MMA’s Full 38’ 12.05.07: Looking Forward In MMA
Posted by Sid Needelman on 12.05.2007
With so much to look forward to in MMA, it is about time someone points a few things to keep an eye on. We take look at what is going on behind the cameras, as the year ends and a new one starts: Rampage Jackson, Damage Inc., new or growing promotions and next week’s MMA Holiday Shopping Guide! Plus a few pictures from this past weekend’s NAMMAE.
Ultimate Fighting Reality TV and MMA gear, with or without Rampage Jackson's name attached:
Last week MMA's Full 38' took a look into the future of MMA in reality TV outside of the reality series of the Ultimate Fighter. Additionally, it is now confirmed and available for me to comment on, Ami James of Miami Inc., TLC's reality show, is hosting an MMA event at the Hardrock Casino in Hollywood Florida this Friday. The ATT Guru, Liborio got his tattoo from Ami on his back. It is a small ATT logo with the word family underneath. Besides Cole Miller's brother Micah, the card has two bouts I would be interested in seeing, Rafael Dias Vs York Ash and Luis Palomino Vs Mike Bernhard.
However, it would be worthwhile to mention that the Ultimate Fighter does have some interesting things coming up as well. The first is that its almost commonly known that there will be a shake up in the last taped episode. Also of note, is that some of next season's fighters have been chosen. Rumors, unconfirmed ones at that, have circulated who was picked, but it is well known that next season's show will center around the middleweights, and begin filming in January of next year.
When asked directly, Rampage Jackson the current champion, denies any involvement in the show. That may be true, it may be the season after this that that Dana White or the executives of Spike TV are looking at for him. Its not a question of him being pointed out for the role, it is a matter if they decide to go with him. He has a strong character and they want to market Rampage as well as they can. Both Rampage and the UFC see dollar signs with the man known for his slams.
Behind the scenes, its hard to decipher which Rampage branded items will come to fruition, but an energy drink, car wheel rims and a further deal with some clothing companies are in the works.
And when it comes to branded items this season, you might need help making a good buy
When deciding which branded products to buy this holiday season, it is understandable that you may need a little help choosing how to spend your $25 budget on your nephew's gift. The same holds true if you are planning to take advantage of the sales many of the MMA Gear Retailers are planning on having. You might as well find out which sets of gloves or headgear do not fall apart and next week we will have exclusive promotional codes for our readers to save big on their purchases.
Brick and Mortar Stores for MMA
To actually walk into a store and buy MMA gear was never an easy talk. Most of the Shopping for MMA gear would happen online at retailers like MMAWarehouse but now specialty stores are popping up carrying the old sure sellers like Tapout, but also the newer brands like Contract Killer.
Jason Mayhem Miller and the Damage Inc. Guys
One such store is Damage Inc., with a new location opening this upcoming weekend. I have not been to either location, but some big named fighters have been there. Jason "Mayhem" Miller, no doubt pimping his Triumph United brand has been through the place a few times. Also, Damage Inc., has teamed up with the Full Contact Fight Academy and together they hosted all of the fighters of the recent EliteXC event, to train at the academy in the days before the event. Kimbo was one of their favorites who took them up on the offer.
Damage Inc. Fight Wear has their own brand of clothes and also carries other hot gear like the only minimally known Dropya Fight Wear and Hostile Fight Wear. They obviously have the bigger names like Xtreme Couture, Triumph United, Punishment Athletics, Sinister Brand, and Pimpit Fight Team. They are located at 5634 Weber Road in Corpus Christi, TX.
Big names ready to Battle
Huge name fighters, like the above mentioned Rampage, are still not in confirmed fights. Sadly the same is true for Fedor as well. Here are a few names of fighter who do not have confirmed fights, but should and it would be interesting to see what is in store for them in the near future.
Fedor - the undisputed king of MMA, is set to fight in Japan on New Year's Eve. It will be interesting if they put him up against a Japanese fan favorite, or someone with a little better of a chance to show him a good fight.
Mark Hunt – with pro-wrestling being his last and next scheduled event in the ring, the MMA community is waiting patiently to see him come back to the fight game. He admitted he would like to be on the New Year's MMA card, but already has a pro-wrestling commitment for that day. With his charges stemming from a bar scuffle, he is unlikely to be fighting in the US in the near future, but the MMA community can hope someone takes up the reigns of where Pride left off, and sign this huge hitter. How about a Bodog sponsored event overseas, or K-1 Heros?
Rampage Jackson – not having fought since UFC 75, who would he fight next? I think the best thing would be to just match him up even if its not a big money fight. Rich Franklin as the top of the hill fought Nate Quarry, why not have Jackson fight someone like Jason Lambert or how about a heavyweight coming down to 205, like Brandon Vera, pictured below at the MMA convention this past weekend.
And speaking of Rich Franklin, why not put him on one of the cards that are not filed with star power? Maybe this is a good time to lend him to another organization, to get back to winning and maybe get some international talent in the exchange.
The NAMMAE, the MMA convention that made a huge mark in California this past weekend should be arriving in Orlando
Hoping to keep up the momentum of the MMA industry, the part fan expo and part industry networking event is scheduled to arrive in Orlando this summer. I leave you this week with a note to be sure to check out next week's MMA Holiday Shopping Guide, and below are some great pictures from this past weekend's NAMMAE event. Pictures are the property of their respective owners.
One last note, anyone interested in sponsoring part of a grappling tournament, there are two big opportunities coming up, just contact me with an email saying you want to know more.
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And for those of you wondering what is MMA's Full 38' It means: an octagon is 30 ft across with 4 feet extra on each side, for cornermen, doctors and camera crew. To know MMA, sometimes one needs to make sure they cover some of the lesser know aspects of it, and 38' represents a number a lot of hardcore fans would not recognize. But be warned, do not try to set up an arena without knowing how big the octagon really is, or there will be problems.
Sid Needelman
