If you've got to pretend like you're learning something, Clinch fighting is a part of the striking game. Clinching is the act of wrapping ones arms or forearms around an opponents head or body. Usually utilized to eliminate space to diffuse punches or kicks, or use of weapons. It has been now used as a method of attack in and of itself. Common uses, to set up or diffuse a take down, to control body movement, to center opponent for low kicks and knee strikes. Prime example, other than Lauren and JoAnna the Striking God himself - Anderson Silva.
For those whom are still in morning for the recent passing of one the most elite and stylistic fighting championships, PRIDE, this weekend I believe our prayers have been answered.
In the states we have come to find there are two types of fans. There are those who love MMA and those who think the UFC IS MMA. While the previous fan is prominent the later is more of what you'll find thanks to the over abundant brainwashi-sorry marketing efforts of Zuffa. Yes, the Ufc is the most successful dollar-wise because of the PPV (pay-per-view) division, Pride was a much more long-standing and crowd supported entity. Since conception in 1997, Pride toted a semblance with it's name in it's choice in fighters, which now reign the UFC (Anderson Silva, Rampage Jackson, Minotaro Noguiera) but, also in the knowledge of its fanbase. While broad casted in 40 diffrent countries Pride's largest event in the Tokyo Dome reached 70,000 strong compared to the UFC's infant 22,000. The Eastern culture had more of an understanding for the technical aspects of the martial arts and loved to see combatants reach new levels. It's been said that the UFC, after Dana White breathing life back into it, resembled a fighting championship with (even before Lesner) WWE steroids pumped into it's system. Focusing on the chatter between the fighters before, during, and after the fight as well the most blood on the matt.
If that is how you feel, then we have your answer.
DREAM. And this weekend was a list of fights that we have not seen matching caliber, intensity, or technique in quite some time. We're sure you'll agree DREAM is a gem. In between the flashes of blood lust and testosterone craves the UFC is good for, those days you want to see the top shelf performances Pride was known for DREAM has arrived. Take a look at this weekend. It's a showcase of fights that barely makes it out of the first round. Topped off with the return on Cro Cop. Yes, we do mean return.
This fight may get off to a slower start, towards the mid-way mark you realize you are watching two scrappers. This is one of the longer fights of the evening, but immediatly following the bout watch the two combatants.
Fireworks, standing up or on the ground. And the early transition from the rear-naked, to the arm-bar, to the triangle choke was poetry in motion. The only thing crazier was Boku survived...
It was an action filed day in the world of MMA today...
By now most of the fighting community has caught wind of the possibility of Russian King Pin Fedor Emelianenko going free agent in the very near future. While there is no confirmation on which direction they are leaning but in lighter news there is a chance we will see the king in UFC territory soon. Yes, yes Randy we said it before be careful what you wish for. Sources at MMAweekly were informed that both sides of the fence are in negotiations or at least entertaining the thought of a 1 match bout between The Russian Emperor and Capt. America himself Randy Couture. We will save the thoughts of the outcome for a later date, for now we will revel in the the minute occasion that Dana White at least spouts off his "Slur, Slur, Explicative" after the papers are signed. One can only hope.
How this would affect Randy's current court proceedings is uncertain. But lets hope he can work of the steam in the cage.
As if that wasn't news enough. Word has also traveled about Silva's latest comments following UFC 82.
All these boxers out there talking s--- how MMA fighters aren't technical, well he's willing to step up and fight them in their own game," says Soares, who notes that the idea to challenge the aging Jones was the UFC champ's. "So, if anything, he's not trying to say there's nothing to prove in MMA; he's trying to plant a flag for every one of the fighters out there in the world that fight MMA.
Then his management citing names to those Silva would like to see in the ring- namely Roy Jones Jr.
"We respect Jones’ boxing ability and think he’s one of the best,” said Soares, “but we’re tired of different boxers saying that MMA fighters aren’t technical. Anderson would love to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match under boxing rules to prove that MMA fighters are technical, too."
This set the MMA world ablaze... Until... Ed's latest at Sherdog.com-
"I just spoke with Roy Jones’ management and they are very interested in it. They think it would break all kinds of pay-per-view records. It all kind of started as a dream of Anderson’s, but if the UFC would back it, it is something that we really would like to pursue.”
Jones’ management indicated that this could be a fight that would bring together the fractured factions of boxing and mixed martial arts. “They think it will actually bring together the boxing and MMA communities,” said Soares.
Jones is currently headed out of the country until next week, but his management told Soares that he was “flattered and excited” by Silva’s interest in a boxing match with him. The parties are expected to talk again once Jones returns."
Again, all comments on the fight will be held til the possibility is the reality...but boy, oh boy are we serious when we say be careful what you wish for...
Ultimately this is about business. As much as we'd like to say Anderson Silva is testing his merit against another warrior, the bottom line is the contract (his balls) are held by Dana and Zuffa. And while the money in the event is there, with the possibility of 2 pound for pound bests to face off with a unification of fans from the Boxing and MMA world together, the question is...will Dana allow his pride and joy in the ring? If he wins he gains clout, he gains recognition beyond any fighter ever...he stands 2 or 3 rounds he gets a pat on the back and some brews bought for hanging with one of the world's greatest. But, if he loses...how would that affect the world's view of MMA? How does Dana see that affecting his pocket books down the road? Only time will tell...and when it does you better believe it'll be EVERYWHERE. Especially here...
Here's a little gem folks. You needed a little blood. We could tell.
So in light of the holiday, we'll give you a little green love. Today, Marcus Davis will take center stage. Coming to us off of an impressive, 11 fight win streak, six coming way of the UFC. He is a beast with explosive power, great accuracy, and deceptively quick hands.
With out further adieu Marcus Davis aka The Irish Hand Grenade.
With this amount of power it appears as if he puts nothing into his strikes, but the aftermath tells the tale. Next Marcus squares off with Paul Taylor, a Brit who takes The Grenade to the edge and back at UFC 75. One of the great epic turn-arounds.
Showing the versatility along with the will. Taylor is no a push-over...
Last up at UFC 80 Marcus met another striker by way of Jeff Liauden. Originally, this was the only fight we were going to post...but we felt it would have been to much of a tease. So enjoy.
Since storming on to the UFC scene Anderson Silva has basically cleared house. The 32 year old reined supreme in other Mixed Martial Arts leagues such as Cage Rage and Pride before setting his sights on Ultimate Fighting. Winning 9 out of his last 10 fights, with the loss coming from a disqualification for nearly decapitating his opponent illegally with a devastating upkick. So did he lose, well technically yes. But did he lose, really? Usually when someone puts smelling salts under your nose to you feel like the loser...and Anderson was the one who walked away from that fight. No stretcher needed. So it's safe to say and finally the world agrees Anderson Silva is a bad ass. He strode into the UFC and literally picked off the "top-shelf" like he was an Army Sniper killing time at a Backyard Carnival shooting gallery. Dominating the once Champion Rich Franklin, rendering the metal-headed Chris Leben nearly unconscious, and his latest claim to fame subduing the legendary Dan Henderson. This is the man that stood toe to toe with our Light Heavyweight Champion to almost a stand still. So after that the question on every one's mind, including Anderson is what's next?
Well of course everyone has their opinions and they are entitled to but, Anderson or at least his management Ed Soares let thiers be known earlier to MMA Weekly. Sit down for this one folks.
“Anderson really would love to fight Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing match. It’s not just talk, we really would like to put that fight together.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa...come again?
“We respect Jones’ boxing ability and think he’s one of the best,” said Soares, “but we’re tired of different boxers saying that MMA fighters aren’t technical. Anderson would love to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match under boxing rules to prove that MMA fighters are technical, too.”
You had more to say? I'm still in shock from the first line. Love to fight Roy Jones? I'm sure if we had a time machine we'd just hop back to 65' and back hand Ali right? I understand the future looks uncertain, but we are acting as if it is obsolete in the UFC. While many fingers point to an Okami rematch, the road is very similar for another UFC prodigy, "Rush". His challengers after Serra are leaving the fans and critics wanting. While Fitch is good on paper who can really handle the "Rush"? Maybe Silva. Not to mention Wandie's hinting for a middleweight drop, never the less there are options. All inside the cage, where are king.
Not only did we forget our surroundings by jumping from fchain-link fence to rope, but we challenged another Pound for Pound fighter in his sport! So I'm wondering if the new found fame has clouded the judgment of the ring king and his seconds. While boxing itself offers a different set of perimeters, the boxers themselves are conditioned for them. The ability to absorb punishment is sufficiently different as are the tactics in the ring itself. This latest set of statements had me spinning when I heard, and has easily earned its place with a Gary Coleman stamp of approval. Take it away GC.
This once was a MMA Analysis colomn. We've taken a small detour and found a more useful spot for this project. This is a small recollection of my path in MMA. For now it's Muay Thai and BJJ. Had Ta Kwan Do as a kid and boxed off and on for the last few years. Putting it all together is quickly becoming an obsession.
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