Punch Drunk Hangover 06.23.08: It's Amir-acle!

Posted by Bren Oliver on 06.23.2008

Read ahead for Bren Oliver's thoughts on the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 Finale, Nick Diaz dropping out of DREAM 5, the forthcoming UFC video game, Lorenzo Fertitta's new job, Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans at UFC 88, Kim Couture's professional MMA debut, and Dana White giving Affliction the "Nancy Kerrigan" treatment. Those things and more, plus this week's "Monday Morning Moment of Zen" featuring Mark Coleman, Wanderlei Silva, and a few sharp objects are all just a click away!




Good morning, afternoon, evening, or whatever in-between time it is that your eyes have found their way to the Punch Drunk Hangover! As is the case every week, I'm here with another one-stop shop for catching up on Mixed Martial Arts news, hoping as always to help you escape from the doldroms of an average Monday by giving you a good grab in the nether-regions to wake you up and make your day that much more exciting! Have no fear...the technique is Bas Rutten approved!!!





I would typically start off my column with a review of the most recent live MMA action, of which the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 Finale would qualify this week, but there was a thorn stuck in my side this week I felt was more deserving of discussion than a mediocre live event. As most of you know, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva will move up to fight at 205 pounds for the first time when he tests his might at LHW and fights James "The Sandman" Irvin at "Fight Night 14" on July 19th, 2008. Other fights on the card include Anthony "Rumble" Johnson facing Kevin Burns, the return of Heavyweight Jake O'Brien to take on rising star Cain Velasquez, Lightweights Hermes Franca and Frank Edgar mixing it up, and another experimental shift in divisions as Brandon "The Truth" Vera makes his Light Heavyweight debut against Reese Andy.

There are two angles in this story worth mentioning. The first, which rightfully deserves attention, has to do with the men competing in the Octagon on July 19th. The second, a wise business move but unfortunate result of ego, is the simple fact "Affliction: Banned" also happens to be scheduled on 7/19 and Dana White has opted to undercut his competition through the use of his contracted fighters.

The biggest aspect to the eleventh-hour "Fight Night 14" announcement is of course UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva dipping his toes in the Light Heavyweight division against a very game opponent in the form of James Irvin, a hard-hitter with good wrestling and as many highlights on his resume as "The Spider". Think about his flying knee to Terry Martin's face or disposal of Houston Alexander if you are lacking a mental reference as to memorable moments featuring "The Sandman". I have mixed feelings about Silva taking his first 205-pound fight on short notice, especially against someone like James Irvin. A win for the Brazilian does little in the sense James Irvin is not considered an elite UFC Light Heavyweight. Sure, it shows he is able to beat a bigger man, but that's never been a question when it comes to fighting. Just look at Japanese MMA or early UFC's if you think the concept is something new. However, a loss to James Irvin could have a significant impact on Anderson Silva's career. I understand a defeat could be shrugged off due to the difference in weight class, but I am not so quick to dismiss the ripple effect such a thing could have. Silva has not been finished in more than three-and-a-half years. Were he to be knocked out or submitted, might that impact his mental state and subsequently his future performance? It might motivate him to be a better fighter, but again, many a Mixed Martial Artist has experienced a proverbial hangover after dropping a match and struggled to regain his footing. Also, seeing Anderson Silva fall in defeat would tarnish a bit of the mystique he's created for himself by blasting opponents into the stratosphere with a charimastic grin on his face and leopard-spotted fur coat in his locker. He would no longer seem "invincible". In that sense, "Fight Night 14" is a "must win" situation for Silva, and while his title won't be on the line, his reputation most certainly will be.

I don't see Anthony Johnson having much difficulty with Kevin Burns, with "The Fire" likely being extinguished in the first frame of their bout. Velasquez vs. O'Brien should be an excellent fight between two young, talented Heavyweights. Valasquez has been advertised as a future champ in the making, but O'Brien is no slouch at 10-1 with eight finishes and the lone loss coming to Andrei Arlovski. It will be a good test for both men and, as he was previously released from the UFC in a move surprising many fans, O'Brien's UFC future could very well be on the line depending on how he performs against the American Kickboxing Academy standout. Franca vs. Edgar should be spectacular with the bulk of the action taking place on the ground. Both men are looking to bounce back from losses and redeem their names in MMA, with Franca needing the victory a bit more due to his steroid suspension and release from the UFC. I'm glad to see Hermes back and I hope he's cleaned up his life to the extent he's around for awhile. I'm also very interested to see how Brandon Vera fares at Light Heavyweight. It's a move pundits of the sport have wanted for quite some time and consecutive losses at Heavyweight seem to imply 205 pounds might be most beneficial to Vera's immediate future in MMA. Not too long ago, I remember "The Truth" calling out Chuck Liddell in a post-victory interview. If Vera can leave Reese in pieces, Brandon very may well get his wish to test his stand-up against Liddell sooner than later.

Unfortunately, the banter surrounding this small event with big storylines, is as much about the date on which it has been scheduled as it is about the world class athletes stepping into the cage. As most people reading this column know, Affliction's debut PPV featuring a collection of elite Heavyweights such as Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, and Aleks Emelianenko, as well as other well-rounded, world-class fighters like Matt Lindland and Renato "Babalu" Sobral. Though Dana White has previously stated his lack of concern pertaining to other MMA organizations, which he's stated are merely feeder leagues for the UFC, scheduling a UFC event at the last minute on the same day as "Affliction: Banned" is obviously more than a coincidence and anyone not in the Zuffa offices would be foolish to tell you otherwise. People are crying foul and for good reason. It is essentially industrial sabotage carried out on live cable television with five-ounce gloves and Joe Rogan's humor. Granted, the decision is a smart business move, as it's clear Affliction has put together an incredible event which will draw die-hard MMA fans and a few casual onlookers as well. And, it says a lot to me that the UFC opted for July 19th instead of July 26th when EliteXC will make their return to network television. White and company recognize the potential of not only the deep card Affliction is presenting, but also the success of the brand as a whole and the threat Donald Trump's involvement has brought to the table. Undercutting Affliction's PPV numbers could cause the fledgling organization to lose even more money than has already been projected, possibly even sending the company into a WFA-like downward spiral. It's a dirty tactic, but it's the way industry generally works and as they say, "it's business, not personal". Hell, in the case of how Dana White operates, you're lucky if he doesn't make it personal.

However, I'm not so sure it will have as dramatic an impact as those crying foul may think, as I believe the people who breathe MMA are going to order "Affliction: Banned" regardless of "Fight Night 14" and record the UFC broadcast for later viewing. The rest of the public, who are at best casual fans, were likely not going to pay the $39.95 to order the PPV even without the Spike option, whether because they only follow the UFC or because they were unaware of the Affliction event to begin with. The poor marketing heretofore of "Affliction: Banned" continues to baffle me, as advertisements seems to be limited to MMA-related websites instead of in commercial form on network/cable television. The Affliction vs. UFC should be an interesting battle, especially once Randy Couture is freed up from his Zuffa contract, but I have a hard time seeing the "skull-and-wings" forefathers emerging the winner in a long-term conflict if White decides to unleash a "Shock and Awe"-style campaign against them.

There's my three cents on the matter - now on to my spin on a handful of other subjects gracing the headlines this past week. I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.


The following medley of items were reported between June 16th, 2008 and June 22nd, 2008:


The UFC has finally confirmed that Chuck Liddell will be facing Rashad Evans at UFC 88 on September 6 in Atlanta, Georgia. The two were suppose to face each other at UFC 85, but Liddell had to withdraw from the bout due to a hamstring injury.


Clearly this is an important bout with immediate impact on future contendership for the UFC's Light Heavyweight Championship. It's also meaningful to both individuals outside of how close each is to fighting for the big shiny beltbuckle. The fight gives Rashad Evans a chance to prove himself against a giant in the industry and cement his place amongst the world's best 205 pound fighters. Likewise, "Sugar" 'Shad gives Chuck an undefeated opponent who is a top contender and also happens to be best friends with Keith Jardine, the last man to knock Liddell off. A win over Evans would show the world that Liddell has at least one final title-fight in him and isn't quite ready to pass the torch to the sport's younger athletes.

I think the outcome of the UFC 86 scrap between "Rampage" Jackson and Forrest Griffin will play a role in where the winner of Liddell/Evans is headed post-September 2008. If Jackson emerges victorious, then I believe "The Iceman" would need to beat Evans and the likes of Thiago Silva, Lyoto Machida, or Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (at minimum Keith Jardine) before being booked in a third contest against "Rampage". If Evans can humble the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, then I feel that win over Liddell may solidify him as being next in line for a shot at the 205 gold. For some reason I sense the UFC is very interested in creating a promotional champion who also won a season of the Ultimate Fighter. I'm not saying Evans would deserve the opportunity, as Machida has earned that right in my book, but what's fair and what's booked for a PPV are not always one and the same.

However, if Forrest Griffin beats Quinton Jackson, I'm certain Dana White will give Chuck Liddell first crack at the belt assuming he beats Rashad Evans. Booking arguably the sport's biggest superstar in a title-fight against an opponent to whom he hasn't already lost twice is as easy as Kindergarten math. Evans, on the other hand, does not have near the mainstream appeal as Liddell, Jackson, or Griffin, so I'm thinking his role will be that of Chuck's, were "Rampage" to retain, in that Rashad would then need to beat another legitimate Light Heavyweight a la Wanderlei Silva, "Shogun" Rua, "Rampage" Jackson, or Lyoto Machida before fighting for the LHW Championship.

And, if you noticed a lack of a certain Middleweight dynamo about to test his worth at Light Heavyweight, I'm not even considering Anderson Silva in the mix yet as he first needs to win at 205 pounds and then sort out his handful of remaining challenges in the Middleweight Division (Bisping, Okami, and a possible rematch with Henderson).


Dana White much hyped "big" UFC announcement today is that Lorenzo Fertitta is resigning from his position as head of Station Casinos, where he earned $113.8 million last year, to head up expanding UFC. Fertitta was the second highest paid casino executive in Las Vegas. Fertitta will now work alongside Dana White as the co-head of UFC.


Ah, what joy one must feel when he/she can give up a job with an annual take-home of more than $110 Million and slide into another position perhaps not as financially rewarding, but maybe moreso on a day-to-day basis in terms of pure enjoyment. He is the Tom Selleck, albeit with slightly different facial hair, to brother Frank's Ted Danson and Dana White's Steve Guttenberg with the UFC being their "baby". I see his increased involvement having a noticeable impact over the next year or two where international promotions are concerned. I also wouldn't mind seeing Fertitta also eventually slide into Dana White's role as UFC President, giving White an opportunity to take a break and focus on marketing the company away from the spotlight. Lorenzo carries himself in a much more professional demanor, and while the move would sadly put dozens of Spike's censors out of work, Fertitta is the kind of individual who would avoid involving himself in fighter-related drama and most likely avoid making promises of "groundbreaking" announcements (like this one) which ultimately end up being more of a whimper than a bang. From signing Fedor Emelianenko to a "PRIDE vs. UFC" super-event to a deal with HBO, White often writes checks with his mouth that his company can't actually cash. Fortunately for the current UFC President, and the Fertitta brothers, the rest of the checks they write, in particular the ones with multiple commas and several zeros, are easily clearing and should continue to do so for years to come.


THQ unveiled yesterday that they are developing UFC 2009 Undisputed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The following is a trailer for the game featuring UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and his UFC 86 opponent, Forrest Griffin:





Like a supermodel with a heart of gold and moderate expectations, it seems I have been waiting for this game to enter my life for quite some time. I remember the excitement I felt when the original "Jackson vs. Liddell" trailer came out, so seeing video of actual gameplay is refreshing and equally exhilarating. I particularly enjoyed the fact "Stitch" and Juanito Ibarra were in Jackson's corner and Ibarra's voice was present on the clip. I don't doubt the actual gameplay will be a bit sketchy, as I'm somewhat wary of how accurately the format can portray the complexities of MMA, but I could care less because I have no concerns pertaining to the fun involved in sitting in front of my XBOX 360 and playing the red-ring-of-doom out of it. How can you complain about the possibility of smashing your way to the UFC Championship using your favorite fighters in 3D-rendered form? The old UFC games, and the PRIDE ones for that matter, were not perfect but entertaining nonetheless.

I am interested to find out more when it comes to the intricacies of the game outside of in-Octagon action. We all know we'll be able to punch, kick, knee, and submit our ways to victory, but will we be able to create our own fighters to do so with? If so, how diverse will the options be when it comes to customization? Will there be online play? Will we be able to upload our own music for use during entrances? These are but a few questions I hope THQ and reviewers answer over the coming months. Spring 2009 feels like a long time to wait, but if it means the developers are able to tweak the product and semi-perfect it, I have no problem with saving my $50 until then.


Kim Couture, wife of UFC icon Randy Couture, was unsuccessful in her professional MMA debut (on 6/20), dropping a decision to Kim Rose at Banner Promotions' "Night of Combat".


They say a picture speaks a thousand words, though for some reason I was never able to convince my English teachers of that, but regardless I'm going to start out with one of the "before/after" variety...





Is it me, or would this have been a nightmare fight had it taken place under the EliteXC banner on network television? Kim Couture is beautiful, driven, intelligent, and is instantly marketable due to her last name and relationship with "The Natural". It stood to reason she could become one of female MMA's biggest stars if she was able to put together a win streak and she'd looked good in her two amateur fights. However, she clearly was the lesser "Kim" on June 20th, and reports have "Sugar Free" as now nursing a broken nose and jaw. I somehow don't think the CBS audience, even some hardcore MMA fans, are ready to see gorgeous women left bloodied and battered and the tattered remains of Kim Couture appear to be ready-made for a poster on the subject. That being said, I have even more respect for Couture than I did prior to her fight, and I commend her for sustaining a beating and never giving up. She tested herself in ways I cannot imagine and she deserves all the credit in the world for what she did and what she represents.


A bout between Tim Credeur and Cale Yarbrough, which was scheduled to be on the under card of the Ultimate Fighter VII Finale, was canceled when Tim Credeur failed a pre-fight drug test. The failure was for Adderall, a drug banned for usage by fighters by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.


This is the first time I can think of pertaining to a fighter testing positive for Adderall, though I don't doubt it's happened in the past as it's a fairly common prescription drug. My understanding is the ban in MMA has to do with the substance's affect on an individual's heart, which is risky due to the stress the muscle undergoes during a fight, as well as the physical affect Adderall has on people where it can not only improve focus but also has been known to cause weight loss. Before Credeur is thrown to the wolves, in his mild defense, I'll say he informed the NSAC ahead of time of his use of the drug and possibility he'd test positive for it. However, I find it a bit suspect that a guy who had long-stated his dream was to fight in the UFC - that he was ready to retire from Mixed Martial Arts prior to TUF 7 and cried on national television over the opportunity - would not be absolutely sure he would be good to go come his actual debut in the promotion. He had months to prepare for the Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale, yet didn't allow enough time for his body to clear the Adderall out of his system? It's inexcusable and something I see justifying his release from the promotion, though of course I'd prefer Credeur receives another shot to redeem himself since he's not facing disciplinary action from the athletic commission. I hear July 19th might have a slot or two to fill...


Nick Diaz has dropped out of his 7/21 DREAM 5 Welterweight Championship fight against Hayato "Mach" Sakurai in order to compete on the second EliteXC/CBS event, taking place on July 26th, where he'll face rival KJ Noons for the EliteXC Lightweight strap. There are also rumors the show may take place in Diaz's hometown of Stockton, California.


I'm disappointed EliteXC is pushing this fight to take place so soon, as not only would I have enjoyed seeing Diaz face Sakurai, but there's no reason to rush a championship bout between two young men who competed six weeks earlier. EliteXC and CBS also need to understand, if they don't already, that Nick Diaz could be a nightmare when it comes to live network television. He is unpredictable and I am worried as to what the casual viewing audience, and mainstream sports media, will think if he storms off after the fight in a flurry of middle-fingers or if there's another in-ring melee between the Diaz and Noons camps. While the one marring KJ Noons' title-defense against Yves Edwards was not Nick Diaz's fault, his presence alone adds a volatile element to an event that should instead be focusing on the purity of the sport and the technique involved (especially after the Slice vs. Thompson fight, and rap-video-reject dancers, from their initial broadcast). It worries me the Shaw circus could have the same effect on the public's perception of Mixed Martial Arts as George W. Bush's presidency has had on America's global reputation.


From the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 Finale...


Spike TV fired up their cameras once again to bring fans a live conclusion to a season of the Ultimate Fighter coupled with action from contestants who weren't as successful on the show and veterans of the organization who aren't necessarily ready to headline PPV events (BJ Penn not withstanding). It was not the most aesthetically pleasing event, featuring a bit of controversy and three of the five advertised fights going a full fifteen minutes. Even Diego Sanchez waited fourteen minutes before disposing of Luigi Fioravanti. I assume the McFedries vs. Eastman bout which caused the broadcast to run late was an attempt by producers to send fans home happy with a first round TKO. It was a decent exchange, but even then it didn't deliver the definite finish I would have liked to see between warriors like Drew McFedries and "The Beastman" Eastman. However, the show was decent from an overall perspective, and the duller moments of Riddle/Rivera and Fisher/Stephens were made up for by the antics of "Rampage" Jackson and Forrest Griffin, plus a deserved Season 7 win for Amir Sadollah and the solid performances of two previous TUF Champs. I also advise readers to go to UFC's website where you can view an excellent fight between Josh Burkman and Dustin Hazelett from the Finale's undercard (courtesy of free streaming video). Here's a highlight for you to nibble on if you're not interested in watching the entire bout:





Before I get into the headlining trio of fights, thanks to the skill of folks at MMA-Core, I am able to provide evidence of another fight at the event, though in the audience, featuring two well-known stars who can often be found sitting ringside at UFC events. If you thought KJ Noons' father was out of line in accosting Nick and Nate Diaz, wait till you get a load of this...






Diego Sanchez def. Luigi Fioravanti - TKO - RD 3


Other than perhaps Carlos Condit and Wanderlei Silva, I'm not sure there is a fighter under Zuffa contract who has a better pre-fight "staredown and scowl" than Diego Sanchez. It's as if he's able to channel hate in its purest form and radiate it from his pupils before unleashing a "Nightmare" on his opponents. As Joe Rogan pointed out, Sanchez's striking looked better than ever and his conditioning was far superior to that of American Top Team fighter. I applaud Fioravanti for his effort, and the heart he showed in sustaining a full-on assault by Diego, but "Power Up Mushrooms" are not to be found inside the Octagon and thusly Luigi was outclassed by an elite-level Welterweight with an immense set of tools at his disposal. Fioravanti is a capable fighter but not one at Sanchez's level. I think Diego is ready to re-enter the 170-pound title hunt and I would like to see his next fight come against Josh Koscheck after "Kos" squares off with Chris Lytle at UFC 86. If not Koscheck, I think Thiago Alves or Yoshiyuki Yoshida would both be excellent choices in regards to Sanchez's next opponent.





Amir Sadollah def. CB Dollaway - Submission - RD 1


Let me first start off by saying the right man won on Saturday night. I have been as much a proponent of CB Dollaway as anyone else, picking young Clarence to become the Ultimate Fighter champ as soon as I'd heard he was announced as participating on the reality show's seventh season. He was portrayed as a dominant force in every episode and appeared the favorite to win until running into Amir Sadollah in the semi-finals. When it was announced Jesse Taylor had lost his spot against Sadollah in the finals, and Dollaway only eeked his way to a win against Tim Credeur, it was clear the Arizona State standout was not as unbeatable as once believed. Amir, on the other hand, maintained the golden goose-egg in his "L" column. Sadollah locked in the armbar, and, regardless of whether or not you personally feel CB tapped in submission, the MMA gods prevented the SNAFU Dollaway winning would have created by giving Herb Dean inspiration to stop the fight. As I said before, the right man won.

Beyond the fact Sadollah earned his opportunity by avoiding defeat on the season, Amir is a great representative of his newfound distinction in both his humor and approach to life. He also happens to be a wonderful story in terms of a fighter coming out of nowhere to become TUF Champion. There may have been six Ultimate Fighter season-winners prior to Amir, but every single one of them had a wealth of professional experience compared to Sadollah whose first professional fight came against Dollaway during TUF taping. If Disney ever decides to make a "feel good" movie about MMA, venturing from butterflies to Butterfly Guard and dropping the "Lilo" to focus on the "stitch", Amir Sadollah's Ultimate Fighter win (especially depending on what he does from here out) is probably a great place to look as far as the subject matter.

There's quite a bit of furor surrounding what some people have viewed as an inproper stoppage on the part of Herb Dean who may have misinterpreted a hand-motion of Dollaway's. Upon first viewing I felt CB was submitting, though I did find it strange he only tapped once before re-positioning his hand to defend the armbar. My impression had always been the need for multiple taps and Dana White's body language after the bout showed he may have also been disappointed in the fight's outcome. However, after reading up some on the unified rules, a "tap out" as defined by the New Jersey State Athletic Commision simply states the official has the right to end the fight, "When a contestant physically uses his hand to indicate that he or she no longer wishes to continue". It does not mention anything about the need for more than a single tap. In that regard, I cannot fault Dean for his decision based on not only the position Dollaway's arm was in, but CB's indication of submission as well (regardles of if he was adjusting his position or meant to actually tap out). I'd like to see this issue discussed and clarified in terms of a general rule, as I do know a there is a meeting schedule to reevaluate rules such as what constitutes a strike to the back of the head and whether or not knees on the ground are as dangerous as originally thought.





Kendall Grove def. Evan Tanner - Judges' Decision


It was nice to see Mandy Patinkin's beard Evan Tanner in action again and looking better than in his initial return to the Octagon against Yushin Okami at UFC 82. Grove was the better fighter, and looked solid in the first two rounds while also trying to use his reach by establishing a jab at times, though Tanner's heart is unquestionable and it seemed at times as though he might find a way to win late in the third round. I was also impressed by some of the shots Kendall was able to take as his jaw appeared to be made of clay, if not glass, after two knockout losses in a row. As far as Al Lefkowitz giving the the decision to Tanner, I can only say he must have seen a different fight than the rest of the world including two judges sitting next to him who scored the bout 30-26 for Grove. His judgement on the fight was worse than Matthew Riddle's haircut.

I still believe "Da Spyder" needs to find some firm footing in the upper-middle tier of the 185-pound weight class and I have a hard time seeing him lasting more than a round against the UFC's elite Middleweights. He has a lot to learn, and training with BJ Penn will certainly assist in his progression as a fighter, but Grove is nowhere near ready for someone like Rich Franklin or Anderson Silva. Tanner, on the other hand, appears to be at the tail-end of his career. Still, I am hoping the UFC keeps him around for at least another fight or two. He embodies "warrior spirit", is an entertaining personality, has a legitimate professional reputation and record, and also has a great story in that he basically taught himself MMA. Tanner may not ever sniff a UFC Championship again, but I'd put my money on him to beat every Middleweight coming off the latest installment of TUF minus Amir Sadollah, CB Dollaway, and possibly Jesse Taylor or Matt Brown. Even then, I'd give Evan a 50/50 chance to win, as experience and heart go a long way when it comes to surviving fifteen minutes inside the Octagon.





Jibber-Jabber:

The following soundbytes were delivered over the past week...


TUF 7 FinalistJesse Taylor comments on his ouster from the reality show's finale...

"After I was called into Vegas to talk with Dana -- first off, when I flew in there, I had no idea. They told me it was just a follow-up interview. So I showed up there, and it was quite a big shock [to be released] -- probably one of the most devastating things to happen to me.

The impression I think that a lot of people might think is that I was so excited that I went crazy. That's not the case. Most of it just has to do with I just -- when I start drinking sometimes -- I drink a little too much. That's been a downfall for me before.

I started drinking, started thinking about how good things are and just kept drinking and drinking. I just spiraled out of control.

I was just pretty much out of control. I'm not going to sit here and make excuses. I just want another chance. We're all human. What I did was crazy and out of control, and the only excuse I have is that I made a horrible mistake. And honestly, drinking is cut out of my life due to this.

I know what I did, I know how bad I f*cked up. It's a horrible feeling. I hope no one has to go through what I went through."


Jesse was a very entertaining character but cartoonish in nature and someone with demons to overcome that aren't buried at the bottom of a bottle. I sincerely hope he has quit drinking. I've read he's attending AA meetings so that is a good sign as far as his intentions to clean his life up. I cannot imagine the feeling of throwing away the biggest opportunity in your life for little more than a night of partying; having to, as Taylor said on the final episode, explain what happened to your family, friends, and eventually your young child. I hope the story has a happy ending. I would love to see "Coco the Monkey" make a more-controlled return to the UFC, as there are already two fights for him with solid draws in both a scrap with fellow contestant CB Dollaway and, of course, the originally scheduled final against TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah. Taylor clearly has talent as a Mixed Martial Artist and is an entertaining personality, at least when he's not pissing his pants twice on national television and acting like a complete jackass in a hotel owned by the Fertittas.

Josh Hamilton, the first pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, was able to overcome horrible drug addiction and crippling debt to become a leading candidate for the 2008 American League MVP. If Jesse Taylor can find a similar road to redemption, even just landing a UFC contract and winning in his first fight, it will be a beautiful thing. With booze out of the equation, the sky is the limit for Taylor as long as he continues to improve on his stand-up and jiujitsu defense. Perhaps hitting rock bottom was exactly was Jesse needed to save not only his long-term career as a professional fighter, but, more importantly, save his life in general; perhaps, given his newfound life of sobriety and therapy, landing a UFC contract will simply be the "icing on the ice cream".

By the way, as a fan of ice cream cakes, I can vouch that icing on ice cream is a darn tasty treat!


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That's about all she wrote for this week's Hangover. Till next time Punch Drunk buckaroos, here's your "Monday Morning Moment of Zen" - Wanderlei Silva and Mark Coleman dueling it out with razors!!!


Gloves dipped in glue and broken glass are for sissies!





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