The Fight of the Century? Really Dana?
May 15th, 2009 by admin
Thank god we have an interim heavyweight champion. The Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture fight is the result of a perfect storm of politics that has been brewing within the UFC and Zuffa. Really though, it’s a microcosm of what has become a much larger issue of politics within the sport of MMA. The real issue? MMA is the new boxing.
Since its inception, Mixed Martial Arts organizations have billed themselves as leagues of opportunity for the best fighters. Indeed, the original UFC events were bracket tournaments that gave even the most obscure fighters the chance at #1. Now we know that it is neither healthy nor plausible to reenact this format. But the clarity within the sport is gone.
I was a fan of the Pride Fighting Championships in Japan for as long as they were in business. Pride promoted a championship tournament that gave us such fights as CroCop vs Barnett (in their primes mind you), Fedor vs Minotauro and Coleman vs Vovchanchyn. Those were the days when Genki Sudo’s entrances were the entertainment for the night, and the MMA was about the MMA.
No Mickey’s, no Bud Light, no BSN. Pride was about the fighting, not the promotions and sponsorships. I don’t mean to blame the UFC for being a business. I understand that as a for-profit entity, Dana White’s organization has a right to make money. But, as an MMA fan – and as a devout hater of boxing – I hate seeing the UFC’s size become a breeding ground for politics.
While I’m sure that the Lesnar/Couture fight will be a very entertaining fight - and hopefully a competitive one – why the hell is Dana White calling this the “Biggest fight in UFC history”? It’s called hype, and it’s a breeding ground for distractions like Kimbo Slice. Let’s let quality fights speak for themselves – we MMA fans are sophisticated and we don’t need the “entertainment”.
By: Cole Peyton (www.MeisterMMA.com)
About the Author:
Since its inception, Mixed Martial Arts organizations have billed themselves as leagues of opportunity for the best fighters. Indeed, the original UFC events were bracket tournaments that gave even the most obscure fighters the chance at #1. Now we know that it is neither healthy nor plausible to reenact this format. But the clarity within the sport is gone.
I was a fan of the Pride Fighting Championships in Japan for as long as they were in business. Pride promoted a championship tournament that gave us such fights as CroCop vs Barnett (in their primes mind you), Fedor vs Minotauro and Coleman vs Vovchanchyn. Those were the days when Genki Sudo’s entrances were the entertainment for the night, and the MMA was about the MMA.
No Mickey’s, no Bud Light, no BSN. Pride was about the fighting, not the promotions and sponsorships. I don’t mean to blame the UFC for being a business. I understand that as a for-profit entity, Dana White’s organization has a right to make money. But, as an MMA fan – and as a devout hater of boxing – I hate seeing the UFC’s size become a breeding ground for politics.
While I’m sure that the Lesnar/Couture fight will be a very entertaining fight - and hopefully a competitive one – why the hell is Dana White calling this the “Biggest fight in UFC history”? It’s called hype, and it’s a breeding ground for distractions like Kimbo Slice. Let’s let quality fights speak for themselves – we MMA fans are sophisticated and we don’t need the “entertainment”.
By: Cole Peyton (www.MeisterMMA.com)
About the Author:
Cole Peyton owns www.MeisterMMA.com and writes a weekly article.
Rampage Sophie’s choice
May 14th, 2009 by adminThanks to fighlinker.com for coming up with the title. Dana White offers Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson the proverbial “Sophie’s choice.” Jackson can fight on short notice for the LHW championship against Rashad Evans, or he can take time off and watch Lyoto Machida take the fight … “rashad evans” “lyoto machida” “dana white” “ufc 96″ “ufc 98″ “rampage’s choice”
By: WatchKalibRun
About the Author:
By: WatchKalibRun
About the Author:
A Rich History Of Mixed Martial Arts
May 13th, 2009 by admin
It’s easy to see where boxing leaves off and Mixed Martial Arts begins. Just one look at the UFC octagon, steel cage and frantic crowds and you instantly know that MMA is a world apart from the boxing your grandfather once told you about. This is the world where different combat styles pit themselves against the rest to determine which one remains supreme. It’s a brutal sport where the will to fight has always been bigger than the will to bring home a dollar. The athletes that put themselves into the cage have a pride that has long been lost in the world of professional boxing.
It hasn’t always been that way. In MMA’s yesteryear the fighting that took place has been noted as human cockfighting by prominent government officials such as John McCain. It went from very few states offering sanctioned fights to no states offering sanctioned fights. Mixed Martial Arts rose to prominence in the underground fight leagues and it seemingly died right there. No one, not even the original owners of the UFC thought Mixed Martial Arts had the ability to survive mounting scrutiny of congress and the overwhelming dislike by state officials. It seemed as though Mixed Martial Arts had died a premature death.
In 2001 under new ownership and with Dana White as their outspoken and fight ready leader it made a quick and triumphant return to the main stage with stricter fight rules, pay per views, electric competitions and a show called “Ultimate Fighter.” This all proved to be a lethal combination that led the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts back to the limelight that it briefly shared with professional boxing.
With the explosion of the Ultimate Fighter the UFC was able to reach a new audience that has boosted sales of pay per views, MMA Fighter Gear, apparel and ticket sales. The show has helped to breed some of the most entertaining and efficient fighters in Mixed Martial Arts history. With fans running rabid to get a hold of merchandise sold by Tap Out: a company built on the back of Mixed Martial Arts, the UFC has been able to build long lasting business relationships that has helped them with putting their stamp on the world of fighting. It is no wonder that pay per view sales have surpassed that of professional boxing. They also hold their own against the pay per view sales of long established professional wrestling, most notably, World Wrestling Entertainment.
With a firm foothold in the 18-35 demographic there is no indication that the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts will fizzle out like it did in its previous incarnation. As the fighters are strong and ready to fight at a moments notice, the leadership behind the sport is equally as hungry to remain on top of the world of fighting.
By: Kimberly Green
About the Author:
It hasn’t always been that way. In MMA’s yesteryear the fighting that took place has been noted as human cockfighting by prominent government officials such as John McCain. It went from very few states offering sanctioned fights to no states offering sanctioned fights. Mixed Martial Arts rose to prominence in the underground fight leagues and it seemingly died right there. No one, not even the original owners of the UFC thought Mixed Martial Arts had the ability to survive mounting scrutiny of congress and the overwhelming dislike by state officials. It seemed as though Mixed Martial Arts had died a premature death.
In 2001 under new ownership and with Dana White as their outspoken and fight ready leader it made a quick and triumphant return to the main stage with stricter fight rules, pay per views, electric competitions and a show called “Ultimate Fighter.” This all proved to be a lethal combination that led the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts back to the limelight that it briefly shared with professional boxing.
With the explosion of the Ultimate Fighter the UFC was able to reach a new audience that has boosted sales of pay per views, MMA Fighter Gear, apparel and ticket sales. The show has helped to breed some of the most entertaining and efficient fighters in Mixed Martial Arts history. With fans running rabid to get a hold of merchandise sold by Tap Out: a company built on the back of Mixed Martial Arts, the UFC has been able to build long lasting business relationships that has helped them with putting their stamp on the world of fighting. It is no wonder that pay per view sales have surpassed that of professional boxing. They also hold their own against the pay per view sales of long established professional wrestling, most notably, World Wrestling Entertainment.
With a firm foothold in the 18-35 demographic there is no indication that the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts will fizzle out like it did in its previous incarnation. As the fighters are strong and ready to fight at a moments notice, the leadership behind the sport is equally as hungry to remain on top of the world of fighting.
By: Kimberly Green
About the Author:
K. Green lives with her husband who is a huge fan of mixed martial arts and she has a great deal of experience in buying all kinds of MMA Fighter Gear on a regular basis.
Bet on UFC 97
April 15th, 2009 by adminThe UFC 97 odds in favor of Sozynski are -155 to +115 against Stann, a former WEC star who is making his UFC debut coming off of a tough loss to fellow UFC newcomer and WEC contemporary Steve Cantwell.
The BetUS sportsbook has this one as Quarry at -125 to MacDonald at -115 making Quarry a slight favorite so bet on UFC 97.
Both Chuck Liddell and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua have all the talent in the world, but they haven’t given very impressive performances in recent fights. Despite losing 3 of his last 4 fights, Liddell is the favorite in this one at -200 to +150 for Rua.
UFC 97 Free Picks
April 15th, 2009 by adminNate Quarry and Jason MacDonald are two UFC fan favorites with good all-around games and name recognition, making this a solid matchup on a pretty good overall card at UFC 97.
Quarry is the former Ultimate Fighter TV show veteran with knockout power and a business-like demeanor in the octagon who has the size and attitude to intimidate many of his opponents.
MacDonald, known as “the athlete”, is a fellow talented middleweight who lives up to his nickname with his great quickness and flexibility on the ground. MacDonald always seems to come into each fight in peak physical condition as well.
The BetUS sportsbook has this one as Quarry at -125 to MacDonald at -115 making Quarry a slight favorite.erful and well-rounded for him right now.