This page was put together by IKF President Steve Fossum and portions of an article written by Stephen R. Koepfer as a tribute to Paul Rosner.
Paul and Steve had known each other since the beginning of the USKBA.

WEDNESDAY, July 22nd, 2009, AT 11:40 PM/PST

The Fight World Says Good-bye To
USKBA
President
PAUL ROSNER

By Stephen R. Koepfer, President, American Sambo Association.
This weekend saw the loss of Paul Rosner, (Right & Below) Founder and President of USKBA. Action Sports.

Paul was extremely instrumental, not only for MMA in New Jersey, but many other sports in many states and countries. The guy was a work horse and sacrificed pretty much everything for the USKBA and all the sports he supported - MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Freestyle Sambo, Grappling, etc. Paul was a fixture in the combat sports world. He built the USKBA from the ground up with literally nothing at the start.

In 2004, when the ASA was just a small new group, it was Paul who allowed us to tag along and host our first freestyle sambo tournament. It was at the 2004 USKBA Action Sports World Tournament. I have very fond memories of that event. There were several international teams competing including Russia and Mongolia in the various sports. Many now well known fighters and coaches got their start at Paul's sanctioned events. Furthermore, during the years, Paul had allowed the ASA to present two combat sambo demonstrations at USKBA MMA shows. He certainly contributed greatly to the ASA's growth and subsequent notoriety.

The ASA worked in tandem with Paul on several occasions, most notably, Paul sanctioned the Battle of Brooklyn (Promoted by Mark Negron and myself). The Battle of Brooklyn, for several years was a very well respected and popular event in NYC that offered amateur fighters (Freestyle Sambo, Muay Thai, San Da, Grappling, and Sogo Karate) an opportunity to shine. Without Paul, the show may not have been as successful as it was.

Paul was not always easy to get along with (who is, right?), but in the end, his heart was always in the right place and he always backed multiple sports and events; often to his own financial detriment. He was always willing to fight for the sports we loved by taking risks with new sports, supporting or co-writing legislation, speaking at hearings, etc. The USKBA was the driving force behind many shows and events. And, in particular, it was his efforts with the NJSAC that brought regulated and professionally sanctioned amateur MMA to the public for the first time in NJ. Without a doubt, Paul was at the center of the growth of amateur combat sports in the NY/NJ area and many other regions.

For those of us who knew Paul, he was constantly struggling with health concerns and many of us worried about his health. Despite his health, he would always be seen in the wings at tournaments and shows all over the nation and world. He will be greatly missed.

IKF
Those of us here at the IKF wish to express our sincere sadness of Paul's passing. We have known Paul for years and had discussed fight sports often from the creating of his web site to his efforts in making the fight sports legal in many states. Paul was a sincere man with great passion for the fight sports. Our hearts and prayers are with him and everyone associated with him and the USKBA. He will be remembered with deserving honors this weekend at the IKF World Classic.

• PAUL ON VIDEO
  • Video of Paul speaking on behalf of MMA, March 3, 2009, in front of the Connecticut legislature: CLICK HERE
    
    
• COMMENTS FROM THE IKF MESSAGE BOARD
  • Randy Pogue, R.I.P. Paul Rosner
    R.I.P. to my favorite person in the fight game, Paul Rosner. No one but Paul was so consistently devoted to the development, growth, and safety of all fight sports, often when not in his best interest. Since 1996, we shared many great times, great travels, and great experiences, but I will mostly miss having a bright, articulate friend to sit on the phone with for an hour talking about the fight game. He is missed.
  • Ray Thompson
    RP, sorry to hear about Paul. I have met him some years ago. He was very cordial to us. He also ran a great org. He will be missed!!!
  • Jon Lewis
    In my brief time knowing Paul and working with Paul, I can say without question that he always had my best interests in mind. He was the great president of USKBA and a great person. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P Paul Rosner!
  • David Cummings
    Paul will be missed, it was a pleasure working with him an he made a genuine effort to improve the fight game on the east coast. I am proud to say he was my friend.
  • chopper
    I worked with Paul a lot as an amateur he helped me a great deal making the transition from sport karate to full contact, and was always there for advice through all my USKBA title fights R.I.P. Paul.
    
    
• Funeral Service
  • Paul's funeral service was on July 21st, 2009 at 11:30 at Gutterman and Musicant Funeral Home, 402 Park Street, Hackensack, New Jersey.
    After the service, the burial service was at Montefiore Cemetery in St. Albans, Queens, New York.
    After the cemetery service, friends and family were invited to come to the Rosner home at 61 Lenox Avenue, Dumont, New Jersey.
    The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the World Genesis Foundation. Donations can be made online at www.Atlantykron.org or by sending a check to: World Genesis Foundation, 620 Park Avenue, #308 Rochester, NY, 14607.
    
    
• USKBA AFTER PAUL
  • United States Kickboxing Association (USKBA) was founded by the late Paul Rosner. Paul was a huge part of the amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) movement and helped put rules in place to create safe, well run leagues in several states.
    He was also the first kickboxing figure to sanction Sanshou and San Da matches. He was one of the few truly selfless people in this sport. Paul Rosner always wanted to see an event go on fairly, organized, with the best interests of the athletes being the focus. While his passing is a terrible loss to all of us, the organization continues under Donnie Carolei. Please email Donnia Carolei at EMPRESSDELI@AOL.COM
    This group is both a tribute to the late Paul Rosner and to continue his vision.

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