Author: Jordy McElroy

Dear Dana White: Give the Fans JDS vs. Fedor

There has never been a better time for UFC President Dana White to bite the bullet and sign Fedor Emelianenko.Thanks to Alistair Overeem failing his pre-fight drug test for UFC 146, the promotion is scrambling to find a suitable replacement to step in …

There has never been a better time for UFC President Dana White to bite the bullet and sign Fedor Emelianenko.

Thanks to Alistair Overeem failing his pre-fight drug test for UFC 146, the promotion is scrambling to find a suitable replacement to step in against heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos on May 26.

Dan Henderson and Mark Hunt appear to be the potential frontrunners for the title shot if Overeem is denied license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Isn’t the sport about giving fans the fights they want to see?

Fans have been pleading for the UFC to sign Emelianenko for years. Unfortunately, M-1 Global has held up the process in the past with useless hopes of co-promoting with the UFC.

In a recent post on Twitter, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta was asked if he would negotiate with Emelianenko and his management if they sought a contract without co-promotion.

“I would,” Fertitta tweeted.

Before getting cut from Strikeforce, Emelianenko was coming off three straight losses to Dan Henderson, Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Silva. He has since picked up a pair of wins over Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii.

Do wins over Monson and Ishii warrant a UFC title shot?

The answer to that question is a resounding no, but the UFC heavyweight division finds itself in an unusual situation. Every top-10 heavyweight is either already tied up with another fight or not ready to headline a major UFC pay-per-view.

Henderson is an interesting prospect, but considering the significant size advantage he’d be giving up to Dos Santos, it’s a bout that really doesn’t make any sense.

Hunt is probably the most deserving heavyweight. After enduring six straight losses, the former K-1 star has turned his career around with three consecutive wins in the Octagon over Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell and Chris Tuchscherer.

A UFC title shot for Hunt at this point in his career could live out one of the grandest Cinderella stories in MMA history.

With that said, the average fan still doesn’t even know who Mark Hunt is.

He has only been featured on two main cards in nearly two years of fighting under the UFC banner. Fans have begun to rally around Hunt as Overeem’s potential replacement, but generally speaking, that group mainly consists of hardcore MMA fans.

The blockbuster fight is Dos Santos and Emelianenko. Regardless of Emelianenko’s recent track record, fans still want to see him fight in the UFC.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture was coming off a loss to Chuck Liddell when he stepped in against Tim Sylvia for the heavyweight title back in March 2007.

What say you? Would you rather drop 50 bucks on Dos Santos vs. Hunt or Dos Santos vs. Fedor?

 

 

Looking for some more MMA news, and perhaps a couple of laughs? Follow me on Twitter @JordyMcElroy

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Is the WWE Chael Sonnen’s Next Destination?

“When you’re the best fighter in the world today…they call you Chael Sonnen.”What about the greatest professional wrestler?The WWE-like persona surrounding “Uncle Chael” has fans pondering his potential inside a wrastlin’ ring rather than the Octagon…

“When you’re the best fighter in the world today…they call you Chael Sonnen.”

What about the greatest professional wrestler?

The WWE-like persona surrounding “Uncle Chael” has fans pondering his potential inside a wrastlin’ ring rather than the Octagon.

Despite being one of the top middleweights in the world, Sonnen’s ability to entertain dwarfs his world-class fighting skills. People are generally more excited about what he says or does pre- and post-fight rather than what he does in the actual bout. Entertaining fans has become a sideshow for Sonnen, and he’s second to none in delivering memorable punch lines.

The WWE values entertaining athletes with charisma. It’s almost theatre-like to watch Sonnen cut a promo or do an interview.

WWE superstars are typically seen as “glorified stuntmen,” but in reality, the brunt of the workload comes from promo work and winning over fans.

In pro wrestling, good guys are generally referred to as “faces,” while bad guys are considered “heels.” But there are those special superstars who successfully walk the line between both. Currently, former WWE champion John Cena is that guy in the WWE.

In MMA, Sonnen walks an incredibly thin line between heel and face. While some fans religiously hold onto every word he says, others despise him for his utilization of a “gimmick” in an actual sport. Regardless, Sonnen has found a way to win over fans.

Historically, the WWE has jumped on every opportunity to draw real professional athletes to the world of pro wrestling. Former WWE champion Kurt Angle was an Olympic gold medalist. Monty Brown, otherwise known as “The Alpha Male,” played in Super Bowl XXVIII as a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.

The promotion has also had its share of MMA stars, including former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn and Sean O’Haire.

Why not Sonnen?

He has the charisma and mic skills to be a top of the line entertainer. As far as athletics are concerned, Sonnen is a former WEC middleweight champion, an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and a former alternate wrestler for Team USA in the Olympics.

In another lifetime, Sonnen would be walking around with the WWE title, dropping hook lines and laying the “smackdown” on opponents wearing spandex.

Uncle Chael is in a good spot right now. He is currently ranked as the No. 2 middleweight in the world, and in June, he’ll be competing against Anderson Silva for the UFC title. Even so, could the WWE be Chael Sonnen‘s next destination?

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Junior Dos Santos Says He Learned English by Singing Adele and Katy Perry Songs

When he isn’t knocking around 265-pound men in the Octagon, Junior Dos Santos spends his free time singing along to the catchy tunes of pop superstars Adele and Katy Perry.According to TMZ, the UFC heavyweight champion credits the pop songs for helping…

When he isn’t knocking around 265-pound men in the Octagon, Junior Dos Santos spends his free time singing along to the catchy tunes of pop superstars Adele and Katy Perry.

According to TMZ, the UFC heavyweight champion credits the pop songs for helping him improve his English-speaking skills.

Dos Santos not only admitted that he listens to Adele and Katy Perry, but in front of TMZ cameras, the Brazilian decided to belt out a few lines from one of his favorite songs.

“Yea, I like Katy Perry,” said Dos Santos. “I love Adele too. I love Adele.”

What if a group of guys pulled up right beside his car? Would Dos Santos still leave the windows down blasting Katy Perry songs?

“Sure,” Dos Santos told TMZ.

Dos Santos and Katy Perry do have one thing in common: they both love fireworks. While Perry sings about them, Dos Santos creates them with his fists.

When you’re the world heavyweight champion, you can listen to whatever you want. It isn’t like anyone is going to stop him.

 

 

Looking for some more MMA news, and perhaps a couple of laughs? Follow me on Twitter @JordyMcElroy.

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Dana White on Don Frye: ‘Get a Job F**king Crybaby’

UFC President Dana White didn’t waste any time responding to recent accusations made by retired MMA legend Don Frye.In an interview with Sherdog.com, Frye accused White of underpaying fighters while he himself owned “30 Ferraris.”White took to Twitter …

UFC President Dana White didn’t waste any time responding to recent accusations made by retired MMA legend Don Frye.

In an interview with Sherdog.com, Frye accused White of underpaying fighters while he himself owned “30 Ferraris.”

White took to Twitter on Monday to fire back at Frye’s comments.

“My car ruined the sport. Don Frye is one of those fighters who is bitter he didn’t make the money these guys make.”

“Guess what Don Frye, I have two of them and I earned them both by workin my ass off. Go count ur money not mine! F**king crybaby.”

“And one more thing : ) Koscheck has two of them also and he earned them. Go get a job Don Frye!!”

Frye continued in his interview about how he misses the fans, but the sport has been single-handedly ruined for him by White.

The UFC president is one of the reasons keeping him from dusting off the old four-ounce gloves and stepping back into the cage.

“I got to thinking about it today and you know, he ruined it for me,” said Frye. “I thought, ‘Why am I letting that asshole dictate my life and take all the fun out of it for me?’ I just ignore him and go on with my life. I might climb back in the cage just because I finally say, ‘F**k it. Why let him ruin it?’ I just ignore him and go on with my own business.”

 

 

Looking for some more MMA news, and perhaps a couple of laughs? Follow me on Twitter @JordyMcElroy.

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Rich Franklin Believes He Could Beat Anderson Silva in a Third Fight

Rich Franklin believes a third time could be the charm if given another crack at UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva.Donovan Fernandes of MMACanda.net attended the grand opening of MMA World Academy in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, where Franklin was…

Rich Franklin believes a third time could be the charm if given another crack at UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva.

Donovan Fernandes of MMACanda.net attended the grand opening of MMA World Academy in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, where Franklin was hosting a seminar.

After being out of action for over a year with a shoulder injury, the former middleweight champion is eager to step back into the Octagon.

He is slated to make his middleweight return against Cung Le on July 7 at UFC 148.

The bout marks the first time in nearly four years Franklin has fought at 185 pounds, and he is determined to live out his own Cinderella story and make one final push for the UFC title.

“When you start talking about moving down to 185, people automatically start talking about the title. I said in interviews another title run would be a Cinderella story to finish a career. Anybody would say the same thing. It would be great. I got Cung in front of me now, and he’s a tough opponent, and I’ve had a long layoff, so I really have to worry about that first.”

Franklin defeated the late, great Evan Tanner in June 2005 to win the UFC title. After a pair of successful title defenses, Franklin was dethroned by current pound-for-pound kingpin Silva. It marked the beginning of Silva’s reign of terror in the UFC middleweight division.

In October 2007, Franklin was granted a rematch in front of his hometown fans in Cincinnati, Ohio, but it was just a different venue with the same result. Silva punished Franklin before stopping him in the second round to retain the middleweight title.

“If I was able to put a title run together and the UFC wanted to do another fight with Anderson, I would be willing to do another fight with Anderson, and I believe, and this is just because of the champion mentality in my head, but I believe that given another shot I could win that fight.”

“There are a lot of things I would do differently. Some of the stuff we really started incorporating in the second fight, a lot of the clinch defense and all that, it wasn’t as much of a factor in that fight. I was doing a good job with space management and my jab and all that, and unfortunately, I got dropped at the end of that round, I got caught with a hook, and the rest is history.”

How would Franklin fare in a third bout with Silva?

We may never know. Even though he’s confident in his chances against the UFC champ, Franklin has made it clear that he isn’t returning to 185-pounds for another shot at Silva. It’s all about finding a comfortable weight class that gives him the best opportunity to be successful.

“I’m not moving down to 185 and saying my sights are set on Anderson. That’s not what I’m doing here, and I don’t want him to get that impression either because I’m not shooting for him.”

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Dana White on Pirating: F**k You, We’re Coming After You Criminals

The battle against online piracy has been going on for years, and UFC president Dana White doesn’t plan on backing down anytime soon.In an interview with MMAWeekly, White blasted “criminals” who attempt to watch UFC product for free:We try to do as muc…

The battle against online piracy has been going on for years, and UFC president Dana White doesn’t plan on backing down anytime soon.

In an interview with MMAWeekly, White blasted “criminals” who attempt to watch UFC product for free:

We try to do as much as we can for the fans, and then you got these guys out there who think it’s okay to steal our sh*t on the Internet. F**k you. It’s not okay, and yes, I’m coming after you, and yes, we will f**king sue you.

In a world of ever-evolving technology, people have been given access to more and more information. The Internet and its continued evolution have completely changed the way we view technology.

People believe everything on the Internet is free, and companies have been fighting for years against those attempting to extract free content:

There’s this whole generation out there that grew up getting free sh*t on the Internet, so they think everything on the Internet should be free. It ain’t how it f**king works, man. The music industry was single-handedly destroyed by the Internet. The Internet destroyed the music business. They’ll tell you that. It’s a fact.

You go from having all these music outlets—I mean it’s not too long ago guys. I mean, what was it? Five years ago? If you wanted to listen to it, you’d have to go buy the CD. The iPad and all these “I” things have only been out for a little while. So, when you think about, all these stores existed throughout the country where you would go and you would buy their CD and all this other sh*t. Now you’re buying songs for 99 cents? Woo-hoo! That’s not good.

Whether it’s music, movies or sports, people make a living based off the revenue from consumers.

There isn’t some magical pot at the end of the rainbow paying UFC fighters. The UFC has grown into the mainstream stage for MMA because of the fans, and at the end of the day, the fans are the ones paying fighters to make the sacrifices and step into the cage:

The same f**king guys that are saying, ‘Why would you sue the fans?’ are the same guys going, ‘You should pay the fighters more.’ How the f**k do you think this thing works? You know what I mean? You think the Fertittas just pull all of the money out of their f**king bank and pay everybody? No, this is a real business.

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