Is Roger Bowling MMA's Best Kept Secret?

by Leland Roling on Mar 25, 2009 5:15 PM EDT Comment 24 comments

Promoted to the front page from the FanPosts by Luke Thomas.

Kevin Iole has a column over at Yahoo! Sports talking about an up-and-coming fighter named Roger Bowling who has a lot of hype surrounding him that I thought might interest fans since he will be taking on War Machine on June 20th at Jason Appleton's MMA Big Show event from Belterra Casino in Vevay, Indiana:

Bowling is a welterweight with a body like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. And since none of his five fights have gone past the first round – his last one didn’t reach the 10-second mark – he might soon be dubbed “The Terminator.”

The Cincinnati resident fights for Jason Appleton’s “MMA Big Show” promotion and will face UFC veteran War Machine (formerly Jon Koppenhave) on June 20 in a welterweight bout at Belterra Casino in Vevay, Ind., a match that could, if Wallar is correct, introduce the world to the best-kept secret in MMA.

“At Roger’s peak, when he is fully dialed in, possibly no one will beat him,” Wallar said. “In my experience of 20 years as a trainer working with elite athletes in football, baseball, you name it, every major sport, I have never seen anyone with the hunger and the drive and the natural ability and work ethic this kid has.”

Talk to Wallar for five minutes about Bowling and you almost find yourself believing that the kid can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

He’s a physical freak of nature with a ripped body that Wallar says has no more than five percent body fat.

“He could walk onto a stage right now and compete in a bodybuilding show on a national level,” Wallar said. “His body is aesthetically perfect for his size.”

Bowling tried out for the upcoming season of "The Ultimate Fighter", but didn't make the cut. He either is being highly overrated by his trainer Matt Wallar, or he's just lacking personality for the show. In any case, he will likely be put on the map to some small extent with a win over former UFC fighter Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver.

A few videos after the jump, let me know what you think of this guy... Is the hype overexaggerated?

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Read More: roger bowling, war machine, kevin iole

Comments

I think Wallar may have eyes for this Bowling guy.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Mar 25, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

GSP'd

I am not impressed with your performance.

Kid might have a future, but if that’s the video you picked, it was a bad one. Grabbing the shit out of the fence and practically begging to be arm-barred or triangled. Could be a blue chipper, but that’s not very telling..

"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry

by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can’t really tell at this point. I can’t watch them till I get home. The video posted plus the linked video were the only two I could find in a relatively quick amount of time.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 25, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Figured that you went with what was available. But the same as he could be a legit prospect, he could be the product of self marketing. That video leads me to lean towards the latter, at least before seeing more (but the mistakes are there, so he’s at least got a ways to go if that’s recent). Haven’t watched the second one yet, but I’ll get to it later…

by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let me ask this… does his power look at ridiculously unbelievable as Wallar suggests?

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 25, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve seen almost all of Bowling’s fights. His power is normally VERY good. He relies a little too much on athleticism and tends to be reckless, but if he’s able to get a good coach who can control him and develop his skills he seems to have a ton of potential.

All of the teams in the MidWest cise this kid.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 25, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The kid is good. I’ve seen Roger fight twice in person and he demolished the opposition. He beat Shamar Bailey, who trains with Chris Lytle’s team in Indianapolis, in seconds. And Shamar was supposed to be his toughest fight yet. Like Luke said, he relies too much on athleticism at this point in his career but 5 fights in, what can you expect? He has a ton of potential and ridiculous power for 170 lbs. As far as fighters coming out of the Midwest go, he is at the top of the list.

by Adam Morgan on Mar 25, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG!

Adam Morgan sighting. Rock on my Cincinnati Brother.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Mar 25, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really, but he dealt most of his strikes in GNP. He looks like a natural athlete. He’s well built and swift. Seems to have good physical tools. He’s not nearly as well built as Wallar suggests, however. He’s taking major liberties. He’s comparing him to Ahnold from his bodybuilding days when Tyson Griffin is more ripped than him. Obviously that isn’t a reflection of his ability, but rather one of Wallar’s selling ability (and how far off he could be about all else).

He’s inside of Keller’s guard for the duration, with his left arm trapped and neck fully encompassed by Keller’s crossed legs. Anyone that has trained BJJ, even on a recreational basis, would have at least attempted (and likely secured) a triangle, though Keller curiously did not. Also, as a result of his precarious position, he really only threw right hands. And, as previously noted, he grabbed the fence constantly in the early part of the round.

Honestly, he seems like a perfect fit for TUF, which is interesting, considering. Great physical tools, peers attesting to his desire to learn.. I’m sure Hendo could have imparted a great deal of wisdom and technique to a kid like him.

by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh, he’s obviously in great shape and he fights with great pressure. But if he holds his hands like that in the standup against a good striker, he’s getting punched in the mouth, and like Blackout said, he was asking to be subbed. He’s got potential, clearly, but he’s not it yet.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 25, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I live in Cincinnati, and I have seen Roger Bowling fight 3 times live. He is good. He is strong, quick and has heart. He is Cincinnati’s biggest MMA fighter that is not a JG guy. He is a very great prospect, who could in 1-2 years be in the UFC.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Mar 25, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he’ll bust against War Machine.

by xstortionist on Mar 25, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If you mean WM will take him out, I don’t know. Obviously one video isn’t enough to judge, but WM hasn’t responded well to people who can pressure him badly, and that looks to be Bowling’s game.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 25, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how anyone could view this guy as nothing other than an above average prospect. I think he’s similar to a guy fighting at Ring of Combat soon for the Lightweight title, Dom Stanco. Lots of power, athletic and good wrestling.

by Gogo Platter on Mar 25, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bored, So I Thought I'd Post Some Stanco Fights

by Gogo Platter on Mar 25, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, don’t know how to post videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_Vq6P8O60&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX9snlCC7y4&feature=player_embedded

by Gogo Platter on Mar 25, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Embedded...

Embedded his bout with Runge. He shows some pretty powerful takedowns in that bout.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 25, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hes got a good base, sloppy hands, decent build…. i actually see war machine winning

by Chuntsman949 on Mar 25, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Arnold? lol Umm, no! War Machine looks just as big and ripped if not bigger than this guy and will take him out.

WM’s still training at ExC right?

BTW, lol at War Machine being a UFC Veteran

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 25, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah..

But it only takes one fight to be a veteran and he fought J-Roll and Yoshida.

by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like he could have talent... But

His natural athleticism is nowhere near how his trainer described him. As far as just prospects go I think Mamed Khalidov is in alot better shape and King Mo is completely on another level. Kid better not let his trainers talk go to his head.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 25, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

MMA’s best kept secret might be Fedor Emelianenko, and it’s a damn shame.

by subo on Mar 25, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

trudat

rec’d

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 25, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Old videos

Those videos of Roger are over 2 years old.
The one with Keller was an amatuer video and the one with Runge is of Rogers Pro debut back in late 06 or early 07. I can’t remember.