Eight Sides of Steel 06.15.08: Red, White and Bruised
Posted by Wendell Mitchell on 06.15.2008
The summer of MMA continues as no less than three promotions showcased their fighters Friday and Saturday. We have rumored signings, new World Title belts, rematches, middle fingers, and Rampage selling shorts all within the confines of the eight sides of steel.
SHOW STOPPERS, MAIN EVENTERS AND THE HEADLINES
Elite XC held their "Return of the King" event last night.
Larry's got the full report here Nick Diaz, who previously caused controversy last night by not making weight for his bout, entered the cage after the main event and told champ KJ Noons, who beat Diaz for the title, "don't be scared homie" and gave him what this wrestling geek would call a Stone Cold Salute. Part of me respects the Ring of Honor approach of MMA with the handshakes and mutual respect. But another part loves the spectacle of a guy giving the champ the finger and nearly getting attacked over it.
Later this month, Zuffa, parent company of the Utlimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) will send BJ Penn, Michael Bisping, Urijah Faber, and Carlos Condit to Afghanistan to meet and greet with many of the troops.
Alwyays good to see some love being shown our men and women in the armed forces. Though, to start a little controversy, I'm curious as to why current WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Stann wasn't mentioned. He is a marine after all...
The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts () or WAMMA for short, has created a new Heavyweight Title and has sanctioned the upcoming Fedor Emelianenko/Tim Sylvia to determine the first champ.
From what I've gathered, WAMMA, not to be confused with YAMMA or Bad Mamma Jamma for that matter, wants to create a sanctioning body that will recognized the "very best" of the world of MMA. According to their mission statement, they wish to establish World Champions in each division and guarantee that that indivual is the absolute best at his weight class. It would be one thing if they were the official sanctioning body of say, Adrenaline, Affliction, and few smaller feds to recognize champions on par with UFC, but I don't see them reaching a level where their titles will be considered the pinnacle of the sport
No location has been announced as of yet, but EliteXC has confirmed that Scott Smith will receive his rematch against Middleweight Champ Robbie Lawler on July 26th.
After a methodical opening minute or so that was no where near as slow as the crowd's reaction would indicate, these two were putting on quite the fight until an inadvertent eye poke midway through the second round and Smith's neglecting to ask for his five minute rest prior to claiming he could not see, caused the bout to end in No Contest. Personally, I'm looking forward to the rematch, especially after Smith said he would rather get knocked out then have a fight end this way. That's modern day warrior talk right there.
AND IN THIS CORNER
"Ruthless" Robbie Lawler
VS
"Hands of Stone" Scott Smith
As mentioned previously, these two were on pace to have a fantastic fight last month, but that ambition was derailed. Now they have been given the opportunity to author an ending to their fight that will leave no question as to who the better fighter is and which chiseled midsection will be concealed by the Elite XC Middleweight Championship.
Here's a sample of what Lawler's capable of:
And let's take a gander at those Hands of Stone
Now that's how you finish a fight. July 26th, let's get it on
IN A DAZE
Kim Couture on the right
We have a interesting rumor this week.
After emerging victorious in her MMA debut back in April, Kim Couture, wife of Captain America himself and still UFC heavyweight champ Randy, is posed to fight Kim Rose in Las Vegas on June 20th.
It is believed that after this fight, she may sign with American Fight League. The AFL has recently signed one of the top female fighters, Tara LaRosa, and former WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley.
I can easily see this come to fruition. Mrs. Couture has expressed interest prior to turning pro but nothing is set in stone. Randy cornered her in her debut fight and doing so if she signs with AFL will start the rumor mill a-churning as to his involvement.
If anything, I'm hoping we get a reality show out of this. Randy Knows Best? Growing Up Couture? I'd watch Randy choke out one of his kids and chalk it up to showing the kid the ins and outs of MMA.
IN BETWEEN ROUNDS
RANDOM MUSING AND BRUISING
Allow me to introduce to the Eight Sides of Steel the Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and soon to be Tekken star, Cung Le
SHOWING PROPS
Lookie here boys, we got us some fresh meet. Stephen DeAugustino will attempt to show us the benefits of Passing the Guard.
Adam may have left his toothbrush on Saturdays, but he made sure he brought the usual goodness to Fridays with another edition of The Fighting Stance.
John "Don't call me Christopher Daniels" Curry tries to Ground and Pound MMA into adopting a union.
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS
OFF THE CHAIN AND OUT OF THE CAGE
That does it this week. Thanks for joining me inside the Eight Sides of Steel.
