So I really hope that you caught this event...these were some of the most exciting fights I've seen in a while. (You may have noticed I've not even been moved to write about the others...yaaaaawn!) And yes, I'm sad Randy didn't tear Brock's face off...
Steve Cantwell vs. Razak Al-Hassan
Cantwell by TKO 4:04 1st round (really? a bust your arm off submssion is a TKO? ok...)
This fight was pretty amazing. I was surprised that Razak was able to stand and trade with Cantwell. But, I was even more surprised that he didn't tapout given the nasty armbar that Cantwell was puttin' on him. Ref finally called the fight when Al-Hassan's arm looked like it was severely dislocated or busted altogether.
WOW! That's pretty hardcore and all for FREE! :)
Mami loves that heart boyz! xoxo mmauuh!
Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet
Swick 33 seconds in the 1st round by KNOCKUT!
Uum...what? Who isn't fierce at 170lbs? Ha! I knew Swick was gonna take this fight.
I can't explain it other than I could feel it in his energy when he talked about the fight...he was super-motivated..he had that fire. But a 33 second KNOCKOUT...now that I couldn't have predicted! Goulet is no scrub at 22-10-1 so I think it's safe to say that Swick has acclimated to the weight cut and his new home at the Welter Weight division. However, this is probably the sickest weight class in the UFC with a myriad of world-class MMA practitioners. This is just one of the many tests he'll have to pass to get a shot at the title which is on the line between BJ Penn and GSP. Right now, Swick can't beat either of them so he's got some work to do! This was a great start though!
Josh Koshcheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Koshcheck by KNOCKOUT at 2:15 in the 1st!
Yesss sir! Another knockout!!! I normally get agitated when fights end in the first round. They typically are anti-climatic and I feel like I'm not getting my PPV money's worth. In this case, it was free AND these fights were awesome! I would offer that Koshcheck should get credit for 2 Knockouts...once for when Yoshida was knocked out while standing and again for the one that sent him to the mat. Koshcheck has matured and improved as a fighter over the past few years and I think he's a force to be reckoned with in the 170lb class...maybe it'll be him and Swick next time around...
Don't miss the TUF finale fights this Saturday on SPIKE at 9pm ET/PT!
Happy Holidays to all--xoxo mmauuh!
~mami
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights for the Troops— SPIKE: December 16, 2008
Free tickets will be given to active military personnel, though 30 tickets will be put up for auction for the general public. The sales benefit the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Additionally, fans will be able to call in and make donations throughout the night's broadcast. (Donations can also be made now at fallenheroesfund.ufc.com).
MAIN CARD
• Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
• Jonathan Goulet vs. Mike Swick
• Razak Al-Hussan vs. Steve Cantwell
• Tim Credeur vs. Nate Loughran
• Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Wiman
PRELIMINARY CARD
• Brodie Farber vs. Luigi Fioravanti
• Steve Bruno vs. Johnny Rees
• Ben Saunders vs. Brandon Wolff
• Dale Hartt vs. Corey Hill
• Eddie Sanchez vs. Justin McCully
MAIN CARD
• Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
• Jonathan Goulet vs. Mike Swick
• Razak Al-Hussan vs. Steve Cantwell
• Tim Credeur vs. Nate Loughran
• Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Wiman
PRELIMINARY CARD
• Brodie Farber vs. Luigi Fioravanti
• Steve Bruno vs. Johnny Rees
• Ben Saunders vs. Brandon Wolff
• Dale Hartt vs. Corey Hill
• Eddie Sanchez vs. Justin McCully
Thursday, November 6, 2008
WEC Faber vs Brown November 5, 2008
I always like to start off my commentary with what moved me most about an event. For this one, it isn’t the 2 huge upsets that we’ll get to in a bit. No…it is the infuriating lack of professionalism displayed by FATTY PAULO FILHO now to be known as FATTY FILHO who came in 5 lbs OVERWEIGHT for his title defense!!
He did that shit on purpose because he was too much of a punkass to face Chael Sonnen like a man!!! I haven’t read the other blogs on this but I am sure the MMA fan base is on fire tearin’ up their keyboards over this bullshit!
It’s not like he was a pound or two overweight. I mean it happens even to the best of them…Gina Carano is in constant battle to make weight but she don’t roll in a total fatass 5lbs over like she didn’t even try!
The WEC should strip FATTY FILHO of his title and purse for that!
So what happened? Chael was robbed of his title shot and FATTY FILHO didn’t even put forth an effort to fight. His fatass just rolled around on the ground like my cousin's overweight yellow lab hoping Chael would fall into the submission trap he was setting. Luckily, Chael is smarter than that and forced FATTY to stand and trade.
I’ve not seen such a ridiculous display in the cage since Kalib Starnes was running from away from Nate Quarry the entire fight back in UFC 83. This is a warrior’s sport. Like Chael said, negative behaviors should not be rewarded and this is not how a champion should conduct himself!!!
Chael has every right to be upset because they had over 6 months to prepare for this fight! I don’t want to hear any of that whiny “but Paulo is having personal problems wah wah wah” shit either. It’s NO EXCUSE. Man up, make weight and fight or stay home and eat donuts!
FAREWELL FATTY FILHO! CHAEL you ARE the Middleweight champ in my book…2X now! mmauuh xoxo!
David Avellan vs. Aaron Simpson (Simpson by TKO @ 18 seconds of first round)
I haven’t seen a fight end this swiftly since James Irvin knocked Houston Alexander out in 8 seconds.
Not much to say except WOW! Aaron Simpson cleaned Avellan’s clock. He hit him right on the button and that boy was knocked out, eyes rollin’ back in his head before it even hit the mat. Looking forward to seeing more of Aaron….
Jake Rosholt vs. Nissen Osterneck (Rosholt by TKO @ 3:48 second round)
This was an exciting fight! Jake Rosholt needs to learn some standup (muay thai Jake….knees and elbows)but man he’s got a tough chin…and cheeks and forehead….=) He was taking a lot of punishment to the face by Osterneck and managed to tough it out and finish the fight with a TKO! That’s what we like to see…
FATTY, take a note…mmauuh xoxo
Jens Pulver vs. Leonard Garcia (Garcia by TKO @ 1:12 in the first round)
Leonard Garcia said pre-fight, “today people may not know my name but tomorrow everyone will.” Turns out he was right. He completely dominated Jens Pulver. I actually had to re-watch the flurry of punches in slow motion to see exactly what happened…more than once. That boy hits hard! He throws a punch with his whole body, twisting his hips...great form Leonard!
Pulver has never looked more serious or focused before a fight. His demeanor wasn’t very...well, Jens. His hair was one color and very conservative. He was wearing tight shorts…not his norm. BTW Jens, you’re not on The Short List and I said don’t start wearing them if you aren’t already! You have no ass! Not cute…don't let it happen again. mmauuh xoxo!
These are the little details that I pick up on as a female fight fan. Bas Rutten once said that fighting is 95% mental and 5% physical. All these little details give me a sense of the fighter’s mental state going into the cage. Next time we see Jens, he will have his wild hair, his loose shorts, his nasty attitude and he will win that fight.
Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown (Brown by TKO @ 2:23 in the first round)
Until last night, Urijah Faber’s record was blemished by only 1 loss. Mike Brown is no joke…however last night Urijah kinda was. I LOVE URIJAH…he’s a great athlete, incredibly talented and completely adorable. But I thought his walkout from the tunnel was too flip…almost clownin’. When I saw all those golden locks cut off I had a bad feeling. =)
He really embraced his sponsor’s mantra “NO FEAR” and initially was dominating the fight. Then, with careless abandonment, in an attempt to execute one of his unorthodox moves, he ran into the punch that put him on his ass and led to his demise in the cage. Mike Brown wasted no time capitalizing on that little mistake and pounded the California Kid out until the ref called the fight. I think Urijah losing his belt will humble him and in the long run make him an even better fighter. Anxious to see Garcia vs. Brown…that will be a great fight!
He did that shit on purpose because he was too much of a punkass to face Chael Sonnen like a man!!! I haven’t read the other blogs on this but I am sure the MMA fan base is on fire tearin’ up their keyboards over this bullshit!
It’s not like he was a pound or two overweight. I mean it happens even to the best of them…Gina Carano is in constant battle to make weight but she don’t roll in a total fatass 5lbs over like she didn’t even try!
The WEC should strip FATTY FILHO of his title and purse for that!
So what happened? Chael was robbed of his title shot and FATTY FILHO didn’t even put forth an effort to fight. His fatass just rolled around on the ground like my cousin's overweight yellow lab hoping Chael would fall into the submission trap he was setting. Luckily, Chael is smarter than that and forced FATTY to stand and trade.
I’ve not seen such a ridiculous display in the cage since Kalib Starnes was running from away from Nate Quarry the entire fight back in UFC 83. This is a warrior’s sport. Like Chael said, negative behaviors should not be rewarded and this is not how a champion should conduct himself!!!
Chael has every right to be upset because they had over 6 months to prepare for this fight! I don’t want to hear any of that whiny “but Paulo is having personal problems wah wah wah” shit either. It’s NO EXCUSE. Man up, make weight and fight or stay home and eat donuts!
FAREWELL FATTY FILHO! CHAEL you ARE the Middleweight champ in my book…2X now! mmauuh xoxo!
David Avellan vs. Aaron Simpson (Simpson by TKO @ 18 seconds of first round)
I haven’t seen a fight end this swiftly since James Irvin knocked Houston Alexander out in 8 seconds.
Not much to say except WOW! Aaron Simpson cleaned Avellan’s clock. He hit him right on the button and that boy was knocked out, eyes rollin’ back in his head before it even hit the mat. Looking forward to seeing more of Aaron….
Jake Rosholt vs. Nissen Osterneck (Rosholt by TKO @ 3:48 second round)
This was an exciting fight! Jake Rosholt needs to learn some standup (muay thai Jake….knees and elbows)but man he’s got a tough chin…and cheeks and forehead….=) He was taking a lot of punishment to the face by Osterneck and managed to tough it out and finish the fight with a TKO! That’s what we like to see…
FATTY, take a note…mmauuh xoxo
Jens Pulver vs. Leonard Garcia (Garcia by TKO @ 1:12 in the first round)
Leonard Garcia said pre-fight, “today people may not know my name but tomorrow everyone will.” Turns out he was right. He completely dominated Jens Pulver. I actually had to re-watch the flurry of punches in slow motion to see exactly what happened…more than once. That boy hits hard! He throws a punch with his whole body, twisting his hips...great form Leonard!
Pulver has never looked more serious or focused before a fight. His demeanor wasn’t very...well, Jens. His hair was one color and very conservative. He was wearing tight shorts…not his norm. BTW Jens, you’re not on The Short List and I said don’t start wearing them if you aren’t already! You have no ass! Not cute…don't let it happen again. mmauuh xoxo!
These are the little details that I pick up on as a female fight fan. Bas Rutten once said that fighting is 95% mental and 5% physical. All these little details give me a sense of the fighter’s mental state going into the cage. Next time we see Jens, he will have his wild hair, his loose shorts, his nasty attitude and he will win that fight.
Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown (Brown by TKO @ 2:23 in the first round)
Until last night, Urijah Faber’s record was blemished by only 1 loss. Mike Brown is no joke…however last night Urijah kinda was. I LOVE URIJAH…he’s a great athlete, incredibly talented and completely adorable. But I thought his walkout from the tunnel was too flip…almost clownin’. When I saw all those golden locks cut off I had a bad feeling. =)
He really embraced his sponsor’s mantra “NO FEAR” and initially was dominating the fight. Then, with careless abandonment, in an attempt to execute one of his unorthodox moves, he ran into the punch that put him on his ass and led to his demise in the cage. Mike Brown wasted no time capitalizing on that little mistake and pounded the California Kid out until the ref called the fight. I think Urijah losing his belt will humble him and in the long run make him an even better fighter. Anxious to see Garcia vs. Brown…that will be a great fight!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix—September 23, 2008
First let me start by sending some love to Mirko…I really hope you are OK man!
For those of you who didn’t watch it, I apologize for the spoiler but the fight between him and Overeem was ruled a no contest after Cro-cop was immobilized by several fierce blows to his special man parts…OUCHIE!!! I may even have to go as far to say that the Gonzaga kick to the head probably doesn’t even seem so bad now. He was in a lot of pain…feel better Mirko…Mmauuh!
Dream is something special to me. I love the energy and true international representation of this competition. I also feel like the caliber of fighters in general is far superior to those in the American MMA organizations. Not to say that we don’t have some real badasses, but everyone who fights in DREAM is a force to be reckoned with…all at the top of their game.
The down side is that I am unfamiliar with a lot of the fighters and can’t pronounce most of their names. =) Luckily this isn’t a video blog…*smirk*
I really only want to discuss 3 of the fights. The 2 semi-final matches and the final…
First we have Zelg Galesic (cool name by the way, Zelg!) versus Ranaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Zelg is an extremely versatile, well-rounded Croatian warrior. He made his way to the semi-finals by taking out Taiei Kin by way of a TKO with a gnarly throw that bent Kin’s arm back severely injuring his elbow. Unfortunately, during a very impressive escape from Jacare’s guard, Zelg got caught in a split second (literally half a blink) arm bar to lose by submission in the first round. While Zelg was disappointed with himself for getting caught, he was very impressed by Souza’s proficiency which was evident by his facial expression after the fight ended.
Next up, Gegard Mousasi versus Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef
Wow! What can you say when the walkout and showboating takes LONGER and is more exciting than the fight? Melvin Manhoef has always interested me when I’ve seen snippets of his fights…mostly because of his little leather gladiator “skirt” so I was excited to see what he had in the way of skillz. The commentators were remarking on his power and standup game but we didn’t see any evidence of that here.
Gegard Mousasi made quick work of Manhoef by submitting him with a triangle choke in the first round.
Finally, Gegard Mousasi versus Jacare
This fight was so exciting. At the beginning of the introductions, DREAM posted interesting stats that extended beyond your typical tale of the tape. It showed where overall Mousasi was the more well-rounded fighter. But, I did just half blink and almost miss Jacare submit Zelg in exceptional fashion so I was on the edge of my seat not knowing what to expect. (don’t you love fights like that?!?!?!) Anyhow, both warriors seemed to have appropriate respect levels for each others skillz. They traded a bit on their feet and then went to the ground in fairly short order. Jacare displayed his typical alligator like domination of his prey. And just when he deviated from his area of expertise and attempted to ground and pound Mousasi.
POW, BAM!!! UPKICK….KO! Jacare face plants on the mat for a KO in the first round…WOOOOOOOOOOOW!
Like I said, DREAM is something special. Pleased to hear they aren’t going anywhere. And btw, the Japanese fans are awesome! Love how they understand the sport beyond a bludgeon match. They appreciate the sophistication of skill required by these mixed martial artists. They aren’t just looking for bloodsport like some of my fellow American MMA fans. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) But I yearn for a day where the intricacies of the grappling game are respected as much (or more) as the one punch KO or ground and pound. mmauuh!
For those of you who didn’t watch it, I apologize for the spoiler but the fight between him and Overeem was ruled a no contest after Cro-cop was immobilized by several fierce blows to his special man parts…OUCHIE!!! I may even have to go as far to say that the Gonzaga kick to the head probably doesn’t even seem so bad now. He was in a lot of pain…feel better Mirko…Mmauuh!
Dream is something special to me. I love the energy and true international representation of this competition. I also feel like the caliber of fighters in general is far superior to those in the American MMA organizations. Not to say that we don’t have some real badasses, but everyone who fights in DREAM is a force to be reckoned with…all at the top of their game.
The down side is that I am unfamiliar with a lot of the fighters and can’t pronounce most of their names. =) Luckily this isn’t a video blog…*smirk*
I really only want to discuss 3 of the fights. The 2 semi-final matches and the final…
First we have Zelg Galesic (cool name by the way, Zelg!) versus Ranaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Zelg is an extremely versatile, well-rounded Croatian warrior. He made his way to the semi-finals by taking out Taiei Kin by way of a TKO with a gnarly throw that bent Kin’s arm back severely injuring his elbow. Unfortunately, during a very impressive escape from Jacare’s guard, Zelg got caught in a split second (literally half a blink) arm bar to lose by submission in the first round. While Zelg was disappointed with himself for getting caught, he was very impressed by Souza’s proficiency which was evident by his facial expression after the fight ended.
Next up, Gegard Mousasi versus Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef
Wow! What can you say when the walkout and showboating takes LONGER and is more exciting than the fight? Melvin Manhoef has always interested me when I’ve seen snippets of his fights…mostly because of his little leather gladiator “skirt” so I was excited to see what he had in the way of skillz. The commentators were remarking on his power and standup game but we didn’t see any evidence of that here.
Gegard Mousasi made quick work of Manhoef by submitting him with a triangle choke in the first round.
Finally, Gegard Mousasi versus Jacare
This fight was so exciting. At the beginning of the introductions, DREAM posted interesting stats that extended beyond your typical tale of the tape. It showed where overall Mousasi was the more well-rounded fighter. But, I did just half blink and almost miss Jacare submit Zelg in exceptional fashion so I was on the edge of my seat not knowing what to expect. (don’t you love fights like that?!?!?!) Anyhow, both warriors seemed to have appropriate respect levels for each others skillz. They traded a bit on their feet and then went to the ground in fairly short order. Jacare displayed his typical alligator like domination of his prey. And just when he deviated from his area of expertise and attempted to ground and pound Mousasi.
POW, BAM!!! UPKICK….KO! Jacare face plants on the mat for a KO in the first round…WOOOOOOOOOOOW!
Like I said, DREAM is something special. Pleased to hear they aren’t going anywhere. And btw, the Japanese fans are awesome! Love how they understand the sport beyond a bludgeon match. They appreciate the sophistication of skill required by these mixed martial artists. They aren’t just looking for bloodsport like some of my fellow American MMA fans. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) But I yearn for a day where the intricacies of the grappling game are respected as much (or more) as the one punch KO or ground and pound. mmauuh!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Mami's says Knock Me Out--for $500k!!!
Just saw where Chuck made $500k for getting knocked out. Kinda happy I didn't shed any tears after all. I thought about it and decided I'd let Rashad Evans knock me out for a cool half mil too. *smirk* this goes back to my post about Dana pissing me off...
mmauuh xoxo
mmauuh xoxo
Saturday, September 6, 2008
OMG! I may cry....
...when the shock wears off! I wasn't certain that Chuck would win but I certainly never expected Rashad to knock him out clean like that!!! WOW!!! and...sigh =(
Not sure what is next for Chuck. Rashad was just much quicker. Chuck's age is taking a toll on his speed and my assessment is that if Chuck wants to continue fighting, he needs a new game plan. Hendo is his age but appears to be more adaptive to his opponents strengths and his weaknesses to where he compensates with intelligent strategy. Chuck needs to face the fact that he's no young buck anymore and find a way to win that doesn't include keeping his hands low, exposing his chin and waiting for the one punch knock-out in a counter strike situation
Big ups to Rich Franklin and Matt Hammil for putting on (as I predicted *smirk*) fight of the night. Rich Franklin looked outstanding at 205! Tons of energy and not even a little bit slow with the extra 20lbs, which some were concerned about. I thought Hammil did a great job defending all the weapons in Franklin's arsenal. But am curious why he didn't try to take Rich to the ground more since that is where he thrives. He definitely needs to learn how to check a leg kick...but his striking improves every time I see him fight and that boy's hands are heavy. I was amused when Franklin said he hopes Matt was one of the toughest at 205 because if he's not then the light heavy weight road is gonna be a long hard one. He also said that he was tired from pushing that extra 20 lbs around the cage so he implied he'll just be testing the waters at 205 for now.
Congrats to Hendo earning his first UFC win in awhile!
Not sure what is next for Chuck. Rashad was just much quicker. Chuck's age is taking a toll on his speed and my assessment is that if Chuck wants to continue fighting, he needs a new game plan. Hendo is his age but appears to be more adaptive to his opponents strengths and his weaknesses to where he compensates with intelligent strategy. Chuck needs to face the fact that he's no young buck anymore and find a way to win that doesn't include keeping his hands low, exposing his chin and waiting for the one punch knock-out in a counter strike situation
Big ups to Rich Franklin and Matt Hammil for putting on (as I predicted *smirk*) fight of the night. Rich Franklin looked outstanding at 205! Tons of energy and not even a little bit slow with the extra 20lbs, which some were concerned about. I thought Hammil did a great job defending all the weapons in Franklin's arsenal. But am curious why he didn't try to take Rich to the ground more since that is where he thrives. He definitely needs to learn how to check a leg kick...but his striking improves every time I see him fight and that boy's hands are heavy. I was amused when Franklin said he hopes Matt was one of the toughest at 205 because if he's not then the light heavy weight road is gonna be a long hard one. He also said that he was tired from pushing that extra 20 lbs around the cage so he implied he'll just be testing the waters at 205 for now.
Congrats to Hendo earning his first UFC win in awhile!
Friday, September 5, 2008
UFC 88 Weigh-in Results!
Everyone made weight and Chuck even came in 1 lb less than Rashad...probably a good sign. I didn't get to see the LIVE weigh-in on UFC site because it wouldn't launch the video player and I didn't have time to diagnose the root cause. At any rate, I guess my crystal ball is out of order and going to the swap meet this weekend! I still haven't seen Chuck's belly but I really hope he's ready to throw down and gain the W!
Main Event
Rashad Evans (205) vs Chuck Liddell (204)
Matt Hamill (205) vs Rich Franklin (204.5)
Dan Henderson (185) vs Rousimar Palhares (184.5)
Nate Marquardt (185) vs Martin Kampmann (184.5)
Matt Brown (170) vs Dong Hyun Kim (170)
Thiago Tavares (155) vs Kurt Pellegrino (156)
Tim Boetsch (205.25) vs Michael Patt (205.25)
Jason Lambert (185) vs Jason MacDonald (185)
Ryo Chonan (170) vs Roan Carneiro (170)
Enjoy the fights tomorrow everyone!
mmauuh! xoxo
Main Event
Rashad Evans (205) vs Chuck Liddell (204)
Matt Hamill (205) vs Rich Franklin (204.5)
Dan Henderson (185) vs Rousimar Palhares (184.5)
Nate Marquardt (185) vs Martin Kampmann (184.5)
Matt Brown (170) vs Dong Hyun Kim (170)
Thiago Tavares (155) vs Kurt Pellegrino (156)
Tim Boetsch (205.25) vs Michael Patt (205.25)
Jason Lambert (185) vs Jason MacDonald (185)
Ryo Chonan (170) vs Roan Carneiro (170)
Enjoy the fights tomorrow everyone!
mmauuh! xoxo
Weigh-ins for UFC 88 LIVE on www.ufc.com today 4pm ET | 1pm PT
I am hoping to catch the weigh-ins live because Chuck’s belly will give me a good indication if he’s ready for Rashad Evans or not. He seems confident, not cocky and ready to rumble. However, Mami’s crystal ball is telling her Chuck may not make weight. I’m anxious to see if it started working or is completely off and should be sold at the swap meet.
Ciao for now my fellow fight fans!
mmauuh! xoxo
Ciao for now my fellow fight fans!
mmauuh! xoxo
Dana White is pissing me off!
NOTE: this was written before Dana and Randy made nicey nice this week. My take on that situation is that Randy just wants to be free and clear of his legal dramas and be able to market and promote himself without Dana up his booty every minute of every day…nonetheless…Mami still ain’t givin’Dana no love right now.
I don’t even know where to start with this…but Dana White is pissing me off! For someone who has done so much for my favorite sport, Dana why do you insist on making such ridiculous decisions as of late? Is it greed? Have you been sparring without any protective gear and have been kicked in the head too many times? What exactly is your fucking problem?
Don’t look at me all baffled and clueless either…whuuut? whadido? Nah uh…
You have alienated most of the seasoned vets that helped you build the UFC empire causing a t-shirt guy to go off and create his own organization just so the fighters can wear his custom designed shirts to promote themselves and ultimately the sport which means more money in your pocket—DUH!!! That’s like the NFL or NBA forbidding it’s players to wear products they endorse causing Nike to create competitive leagues just so they can have the athletes endorse their product—YOU IDIOT!!! Stop turning MMA into the nightmare boxing has become…
First and foremost you’ve alienated hall-of-fame legend, Randy Couture, [Brock Lesnar—have you gone completely mad? I hope Randy tears his fucking face off and throws it right at you! There is no way he deserves a shot at Randy’s title over many of the other fighters who have paid their dues in the UFC!]
Lesnar could prove to develop into a great MMA fighter, but right now he’s just big and has some wrestling skills that I’ve not seen him use yet. I’ve just seem him sit on top of his opponents like a fat bully stealing a jelly donut on the playground.
He’s the UFC version of Kimbo Slice with a better legacy than u-tube and street brawlin’ to feed his family. At least Kimbo is humble and recognizes he’s got a lot to learn about MMA and wants to earn his way into contention. That’s a fight that someone should make happen. Brock vs. Kimbo. My money’d be on Kimbo!
Second, not that I am big fans of any of these guys, but they have their place in MMA history: Tito, Ken Shamrock and Tim Sylvia, to name a few, have all left the UFC on bad terms. And finally, what are Babalu and Arlovski doing fighting for “are you fucking kidding me with that hair Donald Trump”?
Again, more bad blood…brilliant!
You didn’t grow up with a silver spoon which means you hustled your way up the ladder. And as a leader of an enterprise, you should realize the importance of taking care of the people who helped you build it; but instead you choose to chew them up and spit them out once you have no use for them anymore or because they want to take a direction with which you don’t agree. I realize this is business [by the way, do you?] and that profit is a key component in business, but so is relationship management. Perhaps you should google that or get a book. =)
And if that fiasco isn’t enough, the salary disparities are maddening! You’re paying Anderson Silva, the UFC Middleweight Champion the SAME as I can’t be bothered to train or finish a fight, Brandon Vera? And looking after punks like Michael-won’t fight anywhere but England-Bisping?!?!?!
Not to mention all the salary disparities going on in the WEC! Trifling!!!!
All of these actions you’ve been taking are very disheartening to the loyal hardcore fans that have been down for awhile. We’ve spent our pesos on PPVs and live events. Why do you insist on compromising the coolness and integrity of the sport to make it mainstream for a few extra bucks? Check yourself!
Dana, seriously…I am really failing to see the logic in your business acumen.
No love for you right now—Mami!
I don’t even know where to start with this…but Dana White is pissing me off! For someone who has done so much for my favorite sport, Dana why do you insist on making such ridiculous decisions as of late? Is it greed? Have you been sparring without any protective gear and have been kicked in the head too many times? What exactly is your fucking problem?
Don’t look at me all baffled and clueless either…whuuut? whadido? Nah uh…
You have alienated most of the seasoned vets that helped you build the UFC empire causing a t-shirt guy to go off and create his own organization just so the fighters can wear his custom designed shirts to promote themselves and ultimately the sport which means more money in your pocket—DUH!!! That’s like the NFL or NBA forbidding it’s players to wear products they endorse causing Nike to create competitive leagues just so they can have the athletes endorse their product—YOU IDIOT!!! Stop turning MMA into the nightmare boxing has become…
First and foremost you’ve alienated hall-of-fame legend, Randy Couture, [Brock Lesnar—have you gone completely mad? I hope Randy tears his fucking face off and throws it right at you! There is no way he deserves a shot at Randy’s title over many of the other fighters who have paid their dues in the UFC!]
Lesnar could prove to develop into a great MMA fighter, but right now he’s just big and has some wrestling skills that I’ve not seen him use yet. I’ve just seem him sit on top of his opponents like a fat bully stealing a jelly donut on the playground.
He’s the UFC version of Kimbo Slice with a better legacy than u-tube and street brawlin’ to feed his family. At least Kimbo is humble and recognizes he’s got a lot to learn about MMA and wants to earn his way into contention. That’s a fight that someone should make happen. Brock vs. Kimbo. My money’d be on Kimbo!
Second, not that I am big fans of any of these guys, but they have their place in MMA history: Tito, Ken Shamrock and Tim Sylvia, to name a few, have all left the UFC on bad terms. And finally, what are Babalu and Arlovski doing fighting for “are you fucking kidding me with that hair Donald Trump”?
Again, more bad blood…brilliant!
You didn’t grow up with a silver spoon which means you hustled your way up the ladder. And as a leader of an enterprise, you should realize the importance of taking care of the people who helped you build it; but instead you choose to chew them up and spit them out once you have no use for them anymore or because they want to take a direction with which you don’t agree. I realize this is business [by the way, do you?] and that profit is a key component in business, but so is relationship management. Perhaps you should google that or get a book. =)
And if that fiasco isn’t enough, the salary disparities are maddening! You’re paying Anderson Silva, the UFC Middleweight Champion the SAME as I can’t be bothered to train or finish a fight, Brandon Vera? And looking after punks like Michael-won’t fight anywhere but England-Bisping?!?!?!
Not to mention all the salary disparities going on in the WEC! Trifling!!!!
All of these actions you’ve been taking are very disheartening to the loyal hardcore fans that have been down for awhile. We’ve spent our pesos on PPVs and live events. Why do you insist on compromising the coolness and integrity of the sport to make it mainstream for a few extra bucks? Check yourself!
Dana, seriously…I am really failing to see the logic in your business acumen.
No love for you right now—Mami!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
UFC 88 Mami’s Predictions
Let me start by apologizing for not having written anything for awhile. I know the upcoming UFC 88 fight is around the corner with a great card lined up, but I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around it in terms of predictions. My crystal ball isn’t working or I’m just secretly devastated that I won’t be there in person like I thought I would be…=(
At any rate, here’s my take on the situation. There are 3 seasoned MMA vets that need to make fierce statements in the ATL or risk losing the love & respect of long time fans, not to mention possibly tarnishing their legacies as the best in their respective weight classes once upon a time. Mami's sendin' love to 'em all!!!!
the main event | Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
Liddell TKO in round 1 or 2. Evans by decision if it goes 3.
I honestly don’t know what will happen here and I seem to be one of the only fans who doesn’t have a definitive opinion. My guts says this: Rashad Evans by split decision.
However, if Chuck has been training with Hack at the Pit and is focused (the belly will tell me), we may seem him finish Rashad in round 1 or 2 by TKO or possibly a true KO ( but not likely). I expect it to be an exciting fight!
I think Rashad’s conditioning will prove superior just by the age factor alone. He’s 10 years younger than Chuck. But if Chuck can bring his A game, he may earn the W because while Rashad is undefeated in the UFC, his list of opponents isn’t particularly impressive. [side note: Michael Bisping—YUCK!] Other than Stephen Bonnar, I doubt his anyone has really tested that chin. He will also be at a disadvantage in terms of reach, standing only 5’11” to Chuck’s 6’2” frame. Hopefully Chuck will leverage his advantages where he can.
I am a long time Chuck fan. In fact, for quite some time Chuck was MMA for me so I’d love to see him the victor. However, there are many outside influences that will impact his game so it’s hard for me to predict.
I believe Chuck’s raw talent sometimes causes him to not train as hard as he should. Something BJ Penn has also suffered from in the past.
I am sure all the hardcore fans saw Chuck get slapped around by Rampage back in May 2007 at UFC 71. While I was bummed, I can’t say I was surprised. I saw Chuck’s belly growing and heard how he partied like a rockstar, rightfully enjoying his hard earned success. But I knew Rampage was hungry and fierce. I didn’t get the sense Chuck was taking him too seriously. We all know what happened after that….TKO baby!
I was in San Francisco watching it at a bar because the hotel where I was staying not only smelled like a cat box, it also didn’t have PPV. I was fascinated that Chuck wasn’t gettin’ much love. It was definitely a Rampage crowd…many yellin’ Glass Jaw Chuck and the like. I wasn’t tryin’ to hear that…I had to roll out after the fight because I was gettin’ vexed and almost yelled “shuddup biiaaches!!!” at group of rather large dudes. *smirk*
Like I said--sad, yes, surprised no. But, what did surprise me was his next loss to Keith Jardine. A split decision rather than a TKO, yet still a loss. As I've said before, Jardine is no punk, but I was worried my favorite warrior was on his way out. Then, in UFC 79 Chuck won a unanimous decision over a formidable opponent in Wanderlei Silva. However, if you saw the fight you would know that Wanderlei, who coincidentally beat down Jackson not once but twice in his days with Pride, didn’t have that killer instinct I’ve seen in the past. So I am not sure the impact of the victory other than it looks good on paper and may have re-established Chuck’s confidence/warrior spirit.
I’m hoping to see the Iceman Cometh at this one. We still love you Chuck, just please...FUCKIN'BRING IT!!! and leave the hoochies alone til AFTER the fight--then celebrate your victory in the VIP room at the Cheetah! mmauuh!!! XOXO!
fight of the night | Rich Frankin vs. Matt Hamill
I have NO IDEA but I’m gonna go with Franklin by decision.
This is the fight of the night for me! While I love Chuck and think that the main event will prove to be exciting, Franklin vs. Hamill really has me juiced because both are true warriors who bring professionalism to the cage.
Franklin’s record is as impressive as they come at 25/3/0. Although other than Anderson Silva, who is 22/4/0 in his MMA career but undefeated in the UFC, I’m not sure who else Franklin has lost to…maybe someone can help me out here because I’m feelin’ too lazy to google it.=)
There is NO SHAME in Franklin’s game. Before Anderson came along, Franklin was the Middleweight that no one could beat. And if Anderson hadn’t come along, I’d be hard pressed to find anyone else who could beat him…except perhaps Matt Hamill. Anderson even stated, at the fight against Hendo that Franklin has been his toughest opponent yet (read: not you Hendo!) which is quite the compliment coming from, in my opinion, the best pound for pound fighter in the world today…sorry Fedor—you’re not the one for Mami! =)
The first time I saw Matt Hamill fight was in UFC 75 against Michael Bisping, where he was handed the loss by split decision by the judges. Most fans, including myself agree that Hamill unequivocally won that fight and thought it complete bullocks that Bisping was given the decision just because he was the hometown favorite. This is just one of the reasons Bisping isn’t getting’ any Mami love—see note above!
Hamill is one of my favorite up and comers in the UFC. I think he shows a lot of promise and a lot of heart. And it’s that heart that will see him through to a victory over Franklin if that is to happen. I think that ultimately Franklin will earn the W, but it won’t be as easy as most are thinking. These boyz are gonna throw down and neither will give up til the very end or until one is submitted or knocked out!
A few words to Rich…
First, you look NOTHING like Jim Carey and stop letting people insult you like that!!! Second, if you really do plan to have a Hollywood career after you’re through in the cage, whatever you do AVIOD any further fights with Anderson Silva…your face can’t afford those knees and elbows unless you plan to play only roles that require a mutilated face! And finally, welcome back man….Mami’s missed seeing you in action!!!
mmauuh xoxo!
Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares (um…who?)
Best guess—Hendo TKO round 1 or 2, If it goes to 3, Palhares by submission
Let me start by saying that this rarely happens…Mami NOT having an opinion. I see that Palhares fought and won in UFC 84 but honestly, I don’t recall that fight at all. He is 17/1/0 which means he’s not a newbie and must have been fighting in another organization before coming to the UFC. He appears to be a submissions specialist which should prove interesting because Hendo has ground skills and his takedown defense is good so he can keep it standing if it becomes evident that is advantageous to him.
I’ve not seen Hendo fight very much but I’ve heard good things from his days in Pride and he held his own with Anderson despite the loss. He didn’t get the same beatings that Franklin did and came out relatively unscathed...no serious cuts (James Irvin) or broken bones (Rich Franklin) that I’m aware of post Anderson.
If I were Hendo, I’d keep it a stand up war to use the reach advantage. Palhares is only 5’8” and there is no evidence he’s a banger. He probably hasn’t had his chin tested as much as most since he seems to prefer the ground game. I’d try to end it quickly as he’s also only 28, making Hendo 10 years his elder. Conditioning will most likely be a factor although my impression is that Dan trains like an animal. Still, 10 years is 10 years. Hendo must rely on his experience and strategy to win this one. Good luck Hendo!
mmauuh! xoxo
At any rate, here’s my take on the situation. There are 3 seasoned MMA vets that need to make fierce statements in the ATL or risk losing the love & respect of long time fans, not to mention possibly tarnishing their legacies as the best in their respective weight classes once upon a time. Mami's sendin' love to 'em all!!!!
the main event | Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
Liddell TKO in round 1 or 2. Evans by decision if it goes 3.
I honestly don’t know what will happen here and I seem to be one of the only fans who doesn’t have a definitive opinion. My guts says this: Rashad Evans by split decision.
However, if Chuck has been training with Hack at the Pit and is focused (the belly will tell me), we may seem him finish Rashad in round 1 or 2 by TKO or possibly a true KO ( but not likely). I expect it to be an exciting fight!
I think Rashad’s conditioning will prove superior just by the age factor alone. He’s 10 years younger than Chuck. But if Chuck can bring his A game, he may earn the W because while Rashad is undefeated in the UFC, his list of opponents isn’t particularly impressive. [side note: Michael Bisping—YUCK!] Other than Stephen Bonnar, I doubt his anyone has really tested that chin. He will also be at a disadvantage in terms of reach, standing only 5’11” to Chuck’s 6’2” frame. Hopefully Chuck will leverage his advantages where he can.
I am a long time Chuck fan. In fact, for quite some time Chuck was MMA for me so I’d love to see him the victor. However, there are many outside influences that will impact his game so it’s hard for me to predict.
I believe Chuck’s raw talent sometimes causes him to not train as hard as he should. Something BJ Penn has also suffered from in the past.
I am sure all the hardcore fans saw Chuck get slapped around by Rampage back in May 2007 at UFC 71. While I was bummed, I can’t say I was surprised. I saw Chuck’s belly growing and heard how he partied like a rockstar, rightfully enjoying his hard earned success. But I knew Rampage was hungry and fierce. I didn’t get the sense Chuck was taking him too seriously. We all know what happened after that….TKO baby!
I was in San Francisco watching it at a bar because the hotel where I was staying not only smelled like a cat box, it also didn’t have PPV. I was fascinated that Chuck wasn’t gettin’ much love. It was definitely a Rampage crowd…many yellin’ Glass Jaw Chuck and the like. I wasn’t tryin’ to hear that…I had to roll out after the fight because I was gettin’ vexed and almost yelled “shuddup biiaaches!!!” at group of rather large dudes. *smirk*
Like I said--sad, yes, surprised no. But, what did surprise me was his next loss to Keith Jardine. A split decision rather than a TKO, yet still a loss. As I've said before, Jardine is no punk, but I was worried my favorite warrior was on his way out. Then, in UFC 79 Chuck won a unanimous decision over a formidable opponent in Wanderlei Silva. However, if you saw the fight you would know that Wanderlei, who coincidentally beat down Jackson not once but twice in his days with Pride, didn’t have that killer instinct I’ve seen in the past. So I am not sure the impact of the victory other than it looks good on paper and may have re-established Chuck’s confidence/warrior spirit.
I’m hoping to see the Iceman Cometh at this one. We still love you Chuck, just please...FUCKIN'BRING IT!!! and leave the hoochies alone til AFTER the fight--then celebrate your victory in the VIP room at the Cheetah! mmauuh!!! XOXO!
fight of the night | Rich Frankin vs. Matt Hamill
I have NO IDEA but I’m gonna go with Franklin by decision.
This is the fight of the night for me! While I love Chuck and think that the main event will prove to be exciting, Franklin vs. Hamill really has me juiced because both are true warriors who bring professionalism to the cage.
Franklin’s record is as impressive as they come at 25/3/0. Although other than Anderson Silva, who is 22/4/0 in his MMA career but undefeated in the UFC, I’m not sure who else Franklin has lost to…maybe someone can help me out here because I’m feelin’ too lazy to google it.=)
There is NO SHAME in Franklin’s game. Before Anderson came along, Franklin was the Middleweight that no one could beat. And if Anderson hadn’t come along, I’d be hard pressed to find anyone else who could beat him…except perhaps Matt Hamill. Anderson even stated, at the fight against Hendo that Franklin has been his toughest opponent yet (read: not you Hendo!) which is quite the compliment coming from, in my opinion, the best pound for pound fighter in the world today…sorry Fedor—you’re not the one for Mami! =)
The first time I saw Matt Hamill fight was in UFC 75 against Michael Bisping, where he was handed the loss by split decision by the judges. Most fans, including myself agree that Hamill unequivocally won that fight and thought it complete bullocks that Bisping was given the decision just because he was the hometown favorite. This is just one of the reasons Bisping isn’t getting’ any Mami love—see note above!
Hamill is one of my favorite up and comers in the UFC. I think he shows a lot of promise and a lot of heart. And it’s that heart that will see him through to a victory over Franklin if that is to happen. I think that ultimately Franklin will earn the W, but it won’t be as easy as most are thinking. These boyz are gonna throw down and neither will give up til the very end or until one is submitted or knocked out!
A few words to Rich…
First, you look NOTHING like Jim Carey and stop letting people insult you like that!!! Second, if you really do plan to have a Hollywood career after you’re through in the cage, whatever you do AVIOD any further fights with Anderson Silva…your face can’t afford those knees and elbows unless you plan to play only roles that require a mutilated face! And finally, welcome back man….Mami’s missed seeing you in action!!!
mmauuh xoxo!
Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares (um…who?)
Best guess—Hendo TKO round 1 or 2, If it goes to 3, Palhares by submission
Let me start by saying that this rarely happens…Mami NOT having an opinion. I see that Palhares fought and won in UFC 84 but honestly, I don’t recall that fight at all. He is 17/1/0 which means he’s not a newbie and must have been fighting in another organization before coming to the UFC. He appears to be a submissions specialist which should prove interesting because Hendo has ground skills and his takedown defense is good so he can keep it standing if it becomes evident that is advantageous to him.
I’ve not seen Hendo fight very much but I’ve heard good things from his days in Pride and he held his own with Anderson despite the loss. He didn’t get the same beatings that Franklin did and came out relatively unscathed...no serious cuts (James Irvin) or broken bones (Rich Franklin) that I’m aware of post Anderson.
If I were Hendo, I’d keep it a stand up war to use the reach advantage. Palhares is only 5’8” and there is no evidence he’s a banger. He probably hasn’t had his chin tested as much as most since he seems to prefer the ground game. I’d try to end it quickly as he’s also only 28, making Hendo 10 years his elder. Conditioning will most likely be a factor although my impression is that Dan trains like an animal. Still, 10 years is 10 years. Hendo must rely on his experience and strategy to win this one. Good luck Hendo!
mmauuh! xoxo
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
WEC—August 3rd
Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura (TKO for Condit @ 4:43 in 4th)
The Natural Born Killer kills again!
While Hiromitsu Miura is the toughest opponent Carlos has faced yet, Condit managed to pull off the win with a technical knockout at 4:43 in the 4th round. This fight was one of the most exciting title defenses I’ve seen with maybe the exception of Faber vs. Pulver. It was never one-sided. Both fighters were delivering and taking punishment respectively. They were very evenly matched with stand-up and ground game being superior from both opponents. Hiromitsu’s submission defense was especially impressive to me because Carlos is known for his stealthy slick submissions, even from his back. And Miura was rarely in serious danger of having to tap.
The action was explosive and Miura must be commended on his badass Judo throws. Carlos found himself getting tossed around like a rag doll for a good portion of the fight despite mention of his preparing for this tactic. Had the fight gone to a decision, I am sure the judges would have awarded Hiromistu quite a few points for all of those takedowns.
By the end of the 4th, both fighters were spent. Not because of poor conditioning, but because of the amazing pace at which they pushed the fight. If you missed this one, I highly recommend you keep an eye out for Versus to re-run it or tell your TIVO to find and record for you.
I had been waiting for this fight for months….driving everyone I know crazy with my excitement as Carlos is one of my absolute faves. He is so exciting to watch because his game is fierce. Proficient stand up game with razor sharp strikes and plenty of damaging kicks to the head and his BJJ is sick, especially since many of his submissions happen while he’s on his back.
But last Sunday Carlos lacked his usual intensity that he brings to the cage…where he goes from big smiles to looking like a complete sociopath. Something seemed off…and I wasn’t sure what it was but I could tell he wasn’t the same. I knew he had been visiting the troops overseas with Urijah Faber and BJ Penn and thought perhaps it was something he had experienced over there.
After his win, he dedicated the fight to his grandmother who had passed just a few days before and it all made sense. I found myself even more impressed with his ability to deliver another world class performance while dealing with such a profound personal loss. Gandhi once said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” I would offer that Carlos is a true warrior in that light. My deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss, Carlos, and much love from all your fans!!!! mmauuh!!! xoxo
Brian Stann vs. Steven Cantwell (TKO for Cantwell at 4:01 2nd round)
Skill prevails in the world of MMA….
So I didn’t know what to make of this rematch. I think I was honestly a little afraid for Steve Cantwell going into this fight. I had just watched the original fight and a few others of Brian Stann’s earlier in the day. There is no doubt that Stann is a phenomenal athlete and a straight up brawler. That boy can throw dooooooooown. He’s also well-conditioned (to where I may consider adding him to the Short List ladies—meeeooow), extremely powerful and has a ton of heart, fighting for all the soldiers he’s lost along the way while at war as a Marine. His conviction is undeniable.
However, in the world of mixed martial arts what matters most is skill. Well rounded, technical proficiency in preferably more than one discipline will prevail. And that is what happened in this fight. It cost Stann the light heavy weight belt. He even admitted he’s a baby in the sport and has a lot to learn. I was very impressed with his sportsmanship putting the belt around Cantwell, respectfully admitting his defeat.
Stann was just unable to counter the angles, knees, elbows and muay thai kicks that Cantwell was throwing. Cantwell exposed Stann’s weakness and my bet is that is the best thing that could have ever happened to Stann. He will go away from this fight even more determined and focused; stepping up his game to learn whatever he can in the way of mma disciplines. Whether it’s muay thai, Brazilian ju-jitsu, Judo, Kempo....whatever. He knows he needs to acquire some technical proficiency to round out his game. Enjoy the belt for now, Steven. But Brian will be back and fiercer than ever! I’m looking forward to this rematch!
The Natural Born Killer kills again!
While Hiromitsu Miura is the toughest opponent Carlos has faced yet, Condit managed to pull off the win with a technical knockout at 4:43 in the 4th round. This fight was one of the most exciting title defenses I’ve seen with maybe the exception of Faber vs. Pulver. It was never one-sided. Both fighters were delivering and taking punishment respectively. They were very evenly matched with stand-up and ground game being superior from both opponents. Hiromitsu’s submission defense was especially impressive to me because Carlos is known for his stealthy slick submissions, even from his back. And Miura was rarely in serious danger of having to tap.
The action was explosive and Miura must be commended on his badass Judo throws. Carlos found himself getting tossed around like a rag doll for a good portion of the fight despite mention of his preparing for this tactic. Had the fight gone to a decision, I am sure the judges would have awarded Hiromistu quite a few points for all of those takedowns.
By the end of the 4th, both fighters were spent. Not because of poor conditioning, but because of the amazing pace at which they pushed the fight. If you missed this one, I highly recommend you keep an eye out for Versus to re-run it or tell your TIVO to find and record for you.
I had been waiting for this fight for months….driving everyone I know crazy with my excitement as Carlos is one of my absolute faves. He is so exciting to watch because his game is fierce. Proficient stand up game with razor sharp strikes and plenty of damaging kicks to the head and his BJJ is sick, especially since many of his submissions happen while he’s on his back.
But last Sunday Carlos lacked his usual intensity that he brings to the cage…where he goes from big smiles to looking like a complete sociopath. Something seemed off…and I wasn’t sure what it was but I could tell he wasn’t the same. I knew he had been visiting the troops overseas with Urijah Faber and BJ Penn and thought perhaps it was something he had experienced over there.
After his win, he dedicated the fight to his grandmother who had passed just a few days before and it all made sense. I found myself even more impressed with his ability to deliver another world class performance while dealing with such a profound personal loss. Gandhi once said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” I would offer that Carlos is a true warrior in that light. My deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss, Carlos, and much love from all your fans!!!! mmauuh!!! xoxo
Brian Stann vs. Steven Cantwell (TKO for Cantwell at 4:01 2nd round)
Skill prevails in the world of MMA….
So I didn’t know what to make of this rematch. I think I was honestly a little afraid for Steve Cantwell going into this fight. I had just watched the original fight and a few others of Brian Stann’s earlier in the day. There is no doubt that Stann is a phenomenal athlete and a straight up brawler. That boy can throw dooooooooown. He’s also well-conditioned (to where I may consider adding him to the Short List ladies—meeeooow), extremely powerful and has a ton of heart, fighting for all the soldiers he’s lost along the way while at war as a Marine. His conviction is undeniable.
However, in the world of mixed martial arts what matters most is skill. Well rounded, technical proficiency in preferably more than one discipline will prevail. And that is what happened in this fight. It cost Stann the light heavy weight belt. He even admitted he’s a baby in the sport and has a lot to learn. I was very impressed with his sportsmanship putting the belt around Cantwell, respectfully admitting his defeat.
Stann was just unable to counter the angles, knees, elbows and muay thai kicks that Cantwell was throwing. Cantwell exposed Stann’s weakness and my bet is that is the best thing that could have ever happened to Stann. He will go away from this fight even more determined and focused; stepping up his game to learn whatever he can in the way of mma disciplines. Whether it’s muay thai, Brazilian ju-jitsu, Judo, Kempo....whatever. He knows he needs to acquire some technical proficiency to round out his game. Enjoy the belt for now, Steven. But Brian will be back and fiercer than ever! I’m looking forward to this rematch!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Elite XC Saturday Night Fights on CBS
Somebody at CBS reads the blogs!
No cheese please! After last Saturday’s live EliteXC event, it is clear that somebody at CBS is reading the MMA blogs of the hardcore enthusiasts…and took some notes. I found that the production was much more in line with what we’ve all come to expect from top ranking outfit, UFC, in terms of production quality. From walkouts to interviews and commentary to overall presence, CBS seems to have stepped their game up. They got the message that the MMA fan base is not the same as the WWE or whatever fake wrestling organizations are still out there. After their last live Saturday Night Fights fiasco, they gave us props by resolving many of the issues we all voiced online. And I can tell the difference.
I gotta say…I LOVE their original announcers, Mauro Ranallo, Goldberg and especially Frank Shamrock. He knows the game up close and personal and has a lot of passion which really establishes their credibility. I also like his little demonstrations in between bouts and yes Frank, I noticed the braces…good call! I feel the transition from fighter to announcer happening and after that beating you took from Cung, who can blame you! MMAUUH! xoxo =)
Note to CBS researcher: take a few notes on Joe Rogan’s post-fight cage interviews. He’s not afraid to pour gas right on the fire!!! You need to send Frank into the cage as he’ll have more rapport with the fighters than Stiff Neck did Saturday. Otherwise, good job on the marked improvements!!!
And once again, it’s Ladies Night….
Just as with the first EliteXC Saturday Night Fights, the ladies were the most exciting bout. Shayna Baszler versus Cristiane Cyborg (is that really her name? how unfortunate…and thank gaaaawd she didn’t come out with one big eye or I’da been askerd…make that more askerd).
Anyhow, props to Shayna for standing and bangin’ with Cristiane because that girl was fierce.
I’d put my money on her against Brandon Vera any day of the week…ok I’ll stop fuckin’ with Brandon…but I’m just sayin’. Cristiane’s power and energy was unbelievable. Better than a lot of dudes out there in the MMA game.
That has to be one of my top 5 fights of the year. Shayna displayed a ton of heart and fought til the very end. Big ups! It won’t be long before the undefeated Cristiane meets Gina Carano in the cage and all I can say is Cristiane, please….Not the Face! Not the Face! MMAUUH! xoxo
No cheese please! After last Saturday’s live EliteXC event, it is clear that somebody at CBS is reading the MMA blogs of the hardcore enthusiasts…and took some notes. I found that the production was much more in line with what we’ve all come to expect from top ranking outfit, UFC, in terms of production quality. From walkouts to interviews and commentary to overall presence, CBS seems to have stepped their game up. They got the message that the MMA fan base is not the same as the WWE or whatever fake wrestling organizations are still out there. After their last live Saturday Night Fights fiasco, they gave us props by resolving many of the issues we all voiced online. And I can tell the difference.
I gotta say…I LOVE their original announcers, Mauro Ranallo, Goldberg and especially Frank Shamrock. He knows the game up close and personal and has a lot of passion which really establishes their credibility. I also like his little demonstrations in between bouts and yes Frank, I noticed the braces…good call! I feel the transition from fighter to announcer happening and after that beating you took from Cung, who can blame you! MMAUUH! xoxo =)
Note to CBS researcher: take a few notes on Joe Rogan’s post-fight cage interviews. He’s not afraid to pour gas right on the fire!!! You need to send Frank into the cage as he’ll have more rapport with the fighters than Stiff Neck did Saturday. Otherwise, good job on the marked improvements!!!
And once again, it’s Ladies Night….
Just as with the first EliteXC Saturday Night Fights, the ladies were the most exciting bout. Shayna Baszler versus Cristiane Cyborg (is that really her name? how unfortunate…and thank gaaaawd she didn’t come out with one big eye or I’da been askerd…make that more askerd).
Anyhow, props to Shayna for standing and bangin’ with Cristiane because that girl was fierce.
I’d put my money on her against Brandon Vera any day of the week…ok I’ll stop fuckin’ with Brandon…but I’m just sayin’. Cristiane’s power and energy was unbelievable. Better than a lot of dudes out there in the MMA game.
That has to be one of my top 5 fights of the year. Shayna displayed a ton of heart and fought til the very end. Big ups! It won’t be long before the undefeated Cristiane meets Gina Carano in the cage and all I can say is Cristiane, please….Not the Face! Not the Face! MMAUUH! xoxo
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
UFC Fight Night 14 Results
Anderson Silva def. James Irvin
Spider Superb at 205!
Spider Superb at 205!
There were mixed emotions, even among some of Anderson's most loyal fans, about how he would perform moving up to light heavyweight. There was speculation, sometimes even doubt, that he could maintain his speed and technical proficiency with an extra 20lbs. But I never wavered. During some of the pre-fight training sessions, I could tell he was as focused as ever and seemed to maintain his skills.
The Spider weaved his web once again in his usual style. He danced around for a little while loosening up at the beginning of the round. Some say to size up his opponent, James Irvin, the man who knocked Houston Alexander the fuck out in 8 seconds to hold the fastest victory in UFC history . My opinion is a little different. I think he dances to draw out the fight, otherwise his fans will feel cheated if the find ends too soon. We saw him do this with Rich Franklin among others and Anderson, we feel the love!
When he went in for the kill, his strikes were as fierce as venom. James Irvin didn't have a chance. Anderson caught a kick attempt, held Irvin's leg while punching him square in the face leaving a bloody gash behind, stunning Irvin. Anderson proceeded to take him down and in classic MMA style grounded him the fuck out til the ref called the Knock Out. Anderson may have found a new home at 205 because the class is deep and I have no idea who Dana White thinks would even be a challenge to Silva at 185. Certainly not the new to 185 Michael Bispng--please tell met that's not your plan, Dana!
Anderson has beat down everyone, including former UFC MW champ Rich Franklin, twice. I very much look forward to watching the Spider continue to annihilate his prey no matter the weight class.
Brandon Vera def. Reese Andy
Shut up or Step up...
Brandon Vera, also a newbie to the 205 weight class wasn't nearly as effective as Anderson Silva. While he did win the bout with a decision, I would offer that is only because Reese Andy was just that much worse. Making his UFC debut, Reese Andy had nothing to lose coming into this fight. His inexperience was evident and it cost him the decision. But Brandon Vera is a seasoned UFC veteran and in my humble opinion, even considering the 5 weeks to cut 20lbs (an excuse I've heard several times now--eyeroll) he talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. And he has plenty to lose.
This fight never should have gone past the first round--especially if he was feeling weak, woozy or just out of sorts at the new weight class. Even better reason to finish the fight early.Before the fight, he talked of aspirations to hold the HW and LHW belts and he's gonna go the distance to a decision with a newbie? Champs finish fights Brandon...they don't leave it up to the judges. Ask Anderson, Chuck, or even your buddy Rampage...oh wait, maybe you learned it from him.What the fuck is that about Brandon? Leave the twinkies and ho ho's alone and start taking your training seriously.
Joe Rogan even tried to call him out and his focus wasn't on what he did wrong or where he needs to make adjustments in his game plan. He announced his after party venue and diverted the attention to former LHW Rampage Jackson who is going through some drama right now. I am not exactly sure what Brandon thinks there was to celebrate after that weak-ass display in the cage last Saturday but hopefully he will get his head right and step up! Get refocused on your fighting Brandon or shut the fuck up!
Frankie Edgar def. Hermes Franca
Frankie Edgar def. Hermes Franca
Frankie had the Anwser
In a unanimous decision over Hermes Franca, Frankie "the answer" Edgar put on a respectable display of well rounded MMA skills. While I thought he would have faired better had the fight stayed off the ground (it certainly would have been more exciting), he managed to hold his own against the formidable jujitsu master. While Edgar has a strong wrestling background he was at risk of getting caught in one of Franca's fierce submissions so he trained extra hard to avoid that for this fight and it paid off. Franca seemed off and when he took Edgar down he didn't do anything useful or effective which cost him the fight. Edgar clearly wanted the win more than Franca and it earned him the decision.
Cain Velasquez def Jake O'Brien
I don't even remember this fight so it couldn't have been too exciting and/or they are both uggas....=)
Anthony Johnson Vs. Kevin Burns
OW! My F#$%&*$ Eye...
I can't believe that this fight did not end in a disqualification for Burns. He was warned 3 times for poking Jonhson in the eye and was given the decision. I am too pissed to discuss anything else about the fight. And if I were Johnson I wouldn't even take a re-match!
| Jesse Taylor Vs. CB Dollaway |
I was out fetching the pizza and missed it. Sorry guys. Heard CB executed a sick Peruvian necktie submission though. Not sure I've ever seen this move...thank gaaaawd for utube!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
