Acting in Germany for much years, the OC Fight Club has changing the history of Vale-Tudo in Germany. Founded by Bodo Elsbeck, a 41 years old man that fought Vale-Tudo in 1996-97 and after injuries preferred the Journalism school than the rings, the OC Club came out as the real option for fighters that used to fight only on the underground, in closed doors tournaments. 'Everything to support the MMA,' stated Bodo. The club got developed and now has been promoting several MMA events. Prove of that work is the next event that will be held Saturday (28) and the upcoming major MMA and Muay Thai tournament in May.


TATAME: Does your fight club has any influence about the Fight Club movie?

B.E. I think the Fight Club Movie have large influence on many MMA Fighters, so also on the idea of the Outsider Club! Although in the outsider club not will fight in the underground or parking houses, is the OC ground philosophy the same as in the movie: to creating a society consisting of sincere and honesty characters! Here the name Outsider is characteristic, because today the strong and proud character are ever an Outsider and cannot unfold free in the general society! Therefore everywhere develop subcultures like those of the Bikers, Musicians, Religious etc.. why not those of MMA Fighters? Which the Harley means for the bikers, this is the MMA for the Outsiders! That's the Idea!

TATAME: Tell me about the history of the Fight Club in Germany.

B.E. I'm the founder of the Outsider-Club-Magazine and the Outsider-Fight-Club! The history of the OC Fight Club is very simply, because Vale Tudo was kind of forbidden in Germany! In the last years we must fight in the underground, this mean in not official events (closed door tournaments)! In fact there is not a law that forbids Vale-Tudo. There are political parties that demand forbade from Extreme Fights (or Vale Tudo) over the 'office for public order' ('Ordnungsamt' in German), which must provide permission all public events. So I start with the Outsider-Fight-Club official in 2001 after the completion of my own active martial arts time. Meanwhile the conditions will be able better in Germany and we can start with larger open events on Vale Tudo basis!


TATAME: How the idea of creating a OC Fight Club came out?

B.E. We began in the year 1996 with small Meetings and privately fights! But everything within the friendly framework without advertisement and with only us well-known sportsmen! At this time however not yet under the name Outsider Club! The idea behind the OC Fight Club, is the support of real and honorable fighters! The Club has ca. 70 active members at present and it becomes more every month! All had to fight for an admission!

TATAME: There are Brazilians fighting at OC Fight Club?

B.E. Unfortunately not, but that it will surely develop Brazilians fight in the future! Kazeka Muniz (Gracie Barra) has fought in Germany in 2002 on the 2Hot2Handle gala in Krefeld. He faced the champion Mario Stapel. But unfortunately those are still very few Brazilian fighters in Germany! But already many Brazilian fighters and instructors were invited for seminars to Germany from the different Associations! In Germany already were Royce Gracie (seminar with 100 participants), Daniel D`Dane, Alexander Franca Nogueira alias 'Pequeno', Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro, Ze Marcello and Junior Santos and so on! The Outsider-Club Magazine also supported Brazilian instructors on Germany seminar tours! If someone from Brazil would like gives seminars in Germany so we try to help him!

TATAME: What kind of support do you offer to your members in the club?

B.E. We offer to our members MMA Seminars of world-wide MMA fighters and instructors! So we plan in the year 2004 several seminars on the high-quality level! Very many German MMA fighters are big fans of Brazilian fighters! So we will in the near future start a public inquiry in the OC Magazine, which one of the Brazilian fighters we invites to our next seminar here in Germany! I think by our members and also different another participants these seminars will become very successful!

TATAME: What is necessary to be a member of the club? And what the advantages to be a member?

B.E. The outsider club is freely for all active MMA fighters and the membership has no costs! To become a membership, the applicants must carry out an actively participate on an OC Tournament! On this way only real fighters and genuine MMA specialists collect themselves in the club ! The OC rules are very simple such as Vale Tudo! Honesty, pride and courage are the highest requirements! The advantages of a membership is the affiliation of a honest, sporty and friendly society! Here the fighters can meet and contact their-same! Further the OC supports the members with participation in other events (not only OC events), because the OC-Magazines has good contacts and a very good media effectiveness!

TATAME: How many tournaments do you do in Germany?

B.E. We will make 3-4 OC Tournaments in 2004 and helps to organize many different events in Germany! The next event is the OC 2 at 28 February in Lübbecke and than will follow a mega event at May 8th, 2004 in Oberhausen in the Stardom Hall! The Promotor is Klaus Waschkewitz (Superleague, 2H2H, Masters Fight Night), the coach of many years of the well-known K1 Superstar Stefan Leko! This will be a Thaibox event with Vale Tudo fights include! The Outsider-Club will place the MMA fighters!