Punch Drunk Hangover 11.12.07: Afternoon Delight
Posted by Bren Oliver on 11.12.2007
Read ahead for my thoughts on CBS possibly broadcasting UFC specials, rumored bouts at UFC 80 and UFC 81, HDFights involvement with "Mayhem" and Trigg-onomics, and commentary on "EliteXC: Renegade" from both the perspective of a live attendant and viewer at home.
Better casually late than never, Monday is here and with it still comes the Punch Drunk Hangover - a little peek into my mind at the start of every work week. Admittedly my excursion down to Corpus Christi for the EliteXC show drained me to an extent and has led to a delay in this week's column being posted. Whether it was the eight-hours worth of driving or the whiskey-and-cokes after the event will remain a secret I take to my early grave. Okay, that was creepy. Let's move on...
Attending "EliteXC: Renegade" was absolutely a blast. I was fortunate to attend and cannot thank Caleb Newby (our site's editor and friendly neighborhood jolly giant), as well as the fine people at ProElite and with the Bedford Agency, enough as said parties helped me procure a seat on Thursday of last week. When I returned to Austin late Sunday afternoon I had a chance later in the night to watch the actual broadcast of the event and the difference in perspective was interesting, especially because the previous night's experience was still so fresh in my mind. That being said, I thought I would give readers a bit of insight into my adventure in Corpus Christi. Then, later in the column, there is commentary primarily based on my experience viewing the broadcast on television.
I arrived around 4:00 on Saturday afternoon, having driven down from Austin with my photographer/friend. We didn't have a hotel reservation but fortunately the American Bank Center was located on a seaside strip in Corpus peppered with hotels, restuarants, and after-hours establishments. We were able to get a room within walking distance of the arena for a very fair price. Before partaking in the night's event we decided to get a bite to eat so we walked to a nearby seafood restaurant. Twenty minutes later, lo and behold, Jason "Mayhem" Miller walks in with some company and settles in to a table across the room. He apparently likes Pina Coladas. Who knew?!?
After the early dinner, my photographer and I got ready for the show and headed to the American Bank Center. We arrived around 5:45 and settled in to our seats after walking around the premises. The crowd was already lining up at this point and overall I thought the attendance was very solid. It was around 85% at showtime which is extremely good considering how empty some shows are when it comes to preliminary fights. Goldberg is a huge guy in person by the way. He was doing pre-show work by the cage prior to the cameras rolling and even sitting down he's a mass of muscle.
The overall production of the show was impressive. The entrance ramp, video screen, and pseudo-rain looked tremendous in person. This is the fourth live MMA show I've attended, with one being a UFC, and this was tops in terms of its presentation. The cameras were out in full force, as were the media, and for the first time ever I was relegated to a grouping of chairs outside the fenced-in area surrounding the cage. It prohibited my view to an extent, but it actually worked out well which I'll get to a little later.
The undercard fights were entertaining and all fast-paced. There was a good amount of local talent on the card so the fans, of course, ate it up whenever someone from "Texas" was announced. Brett Rogers, a Heavyweight out of St. Paul, Minneosota, was particularly impressive and has a good "look" for MMA. He also was a very nice guy, as he and a training partner happened to come grab a few seats close to the media section allowing for some casual conversation. In terms of other fighters browsing the crowd the only individuals I noticed were Joey Villasenor, another extremely nice guy who took time with fans, and the trio of Kit Cope, Nate Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez who might as well have been fans in attendance. The EliteXC people announced Randy Couture and Forrest Griffin as being there but I didn't see them (or talk to anyone else who saw them).
Back to the Three Amigos, I first noticed Diaz, Cope, and Melendez walking around looking to find a seat. I'm guessing they were there in support of Nick Diaz and wanting to catch some of the show, plus enjoy the atmosphere in terms of the crowd of MMA fans (and hot women). In-between fights, maybe ten minutes later in the evening, I spotted them again in the hallway at a concession stand and mentioned to Gilbert Melendez that a number of press people hadn't shown up so there were seats near the ring. As I mentioned earlier, I'd been relegated to a section of chairs outside of the main press area, and a number of other smaller outlets, such as local news stations, had turned out to be no-shows. Shortly thereafter the three fighters walked back to the press area I was in and snagged a chairs a few rows up. In the process Gilbert Melendez thanked me for the tip.
Now granted, I may be a "MMA Journalist" for 411Mania, but I'm a "MMA Fan" first and I absolutely appreciated the opportunity to talk to a fighter of Melendez's caliber for reasons that had nothing to do with writing a column. Throughout the night a number of people came up and asked Nate Diaz for his autograph, to which he obliged. Kit Cope got a similar treatment but seemed more intent on devouring a turkey leg he'd just purchased from the concession stand. At one point, I was talking to Gilbert Melendez about whether or not it was weird seeing Cope/Diaz get so much attention because of their UFC/Spike work whereas few people came up to him, a fighter I deem to be a "Top 5" Lightweight in the world. He laughed it off, said it was all good, and stated he was glad to see his friends get the attention. Classy, cool guy. The other highlight of my experience with the Stockton, California grouping (and Gracie fighters) was a moment where I was talking to Nate Diaz and he joked that half the people asking for his picture thought he was his brother, Nick.
Once the televised portion of the card started the electricity in the building picked up. The crowd was hot from the opening bout but there was palpable anticipation of the night's co-headliners. I was constantly surrounded by fans' chatter pertaining to Nick Diaz and Kimbo Slice. The audience reaction to Slice's entrance was loud on television. It was deafening in person. When Cantrell went down I don't think anyone cared how solid Slice's shots were.
As far as the Diaz/Noons fight, body language plays a lot into what you see when viewing an event from the audience which is why I think the booing was so overwhelming. Diaz clearly wanted to continue, the crowd was on fire from the incredible first round, and fans felt robbed when the doctor ended things. People in attendance were not at all belittling KJ Noons' accomplishment and he received plenty of cheers when specifically announced. The audience's anger was directed specifically at the doctor. I will be interested to hear Diaz's take on things when he has a chance to cool down.
Overall the night was a great experience and I look forward to hopefully attending HDNet Fights' December 15th show for an equally excellent time. One thing I want to mention that doesn't come across at a live show are the post-fight interviews. When I eventually watched the broadcast version of "EliteXC: Renegade" I was surprised by how condescending Goldberg was, both towards the crowd and towards some of the fighters. For example, KJ Noons had just finished thanking people who had helped him achieve his dream of winning a championship, and Goldberg closes the bit by saying something to the effect of, "You can thank people all night, but we've got to move on...". There was another moment where Kimbo Slice had been asked a question, but first took a moment to thank the Lord above, and Goldberg stated something along the lines of, "So much for that question...". I'm not sure if he can't stand being secondary in the spotlight or if he isn't comfortable doing live interviews on that end of the microphone, but his behavior doesn't come across as being too professional.
That's my three cents. Feel free to toss a few coins of your own in my direction by contacting the email address at the bottom of this column. Now on to my humble opinion on a variety of subjects rearing their ugly heads over the past seven days. File your final TPS report, check your Fantasy Football score one last time, and settle into your cubicle - here comes this week's Punch Drunk Hangover...
The following medley of items were reported between November 6th, 2007 and November 11th, 2007:
A new MMA reality show, Stars in the Cage, will feature teams of celebrities training and competing in mixed martial arts fights. The celebrities will be trained by well known professional MMA fighters. In addition to the celebrity fighters each team will have one up and coming professional fighter who will be fighting for a professional MMA contract. Shooting is projected to begin in spring 2008.
It was only a matter of time before a celebrity version of the Ultimate Fighter found its way onto the airwaves, and with reality television set for an increase due to the strike in Hollywood, I'm not surprised the moment has come sooner than later. I don't know how most people feel on the matter, but personally I'm jacked about the potential of Dustin Diamond submitting Flava Flav via Gogoplata. "Stars in the Cage" intrigues me as a lover of both MMA and bad "reality television" programming. I'm extremely interested to know who will eventually compete. I have no doubt the fights will be real simply because there is a huge backlog of washed-up famous people ready to do publicity whoring no matter the cost, plus having the potential of a famous person getting his/her nose broken (for non-cosmetic purposes) is going to be the primary sell when it comes to drawing viewers.
Gleison Tibau confirmed the rumor that he will be fighting rising Lightweight star Tyson Griffin at UFC 81 on February 2, 2008. Tibau comes in with a four fight win streak with his last action being at UFC 75 when he beat previously undefeated Terry Etim. Griffin will look to continue his streak of three straight fight of the night performances and continue to build off of the momentum of his decision wins over Clay Guida at UFC 72, and Thiago Tavares at UFC 76.
I'm convinced Joe Silva, UFC's match-maker, could write 90% of the Lightweight division's fighters' names on individual pieces of paper, crumple 'em up, toss them in a hat, pick two random wads out, and still come up with a superb bout at 155 pounds. Tibau and Griffin are young Mixed Martial Artists who will be in the title hunt for the forseeable future. With Lesnar vs. Mir already on February's card, and knowing how Dana White likes to stack the "Super Bowl" card, UFC 81 is going to be a "must see" event.
UFC veteran and current TKO Lightweight Champion Sam Stout will face off against heralded newcomer Per Eklund on the undercard of UFC 80 on January 19, 2008 from Newcastle, England as Eklund's manager has confirmed the fight. Stout comes into the bout with two straight losses and will be looking to get on the winning track, while Eklund, regarded as the #1 fighter at 155 pounds in Europe will be making his UFC debut.
It's misleading to say Stout is coming into this fight with two straight losses. He's actually 3-2 in that timespan, and 12-2 if you delve a little deeper into history, so the double-defeat statement actually only implies to UFC action. Eklund drew a tough opponent in his UFC debut, but he's no greenhorn feeling his way out in MMA so he'll absolutely be prepared for Stout. I'll be interested to see how he deals with the pressure of stepping into the Octagon for the first time while also fighting in front his fellow Europeans.
British newspaper, The Sun is reporting two more undercard fights have been added to the card for UFC 80 and they heavily feature local fighters. British Welterweight Paul Taylor, fresh off of his loss to Marcus Davis at UFC 75 will be facing off against Paul Kelly, a UFC rookie who trains with Michael Bisping and the Wolf's Lair Team. In Heavyweight action, Brit Colin Robinson will square off with Antoni Hardonk, who will be looking to erase the memory of his submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 74.
Neither of these fights excites me. I pray these bouts remain as preliminary contests and personally have little interest in seeing either, barring, of course, the need for filler at the end of the televised broadcast. Taylor vs. Kelly and Robinson vs. Hardonk are on the card for British fans in attendance. Let's not pretend otherwise.
The originally scheduled date for Sean Sherk to appeal his CSAC suspension for a positive steroid test has been pushed back again. Thought to be set for November 13, the hearing will not happen then and is tentatively rescheduled for December 4. Sherk was set to appeal on October 31, but the hearing was pushed back at that point when his legal representation presented a pre-hearing brief, with information on Sherk's polygraph test and on supplements that Sherk felt may have been contaminated to cause the positive test, that the Commission felt they needed time to go over.
While I am displeased with the CSAC's decision to draw out Sherk's appeal an additional three weeks, and have him sweat it out over the Thanksgiving holiday, I again must refer to the notion the UFC Lightweight Champion is solely responsible for the current position he's in until proven otherwise. At the end of the day it won't affect the amount of time he's suspended unless the commission completely exonerates him of the positive drug test. If the CSAC reduces the suspension to six months then the time he's spent on the sidelines already will be retroactively factored in, meaning Sherk will be ready to fight again by the end of December. If they rule he must serve the full twelve months, as originally dictated, then he'll be out another six months and Dana White will have egg on his face via his refusal to strip Sherk of the title.
Paul Buentello (23-9), is scheduled to appear on TLC's Miami Ink on November 20th. Each episode focuses on different clients who visit the Miami based tattoo studio along with their backstories and reasons for selecting their tattoo.
Buentello isn't necessarily a MMA fighter who I associate as being a human tapestry, territory reserved for the likes of Renato Sobral, Jeff Monson, and even UFC newcomer Brock Lesnar. However, I tend to be pleased by any positive mainstream attention thrown in Mixed Martial Arts' direction, plus Buentello is a fellow Austinite, so I'm glad to see him get some love from the people at TLC.
Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen, 411mania.com's #10 ranked Lightweight, lost in his Shooto debut, going down to defeat at the hands of Eiji Mitsuoka via Majority Decision. Two judges scored the fight as 29-28 Mitsuoka while the third had the bout scored as a draw.
Is it possible to win via "minority decision"? Regardless, results like Kang/Akiyama and Hansen/Mitsuoka are the reason Dana White isn't ready to bend over and grab his ankles for PRIDE fighters or fanboys. It's possible a nine-month layoff between fights created a bit of ring-rust for "Hellboy" but he absolutely must win his fight to stay relevant in the Lightweight division.
CBS and UFC are in talks about producing one or more prime time network specials. Due to the ongoing Writer's Guild strike, UFC has more leverage now in such talks since they potentially provide unscripted programming, something all the networks will need once they run out of fresh episodes of the shows currently on schedule.
This makes absolute sense. First of all, network executives are likely scrambling to fill the void in entertainment a prolonged writers' strike may cause, so they may be willing to roll the dice and see what a UFC show would draw on "prime time" television. Secondly, Viacom owns CBS and Spike TV, so there is a natural partnership there which allows the possibility without major contractual issues being involved. As far as I'm concerned, a live UFC event on network television can't happen soon enough, so I hope the sides are able to work something out in the very near future.
Riddick Bowe told Sherdog he wants to be the first man to hold major boxing and mixed martial arts titles at the same time.
Kimbo Slice vs. Riddick Bowe, anyone? Actually, I have very little interest in seeing Bowe compete in MMA, and his announcement comes off as nothing more than a desperate attempt for some quick money. He hasn't fought professionally in two years so he's unlikely to ever win a significant championship in boxing at the age of 40 and, based on the shape he used to keep himself in, he'd gas within the first sixty seconds of a MMA bout. Disappear into obscurity, Riddick. It's best for all parties involved.
The UFC recently announced that Doug Evans (5-1) will be facing Mark Bocek (4-1) at UFC 79: "Nemesis".
Each man is seeking his first win in the Octagon, but it's hard to fault either for losing given the level of opponent each debuted against. Evans eventually fell to Roger Huerta last June at the TUF 5 Finale, though there were definite points in the fight where it seemed as though he would actually pull off an upset win. Bocek had the unfortunate task of facing 7-0 Frank Edgar and also was put away via TKO. I think Bocek and Evans will turn in an entertaining fight at UFC 79. Hopefully it will somehow find it's way on to the broadcast.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner (32-6) recently had an interview with the Kenny And Ozone Show (KAOS) in which he announced that he had recently signed a new 4 fight deal with the UFC. Tanner's last UFC fight was in April of 2006, where he defeated Justin Levens.
Evan Tanner will always remain beloved by hardcore fans for the success he achieved while having trained himself by watching MMA videos. Tanner has a tremendous amount of heart and, if his fight against Rich Franklin is proof of any kind, he doesn't know the word "quit". I hope he's gotten himself right both physically and mentally during his 18-month layoff from MMA. He'd posted some disturbing messages on his MySpace page at one point referring to being constantly drunk and entertaining very dark thoughts.
The California State Athletic Commision recently announced that they have suspended ShoXC fighter, Jennifer Tate. Tate has tested positive for marijuana and will be fined $500 as well as suspended until January 24, 2008. Tate recently lost her first MMA fight to Shayna Baszler at ShoXC's October 26th show.
Rumor has it Tate is appealing the suspension based on eating some bison she claims had been grazing on marijuana plants, while also questioning the contents of baked goods she received from her local GNC manager, and PTA President, - one Tommy Chong. Back to reality, this continues the trend of weed being the most-used illegal drug in Mixed Martial Arts, but smoking pot doesn't sell sports' pages or draw a lot of website hits so it's no wonder you don't hear many MMA outlets discussing the matter.
And, for those who argue a little sticky-icky isn't performance enhancing, please feel free to contact me in reference to medical marijuana's use as a painkiller and ability to reduce anxiety...
The WEC announced today in addition to the already scheduled WEC Featherweight Championship bout between Urijah Faber and Jeff Curran that two more big title fights will be on the event set to be televised live on VS. on December 12th from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The WEC Light Heavyweight Title will be on the line as current champ Doug Marshall will be defending against undefeated Cuban fighter Ariel Gandulla and recently crowned WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho will be putting his title on the line against a yet to be determined opponent.
In addition to these three big title bouts, the WEC continued to stack the card announcing the rescheduling of the initial appearance of Jens Pulver as he gets set to step in for a featherweight showdown against heralded WEC veteran Cub Swanson.
I must first start out by saying Urijah Faber is my new hero! For those who didn't catch it in Randy Harrison's "Five Rounds of News" last week, Faber (who looks like "Bill S. Preston, Esquire" in the clip as far as I'm concerned) waxes poetic on an experience he had while in Indonesia. I can never do the story justice, so I'll link the video at the end of this column, but needless to say it will forever live on as one of MMA's greatest urban legends. As far as the WEC goes, his fight with Curran should be a good one, but I don't think he'll have too much trouble handling a single men, let alone one who isn't a Balinese, weapon-wielding mafioso.
I admittedly don't know too much about Doug Marshall or Ariel Gandulla so I'll be watching their bout with an open mind. Paulo Filho should be in the UFC and I'd like to see it happen directly after he pounds his way through whoever he lines up against on December 12th. I won't be surprised if Pulver loses to Swanson, but I'd like to see "Little Evil" find a place for himself in MMA and a win would be the first step towards such a thing happening.
Interestingly enough, December 12th is also the date Spike TV is schedule to show the UFC's "Year in 2007" review special. It would seem as though Zuffa, parent company to WEC, would want to use its influence to cross-promote the events and prevent them from interfering with each other.
Christmas is coming ten days early for MMA fans in the Texas area. HDNet Fights released information to 411Mania confirming their December 15th show's leading men and which UFC veteran each will face. Former ICON Middleweight Champion, and all-around MMA personality, Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg will be stepping into the ring against TUF/UFC's Edwin Dewees. Whether or not he'll show up as "Bam Bam" or "Babyface" is anyone's guess. A former opponent of Trigg's, Jason "Mayhem" Miller, will be co-headlining the event against Sean Salmon. The "Mayhem Monkeys" will no doubt be out in full force!
I don't know that Salmon or Dewees will be competitive competition for Miller or Trigg, especially in the latter's case, but I give Mark Cuban a ton of credit for putting the fights together. Both men are draws in MMA and each is fighting another "name" of sorts. There are also other UFC veterans advertised on the card so all-in-all it's shaping up to be a nice event.
I am absolutely planning on being there and covering the show for 411Mania. I'm excited to see HDNet Fights' overall package, as I wasn't able to attend their inaugural event. Knowing the people involved in putting it together, I have no doubt things will be handled in an extremely professional manner. With UFC 69, Art of War 3, EliteXC: Renegades, and HDNet Fights having taken place over the past twelve months in the Lone Star State, we Texans sure have been spoiled this year when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts.
Jake Shields, top Welterweight, signs long-term deal with EliteXC.
Short, sweet, and to the point. This headline reminds me of my Senior Year girlfriend, except with less tire-slashing involved. I was rather surprised to hear the Gracie product re-signed with EliteXC. He seemed interested in testing himself in the Octagon based on statements he'd made indicating such. Shields is a relatively laid back individual so I wonder if he decided he wanted to distance himself from the potential of UFC drama (and Welterweight log-jam). I can't imagine the money would have been too different.
Things are starting to get petty between Randy Couture and the UFC and it's spilling over into other aspects of the organization's operations. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, the UFC refused to film Wanderlei Silva training at the Xtreme Couture training facility in Las Vegas for his upcoming All Access special which will likely air the week before his UFC 79 fight with Chuck Liddell. Anyone involved in the shoot was told that they were not to wear any Xtreme Couture gear and the training sequences were instead filmed at the UFC training facility.
I don't know if the move is petty so much as business-oriented. If Couture has indeed fought his last fight in the Octagon, and has chosen to distance himself from the UFC, the company has to eventually start moving on and putting Randy Couture's name out there in relation to a huge show is not necessarily smart from a business standpoint. Progression comes by looking forward, not backward, and wanting to film Silva at the UFC Training Center seems like small potatoes compared to the thought of the Heavyweight Championship's future.
EliteXC's Gary Shaw recently announced that he has no intentions of putting together a rematch between new EliteXC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons and Nick Diaz. Instead he named Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett as a possible opponent for Noons' first title defense.
I'm positive this announcement, stated directly after the EliteXC show, was based in anger at Diaz's post-fight antics than made after some actual consideration. If it's a matter of Nick Diaz being immature and disrespecting the sport by going on a tirade then Shaw is welcome to explain how Charles Bennett acted any differently after being submitted by Victor "Joe Boxer" Valenzuela at EliteXC in August. Diaz deserved to be pissed. Right decision or wrong, he had the fight taken out of his hands by a doctor. Bennett got legitimately choked out after laying down during pre-fight introductions, then ran from the cage in a similar manner to Diaz this past weekend (though with a bit more pace). Beyond that he's a criminal. I understand he knocked Noons out, but as a MMA fan there is nothing more I want to see than Noons and Diaz fight to a legitimate finish. Their five minutes was intense and there's no reason to believe the rematch wouldn't be equally, if not more, insane.
Police SWAT officers who surrounded a homicide suspect as he sat in a car near a Porterville high school Thursday morning discovered he had shot himself.
The man's mother and brother were arrested by police after officers learned they had allegedly assisted the man in avoiding arrest.
Detectives believe 29-year-old Porterville resident Bobby Joe Suggs is responsible for the Wednesday murder of Amber Nicole Zavala, 23, who was found dead at her apartment on the 300 block of North Capitola Court, said Porterville police Lt. Chris Dempsie.
The story here is not at all that Bobby Joe Suggs had competed in MMA. He meant very little to the grand scheme of the sport, compiling a 5-2 record in the "Gladiator Challenge" promotion out of California. The fact is he hadn't fought since July of 2006. What's important is the murder of a young woman and the cowardly act leading to it. Bobby Joe Suggs was not a Mixed Martial Artist. He was a sick individual who took the life of an innocent girl.
From EliteXC: Renegade....
Antonio Silva def. Jonathan Wiezorek - RD1 - Submission
I like what Antonio Silva brings to EliteXC's Heavyweight division. It seems as though a fight against Kimbo is a no-brainer at some point. In our site's Roundtable on the event I questioned which Wiezorek would show up and it was clearly the guy who could barely handle Tim Persey at Dynamite USA. Silva looked sharp and a 300-lbs. man with a submission game is a dangerous thing.
It was difficult to tell how bad the cut was on Kleinbeck's head from my seat at the event, but when I had a chance to watch a DVR'd copy of it when I got home and I was shocked at the gaping wound. I also noticed, what I thought, was Noke attempting to pull the cut apart when the men went to the ground (just prior to the stoppage). Watch his hands if you have a chance to see another broadcast of the show.
Jake Shields def. Mike Pyle - RD 1 - Submission
For talking a big game, Mike Pyle sure did get handled by Jake Shields, didn't he? I think it looked more competitive than it actually was, because from my perspective this fight was never in doubt. Shields continues to be one of the top fighters in his weight class. Stay tuned to 411Mania this week for our official ranking of Welterweights to find out where the Gracie fighter finds himself after Saturday night's performance.
Kimbo Slice def. Bo Cantrell - RD 1- TKO
I've heard plenty of talk about a "phantom punch" or the notion Cantrell took a dive. I don't buy a single word of it. Being there in person I can tell you there was a nice smack on the uppercut Kimbo landed and on the replay I watched it seemed as though the second punch in his combo hit Cantrell pretty flush on his eye. The rest of it was Bo Cantrell being an absolute joke in MMA. He wanted no part of that fight and was there for the money. He was throwing strikes with his eyes closed and actually tapped out before the referee stopped the fight. If Cantrell actually had a reputation to taint this fight would have certainly left a black mark on it.
Slice, on the other hand, looked ready for business and I'm interested to see where he goes from here. I can't imagine too many fighters are excited about stepping into the cage against Mr. Ferguson.
"What's next? Who's next. Real talk."
Works for me, Kimbo. Hands down UFC missed the boat on not signing Slice. His presence electrified the crowd.
Again, watching the broadcast, the damage to Nick Diaz's face was much more clear than in person. Safety absolutely was an issue. There was clearly blood going into his eye and his face looked like steak tartar. I think Noons' training paid off moreso than anything else. He clearly worked on stuffing the shoot, whether in sprawl or by throwing a knee to counter. He's better defensively on his feet than Diaz and is extremely comfortable exchanging punches. I also think scar tissue played a large role in the fight. Diaz's face has been opened up in his last three fights. If he does not start fighting smarter, meaning a focus on the ground, I think we'll see him lose other bouts in a similar manner.
Jibber-Jabber:
The following soundbytes were delivered over the past week...
Riddick Bowe on giving MMA a shot...
"I've been running, doing things as I was doing them in boxing. I guess now all I have to do is get down with the ground work. I'm going to be a little anxious and what have you, but I think as time progresses, I should pick it up like I pick everything else up."
Bowe also goes on to "joke" that he has nothing else to do in terms of giving MMA a shot. Sorry, but I'm not so sure he was joking, unless you consider a job in construction or club security "something to do". I have no reason to believe Bowe will accomplish anything in MMA. He's 40 years old and that doesn't bode well for boxers trying to catch up with people who have trained in Mixed Martial Arts for years and years.
Jake Shields on re-signing with EliteXC...
"The plan was always to stay with EliteXC. For some reason, reporters were running like crazy with the notion that I was going to leave and sign with some other organization. I talked with other groups, but, in the end, I decided the best thing for me and my career was to stay put. I have been happy with EliteXC from the beginning. They have been like family to me."
I wonder where reporters got the notion Jake Shields wanted to sign elsewhere? Possibly beacause he, himself, stated the bout against Pyle would be his last fight in EliteXC; that he wanted to test himself in the UFC?
Mirko Cro Cop, on his future plans, in an interview with MMA News...
"At this moment I am in biggest crisis in my career, thats definitely. Night after last fight (vs Kongo) I thought about ending career, but I will fight at least 5-6 times more ."
I'll be impressed if Mirko fights five more times. He is running out of excuses, though I wouldn't mind him giving Light Heavyweight a crack since he normally weighs in at around 220 pounds. Ultimately, it could be best for him to part ways with the UFC, as I'm sure they wouldn't mind the contract relief, and try to get his career back on track inside a ring. K-1 Heros would be a perfect place for him.
Andre Arlovski's manager, Leo Khorolinsky, to the Chicago Sun Times about his client's current limbo...
"He (Andrei Arlovski) is losing a tremendous amount of money. He relies on fighting to maintain a living…. We're ready to fight whenever they ask. We believe we have a very good relationship with the UFC and Dana. I won't talk about what was said because it was confidential. We haven't declined any offers to fight…. We have a contract with the UFC. We're not going anywhere. We have no other options. Our option is to fulfill our contract. The UFC is our employer. Dana White is our boss. As far as I'm concerned, we've been very good and loyal employees for the last seven years. Whenever the boss calls, we're here to talk or fight.''
The situation with Arlovski is unfortunate, but I believe we have a classic stalemate where the fighter thinks he's worth more money than the company does. "The Pitbull" is a charismatic fighter, and I'm not sure a person exists who doesn't appreciate his fanged mouthpiece, but he hasn't exactly been lighting up the Octagon in his past couple appearances. I'm positive the sides will eventually work something out. There are a ton of organizations who would love to sign Arlovski and I guarantee Dana White isn't interested in seeing that happen.
Tito Ortiz, to the Edmonton Sun, on his place in the UFC's Light Heavyweight division...
"When I lost to Chuck Liddell I took a step down. When I fought Rashad Evans I thought I won the fight. It was supposed to happen again, but it ain't happening. I looked at a thing on UFC.tv and it said the lightheavyweights are Rashad vs Bisby and there were others that were contenders, but my picture wasn't on it. They are just trying to hold on and make sure the fighters don't get more powerful. I am going to work to get the right fights and that belt will be around my waist."
The first thing I need to point out is the ridiculous job done by the Edmonton Sun as far as referring to Michael Bisping as "Bisby". It's something they do more than once in the article meaning it was not a typo. If you're going to write about a person you should know the individual's name, especially considering the fight is headling November's PPV. Ortiz is not a contender until he beats a contender. He elaborates in the interview that he wants to fight the winner of Bisping vs. Evans, but he should be asking for Keith Jardine or Shogun Rua.
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Here's the Urijah Faber video I mentioned earler. Check it out about twenty-seconds in and let the fun begin!
Don't f*ck with the Balinese...
Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Punch Drunk Hangover. I hope you've laughed, gained some insight on the world of MMA, and passed some of your Monday in an enjoyable manner. Have a great week and I'll see you next week with new commentary on whatever morsels of news reveal themselves over the next seven days.
