For information about WAMMA. Check out the MMA Analyst article.
For those who need a summery: A bunch of people who have no understanding ranging from a former pro Football coach to a bumbling FBI agent to Roy Jones Jr. former management has formed the first MMA "sanctioning body". What will this sanction body do for the sport of MMA? Nothing that isn't done before by the commissions. Other then selling ad space on the weight belts they will be carrying, they're are basically another money mark organization trying to hide itself under the words "sanctioning body"
Matter of fact, I have more respect for the JMM in Japan then I have for WAMMA here. The reasons why are obvious to the naked eye. First of all, Japan need some sort of structure for MMA, ok. A sanctioning body like the JMM can bring that structure and possibly get Japanese MMA out of the funk it's in now. Second of all, if you look at who will be running WAMMA and who's running the JMM, the JMM has WAMMA beaten in the legitimacy area ten fold. JMM has more people who've actually have experience in combat sports then JAMMA has. Shoot, the JMM has a better disgraced public official in a ranking spot then WAMMA does.
I think the biggest joke in this comedy of errors is the ad belts. I'm pretty much willing to bet that was last minute and half assed by them. To show how foolish this concept is, I'll present two scenarios.
1. Coca-Cola finally chips in and funds the WAMMA Heavyweight Championship. To celebrate this, WAMMA has one of it's affiliated leagues throw a huge bash a day before UFC's Arnold card with the headline fight being (off the top of my head) Brad Imes vs. Jeff Monson for the title. Jeff wins. Before the weekend's out, Jeff throws the title in the trash and joins M-1. The reason the Heavyweight title's in the trash? It's owned by Coca-Cola.
2.Let's use the same scenario but replace Coca-Cola with, say Domino's Pizza and make the title the welterweight title. Let's say that...Diego Sanchez and JZ Cavalcanti fight for the title. Diego wins the title. Say a week later, Domino's pulls sponsorship because Diego does yoga which is against the religious convictions of their CEO. What does WAMMA do now? Not only do they lose a big sponsor, their welterweight belt have no purpose.
In the end, I think MMA is doing great with what we got going so far working with state athletic commissions. There is no need to pay extra money to a non existent organizations just to work in states and organizations that are already assessable and to waste the same amount of money to get proper sponsors when all it takes is a little explanation and a bit more elbow grease.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
The New Pro-Wrestling
Yesterday, Randy Couture and Dana White had dueling pressers. Randy had his press conference covered by HDNet and ProElite.com while Dana had his phone conference held on Yahoo. While I heard about how it wasn't about the money for Randy, it was about respect and then spout off figures or read about how Dana was drooling over Brock Lesnar's "tremendous wrestling ability" from second hand sources, I had this question wiggling around the back of my head.
Where's the coverage from ESPN? ESPN 2? The Ocho?
Was there any coverage from anywhere but niche media on these two events?
There's nothing. Not even anything on ESPN's MMA section. Then again, it's run by Sherdog and we all know how Dana like to play Jerry Millen with that connection.
The only big source that did actual coverage was Yahoo and right now they're not looking too good. If you take Dave Meltzer out of the section, it pretty much resembles an Apter Mag circa 1993. Kevin Iole is UFC's own Vince Russo...or Mean Gene Okerland. Depending on how you take your "insider information". Wait...I take that back. yeah, Kevin Iole is Bill Apter. No way is he on the UFC payroll....yet.
So what does this mean?
Welcome to the new pro-wrestling.
Now before anyone jumps on me, I'm not saying that MMA is fake and/or predetermined. What I am saying is that the Sports jurnos are giving MMA the same "Who gives a fuck" attitude that they give pro wrestlers.
"But we got coverage on ESPN"
News. ESPN News. And on the day before a fight. And then maybe fifteen seconds on the Sporstcenter loop at night.
You can state till your face turns blue that MMA has coverage on TV, it's still being held back by the Kornhiesers and Mariatis of the network. Why? Because to them, stick and ball sports have more integrity. To them, Randy Couture vs. Dana White is just another Vince vs. Steve Austin.
So they laugh that horrid laugh and act like they're cool, but the end of the day they rather smoke crack then watch MMA. "Who wants to watch a bunch of lunkheads in a cage" they think.
You want it changed, send letters and more letters. Get major coverage and demand it from real jurnos and not office temps they send when they don't want to do it.
Stick and ball media are spoiled brats. Order them to do better.
Where's the coverage from ESPN? ESPN 2? The Ocho?
Was there any coverage from anywhere but niche media on these two events?
There's nothing. Not even anything on ESPN's MMA section. Then again, it's run by Sherdog and we all know how Dana like to play Jerry Millen with that connection.
The only big source that did actual coverage was Yahoo and right now they're not looking too good. If you take Dave Meltzer out of the section, it pretty much resembles an Apter Mag circa 1993. Kevin Iole is UFC's own Vince Russo...or Mean Gene Okerland. Depending on how you take your "insider information". Wait...I take that back. yeah, Kevin Iole is Bill Apter. No way is he on the UFC payroll....yet.
So what does this mean?
Welcome to the new pro-wrestling.
Now before anyone jumps on me, I'm not saying that MMA is fake and/or predetermined. What I am saying is that the Sports jurnos are giving MMA the same "Who gives a fuck" attitude that they give pro wrestlers.
"But we got coverage on ESPN"
News. ESPN News. And on the day before a fight. And then maybe fifteen seconds on the Sporstcenter loop at night.
You can state till your face turns blue that MMA has coverage on TV, it's still being held back by the Kornhiesers and Mariatis of the network. Why? Because to them, stick and ball sports have more integrity. To them, Randy Couture vs. Dana White is just another Vince vs. Steve Austin.
So they laugh that horrid laugh and act like they're cool, but the end of the day they rather smoke crack then watch MMA. "Who wants to watch a bunch of lunkheads in a cage" they think.
You want it changed, send letters and more letters. Get major coverage and demand it from real jurnos and not office temps they send when they don't want to do it.
Stick and ball media are spoiled brats. Order them to do better.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Dana's a shameless loser.
Soooo let me get this straight. Dana White closed down PRIDE because "the Japanese won't work with them" even though the only work we've seen Dana do was fly one of his lawyer friends to and from Japan. It's DSE's fault that the lease was a mess. You couldn't get Fedor so it's the fault of the "nutty Russians" and now when Randy quits because the funding you're giving him isn't proper, he's a "bitch in a beauty salon" who has a "scumbag" Hollywood agent who he seemed to "bitch slap" last month.
Hey. Dana. I know you don't take to advise nicely, so just to piss you off I'm going to give you some anyway. Calm the fuck down and take some of the blame.
Yes, the Japanese are hard to work with, but you didn't try. Now you've got a big ass hole in Japan that you made in the scene over there. You've forgotten a huge amount of talent which you probably don't care for anyways and you've pretty much shown Japan how immature and gaijin you are. Now, with this rambling fanboy rant your on, not only are you in danger of losing the intrest of a high quality fighter, you're also tiptoeing on the edge of losing your head referee and ring announcer since that said "scumbag" agent also own both their hides as well.
Have you at least for once, think about saying "well, could it be me making shit decisions." Have you looked back once and possibly...y'know try to change up your negotiation skills some? Maybe even thing about what you did wrong and try to improve upon it? You'd think that would make for better relations and possibly, better brand security. But Nah. You're Dana White! Mr. UFC. Mr. Do You Want To Be A Fucking Fighter. Everyone should be kissing your fucking ring. You're the big man right!?
You know how people make the analogy that you're the new Vince MacMahon and like a fucking dick, you take it as a compliment. It's not a compliment. Keep in mind, it was pro wrestling fans who were disillusioned by that prick that made The Ultimate Fighter big in the first place. And it's the pro wrestling community that is making the slow exodus into MMA. With these dick moves you're making right now, they can have reason to destroy you just by turning you off. Now you can say that you don't act like pro-wrestling and you might also bring out that tired excuse that "you're like NASCAR.". NASCAR is just a better sponsored pro-wrestling with vehicles. Keep going the route your going. Slamming fighters and other people will not only keep quality fighters away, it'll chase the fanbase away as well.
And tell Kevin Iole he needs to do a better job covering up the spin lines you gave him. I saw that shit a mile away. Tell him he needs a napkin while you're at it.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Steppin' Razor
Hey guys. Sorry for the long lull in action. It's been mostly a busy month for me and couldn't get to post as much as I wanted. So now that I have some time now, I finally am going to unload a huge load of MMA and Pro Wrestling angst right NOW!
- The big thing going around the water cooler right now is the Bisping/Hamill match and how we need to fix the ten point must system. I say thee Nay! Nay I say! It is the incompetence of judges that needs to be addressed in that fight. As well in other fights. Don't get me wrong, I too wish to see the ten point must system retooled to be more concise, but even if we let quantum physicists fix the system, Cecil Peoples and The Three Stooges will still find a way to muck it all up. We're supposed to have clean, clear cut judging in MMA. How is it that these yahoos still judging events when they have showed total signs of incompetence? Hold judges accountable somehow or risk a major title fight being held in total scrutiny from the main stream media when these knuckleheads automatically score the other way the second round in a close fight just because they didn't want to think about it.
- Speaking of Yahoos, Fightlinker was always on the bandwagon and "The Jedi" Luke Thomas is starting to show his true colors as well. Kevin Iole...you fucking suck. You don't know moves and technique. You know fuck all about strategy. You make shit up and then when there is polite debate and decent, you go and call those who wasted time and effort "keyboard warriors" and then just after you that you turn into a keyboard warrior and called a fighter nothing short of a criminal even though the one you should be blaming is the ref who let the fight go too long in the first place.
And then...this is good...and then you have the audacity to call yourself a "MMA expert". That's like calling an asshat traveling tourist a "train conductor" because he rode a lot of trains and likes to piss on the baggage men. What makes you qualified Kevin? What? You're in good with Dana. What's that make you? Good? You're not good. You just know how to hide. How to lie. Me? I always give facts. Even if I don't know the answer.
In the end Kevin, you might be on your fourth volume of your autobio in your nice mansion as you get lauded over by the sports media as one of the biggest named reporters in combat sports and I'll still be here, working my 9 to 5 still praying to the gods Art Dore doesn't kill anyone still over a cold plate of Italian poutine. But I will have something that you will never have or understand. I will be able to look people in the eye and tell them with a straight face that I have educated and gotten more people in to the sport with a better understanding then you even will.
So say goodnight to the Bad Guy.
- Gary Shaw is the worst thing to happen to MMA. Hey Gary. Yes, Mr. Shaw. Over here! Yes thank you. You say you want more weight classes. Yeah, um.....not going to happen. Well how many does Boxing have? 17? 17 weight classes? Wow. You know what 17 weight classes tell me? That it's easy not to make a commitment to Boxing. That dedication has no place. Sure, I know they're great fighters. What's gonna stop them from gaining a couple pounds just to duck fighters though? I can be the greatest fighter in my weight class, but I wouldn't have the gold to prove it because the ding dong who really has the belt is too busy trying to conquer the weight classes around the one he actually won gold in the first place. That's why MMA doesn't have 17 weight classes.
- Pavlik will not save boxing.
- Bob Arum is delusional.
- So Mark Cuban wants to work with Vince MacMahon. Yeah umm.....are you that eager to flush your reputation down the drain Cuban? They just did a global steroid bust, do you want the consequences filtering into you business? If so, you're a bigger fool then you look dude
- Free Vancouver! Support CMMAA!
- The big thing going around the water cooler right now is the Bisping/Hamill match and how we need to fix the ten point must system. I say thee Nay! Nay I say! It is the incompetence of judges that needs to be addressed in that fight. As well in other fights. Don't get me wrong, I too wish to see the ten point must system retooled to be more concise, but even if we let quantum physicists fix the system, Cecil Peoples and The Three Stooges will still find a way to muck it all up. We're supposed to have clean, clear cut judging in MMA. How is it that these yahoos still judging events when they have showed total signs of incompetence? Hold judges accountable somehow or risk a major title fight being held in total scrutiny from the main stream media when these knuckleheads automatically score the other way the second round in a close fight just because they didn't want to think about it.
- Speaking of Yahoos, Fightlinker was always on the bandwagon and "The Jedi" Luke Thomas is starting to show his true colors as well. Kevin Iole...you fucking suck. You don't know moves and technique. You know fuck all about strategy. You make shit up and then when there is polite debate and decent, you go and call those who wasted time and effort "keyboard warriors" and then just after you that you turn into a keyboard warrior and called a fighter nothing short of a criminal even though the one you should be blaming is the ref who let the fight go too long in the first place.
And then...this is good...and then you have the audacity to call yourself a "MMA expert". That's like calling an asshat traveling tourist a "train conductor" because he rode a lot of trains and likes to piss on the baggage men. What makes you qualified Kevin? What? You're in good with Dana. What's that make you? Good? You're not good. You just know how to hide. How to lie. Me? I always give facts. Even if I don't know the answer.
In the end Kevin, you might be on your fourth volume of your autobio in your nice mansion as you get lauded over by the sports media as one of the biggest named reporters in combat sports and I'll still be here, working my 9 to 5 still praying to the gods Art Dore doesn't kill anyone still over a cold plate of Italian poutine. But I will have something that you will never have or understand. I will be able to look people in the eye and tell them with a straight face that I have educated and gotten more people in to the sport with a better understanding then you even will.
So say goodnight to the Bad Guy.
- Gary Shaw is the worst thing to happen to MMA. Hey Gary. Yes, Mr. Shaw. Over here! Yes thank you. You say you want more weight classes. Yeah, um.....not going to happen. Well how many does Boxing have? 17? 17 weight classes? Wow. You know what 17 weight classes tell me? That it's easy not to make a commitment to Boxing. That dedication has no place. Sure, I know they're great fighters. What's gonna stop them from gaining a couple pounds just to duck fighters though? I can be the greatest fighter in my weight class, but I wouldn't have the gold to prove it because the ding dong who really has the belt is too busy trying to conquer the weight classes around the one he actually won gold in the first place. That's why MMA doesn't have 17 weight classes.
- Pavlik will not save boxing.
- Bob Arum is delusional.
- So Mark Cuban wants to work with Vince MacMahon. Yeah umm.....are you that eager to flush your reputation down the drain Cuban? They just did a global steroid bust, do you want the consequences filtering into you business? If so, you're a bigger fool then you look dude
- Free Vancouver! Support CMMAA!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Incredibly Stupid Wrestler Who Opened His Piehole And Turned Into A Muscle Headed Penile Tatooed No Nothing Twit
So Brock is talking to MMA Weekly. He's demanding a contract with UFC. There is so much crap he spews it's unbleivable. I just want to break this stuff down just to show how god damn stupid he is.
Hhhhmmmm. What's going down here? Well, after your fight, the UFC signed one of the top three heavyweights in the world. Another of the top three Heavyweights in the world got taken out by somebody the MMA community thought was a complete nobody and now we're going to see his fight with the current heavyweight champ.
That's the games their playing chulo. Where do you fit in this?
I hope you hope for Randy too. I hope you been preping for him, saying your prayers for him, eatting wheaties for him, dreaming about him in your sleep.
Because when Gonzaga gets his arm raised and that belt goes around his waist, I want you to have a heart attack while it happens.
He's trying to pad his plate folks. He knows he ain't got nothing so he's aimming for Randy because he's popular. Even if he losses, he knows he's getting a payoff. If Gonzaga wins, he's got to work for that money
Excuse me while I laugh my head off at your blind confidence.
I find it funny that he looks over Olympic champs for a belt. I got a couple in my closet Brock. Just ask.
As to fighting a lot of tomato cans....when did this happen? In some alternate universe? All you fought was a Olympic judoka who hasn't taken well to MMA at all and was flown in last minute cause your original opponent, who would have killed you might I add, was barred because of a petuitary problem. Who else you fight? Bring up some documentation.
As to doing things you haven't done, let's see here....
The only thing they didn't do was make themselves look like the Michelen Man and work for a Roid factory.
Fucked yourself there, didn't you?
Because we all know the only way to get a contract is to be a rude fucking prick.
And last I checked Fedor still lost one match due to a cut. Something everyone can't control.
Yes there is.
Yes they do.
If you're going to rely on your strength, your fucked. I will laugh gleefully when you lose.
Ah yes. Randy is a small heavyweight therefore he can get stomped anytime. Way to bring that MacMahonism in there Brock.
And again with being a rude fucking prick.
Brock Lesnar is nobody. He's trying to squeeze Dana for a contract and is using TNA, a second rate that prides itself on hiring wastes of time, occupational hazards and criminals rather then recognizing all the talent they could be promoting to actually advance the business.
Either way, I hope something bad happens to Brock. He's a blowhard musclehead who thinks he's important.
He isn't.
"We're playing the games, but I'm tired of playing games,” stated Lesnar. “It's time for somebody to make a move. I'm going to go down to the UFC and see what the hell is going on down there."
Hhhhmmmm. What's going down here? Well, after your fight, the UFC signed one of the top three heavyweights in the world. Another of the top three Heavyweights in the world got taken out by somebody the MMA community thought was a complete nobody and now we're going to see his fight with the current heavyweight champ.
That's the games their playing chulo. Where do you fit in this?
Asked if he has talked to UFC President Dana White about his interest in competing in the Octagon, Lesnar answered, "We've spoken. I cannot deny or confirm anything. I'm just telling you this, I'm going to be there Saturday night and I'm looking for a win. I don't care who it is. If I had to fight somebody, I'd like to fight Randy [Couture]. I'll fight [Gabriel] Gonzaga. We'll see what happens."
He added, "I hope Randy wins that fight. I hope Randy wins that fight and then I can fight him in December."
I hope you hope for Randy too. I hope you been preping for him, saying your prayers for him, eatting wheaties for him, dreaming about him in your sleep.
Because when Gonzaga gets his arm raised and that belt goes around his waist, I want you to have a heart attack while it happens.
He's trying to pad his plate folks. He knows he ain't got nothing so he's aimming for Randy because he's popular. Even if he losses, he knows he's getting a payoff. If Gonzaga wins, he's got to work for that money
"I'm going to be attending the UFC this weekend, and I'm going to go down and watch and see in person, because I've watched these guys fight on TV. I'm going to go down there and see for myself and watch these heavyweights that I know I can beat," Lesnar told MMAWeekly.
Excuse me while I laugh my head off at your blind confidence.
"I'm looking to fight somebody with credentials. I'm not just talking Silver Medals in Judo. I want a belt. I've fought a lot of tomato cans. I've already had it. You know? I want a fillet Mignon. Let's do it, and do it right. I want to fight somebody, somebody that's got credentials because I've got them too. There isn't a wrestler, there isn't a heavyweight out there my size that has done the things I've done."
I find it funny that he looks over Olympic champs for a belt. I got a couple in my closet Brock. Just ask.
As to fighting a lot of tomato cans....when did this happen? In some alternate universe? All you fought was a Olympic judoka who hasn't taken well to MMA at all and was flown in last minute cause your original opponent, who would have killed you might I add, was barred because of a petuitary problem. Who else you fight? Bring up some documentation.
As to doing things you haven't done, let's see here....
- Wrestling
- Randy Couture
- Matt Lindland
- Dan Henderson
- Josh Koschek
- Mark Coleman
- Rashad Evans
- Kevin Randelman
- Uriah Faber
- Gilbert Melendez
- Kaz Nagata
- Pro Wrestling
- Josh Barnett
- Eric Paulson
- Matt Hume
- Kazuyuki Fujita
- Kazushi Sakuraba
- Shinzuke Nakamura
- The Shamrocks
The only thing they didn't do was make themselves look like the Michelen Man and work for a Roid factory.
Fucked yourself there, didn't you?
Questioned if the UFC is where he'd like to eventually compete, Lesnar responded, "The UFC, they're the big dogs on the street, obviously. You've got Randy Couture, who he's definitely going to be past his prime here. You've got Fedor [Emelianenko]. There's nobody out there that is unbeatable. Okay? All the media builds Fedor into this great monster. Well, every monster has his day.
Because we all know the only way to get a contract is to be a rude fucking prick.
And last I checked Fedor still lost one match due to a cut. Something everyone can't control.
There isn't a guy like me walking around that can do the things that I do.
Yes there is.
These guys, they don't know.
Yes they do.
Let's put it this way, in college, or everywhere that I've gone, everybody has said that I'm one strong son-of-a-bitch, and that's what I am, and I'm able to back it up."
If you're going to rely on your strength, your fucked. I will laugh gleefully when you lose.
"Absolutely, no doubt in my mine. I mean, you take Randy Couture for example, I mean he's the heavyweight champion of the UFC, but he's a small heavyweight.
Ah yes. Randy is a small heavyweight therefore he can get stomped anytime. Way to bring that MacMahonism in there Brock.
I enjoyed watching Randy beat the sh*t out of Tim Sylvia. I enjoyed that. I mean take a look at this guy, Tim Sylvia, the guy’s feet; they're damn near webbed. He looks like the Swamp Thing. The guy is a vulture. He can't wrestle worth a crap. He's got a jab and a little right hand. There's no way. I'd double-leg his a** right through that cage so fast, and that would be the end of the fight. I'm tired. I'm tired of this. Brock Lesnar wants to fight somebody, somebody with credentials, and Tim Sylvia ain't the guy."
And again with being a rude fucking prick.
Brock Lesnar is nobody. He's trying to squeeze Dana for a contract and is using TNA, a second rate that prides itself on hiring wastes of time, occupational hazards and criminals rather then recognizing all the talent they could be promoting to actually advance the business.
Either way, I hope something bad happens to Brock. He's a blowhard musclehead who thinks he's important.
He isn't.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
It's official...The CSAC Is Run By Bizarro.
I mean it.
Don't believe me?
You can be kind and gentle with words, give your side and reasons about why you took said steroids and pretty much prostrate yourself in front of the commission to be lenient and reduce your suspension. Your suspension will still be upheld.
Or...you can verbally bully the commission, swear like a fucking sailor and pretty much deny the fact that a steroid most built for horses was in your system...and get six months off.
What's really funny is that the best way to get your suspension reduced is having a 78 fight record. That's it! Ain't that so cool!! If you have 78 fights under your record, you can get away with fuckin murder!
Hermes has 24 fights. Sorry Dude! Gotta to uphold the law. You can do whatever the fuck you want when you have 54 more fights under your belt. It'll also help if your a repeat offender and verbally abusive as well.
I mean really. Telling and excepting the truth is only for Thug and Cowards. It's best to be a denying insightful son of a bitch with no honor with fanboy nuthuggers sucking at your sac at a moments notice. You can get away with everything then.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Kamikazee's MMA SMackdown #33
My second show as Producer
It also features my highlight, Transmission Zero One. This week is my screed on the use of steroids.
Just to clear up on things. unlike many who turned into Baseball fans when news broke out that that 22 out of 30 failed drug tests were from MMA, my screed was more for the health of the fighters. I've seen too many fall to the needle and the pill, I don't need to see anymore in a legit sport.
It also features my highlight, Transmission Zero One. This week is my screed on the use of steroids.
Just to clear up on things. unlike many who turned into Baseball fans when news broke out that that 22 out of 30 failed drug tests were from MMA, my screed was more for the health of the fighters. I've seen too many fall to the needle and the pill, I don't need to see anymore in a legit sport.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Spinning the WWE way.
I believe there are many of you out there in other fields of combat sports who maybe intrigued by the Benoit situation. A lot of you might not be, but those who are please read further.
Right now, in terms of this case, besides the arrest of Benoit's personal doctor, this has been a very slow news week. While prominent wrestlers have come out and spoken up about the pro wrestling industry, the media is dead set in framing the way they http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifwant this case to go.
Right now, we're going to put that aside and look at how the WWE is controlling things with the media.
Last week, we had WWE put out an "anti-steroid" press release to the media. While it's normal for WWE to send press releases saying that they were anti-steroid and that their "wellness policy" is working, this was totally the wrong time to do it. Especially when the tox report hadn't come out yet. So now they have Jerry McDevitt, their lawyer, doing damage control
Speaking of damage control, The WWE gave warning that they'll be testing soon. So the next couple weeks, everyone is going to try to clean everything up for the "surprise Wellness test". Keep in mind, this will be a fixed test. They are going to try the best they can to make it look like they're making effort instead of making one in the first place.
So after the next couple weeks, they will have a list of those who didn't "pass". There will be three types of people.
1.) People that pretty much floating around. These are people who are on the roster that are more or less there. No one has any "story" for them, they mostly put on great matches on the "D" shows and some who have been put back in the farm for seasoning. They'll release them under the guise of "Wellness". and then when everything theoretically "cools down", they get brought back in.
2.) People that management or Front of House doesn't like. This is a perfect way to get rid of people that pretty much go against the grain on how you're supposed to act within the business. This can go anywhere from logically asking questions so one can better carry angles to something extreme as say.....just the look of your face or what school you came from. Or the very extreme of getting Pop more then an established figure made by the company.
3.) People they can't cover anymore. These are the guys that constantly fail and because the situation they're in, just cut all ties if not to show they're "doing their job", then to make sure he's as far away as possible in case the wrestler expires.
Now is everyone under the 'scope. No. I do believe that out of the whole roster.....seven guys will just go through the motions, maybe take a small pay cut. I take that back, six guys. One guy's made no matter what.
But the rest of the roster is under the knife. Clean or gassed. And then they'll say "See! We're doing something about it! We're drug free!"
Wash, rinse and repeat for a couple months and the WWE will be nusense free. It'll be logic free. But it won't be steroid free. Especially if the the test they're taking has a 10:1 testosterone/epitestosterone count to aim for. How is this so bad you say?
Athletic commission levels are 4:1
WADA (World Anti-Doping Alliance) levels are 6:1
And if they get caught, they can whip out a doctor's note stating "testosterone replacement therapy"
10:1 is replacement therapy?
Anyways, they'll keep doing this until either the heat on them dies down or....I don't know....they run out of people.
And then it'll be business as usual.
Like nothing had happened.
For those of you reading this, I don't want that to happen. The days of "but they're just pro-wrestlers" are over. The days of ignorance is over. There needs to be heavy reform called from both inside and outside of the industry. Either call your athletic commissions and tell them to search for ways to regulate or bar and ban the WWE for good from the state. Send them a message that human lives are not cogs to the great MacMahon machine and unless they change or reform, they are no longer welcome.
This constant spin must stop and it must stop now.
Right now, in terms of this case, besides the arrest of Benoit's personal doctor, this has been a very slow news week. While prominent wrestlers have come out and spoken up about the pro wrestling industry, the media is dead set in framing the way they http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifwant this case to go.
Right now, we're going to put that aside and look at how the WWE is controlling things with the media.
Last week, we had WWE put out an "anti-steroid" press release to the media. While it's normal for WWE to send press releases saying that they were anti-steroid and that their "wellness policy" is working, this was totally the wrong time to do it. Especially when the tox report hadn't come out yet. So now they have Jerry McDevitt, their lawyer, doing damage control
Speaking of damage control, The WWE gave warning that they'll be testing soon. So the next couple weeks, everyone is going to try to clean everything up for the "surprise Wellness test". Keep in mind, this will be a fixed test. They are going to try the best they can to make it look like they're making effort instead of making one in the first place.
So after the next couple weeks, they will have a list of those who didn't "pass". There will be three types of people.
1.) People that pretty much floating around. These are people who are on the roster that are more or less there. No one has any "story" for them, they mostly put on great matches on the "D" shows and some who have been put back in the farm for seasoning. They'll release them under the guise of "Wellness". and then when everything theoretically "cools down", they get brought back in.
2.) People that management or Front of House doesn't like. This is a perfect way to get rid of people that pretty much go against the grain on how you're supposed to act within the business. This can go anywhere from logically asking questions so one can better carry angles to something extreme as say.....just the look of your face or what school you came from. Or the very extreme of getting Pop more then an established figure made by the company.
3.) People they can't cover anymore. These are the guys that constantly fail and because the situation they're in, just cut all ties if not to show they're "doing their job", then to make sure he's as far away as possible in case the wrestler expires.
Now is everyone under the 'scope. No. I do believe that out of the whole roster.....seven guys will just go through the motions, maybe take a small pay cut. I take that back, six guys. One guy's made no matter what.
But the rest of the roster is under the knife. Clean or gassed. And then they'll say "See! We're doing something about it! We're drug free!"
Wash, rinse and repeat for a couple months and the WWE will be nusense free. It'll be logic free. But it won't be steroid free. Especially if the the test they're taking has a 10:1 testosterone/epitestosterone count to aim for. How is this so bad you say?
Athletic commission levels are 4:1
WADA (World Anti-Doping Alliance) levels are 6:1
And if they get caught, they can whip out a doctor's note stating "testosterone replacement therapy"
10:1 is replacement therapy?
Anyways, they'll keep doing this until either the heat on them dies down or....I don't know....they run out of people.
And then it'll be business as usual.
Like nothing had happened.
For those of you reading this, I don't want that to happen. The days of "but they're just pro-wrestlers" are over. The days of ignorance is over. There needs to be heavy reform called from both inside and outside of the industry. Either call your athletic commissions and tell them to search for ways to regulate or bar and ban the WWE for good from the state. Send them a message that human lives are not cogs to the great MacMahon machine and unless they change or reform, they are no longer welcome.
This constant spin must stop and it must stop now.
Friday, June 29, 2007
My Turf.
Midland St. It's the place I work and major hangout place I frequent. I love this place. It's quaint and quiet in the day. But once the night fell, the place could party like nobody's business. This is basically my turf. My "6 inches of ground". My home.
So imagine my surprise when I found out Art Dore decided not only hold another Extreme Cage Combat on my turf, but also decided to hold a Toughm...I mean Tough Gloves contest a day before the XCC event. If you're reading this, that Piece of Shit boxing contest is still going on or has already happened. What's really funny is that both events will be held in the Hooter's Parking lot. I mean...just look at this.
Now first of all, I had asked some friends of mine how the seating setup was going down. They didn't know. They had heard that the parking lot might be split half in half. But with the seating setup going down like it was, that couldn't be right. There was a lot more chairs to be set up and if all of them were set up, the fight area would take up most of the parking lot. No way were you getting parking close to the area. The parking situation is rediculous. While parking is open at Dore's brew pub, The Lumber Barons, there is not enough space. Independence Park, which was downriver, is out of the question as well. The parking lot is filled with Carnival rides and such. This was leftover from the River Roar, the annual speedboat race we hold. The rides were left there as a carry over for the 4th of July festival later on. So parking is a major problem.
My next question was where they were going to put all the fighters. Where they were going to get ready and tape up. The answer? Dumpster area.
They're housing the fighters....in the dumpster area. The dirty, grimy dumpster area. What the hell!? Are they not concerned with clean areas? What if someone catches infection before or after the fight? What if someone gets cut? This is rediculous.
Finally, I asked my major question. Will there be medical attention at the events. My friends expressed a reluctant "no". They also believe if there was, they have a hell of a time getting in. What my pictures don't show, and I can't believe I didn't get a shot of it. The entrance to the parking lot is like a bottle neck. Sure it looks wide. That's because part of the entrance is a parking area. If the parking situation is like it is, a lot of cars will be parked in the neck, making other vehicles slow up when coming in. This is going to make it difficult for ambulances to get through. One friend of mine suggested that they might be keeping the dock besides the Hooters will be kept clear so Coast Gurard boat could bring medical attention. So instead of getting your ass to the hospital in ten minutes or less, you got to wait double that time because you're crossing the river, on a boat...to get to the hospital.
This is just sad.
And happening on my turf!!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
I Quit.
Pastamania.
That's the first thing that comes to my head when I think about my first experiance with Chris Benoit.
Hulk Hogan was doing a sell for his new food court prospect in the Mall of America and then after that there was this match between two guys. One was Dean Melenko and the other was Chris Benoit. My first thoughts into this match was that "they let rookies have matches on TV now?" They then proceed to blow the doors of the mother. Stuff I recognized from Judo and wrestling was in that match. I got into that match so much, I keep the channel on TNT so as I could see what else WCW was willing to bring us. I followed it from the next Monday and the next and the next.
That was when I became a Benoit fan.
And now that he's gone....I don't know.....I don't know if I can possibly help pro-wrestling by doing it justice any more.
He was one of the only positives the had in drawing the real pro wrestling fans. Without him, now what.
More green, roided up monsters and storylines that really go nowhere.
To me, Benoit is just another victim of a vicious system known as N. American Pro Wrestling. A system that is about cosmetic features rather then athletic ability. A system that rewards who you know and when you know him rather then how hard you bust your ass and how many times you come to work on your own.
A system that hates pro wrestlers.
Instead of somehow putting their feet down, the wrestlers go with the punches. Some become roid freaks. Others become junkies. Some become both. Most don't see their 50th birthday.
And the general populace don't care. I mean, it is "fake" isn't it? That's how well this system operates. The more the cloud of ignorance, the better the system works.
Admit it. If this was a major industrial job or even a movie production house and they start touting the numbers of deaths pro-wrestling had, you'd be all over it like stink to shit. But because pro-wrestling is pro-wrestling. Who cares, right?
I quit.
I quit because I can do all the himming and haw all I want. Still not going to change things.
I can write how rotten it is all I want. Still not going to stop the marks from watching.
I can report every piece of every moment. Still not going to get the press to take notice or stop them to act snobbish about the sport.
What this thing needs is a massive exodus and show the worth of it's product to the people who run it.
Not going to happen though.
I quit pro-wrestling.
Until things get changed, I'm done with it.
End of Story.
Rest In Peace Nancy.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Scatterbrains AKA This Is A Shoot!!
Once Upon A Time In Michigan AKA The Jihad Needs To Mobilize.
Zach Arnold of Fight Opinion fame has put out an interesting article about the bill being formed to legitimize MMA in the state of Michigan.
From the Grand Rapids Press...
For those who don't don't have the time to read both articles, here's the summery....
The MMA Bill that being mulled around at the moment has an outrageously high license fee and outrageously low insurance premiums.
This will tremendously hurt the MMA community economically, physically and technically.
Everybody and their mom knows that an average sized dojo or MMA school isn't going to have that much bread on them to get a licence and if they put out a loan, they're going to have to pray to their gods that they get a miraculous sellout crowd just to pay it back. Even if there was booster clubs formed, there's no way grassroots promotions is going to get the cash for just a license.
So who's going to be benefiting from this bill?
Why pro organizations and money marks. That's who.
This same bill that's trying to stifle illegal activity is a wide open door with keys for the likes of "The King of Bay City" Art Dore, Neil "The Knife" Helmkay and all of their associates. The economic opportunities I talked about happening once we regulated the sport....not happening. Events sponsored by local businesses will not happen. None will be created. The only things you'll see behind these events is the business ventures of both men which are doing pretty well as it is. All that possible revenue will be pocketed by the people who need it less and the "Know Nothing" Gangs reign triumphant.
If that isn't a piss in the pants, think of the fighters. Without the grassroot support of the schools, they're all under the shadow of the marks. It would totally be worthless to fight in Michigan if this bill passes because you'll never be able to build a quality record here. Quality fighters would be at the mercy of the mark's matchmaker AKA the marks themselves. Forget that your opponent is 15 to 50 pounds heavier then you or that his skill and technique is on the level of a JV high school wrestler or that his cardio will fall out a minute into the match. never mind if the dude a) is big b) can make the bag bend when he hits it and c) his head is far up the mark's ass, you're fighting him or you won't get paid your $200 dollars. You could be a super quality fighter, but the semi-pros will never know it because of all the cans the mark throws at you. Without quality opponents, no one will know the whole picture of the fighter and therefore the fighter will have to retire or move to greener pastures in Ohio or Illinois. This will in turn, create a desolate community without a fanbase and another lost cause in economic growth and communal pride. Sure, some of our fighters will go on to make it big, but who will really know about them.
It's a very frustrating time for the Michigan MMA community.
The Grunts Are Dying While The Generals Have Their Breakfast.
While we're on the subject of fighting money marks, where in the hell is our major media sources on the subject? Yes I'm looking at you Sherdog and MMA Weekly. You went to cover the Tommy Morrison debacle, yet done nothing to expose the promoter as the failed money mark he is. Sure you can crow about "this wasn't regulated" and "It was on an Indian reservation so it wasn't regulated", but anyway you angle it, you dropped the ball. It is your job, nay, your duty to stop marks from being the scum they are and help real MMA promoters grow. You did none of this.
And you expect everyone to take this sport seriously?
How can it do this when the sport's own media hasn't dropped it balls yet and gone for the jugular on these creeps?
Why is it me and others busting our asses to try to make this sport, our sport, safe as possible and to make sure none of this falls to the wayside and become another pro-wrestling while you guys can't even report on allegations of yakuza activity within the halls of DSE and PRIDE, leading to it's inevitable demise?
You guys are supposed to be the masthead of MMA Journalism. You're the be all end all of MMA information. You're supposed to be exposing money marks and teaching a thing or two to the Stick And Ball media about the sport. In the words of George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn, you're supposed to be "A motherfucking servant of God".
But you decide to rest on your laurels.
Congratulations. You won. We made it.
Now pretty please, with sugar on top, do your fucking job.
If you don't want to, that's fine. We'll be grateful to pick up the slack and actually try to make something of this sport.
A Worked Fight In PRIDE!? Unpossible!!
I got to laugh at people who got shocked when Rampage to the media that his fight with Sakuraba was supposed to be worked. That has got to be the funniest thing I head the whole day. We're talking about a time frame where the organization was still under the shadow of Antonio Inoki and Nobuhiko Takada was trying to still pas himself of as a "credible" Mixed Martial Artist. if anything, it just makes that whole period of PRIDE a bit more ridiculous.
Now if PRIDE told CroCop to dive for Dos Caras. Then...I'll be shocked.
Zach Arnold of Fight Opinion fame has put out an interesting article about the bill being formed to legitimize MMA in the state of Michigan.
From the Grand Rapids Press...
The most troubling aspect of the bill: Promoters of mixed martial arts would be required to provide each contestant with minimum insurance coverages of $5,000 for medical and hospitalization, and $10,000 for accidental death, just three years after the legislature approved new minimums of $50,000 each for boxing.
Until boxing was overhauled in 2004, its insurance minimums, set in 1952, were $5,000.
Given that backdrop, why pass a law providing mixed martial artists with one-tenth the medical coverage, and one-fifth the loss-of-life coverage, of pro boxers?
For those who don't don't have the time to read both articles, here's the summery....
The MMA Bill that being mulled around at the moment has an outrageously high license fee and outrageously low insurance premiums.
This will tremendously hurt the MMA community economically, physically and technically.
Everybody and their mom knows that an average sized dojo or MMA school isn't going to have that much bread on them to get a licence and if they put out a loan, they're going to have to pray to their gods that they get a miraculous sellout crowd just to pay it back. Even if there was booster clubs formed, there's no way grassroots promotions is going to get the cash for just a license.
So who's going to be benefiting from this bill?
Why pro organizations and money marks. That's who.
This same bill that's trying to stifle illegal activity is a wide open door with keys for the likes of "The King of Bay City" Art Dore, Neil "The Knife" Helmkay and all of their associates. The economic opportunities I talked about happening once we regulated the sport....not happening. Events sponsored by local businesses will not happen. None will be created. The only things you'll see behind these events is the business ventures of both men which are doing pretty well as it is. All that possible revenue will be pocketed by the people who need it less and the "Know Nothing" Gangs reign triumphant.
If that isn't a piss in the pants, think of the fighters. Without the grassroot support of the schools, they're all under the shadow of the marks. It would totally be worthless to fight in Michigan if this bill passes because you'll never be able to build a quality record here. Quality fighters would be at the mercy of the mark's matchmaker AKA the marks themselves. Forget that your opponent is 15 to 50 pounds heavier then you or that his skill and technique is on the level of a JV high school wrestler or that his cardio will fall out a minute into the match. never mind if the dude a) is big b) can make the bag bend when he hits it and c) his head is far up the mark's ass, you're fighting him or you won't get paid your $200 dollars. You could be a super quality fighter, but the semi-pros will never know it because of all the cans the mark throws at you. Without quality opponents, no one will know the whole picture of the fighter and therefore the fighter will have to retire or move to greener pastures in Ohio or Illinois. This will in turn, create a desolate community without a fanbase and another lost cause in economic growth and communal pride. Sure, some of our fighters will go on to make it big, but who will really know about them.
It's a very frustrating time for the Michigan MMA community.
The Grunts Are Dying While The Generals Have Their Breakfast.
While we're on the subject of fighting money marks, where in the hell is our major media sources on the subject? Yes I'm looking at you Sherdog and MMA Weekly. You went to cover the Tommy Morrison debacle, yet done nothing to expose the promoter as the failed money mark he is. Sure you can crow about "this wasn't regulated" and "It was on an Indian reservation so it wasn't regulated", but anyway you angle it, you dropped the ball. It is your job, nay, your duty to stop marks from being the scum they are and help real MMA promoters grow. You did none of this.
And you expect everyone to take this sport seriously?
How can it do this when the sport's own media hasn't dropped it balls yet and gone for the jugular on these creeps?
Why is it me and others busting our asses to try to make this sport, our sport, safe as possible and to make sure none of this falls to the wayside and become another pro-wrestling while you guys can't even report on allegations of yakuza activity within the halls of DSE and PRIDE, leading to it's inevitable demise?
You guys are supposed to be the masthead of MMA Journalism. You're the be all end all of MMA information. You're supposed to be exposing money marks and teaching a thing or two to the Stick And Ball media about the sport. In the words of George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn, you're supposed to be "A motherfucking servant of God".
But you decide to rest on your laurels.
Congratulations. You won. We made it.
Now pretty please, with sugar on top, do your fucking job.
If you don't want to, that's fine. We'll be grateful to pick up the slack and actually try to make something of this sport.
A Worked Fight In PRIDE!? Unpossible!!
I got to laugh at people who got shocked when Rampage to the media that his fight with Sakuraba was supposed to be worked. That has got to be the funniest thing I head the whole day. We're talking about a time frame where the organization was still under the shadow of Antonio Inoki and Nobuhiko Takada was trying to still pas himself of as a "credible" Mixed Martial Artist. if anything, it just makes that whole period of PRIDE a bit more ridiculous.
Now if PRIDE told CroCop to dive for Dos Caras. Then...I'll be shocked.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Just A Thought
So let's count how many fighters we're probably going to be missing on the DYNAMITE card.
Gina Corano is out due to stomach bug.
Antonio Silva is out due to undisclosed reasons
Gabe Ruediger is out due to being "not mentally fit"
Ray Sefo is out due to undisclosed reasons
Marvin Eastman is out due to undisclosed reasons
Choi Mu Bae is out due to undisclosed reasons
Choi Hung Man is out due to undisclosed reasons. The excuse is possibly because he's got Hatton's.
And now Bernard Ackah might be the next to be a victim of "undisclosed"
So out of this whole card, three fights have been pulled with possible fourth happening and two interesting fights have be made trite and unwatchable.
Y'know, I was prepared to be all up in FEG's face for not turning in crucial paperwork at the right time to get properly licenced. But with this many people being pulled of the card....I'm starting to think that FEG got set up all along by CSAC and they're the one pulling this crap.
Gina Corano is out due to stomach bug.
Antonio Silva is out due to undisclosed reasons
Gabe Ruediger is out due to being "not mentally fit"
Ray Sefo is out due to undisclosed reasons
Marvin Eastman is out due to undisclosed reasons
Choi Mu Bae is out due to undisclosed reasons
Choi Hung Man is out due to undisclosed reasons. The excuse is possibly because he's got Hatton's.
And now Bernard Ackah might be the next to be a victim of "undisclosed"
So out of this whole card, three fights have been pulled with possible fourth happening and two interesting fights have be made trite and unwatchable.
Y'know, I was prepared to be all up in FEG's face for not turning in crucial paperwork at the right time to get properly licenced. But with this many people being pulled of the card....I'm starting to think that FEG got set up all along by CSAC and they're the one pulling this crap.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
My Dog Knows Judo
I've got a great mutt at home. He's a Lab. Sometimes, when the day is nice and the day is boring, I take my dog outside for a long run. I also wrestle with my dog sometimes. He's great with his skills on the bottom. He knows how to defend from the choke, he's got a mean spider guard and an equally mean upkick. He does need to work on his top position though. I can easily tie up his head and arms with one arm. He also tends to want to go for the groin shots now and again. That's a big no-no Fido.
So you're wondering why am I talking about my dog's ground skills. Well, I'm thinking of signing him up to do amateur MMA. I'll train him to do a couple leg locks, maybe the anaconda choke, have him run a few ground and pound drills and then set him off. Watch out Rampage! Here comes Poochie!!
You realize how ridiculous that statement was?
Here's another one.
Dogfighting is just like the UFC because both are brutal sports.
Ok. Ok. So if Dogfighting is just like the UFC...where's the athletic commission in this?
What are the rules?
Do dogs get one minute breaks between rounds?
Are there any rounds?
Is there any weight divisions?
Say that we should support both sports because one wants to perceive itself as on the level of the other is really retarded. It's so retarded that even the retards say it's retarded.
I mean, do you see fighters getting shot in the back for having a broken limb and then buried in the back yard? I don't think so.
Saying that dog fighting is on the same level as the UFC is saying that high school wrestling is promoting unmitigated violence.
Yes, you little Jimmy will grow up a killer because he's a state wrestling champ.
I think what it all melts down to is that, when it comes to competitive violence, the US hasn't a clue what that is. We've conditioned ourselves into excepting the hocus pocus of violence and not come to real grasp with the fact that no matter how much you dress it up, competitive violence is just that. Violence.
The UFC brings in that harsh realization and people don't know how to take it. A lot go with the flow. A whole bunch of others slam the hell out of it.
It's this confusion that allows the pro-dog fight lobby to hook on with this petty and silly notion and has the media giving them that leeway and not calling them on their bullshit.
This needs to stop and needs to stop now.
So you're wondering why am I talking about my dog's ground skills. Well, I'm thinking of signing him up to do amateur MMA. I'll train him to do a couple leg locks, maybe the anaconda choke, have him run a few ground and pound drills and then set him off. Watch out Rampage! Here comes Poochie!!
You realize how ridiculous that statement was?
Here's another one.
Dogfighting is just like the UFC because both are brutal sports.
Ok. Ok. So if Dogfighting is just like the UFC...where's the athletic commission in this?
What are the rules?
Do dogs get one minute breaks between rounds?
Are there any rounds?
Is there any weight divisions?
Say that we should support both sports because one wants to perceive itself as on the level of the other is really retarded. It's so retarded that even the retards say it's retarded.
I mean, do you see fighters getting shot in the back for having a broken limb and then buried in the back yard? I don't think so.
Saying that dog fighting is on the same level as the UFC is saying that high school wrestling is promoting unmitigated violence.
Yes, you little Jimmy will grow up a killer because he's a state wrestling champ.
I think what it all melts down to is that, when it comes to competitive violence, the US hasn't a clue what that is. We've conditioned ourselves into excepting the hocus pocus of violence and not come to real grasp with the fact that no matter how much you dress it up, competitive violence is just that. Violence.
The UFC brings in that harsh realization and people don't know how to take it. A lot go with the flow. A whole bunch of others slam the hell out of it.
It's this confusion that allows the pro-dog fight lobby to hook on with this petty and silly notion and has the media giving them that leeway and not calling them on their bullshit.
This needs to stop and needs to stop now.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
New Dawn Fades
A chance to watch, admire the distance,
Still occupied, though you forget.
-Ian Curtis, New Dawn Fades
The buzz around the MMA community is the new Sports Illustrated cover for this week. Of course I've posted said cover above. The article is also real nice. Go check it out.
Of course this getting everybody hyped now. Everyone dancing, Singing "calu calai" Making love to their people and throwing big bashes.
The general consensus believes that we've finally won. Victory is ours.
Yet all I see are bodies of the fallen.
Yes, this is a great victory...but not MMA. UFC maybe, but not MMA. If this was a big victory for MMA, we would be hearing about more companies beside the UFC.
At first, I thought this was deja vu. Back in 1987, Vince MacMahon had a total strangle hold on the pro-wrestling industry. He was taking the best pro-wrestlers out of the territories and put them in his league, all the while giving syndicated tapes to local channels to compete with the local promotions in their areas. This two headed beast help popularize...you thought I was going to say pro-wrestling didn't you? No, pro-wrestling was stagnate by the end of '87. WWF is what the people wanted. If you weren't WWF quality back in that time, to hell with ya.
Now we're in 2007.
The same thing is starting to happen now. Don't believe me? Quick, tell me the last local event you were at. Be honest.
None right?
Exactly.
And why not?
It's not UFC quality. Correct. You don't know the fighters. Correct. The promoter doesn't sound like a bald headed fifteen year old. Correct.
Don't feel too bad. I haven't gone to any local events either. Of course, unlike you, I have good reason not to.
If this were about MMA, you'd hear more about the IFL, Pro Elite, BoDog, anybody outside of UFC being promoted. Nah. UFC is the big name.
The UFC can have the worst roster in the history of MMA and people will eat it up because they're too lazy to look around and they'll just lash on the loudest and bright. Just like an angler fish.
And this isn't just MMA. I've seen it happen to a lot of different subjects. Even today.
So when do we start to celebrate?
We celebrate when the sport is fully sanctioned in the US and the world.
We celebrate when jerkwater promoters who don't know the difference between a gogplata to a Go Go Gadget Copter are stopped by the full extent of the law for abusing a clause that affords martial arts full autonomy.
We celebrate when fighters get better pay.
We celebrate when Japan cleans it's act up.
We celebrate when there is stable avenues in the sport for a high volume of fighters.
UFC got on Sports Illustrated. Good for them.
It's just a magazine cover.
PS: NASCAR is Pro-wrestling....but with cars.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Jihad on Art Dore!!
Art Dore. The self proclaimed King of Bay City.
I'm going to make this short and sweet because I feel that if I talk about these guys, I will be giving these assholes free advertisement and I'm much higher then them.
Greg Ahrens did an interview for the Detroit Times talking about how he will ignore the Dept. Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) prohibiting running the Cobo Arena. Here are the highlights.
These are so slanted it's just....here I'll show you.
State officials said they are considering going to Wayne Circuit Court to request an injunction against the program.
"Mr. Ahrens' events are in violation of the Michigan professional boxing statute," said the state's chief investigator, Barrington Carr, "and are probably a nuisance."
Amateur martial arts events are not covered under the act Carr cited, but the state believes it has jurisdiction over Ahrens' shows anyway because he sometimes pays fighters, and there is "a boxing component" to the bouts.
Ahrens said the purpose is to force state officials to rewrite the boxing regulations to include oversight of mixed martial arts, which are growing in popularity nationwide thanks to a proliferation of pay-per-view events. Then fighters could be paid legally, he said.
That has got to be the stupidest excuse ever on how to get MMA regulated in Michigan. That's like saying I'm going to stab anyone and everyone because there are not specific rules and regulation for blade murder. How about talking to Brett Ratner, Greg? How about sitting down and writing a rough guide on a piece of paper, Greg? How about lobbying Greg?
It goes on.
MMA events "are everywhere now," said Art Dore of Bay City, promoter of Toughman, which has proven a far more dangerous style of ring combat. "In Ohio, I think there are 40 or 41 MMA events this month alone."
Yes, Art. Ohio runs 41 events because they're licenced and regulated. That means they talk and work with athletic commissions. Unlike other people.
If you don't believe me I can get the OSAC Director's email for you. I dare you to talk to him. I triple dog dare you to talk to him. I doubt you have the balls.
No deaths have been reported in MMA events. Fighters, who wear 6-ounce, fingerless, palm-less gloves, are allowed to use any martial art form of striking, grappling, kicking or submission holds.
Dore, however, said at the last MMA event he attended, a down, clearly unconscious opponent was struck three or four times before the referee intervened. "It was pretty brutal," Dore said.
I love this thing that always comes up. You know the thing where the uneducated casual fan yells and screams about how a fight should have ended sooner because the first strike knocked out a fighter and the following strikes that follow seconds after were excessive. And then they go blame the ref for being "too slow" It's like their sense of time is warped and the refs are supposed to have super sharp eyes and super speed to qualify to officiate.
For Art to say something like this either was to show off his ignorance of the sport or a low handed way of bringing MMA down to his level. Either way, it's pretty stupid.
Saturday's MMA event has nothing to do with Toughman, Ahrens said, but "the state is painting me with an Art Dore paint brush." Dore has no part of Saturday night's promotion, Ahrens said, but has been hired as ring announcer "because people love him."
So people love him. If I come and bring the families of the fourteen people who died in his ring, you think they will love him too? How about those five vegetables? You think I can be a buddy of Dore? You think he'll let me frequent his steakhouse/martini and cigar bar if I call him a scoundrel, a liar and a sad waste of water and carbon wasting my planet's resources?
The state also complains that Ahrens does not insure his fighters up to $50,000 for injury, twice that for death, the coverage for boxers. Ahrens said the 50 fighters expected Saturday night will be insured "$5,000 per occurrence."
That's cool. What insurance company you using?
He could not remember which insurance company issued the policies, he said, but both he and Dore said Ahrens frequently purchases such coverage from an insurance company registered in the Cayman Islands owned by Dore.
So the fighters aren't getting insured and they're not getting paid. In fact, you have fighters pay to fight.
Why are they fighting for you again?
Ahrens said Detroit emergency officials would be informed the bouts will be taking place, but will not be present. "Our doctor says those people just get in the way," he said.
You need to fire your doctor then and fast. Show me one instance where emergency officials are "in the way" of an event? Calvin Ayre had emergency officials on call every time he throws a Bodog card. Hell, high school football has an ambulance sitting just outside the field. Why are you denying emergency assistance?
Or are you lying again?
Ladies and gentleman of the MMA community, I urge you, nay, plead with you to call Jihad on Art Dore and Greg Ahrens. They are hurting the sport in the state of Michigan and are trying to make themselves look like martyrs while doing so. Please send kind, helpful mail to Barrington Carr, head of the Enforcement Dept. Here is the address.
Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
email: bcsinfo@michigan.gov
Please send kind and helpful mail that not only shows support to Carr, but also helps him at least understand a bit about MMA and how it needs to be protected from the Dore regime. I urge everyone to get everyone and their grandmothers involved. Please! For the sake of the sport!!
We need to stop The advances of Art Dore. If we don't, I'm afraid that we'll have our first fatality pretty soon.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Sports Media! Stop Putting Your Mouth On The Water Fountain Of Boxing!
Boxing.
The Sweet Science.
It's been all over the media all week. Mainly because of the De La Hoya/Mayweather fight. While this has been important news, the Sports media has been taking this story in a whole different and wrong direction. So, instead of wasting paragraphs of flowery language and colorful metaphors upon a sports media that chooses to be willful ignorant unless the almighty dollar is involved, I will do the rest of this post as a question and answer post. Because I'm a gentleman of restraint and I'm doing it for you, my lovely fans. You don't deserve my hate. You just deserve the facts.
Here we go.
What is the Sports media doing?
They are pretty much taking this great match and creating this glorious myth of being "The Match That Saves Boxing" and then are using this as some sort of metaphysical "Dutch Courage" to strike back on MMA with what ever they got.
Really? I haven't seen much of that. Is there anyone specific?
So far from what I've seen, most of the ESPN "lunch crew" (Jim Rome Is Burning, PTI), Wally Matthews from the Vs. Network (which is home to the WEC) and some actor posing as a journalist on CBS Sportsline (you're going to have to google that one.). Expect a steady flow happening today and tomorrow and depending on the fight, a large blow up next week of orgasmic magnitude. Wear a raincoat and bring an umbrella.
Does Boxing need to be saved?
Not really. It's doing fine and well around the world. Anyone who think it needs to be saved is either weird or on drugs. I think it could be a possible end of the way...boxing is marketed. Also it could be the possible end of the current format that boxing uses at the moment. But, the end of Boxing as a whole? I doubt it.
Ok. But let's say for kids and giggles that the sport of Boxing does need to be saved. Will this fight save it?
Not really. How is one boxing match going to erase the mistakes of the past? It's like your brother constantly being the ass of the family for years and then he joins a church custodial staff just to make you forget that he's the ass of the family. If anything, this is a steadily hyped boxing match. And it will breed interest in more steadily hyped boxing matches involving Mayweather and De La Hoya. You can't actually believe that one match will make anything better. It has to start to be and remain consistent to be taken seriously again. It has to be cleaned up, start following a beneficial agenda and have an actual format to rely on.
If Boxing is relying on this match on saving them, it really shows how much brains makes up the higher ups in this particular promotion.
What does MMA have to do with any of this?
Absolutely nothing.
Then why is the Sports media so adamant about attacking it?
I don't know. Other then Caligarian mesmerism, the only explanation I can give is that they can't come to terms with the problems in Boxing and instead of doing their jobs and talk about these problems, they pretty much lash out at the newest popular thing in denial. MMA was just passing through the neighborhood at the time.
Is MMA killing Boxing?
Hell no. And if it is, it's not intentional. Sure you have Dana White saying that the UFC is killing boxing, after De La Hoya retires boxing is over, blah blah blah. This is the same guy who got in an F-bomb war with Pride's two bit guppy on satellite radio. His words don't mean crap.
What I find interesting is that those who are still hanging off Boxing's sac are saying that it's mostly the young (21-35) that is watching MMA. Am I disputing that? Absolutely not. There have been facts and figures who state this is a fact. What's really silly is that the Sports media thinks that it's ONLY the young that is growing the sport of MMA. They're totally wrong on this. It's not only the young growing this sport, it's Boxing's future neighbors, the Traditional Martial Arts community that has put some effort in growing this sport as well. To totally ignore this fact is what shows the true base of Boxing's arrogance. A sport whose basis is a mix of other highly technical combat sports that get little to no coverage or props from the mainstream save clips for the Olympics is being bashed by the so called Sports media as a "bar room brawl" over the fact that a less technical combat sport that has many variations of one focal point of attack is losing fans because they're turned off by the constant scandal that combat sport is plagued with and are starting to enjoy advanced styles of striking and new ideas of ground technique.
In short?
Because Sports media doesn't understand the gogoplata, they're gonna hate on the gogoplata.
De La Hoya or Mayweather?
De La Hoya. He's more into the fight then Mayweather is.
PS: If your Sports media is spending more time covering the length of Jarrod Saltalamacchia's name more then a UFC card, you know you're in trouble.
The Sweet Science.
It's been all over the media all week. Mainly because of the De La Hoya/Mayweather fight. While this has been important news, the Sports media has been taking this story in a whole different and wrong direction. So, instead of wasting paragraphs of flowery language and colorful metaphors upon a sports media that chooses to be willful ignorant unless the almighty dollar is involved, I will do the rest of this post as a question and answer post. Because I'm a gentleman of restraint and I'm doing it for you, my lovely fans. You don't deserve my hate. You just deserve the facts.
Here we go.
What is the Sports media doing?
They are pretty much taking this great match and creating this glorious myth of being "The Match That Saves Boxing" and then are using this as some sort of metaphysical "Dutch Courage" to strike back on MMA with what ever they got.
Really? I haven't seen much of that. Is there anyone specific?
So far from what I've seen, most of the ESPN "lunch crew" (Jim Rome Is Burning, PTI), Wally Matthews from the Vs. Network (which is home to the WEC) and some actor posing as a journalist on CBS Sportsline (you're going to have to google that one.). Expect a steady flow happening today and tomorrow and depending on the fight, a large blow up next week of orgasmic magnitude. Wear a raincoat and bring an umbrella.
Does Boxing need to be saved?
Not really. It's doing fine and well around the world. Anyone who think it needs to be saved is either weird or on drugs. I think it could be a possible end of the way...boxing is marketed. Also it could be the possible end of the current format that boxing uses at the moment. But, the end of Boxing as a whole? I doubt it.
Ok. But let's say for kids and giggles that the sport of Boxing does need to be saved. Will this fight save it?
Not really. How is one boxing match going to erase the mistakes of the past? It's like your brother constantly being the ass of the family for years and then he joins a church custodial staff just to make you forget that he's the ass of the family. If anything, this is a steadily hyped boxing match. And it will breed interest in more steadily hyped boxing matches involving Mayweather and De La Hoya. You can't actually believe that one match will make anything better. It has to start to be and remain consistent to be taken seriously again. It has to be cleaned up, start following a beneficial agenda and have an actual format to rely on.
If Boxing is relying on this match on saving them, it really shows how much brains makes up the higher ups in this particular promotion.
What does MMA have to do with any of this?
Absolutely nothing.
Then why is the Sports media so adamant about attacking it?
I don't know. Other then Caligarian mesmerism, the only explanation I can give is that they can't come to terms with the problems in Boxing and instead of doing their jobs and talk about these problems, they pretty much lash out at the newest popular thing in denial. MMA was just passing through the neighborhood at the time.
Is MMA killing Boxing?
Hell no. And if it is, it's not intentional. Sure you have Dana White saying that the UFC is killing boxing, after De La Hoya retires boxing is over, blah blah blah. This is the same guy who got in an F-bomb war with Pride's two bit guppy on satellite radio. His words don't mean crap.
What I find interesting is that those who are still hanging off Boxing's sac are saying that it's mostly the young (21-35) that is watching MMA. Am I disputing that? Absolutely not. There have been facts and figures who state this is a fact. What's really silly is that the Sports media thinks that it's ONLY the young that is growing the sport of MMA. They're totally wrong on this. It's not only the young growing this sport, it's Boxing's future neighbors, the Traditional Martial Arts community that has put some effort in growing this sport as well. To totally ignore this fact is what shows the true base of Boxing's arrogance. A sport whose basis is a mix of other highly technical combat sports that get little to no coverage or props from the mainstream save clips for the Olympics is being bashed by the so called Sports media as a "bar room brawl" over the fact that a less technical combat sport that has many variations of one focal point of attack is losing fans because they're turned off by the constant scandal that combat sport is plagued with and are starting to enjoy advanced styles of striking and new ideas of ground technique.
In short?
Because Sports media doesn't understand the gogoplata, they're gonna hate on the gogoplata.
De La Hoya or Mayweather?
De La Hoya. He's more into the fight then Mayweather is.
PS: If your Sports media is spending more time covering the length of Jarrod Saltalamacchia's name more then a UFC card, you know you're in trouble.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
K-1 World GP in Hawaii!!
Aloha Fight Fans!
K-1 will be at the Blaisdell Arena in Hawaii April 28th. While it does look like it will be the first and last US Grand Prix they will be running this year (there is a possibility for a second one), They totally make up for it by debuting the new K-1 Heavyweight belt. This will be at least at taste of what FEG will bring to the table June 2nd with it's DYNAMITE show in LA. Also expect some annoucments about that in this event.
And now the card.
Honor the Oyabun. Subscribe to MMA Madness.
K-1 will be at the Blaisdell Arena in Hawaii April 28th. While it does look like it will be the first and last US Grand Prix they will be running this year (there is a possibility for a second one), They totally make up for it by debuting the new K-1 Heavyweight belt. This will be at least at taste of what FEG will bring to the table June 2nd with it's DYNAMITE show in LA. Also expect some annoucments about that in this event.
And now the card.
Honor the Oyabun. Subscribe to MMA Madness.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
PRIDE is to MC5 as UFC is to Rage.
So I'm going through all my LPs, and I pulled out Kick Out The Jams by MC5. Amid the scratches and pops of the record, my thoughts turn on a couple things. The thing that really comes up is how both original and cover versions of the song really reflect what is radiated from both Pride and UFC. The image and dramatic force radiated by both are on totally different levels.
For those not familiar with the song I'll try to be brief. KOTJ was the second song on the same titled album put out by the politically conscious group MC5 (Motor City 5) who will be later label the founders of Punk Rock. One of the big reasons the song was popular was that it started out with the line "And Now It's Time To.....KICK OUT THE JAMS MOTHERFUCKERS!!" The blatant use of "Motherfuckers" and playing a concert for anti-war protesters was very controversial at the time and it lead to the record company, Elektra, dropping the band. The album was and still is considered one of the best live albums so far.
Another reason KOTJ is so popular is that people seem to think there is a political message behind the song. They're pretty much wrong. This is a bullshit song. There is no political context whatsoever. "Kick Out The Jams" was just a musical rant about how bands waste peoples time by just jamming and not playing music and they should just "kick out the jams." On the the other hand, there is the underlying subtext of "being yourself and giving it your all". To give everything you got till you can't give no more.
PRIDE is (or was) the embodiment of that subtext. If you were going out into that ring, you pretty damn well need to be willing to leave it all in the ring because the other guy probably is. Being able to try almost everything possible to either get the win or try your damn hardest to keep the win from your opponent. In the end, whether you win, lose or draw, if you put it all out on the line and put on an enjoyable fight, you both are winners. You'll both will be coming back. You'd get deals and such galore, just because you left it all in the ring.
And that's how it should be. You're not only entertaining and impressing the fans at the event, you're showing to the judges in your match what you are capable of doing, how far you're willing to go in terms of risks taken and what your own willpower can provide in this situation. You just might also impress yourself in the match by see how quick of wits you have and what you can come up with in times of extreme stress. In the end, no matter if your arm is raised or you're on the mat, a bloody mass and out like a light, if you tried your hardest and gave it truly your all, you come out the winner just the same.
Now like all good songs, you're going to have your share of homages, covers and ripoffs. KOTJ is no different. In my listening to the various recordings of KOTJ covers, I've come to the conclusion that no one can do a standout performance of the song. Now before everyone gets their panties in the bunch, I urge you to hear me out as I explain myself.
It is a very simple and logical understanding that someone doing a cover will not be %100 percent as great as the original song. All that's asked of the person doing the cover is that they put a real great effort in either playing the song or totally putting your own spin on the material. Out of all the people who did covers for KOTJ (Rage Against The Machine, Hellacopters, Jeff Buckley, Silverchair, etc.), they do an awesome job playing the song. Awesome job. But everyone totally blows the subtext. In all of the covers, everyone plays the song like it's just another song. There is somehow this...underlining restraint that they have to play the song right. That's total nonsense. If you play the song full hilt, totally get into it, just show your balls and leaving every last bit of energy on the stage, if you fuck up a couple cords or screw up a couple lyrics, it won't matter to anyone because they see that you're totally into the whole song and are pretty much doing the same thing you're doing. Putting energy into the music. All these covers out today are the total blatant use of "motherfucker" line to an invisible band that's "just jamming" and then they totally contradict themselves by just jamming.
Such is the plight of the UFC. Sure, they have great fighters and they do put out wonderful fights. They just don't encourage something of an effort to leave everything in the ring. You have people relying too much on "getting points" on judges scorecards to win. You have people relying on one style to stop and finish opponents instead of challenging themselves and try other avenues. And the overall product turns boring, mediocre or just nothing to write about fully. Sure, you're going to get a couple of great fight out of a UFC card, but when has anyone almost literally gush over a whole UFC card? When have you heard people talk about THE UFC card?
While I do credit Dana White for working with the NJSAC about getting knees on a downed opponent, it will still be up to time and effort before we see any result of this. It should also be noted that even if certain moves are legalized or banned, it's still up to the fighter to bring his S game or not. It is becoming harder and harder to validate theses guys who fight in the UFC as legit fighters if they're not willing to leave everything and more out on that ring. The McCulley/Hardonk fight is a great example of guys going out to fight but aren't willing to go balls out. Hardonk had this match, but didn't put an effort to try to win the match.While the only thing McCulley did was push weight. As the great Ric Flair would say, there are a lot of guys busting their ass to get the opportunity McCulley was given. To let it just waste away with that performance is a slap in the face to them all.
Next month, Zuffa will have full control over Pride. The indications on how it will be run is not good, but then again, weirder things have happened. The future is uncertain.
Will they actually play music or will they just be kicking out jams.
Radio Time!
If you want my thoughts on last weekends UFC and Pride cards last weekend, Come listen to Komikazee #18
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A look at Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in UFC
As many UFC fans now know, former PRIDE heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was introduced as UFC's latest acquisition at UFC 69. Many MMA fans -- both hardcore and casual – have asked me about Nogueira and his potential impact on UFC. Here are some of my thoughts on the fighter known as “Minotauro”.
Most MMA fans know that Big Nog -- as Nogueira is also known -- is a world-class grappler but they tend to forget that he also has Olympic-grade hands. In fact, he had the Brazilian and Cuban Olympic boxing teams begging for him to be on their teams. In the UFC, Nogueira could end up being the catalyst forcing fighters to get serious about their boxing because once he is in that cage and the bell rings, his fists could render a number of opponents unconscious. Nogueira’s punches are crisp, his jab is strong, and anyone who tries to bang it out with him will have a difficult time winning.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
So UFC is on Sportscenter. So what?
First of all, I'd like to say great job to Zuffa for getting some semblance of MMA on ESPN. It must have been hard for them to get this far. They totally deserved props.
With that said, I think ESPN and Zuffa could have gone a lot farther with coverage, but with the Powers That Be at ESPN like they are, it's going to be a long time before we see a bit more content to future reports.
I know. I know. "Stop being a pessimist!" "You'll jinx us!" "Don't you want MMA to succeed?" The answer is Yes, I would love to see MMA succeed. But hear me out.
To me...that Sportscenter piece...was really lackluster. It did nothing to promote, it did nothing to inform and it did nothing to validate. It was nothing. In fact, I can do the whole segment in a couple sentences. Here we go:
Ultimate Fighting is the combination of all aspect of martial arts combat put together in a display of unarmed combat.
A reality star who won a chance at a title fight with the UFC Welterweight Champion surprised everyone by winning said championship.
That was the whole gist of the segment. Pitiful ain't it?
First off, they didn't promote Matt Serra as a "veteran fighter". They promoted him as a "reality star". While he did win his chance at the title on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, they made it sound like he was this chump off the street. Like anyone can get a title shot. I hope they do a little more research next time.
Another thing that irked me was that they only shown the title fight, like it was the only fight that mattered. That was very "Boxing" of them to do so. This was an awesome card that did needed some highlighting. If I was given say, thirty secs. to a minute for a package, I would not only put in the title fight, but some highlights of the Cummo/Haynes KO, Garcia/Huerta and also Swick/Okami. They I'd follow it up with some post fight quips. Not only am I showing every aspect of MMA, I'm also getting people to know the fighters as well. One of Boxing's hurting points is that you don't know much about the fighters. This is due to, yes, media outlets just showing title fights. More coverage means more knowledgeable people and also means more profit for everyone. It also dispels the "unpopular" myth. You give it time and effort, sports won't be "not popular enough". They'll be just "sports".
While it was a valiant first effort, I won't be convinced that ESPN is committed to "ultimate fighting" until we see it covered consistently. UFC 70 will be the tipping point as to whether or not ESPN will cover it as "sport" or cover it as "Boxing". If it is covered as "Sport" then all as well. If it's covered as "Boxing", then Zuffa really needs to sit them down and talk to them about the sport. And I mean heart to heart.
But for now, The segment was hype. No substance.
With that said, I think ESPN and Zuffa could have gone a lot farther with coverage, but with the Powers That Be at ESPN like they are, it's going to be a long time before we see a bit more content to future reports.
I know. I know. "Stop being a pessimist!" "You'll jinx us!" "Don't you want MMA to succeed?" The answer is Yes, I would love to see MMA succeed. But hear me out.
To me...that Sportscenter piece...was really lackluster. It did nothing to promote, it did nothing to inform and it did nothing to validate. It was nothing. In fact, I can do the whole segment in a couple sentences. Here we go:
Ultimate Fighting is the combination of all aspect of martial arts combat put together in a display of unarmed combat.
A reality star who won a chance at a title fight with the UFC Welterweight Champion surprised everyone by winning said championship.
That was the whole gist of the segment. Pitiful ain't it?
First off, they didn't promote Matt Serra as a "veteran fighter". They promoted him as a "reality star". While he did win his chance at the title on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, they made it sound like he was this chump off the street. Like anyone can get a title shot. I hope they do a little more research next time.
Another thing that irked me was that they only shown the title fight, like it was the only fight that mattered. That was very "Boxing" of them to do so. This was an awesome card that did needed some highlighting. If I was given say, thirty secs. to a minute for a package, I would not only put in the title fight, but some highlights of the Cummo/Haynes KO, Garcia/Huerta and also Swick/Okami. They I'd follow it up with some post fight quips. Not only am I showing every aspect of MMA, I'm also getting people to know the fighters as well. One of Boxing's hurting points is that you don't know much about the fighters. This is due to, yes, media outlets just showing title fights. More coverage means more knowledgeable people and also means more profit for everyone. It also dispels the "unpopular" myth. You give it time and effort, sports won't be "not popular enough". They'll be just "sports".
While it was a valiant first effort, I won't be convinced that ESPN is committed to "ultimate fighting" until we see it covered consistently. UFC 70 will be the tipping point as to whether or not ESPN will cover it as "sport" or cover it as "Boxing". If it is covered as "Sport" then all as well. If it's covered as "Boxing", then Zuffa really needs to sit them down and talk to them about the sport. And I mean heart to heart.
But for now, The segment was hype. No substance.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
K-1 HEROS at Nagoya Analysis!
A spin-off promotion of K-1, the HEROS promotion started off the New Year with some controversy. The league temporarily lost one of its great fighters to Olympic dreams while another fighter retired. What made matters worse was that one of their new middleweights was caught cheating. At K-1 Dynamite, Yoshihiro Akiyama was caught using Oil of Olay to grease his legs, making him slippery to the advances of Kazushi Sakuraba. Though Akiyama initially won the contest, the result was changed to a "No Contest" and Akiyama was suspended for six months.
Despite all these early issues, the promotion hoped that HEROS 8 would put it back on the right track.
Like what the oyabun is writing? Check out the rest of the article at MMA Insight.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
1998-2007
As many of you may know by now, the Fertittas have bought PRIDE from DSE and is now running it as a seperate company. They now own the name, the library and the fighter contracts. In a way, they have finally won.
When I had heard the news, to be honest, I didn't want to happen. As a pro-wrestling fan, I and others have been bitter and cynical with these two in one deals and the results there in. As I was reading report after report, I kept hearing RD Reynolds in the back of my head.
Pride was not suppose to die.
I almost was going to call this article "Oct '95 part deux" in honor of the date Nobuhiko Takada's pro wrestling organization, UWFi, merged with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Fast forward twelve years later, and now you have, let's face it, Takada's PRIDE merging with UFC.
But I'm not. PRIDE, in a technical sense, is dead. It wasn't killed by egotistical fighters, bookers who had no clue how to make a fight or managers who throw money at problems rather then give up and coming fighters a chance at the big boys. What killed it was the very old Japanese belief that everybody knows everybody does wrong but it's turns evil if you get caught. Everybody knew the fight scene was in part, run by the Yakuza. Pride got punished when it was proven to be true.
So I should be happy, right? PRIDE is under new management and now everything will be hunky dory and we will finally see who's better who's best.
Not neccisarily.
From the Review Journal...
"This is a sport and we're going to follow the unified rules that were established in New Jersey and then in Nevada," White said. "It's a sport -- mixed martial arts -- and the sport should have the same rules everywhere. As far as I'm concerned, if an organization doesn't follow these rules, it's not MMA. It's something else, but that's not MMA."
Ok, just to make things clear. I'm am not for either rule set. There are many negatives for both. While Pride rules wouldn't be accepted on a social level, Unified rules will not be accepted on a technical level. With that being said, I think it was a really bad descion to totally eradicate the Pride ruleset. I can undrstand getting rid of stomps and soccer kicks. While Japan can accept that part of strategy, Americans aren't wired that way yet. We still have this thing where we have to reject our violent nature for some reason. Knees to a downed opponent is certainly debatable and does deserve debate. I think...when they abolished Pride rules, they got rid of the most important thing of any worth. The Yellow Card System.
For those who dion't follow PRIDE. The yellow card system is a penalty system that was used to stop intentional stalling. If you don't finish the fight or at least try to finish the fight, you were given a yellow card and you lose 10% of your purse. You're allowed two yellow cards and if you continue to stall or get worse by messing to the ref, you got a red card which took away 20-25% of the purse away. This was the whole meat of the whole ruleset. The Fertittas has something good in their hands that they could at least test out in Japan with the Unified rules and they blew it away. It's gone. Kaput! Fin! They wasted a great opportunity.
Also, the "Unified rules = MMA" comment Dana made really made him look like a fool. The Japanesse people are more knowledgeable about the fight game then people in the US. The statement Dana made is pretty much a dare to the japanesse people to leave. As soon as you get the first wrestler that lays and prays in PRIDE, I will garentee a huge chunk of the fanbase will leave. They know fighters when they see them and if you're going to feed them someone very boring be it striking and/or ground and they lay and pray the win, they will be off like a russian bra.
I'm sorry Mr. White, I can not and will not accept that unified rules are a way to go. It has a bias that benifits more simplistic styles and somewhat shun the advanced styles. It favors people who do not put much effort in their training over those who do. Thanks to the Unified rules, you have now made the ground poison.
I will be still watching, but the same intrest I had with PRIDE will not be the same when the Fertittas take control. I and other fans will look for greener pastures and follw new products that try to defy your rule.
And as the line goes from the song I reference in the title.
"I've finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road."
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Open Thread
The Westown. One of Bay City's more illustrious bars.
Just when you got the sucker beat, Art Dore raises his ugly head again.
Anyways, I'm trying to see who's out there reading me. Give a shout out! Say "hi" or mention something you want to talk about. I'm all ears!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
US Sports Media: MacMahon's Best Friend.
*WARNING! Harsh Language! Viewer discretion is advised!*
Zach Arnold of Fight Opinion has been covering the media barrage over the SI.com article. Most of has been your run of the mill negative connotations about pro wrestling.
"They're not athletes."
"They're all on the sauce."
"Pro-wrestling isn't a sport"
"Thug this. Brain dead moron that."
"This is for yokels and mild retards."
"Should we care that pro wrestlers are on steroids?"
I think I can answer that question perfectly.
Yes, you fucking assholes. You really should.
If this was the Big three sports you cover constantly to the fucking hilt (and speaking of mild retards...), you be all over this like stink to shit. Yet if who wins and loses is faked or predetermined, who gives a shit, right.
It is because of the US Sports Media that there is an air of indifference about pro-wrestling that allows the worse elements of pro-wrestling to permeate.
It is because of the US Sports Media that the industry of pro-wrestling in N. America has become an unwieldy and unchecked monopoly as of late.
It is because of the US Sports Media that allows Vince MacMahon to pull any shit he wants to.
I think it was Bob Costas who called him on his bullshit. Only Bob Costas. Where are the rest of you? I know! You're making cheap fucking jokes about how pro-wrestlers are idiots.
Lyle Alzado dies, you honor him.
Eddie Guerrero dies, you make him a fucking joke.
How many more human lives are going to be lost until it's no longer a laughing matter?
What really worries me is that this so called "sports media" has the same reservations on MMA as well. Do we need the same shit being said about a Randy Couture or a Fedor?
If you're serious about defeating steroid abuse, start taking the matter seriously and start attacking Vince MacMahon with the truth. If you don't, you're nothing more then the chief enabler of a paranoid sycophant throwback and deserve to be discredited at every turn.
The choice is yours.
Zach Arnold of Fight Opinion has been covering the media barrage over the SI.com article. Most of has been your run of the mill negative connotations about pro wrestling.
"They're not athletes."
"They're all on the sauce."
"Pro-wrestling isn't a sport"
"Thug this. Brain dead moron that."
"This is for yokels and mild retards."
"Should we care that pro wrestlers are on steroids?"
I think I can answer that question perfectly.
Yes, you fucking assholes. You really should.
If this was the Big three sports you cover constantly to the fucking hilt (and speaking of mild retards...), you be all over this like stink to shit. Yet if who wins and loses is faked or predetermined, who gives a shit, right.
It is because of the US Sports Media that there is an air of indifference about pro-wrestling that allows the worse elements of pro-wrestling to permeate.
It is because of the US Sports Media that the industry of pro-wrestling in N. America has become an unwieldy and unchecked monopoly as of late.
It is because of the US Sports Media that allows Vince MacMahon to pull any shit he wants to.
I think it was Bob Costas who called him on his bullshit. Only Bob Costas. Where are the rest of you? I know! You're making cheap fucking jokes about how pro-wrestlers are idiots.
Lyle Alzado dies, you honor him.
Eddie Guerrero dies, you make him a fucking joke.
How many more human lives are going to be lost until it's no longer a laughing matter?
What really worries me is that this so called "sports media" has the same reservations on MMA as well. Do we need the same shit being said about a Randy Couture or a Fedor?
If you're serious about defeating steroid abuse, start taking the matter seriously and start attacking Vince MacMahon with the truth. If you don't, you're nothing more then the chief enabler of a paranoid sycophant throwback and deserve to be discredited at every turn.
The choice is yours.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Guys With Roids.
Sports Illustrated recently put out an article about several big name WWE wrestlers found on the ledger of an illegal steroid distribution system that has been investigated since late February. Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and Shane Helms have been prescribed everything from HGH to Testosterone from this company. Check out the article. it's a good read.
Now, a few moments ago, WWE put out a statement regarding the article:
So what they're saying is "That happened before the Wellness Plan. We're not liable for anyone juicing." And, in a way, I agree with them.
But they're liable for the environment that makes one juice.
Sure, these guys can leave whenever they want. If they do though, they'll not be paid the kind of money the WWE puts out. And sure, they can stay within the company, but they won't be making money that the headliners are making. They won't get a cut in merchandising, if they get merchandising that is. The reason for it is that in this business nowadays, wrestlers are conditioned to believe that you won't get everything and the girl if you're not built like Fort Knox and have the sex drive of a passive aggressive rapist. The person who perpetuated this nonsense was Vincent K. MacMahon, owner of the WWE. In fact, it's how he became number one. It's why he's still number one.
If you want further proof, look at Chris Masters. Dude was pushed like a chiseled god. That's the reason he was on TV. That was it. Other then looking ripped, the guy wrestled like a bag of hammers. Then Eddie dies. The WWE institutes the "wellness policy" to y'know...kill the media heat. One of the first victims of the "wellness policy" is Masters. Even though he cycles out badly, he gets back to his normal shape and size and is starting to do well in the farm leagues. They want to bring him back, but guess what? Vince wonders why he got so small and doesn't put him back in his main event position. Guess what's next?
Matter of fact, why did they even mention the "wellness policy". We all know it doesn't exist. And when it does, it's mostly to punish or suspend people who are mid to lower card or those who are heading to be headlining material, but aren't there yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they used the "wellness plan" to punish people they hate. If the "wellness plan" did exist, we wouldn't be seeing guys the size of Masters, Bautista or even Triple H in the main event position. I there was any kind of "plan" involved, we'd see more going into wrestling then promoting bodybuilding. And if there was a "plan", a lot of people wouldn't be laid up with muscle tears.
Then again, I'm using common sense on an industry that's ruled by a despot in lala land who can't even surround himself with competent help.
Now, a few moments ago, WWE put out a statement regarding the article:
All of the allegations set forth in a recent SI.com article mentioning WWE predate the initiation of WWE’s current Talent Wellness Program. This WWE program prohibits the use of performance enhancing drugs, as well as other prescription drugs which can be abused, if taken for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. For purposes of WWE's policy, prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose.
So what they're saying is "That happened before the Wellness Plan. We're not liable for anyone juicing." And, in a way, I agree with them.
But they're liable for the environment that makes one juice.
Sure, these guys can leave whenever they want. If they do though, they'll not be paid the kind of money the WWE puts out. And sure, they can stay within the company, but they won't be making money that the headliners are making. They won't get a cut in merchandising, if they get merchandising that is. The reason for it is that in this business nowadays, wrestlers are conditioned to believe that you won't get everything and the girl if you're not built like Fort Knox and have the sex drive of a passive aggressive rapist. The person who perpetuated this nonsense was Vincent K. MacMahon, owner of the WWE. In fact, it's how he became number one. It's why he's still number one.
If you want further proof, look at Chris Masters. Dude was pushed like a chiseled god. That's the reason he was on TV. That was it. Other then looking ripped, the guy wrestled like a bag of hammers. Then Eddie dies. The WWE institutes the "wellness policy" to y'know...kill the media heat. One of the first victims of the "wellness policy" is Masters. Even though he cycles out badly, he gets back to his normal shape and size and is starting to do well in the farm leagues. They want to bring him back, but guess what? Vince wonders why he got so small and doesn't put him back in his main event position. Guess what's next?
Matter of fact, why did they even mention the "wellness policy". We all know it doesn't exist. And when it does, it's mostly to punish or suspend people who are mid to lower card or those who are heading to be headlining material, but aren't there yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they used the "wellness plan" to punish people they hate. If the "wellness plan" did exist, we wouldn't be seeing guys the size of Masters, Bautista or even Triple H in the main event position. I there was any kind of "plan" involved, we'd see more going into wrestling then promoting bodybuilding. And if there was a "plan", a lot of people wouldn't be laid up with muscle tears.
Then again, I'm using common sense on an industry that's ruled by a despot in lala land who can't even surround himself with competent help.
The Oyabun Is Recruiting Pro Wrestling Fans.
Hey all. While I like and write about MMA, I've always been open to other combat sports as well. With time and content restrictions, I just can't get to cover everything on this site. This really bums me out. So, I'm opening the doors to recruit at least one or two people who want to write about pro wrestling. Now, I'm not looking for match results and cut and paste news pieces. I'm looking for what you, the fan have to say about the matches and the news. What's your take on it.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact me at royal.blake@gmail.com If you have any work of your own, go ahead and show a few pieces. We'll get talking.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
3! 2! 1! FUJIWARA-GUMI!!
Scientificwrestling.com is putting out the first edition of Pro-Wrestling Fujiwara-Gumi out on DVD. Fujiwara-Gumi was the precursor to the PANCRASE MMA promotion and is highly regarded as most true to oldschool pro wrestling.
Groundwork and Submission Holds with Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Takedowns and Submissions Starting from Standing with Minoru Suzuki
Pankration, Takedowns, and Submissions from Kicking Defense with Masakatsu Funaki
It's all here.
Is It Enough?
WaPo did an article on MMA and the UFC a couple days back. A bit of it really caught my eye.
He's going to introduce a bill into the legislature in the next two weeks. While this is a step in the right direction and I thank Ratner for stepping in, I really have to ask...is that enough? Just introducing a bill and see if it sticks? And once it does pass, what are we going to do between the time of legalizing and regulation? I know there are real itchy fingers who will look for any and all loopholes to make a profit off it when ever possible. Yes Mr. Dore. I am looking in your direction.
Another thing that worries me is if we do get this regulated, how smart would the MSAC be in handling such events. As I have shown, the same people who have shut down Dore's illegal activity and have started proceedings to stop MMA in Michigan had a picture of Tito Ortiz on their homepage. That either tells me that MSAC fully welcomes MMA or that someone really doesn't know how to build a page for athletic commissions. How are we supposed to trust these guys to be sure they won't pull an Ebersol situation? I really don't like going up north to have to talk down to a lot of boxing officials just because they suspended a fighter indefinitely based on the evidence that the Anaconda choke looks "hokey".
Here's what I like to see. Ratner sends the bill. If it doesn't pass, fine. If it does, I want to see a moratorium on all Amateur MMA events until a regulating party can be formed and educated on the basics of running and licensing MMA events. Anyone who tries to run a show will loose licence privileges and will have to pay a thousand dollar fine. This will make sure nothing happens until such a time the commission is ready.
That's just me though.
Mixed martial arts still faces the stigma of being lumped with the old toughman contests and the old UFC events, which were less structured and regulated than they are today. And there is a fear that, as mixed martial arts spreads via hundreds of local shows around the country, an accident during a fight could have a devastating effect on the industry.
Ratner has been going around the country, meeting with state officials in various jurisdictions to get mixed martial arts licensed and regulated.
"Pennsylvania just came on board," Ratner said. "They still have to adopt regulations, but they have approved the sport to regulate. We are having bills introduced in Michigan and Illinois in the next week to 10 days...."
He's going to introduce a bill into the legislature in the next two weeks. While this is a step in the right direction and I thank Ratner for stepping in, I really have to ask...is that enough? Just introducing a bill and see if it sticks? And once it does pass, what are we going to do between the time of legalizing and regulation? I know there are real itchy fingers who will look for any and all loopholes to make a profit off it when ever possible. Yes Mr. Dore. I am looking in your direction.
Another thing that worries me is if we do get this regulated, how smart would the MSAC be in handling such events. As I have shown, the same people who have shut down Dore's illegal activity and have started proceedings to stop MMA in Michigan had a picture of Tito Ortiz on their homepage. That either tells me that MSAC fully welcomes MMA or that someone really doesn't know how to build a page for athletic commissions. How are we supposed to trust these guys to be sure they won't pull an Ebersol situation? I really don't like going up north to have to talk down to a lot of boxing officials just because they suspended a fighter indefinitely based on the evidence that the Anaconda choke looks "hokey".
Here's what I like to see. Ratner sends the bill. If it doesn't pass, fine. If it does, I want to see a moratorium on all Amateur MMA events until a regulating party can be formed and educated on the basics of running and licensing MMA events. Anyone who tries to run a show will loose licence privileges and will have to pay a thousand dollar fine. This will make sure nothing happens until such a time the commission is ready.
That's just me though.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
UFC 68 Results
Jamie Varner d Jason Gilliam Sub R1
Gleison Tibau d Jason Dent UJD
Jon Fitch d Luigi Fiorevanti Sub R2
Matt Hamill d Rex Holman TKO (Strikes) R1
Jason Lambert d Renato Sobral KO R2
Matt Hughes d Chris Lytle UJD
Rich Franklin d Jason MacDonald TKO (Towel) R2
Martin Kampman d Drew MacFredries Sub R1
Heavyweight Championship: Randy Couture d Tim Sylvia UJD
Notes
Holman was just a can for Hamill, but it doesn't do anything for Hamill. Laying and hitting can get old quick.
Renato is just having a bad day. No one saw that punch coming in. This should be at least a bit disappointing, but it shouldn't hold Babalu back that much.
I'm sorry folks. Lytle/Hughes is godawful boring. Lytle's never been an exciting fighter. Pairing him with Hughes didn't do Hughes any favors other then show him he's got to brush up on stuff.
Franklin/MacDonald was expected. The outcome probably wasn't, but how it turned out was. Not going to hurt either man though.
How to describe Couture/Sylvia? What's a good analogy? It was like...It was like watching Randy beat on a big fish hanging on a hook and when the fish fell down, Randy would wrestle it. Where the hell was Tim's ground defense? Don't they teach ground defense at MFS?
(sorry this took long. I'm feeling under the weather.)
Gleison Tibau d Jason Dent UJD
Jon Fitch d Luigi Fiorevanti Sub R2
Matt Hamill d Rex Holman TKO (Strikes) R1
Jason Lambert d Renato Sobral KO R2
Matt Hughes d Chris Lytle UJD
Rich Franklin d Jason MacDonald TKO (Towel) R2
Martin Kampman d Drew MacFredries Sub R1
Heavyweight Championship: Randy Couture d Tim Sylvia UJD
Notes
Holman was just a can for Hamill, but it doesn't do anything for Hamill. Laying and hitting can get old quick.
Renato is just having a bad day. No one saw that punch coming in. This should be at least a bit disappointing, but it shouldn't hold Babalu back that much.
I'm sorry folks. Lytle/Hughes is godawful boring. Lytle's never been an exciting fighter. Pairing him with Hughes didn't do Hughes any favors other then show him he's got to brush up on stuff.
Franklin/MacDonald was expected. The outcome probably wasn't, but how it turned out was. Not going to hurt either man though.
How to describe Couture/Sylvia? What's a good analogy? It was like...It was like watching Randy beat on a big fish hanging on a hook and when the fish fell down, Randy would wrestle it. Where the hell was Tim's ground defense? Don't they teach ground defense at MFS?
(sorry this took long. I'm feeling under the weather.)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
March Calender
MMA
Mar. 3rd
UFC 68: Heavyweight Title: Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture
Mar. 17
IFL: Sabres/Condors, Razorclaws/Andacondas
Mar. 24
WEC 2: Bantamweight Title: Eddie Wineland vs. Chase Beebe, Featherweight Title: Uriah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz, Welterweight Title: Carlos Condit vs. John Alessio
Boxing
Mar. 3
WBC: Jr. Featherweight Title: Israel Vasquez vs. Raphael Marquez
IBF: Flyweight Title: Vic Darchinyan vs. Victor Burgos, Super Middleweight Title: Robert Stiegliz vs. Alejandro Berrio
WBA: Welterweight Title: Miguel Cotto vs. Oktay Urkal
Mar. 7
WBA: Super Middleweight Title: Anthony Mudine vs. Sam Soliman
Mar. 10
IBF: Heavyweight Title: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ray Austin
WBO: Flyweight Title: Omar Narvaez vs. Brahim Asloum
Mar 16
WBA: Jr. Featherweight Title: Celestino Caballero vs. Ricardo Castillo
Mar 17
WBC: Jr Lightweight Title: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
WBO: Jr. Featherweight Title: Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Gerry Penalosa
Mar 24
WBA/WBC: Super Middleweight Title: Mikkel Kessler vs. Librado Andrade
Mar 30
WBO: Bantamweight Title: Jhonny Gonzales vs. Irene Pacheco
Pro Wrestling
Mar 3
ROH: FIP Title: TBA vs. Pac
Mar. 4
ROH: Tag Titles: The Briscoes vs. TBA
Mar 11
TNA: Heavyweight Title: Samoa Joe vs. Christian Cage, X Div. Title: Chris Sabin vs. Jerry Lynn.
Mar 30
ROH: TBA
Mar 31
ROH: TBA
Mar. 3rd
UFC 68: Heavyweight Title: Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture
Mar. 17
IFL: Sabres/Condors, Razorclaws/Andacondas
Mar. 24
WEC 2: Bantamweight Title: Eddie Wineland vs. Chase Beebe, Featherweight Title: Uriah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz, Welterweight Title: Carlos Condit vs. John Alessio
Boxing
Mar. 3
WBC: Jr. Featherweight Title: Israel Vasquez vs. Raphael Marquez
IBF: Flyweight Title: Vic Darchinyan vs. Victor Burgos, Super Middleweight Title: Robert Stiegliz vs. Alejandro Berrio
WBA: Welterweight Title: Miguel Cotto vs. Oktay Urkal
Mar. 7
WBA: Super Middleweight Title: Anthony Mudine vs. Sam Soliman
Mar. 10
IBF: Heavyweight Title: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ray Austin
WBO: Flyweight Title: Omar Narvaez vs. Brahim Asloum
Mar 16
WBA: Jr. Featherweight Title: Celestino Caballero vs. Ricardo Castillo
Mar 17
WBC: Jr Lightweight Title: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
WBO: Jr. Featherweight Title: Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Gerry Penalosa
Mar 24
WBA/WBC: Super Middleweight Title: Mikkel Kessler vs. Librado Andrade
Mar 30
WBO: Bantamweight Title: Jhonny Gonzales vs. Irene Pacheco
Pro Wrestling
Mar 3
ROH: FIP Title: TBA vs. Pac
Mar. 4
ROH: Tag Titles: The Briscoes vs. TBA
Mar 11
TNA: Heavyweight Title: Samoa Joe vs. Christian Cage, X Div. Title: Chris Sabin vs. Jerry Lynn.
Mar 30
ROH: TBA
Mar 31
ROH: TBA
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