The Camps : R.A.W. Real American Wrestling

sorry it has taken so long to do the next camp, if you forgot or dont know I already did Lions Den and Miletich FIghting System. Those where the two most succesful camps in early UFC days but one that doesnt get talked about as much was R.A.W. Rico Chiapperrelli, he saw Oleg Taktarov and Renzo Gracie fight live and learned about how BJJ people were making money in NHB (know MMA) so he figured wrestlers could do the same. He was friends with notably Tom Erikson and other good wrestlers.

The RAW team debuted at the Brazil Open in 1997. Tom "Big Cat" Erikson was 3-0-1 going into the heavyweight tournament where he beat Pantera Negra in 2 minutes with punches, and in the finals he knocked out Kevin Randleman in just over a minute to win the tournament. This young kid named Dan Henderson debuted and knocked out Carlos de Souza and choked out Eric Smith to win the lower division tournament.

RAW cross trained alot more than the other wrestling MMA camp "Hammer House" and there biggest win ever was easily Randy Couture's upset over Vitor Belfort. That fight really put them on the map as far as UFC went, Dan Henderson also won a UFC tournament. This camp produced some very notable and great fighters and they were very competitive.

Top 5 Fighters

5. Tom Erikson - Big Cat's career ended wit ha 9-4-1 record, he was a good fun fighter to watch though. From 96 to 99 he hadnt lost a fight including a 40 minute draw with Bustamante, win over Randleman, and Gary Goodridge. Lost first fight to Heath Herring at Pride 11 won at Pride 16 and 17 then lost last 3 bouts to Werdum, Antonio Silva, and Alegandro Lungu. Only 1 of his fights went out of the first round. (Bustamante fight was a 1 round 40 minute fight).

4. Frank Trigg - gotta give it to Twinkle Toe's he may have come up short in his 2 bigest fights but it was fun watching.

3. Vladimir Mastyuschenko - THe Janitor The tough journeyman (not so tough last time) who seems to have fought everybody. Some may say I have him to high but this is where I think he belongs.

2. Dan Henderson - Hendo ended up being a dam good fighter, sad that he looked old against Shields but hey if its nearing the end he already has done enough.

1. Randy Couture - No explanation needed and no questions should be asked on this one.