Following UFC 141 on December 30, 2011, Brock Lesnar’s stint with the UFC looked like it was finally coming to an end as he announced his retirement following a big loss to Alistair Overeem. Earlier.
Following UFC 141 on December 30, 2011, Brock Lesnar’s stint with the UFC looked like it was finally coming to an end as he announced his retirement following a big loss to Alistair Overeem. Earlier in 2011, he was having medical issues that pointed to a possible retirement for the fighter. Fans were devastated. Brock Lesnar was finally being recognized as a top fighter in the sport, and his controversial WWE background wasn’t influencing his performance. After announcing his retirement, however, it looked like he was headed back to the WWE. As it turns out, he will have his day in the octagon once again.
It is rumored that Brock Lesnar will make a comeback appearance as early as this year. While a future opponent hasn’t been discussed, it has been stated that it won’t be Frank Mir. While the two have faced each other twice in the octagon, each securing a win, a rubber match doesn’t seem to be in the future. Frank Mir’s future with the UFC is uncertain at this point as well, mainly on whether he will retire or move weight classes.
The main question being asked is who Lesnar will fight next, if not Mir. My best guess would be a second match up with Alistair Overeem. While it was the last loss of Lesnar’s career, speculation has been drawn due to the fact that Overeem failed a drug test following the bout. Many believe that it should have been called a draw, much like similar cases in the past. Overeem was suspended for the failed drug test, but is expected to return to the octagon in December of this year. If Lesnar really does plan on having a comeback in 2012, that may be the perfect scenario. It will make for good ratings, and whether fans love or hate Lesnar, his name on a card always makes produces hype.
Whether Lesnar returns to the octagon this year or at a later date, rest assured, it will be quite a comeback.
The media has largely covered the subsequent arrest of miss Arianny Celeste (legally named Arianny Lopez) following a domestic violence report. I would bet money that every MMA viewer has already been exposed to this.
The media has largely covered the subsequent arrest of miss Arianny Celeste (legally named Arianny Lopez) following a domestic violence report. I would bet money that every MMA viewer has already been exposed to this ‘news’, but just in case, here’s a quick recap:
On May 26, 2012, UFC octagon girl Arianny Celeste was arrested early in the morning in Las Vegas, after hotel managers called the police following a fight between Celeste and her boyfriend, Praveen Chandra. While Celeste claims that Chandra was trying to choke her, Chandra claims that the alleged fight occurred vice versa, as common with most domestic violence cases, stating that Celeste kicked him and was throwing objects at him. Celeste made her $3,000 bail the same day, just in time to catch the tail end of UFC 146. Following the news, Dana White stated, “Arianny is our baby. She has been with us for over five years. She is a good girl and an amazing ambassador for UFC. I don’t know all the details of what happened but we have her back and support her 100 percent.” Celeste and Chandra were both due for court yesterday, June 1, 2012.
However, the court date has been pushed back.
Celeste pleaded her case to the justice of the peace, stating that the attack was completely self defense. Prosecutors are looking into her accusations, and she will be expected in court on July 2nd (don’t worry, there are no UFC events scheduled for that day, so fans won’t have to miss their favorite octagon girl in action).
The expected verdict: with most ‘he said-she said’ cases involving domestic violence, without incriminating evidence on either party, juries tend to side with the female. What it boils down to is that they both blame the other, and have subsequent stories and scratch marks to match. So who do you choose to believe? Arianny Celeste, of course. Not only is she gorgeous and famous, but fans absolutely adore her, as well as executives in the UFC. If she cries assault, most people will believe her over her previously unknown boyfriend. Even though she is an avid pursuer of mixed martial arts herself, she is just a tiny girl, who is portrayed as not having a chance against a male attacker. Whether or not this is the case, it doesn’t really matter. No one wants to see Celeste with a guilty verdict. And honestly, no one will care if another domestic violence case gives the male victim another guilty verdict.
The other matter on the minds of fans is whether or not she will see repercussions from the UFC. While White stated that the UFC will fully support her, we will see if this holds true. The way I see it, she simply avoided two submissions and finished with a leg kick to her opponent’s face. Moral of the story: Don’t get into physical altercations with girls. Especially not gorgeous, famous supermodels with extensive fan bases and support systems who also happen to pursue mixed martial arts. Just a tip. Nevertheless, we’ll be hearing a decision from the judges’ scorecards sooner than later. We can only hope that the biased mentality towards women will hold true once again.
The UFC promotion is comprised of not only the fighters, but the colorful characters beyond the octagon that fans have come to know and love. Inside the mindset of any fan is the evident realization.
The UFC promotion is comprised of not only the fighters, but the colorful characters beyond the octagon that fans have come to know and love. Inside the mindset of any fan is the evident realization that fighters have a shelf life; at any time, they could get severely injured, choose to retire, or get released from the UFC. So what makes the sport timeless? Of course it’s the octagon, thrill, and competition, but we find a sense of permanence and shared passion with the executives and voices of the UFC. Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg, Bruce Buffer, the lovable President of the UFC, Dana White, the referrers, and cut men are as much the sport as the fighter. I couldn’t imagine the UFC without these personalities present. However, just as every fighter, we have to accept that everyone has a shelf life. And the irreplaceable Dana White has been hinting at the end of his.
Dana White is UFC. He has been with the UFC since 2001, when ZUFFA took over the promotion, and has since resurrected and expanded the organization in unimaginable ways, making it the fastest growing sport in the world. As of August 2011, the UFC made a seven year deal with FOX, airing the sport on network television for the first time. Dana White has described what will become of the UFC during this time; he wants to see the promotion go to every country, and even the forbidden state of New York. The president of the UFC believes he will reach his goals for the promotion at the end of the deal with FOX. And this has led him to consider retiring after it’s done. As stated, he has had a long run with the UFC, and has tremendously developed the promotion. There comes a point in everyone’s career, however, when you feel you have reached your maximum potential, and I think the end of the FOX deal is just that for Dana White. His recent medical illness must also be considered in this recent development. He has been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, an affliction in the inner ear affecting balance and hearing. This leads to tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss. This would be incredibly hard news for anyone to hear, but especially someone in a career where hearing is such a vital component. All the traveling necessary for Dana White’s career would also put an unbelievable amount of stress on anyone’s body. Dana White has a plethora of responsibilities including: conferences, speeches, traveling, vlogs, fans, obligations with fighters, media appearances promotional events and of course appearing at every live UFC event. He has to deal with all this, and much more, on a daily basis.
Every career has to come to an end eventually, so why not quit when you are at the pinnacle of it? Whatever the reason behind Dana White’s contemplation of retiring, he will never be able to be replaced. His personality and whimsical charisma is unmatchable, his extreme love for the sport and respect for the fighters is undeniable, and what he has turned the sport into is unforgettable. Whether you love him, or love to hate him, the UFC will never be the same. And on behalf of all MMA fans out there, Dana White will be greatly missed.
At UFC 143, on February 4, 2012, Nick Diaz faced a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit for the welterweight interim title. While he did suffer perhaps the most important loss of his career, it.
At UFC 143, on February 4, 2012, Nick Diaz faced a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit for the welterweight interim title. While he did suffer perhaps the most important loss of his career, it wasn’t all bad; many fans deemed the outcome of the fight an unfair decision call by the judges, creating sympathy for Diaz and anger towards Condit. The controversy alludes to the fact that Condit was practically running away from Diaz the entire fight. Personally being a huge Nick Diaz fan, I was extremely angered as well. But my initial anger wasn’t due to the fact that Carlos Condit pulled out the decision; it was the realization that Diaz didn’t deserve to win. A fighter is already treading in deep water when he lets it go to the hands of the judges. Anything could happen. And while Condit had a questionable game plan in the eyes of many MMA fans by dodging in and out of the fight, Diaz didn’t do anything to counter Condit. Even if Condit was dipping in and out, there is no room to say that he didn’t have complete control of the octagon the entire fight. Although thought to be a boring display, he was in control the entire time, whether he implemented a traditional plan or not. Diaz claimed he was going to retire following the loss, but the events that follow show that Nick Diaz has a lot of fight left in him.
With my evident disgruntlement being said, the real blow to the stomach came several days after the fight. Due to the controversial decision and obvious interest in an immediate rematch between the two, UFC president Dana White and the UFC made it happen. Nick Diaz was given another chance to develop a winning game plan, and truly show off what he was capable of. I, along with many other avid mma fans, was anticipating the fight, until Diaz was submitted to a post fight drug test and the results came in with startling news: Diaz had tested positive for marijuana metabolites. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) suspended Diaz immediately. While Diaz was still allowed to appeal the results, many were doubtful he would succeed. Dana White himself doubted a pleasant outcome for Diaz stating, “I get the whole thing they’re going for – the metabolites or whatever it is… Nick can’t smoke marijuana leading up to a fight. You just can’t do it.” After his hearing was delayed, due to failure to produce a medical marijuana card, and Diaz missing the initial hearing, Diaz’s attorney was suing the NSAC for failure of due process. They also argued that the marijuana metabolites aren’t listed specifically as a banned substance under the NSAC. With an ongoing case against the commission, viewers waited in apprehension whether or not they would see a rematch between Diaz and Condit or the much desired Diaz- St. Pierre fight.
Whether fans or critics thought he would win or lose this battle, everything came to a head on May 21, 2012. The NSAC was going to vote on the future of Nick Diaz, and whether or not he would be suspended. After a three hour hearing, the commission officially suspended Diaz. He would be suspended an entire 12 months from the date of the fight, as well as being charged a $30,000 fine. Nick Diaz will also have to produce a clean drug test before he can be licensed to fight in Nevada again. Diaz’s case had some holes in it, and he wasn’t able to produce enough counterevidence. Nick Diaz won’t be able to apply for a new license until February 4, 2013.
Not only did Diaz give up a shot at an immediate rematch for the interim belt, but he gave up going head to head with St. Pierre as soon as he recovers, assuming he could pull out a victory this time around against Condit. Future opportunities aside, he can’t even think about a match up for another year, not to mention being required to fork over 30% of his winnings from UFC 143. Things just went from bad to worse for Diaz.
As stated, this is Diaz’s second strike, not only with the same offense, but with the same commission. Diaz was suspended on nearly identical terms in 2007, after his win over Takanori Gomi, which eventually turned into a draw following his suspension. One can only hope that Diaz has learned his lesson, and won’t add another strike to his career, whether he chooses to continue with mixed martial arts or retire as previously mentioned. It would be a shame to see a legend fade so soon.
MMA fighters, like any athlete, are criticized for poor performance outside of the octagon. They are made into a spectacle and any mistakes are magnified due to their vast exposure and impact on the industry..
MMA fighters, like any athlete, are criticized for poor performance outside of the octagon. They are made into a spectacle and any mistakes are magnified due to their vast exposure and impact on the industry. Frequent examples of such negative exposure include failed drug tests, violence, and alcohol related charges. Jon Jones has been suspected of the latter. While driving in his Bentley in New York at 5:00 a.m., Jon Jones completely totaled the vehicle and was then arrested on the spot. According to police reports, he hit a pole, and due to the severity of the damage to his car, and his manner at the scene, they suspected him of drunk driving. He was bailed out later that day when his mom came to the Broome County Sheriff’s department.
According to spectators on the scene, Jones left with a bloody nose and two girls who were in the car with him suffered facial injuries. The air bag prevented Jones from suffering further serious injuries. While no one knows why he was driving around that early in the morning with two girls in his car, the main concern at the moment is their recovery.
The real twist to the story is that Jones shot a video with the same law enforcement officers earlier in the year discussing police training and protocol.
Yesterday following the incident Malki Kawa, Jones’ manager, stated, “I can confirm that Jon Jones was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI. While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon, and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time.”
While it hasn’t been verified if Jones was actually driving under the influence of alcohol, all this negative exposure has put Jones’ character into question. Jones is notorious for setting an example of integrity for others, and seeks to be a role model. While he has maintained a primarily pristine image in the face of the media, a mistake was bound to have been made. Unfortunately, this could ultimately hurt him with future sponsorship opportunities. A fan can only hope that this will not affect the UFC light heavyweight champion in the long run, whose next fight is approaching September 1. Whether or not the UFC decides to take action against him to use as an example for others, his fans support or disapproval, undoubtedly, will be the real testimony to his offense.
