Eight Sides of Steel 08.03.08: A Final Fantasy So Cold
Posted by Wendell Mitchell on 08.03.2008
This week we take a look at Ken Flo, El Matador, Gina, and the continuing downward spiral of Quinton Jackson. These things and a hot chick to ease the heartache await you within the confines of the Eight Sides of Steel.
SHOW STOPPING, MAIN EVENTING AND THE HEADLINES
Roger Huerta has had less than flattering things to say about the UFC in recent interviews. In particular, he has voiced a common complaint that their pay outs barely exceed their expenses.
I know people hate to hear athletes complain about their pay, but at the end of the day, your average fighter may make more money than us, but I guarantee they also have expenses we don't share. I bet most of us with office jobs not only don't pay to get trained, but get paid to do so. So I feel for the guy in that regard.
It has been confirmed that Gina Carano will face 16-2 Kelly Kobald-Gavin at the EliteXC show in October.Smart move by Shaw and company. They know Kimbo's name will sell this event so they need to hold back on potentially the biggest fight in Women's MMA by rushing her into a bout with Christiane Cyborg. Build it up until the people's demand it as its high, then pull the trigger.
In a tragic turn of events, light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson may have caused a woman to miscarry. The Huntington Beach District Attorney's office is currently investigating whether or not Jackson's action were the cause.
Words fail me at the moment. It's bad enough my favorite fighter apparantly lost his mind, but he may be involved with the death of an unborn child. Just when I thought his situation could not get worse. With this new development, I wonder how the media will view MMA in the near future.
Randy Couture's autobiography Becoming the Natural debuted at number 33 on the New York Time's Best Seller's List.
Haven't mentioned Captain America in my column in a bit, so congratulations sir. I'll pick this one up and add it to my collection of Mick Foley and Ric Flair bestsellers.
In more Jackson related news, the former champ has dismissed long time trainer Juanito Ibarra and has entered an outpatient program to evaluate his mental stability
It's good that he's getting help, but it does leave one wondering why he parted ways with Ibarra after stating numerous times how much the man did for him both inside and outside of the Octagon.
While declining to provide exact figures, Affliction VP Tom Atencio has gone on record as saying that their first foray into pay-per-view did well over 100,000 buys and that ninety percent of their tickets were sold to ticket buyers .
Not a whole lot of clarity here, but it's a headline. I've said it before, and I'll say it again "man, I love being a turtle." Oh, and I'm a big fan of competition, so whatever the numbers are, I hope Affliction can stick around for a bit.
In other Affliction news, Aleksander Emelianenko, has dispelled rumors that he had to withdraw from the event because he contracted Hepatitis.
Very good news for Fedor's little bro. It seems he simply was late getting all his medical tests done due to visa and traveling issues. The California State Athletic Commission is very strict with their adherence to these deadlines, therefore Alek was not cleared to fight.
James Irvin failed a post-fight drug test after his recent bout with Anderson Silva
Seems he got busted for a couple of pain killers that although can be obtained via prescription, are not permissable in MMA. Not a good few days for the Sandman. First he gets put to sleep by Silva, then he's out of work for up to a year.
AND IN THIS CORNER
Kenny "KenFlo" Florian
VS
Roger "El Matador" Huerta
In just under a week these two top lightweight fighters will square off at UFC 87.
Huerta has the experience edge, having fought in twice as many bouts as Florian, and losing only a third as many. Both men are known for finishing off their opponents spectacularly and I think Ken Flo has more to prove.
I like Florian, but I predict Huerta pulls this one out in a tough, close fight.
IN A DAZE
Making the rounds this week is a rumor that Dream is so desperate for a maquee match up that they are pitching the idea of pitting heavyweight striker Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic against Middleweight Yoshiro Akiyama. The thought process here is to gain a huge viewership for the prospect of watching the extremely popular Cro Cop destroy the much reviled Akiyama. If I remember correctly, they don't enforce the weight classes quite as rigidly in Japan as they do in the states, so I can see this coming to fruition.
IN BETWEEN ROUNDS
RANDOM MUSING AND BRUISING
What was once a d crowded street clears away one by one. He can feel the death of all hope and ponders what can be done. Despite bitter cold cutting into his flesh, he offers his hand. A wiser man would simply leave where this man makes his stand. Torn by the need to satisfy the emptiness inside, he continues to fight. Despite how defenseless they are, he promises that everything will be all right.
Beautiful in her brutality
SHOWING PROPS
Yours truly and a bunch of other guys picked an Ultimate Fighter as our 411 Fighter of the Month
The Boss Man, Adam, Jeremy, Jonathan and John weigh in with their thoughtgs and predictions of tonights WEC 35 Card
Once again, I would like to thank everyone of you that took time out to stop by my corner of the internet. Come see me again next week within the confines of the Eight Sides of Steel.
