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And we're rolling... - 09.03.2006
So I'm starting a 411 blog so I have a place to ramble on about whatever comes to mind in between editions of The Thursday Throwdown. My rants will mostly be MMA-related, but since this is a blog, not my column, I'll throw in some other stuff as well. (Hey, I could have either written this or added a 15th review of "Snakes on a Plane" to this site...I think I made the right choice)
First things first: how on earth did I call September a "slow" month, all the while forgetting the fact that Pride's Open Weight GP comes to a conclusion in September? The answer is...well, I don't know. For whatever reason, one of the biggest events of the year slipped my mind. Furthermore, I made mention of the October Pride event in the U.S., and somehow didn't mention this month's offering. I suppose I could just have edited the article after it posted, but come on, that would be pretty lame on my part. So contrary to my idiotic statement, September is actually a huge month for MMA, with Pride and the UFC putting on big fights and the IFL and Icon Sport checking in with some good action as well. Speaking of which...
Robbie Lawler lost to "Mayhem" Miller last night in Hawaii, and Iowa mourns. Oh well, I guess. Apparently it was a competitive fight, with Mayhem taking a slow-paced first round, Lawler getting Mayhem in deep trouble in the second, and Mayhem dominating the third en route to a head/arm choke from the top. Mayhem is unpredictable, talented and has good ground skills, so I don't take this as a sign that Lawler isn't headed for big things. I still think Lawler could one day be a world champ in the UFC or elsewhere. Before you laugh at me, understand that no less than current WW Champ Matt Hughes and trainer extraordinaire Pat Miletich say the same thing. In fact, Pat frequently says that when Lawler's on top of his game in the gym, no one there can hang with him.
The 411 MMA Top Ten Rankings have been delayed a bit. We're basically finalizing the format, although the rankings themselves have been voted on and are ready to go. I've only seen the Light Heavyweight rankings, and I'm interested to see how everyone voted for the other divisions. There were at least a few surprises for me in the LHW division alone. As I said, I'll be posting my own rankings in the Throwdown later this week, so hopefully the 411 rankings will be up before then.
One thing I will definitely mention in this space is the Chicago Bears, since I'm a huge fan. My enjoyment of football is only second to MMA, and I'm pretty pumped for the start of the season. Of course, it makes it a lot better when you think your team actually stands a chance to make the playoffs. We have a famously weak division again this year, so I think we're a lock for the playoffs and an outside contender to make the Super Bowl, although most are picking Carolina to make it. The Bears should win their first three (against Green Bay-ha!, Detroit, Minnesota) and come Week 4 against the Seahawks we'll find out how good we really are.
I picked up the new OutKast album last week. I haven't really listened to it much so far, but I'm sure it's at least pretty good. I actually am one of the few that have been with the duo since the beginning...I got their first cd (Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik- I know, good title right?) back in middle school and have bought their cd's ever since. It was kind of cool to see them go from relative obscurity to winning Best Album at the Grammys...conceding of course that the Grammys are usually ridiculous and mean next to nothing. Anyway, I still think their days as a group are numbered. I mean, sure they didn't go the "double album comprised of solo discs" route this time, but still, they only appear on a few songs together on the whole Idlewild album. It would be nice if, before they call it quits, they'd put out just one more album with the two of them on every song, where Dre actually raps, and with only a couple guest appearances.
There's a lot of wrestling fans on this site, obviously...how many of you caught the sad, sad appearance of Chris Jericho on "Celebrity Duets"? It was like a train wreck, except with more Michael Bolton. If you missed Jericho's duet with Lee Ann Womack (female country singer), you missed a truly sad moment as Y2J was forced to sing a country ballad. He had two options: 1)Just say "screw it" and butcher it intentionally or 2)Attempt to sing it as well as possible and hope for the best, and sadly, he picked the second option. If he ever comes back to the WWE, someone will have to bust the footage of that out during a feud. It's even more damning than the old Vince McMahon performance that "that damned DX" kept showing not too long ago. On a side note, I'm astonished that the Jericho Duets footage hasn't made it's way to YouTube yet.
Anyway, that's it for now, I'll write more later or see you guys on the Throwdown.
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The Throwdown 08.10.07: Pu-Pump It Up!
(08.10.2007)
Another MMA drug use column?! Yes, but in this rant, 411's Jon Hartley plays devil's advocate and explains why not all steroid violations are created equal. Also, why do fighters keep using banned substances when they surely know they'll be caught? These questions and more will be answered, plus the return of The Throwdown Top 10's, including three number one fighters who are not Pride or UFC Champions! |
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The Throwdown 5.15.07: Brave New World
(05.15.2007)
Gonzaga knocks Cro Cop's head off. Matt Serra is the UFC Welterweight Champ. The Fertitta's buy Pride. And now, The Throwdown returns as Jon Hartley tries to make sense of what has already been a crazy year for MMA. |
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The Throwdown 5.15.07: Brave New World
(05.15.2007)
Gonzaga knocks Cro Cop's head off. Matt Serra is the UFC Welterweight Champ. The Fertitta's buy Pride. And now, The Throwdown returns as Jon Hartley tries to make sense of what has already been a crazy year for MMA. |
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The Throwdown 12.01.06: The Tables Have Turned
(12.01.2006)
MMA, once a freak show, is now a sanctioned sport that has reached much of mainstream America. Now that the sport has gained popularity, is it time for promotions to use their leverage with athletic commissions and make some changes? Also, 411's Jon Hartley talks Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Frank Trigg this weekend, contrasting Tim Sylvia to Jens Pulver and more on The Throwdown! |
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The Throwdown 12.01.06: The Tables Have Turned
(12.01.2006)
MMA, once a freak show, is now a sanctioned sport that has reached much of mainstream America. Now that the sport has gained popularity, is it time for promotions to use their leverage with athletic commissions and make some changes? Also, 411's Jon Hartley talks Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Frank Trigg this weekend, contrasting Tim Sylvia to Jens Pulver and more on The Throwdown! |
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The Throwdown 11.25.06: Giving Thanks
(11.25.2006)
Now that we've all devoured (most) of our turkey, it's time to reflect on what we're thankful for in the MMA world. 411's Jon Hartley is thankful for Wanderlei Silva. And Georges St. Pierre. And...well, the list goes on. Find out what else is on the list, and check out the newest installment of The Throwdown MMA Top Ten! You know you want to. |
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The Throwdown 11.25.06: Giving Thanks
(11.25.2006)
Now that we've all devoured (most) of our turkey, it's time to reflect on what we're thankful for in the MMA world. 411's Jon Hartley is thankful for Wanderlei Silva. And Georges St. Pierre. And...well, the list goes on. Find out what else is on the list, and check out the newest installment of The Throwdown MMA Top Ten! You know you want to. |
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The Thursday Throwdown 11.16.06: The Tyson Syndrome
(11.16.2006)
Vitor Belfort fails a drug test after his latest loss, Mark Kerr's second attempted comeback falls short. The list goes on and on. Why do we, the fans, continue buying into the idea of fighters regaining their former glory? 411's Jon Hartley looks into this question in The Throwdown! Plus, fighter salary discussion, UFC previews, and do steroids really help? |
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The Thursday Throwdown 11.16.06: The Tyson Syndrome
(11.16.2006)
Vitor Belfort fails a drug test after his latest loss, Mark Kerr's second attempted comeback falls short. The list goes on and on. Why do we, the fans, continue buying into the idea of fighters regaining their former glory? 411's Jon Hartley looks into this question in The Throwdown! Plus, fighter salary discussion, UFC previews, and do steroids really help? |
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The Thursday Throwdown 10.19.06: Share the Wealth
(10.19.2006)
With weight divisions thinning out in every major MMA organization, is it time for promoters to start swapping fighters more often? Also, UFC 64 thoughts, BJ Penn's injury, and Mike Swick wants a title shot! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 10.19.06: Share the Wealth
(10.19.2006)
With weight divisions thinning out in every major MMA organization, is it time for promoters to start swapping fighters more often? Also, UFC 64 thoughts, BJ Penn's injury, and Mike Swick wants a title shot! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 10.13.06: UFC 64 Preview
(10.13.2006)
Not one, but two titles are on the line at UFC 64, and 411's Jon Hartley is here with a full preview of those as well as the other matches on the card! Also, thoughts on UFC Fight Night 7, K-1, and Takanori Gomi's next title defense! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 10.13.06: UFC 64 Preview
(10.13.2006)
Not one, but two titles are on the line at UFC 64, and 411's Jon Hartley is here with a full preview of those as well as the other matches on the card! Also, thoughts on UFC Fight Night 7, K-1, and Takanori Gomi's next title defense! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 09.29.06: What's In a "Can"?
(09.29.2006)
Chances are, if you're a fan of MMA, you've used the phrase "tomato can"...probably incorrectly, 411's Jon Hartley says. Fighters such as Nate Quarry, Chris Leben and Justin Eilers have all been insulted with the slang term for "poor fighter"...who really deserves the label, and why? Also, Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni, and is there a feud more one-sided than Ken-Tito? |
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The Thursday Throwdown 09.29.06: What's In a "Can"?
(09.29.2006)
Chances are, if you're a fan of MMA, you've used the phrase "tomato can"...probably incorrectly, 411's Jon Hartley says. Fighters such as Nate Quarry, Chris Leben and Justin Eilers have all been insulted with the slang term for "poor fighter"...who really deserves the label, and why? Also, Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni, and is there a feud more one-sided than Ken-Tito? |
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IFL: Miletich vs. Gracie Recap
(09.26.2006)
The International Fight League came to Moline, IL last weekend and 411's Jon Hartley was there! Check out the recap for full results and detailed match rundowns, including UFC legend Pat Miletich's return to fighting against Renzo Gracie! Plus, the latest info from MMA legends Don Frye and Mark Kerr! |
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411's IFL: Miletich vs. Gracie Report 09.23.06
(09.23.2006)
The International Fight League came to Moline, IL last weekend and 411's Jon Hartley was there! Check out the recap for full results and detailed match rundowns, including UFC legend Pat Miletich's return to fighting against Renzo Gracie! Plus, the latest info from MMA legends Don Frye and Mark Kerr! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 9.21.06: The Invincibility Myth
(09.21.2006)
Fighters have been deemed "invincible" by fans and media for decades, but can any fighter truly be unbeatable? In light of Wanderlei Silva's recent loss and Matt Hughes' upcoming bout with BJ Penn, 411's Jon Hartley answers that very question! Plus, an IFL preview, UFC 63 preview, and Kurt Angle coming to MMA?!?! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 9.21.06: The Invincibility Myth
(09.21.2006)
Fighters have been deemed "invincible" by fans and media for decades, but can any fighter truly be unbeatable? In light of Wanderlei Silva's recent loss and Matt Hughes' upcoming bout with BJ Penn, 411's Jon Hartley answers that very question! Plus, an IFL preview, UFC 63 preview, and Kurt Angle coming to MMA?!?! |
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The Thursday Throwdown 9.07.06: Showdowns Galore
(09.07.2006)
This week in the Throwdown, 411's Jon Hartley previews a huge weekend, including Pride's tournament finals and the Matt Lindland/Jeremy Horn showdown in the IFL! Also, Sean Sherk and Kenny Florian heat things up, and which UFC fighter is the newest to test positive for steroids? All this plus the Throwdown's MMA top ten rankings! |
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