Here's who I've got. No explanations. Just picks. We'll see how I fare Saturday night.
Jorgensen v. Albert - Jorgensen
Siver v. Phan - Phan
Means v. Truijllo - Means
Cruickshank v. Martinez - Cruickshank
Nijem v. Proctor - Nijem
Assuncao v. Easton - Easton
Edwards v. Stephens - Edwards
Swick v. Brown - Swick (KOotN)
Penn v. Macdonald - Penn (FotN)
Rua v. Gustafsson - Gustafsson
Henderson v. Diaz - Diaz (SotN)
This is not an easy card to call, but I have a feeling the UFC got this card right. It's going to be one incredible night of fights... especially for a free card!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Silva, Bonnar and the UFC's Next Steps
As there was quite a bit of buzz surrounding the Silva/Bonnar fight, at the same time, there was a bit of a collective let down. Sure, Bonnar is a name at 205... and only a name. He hasn't been a relevant factor in the light heavy division for some time now, and certainly looks much better in the commentating booth.
This is the 3rd fight that Dana and the UFC has spoon fed to Silva at 205. Really? Do they think we can't see through the ridiculous hype and promotion? I mean seriously, I went home Saturday night feeling like I watched a free show on Fox that was without a main event. It was that bad.
What's next for the UFC? For Silva? It's obvious that Bonnar needs to stick to commentating at this point. Nothing against Bonnar, but that's where he's at his best. As for Silva, he needs a legitimate challenge in the light heavy division. Silva vs Rampage has some appeal, maybe Phil Davis, Rashad Evans, or even Brandon Vera. At least someone with some more recent credibility in the division.
The UFC has dropped the ball the last few cards. They're still trying to get mileage out of tired names rather than working to build up the new class of up and comers. They're also putting on too many shows. Bottom line, the UFC needs to cut the number of shows annually, and up the quality and value of each show. Otherwise, they're going to a nothing more than a decade long shooting star, facing certain burnout. Don't water down the brand by milking it all now.
That's not to say that there hasn't been injuries or other circumstances that are out of the UFC's control, but if you've had to cancel a card, you need to slow down and reconsider what you're doing and how you're doing it.
Not gonna lie, over the last couple years, I've almost gotten burnt out. There have been so many events to keep track of, just from the UFC, that I often choose to skip UFC fights to watch smaller promotions. It's a nice change to see the rest of the MMA picture. What the UFC should do is scale back the number of shows, and let some of these smaller promotions carry some of the weight. Being the sport's juggernaut promotion isn't going to change. It just affords the smaller guys a chance to be seen, and eases the pressure of putting on a ridiculous number of shows to pillage our pocket books... I mean please the fans.
I don't know. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. All I know is that I've walked away from the last several UFC cards disappointed at best... And that's something I thought I'd never say about the sport and the promotion that I love so dearly.
This is the 3rd fight that Dana and the UFC has spoon fed to Silva at 205. Really? Do they think we can't see through the ridiculous hype and promotion? I mean seriously, I went home Saturday night feeling like I watched a free show on Fox that was without a main event. It was that bad.
What's next for the UFC? For Silva? It's obvious that Bonnar needs to stick to commentating at this point. Nothing against Bonnar, but that's where he's at his best. As for Silva, he needs a legitimate challenge in the light heavy division. Silva vs Rampage has some appeal, maybe Phil Davis, Rashad Evans, or even Brandon Vera. At least someone with some more recent credibility in the division.
The UFC has dropped the ball the last few cards. They're still trying to get mileage out of tired names rather than working to build up the new class of up and comers. They're also putting on too many shows. Bottom line, the UFC needs to cut the number of shows annually, and up the quality and value of each show. Otherwise, they're going to a nothing more than a decade long shooting star, facing certain burnout. Don't water down the brand by milking it all now.
That's not to say that there hasn't been injuries or other circumstances that are out of the UFC's control, but if you've had to cancel a card, you need to slow down and reconsider what you're doing and how you're doing it.
Not gonna lie, over the last couple years, I've almost gotten burnt out. There have been so many events to keep track of, just from the UFC, that I often choose to skip UFC fights to watch smaller promotions. It's a nice change to see the rest of the MMA picture. What the UFC should do is scale back the number of shows, and let some of these smaller promotions carry some of the weight. Being the sport's juggernaut promotion isn't going to change. It just affords the smaller guys a chance to be seen, and eases the pressure of putting on a ridiculous number of shows to pillage our pocket books... I mean please the fans.
I don't know. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. All I know is that I've walked away from the last several UFC cards disappointed at best... And that's something I thought I'd never say about the sport and the promotion that I love so dearly.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Huge Mistake.
So, I had an opportunity to cover the Invicta Fights this past weekend. I didn't. I worked 5am to 1:30pm, and was absolutely beat, so I passed on my second chance to cover this exciting and up and coming promotion. Not going was a huge mistake.
Not only were both Bellator and the UFC busts, but Invicta has shed a new, and very large light on women's MMA.
It seems as though I missed a huge opportunity to forge a name for myself in MMA journalism, but I also missed what may have been one if the best cards of the year.
This is a short and sweet one.
Lesson learned:
Never miss a chance to cover a fight. For any reason. Ever.
I will be covering the next Invicta card, no matter the cost.
Not only were both Bellator and the UFC busts, but Invicta has shed a new, and very large light on women's MMA.
It seems as though I missed a huge opportunity to forge a name for myself in MMA journalism, but I also missed what may have been one if the best cards of the year.
This is a short and sweet one.
Lesson learned:
Never miss a chance to cover a fight. For any reason. Ever.
I will be covering the next Invicta card, no matter the cost.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Lessons Learned: UFC 152
Let me make one thing clear; I've never been a Jon Jones fan. Not when he started, and not now. He's an immature fighter, both physically and mentally. While he is incredibly athletic and talented, he's got a lot of growing up to do.
Sure it's normal for trash talking to ensue to hype a fight or for self motivation, if that's what you need. However, his ego has more than gotten in the way of his career.
While Jones continues to sit at the top of the 205 heap, there's still a lot of improvement that needs to happen.
I have, however been a big fan of Vitor Belfort for a long, long time. While the Phenom was very young and immature at one point in time, he's come a long way, and fought through many adverse circumstances to make his way back in to MMA relevancy.
Post UFC 152, I think Jones may turn a new leaf. I just hope it's not a temporary change.
Having left the octagon Saturday night with a busted up arm, and somewhat of a bruised ego, Jones finally got what he deserved; a good humbling. I can't remember the last time Jones was so soft spoken, and, well, selfless. He gave Belfort a lot of credit, considerably more than I think he's given any other fighter. Not only has Jones never been hurt in a fight, but nobody has been able to hang with him until now.
Vitor's fatal flaw, though, was continuing to pull guard and try for the armbar. Sure, he kept getting really close, but the attempts kept getting riskier every time... until he finally got caught. Still, victory came at a steep price for Jones, and I'm sure it'll be a win he won't soon forget.
That's really about all I have for this one. While I really wanted to see Belfort crowned champ, I walked away satisfied, seeing and hearing the psychological effect he had on Jones.
We'll see how Jones responds in the coming weeks...
Sure it's normal for trash talking to ensue to hype a fight or for self motivation, if that's what you need. However, his ego has more than gotten in the way of his career.
While Jones continues to sit at the top of the 205 heap, there's still a lot of improvement that needs to happen.
I have, however been a big fan of Vitor Belfort for a long, long time. While the Phenom was very young and immature at one point in time, he's come a long way, and fought through many adverse circumstances to make his way back in to MMA relevancy.
Post UFC 152, I think Jones may turn a new leaf. I just hope it's not a temporary change.
Having left the octagon Saturday night with a busted up arm, and somewhat of a bruised ego, Jones finally got what he deserved; a good humbling. I can't remember the last time Jones was so soft spoken, and, well, selfless. He gave Belfort a lot of credit, considerably more than I think he's given any other fighter. Not only has Jones never been hurt in a fight, but nobody has been able to hang with him until now.
Vitor's fatal flaw, though, was continuing to pull guard and try for the armbar. Sure, he kept getting really close, but the attempts kept getting riskier every time... until he finally got caught. Still, victory came at a steep price for Jones, and I'm sure it'll be a win he won't soon forget.
That's really about all I have for this one. While I really wanted to see Belfort crowned champ, I walked away satisfied, seeing and hearing the psychological effect he had on Jones.
We'll see how Jones responds in the coming weeks...
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Jon Jones: What?
I'm as fed up as anyone else at Jones' lack of champions heart and attitude in not taking the fight against Sonnen or Weidman. Bad form, Jones, bad form. This one's for you:
I couldn't be more disappointed in a fighter. And, due to the lack of star power on the remainder of the card, the UFC made the right call to cancel the event. I think they could've thrown together a decent headliner and made it a free card, but then again, when the half of your main event that is healthy refuses to fight, your hands are kind of tied.
I do think that the UFC would come out on top if they at least reimburse the fighters that were scheduled, less Jon Jones, and maybe even throw them a few extra bucks for the trouble.
All I know is that everyone will be tuning in when Jones fights Machida in anticipation of watching Jones losing the strap. Good for PPV numbers, and hopefully just as good for Machida. UFC should give Jones' purse for that fight to charity...
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Why MMA Should Never be Allowed in the Olympics
I've heard the protests a million times; Allow MMA in the Olympics!! I used to agree... until I actually thought about it.
While MMA is hugely mainstream and still very much in it's infancy, making it an Olympic sport is the last thing MMA needs, or should ever want. Here's why:
The Olympics are for the average citizen; free from ridiculous drama, fights, and for the most part, blood.
That blood thing is where it starts to get tricky...
We all know that MMA can be a gruesome sport. From nose breaks to large and deep cuts on the face, among other possible injuries. The average citizen of the world, at least according to the mainstream media, can't handle it... unless it comes in the form of insanely violent police dramas or soaps.
Look at boxing. I can't remember the last time I saw a legitimate KO in Olympic boxing. It's more point sparring than boxing. Not to say there's a lack of talent, because there's a lot great talent in Olympic boxing.
The first big issue is the variations of rules around the globe in MMA. I also have a feeling that the unified rules would still considered be too liberal for the IOC. They'd have to get rid of knees and elbow, and in all likeliness, knees or kicks to the body of a downed opponent. It would be a kickboxing/grappling match with small gloves. Oh, but they'd probably make them wear 8 or 10 ounce gloves.
Further buckling down on the rules would water down MMA to the point that it would no longer be considered MMA. It would be more KMA, or Kinda Martial Arts.
In conclusion, I don't feel the need to go on relentlessly about this subject. Anyone that takes just a minute to think about this will realize that it's just a horrible idea, no matter how you slice it.
Just "say no" to MMA in the Olympics.
That is all.
While MMA is hugely mainstream and still very much in it's infancy, making it an Olympic sport is the last thing MMA needs, or should ever want. Here's why:
The Olympics are for the average citizen; free from ridiculous drama, fights, and for the most part, blood.
That blood thing is where it starts to get tricky...
We all know that MMA can be a gruesome sport. From nose breaks to large and deep cuts on the face, among other possible injuries. The average citizen of the world, at least according to the mainstream media, can't handle it... unless it comes in the form of insanely violent police dramas or soaps.
Look at boxing. I can't remember the last time I saw a legitimate KO in Olympic boxing. It's more point sparring than boxing. Not to say there's a lack of talent, because there's a lot great talent in Olympic boxing.
The first big issue is the variations of rules around the globe in MMA. I also have a feeling that the unified rules would still considered be too liberal for the IOC. They'd have to get rid of knees and elbow, and in all likeliness, knees or kicks to the body of a downed opponent. It would be a kickboxing/grappling match with small gloves. Oh, but they'd probably make them wear 8 or 10 ounce gloves.
Further buckling down on the rules would water down MMA to the point that it would no longer be considered MMA. It would be more KMA, or Kinda Martial Arts.
In conclusion, I don't feel the need to go on relentlessly about this subject. Anyone that takes just a minute to think about this will realize that it's just a horrible idea, no matter how you slice it.
Just "say no" to MMA in the Olympics.
That is all.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Jordan Gaza: Teenager, Ninja Princess, Professional Fighter.
I had the chance to have a conversations with up and coming female Mixed Martial Artist, Jordan Gaza. Had I not previously known she's only 19, I would've thought she was in her mid twenties. Her grace, poise and maturity are very evident. If you don't know Jordan, you need to.
1MR: You were a high school cheerleader. How did you make
the transition from cheerleading to MMA?
JG: I was a cheerleader pretty much my whole life. I also
ran cross country, played volleyball, basketball and track. I did a lot of
sports, but cheerleading was my main thing. In middle school, I got in to Jiu
Jitsu to try something new. I really liked it and started competing.
I was doing really well in competitions and started putting
my videos on YouTube and online. I really started promoting myself at a young
age. Everyone at my gym was doing MMA, and at the time I hated it. I didn’t
want to get hit in the face, I just wanted to do Jiu Jitsu.
I started sparring with some if the guys and it took off
from there. I actually balanced cheerleading and MMA very well my senior year.
I had 3 fights and I was a cheerleader. It was a pretty easy transition for me.
1MR: What made you decide you were ready to transition to
professional MMA?
JG: Most of my amateur fights were very professional as far
as the way they were put on and the promotions I fought for, so it was an easy
transition. I would say that the only thing that was different was getting
paid.
1MR: Have you noticed a change in the level of competition
between amateur and pro?
JG: It depends. I’ve fought some really tough girls. In my
last fight, she (Paige Vanzant) wasn’t that good. People have their on and off
days, and that was definitely an off day for me.
1MR: What is like for you to be in a still mostly male
dominated sport?
JG: I come from a small town, and everyone’s an MMA fighter.
I have guys that are my coaches, and guys that treat me like their little
sister. Then there are guys that have big egos and go crazy when we spar. I’m
very careful with that. I make sure I trust the guys that I’m sparring with
because, you know, they can really hurt you.
1MR: Looking at women’s MMA, where do you see it going in
the next few years?
JG: I’m hoping that it gets bigger. It would be cool to see
it make it in the UFC. You never know. Things are always changing. I don’t
think Strikeforce is even signing any more women. They have Invicta now and some other
organizations, so we’ll see what happens.
1MR: Speaking of Invicta FC, what are your thoughts on them
and what they’re doing for women’s MMA?
JG: It’s so cool that they have some of the best girls on
their cards. I would love to fight for them eventually.
1MR: You’ve got quite a social media following. How does
that impact your MMA career, and how does that affect you as a professional?
JG: It helps me out because I feel like I have a lot of
people out there that support me. I want to make everyone proud, whether I know
them personally or not. It really motivates me, all the messages I get and all
the nice comments. Same thing with the negative stuff, it motivates me too.
1MR: As with anyone that’s popular, there’s a certain amount
of haters and trash talking. How do you deal with that?
JG: I just ignore it now. I’ve dealt with it my whole life. Even
going in to middle school, girls hating me because their boyfriends liked me.
You get jealous people everywhere you go. I used to get them in Jiu Jitsu when
I would compete, so I feel like I’ve always dealt with it. I just ignore it and
use it as motivation.
1MR: Who are your favorite fighters, male or female?
JG: I would say, right now, Jon Bones Jones. He’s so young
and does a lot of really cool things. As far as female, I don’t have a specific
favorite. I have a lot of respect for any female that gets in the cage and
fights.
1MR: I know you and Felice (Herrig) have a pretty good
relationship. Tell us about that dynamic.
JG: We both fight at the same weight, and we got some good
training in when I went up there (Chicago, Curran’s). She’s been in my corner
for two of my fights in Vegas. It’s cool to have friends that fight, and are in
your same weight class. A lot of the female fighters have so much in common.
1MR: What did you think of the Sonnen/Silva fight?
JG: It was pretty much what I expected. I knew that Silva
was going to take it. I thought it was going to end quicker.
1MR: Who are you training with now, and who helps you
prepare for your fights?
JG: I train at Weapons at Hand. I have 3 coaches there that
work with me. My main coach is Stacy Jorgensen. I’ve never clicked with a coach
like I’ve clicked with him. I have another coach, Rudy, he’s the nice coach. He
keeps everything calm. He’s very big brother like. Then there’s my coach Adam
Ibarra. He’s really tried to change my standup. He’s really helped me a lot
with my standup and kickboxing. All 3 of those guys are very helpful. Then I
also go to Gracie Barra for my Jiu Jitsu.
1MR: If you had the opportunity to train anywhere, with
anyone, where and who?
JG: I’m not sure. I’ve been a lot of places. I’ve trained
with Felice at Curran’s in Chicago and I’ve been to Greg Jackson’s several
times. I’ve gone to train with Meisha Tate in California. I’ve also been to a
lot of places in Texas, there’s a lot of good gyms around here. I’d like to
train in Florida and Vegas. Maybe American Top Team in Florida. And there’s a
lot of good gyms in Vegas I’d love to go to.
1MR: Before we go, is there anything you’d like to say to
all of your fans and supporters?
JG: Thank you to everyone that supports me. Win or lose, I
have a lot of family, friends and fans that are always there for me.
In conclusion, Jordan was a treat to interview, and she's got a very bright future in MMA ahead of her. I hope to do more interviews with this amazing young woman in the future! Be sure to follow her on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/jngaza and on Twitter @jngaza92.
Friday, July 6, 2012
UFC 148 Picks
I'm going to make this one short and sweet. Here's who I've got tomorrow night:
Oliveira over Izquierdo - UD
Alessio over Roller - 2Rd Sub
Philippou over Fukuda - UD
Nurmagomedov over Tibau - 1Rd TKO
Guillard over Camoes - 1Rd KO
Menjivar over Easton - 3Rd Sub
McKenzie over Mendes - 2Rd Sub
Maia over Kim - UD
Cote over Le - 1Rd TKO
Griffin over Ortiz - 2Rd TKO
Sonnen over Silva - 2Rd TKO
That's it. I get a lot of hate for being a Sonnen fan, but he brings it. He brings it every time. I expect the Sonnen/Silva fight to be FotN. McKenzie will get SotN honors, and Sonnen will also rake in KOotN money.
Those are my picks. We'll see how I fare tomorrow night! Time to get ready for the weigh ins!!
Oliveira over Izquierdo - UD
Alessio over Roller - 2Rd Sub
Philippou over Fukuda - UD
Nurmagomedov over Tibau - 1Rd TKO
Guillard over Camoes - 1Rd KO
Menjivar over Easton - 3Rd Sub
McKenzie over Mendes - 2Rd Sub
Maia over Kim - UD
Cote over Le - 1Rd TKO
Griffin over Ortiz - 2Rd TKO
Sonnen over Silva - 2Rd TKO
That's it. I get a lot of hate for being a Sonnen fan, but he brings it. He brings it every time. I expect the Sonnen/Silva fight to be FotN. McKenzie will get SotN honors, and Sonnen will also rake in KOotN money.
Those are my picks. We'll see how I fare tomorrow night! Time to get ready for the weigh ins!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
LC Davis: Finding New Life in the Bantamweight Division
Carrying a professional record of 17-5, Davis has fought in Affliction, Titan Fighting Championship, the WEC, and the IFL under the tutelage of Pat Miletich, this former top 10 featherweight looks to reclaim his status; this time as a newly minted bantamweight.
1MR: You’ve been fighting for a while now. As far as training and fighting goes, who
inspired you to fight?
LC: Deryck Ripley. He was a college (wrestling) team mate of
mine. He started fighting, and I thought “this looks cool,” and I helped him
train a little. The first fight I ever saw, Deryck fought Jake Ellenberger his
first pro fight and I was in his corner. He got man handled by Jake, but I
thought it was pretty cool and I wanted to try it.
Two or three weeks later I
had my first fight. I was kind of blowing smoke, and he (Deryck) told me he got
me a fight in three weeks, so I thought well, okay, he called my bluff, so now
I’ve got to do it.
1MR: After not fighting at all in 2011, how did that affect your
training and preparation coming in to 2012?
LC: I had a lot that happened (in 2011). I was cut by the
WEC after losing two in a row. I had won three in a row and had a number one
contender match with Josh Grispi. He won and got the title shot against Jose
Aldo. Then, I lost a close fight to Rafael Assuncao, another tough guy. That
was just after Zuffa took over the WEC, so there was that added pressure of
making sure I had a good performance. Shortly About two weeks later, I got cut by
the WEC. Instead of trying to win, I was trying not to lose.
After I got cut, I got right back up on the horse and signed
a deal with Titan. I had a great training camp and felt great, but shortly
before the fight I hurt my knee really bad. I didn’t have insurance, so I didn’t
go to the doctor. I stayed off my knee for a week, and then had to cut weight
the next week. I ended up pulling out of that fight. It was the first time I
ever pulled out of a fight in my career.
The week after that fight was to happen, I got a call from
my girlfriend and she told me she was pregnant. So in a month’s time, I get cut
from the WEC, hurt my knee, and find out my girlfriend is pregnant.
I did some rehab on my knee for a while and it started
getting better. I was getting back in to training, and then the Ultimate
Fighter came up (for 134 and 145lb fighters. Dodson and Brandao were the
winners on that season.). My manager told me I needed to audition, but I told
him I didn’t have the time or money. He told me to send in a video, so I did. I
got called to the final audition, and the casting directors were impressed that
I made it that far for not having been to the auditions. After doing all of the
interviews and everything, I came back, and all my friends were telling me that
I needed to get in shape for the show.
The first day back in training I felt me knee pop and this
time I was bad. It swelled up really bad and I knew it didn’t look good. A few
days after that I got the call that I hadn’t made the show. I knew I had to get some insurance.
At this point, I didn’t have a job. I had been making over
$60k a year fighting at the top level, so I didn’t have to worry about money or
anything. But since I got cut (from the WEC), I didn’t have any income or
insurance or anything, and now I also had a baby coming. Luckily, God blessed
me and I got insurance and had the surgery on my knee. I was nickel and diming
jobs until I got the job here (Title’s Fight Store)… and was able to open up my
gym.
In 2012, after having the surgery and having our baby, I
decided I was ready to take a fight. I signed on to fight in February against a
guy with a 3-0 record. He had fought twice in Strikeforce at 170, but was
fighting me at 145. It was in his home town in Indiana, and I ended up losing a
split decision. It was a tough fight. He was so big that he kept taking me down
and I was fighting to get up, but I just couldn’t get back up. He was just too
big and strong. After that fight, I decided to make the move down to 135.
1MR: Rumor has it you have a fight coming up in August?
LC: Nothing signed yet. I’m hoping to have a fight in August
or September. It’ll hopefully be here in KC for Titan or another option
possibly in San Diego or San Jose.
1MR: How has fatherhood changed your outlook on your
fighting career?
LC: It hasn’t changed too much. If anything it’s helped give
me more motivation. It does make it harder to train at other gyms and things
like that. As far as my views on fighting and my career, they’ve stayed the
same. I still have the same goals and passions.
1MR: So I’ve got to ask, Sonnen or Silva?
LC: My heart is with Anderson. I hope Anderson wins. What I
think will happen, I think it could be a lot like the first fight. I think
Sonnen could pull it out. I don’t see Sonnen winning any part of the stand up
this time. I think he’s going to be
shooting in fast, if not he’s going to get hurt. I think once he (Sonnen) gets
him down, he can establish control and set up a submission.
1MR: Do you think that having the first fight experience
against Sonnen will give Silva an advantage for this fight?
LC: He (Silva) knew what to expect going in to the first
fight. That’s how Chael beat Nate Marquardt and everybody else, just taking
them down and grinding them out. It should help seeing it and everything. I
think this time Silva’s going to knock him out or hurt him really bad, or Chael
will win like he did the last time, but not get caught in a submission.
1MR: Who are the two fighters, past or present, from any
weight class, you’d like to see fight?
LC: Right now, the two I’d like to see fight the most are
Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. Outside of that, I’d like to see Jake Ellenberger
fight GSP. I’m a huge Jake Ellenberger fan, and really a fan of both of them.
1MR: How has having the gym changed your approach to
training?
LC: It’s harder, but in a lot of ways it helps. It keeps me
in the gym all the time. There were times before where after a fight I wanted
to take a break, but now, usually the day after a fight I’m right back in the
gym. So, it’s good that I’m always in the gym. It helps me stay in shape.
1MR: A lot of times when a fighter becomes a trainer, it
changes their approach to their own training. You start to see things
differently. How has being a trainer changed the way you train?
LC: Well, my first fight back I just trained on my own. I
didn’t really have any coaches. I just did my classes at the gym and kind of
winged it. For my last fight, I had a strength and conditioning coach, a boxing
coach, a Muay Thai coach, a Jiu Jitsu coach, and a wrestling coach.
1MR: One last question: We talked about Sonnen vs. Silva, so
what about Ortiz/Griffin III?
LC: I hope Ortiz wins. I want to see him go out on top. He
helped bring the UFC to where they are now. The first two were pretty close ,
but I think Tito can win.
The bottom line for LC is to make his way back to the UFC. He feels confident in his ability to stand with the best in the bantamweight division, just as he did as a featherweight. With another two or three years left in his fight game, he wants to go out on top, and ultimately leave a legacy for his son.
A truly gifted athlete and all around nice guy, LC is nothing to laugh at in the cage. With his most recent victory in Titan Fighting Championship coming by way of a TKO, he's shown that he's back with a vengeance.
Davis and training partner, Strikeforce and UFC veteran Jason High, own HD MMA in Leawood, KS (http://www.HighDavisMMA.com). Their upstart school has produced some serious talent, and from the looks of it, they'll crank out a lot more in the coming years.
Be sure to follow LC on Twitter @LC_Davis.
Monday, June 25, 2012
UFC 148 Conference Call Musings
What can I say? I was highly entertained by the UFC 148 conference call. I've been mulling over this thing all day and here's what I've got:
First things first: Let's hope for Sliva's sake that he didn't just expend all his energy on this conference call. He's always been pretty reserved, and today, completely unleashed on Chael. I'm just not buying his temper tantrum. I think it's all part of playing Chael's game. I don't think this is any different that how he acts for any other fight. He always plays games, this one, however, is just verbal.
I'll be honest, I've never been an Anderson Silva fan. Never drank that kool aid. Just the same as I've never been a fan of Greg Jackson's coaching style. If you call running away and making your opponent chase you down fighting, then I've got it all wrong. Call it a defensive style, call it whatever you want, I still don't buy it. Running away from the action then taunting your opponents after they run a marathon to try to bring the fight to you is, well, disengaging, not fighting.
Has Anderson Silva come forward to fight: yes. Is Anderson Silva the current UFC Middleweight champ: yes. While I don't dispute those facts, I still think his fighting style is not so much a fighting style at all. Riding the Steven Segall wagon, and those types of charades are cute, and they attract attention. Just the same, I think Silva and GSP have one thing in common; they're the nicest a-holes in the game. They always sound so nice in interviews, but if you read between the lines, their interviews are laced with insults and badmouthing of other fighters. That, to me, is more disrespectful than outright smack talking. If you're gonna talk trash, have the balls to do it. Don't mask it.
The fact that he came out and had this rant during the press conference plays wonderfully to the media. Everyone will eat it up... and they have. He knows how to get attention, he's one of the best at it. I see through it. I don't believe a word of the hype.
With UFC 148 just a couple weeks away, I look forward to this fight. I look forward to Chael sticking it to Anderson just like he did the last time, only Sonnen's hand will be raised at the finish.
Not to be over-shadowed, but I'm definitely looking forward to Ortiz/Griffin II. I expect the same outcome, a Griffin victory. God only knows how bad Forrest needs a boost. He's not been himself since the Silva embarrassment.
Onward and upward.
First things first: Let's hope for Sliva's sake that he didn't just expend all his energy on this conference call. He's always been pretty reserved, and today, completely unleashed on Chael. I'm just not buying his temper tantrum. I think it's all part of playing Chael's game. I don't think this is any different that how he acts for any other fight. He always plays games, this one, however, is just verbal.
I'll be honest, I've never been an Anderson Silva fan. Never drank that kool aid. Just the same as I've never been a fan of Greg Jackson's coaching style. If you call running away and making your opponent chase you down fighting, then I've got it all wrong. Call it a defensive style, call it whatever you want, I still don't buy it. Running away from the action then taunting your opponents after they run a marathon to try to bring the fight to you is, well, disengaging, not fighting.
Has Anderson Silva come forward to fight: yes. Is Anderson Silva the current UFC Middleweight champ: yes. While I don't dispute those facts, I still think his fighting style is not so much a fighting style at all. Riding the Steven Segall wagon, and those types of charades are cute, and they attract attention. Just the same, I think Silva and GSP have one thing in common; they're the nicest a-holes in the game. They always sound so nice in interviews, but if you read between the lines, their interviews are laced with insults and badmouthing of other fighters. That, to me, is more disrespectful than outright smack talking. If you're gonna talk trash, have the balls to do it. Don't mask it.
The fact that he came out and had this rant during the press conference plays wonderfully to the media. Everyone will eat it up... and they have. He knows how to get attention, he's one of the best at it. I see through it. I don't believe a word of the hype.
With UFC 148 just a couple weeks away, I look forward to this fight. I look forward to Chael sticking it to Anderson just like he did the last time, only Sonnen's hand will be raised at the finish.
Not to be over-shadowed, but I'm definitely looking forward to Ortiz/Griffin II. I expect the same outcome, a Griffin victory. God only knows how bad Forrest needs a boost. He's not been himself since the Silva embarrassment.
Onward and upward.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wand and Franklin: The Aftermath
I know it hasn't happened yet, and far be it for me to predict the future... but wait, speculation is half the fun, right?
If you're like me, you'd love to see Wand, Franklin, Liddell, Ortiz, Couture and a laundry list of other legends continue their fighting careers forever and never age. Unfortunately, I didn't find the genie, so I'm not getting any wishes granted... yet.
While it pains me to say I'm glad the Iceman retired, I think we all died a little bit the night Chuck decided to hang it up, much as many old school MMA junkies did when Evan Tanner passed away. All I can say is this; no matter what happens this weekend, two things are certain; the careers of both Silva and Franklin will be impacted greatly.
Make no mistake about it, this is as much a super fight now as it was five years ago, despite both fighters aging, and having to compete with the new hybrid style mixed martial artists. There's just something about a good old fashioned slug fest, to which there is no doubt in my mind that's what we'll all be watching Saturday night.
What happens after the fight is over, is an entirely different story.
Win or Lose, I think that Rich is close to retirement. He seems to have rededicated himself to training in the last couple years, but I think it may be too late. I think the only relevance Franklin can continue to have in either the middleweight or light heavy divisions is that of the gate keeper. He's tough and durable, but his age is starting to show. Sure he's got the heart and endurance to eke out some wins, but he's certainly past his prime as a top contender. I would much prefer any fighter retire still looking decent instead of getting repeatedly thumped on, a la Chuck Liddell (even though he looked to be in his best shape ever for his fight with Franklin). I think that time for Franklin is coming soon; maybe not Saturday night, but within his next few fights. Win or lose Saturday, I think it will be one of Franklin's last appearances in the cage.
Although Wand says that he's still got a lot of fights left in him, that doesn't mean he should stay in the cage. He's made a name for himself with his school and apparel line, and he'll forever be a legend and pioneer of mixed martial arts. He has a long future ahead of him outside of the cage as a coach, and I hope he makes the most of that opportunity.
With that being said, Wand may have four or five good fights left, before he starts getting out worked by the stronger and faster next gen fighters. Being the king of the stand and bang game has had it's advantages for Silva, cementing his place as one of the most ruthless fighters in MMA with a plethora of highlight reel finishes. But for Wand, much like Liddell, it comes with a major downside.
One thing about the human body is that when it takes punishment repeatedly over a period of time, it toughens itself to become more tolerable. That works for the whole body... except for the head. It's quite the contrary for the old thinker; the more you get clocked, the less punishment you can take over time. Years of trading haymakers and bombs with the big dogs comes with a hefty price, that jaw of steel begins to crumble. I have no doubt that Franklin will test the jaw of Silva, and we'll see how it holds up.
Win or lose for Wand, I think we'll see him a handful more times in the octagon, although I think a loss here could cut that number down a couple.
I wish the best for both men, truly legends of the sport and future HOFers, and either way I'll be excited and sad to see who wins, and who loses. I just hope for the sake of their families, friends and fans they make the right choices post UFC 147.
If you're like me, you'd love to see Wand, Franklin, Liddell, Ortiz, Couture and a laundry list of other legends continue their fighting careers forever and never age. Unfortunately, I didn't find the genie, so I'm not getting any wishes granted... yet.
While it pains me to say I'm glad the Iceman retired, I think we all died a little bit the night Chuck decided to hang it up, much as many old school MMA junkies did when Evan Tanner passed away. All I can say is this; no matter what happens this weekend, two things are certain; the careers of both Silva and Franklin will be impacted greatly.
Make no mistake about it, this is as much a super fight now as it was five years ago, despite both fighters aging, and having to compete with the new hybrid style mixed martial artists. There's just something about a good old fashioned slug fest, to which there is no doubt in my mind that's what we'll all be watching Saturday night.
What happens after the fight is over, is an entirely different story.
Win or Lose, I think that Rich is close to retirement. He seems to have rededicated himself to training in the last couple years, but I think it may be too late. I think the only relevance Franklin can continue to have in either the middleweight or light heavy divisions is that of the gate keeper. He's tough and durable, but his age is starting to show. Sure he's got the heart and endurance to eke out some wins, but he's certainly past his prime as a top contender. I would much prefer any fighter retire still looking decent instead of getting repeatedly thumped on, a la Chuck Liddell (even though he looked to be in his best shape ever for his fight with Franklin). I think that time for Franklin is coming soon; maybe not Saturday night, but within his next few fights. Win or lose Saturday, I think it will be one of Franklin's last appearances in the cage.
Although Wand says that he's still got a lot of fights left in him, that doesn't mean he should stay in the cage. He's made a name for himself with his school and apparel line, and he'll forever be a legend and pioneer of mixed martial arts. He has a long future ahead of him outside of the cage as a coach, and I hope he makes the most of that opportunity.
With that being said, Wand may have four or five good fights left, before he starts getting out worked by the stronger and faster next gen fighters. Being the king of the stand and bang game has had it's advantages for Silva, cementing his place as one of the most ruthless fighters in MMA with a plethora of highlight reel finishes. But for Wand, much like Liddell, it comes with a major downside.
One thing about the human body is that when it takes punishment repeatedly over a period of time, it toughens itself to become more tolerable. That works for the whole body... except for the head. It's quite the contrary for the old thinker; the more you get clocked, the less punishment you can take over time. Years of trading haymakers and bombs with the big dogs comes with a hefty price, that jaw of steel begins to crumble. I have no doubt that Franklin will test the jaw of Silva, and we'll see how it holds up.
Win or lose for Wand, I think we'll see him a handful more times in the octagon, although I think a loss here could cut that number down a couple.
I wish the best for both men, truly legends of the sport and future HOFers, and either way I'll be excited and sad to see who wins, and who loses. I just hope for the sake of their families, friends and fans they make the right choices post UFC 147.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
2 days, 2 shows for Zuffa... Overkill? Plus UFC on FX Picks
I don't even know where really to start with this whole thing...
First off, why on Earth would you put a relatively stacked free card on FX, then follow it up with Franklin vs Wand 2 on PPV??? Really, Zuffa? Really?
I want to see those two bang like any other long time MMA fan, but do they bring enough PPV power to what is currently a 4 fight card? My answer is a resounding "no."
Both fighters, while they are respectively legends in the UFC and MMA, are past their prime. I wouldn't consider either a top contender at this point, and although I know Franklin has worked hard to re-establish himself in the 205Lb division, I think it's too little, too late for these guys. I hope for the sake of the card that Zuffa has some heavy hitters hiding up their sleeves. Otherwise, this card so far looks like an "I'll pass" on the PPV list.
With that being said, let's take a look at the UFC on FX card:
Stone v. Rivera - Stone looks to be the more well rounded fighter with slightly more experience. Rivera's nickname is "Cisco"... Stone by unanimous decision.
Miller v. Funch - Two ridiculously tough guys, both with equally impressive wrestling. This could easily be a contender for fight of the night. I'm going to go with Funch via UD.
Brown v. Ramos - Two more very tough, durable guys. Brown hasn't looked like himself on his last few outings, and Ramos may look to test his chin, and his resolve. I want to go with Brown, but my gut is telling me Ramos by TKO.
Catone v. Camozzi - Catone is riding a 2 fight win streak and has the momentum certainly on his side. With Camozzi losing 2 of his last 3, can he grind his way back to the winner's circle? It's going to be a hard, fast fight, and I think Catone is going to overwhelm Camozzi. Catone by TKO.
Siler v. Gambino - With both of Siler's UFC appearances wins, he's going to give Gambino a very warm welcome to the octagon. Sure, Gambino is 9-0, but this is the big leagues, baby. Siler by Submission.
Nijem v. Keith - At a perfect 8-0, Keith will have to throw everything he's got at Nijem. I see this one turning out to be a great grappling match with Nijem stealing the show. Nijem by UD
Hioki v. Lamas - Look for Hioki to use his superior takedown ability to control Lamas throughout the fight. It's going to be a grinder. Hioki by UD.
Pearson v. Swanson - Another great contender for fight of the night honors. Look for this one to stay standing until Pearson gets a few good licks in. I expect Swanson to try to take this to the ground fairly early and utilize his superior wrestling. Either way, it'll be a win/win fir the crowd. Pearson by TKO.
Ebersole v. Waldberger - A wrestler and a submission specialist... This one may very well stay on it's feet for the duration. Something deep in my gut says this one ends very quickly. Ebersole by KO.
Stout v. Fisher - I could watch these two go at it every weekend for the rest of my life, and never walk away bored. These two have the best shot at fight of the night in my opinion, and it's going to be nothing short of 15 minutes of fireworks. I expect Fisher to come out with the win by UD, but both will have equally swollen faces.
Maynard v. Guida - This is going to be an epic battle of well condition, stupid fast paced wrestlers. It's going to come down to hands, and I think Guida has the better striking. Whoever wins this match up will get a well deserved win, and in all honesty, it's tough to call this one. I'm going to go for the long shot and say Guida by SD.
First off, why on Earth would you put a relatively stacked free card on FX, then follow it up with Franklin vs Wand 2 on PPV??? Really, Zuffa? Really?
I want to see those two bang like any other long time MMA fan, but do they bring enough PPV power to what is currently a 4 fight card? My answer is a resounding "no."
Both fighters, while they are respectively legends in the UFC and MMA, are past their prime. I wouldn't consider either a top contender at this point, and although I know Franklin has worked hard to re-establish himself in the 205Lb division, I think it's too little, too late for these guys. I hope for the sake of the card that Zuffa has some heavy hitters hiding up their sleeves. Otherwise, this card so far looks like an "I'll pass" on the PPV list.
With that being said, let's take a look at the UFC on FX card:
Stone v. Rivera - Stone looks to be the more well rounded fighter with slightly more experience. Rivera's nickname is "Cisco"... Stone by unanimous decision.
Miller v. Funch - Two ridiculously tough guys, both with equally impressive wrestling. This could easily be a contender for fight of the night. I'm going to go with Funch via UD.
Brown v. Ramos - Two more very tough, durable guys. Brown hasn't looked like himself on his last few outings, and Ramos may look to test his chin, and his resolve. I want to go with Brown, but my gut is telling me Ramos by TKO.
Catone v. Camozzi - Catone is riding a 2 fight win streak and has the momentum certainly on his side. With Camozzi losing 2 of his last 3, can he grind his way back to the winner's circle? It's going to be a hard, fast fight, and I think Catone is going to overwhelm Camozzi. Catone by TKO.
Siler v. Gambino - With both of Siler's UFC appearances wins, he's going to give Gambino a very warm welcome to the octagon. Sure, Gambino is 9-0, but this is the big leagues, baby. Siler by Submission.
Nijem v. Keith - At a perfect 8-0, Keith will have to throw everything he's got at Nijem. I see this one turning out to be a great grappling match with Nijem stealing the show. Nijem by UD
Hioki v. Lamas - Look for Hioki to use his superior takedown ability to control Lamas throughout the fight. It's going to be a grinder. Hioki by UD.
Pearson v. Swanson - Another great contender for fight of the night honors. Look for this one to stay standing until Pearson gets a few good licks in. I expect Swanson to try to take this to the ground fairly early and utilize his superior wrestling. Either way, it'll be a win/win fir the crowd. Pearson by TKO.
Ebersole v. Waldberger - A wrestler and a submission specialist... This one may very well stay on it's feet for the duration. Something deep in my gut says this one ends very quickly. Ebersole by KO.
Stout v. Fisher - I could watch these two go at it every weekend for the rest of my life, and never walk away bored. These two have the best shot at fight of the night in my opinion, and it's going to be nothing short of 15 minutes of fireworks. I expect Fisher to come out with the win by UD, but both will have equally swollen faces.
Maynard v. Guida - This is going to be an epic battle of well condition, stupid fast paced wrestlers. It's going to come down to hands, and I think Guida has the better striking. Whoever wins this match up will get a well deserved win, and in all honesty, it's tough to call this one. I'm going to go for the long shot and say Guida by SD.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Titan Fighting Championship 22: Not Pulling any Punches
Looking over the card in anticipation for tomorrow's Titan Fighting Championship 22 I came to realize that this promotion, even on the amateur card, is for real.
Sure, they've got a contract with HDNet. Sure, they've had a share of big names, old and new. Sure they have a huge local following, but all things aside, in almost a decade in MMA in the Midwest, I've seen a lot of promotions come and go.
Looking at the amateur under card, you've got some major players in the KC MMA game. Jason Perrotta, who I've had the privilege of training with many, many times should be watched, and watched closely. His amateur career got of to an average start, but I'm here to tell you, there's nothing average about this fighter.
He has the heart of ten men, and the skills and strength to match. He was primarily a stand up fighter when I trained with him, and I've seen him come a long way since. He's one of the most talented and versatile fighters I've ever seen. If he keeps training like he is, he's going to be around for a long time, and he's going to be nothing short of a superstar. I can't wait to see him in yet another action packed fight!
Also another impressive amateur to watch is another KC native, Phil Morgan. He's kept his head, and chin down and done nothing short of work his ass off. He's been around the amateur circuit for a while, much like Perrotta, but has really come in to his own as of late, blowing through his competition, and swooping up a few belts along the way.
Looking at the first fight on the pro card, this has the making of fight of the night. I have high expectations for Mirsad Bektic vs. Willie Mack. Both show versatility, each having KO/TKO and submission victories. Both are explosive fighters and are relentless in their pursuit of a victory. With Bektic's record a perfect 3-0, and Mack batting .500 at 2-2, I'm sure Willie would love nothing less than to give Mirsad his first professional loss.
Rudy Bears and Nick Nolte is going to be another great match up. Both KC natives and incredibly tough Mixed Martial Artists, this is going to be another fight not to miss.Bears is coming off of a slump, losing 3 of his last 4. Nolte, however is on a hot streak, winning his last two after dropping a heart breaking decision to the New York Bad Ass, Phil Baroni. I expect both fighters to come out strong, and Nolte to push the pace. I know Bears wants to get back on the winning track, but he's definitely going to have his hands full.
Mello and Mamalis is interesting. Mello's most notable victory is over TUF alum's Vinicius Magalhaes. He's been bested by the likes of Takanori Gomi and Jose Aldo. At 10-6, and having over a decade as a pro, we'll see what the future holds for Mello. Coming off of a 6 fight win streak ain't too shabby though.
Mamalis currently sits at 13-8. With his last fight against Nicholas Denis a loss, I'm sure he wants to stack a few more in the "W" column.
Mello definitely has the experience on his side, but being 11 years the elder of Mamalis, he may be giving up more than he bargains for.
Vega and Whitney makes for another great KC match up. Vega is coming off two back to back losses via Bellator in Ed West and Chase Beebe, while Whitney sits at 7-1, comong off his fourth consecutive win. This has the makings of a slug fest. This will definitely be a great one to watch!
I cannot wait to see LC Davis back in action against Bill Kamery. 3 of Lc's 5 losses come from his last 3 fights. I've seen Davis put in work, and this guy is no slouch. Coming out of the Miletich camp, you know he's been through hell and back.
Kamery has won 2 of his last 3, and has only 2 losses overall.
Having no fights in 2011, I expect Davis to have a little ring rust, but we'll see how long it takes to shake loose those cobwebs. I expect Him to come out hard and push the pace for the duration. I'm sure he wants nothing more than to get back in the winner's circle. This will be a great contest, and I expect this to be nothing short of a great co main event.
Last but not least, former UFC standout Anthony "Rumble" Johnson takes on another UFC vet in Dave Branch.
Between his weight issues and coming off a submission loss to Vitor Belfort, Johnson has his hands full in Dave Branch.
Branch, on the other hand looks to be rock solid at 9-2 coming off a decision win over Dominique Steele. I expect him to give Rumble nothing short of his best on Fight night, as long as Rumble makes weight, that is.
At any rate, TFC 22 is a stacked card, playing to the KC crowd with some stellar local fights, and some excellent main card attractions, not to mention a visit by UFC vet Thiago Silva.
Can't say it enough that I very much look forward to seeing this show live tomorrow night. If you live in KC, shame on you for not getting tickets. If you don't live around the Midwest, you damn well better be watching this card on HDNet!
Sure, they've got a contract with HDNet. Sure, they've had a share of big names, old and new. Sure they have a huge local following, but all things aside, in almost a decade in MMA in the Midwest, I've seen a lot of promotions come and go.
Looking at the amateur under card, you've got some major players in the KC MMA game. Jason Perrotta, who I've had the privilege of training with many, many times should be watched, and watched closely. His amateur career got of to an average start, but I'm here to tell you, there's nothing average about this fighter.
He has the heart of ten men, and the skills and strength to match. He was primarily a stand up fighter when I trained with him, and I've seen him come a long way since. He's one of the most talented and versatile fighters I've ever seen. If he keeps training like he is, he's going to be around for a long time, and he's going to be nothing short of a superstar. I can't wait to see him in yet another action packed fight!
Also another impressive amateur to watch is another KC native, Phil Morgan. He's kept his head, and chin down and done nothing short of work his ass off. He's been around the amateur circuit for a while, much like Perrotta, but has really come in to his own as of late, blowing through his competition, and swooping up a few belts along the way.
Looking at the first fight on the pro card, this has the making of fight of the night. I have high expectations for Mirsad Bektic vs. Willie Mack. Both show versatility, each having KO/TKO and submission victories. Both are explosive fighters and are relentless in their pursuit of a victory. With Bektic's record a perfect 3-0, and Mack batting .500 at 2-2, I'm sure Willie would love nothing less than to give Mirsad his first professional loss.
Rudy Bears and Nick Nolte is going to be another great match up. Both KC natives and incredibly tough Mixed Martial Artists, this is going to be another fight not to miss.Bears is coming off of a slump, losing 3 of his last 4. Nolte, however is on a hot streak, winning his last two after dropping a heart breaking decision to the New York Bad Ass, Phil Baroni. I expect both fighters to come out strong, and Nolte to push the pace. I know Bears wants to get back on the winning track, but he's definitely going to have his hands full.
Mello and Mamalis is interesting. Mello's most notable victory is over TUF alum's Vinicius Magalhaes. He's been bested by the likes of Takanori Gomi and Jose Aldo. At 10-6, and having over a decade as a pro, we'll see what the future holds for Mello. Coming off of a 6 fight win streak ain't too shabby though.
Mamalis currently sits at 13-8. With his last fight against Nicholas Denis a loss, I'm sure he wants to stack a few more in the "W" column.
Mello definitely has the experience on his side, but being 11 years the elder of Mamalis, he may be giving up more than he bargains for.
Vega and Whitney makes for another great KC match up. Vega is coming off two back to back losses via Bellator in Ed West and Chase Beebe, while Whitney sits at 7-1, comong off his fourth consecutive win. This has the makings of a slug fest. This will definitely be a great one to watch!
I cannot wait to see LC Davis back in action against Bill Kamery. 3 of Lc's 5 losses come from his last 3 fights. I've seen Davis put in work, and this guy is no slouch. Coming out of the Miletich camp, you know he's been through hell and back.
Kamery has won 2 of his last 3, and has only 2 losses overall.
Having no fights in 2011, I expect Davis to have a little ring rust, but we'll see how long it takes to shake loose those cobwebs. I expect Him to come out hard and push the pace for the duration. I'm sure he wants nothing more than to get back in the winner's circle. This will be a great contest, and I expect this to be nothing short of a great co main event.
Last but not least, former UFC standout Anthony "Rumble" Johnson takes on another UFC vet in Dave Branch.
Between his weight issues and coming off a submission loss to Vitor Belfort, Johnson has his hands full in Dave Branch.
Branch, on the other hand looks to be rock solid at 9-2 coming off a decision win over Dominique Steele. I expect him to give Rumble nothing short of his best on Fight night, as long as Rumble makes weight, that is.
At any rate, TFC 22 is a stacked card, playing to the KC crowd with some stellar local fights, and some excellent main card attractions, not to mention a visit by UFC vet Thiago Silva.
Can't say it enough that I very much look forward to seeing this show live tomorrow night. If you live in KC, shame on you for not getting tickets. If you don't live around the Midwest, you damn well better be watching this card on HDNet!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
UFC 146 Not So Quick Picks
UFC 146 is just days away. Here's my picks:
Brown v Pineda - I like Brown's striking in this match. He's extremely strong on the ground, but has viscous KO power. I think Pineda is going to underestimate Brown's striking. I'm going KO for Brown on this one.
Teixeira v Kingsbury - Glover comes out of the Pit, and he's tough as nails. Kingsbu looked a little soft in his last couple performances. Not the Kingsbu of old. TKO for Glover here.
Volkmann v Sass - The Brit is definitely tough, and has some serious ground skills, but I don't think he has what it takes to out last Volkmann's grinding pace. Something tells me this one's going the distance. Unanimous decision for Volkmann.
Ludwig v Hardy - Both these guys have very heavy hands. Despite what Hardy says going in to this fight, he hasn't looked the same in quite some time. He's been struggling to keep his head about water in his last few performances, and Ludwig isn't one of those guys that will give him room to operate. I see another big KO from Bang!
Miller v Dollaway - This could be what makes or breaks Mayhem here. He's looked weak and has had trouble with his cardio. If he doesn't win this one it could be curtains. I think he's going to come out with a vengeance to secure his seat in the UFC and submit Dollaway.
Varner v Barboza - The last few years, Varner has all but vanished from the scene. Going 3-1 in his last 4, the UFC didn't do him any favors matching him up with Barboza. He's going to need to keep it on the feet and utilize his boxing skills to take home the "W". If he can do that, he may take Barboza the distance. Varner by unanimous decision.
Brandao v Elkins - With the majority of Elkins' strong points being on the ground, Brandao will have to strike early, and often. With his KO power, if he can come out of the gate an surprise Elkins, it'll be his fight to lose. Brandao by KO.
Johnson v Struve - Both tough and extremely talented heavyweights, this one is going to be a fun one to watch! I like Johnson's heart, and I think that's going to give him the edge he needs to overcome Struve's lankiness. Johnson by TKO.
Miocic v Del Rosario - On paper, this screams Del Rosario all day. However, you can never count out a guy in red and white checked shorts. I think Miocic is going to take the underdog role to heart and come out hard to take Del Rosario the distance and earn a decision win.
Nelson v Herman - Nelson has been trimming down, and looks to be taking this whole MMA thing more seriously. He's deadly anywhere, and I don't think Herman will be prepared to handle Nelson's full arsenal. I think Big Country gets the submission win here.
Silva v Velasquez - This will be another great fight to watch! I don't think Silva has fought someone with Cain's speed, but Silva is very methodical in his approach. I think if he can weather the early storm, he's got a great shot and taking a decision win over Velasquez.
Mir v Dos Santos - Frank Mir has been around for a long time, and rose back to the top when no one thought he could. He's proven us all wrong, and this fight is no exception. JDS is very skilled, but I think Mir's strength prowess on the ground will nullify him. Mir definitely has the edge on the feet, and I don't see this as a good match up for Dos Santos. Mir will be taking home a KO win and a belt. Period.
Now it's your turn.
Brown v Pineda - I like Brown's striking in this match. He's extremely strong on the ground, but has viscous KO power. I think Pineda is going to underestimate Brown's striking. I'm going KO for Brown on this one.
Teixeira v Kingsbury - Glover comes out of the Pit, and he's tough as nails. Kingsbu looked a little soft in his last couple performances. Not the Kingsbu of old. TKO for Glover here.
Volkmann v Sass - The Brit is definitely tough, and has some serious ground skills, but I don't think he has what it takes to out last Volkmann's grinding pace. Something tells me this one's going the distance. Unanimous decision for Volkmann.
Ludwig v Hardy - Both these guys have very heavy hands. Despite what Hardy says going in to this fight, he hasn't looked the same in quite some time. He's been struggling to keep his head about water in his last few performances, and Ludwig isn't one of those guys that will give him room to operate. I see another big KO from Bang!
Miller v Dollaway - This could be what makes or breaks Mayhem here. He's looked weak and has had trouble with his cardio. If he doesn't win this one it could be curtains. I think he's going to come out with a vengeance to secure his seat in the UFC and submit Dollaway.
Varner v Barboza - The last few years, Varner has all but vanished from the scene. Going 3-1 in his last 4, the UFC didn't do him any favors matching him up with Barboza. He's going to need to keep it on the feet and utilize his boxing skills to take home the "W". If he can do that, he may take Barboza the distance. Varner by unanimous decision.
Brandao v Elkins - With the majority of Elkins' strong points being on the ground, Brandao will have to strike early, and often. With his KO power, if he can come out of the gate an surprise Elkins, it'll be his fight to lose. Brandao by KO.
Johnson v Struve - Both tough and extremely talented heavyweights, this one is going to be a fun one to watch! I like Johnson's heart, and I think that's going to give him the edge he needs to overcome Struve's lankiness. Johnson by TKO.
Miocic v Del Rosario - On paper, this screams Del Rosario all day. However, you can never count out a guy in red and white checked shorts. I think Miocic is going to take the underdog role to heart and come out hard to take Del Rosario the distance and earn a decision win.
Nelson v Herman - Nelson has been trimming down, and looks to be taking this whole MMA thing more seriously. He's deadly anywhere, and I don't think Herman will be prepared to handle Nelson's full arsenal. I think Big Country gets the submission win here.
Silva v Velasquez - This will be another great fight to watch! I don't think Silva has fought someone with Cain's speed, but Silva is very methodical in his approach. I think if he can weather the early storm, he's got a great shot and taking a decision win over Velasquez.
Mir v Dos Santos - Frank Mir has been around for a long time, and rose back to the top when no one thought he could. He's proven us all wrong, and this fight is no exception. JDS is very skilled, but I think Mir's strength prowess on the ground will nullify him. Mir definitely has the edge on the feet, and I don't see this as a good match up for Dos Santos. Mir will be taking home a KO win and a belt. Period.
Now it's your turn.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Will Bones bounce back the right way?
Okay, I've thought on this long enough. Checked my initial gut reactions and overall dislike for Jon Jones. You heard right, I am not a Jon Jones fan. However, he is human, and well, we all make mistakes, except most of ours aren't under public scrutiny.
Jon Jones certainly has a lot of growing up to do, there's no doubt. He's got the world at his fingertips and a lot of pressure to go along with it. He's at the top of his game while still being one of the younger fighters in the UFC. He's got a very bright future, and, if he plays his cards right, he'll continue down the path of super stardom for years to come.
First things first, I don't know about you, but I know I've had my share of nights where I insisted I was okay to drive after a few drinks, but we all knew the wiser. I just turned 30, and came to realize that I've been pretty damn lucky to this point not getting caught, or having an accident. Lesson: Don't tempt fate. If you've had a couple drinks, relinquish the keys... especially if those keys go to a Bentley.
Well, the mistake is done and over. That's that. Now, it's time to face the consequences of his actions. Thank God that no one was injured.
It all comes down to this: Can Jon Jones take the steps he needs to publicly and privately to overcome this prior err in judgement?
Let's be real, there's been far less that has wrecked careers, and far worse that have made people considerably better.
Jon, I suggest you get whatever help you need, whether it be more friends to watch your ass when you go out, or take a cab, or save your drinking for private. Whatever it is, I hope you figure it out.
I don't wish bad things on anyone, and this is certainly no exception.
Jon Jones, fan or not, I wish you continued success, and may you grow positively from this whole mess of a life lesson.
Jon Jones certainly has a lot of growing up to do, there's no doubt. He's got the world at his fingertips and a lot of pressure to go along with it. He's at the top of his game while still being one of the younger fighters in the UFC. He's got a very bright future, and, if he plays his cards right, he'll continue down the path of super stardom for years to come.
First things first, I don't know about you, but I know I've had my share of nights where I insisted I was okay to drive after a few drinks, but we all knew the wiser. I just turned 30, and came to realize that I've been pretty damn lucky to this point not getting caught, or having an accident. Lesson: Don't tempt fate. If you've had a couple drinks, relinquish the keys... especially if those keys go to a Bentley.
Well, the mistake is done and over. That's that. Now, it's time to face the consequences of his actions. Thank God that no one was injured.
It all comes down to this: Can Jon Jones take the steps he needs to publicly and privately to overcome this prior err in judgement?
Let's be real, there's been far less that has wrecked careers, and far worse that have made people considerably better.
Jon, I suggest you get whatever help you need, whether it be more friends to watch your ass when you go out, or take a cab, or save your drinking for private. Whatever it is, I hope you figure it out.
I don't wish bad things on anyone, and this is certainly no exception.
Jon Jones, fan or not, I wish you continued success, and may you grow positively from this whole mess of a life lesson.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
UFC on FOX Diaz v. Miller Quick Picks
Massenzio over Vemola
Denis over Delorme
Garza over Bermudez
Castillo over Cholish
Gaudinot over Lineker
Hathaway over Krauss
Elliott over Dodson (Gotta go local)
Johnson over Ferguson
Barry over Johnson
Belcher over Palhares
Koscheck over Hendricks
Diaz over Miller
That's it. Let's hear what you've got.
Denis over Delorme
Garza over Bermudez
Castillo over Cholish
Gaudinot over Lineker
Hathaway over Krauss
Elliott over Dodson (Gotta go local)
Johnson over Ferguson
Barry over Johnson
Belcher over Palhares
Koscheck over Hendricks
Diaz over Miller
That's it. Let's hear what you've got.
A Coaching Mindset
When I came up with the idea for this post, I was originally going to write about my thoughts on Jackson's MMA. I came to the realization that if I did, many people may miss the point of this, and take it as me taking my frustration out on Greg Jackson. Not the case, so here goes:
While there are two entirely different meanings behind training and coaching, I have come to realize one thing; While you can have an incredible training program, you can significantly lack in the way you coach, aka coaching your fighters to not lose, rather than to fight for the win.
As strange as it may sound, it's true. I've been watching Greg Jackson over the years take may explosive and talented fighters, and turn them in to boring, decision winning fighters. Great for you win column, but you're strategically taking the fight out of the fight. But, a win is a win, I guess.
My beef with this whole coaching mindset is that if focuses on complacency. Be conservative, don't take risks, and do what you have to do not to lose. I strongly believe that deep down in every humans heart is that deep seated desire to win, and to win by any means necessary. Coaches who teach this mindset are literally taking the fight out of the fighter.
Sure, they get in the cage, sure they "fight", but are they truly fighting? My answer is no.
If our armed forces fought no to lose we have a much longer list of defeats, and a devastatingly longer list of casualties in war. Not going to hold back on this one, but the last decade in the middle east, we fought with much that same mindset, not to lose. look what happened... we'll save that rant for another time and place.
I mean, really, is that the American way now, slide by and hope that we looked okay in the process? I should hope not.
In the words of Dana White, "Never leave your fight in the hands of the judges." Sure, if you controlled the guy for the fight, you'll most likely win. But do you really want to take that chance, especially as a professional athlete and your paycheck depends a lot on those win/loss columns? Not me. If I'm fighting, I'm fighting to win. Every time. There will be no doubt that win or lose, I gave it all I had. Period.
While there are two entirely different meanings behind training and coaching, I have come to realize one thing; While you can have an incredible training program, you can significantly lack in the way you coach, aka coaching your fighters to not lose, rather than to fight for the win.
As strange as it may sound, it's true. I've been watching Greg Jackson over the years take may explosive and talented fighters, and turn them in to boring, decision winning fighters. Great for you win column, but you're strategically taking the fight out of the fight. But, a win is a win, I guess.
My beef with this whole coaching mindset is that if focuses on complacency. Be conservative, don't take risks, and do what you have to do not to lose. I strongly believe that deep down in every humans heart is that deep seated desire to win, and to win by any means necessary. Coaches who teach this mindset are literally taking the fight out of the fighter.
Sure, they get in the cage, sure they "fight", but are they truly fighting? My answer is no.
If our armed forces fought no to lose we have a much longer list of defeats, and a devastatingly longer list of casualties in war. Not going to hold back on this one, but the last decade in the middle east, we fought with much that same mindset, not to lose. look what happened... we'll save that rant for another time and place.
I mean, really, is that the American way now, slide by and hope that we looked okay in the process? I should hope not.
In the words of Dana White, "Never leave your fight in the hands of the judges." Sure, if you controlled the guy for the fight, you'll most likely win. But do you really want to take that chance, especially as a professional athlete and your paycheck depends a lot on those win/loss columns? Not me. If I'm fighting, I'm fighting to win. Every time. There will be no doubt that win or lose, I gave it all I had. Period.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Quick Picks for Invicta FC's Inagural Event
Here's who I got tonight. Take it, leave it, I don't care. Let's hear your picks. Just super stoked that my hometown has the honor of hosting such an historic event for Mixed Martial Arts.
Rodish over Wright
Bagherdai over Cummings
Miller over Estes
Gutierrez over Maloy
Rivera-Calanoc over Davis
Schneider over Krumdiack
Mariscal over D'Alelio
Young over Smith
Carmouche over Curry
Penne over Ellis
Coenen over Ruyssen
That's it. Those are my picks. Right or wrong, it's going to be one hell of a card. Definitely going to be trying to stream this... Also playing DD for my fiance's bachelorette party... We'll see how the evening plays out.
Rodish over Wright
Bagherdai over Cummings
Miller over Estes
Gutierrez over Maloy
Rivera-Calanoc over Davis
Schneider over Krumdiack
Mariscal over D'Alelio
Young over Smith
Carmouche over Curry
Penne over Ellis
Coenen over Ruyssen
That's it. Those are my picks. Right or wrong, it's going to be one hell of a card. Definitely going to be trying to stream this... Also playing DD for my fiance's bachelorette party... We'll see how the evening plays out.
Friday, April 27, 2012
My 2 cents on Jones v. Henderson
Some of you guys probably saw this on my FaceBook. Yeah, I'm cheating, but I can. It's my blog!
With everyone weighing in on the Jones v. Hendo matchup, I might as well give it my two cents:
Jonny Bones Jones is no doubt probably the most talented fighter in MMA right now. While he's looked at as an unstoppable wrecking machine, I have to disagree. Rashad was able to get inside and land some great blows, even hurting Bones, thus disproving his almost "untouchableness." (I just made up that w...ord. Deal with it.)
Looking at Dan Henderson's ability to take a serious amount of punishment, and dish it out as well, you can't count the guy out. Ever. Sure he may not have the most spectacular wins or finishes, with the exception of every American's favorite, the Bisping KO, you've got to admit, he one punch KO power. He knows this, and I pretty certain Jones knows this as well.
Looking at how off Jones' rhythm was during the Evans fight, it's definitely within the realm of possibility that Dan can produce a similar result, and capitalize on it.
With that being said, I'm going to give Hendo an edge. He's got loads of experience over Jones, his wrestling is better, and with Hendo making appearances anywhere from 170 and up, you know his speed matches up well with Jones'. Plus, you just can't count out the underdog...
Jonny Bones Jones is no doubt probably the most talented fighter in MMA right now. While he's looked at as an unstoppable wrecking machine, I have to disagree. Rashad was able to get inside and land some great blows, even hurting Bones, thus disproving his almost "untouchableness." (I just made up that w...ord. Deal with it.)
Looking at Dan Henderson's ability to take a serious amount of punishment, and dish it out as well, you can't count the guy out. Ever. Sure he may not have the most spectacular wins or finishes, with the exception of every American's favorite, the Bisping KO, you've got to admit, he one punch KO power. He knows this, and I pretty certain Jones knows this as well.
Looking at how off Jones' rhythm was during the Evans fight, it's definitely within the realm of possibility that Dan can produce a similar result, and capitalize on it.
With that being said, I'm going to give Hendo an edge. He's got loads of experience over Jones, his wrestling is better, and with Hendo making appearances anywhere from 170 and up, you know his speed matches up well with Jones'. Plus, you just can't count out the underdog...
New stuff...
Hey all. Okay, so here's the deal:
I'm going to give this blogging thing a shot. I know enough about Mixed Martial Arts to get myself in to some serious trouble... So why not? As this is little more than a side project/experiment at this point, don't expect too much. I'm no Kevin Iole... yet. (I'm gunning for you, Iole!) Please be patient, and kind, or not. I don't expect everyone to agree with my opinions, as they are just that, my opinions. Stay tuned and expect great thinks! (Yes, I meant to put thinks... cheesy, I know. Deal with it.)
I'm going to give this blogging thing a shot. I know enough about Mixed Martial Arts to get myself in to some serious trouble... So why not? As this is little more than a side project/experiment at this point, don't expect too much. I'm no Kevin Iole... yet. (I'm gunning for you, Iole!) Please be patient, and kind, or not. I don't expect everyone to agree with my opinions, as they are just that, my opinions. Stay tuned and expect great thinks! (Yes, I meant to put thinks... cheesy, I know. Deal with it.)
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