Your MMA News, My Views 7.07.08

Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.07.2008

Your MMA News, My Views makes a return, for this week only to talk the world of MMA. I will breakdown UFC 86, take a look at the UFC 88 card, as well as the announced WEC 35 card that is set for August! From there we discuss the possibility of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett, Josh Thomson vs. KJ Noons to unify their titles and the new unified weight classes! Come on in!


Gina Carano welcomes you…

INTRODUCTION~!
Don't worry kids, Bren didn't leave us, he just took off because he had a giant party filled weekend planned, and decided to take a rare week off. I am sure he had a good time. So for the first time since January 11th Your MMA News, My MMA Views is BACK…for one week. Some retirement, you can tell I am a wrestling writer first by that. Anyway, what a time to come back! I have a breakdown of UFC 86, a look at the UFC 88 card thus far, as well as the WEC 35 card that is set for August! We'll also discuss the possibility of Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett, Josh Thomson and KJ Noons unifying titles and something that will likely cause a TON of discussion, the new proposed unified weight classed! Let's get to work.



MY TAKE ON UFC 86!:

PRELIM RESULTS:

Justin Buchholz def. Corey Hill via submission Round 2, 3:57: Corey Hill, while a huge presence physically in the lightweight division still needs more work. He has raw talent and the size, but unless he gets more work in some really good camps, that won't mean anything.

Melvin Guillard def. Dennis Siver via KO Round 1, 0:36: This actually made the PPV broadcast, since it was so short. Melvin looked great, and after the fight noted his personal issues and that he has rededicated himself to the sport. I hope that's the case, because it will be the best for him and I am not a fan of thugs. So far I am 0-2 on the fights thus, a rough night for yours truly.

Cole Miller def. Jorge Gurgel via submission Round 3, 4:48: Cole Miller begins to redeem me with his win, and I was 12-seconds away from getting the decision right as well. I saw the fight via UFC.com, since it was free, and it was worth watching as it was a hell of a fight. This was a great rebound win for Miller. 1-2.

Gabriel Gonzaga def. Justin McCully via submission Round 1, 1:57: Gonzaga was able to land a low kick that made McCully lose his balance. From there is was mount, hammer fists and a kimura later and Gonzaga was the victor. With the division so thin, they need guys to go out there and get dominant victories. Gonzaga needed this win, after two straight losses, and will need to go on a tear if he wants a sniff at the title down the line. 2-2!

I was talking with young Randall Harrison, formerly of this site and we were discussing the PPV and he said that he had the feeling that this would be one of those shows that would have a lot of main card decisions. Damn that boy was right.

THE MAIN CARD:

The Fight: LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT: Tyson Griffin (11-1) vs. Marcus Aurelio (16-5)
My Pick: Marcus Aurelio, SUB, RD2
The Result: Tyson Griffin via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Across the Cards)
Final Thoughts: This is what kicked off the show, and overall it was a fine opener. Round one showed Griffin being able to avoid the submission tries of Aurelio, while controlling the round rather easily and did good damage and I felt that he took the round easily. I thought round two was more of the same as Griffin got the takedown, avoided submission attempts and again did good damage to take another round. Aurelio tried to do what he could in round three, but he was dog-tired from the previous rounds and just couldn't do anything. Griffin dominated the round once again and easily took the fight 30-27 across the cards, which I completely agreed with. Tyson Griffin now goes to 12-1, with four straight victories; all by decision. I think that will hurt him as he looks for a title shot. The winner of Roger Huerta vs. Kenny Florian will get Penn next, unless something changes. If Griffin can get another win he SHOULD get a title shot. Solid fight overall.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.75

Damn, 2-3.

The Fight: WELTERWEIGHT BOUT: Josh Koscheck (12-2) vs. Chris Lytle (35-15-4)
My Pick: Josh Koscheck, Decision
The Result: Josh Koscheck via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 30-28)
Final Thoughts: Next up was a bout that began slowly and a bit boring, but in the end with got a complete blood bath that should have been stopped. Round one was not much of a standing bout, Koscheck got the takedown and was able to work control and did just enough to take the opening round. This round was fine, but now we get to the real action. Koscheck shoots in, gets a takedown and starts working the short elbows, shoulder shrugs and Lytle got busted open. Koscheck just kept raining down with the shots and Lytle began bleeding like a stuck pig. Koscheck was then dominating him and destroying him in the last minute and the mat was SOAKED in blood. First of all I was AMAZED that they never stopped it to check the cut. Secondly I was AMAZED that they let Lytle come out for round three. He was cut badly, bleeding a ton and in my opinion was very wobbly as he came out for round three. Round two would be a 10-8 by the way, and again, I don't see how at the very least he wasn't checked by a doctor. So round three begins, Lytle looks bad but the man gutted it out. I don't know how smart it was, but I give him credit, he has a ton of heart. It was almost something from Rocky as he stuck in there and at the end of the round he rocked Koscheck, but just didn't have the power to knock him down or out. I had it 30-26 for Koscheck, which I think is fair. What does the future hold for Koscheck? We'll discuss that later on in the column actually in the news section. Also, credit to Koscheck. The man is really improving a lot and isn't relying on the hump and bump anymore, he is becoming a dangerous fighter and if he keeps improving like he has, look out.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.25

Back to even at 3-3!

The Fight: LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT: Joe Stevenson (33-8) vs. Gleison Tibau (27-4)
My Pick: Joe Stevenson, Strikes, RD1
The Result: Joe Stevenson via RD2 (2:57) Submission
Final Thoughts: Joe Daddy Stevenson was looking to make an impact after a devastating loss to BJ Penn. Unfortunately for him it looked back early in the bout as they went to the ground and Tibau locked in an Omoplata. Stevenson was able to turn and take some of the pressure off, but he could never escape. What was crazy is that he was rolling his eyes and throwing his hands up wanting to be stood up. But since he was locked in a viable submission, the ref refused and he had to ride out the round. It looked so damn painful and how a shoulder wasn't displaced I will never know. The human body is an amazing thing. Tibau took that round and was controlling round two, when he went for a take down and out of nowhere Stevenson locked in a tight ass guillotine and got the submission victory. Stevenson ability to battle back was great, and he needed this win to get back rolling. Tibau was game, but Stevenson survived and never looked flustered. The climb back to the title scene has begun for Stevenson. This was a really fun fight.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0

All right 4-3!

The Fight: MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Patrick Cote (13-4) vs. Ricardo Almeida (9-2)
My Pick: Ricardo Almeida, Decision
The Result: Patrick Cote via Split Decision (29-28 Cote, 29-28 Almeida, 29-28 Cote)
Final Thoughts: This fight bored the piss out of me. There is no way to get around that. I had Almeida winning rounds 1 and 3, but the judges thought differently and Cote won via split decision. Cote is apparently going to get the right to have his ass kicked by Anderson Silva. I was bored silly here, next please.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0

Damn, back to 4-4.

The Fight: LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT: Rampage Jackson © (28-6) vs. Forrest Griffin (15-4)
My Pick: RAMPAGE, Decision
The Result: NEW UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Forrest Griffin via Unanimous Decision (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)
Final Thoughts: And here we come to the main event of the evening, and what has become commonplace on MMA cards, the controversy! It was Rampage vs. Griffin, the Ultimate Fighter winner vs. the man that beat Liddell and Henderson. I knew we would have an exciting fight regardless of the winner, and boy was I right.

Round one was pretty wild as both men came out firing, with Griffin using his reach and beginning an attack of leg kicks that would be very important to his success early on. Rampage did drop Griffin at one point, but when he got his down he did next to nothing. I thought Griffin had solid control and was the aggressor the majority of the round. It could have easily gone either way, but I went Griffin 10-9.

Round two was likely the most important round of the fight as far as the scoring goes. Griffin hurt Rampage with a hard leg kick, which he had been working and got Rampage to the ground. From there Griffin controlled the entire round, and while Jackson wasn't about to tap due to the strikes, Rampage had NO answer to Griffin's dominate positioning. I had it 10-8 for Griffin. Some had 10-9 because Rampage wasn't going to tap, but I feel that it was easily a 10-8.

Round three was a comeback round for Rampage, as Griffin seemingly dropped his attack of the leg, which allowed Rampage to dominate the stand up in the round. Also, with him spending all of round two on his back, and with icing, his leg seemed to slightly recover, which was to his advantage. Although I have to wonder why Rampage never changed his stance the entire fight to protect that leg. 10-9 for Jackson, and he was down 29-27.

Round four was another comeback round for Rampage. Rampage was able to do good stand up and then got the Rampage slam on Griffin. He cut Griffin and was in complete control and was on the comeback. Another round for Rampage, and the fight was now 38-37 for Griffin on my card.

So to round five we went, and you had that feeling that one big leg kick could drop Rampage, but that one big punch by Rampage could end the fight. DRAMA! Much like round one, this was a toss up round in my opinion. Rampage connected with power, but Griffin was more aggressive in my opinion. I just didn't think the champion did enough to win the round, which is an unpopular opinion, as I went Griffin 10-9, and 48-46 over all. It could have easily been 47-47 for a draw, or 48-46 for Rampage. It was that close of a fight in my opinion.

Rampage was a total pro and didn't dispute shit, and admitted that Griffin had a good game plan and that he got his ass beat. I respect that. No I was injured coming in, no bitching about the judging, just admitting that he kicks ass, but also gets his ass kicked sometimes.

For those interested, this is how the judges scored the bout:
**Adalaide Byrd who scored it 48-46, gave 4 and 5 to Jackson and Griffin 1, 2 and 3 with 2 as 10-8

**Nelson Hamilton had it 48-46 with 1 and 4 for Jackson, and Griffin getting 2 10-8

**Roy Silbert had it 49-46 with only round 4 for Jackson.

**My scoring again: Griffin Rounds 1,2 (10-8) and 5, Jackson 3 and 4.

Again I will say that rounds one and five were close, and could have EASILY seen it being a tie. In no way can I see 49-46.

The Internet went crazy with this decision, and here are some examples:

**Forrest won a CORRUPT, UNFAIR. FAKE DECISION! CAPS MAKE YOUR POINT!

**People who have never heard of head movement might think Forrest won. What?

**The fact that Forrest got the decision just establishes how close to WWE UFC is. Ugh. And we got Brock Lesnar "fighting" next month. What a horrible time to be a mainstream MMA fan. I like how out of all of this that Brock Lesnar gets bashed. A guy that made the transition from Wrestling to MMA, and has done nothing but make his life about MMA and almost defeated a former world champion in his first fight, and only lost due to the experience of the former champion. But he's the problem.

**Props to Forrest but I call racist bullshit on that decision! I knew that one was coming.

**People who have never heard of head movement might think Forrest won. Because if you move your head a lot, you get the decision. It's in the rulebook…or not.

I get people being passionate about MMA and their "guy," but come on, racism? I just think it is a shame that so many people are going so insane over such a great fight. Having opinion is cool, but you can't dismiss the opinion of others. As mentioned I could have seen three easy scores for the fight, it was THAT close. I respect the opinion of others, but drop the sand from your vagina about racism and "THE FIX" being in. But controversy creates cash, and honestly I want an immediate rematch between these guys. In no way do I want to see Griffin vs. anyone else right now. I of a Griffin vs. Rampage rematch, and then the winner battles the winner of Evans vs. Liddell or Machida, who despite people not liking his style, does deserve a shot.

Griffin is now the champion and the UFC has to be thrilled, because he is truly their first "homegrown" guy. Yes he began before the original Ultimate Fighter, but he made waves in the finals when he won, he climbed the ranks, he beat Shogun and now has won the title. They will likely market this out the ass, and they should.

As far as my pick, I learned this lesson in poker, think long, think wrong. But apparently I cannot apply it to MMA. I debated this one way too much, wanted to pick Forrest due to his reach and ability to take punishment, but let my Rampage fandom get the better of me.

So now I wonder, will Rampage give his purse to Griffin, as he promised that it wouldn't go to a decision? Will Juanito retire as promised, since he said there was no way Griffin would defeat Rampage? Or is this like pro wrestling where the stipulations mean nothing?

Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.5

4-5. Man, I sucked. You may mock away. I mean, usually I do respectable, but this was just flat out bad.

The Overall:
Best Fight(s): LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT: Rampage Jackson © (28-6) vs. Forrest Griffin (15-4) 9.5
Worst Fight: MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT: Patrick Cote (13-4) vs. Ricardo Almeida (9-2) 3.0
Final Thoughts: Overall a very pedestrian show, but one with a great main event that for better or worse has people talking. It wasn't a bad show, but outside the main event, nothing you have to see. Make sure you check out Cole Miller vs. Jorge Gurgel for free on UFC.com, great fight as well.

Show Score: 6.9

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ZUFFA (UFC/WEC/PRIDE) Stories, Scuttlebutt and Rumors:
YOUR MMA NEWS: UFC 89, which will be headlined by Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben, will be airing for free on Spike TV on October 18. The October UFC PPV will be on a later date, most likely October 25.

-It's looking like CB Dollaway will be Jesse Taylor's opponent at UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19th. Dollaway was so mad about his loss to Amir Sadollah that he asked to fight again right away.

MY VIEWS: I like free shows! Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben is the fight that didn't happen at 85, due to Leben being a guest of the state. Bisping has won his first two fights at middleweight and looks to make it three straight against another Ultimate Fighter Alumni. Leben is coming off of two wins as well, and the winner here obviously climbs the ranks. Right now I am going Bisping, he was impressive as hell last time out.

Hey Jesse Taylor is already back in the UFC after showing he was a colossal fuck up on the Ultimate Fighter. And he is going to fight the supremely overrated CB Dollaway.

Dear Jesse,
Go for the arm bar.
Love,
Amir


YOUR MMA NEWS: MMARated.com is reporting that Rich Franklin will face Matt Hamill at UFC 88 in Atlanta, Georgia on September 6th, marking Franklin's return to the light heavyweight division.

Here is the updated card for UFC 88:

-Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
-Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares
-Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill
-Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
-James Lee vs. Tim Boetsch

MY VIEWS: All right, I love when the future cards begin to take shape like this early, there is always a chance of injury mucking things up, but as of now we have a pretty good deal.

Liddell is coming off of the win over Silva, which was big for him. I am sure that they want to do Liddell vs. Silva again, but a win here could see Chuck get a title shot, as mentioned above. Evans is still undefeated, with the one draw against Tito. You would have to think that a victory over Liddell would make him a LOCK for a title shot, which is why the match is so important.

I hate to be blunt, but Dan Henderson has been a bust in UFC as far a s a fighter goes. Granted they have made some good money with the title unification bouts, and he has lost to TOP NOTCH opponents, but to the casual fan, he's a guy that lost in two weight classes. To say that Henderson desperately needs a win here is an understatement. Rousimar Palhares is 8-1 with his biggest win at UFC 84 over Ivan Salaverry. Palhares will look to go to the ground, but that is Henderson's territory. It will be interesting to see if the old Dan Henderson returns, or if Palhares makes a name for himself.

Franklin is coming off a victory against Travis "The Cereal Eater" Lutter at UFC 83, while Hamill defeated Tim Boetsch at UFC Fight Night 13 in April. Some feel that Franklin is getting an easy fight, but I don't see how the hell people think that. Hamill is 4-1, and really many think (myself included) that he should be 5-0. He is constantly improving, and it will not be an easy night for Franklin. A win for Hamill gets him close to a title shot I feel.

Karo Parisyan looked prime for a title shot, unfortunately no one told Thiago Alves. Karo has to start from scratch in order to get a title shot, but now has to go through Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Yoshiyuki Yoshida is 10-2 and won his UFC debut against WAR MACHINE in a quick round one submission victory. This could be a fight that either sees Karo hump and bump his way to a victory, hoorah.

James Lee vs. Tim Boetsch is an interesting bout. Lee lost his UFC debut to Alessio Sakara in a quick round one battle, but he has a ton of experience and has a dangerous submission game. Boetsch gave Matt Hammil a run for his money before running out of gas. Conditioning will be key, but I think Boetsch's power could be the telling tale in this one.


YOUR MMA NEWS: MMAWeekly.com is reporting that Diego Sanchez could face Thiago Alves at UFC 89 on October 19th.

MY VIEWS: First the really good news, UFC 89 is currently slated to air for free on Spike TV. We love free events kids, especially "PPV" for free. Sanchez recently earned a really good win over Luigi Fioravanti at The Ultimate Fighter finale in June, while Alves destroyed Matt Hughes via TKO in the second round at UFC 85. This is likely a fight to get us an opponent for the winner of Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch, which I am fine with. I think Alves has t prove that he can make weight and win after the UFC 85 bullshit and Sanchez has to prove that he can takeout someone like Alves, who has beaten a Matt Hughes. I am totally fine with this match making.


YOUR MMA NEWS: BJ Penn recently told Fighters Club TV that he will be facing the winner of the upcoming UFC welterweight title fight at UFC 87 between Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch. The fight would most likely happen at the UFC's New Year's Eve card on December 27th. Penn also mentioned that he will likely face the winner of Roger Huerta vs. Kenny Florian.

MY VIEWS: Man, everyone is wanting to jump weight classes, it's the cool thing to do. I am down with a Penn vs. GSP BATTLE for sure, it would be a hell of a fight. But from a business aspect, sure it will draw, but I think you have to be careful. They are both champions, and if and when one of them lose, how does that look to the casual fan? If GSP wins will new MMA fans begin to look at the lower weights like the WWE Cruiserweight Division? And what I mean by that is Lower Weight = Less Skill = Not caring about them? I doubt it, but it is a concern I have. Seriously, how will it look if Anderson Silva loses to James Irvin? I am down for this fight, but as noted, I have concerns about running it.

BUT WAIT…THERE IS MORE! Josh Koscheck was recently asked if he would possibly like a re-match with UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in the near future. Koscheck admitted that he doesn't have an overwhelming desire to re-match GSP. However, he does mention that he could have his eyes set on UFC lightweight champion, BJ Penn:

"You never know. If people would want to see me fight B.J. Penn at 155 for the title, because there is really nobody there for him to fight, I'd do it.

I know B.J. very well, but business is business. We're friends, but at the end of the day, it's about making money together. If the fans would want to see it, I'd suck it up and I'd live that life to where I'd do whatever I have to do to make 155.

What are you in this business for, to make money and to win a title. Usually, they go hand in hand. A fight with B.J. would be like a dream for me."

I love this, first of all he's like, "I don't want no part of GSP again." That's just funny to me. Koscheck was very impressive at 86. He looked good from the fighting side, was ripped and appeared to be in his zone. I don't know if the cut is a good idea for him, but as a wrestler he would be used to it. The thing is I wonder how much he walks around at right now to get to 170. On an interesting note, Koscheck served as Penn's wrestling coach before his UFC 48 fight with Matt Hughes. I love little tidbits like that. I think Koscheck should stay at 170, with his constant improvement and ability to draw heat and interest, a rematch with GSP could do well money wise.


YOUR MMA NEWS: The UFC video game is set to be released on March 27, 2009 in the United Kingdom. However, Dave Meltzer is reporting that the game may be released a few months later in the United States due to the fact that THQ doesn't want to compete with it's WWE Legends of Wrestlemania game that is also set to come out in March.

MY VIEWS: Well that's cool for the UK< but sucks for US fans. I understand that THQ doesn't want to mess with the WWE launch, WWE is a proven commodity for them and has been for years. In the video game world, UFC is very unproven. It's just smart business. It sucks that I have to wait, but I completely understand. I hope that the game sells well enough so that they will eventually be looked at on the same level as WWE in the video game world.


YOUR MMA NEWS: WEC has released the full card for WEC 35 which will air on Versus on August 3rd. Here is the entire card as it stands right now:

Main Card:
-WEC Welterweight Title: Carlos Condit © vs. Hiromitsu Miura
-WEC Light Heavyweight Title: Brian Stann © vs. Steve Cantwell
-WEC Lightweight Title: Jamie Varner © vs. Marcus Hicks
-Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page
-Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller

Prelim Card
-Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater
-Blas Avena vs. Dave Terrel
-Cub Swanson vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
-Alex Karalexis vs. Todd Moore
-Mike Budnik vs. Greg McIntyre
-Scott Jorgensen vs. Kenji Osawa

MY VIEWS: I am just going to hit on the title fights here, because I know not everyone loves a wall of text, and this is going long.

Condit is running on a seven fight winning streak and has looked great in his last four fights, all in WEC. He defends against Miura, who is 2-1 in WEC with wins over BLAS and Fernando Gonzalez. He has KO power, but Condit is great in the ground and has been a submachine, Miura is going to tap here.

DID YOU KNOW BRIAN STANN WAS A MARINE? Well if you didn't you will after watching this show, as they will beat it into your head. Anyway, Stann is devastating, 6-0, all first round (t)KO's. Cantwell is 2-1 in WEC, with a KO and Sub in his two wins. But his loss was to Stann at WEC 26. I see the same happening here, maybe not as quick, but Stann should win again.

Varner is 2-0 in WEC, and is coming off of his title victory over RAZOR ROB at WEC 32. It was a fun fight, and Varner in my opinion got the upset and title win. Hicks is 8-0 overall, 3-0 in his WEC run including a domination of Ed Ratcliff at WEC 33. Hicks hasn't been out of the 2nd round in his short career, making quick work of his opponents. This one is a toss up right now.

And what's up with my boy Brock Larson being snubbed to the prelim card again? Anyway I have always enjoyed the WEC cards as they always seem to deliver, and I look forward to this one as well. But Sunday? Guys, you're killing me.

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411 MMA LINKZ~!
Tons of great stuff to read this week from the 411 MMA crew!

The Ground and Pound!

The Middleweight Rankings!

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Strikeforce: Thompson vs. Melendez!

411's WEC Wreckage Report!

411's Fighter of the Month for June!

411's Profile on Forrest Griffin, the NEW champ!

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Other MMA News…
YOUR MMA NEWS: Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio recently released a statement regarding the next Affliction cards, which could include a possible match-up between Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett.

"We're looking at the end of October or early November for the next show and after that - probably February. We are going to use the winners (of the July fight) for the next show."

MY VIEWS: All right, so they want to do Fedor vs. Barnett. I know some think that it is a foregone conclusion that Fedor will beat TIM-MAH, and in a ring I can see why they think so, but anything can happen in a fight, and we should all remember that. I think Fedor wins, but shit happens. Barnett is coming off of two wins, those being over Hidehiko Yoshida by submission and Jeff Monson via decision. He faces Pedro Rizzo, who has also destroyed Monson and beat Justin Eilers via decision. Barnett winning is not a given, Rizzo is prone to being cut and it just depends on who is able to get their game plan set. I will say that if both men can win, it will be a big match for MMA diehards. Of course, they have to get past show one first of all. Affliction has the money and seems to want to throw it into the promotion, let's just hope that they don't end up like YAMMA. What happened to them anyway>


YOUR MMA NEWS: During a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson was asked about potential challengers to the title he just won from Gilbert Melendez this past weekend. Thomson then had the following to say about EliteXC's lightweight champion, KJ Noons:

"It's all up to (Strikeforce CEO) Scott Coker, we're going to see exactly what happens with Strikeforce and who they look to bring in.

You never know that a fight potentially next year you may see K.J. (Noons) and myself to join titles. We might see who wins that fight. That's just something that's kind of been thrown at me a little bit, but you never know. That might be a fight we're all interested in."

MY VIEWS: I am torn on the idea of this. As a fan I LOVE the idea of guys fighting to see who is the best. It is fun and exciting. From a business standpoint it is sketchy. I understand why UFC wants their guys under lock and key and won't entertain these sort of things. Strikeforce and Elite have a working relationship, and hell, by this time next year Elite may blow more cash and but Strikeforce as well. But if I represent one company, I don't know if I agree to this, because of you lose, you lose BIG time, and the perception that the other company is better than you is placed in the minds of the people. But as a fan, yes please.


YOUR MMA NEWS: Dave Meltzer is reporting that Shayna Baszler's opponent for the upcoming EliteXC/CBS primetime show on July 26th will be none other than Christiane Santos.

MY VIEWS: Santos is the wife of Evengelista "Cyborg" Santos. It is believed that the winner of this fight will fight Gina Carano later in the year for the EliteXC women's championship. I know next to nothing about Santos, I tried some research but came up empty (If anyone has a good link, please share) What I DO know is that Shayna Baszler is 9-4, and I have seen her last three fights. They have been executions, all in one round, all by submission. Back in April, after he last win I noted that I felt bad for Shayna Baszler, because I really feel that she would very likely school Carano in an open-weight fight, and we may as well call it that since there is no way Carano makes 140, but I would be shocked if EliteXC puts that fight together in the near future. It could happen now if Baszler wins, and it should be a hell of a fight.


YOUR MMA NEWS: The new "proposed" weight classes for MMA per a meeting with the Association of Boxing Commissions this week:

MALE:
*Flyweight (up to 105 lbs)
*Super flyweight (over 105.1 to 115 lbs)
*Bantamweight (over 115.1 to 125 lbs)
*Super bantamweight (over 125.1 to 135 lbs)
*Featherweight (over 135.1 to 145 lbs)
*Lightweight (over 145.1 to 155 lbs)
*Super lightweight (over 155.1 to 165 lbs)
*Welterweight (over 165.1 to 175 lbs)
*Super welterweight (over 175.1 to 185 lbs)
*Middleweight (over 185.1 to 195 lbs)
*Super middleweight (over 195.1 to 205 lbs)
*Light heavyweight (over 205.1 to 225 lbs)
*Heavyweight (over 225.1 to 265 lbs)
*Super heavyweight (over 265.1 lbs)

FEMALE:
*Flyweight (95 lbs. and below)
*Bantamweight (95.1-105 lbs.)
*Featherweight (105.1-115 lbs.)
*Lightweight (115.1-125 lbs.)
*Welterweight (125.1-135 lbs.)
*Middleweight (135.1-145 lbs.)
*Light Heavyweight (145.1-155 lbs.)
*Cruiserweight (155.1-165 lbs.)
*Heavyweight (165.1-185 lbs.)
*Super Heavyweight (185.1 and above)

MY VIEWS: All right, I do NOT like this. To me it is like boxing, as when you have SO many weight classes and SO many titles, people will not know who all of the champions are and thusly not give two shits about who the champions are. I was all for adding a FEW, maybe two new classes to the overall deal. Like the jump from 185-205 is big, so I could see a division stuck in there. But to add all of these classes I feel are NOT a good idea. Here is the other thing, while there are guys that HATE to cut weight and will like some of these new divisions, you will still have guys with wrestling backgrounds that know how to cut weight and don't mind cutting weight that will cut 20lbs or more, like Sean Sherk, to fight in a lower weight division in order to re-hydrate and have an advantage in their lower division. These new weight classes were made by the Association of Boxing Commissions, and in my opinion they want to make MMA like boxing, which as I noted is a BAD idea. At the UFC 86 press conference Dana White said that they were not pleased with the new weight classes and that they don't plan to use them. This is now causing a great inconsistency of the rules, which is NOT a good thing for the sport. Nick Lembo of the New Jersey Athletic Control Board has noted that these are only suggestions, and not new rules implemented. Basically each state would have to individually decide on the changes, which causes the new problem of some states using the rules and some now, basically we'd have the same sport with different rules and that sucks for the fighters. Both New Jersey and Ohio are against this new rule suggestion and Nevada and California didn't attend the meeting. I am not a fan of this at all, and will be curious to see how this all pans out.


YOUR MMA NEWS: Here is the belt that FEDOR and TIM-MAH will be fighting for on July 19th:



MY VIEWS: Not shown in this picture is the Velcro that fastens the belt, classy. Well, it isn't the worst belt I have ever seen, but I am not a fan of it. It looks very generic and too much like the boxing belts that I dislike.

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And that's a wrap for me kids! Bren is back next week, so take care until then!