Your MMA News, My Views 9.14.07
Posted by Larry Csonka on 09.14.2007
The readers strike back and rebel against the Bisping/Hamill decision!
INTRODUCTION~!
Welcome once again to another edition of Your MMA News, My Views! I have a fine slate of topics for you children to read today, and a special commentary as always. I need to let you all know, especially those that mock my picks, that I (co) won the forum pick em contest for UFC 75, UNDISPUTED MIKEY~! Huzzah! Moving on, here is a reminder of the upcoming schedule of Csonka MMA coverage, so you fine people can keep up:
Saturday September 15th: Elite XC LIVE Coverage
Monday September 17th: My Take On Elite XC
Wednesday September 19th: UFC Fight Night LIVE Coverage
Friday September 21st: My Take On UFC Fight Night
I will not be covering UFC 76 as that duty will fall to the esteemed Michael Huckaby. I will be relaxing and doing some family activities that weekend. All right, now that you have the schedule and can plan your life around 411's MMA Coverage, and me. Let's break down the news of the week!
Controversy Creates Cash!
I recently did MMA Fact or Fiction, with the esteemed Michael Huckaby, and the statement was posed: The Bisping/Hamill decision is as big of a deal as the internet posters are making it out to be. A damn fine question due to the timing, and one I had planned on discussing anyway this week in this special commentary spot. So I will. First of all, anyone that read my follow up column on UFC 75 realizes that I personally think Hamill won the fight. I had it 29-28, and I personally thought it was a clear-cut win. I also thought it could have been 30-27 Hamill, but that Bisping had a better third round, but I could see the argument either way. Two judges did not see it my way, and gave it to Bisping 29-28, and one did give it to Hamill 30-27 and that is why we seem to have all of this controversy. I think it was a bad decision, not the worst thing I have ever seen in fighting or boxing for sure, but I think it is pretty bad.
That all being said, some people need to calm the hell down. I mean, you would think that Michael Bisping or those two judges raped their mother or something. Yes I personally feel that it was bad judging, but this is not the UFC's fault. A lot of people seem to say that, "This UFC judging is bad for the sport, and it looks like they worked it for the hometown boy." The UFC does not employ or hire these judges, they are not like a WWE Referee people, and they are assigned to the bouts. Also, what I feel that these people are missing out on is this; "Controversy Creates Cash." Nobody gave two shits about Matt Hamill before this fight, that is a fact. I am not trying to be rude here, but he was looked at as the other guy while Bisping was looked at as the star. Now not only is he a "disabled" fighter due to being deaf, he is a "disabled" fighter who the public now believes got royally screwed and wants to see him get redemption. That is money. They will do a rematch, they will make a lot of money and Dana will laugh all the way to the bank. This decision is not as big of a deal as the internet posters are making it out to be, it is BIGGER due to the ramifications it will have on business, which will be good in the end. It will cause people to watch the hype special, it will cause people to buy the show to see Hamill get redemption and as said, Dana, Bisping and Hamill will laugh all the way to the bank in the end.
Dana White stated right after UFC 75 on Saturday night that he is already working on putting together a Bisping vs. Hamill rematch. Dana White also stated that he saw the fight as a close win for Hamill, which just adds more fuel to the fire. Message boards are lighting up, people are enraged, starting petitions, filling out polls and rallying the troops. It has begun. The controversy was Saturday, it created the buzz, and the cash will be soon to follow. This maybe the best thing that ever happened to young Matt Hamill, so don't cry for him, he's a made man.
ZUFFA (UFC/WEC/PRIDE) stories, scuttlebutt and rumors:
Your News: WEC and Versus came to a deal to add fifteen more live events to their contract. The ratings for the shows have been strong compared to the network average. New episodes of Wreckage are also on the way.
My Views: This is excellent news for us MMA fans. WEC has delivered good live shows thus far and there is nothing wrong with more free MMA on TV. The Wreckage shows are good to get to know the WEC fighters and are basically the WEC Version of Unleashed. Check those out and keep supporting MMA.
Your News: Scott Junk (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will replace Justin McCully and fight heavyweight Christian Wellisch (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC 76
My Views: This is disappointing. Justin McCully's last UFC appearance was lackluster, but I was hoping to see him again to see if he could step up his game. Reports are that he blew out his elbow (and for wrestling fans he was training with RVD a bit) and there is no timetable for his return.
Your News: The first ever UFC title fight on Spike TV drew a staggering 4.7 million viewers on Saturday, September 8 (9:00pm-12:11am) making it the most watched UFC event ever and the most watched mixed martial arts event ever in North America. The "UFC 75" telecast emanating from the O2 Arena in London, England peaked at 5.6 million for the bout between UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and PRIDE champ Dan Henderson. The fight card drew more Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 than anything else on television, broadcast or cable on September 8, including heavy sports competition from college football on ABC and ESPN, NASCAR on ABC, and the U.S. Open Women's Final on CBS.
My Views: HOORAH baby! That is one hell of a number, and more proof of the growth in popularity that MMA is seeing. Internally SPIKE expected a 1.9, while UFC was optimistic for a 2.3 rating so when the news rolled in that they scored the huge number, both the offices of Zuffa and SPIKE were dancing in the streets. I also feel that this bodes well for the UFC 76 PPV, which was hyped well on that show. This is a very huge accomplishment for UFC and SPIKE collectively.
Your News:Fans of Spencer Fisher may have been wondering what was next for the Miletich fighter after he was forced to pull out of UFC Fight Night XI (vs. Din Thomas) due to a staph infection. It looks like undefeated Lightweight Frank Edgar, who is 2-0 in the UFC and 7-0 overall, has an answer for them. According to Edgar, who made the announcement on the 9/8 episode of Inside the Cage Radio, he will be facing off against "The King" in November at UFC 78. The 155 lbs. fighter is likely best remembered for his debut at UFC 67 against future-star Tyson Griffin which saw him win by decision (while enduring a hyper-extended knee courtesy of a submission late in the third round). Spencer Fisher is considered to be one of the top Lightweights in the UFC and holds a professional record of 20-3.
My Views: It's good to see Spencer Fisher coming back. And if this news is the case, he is not coming back against an easy opponent, and really, in 2007 there are no easy opponents. This looks to be a nice edition to the UFC 78 card, which is starting to shape up nicely.
411 MMA LINKZ~!
Tons of great stuff to read this week from the 411 MMA crew!
Your News: Governor Rod Blagojevich has signed legislation that legalizes and regulates MMA in Illinois. The law goes into effect on June 1st, 2008.
My Views: What this means Chicago area MMA fans is that UFC will likely hold a show in Chicago during the second half of 2008. I have said before that Chicago is the perfect market for MMA. They are a ravenous wrestling crowd, so if you put MMA into that environment and you have a recipe for success.
Your News:Former UFC middleweight (185 lb. limit) star, Joe "Diesel" Riggs (26-9-1 No Contest), will face ageless brawler, Eugene "The Wolf" Jackson (15-7-1), during the highly anticipated Strikeforce mixed martial arts event at the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, September 29th.
My Views: I am so interested at this card, simply for the fact that they are having it at the Playboy Mansion. It just seems like such an odd location, but could be interesting. Puder is supposed to be on this show I believe, so maybe he'll Key Lock Hugh Hefner so people will remember he is still around. I expect he'll talk shit about Kurt Angle, since that is all he is famous for.
Your News: For Immediate Release, September 11, 2007:
The hardest-hitting show on television is now available on DVD.
Mixed martial arts fans can now pick up Bodog Fight: The Complete First Series, which hits store shelves today.
"This DVD release marks the next big step in the evolution of Bodog Fight," says the show's creator, billionaire entertainment mogul Calvin Ayre.
"MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world today and Bodog Fight is leading the way. Fans have been asking us to make the show available on DVD, so we are absolutely thrilled to be able to make that happen. Enjoy!"
The four-disk set includes the show's ground-breaking first season, filmed on location in the jungles of Costa Rica, plus the landmark pay-per-view event Bodog Fight USA vs. Russia from Vancouver, Canada.
With more than ten hours of non-stop action, the set features some of the world's best MMA athletes, including Roger Gracie, Antonio Silva, Eddie Alvarez and Ron Waterman, plus Trevor Prangley, Kyacey "Ice Cold" Uscola, Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal, Nick "The Goat" Thompson, Amanda Buckner and Tara LaRosa.
My Views: I may actually get this set. I have the chance to see Bodog on my cable system, but just lack the time to do so. While as a company they are a financial bust; they have had some really good fights in the promotion. If I get it I will make sure to review it for you.
Your News: Mark Cuban recently discussed his new MMA promotion, HDNet Fights. My comments in bold:
On UFC: "The UFC's done a great job in what they do, but they kind of stole the WWE script. And we just think that we can take a different approach and treat them more like a Mavs game, more like an athletic event than a spectacle."
I think Cuban is missing the ball here. UFC hasn't gone more entertainment, that was PRIDE, what UFC has done is take the old wrestling script of making a match of two guys that people want to see do battle and create programming that make people want to spend money on the match. That is smart.
On Competing With UFC: "We're not out there to compete with the UFC right off the bat. Part of what I actually believe in is that you've got to walk before you run and the card on Oct. 13 is more of a beta test if you will, where we're trying to get all of our systems in place and all of our promotional elements and marketing elements in place and really get a better understanding of how we can treat the fighters better and really get them to believe and the fans to believe that these are truly professional athletes and we're going to treat them that way."
You are smart not to try and compete with UFC. Hell, while they are losing money you would be smart not to try and compete with Elite XC right off the bat. Take your time, get fighters under contract, learn the business and then, and only then do you consider trying to compete.
On His Goal In MMA: "I think part of my goal is to turn MMA into professional sports. I think boxing has suffered because of the battles between (Bob) Arum and (Don) King. When it's all said and done, and our fight on Oct. 13 is still kind of a beta test, but you're not going to see ring card girls in our fights. You're not going to see 20 hoochie mamas with whatever the latest energy drink is or 38DDDs, not that there's anything wrong with that, sitting at the side of the ring screaming and bouncing for the TV cameras. That is not how you extend the perception that these are professional athletes."
Dear Mark Cuban, MMA is a professional sport and is finally being treated as such. You're an idiot.
On Working With WWE: "We've been in discussions with the WWE, Vince and Linda McMahon and Shane about doing some cross promotions under the HDNet Fights banner. Since they do a great job of putting together events, within some of the restraints that I talked about, the no ring girls and obviously the events have to be straight up, there's no scripted anything, but they want to get into that side of the business. They realize that if they just brand it as WWE, that people aren't going to believe that it's not scripted, but if they work with Mark Cuban and HDNet Fights and the Dallas Mavericks approach, then people will trust it."
This is a horrible move, and just proves that Cuban is out to spend money. WWE is in the middle of a steroid scandal, congressional hearings and still coming off of the shit from the Benoit Family Tragedy. Now is not the time to jump into bed with WWE, trust me.
Jake Shields vs. Renato "Charuto" Verissimo
Winner: SHEILDS
Mike Aina vs. Nick Diaz
Winner: DIAZ
Gina Carano vs. Tonya Evinger
Winner: CARANO
Joey Villasenor vs. Riki Fukuda
Winner: VILLASENOR
Make sure to join 411 for our LIVE coverage Saturday Night!
READER RANTS on UFC 75 and HAMILL vs. BISPING~!
From Ian on UFC 75, and Bisping vs. Hamill -
Hey Larry,
I've got to agree that the judging of Hamill-Bisping was a disgrace. I'm English so was hoping for a Bisping win, but after it finished I was under no doubt that Hamill had won it relatively easily. And then the judges give their scores, and it's an open-mouthed, wide-eyed 'what?' kind of moment. The wrong man was given the win, and it's crazy how the judges can score it so differently.
Ian
From Kev on UFC 75 and Bisping vs. Hamill -
I saw the Bisping Hamill fight the same way the judges did...Hamill took the first round no question, but by the end of the first round, as usual he was blowing out his ass. Round 1 ha was taking Bisping to the ground at will...Round 2 he was struggling to get him down and hold him down just for Bisping to get back up and start outfighting him again...In round 3 it looked as Hamill didn't have the energy to get the fight to the ground anymore and Bisping was the one doing all the work...My personal opinion is taking a guy down over and over doesn't mean jack if you aren't doing anything when you're down there, which is what Hamill always seems to do, just hold guys down and run the clock down. If the fight had gone into a 4th or 5th round Hamill was getting knocked out, simple as that. He had nothing in the tank after the first 5 minutes
From Mike on Bisping vs. Hamill -
I agree that Hamill got robbed. Hamill dominated the 1st round. Won the second round, while the third was somewhat of a draw. How in the hell does Bisping win this? Bisping was on his heels the whole fight and seemed nervous and even indecisive. He looked worried before the judge's scores were announced, And after they announced his name as the winner, he looked so relieved (lol). It was like he knew he lost it, and when they announced his name he was like, OH THANK GOD. WHEW!!
I mean really now.
I think the reason the judges gave it to Bisping was because had he lost, it would have made TUF3 a wash. The UFC would have looked bad giving this guy the 6 figure contract and promoting him as the winner, when he lost to a guy who would have beaten him had he not got hurt. I think this was done to preserve the integrity of the UFC's TUF3 champion and the UFC itself.
From Michael Bisping vs. Hamill -
I went into the Bisping-Hamill fight as a big fan of Bisping's and very anti-Hamill from the Ultimate Fighter series. I now have flipped around completely. Bisping obviously didn't take the fight seriously as he was too busy playing to the crowd and not focused at all before the fight. Then Hamill dominated the fight. Kicked his ass in the 1st two rounds with the 3rd round possibly going either way. To top things off after the BS decision was announced, Bisping decided to talk shite? What a jerk off. And Hamill was gracious in loss. I haven't seen a double switch pulled off like this since Bret versus Stone Cold. Please Dana White throw Hamill to Wanderlai Silva or Lidell or Henderson or anyone who will KHTFO in his next fight. Or maybe let him fight Hamill again on American turf. Alright, rant over.
From Raul on Bisping vs. Hamill -
For a second there I thought I was watching a Don King sponsored fight. Maybe these completely controlled Zuffa fights are going to end up like boxing today. Hope not.
From Joe on Bisping vs. Hamill -
I watched the Hamill/Bisping fight, and my jaw hit the floor when they announced Bisping had won. He got his ass kicked the whole fight, and he only won because he was in England. More matches like that, and the UFC decision process will seriously get called into question for its honesty. It'll start to look like boxing, with its fixed fights. Hamill flat out beat Bisping the whole fight...he outworked him, out struck him, and was pushing the action the whole fight. I love Bisping as a fighter, but Hamill whipped his ass, and he knows it.
From Ben on Bisping vs. Hamill -
I saw the matches and all were decent except one Matt Hamill and Michael Bisping. This match Matt got screwed, blue and tattooed how in the hell doe's Bisping go on to win the match when I clearly saw him losing all three rounds. Something sound fishy to me but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who saw this.
Finally from Kozbee -
I'm giving UFC 75 9 out of 10 stars, and if it weren't for the blatant screwing of Matt Hamill (I'm not biased here because I actually bet that Bisping would win!) it would be 10 out of 10. Best main event I've seen in awhile, and great showcase of up and coming stars (even the guys who lost looked awesome). Cro cop? Kongo was the crum of the night and even that wasn't a bad fight. I don't see Kongo ever being a threat to the title, but seeing a changing of the guard was exciting. Here's what I'd like to see for the heavyweight title picture: Noguiera vs. Arlovski for the next shot, and maybe a Tim Sylvia vs. Kongo later on down the road to really see if Kongo is ready to step up. That's my rant for the day.
TNA NO SURRENDER PODCAST~!
After a bit of a delay we are back to discuss the TNA No Surrender PPV, a hell of a little show with good wrestling, new champions; but still some of the bad of TNA. We then move onto one of our most popular segments, DEAR CHRISTI, where Christi muses more on Women's Wrestling. We'll also talk with Christi about her first full MMA experience, and finally, what you have all been waiting for, an update on THE SHIRT~!
I recently did MMA Fact or Fiction, with the esteemed Michael Huckaby, and the statement was posed: The Bisping/Hamill decision is as big of a deal as the internet posters are making it out to be. A damn fine question due to the timing, and one I had planned on discussing anyway this week in this special commentary spot. So I will. First of all, anyone that read my follow up column on UFC 75 realizes that I personally think Hamill won the fight. I had it 29-28, and I personally thought it was a clear-cut win. I also thought it could have been 30-27 Hamill, but that Bisping had a better third round, but I could see the argument either way. Two judges did not see it my way, and gave it to Bisping 29-28, and one did give it to Hamill 30-27 and that is why we seem to have all of this controversy. I think it was a bad decision, not the worst thing I have ever seen in fighting or boxing for sure, but I think it is pretty bad. 
