Your MMA News, My Views 7.06.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.06.2007
All of the big news of the week, including a special tribute to big Tim Sylvia!
INTRODUCTION~!
Welcome once again to another edition of Your MMA News, My Views! Again I really looked forward to this column this week just to get away from all of the wildness of the wrestling world and zone. But we're back to the MMA way of life, the latest news, matches and as it said in the teaser, a very special video about BIG TIM SYLVIA~! It shall be a grand event so sit back, relax and let's hit it.
MMA LINKZ~!
Tons of great stuff to read this week from the 411 MMA crew!
ZUFFA (UFC/WEC/PRIDE) stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
Your News: Similar to past UFC events, at least dating back to UFC 71 - Rampage vs. Liddell, ESPN will be broadcasting the weigh-ins for the Sacramento-based UFC 73. While weigh-ins actually begin an hour earlier, ESPNews will focus on the televised portion of the card and will start streaming the event at 4:00 p.m. Pacific / 7:00 p.m. Western. Weigh-ins will take place at the ARCO Arena, which is also home to UFC 73 the following night. Additionally, fans can watch things unfold online at UFC.com.
My Views: As we all know from the past the event is open to the public and doesn't cost anything to attend. There will also be a photograph/autograph session prior to the weigh-ins for any interested fans. UFC 73 is scheduled for Saturday and is one of the UFC's biggest cards to date, showcasing Tito Ortiz against TUF Winner Rashad Evans, as well as the inaugural title defenses for both Sean Sherk against Hermes Franca and Anderson Silva against Nate Marquardt. It is great to see the added ESPN coverage as I think it helps legitimize the sport to people that don't know much about UFC, MMA and such.
Your News: Fresh off a vicious dismantling of Keith Jardine at UFC 71, UFC newcomer Houston Alexander's camp has stated he is slated to face veteran Alessio Sakara at UFC 75. The hard-hitting fighter out of Omaha, Nebraska will look to improve his UFC record to 2-0 against a game opponent in Sakara, who is looking to build on the momentum of winning his last Octagon-encounter via TKO.
My Views: Houston Alexander destroyed a very over confident Jardine at UFC 71, really messed him up. Afterwards he showed great charisma and promo skills and was a fun addition to the night. Basically he proved he was no one's bitch, for the very least that night. Alessio Sakara is 11-5, going 2-2 in his last 4-fights and winning the last at UFC 70 via TKO. Alexander will either be a one hit wonder or show that he has more than most think. If we see the same Alexander we saw at 71, then Alessio Sakara will be in a lot of pain, and trouble. I am going with Alexander myself here. I'll have some predictions below.
Your News: According to Sports Illustrated, based on comments from a recent sit down with UFC President Dana White, Chute Boxe ace Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will receive a shot at current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Rampage" Jackson if he is successful in his UFC debut (scheduled to be on September 22nd at UFC 76 in Anaheim, California). As far as the man Rua must defeat to get an opportunity at UFC gold, White states they have not confirmed an opponent yet, but "we (UFC) want to line him up with someone good, introduce him to the US market in the right way."
My Views: I hope that they pick a good opponent. Not a softball so to speak, it has to look good, but in this year anyone has a chance. Right now Mauricio Shogun Rua has a minor knee injury, but his camp says it won't keep him out of his UFC debut. That's fine and well, but if he loses I hope to God we don't here the old, "I came in here injured and didn't want to pull out" crap. I hope he does well because I think he vs. Rampage could be very fun.
Your News: The PRIDE contracts were valid with PRIDE Worldwide, the new company Zuffa had formed, but weren't transferable to UFC, so anyone that needed to fight had to renegotiate a UFC deal.
My Views: Hopefully a small sign that they still have designs on the PRIDE company. I think that there is a lot to lose by just forgetting about it and consolidating everything.
Your News: In an interview published today by the Orange County Register, UFC President Dana White offered up some clarification on the fight between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and PRIDE double-champ Dan Henderson. Says White on the champion-vs.-champion bout scheduled for September 8th in London at UFC 75:
"No. What we're doing with that thing is we're respecting both (the UFC and PRIDE) titles. The UFC title is the UFC champion and we're respecting Dan as the PRIDE champion. Quinton will walk out with his belt if Dan wins and vice versa."
My Views: There is no word on if this is an indication of Zuffa's future plans where PRIDE is concerned, but one would have to think that it does. The fact that they aren't doing a unification bout and rather doing the "super fight for bragging rights" fight is a sign of that. Regardless I am very interested to see the fight, and I just hope that it is a competitive war so that both men come out looking good and thusly not damage any of the titles.
Your News: Other interesting morsels from the interview with the Wizard of Octagon-Oz: Chuck Liddell's next fight will likely take place in November and there is no set opponent (meaning a fight with Wanderlei Silva is still not official)
- White no longer feels Ken Shamrock is "at the level of a UFC fighter".
- The next two new American markets the UFC is headed towards are Michigan and Illinois, specifically Chicago.
- The HBO deal is "far from dead".
- He doesn't envision Frank Shamrock will fight any "top contenders", but admits his opinion is biased since he thinks Shamrock is an "idiot".
My Views: I really think that they have to pull the trigger on Chuck vs. Wanderlei Silva soon. Chuck isn't getting any younger and they need to capitalize on the bout ASAP.
-I disagree to a point on Ken, I discussed it last week and will further below.
-As stated in the past Chicago is a GREAT fight/wrestling town, so good deal.
-Good news on the HBO deal, although I do worry about over saturation. But if they can use all the talent and maybe some of the WEC guys, it could work.
-So we agree Frank is an idiot, good deal Lex Luthor.
Your News: Joe Lauzon has moved to Hawaii and will train with BJ Penn fulltime.
My Views: A very smart move for Lauzon I feel. He put on a clinic at the TUF Finals and training with BJ around the clock could do nothing but help him further his career, just go to someone else for conditioning.
Your News: Tim Sylvia made the following posting this past weekend on his website:
" I'm back in training and things are looking good. Hoping to get back in the ring in October.
Sylvia had been rehabbing his back after undergoing surgery in early May.
My Views: As of now there is no word on potential opponents for the Miletich heavyweight. Let just hope it isn't a boring fight. Big Tim coming back is good because I want to see BIG NOG kill him. But I will say that in celebration of his return, we have some YouTube goodness below for you, enjoy!
Tim Sylvia on BLIND DATE~!:
Get back soon big guy
and have a grasshopper on me!
Other MMA News
Your News: "Phil Baroni, who last competed for StrikeForce / Elite XC on June 22, 2007 in San Jose, has tested positive for Boldenone Metabolite and Stanozolol Metabolite. He has been fined $2,500. His suspension period runs from the conclusion of his bout on June 22, 2007 through the remainder of his licensing year which is May 1, 2008. Furthermore, he has been assessed an additional 51 days in order to fulfill the terms of his suspension (365 total days). The additional days will be added at the beginning of his next licensing year when he reapplies."
Stanozolol is commonly known as "Winstrol" and is essentially a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone. It is often used by body builders to burn fat while still retaining body mass. Other names associated with Stanozolol use are Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia.
Boldenone is a steroid not prescribed for human use in the United States, but rather used to treat horses in veterinary clinics. It is stated to be a drug, when used by humans, which increases appetite and helps the individual increase his muscle mass.
It is too early for word on how this will affect his contract status with EliteXC.
My Views: Ok, raise your hand if you are shocked? Fools. Anyway, I was hoping that Baroni would test clean, but you look at him and he is ripped and then he tears a groin off the bone basically, and the signs were there. I hope it was worth it for him. I mean, this isn't like one kind was found and a small trace like he took a little something for his hernia, he was jacked on a horse steroid! Good work Phil.
Your News: As mentioned last week, Ken Shamrock, who had one fight left on his current deal, was released from UFC. There has been much talk about an eventual fight with "brother" Frank Shamrock on a Strikeforce show, but this would be a ways down the road as Frank has knee surgery to recover from. There is a fight with Renzo first, Ken is set for it he says and is training for another fight Renzo has verbally agreed to the Shamrock fight.
My Views: This is what I talked about last week. There is money to make out there with Ken Shamrock. He doesn't need to be your main eventer, he doesn't need to fight for a belt, but against Frank, Renzo, Royce, Bas and other guys he can draw MONEY and thus viewers and that will further expose your product to new people. Sure I agree that ken is no longer at a top level, but he can still go out there and have a pretty exciting fight and knows how to build a fight as well. Some video packages, some verbal sparring and such and you have people hooked and you have money made. I still think that UFC made a mistake by not using his one last fight, but this could very well be Strikeforce's gain. I'm interested.
Your News: Carter Williams failed his EXC drug test for COCAINE. He was fined $1,000 and suspended for six months.
My Views: It never ceases to amaze me how stupid these guys are. You have a fight coming, you're going to be tested by the most aggressive State Athletic Commission around and you still snort an 8-ball. What an idiot, have a fun 6-months thinking about how stupid you are with that straw up your nose.
Your News: Alistair Overeem has reportedly signed with K-1.
My Views: Alistair Overeem is 27 years old and has a fighting record of 25-10, with only one decision victory and the rest through (T)KO and Submission. He's 5-5 in his last 10-fights, two of those losses to SHOGUN RUA. He won his last K1 fight and with PRIDE not working out as well, considering the recent record and ZUFFA seemingly having no interest in him, this is a good career move for him. Hopefully he can get things rolling in the K1 ring and revitalize his career.
UFC 73 PIKZ~!
Mark Bocek vs. Frank Edgar BOCEK, SUB, RD 1
Chris Lytle vs. Jason Gilliam GILLIAM, DECISION
Diego Saraiva vs. Jorge Gurgel GURGEL, DECISION
Mike Nickels vs. Stephan Bonnar BONNAR, DECISION
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Heath Herring BIG FN NOG, SUB, RD 2
LW Title: Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca FRANCA, DECISION
Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz EVANS, TKO, RD 2
Kenny Florian vs. Alvin Robinson ROBINSON, SUB, RD 1
MW Title: Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt SILVA, TKO, RD 4
For more interesting information on wrestling and MMA, check out Bryan Alvarez and Figure Four Weekly Online!
