Swift return for Hominick?

This is an excerpt from my recent interview with Mark on am980.ca. Norm with Mark Hominick by TheHook

Lots of fight

We're dodging baseball teams and ducking bananas while making way for the Machine and a Prince.

Tonight's radio show at am980.ca has a serious focus on the fight game. Canada's top featherweight mixed martial artist, Mark Hominick will check in to discuss his upcoming scrap with Korean Zombie. Mark and the Adrenaline crew appear back on track now. The death of Shawn Tompkins hit'em hard. Fellow UFC 140'er, Claude Patrick will make his debut on the program. Like Mark, he too fought at Toronto's first UFC show, going on to beat Daniel Roberts in unanimous fashion that Saturday night in April. "The Prince" is the number two ranked Welterweight in Canada.

Dr. Faisal Rehman will be by after 9PM to talk black-ties and black eyes. He's heading up tomorrow's big Gala'esque kickboxing event in London, "The Showdown in the Downtown". London champion, Brad Fowler is co-headlining the card. He's up against Mike "Mad Dog" Morello in what he says will be his retirement fight (More on that, tonight CTV London at 6:50). PS: I'm the MC for the Showdown event, tux and all.

After 9:30PM, we'll connect with Mike Augello of hockeybuzz.com for our weekly chat on the Maple Leafs. The season starts Thursday. They'll get the Wing this weekend. Do the Buds all of a sudden sport some depth? We'll discuss amongst ourselves. Hopefully you can listen in. The Hook starts at 8PM at am980.ca.

Radio show

The Hook on AM980 and at AM980.ca returns this Friday night, September 16th at 8:00. Confirmed guests on the program: UFC Canada head man, Tom Wright, Clayton Hansler of LeafsTV and Mike Augello from hockeybuzz.com. We'll size up the Leafs rookie event and look ahead to training camp with Leafs boys. Tom and I will discuss UFC140 and it's growing list of Canadian content. Who knows, Tom might even have an announcement to make in regards to Mark Hominick and Chan Sung Jung? Listen.

Mark of a Champion

Mark Hominick is fighting back.

The loss of his friend, coach and mentor, Shawn Tompkins cut deep. But Mark is quickly cutting a path towards of own form of healing. He's staying busy. When he's not training at Adrenaline, he's fronting UFC promotions. Most importantly, it's family that he's reinforced his bond with, both at home and the gym. Get to know Mark and you'll soon learn that he's about as family oriented as you can get, loving and believing in both blood and brothers. Love, belief, and honour have always been parts of what make Mark who he is. Now though, they are the pillars of strength for a life interrupted by tragedy. A life, and career, on the mend. 

I just spoke with the Machine. He's part of our conversation:

NJ: How have things been going?

MH: Everyone has been leaning on the support of everyone else. It's actually brought us closer. 

NJ: Did you consult with Chris and Sam about dropping out of their upcoming fights?  

MH: Those were personal decisions. It really doesn't matter what sport it is, but especially in combat sports, if your head is not in it, you're doing yourself some damage. It's something you have to want to do. If you're mind is not there it's definitely the right decision to wait on it.

NJ: Will we see them back in the octagon again?

MH: One million percent. The big thing that we've been stressing is that it's our duty and responsibility to continue on Shawn's legacy. The way we do that is to continue to compete. Now we've got to pick up the pieces and figure out how to do training camps, and where we're going to do them? First things first, we're staying together as a team. 

NJ: As the elder of the three do you feel more responsibility to lead the way now?

MH: It's a team effort, and we have to do what's best for the team. What I think isn't always what's best for the team. So we make decisions as a group. We recently had Shawn's dad and brother come into (Adrenaline) to run a team meeting, and that was very inspirational. It helped give us some direction, like okay, we have to do this together. I have no problem stepping up to plan everything or help bring in coaches, or even plan the practices, but it's a team and group effort that will carry us forward. 

NJ: Who is going to coach you guys now?

MH: We have a lot of resources that we've worked with and that we'll continue to work with. We have a great tie to Las Vegas where Shawn was working with TapouT Training Centre. We have Keebo Robinson, Clint Kingsbury the wrestling coach. We definitely have the resources to move forward.

NJ: What about UFC 140? Still headed that way?  

MH: For sure. That's a realistic fight for me. I'll be mentally focused. I'm going to walk in there with Sam and Chris in my corner. That shows a united front, where we've been and where we're going. I'm going to make a statement in that fight.

NJ: Considering everything that's happened, best get busy living... or fighting, eh?  

MH: That's part of carrying on Shawn's legacy and what he thought and believed. Shawn led by example and now collectively we have to lead together. 

Related:

The Machine talks 140, Korean Zombie
Stout pulls out of Siver fight
Chris backs off Cardinal

Stout out

Understandably, Sam Stout has withdrawn from his UFC 137 lightweight clash with German Dennis Siver. That fight is literally around the corner, and with no one in his corner, it's almost impossible for Sam to be ready to compete and win.

Mark still on it

Sam's Team Tompkins brother, Mark Hominick isn't officially on the UFC 140 card. No one is. But the sense has always been that Mark would be part of it. Maybe even as a headliner? Before Shawn died Mark said emphatically on a few occasions that he wanted into the Toronto event. And while his heart is no doubt on the mend following the death of his mentor and coach, according to Mark himself (who's making UFC appearances at the EX in Toronto) he's still as focused as possible on being at ACC Decemeber 10th. Who will coach him? That remains to be determined.

Adrenaline manager, Alex Gasson and I address the question and talk about some coaching possibilities. Listen here. Hour 1.

Hominick Interview

A sit down with one of the most popular athletes in Canada right now. Thanks to his 88 second destruction of George Roop, Mark "The Machine" Hominick is making some serious noise on the MMA scene. As we approach his UFC 129 Toronto showdown with Jose Aldo, it's only going to get louder. Now imagine what a win over the reigning champ would do? Have your ears ever bled before? Get ready.

Listen now

The latest radio show

Guests:

Shi Davidi
CP
Jays

Jonas Siegel
AM640
Leafs

Patrick King
Sportsnet.ca
CHL

Shawn Tompkins
MMA Coach
Mark Hominick

Wedding Crasher

Me with the brother of the bride. A dynamic, disastrous duo

Yes, I attended a wedding over the weekend. And as you can see, YES I was totally "that guy". Too little food, and a wee too much beverage. As it all comes back to me 36 hours later the only real shame I feel is that I didn't make it onto the dance floor with my wife. I guess we could have tried, but the way things were rapidly developing (or deteriorating) thanks to the flow "proprietors choice", one of two unfortunate scenarios most likely would have unfolded. In fury over my state, Melissa might have mopped the floor with me. Or worse, mopped up after me. It was probably best we bailed before the real fun began. Ah, we're parents anyway. Early to bed. Early to rise. And on Sunday with a f***in' headache from hell. Hey, every wedding usually has one, and it was my turn to be him.

Congrats again to the amazing bride and groom. And Melissa, I owe you two now.

I'm thinkin' the Canadiens' improbable but impressive run ends tonight. I don't believe the Jays will suffer the same fate. Based on momentum, they've got a few more in 'em heading into Fenway this evening. Now, reading the Boston papers, you'd expect a Red Sox sweep of the Red Hotz was imminent (Boston has dominated Toronto of late). The idea: the Sox are going to leapfrog the Jays in the standings at some point, why not get that train in motion now. I don't disagree that'll happen, but not yet. The Jays are still too good at the moment. Good pitching and really good hitting will keep these guys competitive, standings wise, for at least another few weeks. More importantly, that very same blend of youth, resurgence and renaissance will make the Jays fun to watch for the entire season.

Grey Cup Champion, Andy Fantuz didn't make Friday's Radio show, but everyone else did. That includes Ryan Ellis, Mark Hominick, Jason Wyatt, Mike In Buffalo, and more. Have a listen...

May 7th Da Hook Podcast