No matter how many times young Dana White reminded him, Gary Shaw always found himself having the same conversation.
Alright boys, we’ve finally managed to ink a possibly sport changing deal here. I know we’re all excited, but let us not forget that this opportunity to shine can quickly become a bigger disaster than The Green Lantern. I’m looking at you, HEAT, you nearly screwed us all. But this time, we’ve got the fights, my God do we got the fights, to back up all our talk. So, do we want to be winners or losers?! Do we want to change the face of MMA, or kick dirt in its eyes?! Well then, here’s how we do it!!
No matter how many times young Dana White reminded him, Gary Shaw always found himself having the same conversation.
Alright boys, we’ve finally managed to ink a possibly sport changing deal here. I know we’re all excited, but let us not forget that this opportunity to shine can quickly become a bigger disaster than The Green Lantern. I’m looking at you, HEAT, you nearly screwed us all. But this time, we’ve got the fights, my God do we got the fights, to back up all our talk. So, do we want to be winners or losers?! Do we want to change the face of MMA, or kick dirt in its eyes?! Well then, here’s how we do it!!
First and foremost, neither of these men can be within seeing distance of our main event:
Not as judges, not as referees, not even as bathroom attendants should these men by any means be allowed in the building. Now Dana, I know that you complained before over your lack of influence when it comes to choosing the ref or judges for that matter, but I’m pleading to you, they have SCREWEDUSBEFORE. Didn’t one of them just write a book? Yeah, let’s get that guy for this one.
Secondly, we cannot play the drama card at any point during this event. It is cheap, unrealistic, and lumps us in with the likes of the WWE in the eyes of the casual audience member. No stare downs between contenders and champs, especially not immediately following the fight; this can only end in disaster. Let the fights do the talking, as we always have, because that’s where the real “drama” lies.
Speaking of the fights, can we possibly schedule more than one? We do not want to look like the American Idol of the sports world do we? If there’s one thing a crowded bar full of drunken men doesn’t want, it’s to be toyed with. And what if said fight ends in the opening minute? No offense Dana, but those screaming, profanity laced “talks” you and Joe have to kill time at the end of the free prelims aren’t jacking up your PPV sales.
Let’s be honest, except for a few select people out there, the pre fight talk is often the weakest aspect of our pay per views in general, if only because they are so damn predictable. Amidst the clichéd gladiator poses, we’re going to hear how well training has been going, how each fighter is ten times better than their last fight, and how there is absolutely a zero percent chance that either man will lose to the other. Let’s trim the fat and get on with what everyone’s tuning in for. Well, beside the interviews, we should just skip the interviews.
I know it’s early, but we are knocking on history’s doorstep here. This deal could equal validation. It could equal legalization in even the most stubborn of places. Heck, maybe even the anchors over at Sportscenter will talk about us with a tone that doesn’t reek of ignorance and condescension. And we’re lucky enough that this time it seems the people overseeing this deal having a fucking clue about how to run a business. So for now, let’s just take to our G5’s and consider how long it has taken us to get where we are.
Two months after his arrest following a domestic disturbance in his home, Brett Rogers is ready to face the public. On last night’s episode of Inside MMA, “The Grim” sat down with Ron Kruck to discuss the case and announce his upcoming bout. Rogers will step into a Dakota County District Court on September 13th to face felony charges of third degree assault, terroristic threats, and harassment and stalking. The now-happy couple seems ready to move on with their lives.
Brett Rogers: “I was told not to go in to details. The situation that occurred, it happened, and it was more of a misunderstanding when I look at it. The papers can write whatever [ed. note: Awesome! Thanks, Brett]. But we still are going through the legal process.”
Tiuana Rogers: “We’d just rather move forward and be positive.”
In keeping with the ‘staying positive’ them, Rogers’ attorney likes their chances as they head into court.
Two months after his arrest following a domestic disturbance in his home, Brett Rogers is ready to face the public. On last night’s episode of Inside MMA, “The Grim” sat down with Ron Kruck to discuss the case and announce his upcoming bout. Rogers will step into a Dakota County District Court on September 13th to face felony charges of third degree assault, terroristic threats, and harassment and stalking. The now-happy couple seems ready to move on with their lives.
Brett Rogers: “I was told not to go in to details. The situation that occurred, it happened, and it was more of a misunderstanding when I look at it. The papers can write whatever [ed. note: Awesome! Thanks, Brett]. But we still are going through the legal process.”
Tiuana Rogers: “We’d just rather move forward and be positive.”
In keeping with the ‘staying positive’ them, Rogers’ attorney likes their chances as they head into court:
“The state is going to have some significant proof issues. The alleged victim is Brett’s wife. And this is a family that has been together for a long time. They love each other, and Mrs. Rogers at this point, appears not to be willing to testify against Brett.”
While they may not have the benefit of Tiuana Rogers taking the stand, prosecutors do have other witnesses to the crime. From the criminal complaint:
A neighbor reported that he had looked out his residence window and saw Rogers standing over T.R. [Brett’s wife] and punching her multiple times in the head and face as she lay on the ground. Another neighbor stated he saw T.R. with blood streaming from her face and mouth and what looked like a missing tooth.
At the time of the incident, “The Grim” admitted that he had been drinking and told police that his wife had struck him first, and that he’d merely responded in kind. Mrs. Rogers may be unwilling to testify now, but she did speak with authorities on the evening of the alleged assault:
T.R. advised that she and her husband had been arguing that night. He became angry and grabbed her with both hands around her neck and squeezed. She was able to get away and went into the back yard. Her husband followed her and got her on the ground and began hitting her about her head and face, causing her to “black out.”
At the time, Tiuana made it clear that she did not want to file charges as she feared it would have a negative effect on her husband’s employement. She was right. But the Rogers family is looking to move on with their lives, and Brett has already signed on with another organization. His next bout will go down on September 24th under the Titan FC banner. His opponent at Titan Fighting Championships 20 will be former UFC heavyweight Eddie Sanchez. After dropping three of his last four fights to the murderer’s row of Fedor-Alistair-Barnett, a fight against a journeyman like Sanchez sounds about right. Also featured on the card will be a headline bout between Jamie Varner and Alonzo Martinez. The event will be broadcast live on HDNet.
With his trial date set just eleven days prior to the bout, it looks like everyone here is banking that Brett will be found innocent, have an extremely short sentence, or simply not be carted off directly to jail should he be convicted of any of the felony charges facing him.
That’s the damnedest case of jock itch we’ve ever seen, Kendall. (Pic: ProElite.com)
As the crowds in Rio walked out of UFC 134 and headed for the Copacabana Club, MMA fans in Honolulu, Hawaiia made their way to the Neal S. Blaisdell Center to witness the rebirth of ProElite. Those who watched were treated to submissions and knockouts galore as not a single bout went the distance, but there was more at stake than mere wins and losses. Last night’s biggest fights weren’t waged for a fight purse or sponsorships, but for the value in a name.
ProElite has a name many hardcore fans recognize, but not for reasons the promotion would want. From their previous partnership with noted scumbags to the messy collapse of their first run, they return to the promotion game carrying a lot of baggage. They can distance themselves from previous debacles by doing one thing, and that’s putting on quality, scandal free events. Last night was a step in the right direction. ProElite needs to build, but build slowly.
A run down of the fights, and video of the the Reagan Penn fight, after the jump.
That’s the damnedest case of jock itch we’ve ever seen, Kendall. (Pic: ProElite.com)
As the crowds in Rio walked out of UFC 134 and headed for the Copacabana Club, MMA fans in Honolulu, Hawaiia made their way to the Neal S. Blaisdell Center to witness the rebirth of ProElite. Those who watched were treated to submissions and knockouts galore as not a single bout went the distance, but there was more at stake than mere wins and losses. Last night’s biggest fights weren’t waged for a fight purse or sponsorships, but for the value in a name.
ProElite has a name many hardcore fans recognize, but not for reasons the promotion would want. From their previous partnership with noted scumbags to the messy collapse of their first run, they return to the promotion game carrying a lot of baggage. They can distance themselves from previous debacles by doing one thing, and that’s putting on quality, scandal free events. Last night was a step in the right direction. ProElite needs to build, but build slowly.
At one time Andrei Arlovski was a versatile force in the heavyweight division. The former UFC champ seemed equally dangerous on the ground and standing up. But in recent years his name has become associated with the words “brutal KO loss”, and debates turned from whether or not he was a top-level fighter to whether or not he should be fighting, period. “The Pit Bull” controlled most of the action last night, though Ray Lopez proved tough to put away. Lopez survived full mount numerous times throughout the bout, even reversing to take Arlovski’s back and threaten with a choke as the first round ended, but the 5-2 gamer was eventually overwhelmed by ground and pound half way through the final round. Arlovski dominated the bout, as well he should have, but his problem has never been how he looks when he’s winning, it’s how he looks when his jaw gets tapped.
It’s no easy to task to make a name for yourself when everyone already knows it. That was the challenge before Reagan Penn as he walked to the cage for his MMA debut. If the younger sibling of former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight champion BJ Penn had hoped to avoid the inevitable comparisons to his brother, he shouldn’t have employed the same great takedown defense, grappling skill, and killer instinct that made “The Prodigy” famous. Reagan fought the takedown well, but once things hit the mat his BJJ took over. In only 1:10, he had locked in a rear naked choke and drawn the tap. Maybe living up to the family name is better than making a new one for yourself after all.
Kendall Grove made very quick work of Joe Riggs in their headline bout. “Da Spyder” sunk in a deep standing guillotine only 59-seconds into the bout, giving arachnids a 2-0 record for the evening. This was Grove’s first bout since being released by the UFC.
Kendall Grove def. Joe Riggs via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:59
Andrei Arlovski def. Ray Lopez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:43
Reagan Penn def. Paul Gardiner via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:10
Mark Ellis def. Jake Heun via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:29
Sarah McMann def. Raquel Pa’aluhi via submission (armlock) – Round 3, 2:53
Drew McFedries def. Garrett Olson via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:04
Prelims:
Kaleo Gambill defeated Sale Sproat via TKO (strikes) at 1:31 of round 1
Dustin Barca defeated Reno Remigio via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 2
Brent Schermerhorn defeated Jesse Kaala-Akana Lundgren via TKO (punches) at 1:38 of round 1
I know this hurts right now, Big Nog, but it will all be worth it in a minute. (Pic: UFC.com)
UFC 134 was the outfit’s first return to Brazil in thirteen years, and with plans for four more Brazil-based events in 2012, Zuffa needed to make a lasting impression. The fighters delivered, big time, and for their efforts three of them walked away with a cool $100,000 bonus in their pockets. That’s a lot of Bony Acai.
Much was made of the homecoming to Rio, Royce Gracie’s home, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Yet in the land that helped transform hyper-extending limbs into an art form, there wasn’t a single submission landed. Brazilian fighters have evolved just like the rest of them, and last night they chose to showcase their fists.
I know this hurts right now, Big Nog, but it will all be worth it in a minute. (Pic: UFC.com)
UFC 134 was the outfit’s first return to Brazil in thirteen years, and with plans for four more Brazil-based events in 2012, Zuffa needed to make a lasting impression. The fighters delivered, big time, and for their efforts three of them walked away with a cool $100,000 bonus in their pockets. That’s a lot of Bony Acai.
Much was made of the homecoming to Rio, Royce Gracie’s home, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Yet in the land that helped transform hyper-extending limbs into an art form, there wasn’t a single submission landed. Brazilian fighters have evolved just like the rest of them, and last night they chose to showcase their fists.
Multiple fighters were able to shatter the tenuous bonds that link our bodies and our brains, with Shogun, Erick Silva, Nedkov, Anderson Silva, Tavares, and Nogueira all scoring wins by KO or TKO. All were impressive in their own right, but in the end the check went to the war-torn Big Nog, whose win was not only meaningful to the heavyweight landscape but completely unexpected. Coming off an 18 month layoff that saw a rushed rehab from multiple surgeries, few gave the local hero much of a chance against the quickly rising Schaub. For Minotauro, the win buys him some more time to recover and another shot at proving that there’s still life in that high-mileage body of his. For Schaub, losing to a legend isn’t as great as beating one, but it is a learning experience that will help him in his young career.
Edson Barboza edged out Ross Pearson in a split decision battle that earned both men the $100k nod at the end of the night. Pearson’s strategy of applying constant pressure and pushing Barboza backward paid off for much of the fight, limiting the full range of the Brazilian’s Muay Thai arsenal. But when he found any bit of room, Barboza was ready to uncoil a spinning kick of one variety or another. Was his win a case of style over substance or perhaps home-cage advantage? I don’t know, but FightMetric seems to think so.
It’s the UFC’s triumphant return to Brazil and we’ve got a treasure trove of questions to work through tonight. Will there be enough carrots to get the fighters to and from the stadium safely? With Joe Rogan absent, can Kenny Florini fill the void in nut shot and cup-related conversation? Will the raucous Brazilian audience make good on the riots that Vancouver expected?
There are probably some questions related to the fights as well, and time permitting we will answer them. Join us after the jump to catch the punch-by-punch PPV action and to explain why your favorite fighter just lost and/or had an off night in the comments section.
It’s the UFC’s triumphant return to Brazil and we’ve got a treasure trove of questions to work through tonight. Will there be enough carrots to get the fighters to and from the stadium safely? With Joe Rogan absent, can Kenny Florini fill the void in nut shot and cup-related conversation? Will the raucous Brazilian audience make good on the riots that Vancouver expected?
There are probably some questions related to the fights as well, and time permitting we will answer them. Join us after the jump to catch the punch-by-punch PPV action and to explain why your favorite fighter just lost and/or had an off night in the comments section.
And we…are…LIVE!!!!
Whoa, an homage to Brazilian MMA to kick off the evening. Nice change of pace. Soak in that Gladiator intro while you can; it will be going the way of the dodo soon enough. If you’ve been watching thus far, you’ve been treated to some questionable scoring, premature stand-ups, and all around crazy in cage action. We’ll keep the details to ourselves for now in case we get to revisit the fights on the PPV.
No time to waste. It’s time to throw down.
Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov
R1: I’m curious who the crowd will be rooting for here…Oh, it looks like they’re behind Cane. Shocker. A bit of feeling out here. Neither man letting go of the hands. Nedkov comes in with a wild overhand. Both men exchange and Nedkov swings wildly as he tries to rush Cane, but Cane circles out. Body kick by Cane and a counter by Nedkov. Nedkov just tucking his head and winging in that right. Cane misses with a kick and slips to the mat, but pops back up. Cane putting together some combos on Nedkov’s face. Cane crowding Nedkov to the fence and picking his shots. Nedkov is cut and bleeding under his right eye. Nedkov connects with a big shot and Cane is rocked! Cane is on his bike trying to get away, but Nedkov is right there chasing him down. Nedkov with a big flurry punches him down and follows up with a series of big shots on the ground! Yamasaki calls the fight!
Nedkov def. Cane (TKO): 4:13 R1
Pretty slow stoppage from Yamsaki. Is he concerned about making it back to the hotel safely?
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub
R1:Herb Dean in control of this bout. Schaub is circling, Nog ties him up and Schaub pushes him to the fence. Schaub pushes off and takes tot he center of the cage. Schaub looks to be faster in the standup. Now Nog drives him to the cage, but Schaub circles out after some dirty boxing. Schaub connectswith an uppercut, then they briefly return to the fence. Nog is moving forward as Schaub backs away. Nog with a decent combo. Schaub with another uppercut now he continues to put his punches together with success. Nog with a big combo and SCHAUB IS DOWN AND OUT, face first on the canvas! Nog backs off on his own, no intervention needed.
Did the crowd like that? Yeah, I’d say the crowd liked that.
Nogueira def. Schaub (KO): 3:09 R1
A reshowing of a Facebook fight from earlier:
Erick Silva vs. Luis Ramos
R1: Both men moving well.Leg kick from Ramos as they circle around. BIG right hand by Silva and Ramos crumbles backward. Silva sprints toward him and pounces with rapid shots, forcing Herb Dean to shove him off.
Silva def. Ramos (TKO) 0:40 R1
So between Facebook, Spike, and the PPV, we’ve been treated to that fight thrice now. I for one am quite pleased that they didn’t rely on Ed Soares for the post-fight “translations”.
Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson
R1: I expect leg kicks here. Barboza misses a big head kick and both men are slugging. Pearson chasing Barboza back as they exchange. He’s backing Barboza up, which will keep those kicks at bay (he hopes). Checked kick from Barboza. Pearson connects with a left and pushes him to the fence, but Barboza circles out. Body shot by Pearson, front kick by Barboza. Pearson’s game plan to pressure Barboz seems to be paying off. Spinning body kick by Barboza, but Pearson eats it and looks no worse for wear. Both men with a leg kick, but Pearson follows up with a nice combo. Body kick by Pearson. Barboza is faster,but Pearson is throwing combos and chasing him backward. Pearson shoots for a takedown against the cage, but Barboza works free at the buzzer.
Pearson’s corner calling for more combos. Barboza’s corner is speaking some gibberish I don’t understand.
R2: Body kick by Pearson, but Barboza cracks him with a big right and drops him, but Pearson’s back on his feet. Both men trade some punches, and another big body kick from Barboza. Pearson got dropped, but he’s recovered well. Pearson blocks another body kick. “Real Deal” putting pressure on Barboza once more. Inside leg kick by Pearson. Pearson shoots for a low single but gets stuffed easily.Barboza connects with another big shot, but Pearson is unphased. Barboza with another spinning body kick, but Pearson doesn’t seem to really give a shit. Must be nice! More body kicks from Barboza. Let kick by Barboza, followed by a spinning head kick that catches nothing but air.
R3: Pearson moving forward, keeping that pressure on. Missed flying knee from Pearson, but he’s unable to drive Barboza to the fence. Inside leg kick from Pearson. Now Barboza misses with a flying knee. The Brazilian misses with a head kick. Pearson swings away and drives Barboza to the fence, but he’s denied the takedown again. Flying knee by Pearson misses the mark and we’ve got two minutes left in the bout. Pearson shoots in again, but Barboza’s having none of it. Pearson connects with a combo, and now they’re swinging! Pearson bleeding from the right eye with swelling over the left. The sense of urgency is here as Pearson moves forward. Now Barboza is denied the takedown.
We’re moving along at a pretty steady pace here. It’s already time for the co-main event.
Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua
Forrest runs to the cage almost as quickly as he ran out of it after the Anderson bout.
R1: Both fighters are moving around while the crowd starts their chants. Shogun is diving in with punches. Forrest throws a right and Shogun counters with a nice uppercut. Shogun with a nice combo. Forrest is lobbing out some leg kicks. Another big right from Shogun and Forrest drops. Shogun swarms with violent hammer fists and we’re all done here!
Rua def. Griffin (KO) 1:53 R1
Finally, a break from all of this fighting to catch a sneak peak at “Shark Night 3D”. I know where I’ll be September 2nd. Enough dicking around- it’s time for our main event!
Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami
“The Middleweight title has not changed hands since October 2006.” It just sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Herb Dean is calling the shots for this five round affair. Not a lot of Americans got love tonight, but it sounds like Buffer has a huge groupie base in Brazil.
R1: Neither men touch gloves in the pre fight instructions. Silva circles quickly around the cage as Okami plants in the center. Silva judging his range with the lazy jab. Okami charges in but finds nothing but the fence. Neither man is lettin loose. Okami with a punch and a brief clinch, but they break apart and Silva lets a single hand fly. Silva’s starting to let the leather go. Big right from Silva misses. Silva circles more and switches his stance. Okami lands a shot and forces Anderson’s back to the cage. Okami clinching Silva, who isn’t bothered at all. Now Silva uncorks a few knees to the stomach. Okami answers in kind as they stay tied up on the fence. Anderson may be working for the Thai clinch, but he’s not forcing the issue. Silva with more knees as Okami dirty boxes. Okami drops down for a takedown, but Silva gets underhooks and stands him back up. And they’re off the cage to the delight of the crowd. Anderson with nice head movement as he ducks and slips a few punches from Okami. Anderson with a low kick and an uppercut. Solid head kick by Anderson just before the bell.
Okami stays on his feet between rounds.
R2: Okami swings and misses with two big punches, but Anderson is getting aggressive with his hands. Anderson taks a punch from Okami just for kicks then floors Okami with a solid punch. Anderson lets him up and is now looking to trade with his hands by his sides. Okami with a swing and a miss. Anderson drops him with another big punch, but this time he follows Okami down and is choosing his shots as Okami spins around slowly. Anderson continues to pick and choose his punches, and it’s a only a matter of time. Okami wants no more and Herb Dean obliges with the stoppage.
Yeah, so what we all already knew was convincingly confirmed. Anderson can knock you senseless without even trying.
Silva def. Okami (TKO) 2:04 R2
So that’s nine consecutive title defenses for the Middleweight Champ. Thanks for joining us tonight. I’m out for the evening, but if they show the Miller Palhares fight and you didn’t catch it earlier, do yourself a favor and stay glued to the broadcast.
We’ll be here in the morning to explain what all of this means in one way or another.
Whenever a psuedo-celebrity climbs into the cage, something in our TMZ-infested DNA makes us take a little extra notice. A fight that would normally pass right on by without a second thought suddenly sparks a curiosity in the back of our brain. Promoters put these fights on with just that in mind, hoping that the anomaly will pay off in a little added exposure. Thus far in her career, Amanda Lucas has proven to be a goldmine in that respect.
We’re not saying that she isn’t taking her job as a fighter seriously (nor are we saying that she is, really), but the fates have intervened to garner her far more attention than her name alone could ever deliver, and very little of it has to do with her directly. First, a scheduled bout against Heather Martin was canceled last April when her opponent showed up an incredible 13 lbs. over the agreed upon weight limit. Then she had the displeasure of getting rag-dolled at the 2011 Mundials by Strikeforce 145 lb Women’s Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. Now when a dominant victory could speak for itself, it’s overshadowed by her opponent’s fit of post-fight rage.
Whenever a psuedo-celebrity climbs into the cage, something in our TMZ-infested DNA makes us take a little extra notice. A fight that would normally pass right on by without a second thought suddenly sparks a curiosity in the back of our brain. Promoters put these fights on with just that in mind, hoping that the anomaly will pay off in a little added exposure. Thus far in her career, Amanda Lucas has proven to be a goldmine in that respect.
We’re not saying that she isn’t taking her job as a fighter seriously (nor are we saying that she is, really), but the fates have intervened to garner her far more attention than her name alone could ever deliver, and very little of it has to do with her directly. First, a scheduled bout against Heather Martin was canceled last April when her opponent showed up an incredible 13 lbs. over the agreed upon weight limit. Then she had the displeasure of getting rag-dolled at the 2011 Mundials by Strikeforce 145 lb Women’s Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. Now when a dominant victory could speak for itself, it’s overshadowed by her opponent’s fit of post-fight rage.
Lucas exchanged a few punches with Hikaru Shinohara before lumbering in for a takedown at last night’s Deep 55 event. Shinohara’s guard stalled the fight enough to warrant a standup. The return to the feet was short lived after a missed kick by Shinohara sent her falling to her back. Lucas climbed into full mount where she looked for a submission while peppering her covered-up foe with punches. Tired of throwing half-hearted, half-blocked shots, Lucas sat back and extended the armbar, but as Shinohara tried to kick her way free her corner threw in the towel. Outraged, she made her way to her corner before returning to the center of the ring to shove the ref a few times. Realizing that her anger was misdirected, she opted to punch her cornerman in the face before shoving him as well. Like school on Sunday- no class.
Lucas now sports a 2-1 pro record. Who knows, maybe we’ll see her over at BlackEye Promotions sometime in the near future. On a side note, I realize that muscle weighs more than fat, but does it even seem possible that these two women weighed-in only 11 lbs. heavier than Cyborg does?
