyard of the massive property behind it. On top of that stage are tables lined across the front with obvious banners with promotions of the Real Killas MMA logo and information along the front keeping visual of those on the other side of the tables from the waist up. A number of microphones line up each side of the stage on the tables with a tall black podium in the middle also with the Real Killas MMA skull along the front of it.
The vision behind the stage is what is also even more impressive, a front entrance view of the newest empire to join the MMA ranks. A capativing property all around with a lot of space to cover. What is seen from most media and fans seats being the large parking lot and grand two floored building with a “REAL KILLAS MMA” sign in front in the old english font in black and white. “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” by 2Pac and Snoop Dogg begins to play getting the attention of the talkative crowd waiting and quickly their attention goes toward the front as the curtains on each side of the large stage begin to break open with lines of people walking up the stairways. Not wanting to block the entire view of the compound the stage is open behind them as they walk up the stairs and take seats at the long tables on each side of the podium. The crowd giving a great reception as the business fresh collective take to seats.
Phoenix Quagliaterre leading the right side of the grouping taking her seat right next to the podium and Daniel Fisk Jr leading the left side of the grouping taking his stand behind the podium. The current signed and newly contracted killas line both sides followed by staff and gym personnel. On the right side following Phoenix are fighters Donnie Calabrese, Simon Bishop, Lauren Moore, and an opening seat before the rest of the seats are filled by staff. On the left side following Daniel are fighters Hanako Takeuchi, Roscoe Robinson, Xabier Belazco, and Pax Mayson. Giz bringing up the rear of the left side with the rest of the staff with a smile on his face and loud ass blue suit jacket. The podium being positioned a little bit further back than the tables in front that way everyone can be seen clearly.
The music starts to die down as the media and fans calm down along with the music as Daniel Fisk with a toothpick in mouth calmly moves forward to the mic.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Ahem...off top. Wanna thank all yall for coming out. This be a honest dream come true as I look around. Never thought I’d be here.Never thought I’d have this god sent group of people up here wit me as family. Never thought I’d live to be where I am in this life. I want to thank our CFO and COO Phoenix Quagliaterre for being one of the foundations and integral pieces in making this happen. Want to thank my other investors as well. Want to thank every single person on this stage...staff, fighter, any and everything all are the pieces that have brought us here and all will be the pieces that bring us higher. Want to thank my family for they support most importantly my wife Kali, this don’t happen without her words and support all those times I really didn’t want to see this through or doubted it. It’s a killas world now, we in here yall. Clap up to the Killa culture.
[The crowd and media begin to give a responding level clap and a couple hoots and hollas are heard within the mass of people. Daniel gestures to all those along the stage with him knowing without them it wouldn’t be possible. The claps fade overtime and Daniel continues on.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Let me start with what you guys have a good visual of. Behind us is the Killa nation. You here because you ready to work yourself 10 times over so by the time you are in the cage or in some cases a ring...you can smile at the ones across from you because you already know you been through hell to get the fuck here. There’s nothing the opposition can do because you are ready and prepared to face it all. A torturous mindset but one that gets you ready and makes you undeniable. The facility you see behind us is technically three floors as there is a basement installed.
Overall you are looking at nearly 120,000 square feet of the most innovative tools and equipment to help our mission in being one of the greatest places for improvement. You need it we got it cuh. Our cages are full sized on the main and upper floors we also have 3 wrestling rings full sized as well. Media rooms for study. Pool and sauna and steam rooms with massage staff. Cryotherapy chamber. A physical therapy room. Indoor turf for the grid work. Kitchen where Giz will be hooking it up for the family. Common chill area upstairs we will throw our celebrations soon enough, gotta have th---
Gizmo: Stripper poles!! There’s strippers poles nigga!! Hoes get on your job!! We hiring!
[Fisk turns toward Gizmo immediately at his outburst that has the crowd laughing.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: There are no stripper poles.
Gizmo: Yeah it is.
Daniel Fisk Jr: No, there isn’t.
Gizmo: Fuck that, there will be.
[Fisk sighs shaking his head with a smirk.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Thing is we are focused on the safety of the grind with each of our talent working with some of the best equipment and coaching for them to give their best output once the bell rings. Behind that is our Murderers Row. Fam stick together and work together all on the campus.
[Daniel takes a pause before looks out into the crowd more.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: What I want to do is build a culture that is truly about family. Sometimes you gotta give your fam the slap on the back of the head but at the same time during good and bad you are suppose to show them that support and that love so they know. They don’t have to question. Every person up here is family to me. Not because of what they do for me or even this brand but because of what they want to do for themselves. For those that depend on them. For those they love as well. They want to build themselves up. Bring their names up. Grind until the body don’t move no more. I respect that and want that for each and every one of them. Not pick and choose those moments. Every moment, good, bad or ugly. I aint judging a soul for who they are, what they think, & shit even if they voted for Trump. I mean hell that’s fucked up don’t get me wrong but still they in here on they work they political views don’t matter to me. What matters to me is the real questions. Where the work at? What we on next? What’s the next move? Thats the hustle and the hunger I want from every killa. My boy Xabier Belazco for example…
[Daniel gestures toward Xabier’s side.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Cuh came outta Tokyo after Caged Glory Dragon’s Way and wasn’t even on the plane yet before asking me “Are we back in the gym tomorrow? I have another in a couple weeks.” That’s each of us up here. Every single one. No days off. No second gear because the only gear is the highest gear. Real Killas Only...the motto. In time it will be the only thing yall have words for cause we will be on top of it all. Now...before the questions because I know they coming. I have a few announcements and a pleasant surprise to make in terms of where we are as a gym. Questions will be allowed after.
[Daniel grabs a couple papers that are sitting on the podium and adjusting his collar a bit before continuing.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: The applications for general admissions will open in a couple weeks. A general membership gives those looking to work out opportunity to work out here at a standard monthly fee. The top floor is our professional floor you will not have access there but you will be open to all other amenities. Right now we are focusing on our roster as Union GP #1 is right about the corner. Killas have been working hard in preparation for that event and I do not want that focus to be split out. Those interested in becoming full time sponsored fighters under the RK name are open to contact us in our offices. The quota is ‘bout filled there and we are very pleased to have the best within our ranks. The other memberships available will be the Pro team commitment memberships as well as those of amateur level commitment. These will be contracts available month to month or an entire year. More info will be brought out on that as well.
[Daniel pridefully looks left to right as he moves to the next sheet of paper in front of him.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: We are also proud to announce our first of many partners and sponsors working with us. Elysian Network, will be the home of Real Killas media. All official RK video updates and news will be coming provided by Elysian. Thank you to our CFO and COO once again for giving us a platform. Elysian our official partner in RK Media.
[Claps are heavy in the sea of Phoenix Quagliaterre fans. D and the rest of the RK family clapping it up for her too.]
Gizmo: Yall better give it up for Boss Queen! Fuck you mean?!
[Gizmo’s reaction gets more from the crowd in cheers and whistles for Elysian.]
Gizmo: Better watch too! Yall covering the worst out here we actually giving you something real now! Don’t lame out nigga!!
[Fisk shakes his head again but with a light chuckle. He clears his throat to get the focus back.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Venum will be RK’s official sponsor for gear and protective equipment. I’d like to thank them thoroughly for taking a chance on us. We are getting a little bit of a following now and being considered as the bad news of MMA I’m just glad to see that it hasn’t damaged us at a business standpoint cause I’ll tell you right now cuh we aint changing. Not by inches or centimeters. Fuck your feelings. Shit fuck your entire careers to be honest.
[The RK family along the tables are all nods as Fisk flips to another page.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Also...I’m sure she on the side behind the curtain like you long winded as fuck Fisk. Speaking of bad news our newest addition to the RK name. She comes in highly touted but she still had to handle the work demanded of each of us. Her tryout was crazy and it’s a look ladies & gentlemen. Currently a champion in 4CW and is known for being more than woman but a god. Newest killa…
[A nice knowing smirk crosses his features.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Artemis Kaiser.
[The crowd is actually shocked at the name but the numerous flashes from camera let it be known they knocked out of their shocked state rather quickly. Artemis Kaiser walking from the right side stairway giving a subtle nod to all on the stage before taking her open seat. The media wanted those questions and Fisk of course had to oblige them. He gets order in the outdoor venue raising his hands up to calm everyone down. Big fans not expecting to see The God of Anger at all losing their minds. The first hand shoots up though as Fisk points him out.]
LBP: This question is for Lauren Moore. I’m Edward Sterling from the Long Beach Post. Just wanted to know since you are a hometown girl from LA how does it feel to be at a gym near home and how do you feel about the facility so far?
[For a second, Lauren glances down the table, to each of her gym-mates, all the way down to Gizmo on the end. When she turns back, her usual grin spreads on the Californian’s face--if anything, it’s even bigger than normal, the young wrestler practically beaming with delight.]
Lauren Moore: To be completely honest? I came in for a tryout when we opened in the first place because I liked the fact that it was at home. I know this is easy to say, now...but that name on the door was never really my concern. I wasn’t looking for a brand, or anything like that. I was looking for a gym. I was looking for a place that could make me better. And I’ve spent my whole life here, I can’t imagine living anywhere else, so when Daniel actually let me come in for a tryout?
[Lauren giggles a little, kissing the tips of her fingers on both hands as if she were a chef having found the perfect recipe.]
Lauren Moore: It was just...ah, fit like a glove. The crazy thing, to me, though? I thought we were set up well to succeed before, but guys...this? All this, back here?
[Lauren waves a hand vaguely behind her, to try to gesture at the entire gym.]
Lauren Moore: You have no idea what’s coming. The group we’ve got sitting up here, with the kind of people we’ve got to help us train, and the kind of things we’re going to have available to us? We may have a new name, we may be a new team, but trust me when I tell you...it won’t be long before you know each one of our names.
[Edward Sterling nods to Lauren in thanks. There are plenty of more hands in the air Fisk points out another.]
MatMania: I write for MMA Wreckage, Nina Robinson, now I did not expect this news at all!! Artemis Kaiser I have to know just what are you doing? Are you joining and looking to fight in the cage now? Are you a full member? What’s going on because holy flipping crap!
[The calculating woman looks around for a moment, being kind of the odd person out in the press conference. Established as a dangerous professional wrestler, Artemis’ being here is a stance against that. Many crossovers happen, but for the small monster to make the move bodes all kind of news, both good and bad.]
Artemis Kaiser: It’s training. For the uneducated, I was never meant to be a professional wrestler, hell, I’m only that by job title alone. My family has always been wrapped around martial arts, and therefore, MMA as a whole. I had my tryout. When it comes out, you’ll need to watch it closely. I’m in, and now ’m going to sit here and train hard enough to leave people wondering.
MatMania: Then why Real Killas?
[Artemis purses her lips, looking around for a moment.]
Artemis Kaiser: Why not? See, that’s my question back to you. You can theorize, speculate, and come back to me with a question. Don’t think it rude, but I think that it doesn’t matter why I chose this gym to hone my skills. I just did. It could be to make a step onto the other side. It could be to teach people at the gym because of my base and how strong it is. It’s up in the air, you know?
[She paused.]
Artemis Kaiser: Matter of fact, everything that I said is all you need to know. Wait and see, that’s all I have to say.
[There’s smiles around as the newest Killa gets a little more comfortable in her seat moving the mic forward on the table. Another hand is chosen by Fisk.]
MMACS: Let me talk to the Don himself Donnie Calabrese. I’m Kyle Knox from MMACS blog. I got one simple question. You are the main event in a little more than a week in Union GP #1 in your own hometown. Dude...How are you feeling my man?
[A sly, confident, if not a tad bit cocky smirk stretches across the face of one Dog Face Donnie, as he sits up from the laid back position in his chair.]
Donnie Calabrese: Me, my dude? I’m feelin’ fuckin’ great. Always am. It doesn’t matter if I’m main eventing, or opening up the show. When I step into that cage, a fight is a fight. And I’m gonna’ treat it as such. I got the best trainers, the best hype men, and just overall the greatest team at my back here at Real Killas. Plus we in Chi-town? Yeah, I feel the best I’ve ever felt my dude. Ready to knock a big ol’ samoan out and show the world! What Real Killas MMA is all about.
[As Donnie adjusts himself in his seat, Fisk points out another hand raised.]
FSM: Another question for Donnie, I’m from Fighting Spirit Magazine. You speak about Samoans, would you like to give any words towards Jason Jackson who you had an altercation with a few weeks back?
[Donnie scuffs at the remark, suckin’ his teeth as he looks the reporter dead ass in the eyes.]
Donnie Calabrese: I don’t give a fuck about that dude, I’m focused on shotgun, and shotgun alone. Fuck outtah here with that homie.
[Donnie flicks out his hand in a dismissed type manner as fisk keeps the train moving point to another hand.]
SRC: Silva Dansbury, Sports Review Contact. Roscoe Robinson, your name is out there more than just for the Union fight.
[A few in the masses laugh knowing what she means.]
SRC: How are you just beginning in this sport choosing to go after Jason Jackson on social media? What was the point? It just seemed like a very crazy choice to have. Not to mention your already legal troubles when you came here.
[With a smirk on his face, Roscoe looks from left to right, scanning the crowd before shrugging his shoulders.]
Roscoe Robinson: I wouldn’t necessarily say that I went after him personally, or called him out for that matter. I just made a joke on his gym and someone in particular who represents it. He went at everyone but the one person who said it and then wanted to play the ignore game when finally called out. I don’t know about the other gyms in Slaughta, but you can bet Real Killas ain’t blocking anyone for wishing them good luck with a hurricane approaching. Lucky I don’t take his damn girl…
[Another voice speaks up from the crowd.]
FSM: You haven’t had a single professional fight and already you’re stirring up problems on social media with a former champion and legend. Shouldn’t you be worried more about your actual fight than trolling someone online?
[This draws nothing but laughter from Roscoe.]
Roscoe Robinson: You mean self proclaimed legend, right? It’s easy to call yourself a legend when you’re hiding your head behind every corner afraid to look at anyone who says something ‘mean’ to you or about your career. He ain’t even looking in this shooters direction. My first professional fight is right around the corner. That’s on my mind. That’s what I’m training for. Kevin Van Damne is the first step, this match is the first glimpse you’re going to get from just a nobody out of ATL. After him, there’s the rest of the tournament to look forward to but we’re taking this one fight at a time, Junior Heavyweight Championship round by round. Bet if I win, I ain’t going out like a bitch and dropping a championship without a fight. I’m gonna get mine. I’m gonna eat, we all gonna eat in Real Killas. We hungry.
[The hands shoot in the air once again. At this rate Fisk would be pointing at hands all day.]
MMA Digest: Yeeess...Xabier? I’m Ted Napier, MMA Digest. Had to ask you after your experience in the Caged Glory Dragon’s Way Tournament what are you feelings on the approaching Union GP 1 in Chicago? What has been learned or shown to you in this short time?
[Xabier is surprised he has been called on, and leans forward in his seat. He stops to think for a moment before answering. Then he nods.]
Xabier Belazco: Everything has been moving so fast lately. I have been given all these opportunities and chances at a better life in such a short time. I am used to fighting for everything, but now I am getting to learn what it takes to be a professional. It is everything from having the right game plan to getting people interested in seeing you. Now. Caged Glory was my first time in this environment. I am going to be more comfortable for Union GP. Fatigue isn’t even a factor. I’ve been doing this for a while. I am confident that I will be able to last and advance further in this one.
MMA Digest: What did you make of your first opponent, Lux Jackson?
Xabier Belazco: I saw her fights in Caged. She is skilled in all aspects of this sport. She talks a lot, and she fights fairly well. Still I believe that I can defeat her. I have the will to win now that I got a taste of the big time. This is going to be my next shot, and I will not let it go to waste. I have paid close attention to her. I saw her win, but I also saw her lose. This time I will have my whole team close by. That is going to help me immensely.
MMA Digest: You’ve been spotted with fellow Union GP fighter Hailey McIntyre, and have posts on social media referencing her. What is the status of the relationship with this possible competitor?
Xabier Belazco: Have you been following us?
[Xabier stops smiling and glares at the man, but then laughs.]
Xabier Belazco: I get it. It is to be expected now, I guess. I should get used to it. Anyway, that is just something that happened. I don’t know what it means, but we know that there is a possibility that we fight in the future. If it does, then we fight. There will be a winner and a loser. Then we’ll go home and hug it out. The usual.
[Ted smiles at his replies.]
MMA Digest: Honest way of looking at it. Thanks Xabier.
[Fisk actually smiles a bit still seeing so many people wanting to know more about his killas. It’s a time but a time well worth it. They are going to change the game. He points to the next.]
MMA Junkie: Evan Clemente from MMA Junkie. Simon Bishop, I wanted to you know honest opinion of your opponent. Not too many words have been said by you since the card for UGP 1 dropped. Anything to say at this point about your opponent Kira Izumi or the night of UGP 1 in general?
[Simon runs his middle finger along his chin, adding in a slight shrug.]
Simon Bishop: Growing up, I realized that I can't single out people and put them on a pedestal when the time was comin’ for a fight. You ain't heard much because I been workin, studyin, fine tunin the game. UGP 1 is finna turn the world up. Now, I don't do that ill will shit against my opponent, but I will tell you that it's night night time. Izumi steppin into the fight with a man who been fightin since day one, cuz. I don't play games, I don't get got.
[With confident grin, Simon points to Evan Clemente.]
MMA Digest: For a while there, you were causing quite a stir on Twitter, getting into many heated exchanges. Was there an intervention on talent that has been preventing that?
[StrangLA laughs at Napier, shaking his head.]
Simon Bishop: Nah, man. Fisk a real dude, we say what we feel, don't matter who takes offense. We an elite team, son, that's what we do. I just have a different approach. If imma come at you before a fight, it won't be friendly, and ya gonna see that. But for this one, the first one, I gotta stay focused. I'm not gonna be blowin timelines when I feel I got something to prove. I rep my team, my team rep me, we good. I'm gonna come in, go head to head with another submission guy, gonna exploit his lack of experience, and get my money, raise our flag.
[With that the media man from MMA Digest is satisfied with the answers writing off in his notes. Meanwhile Fisk is pointing out another near the front.]
BBM: Hanako-san! Hanako-san! I am Hikaru Haruko, Black Belt Magazine. You just come back from dangerous matches in DTW. How do you feel right now? Are you able to fight come next weekend?
[Takeuchi chuckles. She speaks very clear, fluent English in a voice that almost sounds entirely American with a slight Osaka tinge.]
Hanako Takeuchi: First I want to say there's also the upcoming New York Street Fight at Madison Square Garden for Union Battleground's Coup De Grace. Osaka Rebels vs. Outliers, Part III! It's for the Battalion Championship! The levels of ultraviolence have increased with each match. With that following my DTW bouts and before this Union GP fight, I do find that to be a valid question. If I'm able to fight next weekend...
[Takeuchi grins, staring down at the table for just a quick moment to gather her thoughts before looking back up with a calm aura. Despite such serenity, there's an undeniable conviction in her voice.]
Hanako Takeuchi: Look at my April. Sixteen matches in twenty-one days. Twelve of them were deathmatches. Eleven of those were in DTW's Carnage Carnival tournament. In the shows outside DTW, I had stitches break during those standard matches and cuts reopened. Blood everywhere. Others in that tournament worked other shows too. It was intense and I remember even the nicest people snapping on caterers and whatnot toward the end of the tournament. I'm talking wrestlers you'd never expect that from.
But I stayed calm. Hurting, yes, and kissing any chance of being a Twitter lesbo model goodbye with all these scars, but still mentally unshakable. I continued to the very end. Then I jumped into boxing after all that while still wrestling.
How was I able to do that?
Because I learned at an early age growing up in Kamagasaki that the battle is everywhere. Work, traffic. Everywhere. This is a battle right now between me as a public speaker and you as the audience. Dates, job interviews. Even when you're alone. One voice says you can. The other says you can't.
I grew up in survival mode in a male dominant area with yakuza to the left and crazy, fingerless ex-yakuza homeless to the right. Police brutality. Rioting in the streets. I always had to be prepared for anything out there and train myself for the battles awaiting outside my door. Being caught off guard and unprepared could have been the end of my life.
I carry that with me every day no matter where I go or what I'm doing. The battle is everywhere. I will be able to fight because that's just what I do. I don't know any other way. I'm not the only one at Real Killas MMA who gets that either. I see it in the eyes of the people at this gym everyday. This is just what we do around here.
[Fisk nods in agreement to Hanako's replies and moves to the other side of the media crowd a bit points out one.]
FanSided: Yo yo yo, .44. I’m Duane Kem, you already know FanSided loving yall. You aint on the upcoming Union GP card but we know from the brackets released you’ll be facing Mad Maxine. Your first fight since your leave. What’s your feeling on the future matchup?
Daniel Fisk Jr: Looking to drop her and make a statement. I’ve seen enough doubt to motivate me for a lifetime...and I aint the type that need to be motivated. I come wanting it all. That’s what you getting from a group coming up from the mud. We all will be leading by example. One mo, one mo.
[Fisk points out to the next media member clearly for the last time.]
Bloody Elbow: I’m Jeanie Fern, I’m here from Bloody Elbow. I’m going to ask because let’s face it we’ve seen the social media. We’ve seen the comments. Daniel, your thoughts on this break from Slaughterhouse and your obvious break from a lot of friendships you’ve once had.
[Daniel immediately chuckles straightening out the jacket of his Tom Ford suit while sitting. He moves up a bit in his chair to get closer to the mic.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: I’ve seen too much unstable waters to deal with it. Too many showing what their ‘loyalty’ is. I believe there’s a time and place to address it as a whole. Look at this celebration and what we are doin...on God forreal, look at it.
[Fisk gestures toward the surreal view behind them of the state of the art compound.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Real shit, I feel right now this aint the place to do it. To give you a bite though it’s killas over all. I respect and don’t get it in return. Remained calm while others throw my name. It’s cool. That’s a clear look to me & like I do anything else I analyze it for what it is and move forward. How I move forward? Shit.
[Fisk shrugs and looks around. Looks at his fighters, his staff, and the facility. All his blessings in full form.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Looking pretty damn smooth to me. Our gains will show what we truly focused on meanwhile commentators commentate. James Shark had to sign for this to happen so at the end of it all I still am indebted to him for doing it. Always will have love for him for doing that for me. I told him then though that goes to him, not the world he resides in. Outside a that, it’s killas. Fuck whatever and whoever else got going on. You gotta focus on your opponent before you meet in the cage, thats gospel but the whole time you are preparing for that who are you working on? Ya-goddamn-self. Your tendencies, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your complete game as a fighter. I’ll focus on the bullshit when time come but right now it’s nothing but words and no actions. We want actions. We are actions. We got a gym to bless. A tour to give yall. A name to put on the map with 5 of my family bout to go in and do battle in Union GP. Rest of us on the horizon next. That’s us. That’s what we working on. Wasted time on supposed past heroes with waning numbers? Nah cuh, we straight. Look on that past too hard won’t have a future. We ahead and we coming. We bout to make you love us or love to hate us. Either way, it’s love.
[Fisk smiles out at the media and fans while coming to a stand.]
Daniel Fisk Jr: Now how bout yall get a little look at the newest premier spot for the MMA elite? All yall can come fuck it we got the room. Steal something it’s a bullet in your leg and a boot in your ass. Ah-hahaha hell, I aint playin.
[.44 laughs as the assemblage on stage gets up and and begins to walk off stage to lead the way.]