It was a sad day in California.
We were rooting for you Randy, but looks like his day just got a little longer.
And a little blood bout down memory lane.
Nogueria vs. Barrnett. This kinda how we see Randy's up coming court case.
Enjoy.
It looks like *coughed* comments and giggle* giggle* shoulder-brush, wasn't loud enough for Jennito. The quieter side piped up over the weekend voicing much disgust and disapprovment for, wait who was that? Oh, Dana White. Well Former-Porn Goddess/Actress(??)/Author Jenna Jameson refused to get in the long line of anti-Dana fanatics. She decided to shimmy* to the head of the line and sprinkled her little two cents. With a cherry on top via her myspace blog.
The blonde ambition waste no time getting to the meat of the topic-
I usually don’t comment on nastiness in the press, but I couldn’t ignore Dana Whites’ ramblings any longer. His latest interview referring to Tito as a "moron" for the hundredth time... will not go unnoticed.
so here goes...
Dana White - Pre Pubesent Schoolyard Bully
By Jenna Jameson
Dana White’s insistance of my lack of brain power smacks of 18th century
beliefs that women (all women) are inferior to the male species.
Ignoring a persons achievements or simply their IQ due to the fact they
have a vagina instead of a penis, explains Danas simplicity.
In my experience anyone
that reverts to this type of defense is simply insecure about
themselves, and tend to try to shift the glaring light of truth away
from his profane grammatically incorrect rantings. The most interesting
story here, is the silence by the UFC. How do they sit back, silent, and
allow their "figure head" to endanger the worth of their empire?
When are the Fertitas going to step to the plate and put a sock in Dana’s hate spewing mouth? It seems to be depreciating their
companies worth with every syllable. It is plainly obvious that it isn’t
just a coincidence that so many champions have chosen to test the waters
beyond the UFC trainwreck. Their defection to greener pastures is no
longer just a money issue, but more of a continued lack of disrespect on
Dana’s part.
In closing, maybe the UFC should mandate steroid
testing to company presidents, then maybe the company could continue its
massive dominance... with a soft hand.
and that’s all I have to say about that...
Well it's Friday, and there are so many things to look forward to. Paychecks, weekend fights, bars, sleep...the list goes on and on.
But there's one thing we know you're looking for.
We thought about teasing you, but we're not looking for any violence. So here.
Eat up. Enjoy. Act like your listening.
This week we get a video lesson in Clinch Defense. Can someone get Rich Franklin on the phone?
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.
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Heads up. Fighting just around the corner. Coming up next month, a huge weekend in the MMA world, aside from the obvious Title Fight the entire night is peppered with Ultimate Fighter Alumni. It should be a great opportunity to see if the talent from the show can stack up against real-world fighters. One fight to put some note on even though it's in the prelim's, do yourself a favor and catch the Stout/Cleminti fight.
And of course the primed match up of George St. Pierre and Matt Serra.
This will be interesting, main reason is Matt Serra is still a wild card. He is in the exact same postion as he was in the first fight. Back against the wall, underdog, nothing (but the title) to lose. In most cases people aren't really giving it to him anyway so for him, he needs to walk out do the exact same thing. Go for broke. Nothing will matter until the bell sounds and he should do what he does, fight. He showed he does have stand up skills, and should it go to the ground all the better...his bread and butter. I'm sure he's been training his ass off concentrating on better hands skills, but his defense looked great and his poise was even better against a World-Renowned Striker. On the other side, he does realize GSP is the elite in every category. Gsp has never been beaten twice, nor does he make the same mistake twice. What Gsp will look to do is, very simple go out and dominate. Every match Gsp has won he usually took the
Main Card:
Despite a wobbly 2007 with two large scale fights with Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck falling victim to wayside of the judges. 2008 the stars look promising for Diego Sanchez. Sherdog reported the Albuquerque native, Mexican American will headline for the Tuf 7 Finale. Both fights in 2007 gave way to decision, but considering his present company there is no reason to hang his head. Both were top-notch welter championship contenders that depending on the night might have falling prey to the same fate as Diego.
At UFC 82 Diego rekindled the flame with an impressive win over David Bielkheden. The Diego of old was reborn, igniting his 18-2 record again. His opponent for the match has not been officially announced but sources are pointing to an unlikely pick in Luigi Fioravanti who also won at UFC 82. Luigi is known to be a banger with lead fists, the match-up is leaning to be a battle tipped in Diego's favor. Once on the ground, he becomes overwhelming and can keep pace that few can withstand. Fans and critics alike are noting it would be a perfect time to give light to the feud between he and Josh Koscheck, considering it was at Tuf the first met. Nothing is official, but it looks like a verbal agreement between Diego and Luigi has already taken place...cross your fingers.
In line with TUF, an promo video has been floating around. TUF 7 premiers directly following UFC Fight Night 13, a 3 hour special, on April 2nd. 32 fighters arrive, 16 fighters go right back home...
We snagged it.
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Yet another has fallen...
Now, we face the demise of another fire fight tasting defeat before it could even taste the air. Spencer Fisher, well known to be a firecracker on his feet, always a scrapper and warrior has been pulled due to a shoulder injury. It pains us to hear consider this was one of the fights that makes the UFC Fight Night 13 a must see. If you haven't noticed, that's Spencer up top on our banner rearranging Sam Stout's face. He's fun to watch folks.
Spencer's Manager spoke with Sherdog Earlier-
Spencer is the kind of fighter who has fought plenty of fights with injuries and Marcus Aurelio is not the kind of fighter you want to fight at 80 percent," said the native North Carolinian's manager, Monte Cox. "He was willing to fight but we decided it just was not a smart decision
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.
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Ikuhisa Minowa vs Bum Chan Kang
Here ya go.
Cause you wanted it...
You did.
As if you cared what it was about... Arm Triangle Choke brought to you by the MMA Girls.
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I couldn't have put any better ladies. Thanks.
Gotta love Friday's. Happy Weekend Folks...
In case you really wanted to know - Arm Triangle Choke - A choke hold in which an opponent is choked or strangled between the attackers forearem and his own shoulder. The dynamics are similar to the more commonly used Triangle Choke (utilizing the legs).
This week in Mixed Martial Arts...
MMA moves from buzzword to bigtime, when recently Quinton Rampage Jackson teamed up with those who Just Do It. Nike paired Rampage with Lebron James and other notable stars to shoot the "Human Chain" commercial this week in LA. This marks the first of many larger mainstream corps to take notice of the formidable rise of MMA. Others who are not far behind: CBS, HBO, Busch, and Bud...
*sigh* "Never Back Down" the first full Mixed Martial Arts movie was released. One of the reasons for a three day waiting period for guns. Look for mass amounts of fighters to have committed suicide by Monday morning...
Hermes Franca spoke about his and opponent Sean Sherk's suspension last year for using steroids. Mentioning his health status before the fight, basically recovering from an injury he felt the weight of supporting his family, his fans/school, and his opponent forced him to make the only choice. He was apologetic and admitting, opposite his counter part who will apparently die before saying the words I used roids...Cage Potato reports Franco will return this July.
Pele in good spirits announced his return. Recently at TKO 32 broke his shin while performing a leg kick. No words can explain.
-we'll just show you.
He is recovering well and will have a metal bar placed in his right leg. All the better, now he'll feel like robocop putting a low kick to your thigh. If you don't know who Pele google Jose "Pelé" Landi-Jonsis- if you love Silva..Pele is Michael Jordan while Anderson is Kobe Bryant minus the lawsuits...
Other notable topics-
*Thiago Tavares will take on Matt Wiman at UFC 85.
*Diego Sanchez Calls out Josh Koscheck, who follows by calling out Matt Hughes...
*The Ultimate Fighter 7 announces 32 fighters will all battle royal for 16 spots on the show...
*Tito Ortiz Signs on to a UFC knock-off pitting 2 combatants to settle a domestic score inside the ring...
*Kevin Randleman Vs Jeff Monson on at the Global Fighting Championship
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.
Ed Soares added-
"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.
1st fight up took place at Marcus Davis against Jason Tan. Don't Blink.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
Couture, the Poster-Boy for Ufc. More the Captain America has been on rocky ground for the past year and a half. Always in the spotlight and now more the cross hairs of Zuffa and Ufc
He recently visited the Bubba Love show to express his desires once again for the need to battle the most dominating heavyweight
All though we love his zealous, we question his adequacy when facing the 6ft 1' 240lbs wrecking ball of a Russian. You've got big chops Randy, but the last emperor may be more than you can chew.
Too bad for Randy, if rumors of Fedor's free agent ship due happen to fall into the true category, odds are he'll be first looking in the direction Mark Cuban of DREAM and Golden Boy Productions. They didn't refer to him or his management as "Stinkin Russians". Another pat on the back for Dana White. Cheers.
Get the full story here.
It was the shortest, long night in a long time. While there were some exciting moments, they were missed on bathroom and refrigerator breaks. And ofcourse the come-back fight of Shamrock proved a tad less than lucky.
Is it the "Heart of a Champion"? Michael Jordan came back to the game, twice. The steadfast will to win, that never leaves...or is it more lack of realism, common sense, or a circle of friends that just can't be honest with you? Maybe a little both. So we'll be that circle of friends. Ken, you were a pioneer, a trendsetter, an icon and now a legend. The thing is, legends tend to be remembered not pummelled. It's time buddy, more so it was time when you saluted us on the way out of the cage the first time. We'll always remember you, but the name "The World's Most Dangerous Man" belongs up there with "Ohh, yeahhhh I can dig it" and Macho Man Randy Savage. Love ya, bro. You brought us great moments, we'll always remember you for it.
The three leaf clov-eer uh Shamrock hopes to erase memories of his last bout, were the Ex-UFC Champion Tito Ortiz well to put it lightly sent Ken on his way to retirement after a long-heated season on The Ultimate Fighter.
He seems to have an opinion on tonight's fight.
Competition. The minute you stop, your whole life changes and it’s the thrill of competition that has kept me going. When you’re done as an athlete, you have to know it, and I don’t know it yet.
I have a lot of respect for Ken Shamrock, but when it is fight time and the first bell rings, it’s time to explode. I have to stay within myself; my strength is that I am an all around fighter and my power is my (main) strength.
So for those less hardcore fans, or newly introduced to MMA we've decided to add a few video tutorials to help dissect some of the more basic terminology you tend to hear. Mainly with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, considering its Non-American roots, the masses tend to be a bit ignorant. With that said we've called in a few experts for you to break these things down.
Before we get started make sure you go down you check list.
Great. Study up. And study hard.
Joanne and Lauren Video Lesson 1: The Kimura
Below is a list of fighter pay for the past weekend at UFC 82. While some of these numbers are impressive, this will only continue to grow along with the populartiy of the sport. Especially considering some of the major changes happening this year such as: Sports Endorsment (i.e. Nike...), more mainstream airtime (CBS and NBC), more events (HBO, Canada, etc). Buckle up because if you think MMA exploded onto the scene that was merely a pre-tremor. Stand by for the real thing...
Anderson Silva - $140,000 ($70,000 to show, $70,000 to win)
Dan Henderson - $100,000
Heath Herring - $140,000 ($70,000 to show, $70,000 to win)
Cheick Kongo - $30,000
Chris Leben - $50,000 ( $25,000 to show, $25,000 to win)
Alessio Sakara - $17,000
Yushin Okami - $28,000 ($14,000 to show, $14,000 to win)
Evan Tanner - $25,000
Jon Fitch - $60,000 ($30,000 to show, $30,000 to win)
Chris Wilson - $12,000
Andrei Arlovski - $170,000 ($105,000 to show, $65,000 to win)
Jake O’Brien - $11,000
Luigi Fioravanti - $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Luke Cummo - $16,000
Josh Koscheck - $20,000 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 to win)
Dustin Hazelett - $12,000
Diego Sanchez - $60,000 ($30,000 to show, $30,000 to win)
David Bielkheden - $8,000
Jorge Gurgel - $14,000 ($7,000 to show, $7,000 to win)
John Halverson - $3,000
Below is the list of current mma rankings including Pride, UFC, and other collective sources world wide. We've compiled the list presented here using multiple websites, as well as taking into account alot of the fighters here have had fights since the last official rankings.
Enjoy...
Featherweight Division (145lbs and Under)
1. Urijah Faber
2. Akitoshi Tamura
3. Takeshi Inoue
4. Antonio Carvalho
5. Masakazu Imanari
6. Hatsu Hioki
7. Jeff Curran
8. Tenkei Fujimiya
9. Rafael Assuncao
10. Hideki Kadowaki
Lightweight Division (146-155lbs)
1. BJ Penn
2. Gesias Calvancanti
3. Joe Stevenson
4. Tyson Griffin
5. Roger Huerta
6. Sean Sherk
7. Thiago Tavares
8. Gilbert Melendez
9. Kenny Florian
10. Takanori Gomi
Welterweight Division (156-170lbs)
1: Georges St. Pierre
2. Matt Serra
3. Matt Hughes
4. Jon Fitch
5. Josh Koscheck
6. Karo Parisyan
7. Jake Shields
8. Diego Sanchez
9. Carlos Condit
10. Marcus Davis
Middleweight Division (171-185 LBS)
1. Anderson Silva
2. Dan Henderson
3. Rich Franklin
4. Yushin Okami
5. Paulo Filho
6. Matt Linland
7. Nathan Marquardt
8. Kazuo Misaki
9. Robbie Lawler
10. Frank Trigg
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (186-205 LBS)
1. Quinton Jackson
2. Dan Henderson
3. Keith Jardine
4. Forrest Griffin
5. Chuck Liddell
6. Mauricio Rua
7. Wanderlei Silva
8. Ryoto Machida
9. Sokoudjou
10. Ricardo Arona
Heavyweight Division (206 lbs and Up)
1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
3. Randy Couture
4. Tim Sylvia
5. Andrei Arlovski
6. Fabricio Werdum
7. Gabriel Gonzaga
8. Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic
9. Aleksander Emelianenko
10. Heath Herring
When I comes to this last category, we realize there is always going to be room for interpretation and even more so opinion. This list below is a collection of past fights as well as recent fights, but we've also considered a few other aspects that we think adds to the recipe of the best Pound for Pound Fighter. For one, time is a big factor here. You can't fight 10 years ago and still be #1, sorry times change and so do fighters. Second we take into account 'how' the fights were finished (yes TKO/Sub/Dec) matters but, more so how the fights themselves end against the foe. Was it a striking game? Was it a ground battle? Along those lines it matters how high was the competition? Bringing up the ole' cliche' Big fish in just a small pond? Or was each battle a period of growth? Was the fight in the victors element or out? With that said. Check out our top 3.
Pound for Pound (No Limit)
3. Fedor Emelianenko
Again, a matter of opinion and we can hear the moans now. Let's start with #3. On paper easily the most dominant record listed on this blog. But, out of all 27 fights maybe 3 were with at the time top 10 contenders. While we don't want to steal any thunder from Fedor's backhanding of his opposition Matt Linland was his last REAL challenge, and before then UFC's Current champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 04 was the last blockbuster match.
2. Anderson Silva
On to Anderson Silva, who is not only a fan favorite but a personal favorite around these parts as well. And while his rise to King was quick, his recognition was still forth-coming. Now everyone is singing praises and is well deserved, but there are holes. While Silva's record may not hold as much clout as the previous a closer look reveals a few revolutions. For starters Silva's wins in the last 7 fights have all ended within the first 2 rounds, mostly strikes but 2 submissions as well. His loss to Okami was ruled because he knocked Yushin out (another KO) off his back with and illegal up kick. Before this, he had another 2 wins so technically we're looking at 10 straight fights where he was not bested. Inside the 10, four of these challengers where higher quality than the last, and NONE of them came close to scratching Silva.
1. Georges St. Pierre
That brings us to the next question, why George St. Pierre? Well, in a word "Rush". In, George's 17 fights 9, a whopping 53% of his fights were with top ten contenders if not the title holders themselves. George has been bested twice, but out of his wins most of the come in an odd fashion, in the opponent’s style. Karo P. grappled for 3 rounds lost to a D., Frank Trigg wrestled and was submitted, Josh Koscheck wrestled submitted, and same for the #1 all time winning Welterweight champion Matt Hughes 2nd chance submitted. The difference in Rush and the Spider is simply this, while the Brazilian is King of the Stand up and good on the ground, whatever you are good at Rush is BETTER. He is the all around, has no holes, Canadian Ace. And his biggest threat, even if Anderson should drop down a weight class is still, himself. Now enough of the rants, finish the list!
