Who doesn’t love and respect Georges St-Pierre, Randy Couture or Lyoto Machida? Those guys ooze respect, honor and sportsmanship. They seem, by all accounts, great guys and fine ambassadors for the sport.But the world isn’t all smiles and h…
Who doesn’t love and respect Georges St-Pierre, Randy Couture or Lyoto Machida? Those guys ooze respect, honor and sportsmanship. They seem, by all accounts, great guys and fine ambassadors for the sport.
But the world isn’t all smiles and handshakes. The world needs its villains, and MMA is no different.
Who wants to watch the same stagnant clone of a persona take the microphone after brutally pummeling another man into submission every fight?
Bad boys, or rebels if you’d prefer, are a necessary counter the sport’s good guys. They keep the eyes wide and the ears cocked, and they keep butts in seats. If you’ve got your doubts, take a look at this list, and think for a moment about how many of these men are major financial draws.
Cub Swanson will meet Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel 7, and there’s a wealth to be gained for the man capable of claiming victory. A win for either man launches him much deeper into title contention, but Swanson has a measure …
Cub Swanson will meet Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel 7, and there’s a wealth to be gained for the man capable of claiming victory. A win for either man launches him much deeper into title contention, but Swanson has a measure of momentum behind him that Poirier currently lacks.
“The Diamond,” who had amassed four consecutive wins inside the UFC’s Octagon, tasted defeat two fights ago when he ran into top contender Chan Sung Jung. He’s since picked up a submission stoppage of former The Ultimate Fighter standout Jonathan Brookins, but he lacks the career forward movement that a resurgent Cub Swanson now possesses.
A series of highly ranked contenders have emerged in the featherweight division (the aforementioned Jung, Ricardo Lamas and Chad Mendes included), but Swanson could position himself at the top of the heap should he batter Poirier in impressive fashion at UFC on Fuel 7 this weekend.
What does Swanson need to do to ensure a victory tomorrow night? Really, he only needs to be himself, but I’ll elaborate.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will welcome fellow UFC castaway Anthony Johnson to the heavyweight division on March 23rd, when the two headline World Series of Fighting 2.Johnson, who burst onto the scene in 2007 with a startling 13-s…
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will welcome fellow UFC castaway Anthony Johnson to the heavyweight division on March 23rd, when the two headline World Series of Fighting 2.
Johnson, who burst onto the scene in 2007 with a startling 13-second knockout of Chad Reiner at UFC Fight Night 10, has endured some extreme weight issues.
His promotional debut occurred at 170 pounds. Weight problems eventually forced a climb to 185 pounds. However, middleweight seemed to leave “Rumble” drained as well, and he recently opted to move to light heavyweight, where he’s rattled off a series of impressive victories, recently capped off by a violent knockout of D.J. Linderman at World Series of Fighting 1.
Apparently 205 pounds isn’t going to cut it (pun intended) for Johnson either. In just over one month, he’ll test his talents at heavyweight, where he’s not likely to be quite the behemoth he’s been thus far,
Whether Johnson is capable of overwhelming Arlovski or not remains to be seen. The two men are at completely different career junctions, but Johnson presents a complete mystery, having never tangled with the sport’s largest competitors.
Who looks to have the edge in this one, you ask? Let’s take a look.
Before you leap to label me a mentally handicapped mixed martial arts fanatic, I ask you to hear me out, please. First, I want to point out the inspiration for this article: my 11-year-old daughter. While watching Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game A…
Before you leap to label me a mentally handicapped mixed martial arts fanatic, I ask you to hear me out, please.
First, I want to point out the inspiration for this article: my 11-year-old daughter. While watching Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Award Show, she looked directly in my eyes and asked an interesting question, “Why wasn’t Ronda (she refers to her simply as Rowdy Ronda) Rousey nominated for the ‘She’s Got Game Award’?”
That’s a compelling question, and it got me thinking.
Cartoon Network recently aired the 2013 Hall of Game Awards, in which the network recognizes a vast selection of professional sports and their star athletes. Basketball, football, baseball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, hockey, tennis and even surfing are recognized by the network.
It’s understandable that the network, aimed primarily at a 18-and-under crowd, would limit coverage to relatively tame sports.
But how tame are these sports?
Professional football players suffer concussions, bone breaks and dislocations every season. Basketball players are often lured into heated physical exchanges, a product of frustration no doubt. How many snowboarders have been carried from the snow on a stretcher? I’ve seen more than one tibia snap in half during soccer competition.
While these sports are promoted as safe, the truth is nearly any professional sport poses the potential threat of bodily damage.
Given the violence that shrouds the majority of sports today, I must ask, should sports like boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts be omitted from the Hall of Game Awards?
There are countless female boxers, many of which are quite young, competing today. The same can be said for mixed martial artists. The sport is expanding at an alarming rate, gaining mainstream notoriety among fans of all ages and both genders. Today we’re seeing 18-year-old women entering the cage in the pursuit of physical greatness.
Does the fact that women are involved diminish the potential for ultra-violence? No, admittedly, it does not.
But these women are athletes. Serious athletes who’ve chosen to dedicate their time, heart and energy into a sport branch they deeply love. Should they be overlooked with such ease? After endless hours of strenuous training and tense competition, do they not deserve recognition from all (and I mean all) outlets honoring a wide array of professional athletes?
Mixed martial arts isn’t a tame sport in the slightest. It’s violent, and I understand that. However, over the last half decade or so, MMA has come to be acknowledged as a legitimate sport. To omit mixed martial arts from diverse award ceremonies seems… wrong, disrespectful.
I understand that if a network such as the Cartoon Network is to showcase professional fighters, some heavy editing will be a mandatory. The majority in attendance and watching at home probably aren’t keen on seeing limbs snap in two. I get that.
So put the editors to work!
Ronda Rousey deserved to be recognized at the 2013 Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Award Show.
Serena Williams was recognized for her amazing 2012 performances in which she won at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Women’s Doubles at Wimbledon. Gabby Douglas played her part in winning the team all-around gold medal; she also won the gold medal in the individual all-around. That’s an incredible accomplishment that makes her the first American gymnast ever to win both the team and individual all-around gold at the same Olympic Games.
Alex Morgan exploded on the soccer field, racking up 14 goals in a 12-game stretch and went on to become a pivotal player in the 2012 Olympic Games, securing a game-winning goal in the opening game. Tamika Catchings left the basketball court on fire in 2012, averaging over 17 points per game in the regular season, while upping the ante and locking in 19 points per game in the postseason. She also a 2012 Olympic select.
These are outstanding athletes. But so is Rousey.
In 2012 Rousey captured a Strikeforce title and completely annihilated two quality opponents in Miesha Tate and Sarah Kaufman. In regards to Women’s MMA, it doesn’t get much more impressive than that.
Did I mention she’s also a former Olympic medalist?
I understand a brand like Cartoon Network hesitating in nominating mixed martial artists. I really do. But I’d be willing to bet that there were plenty of athletes, celebrities and fans in attendance that carry a serious love for the sport. Chances are, there was more than one young lady in that crowd with aspirations of succeeding inside the cage.
I’m not wholly convinced the Cartoon Network will introduce mixed martial artists into future award show lineups, but my daughter’s question certainly got me thinking.
Both Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida have enjoyed amazing success in this unforgiving sport. They’ve climbed to the peak of the mountain, enjoyed the rewarding air and offered fans too many amazing fights to count.Easily two of the most accomplis…
Both Dan Henderson and LyotoMachida have enjoyed amazing success in this unforgiving sport. They’ve climbed to the peak of the mountain, enjoyed the rewarding air and offered fans too many amazing fights to count.
Easily two of the most accomplished combatants in the game today, Henderson and Machida deserve every bit of acclaim to come their way.
Considering the two will clash at UFC 157, with designs on a title fight with champion Jon Jones, it seemed only appropriate to retrace some of their finest in-cage performances. These guys put on a show, and these lists will only support that statement!
Both Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida have enjoyed amazing success in this unforgiving sport. They’ve climbed to the peak of the mountain, enjoyed the rewarding air and offered man too many amazing fights to count.Easily two of the most accomplish…
Both Dan Henderson and LyotoMachida have enjoyed amazing success in this unforgiving sport. They’ve climbed to the peak of the mountain, enjoyed the rewarding air and offered man too many amazing fights to count.
Easily two of the most accomplished combatants in the game today, Henderson and Machida deserve every bit of acclaim that come their way.
Considering the two will clash at UFC 157, with designs on a title fight with champion Jon Jones, it seemed only appropriate to retrace some of their finest in-cage performances. These guys put on a show, and these lists will only support that statement!
Before you leap to label me a mentally handicapped mixed martial arts fanatic, I ask you to hear me out, please.