Everyone has seen the UFC classics, especially fights from the Zuffa era. We’ve marveled at the other worldly exploits of the great Anderson Silva, watched with slack jaws as Matt Hughes came from the brink of defeat to wallop Frank Trigg and witnessed…
Everyone has seen the UFC classics, especially fights from the Zuffa era. We’ve marveled at the other worldly exploits of the great Anderson Silva, watched with slack jaws as Matt Hughes came from the brink of defeat to wallop Frank Trigg and witnessed Dan Henderson and Mauricio Rua redefine courage.
But there is a whole new world of fights waiting for you to come and find them. Before the UFC took control of the industry, the fight game was spread all over the globe. Some of the best fighters on the planet were competing in Japan, Russia and even on Indian reservations around the United States.
These are the hidden gems that only the most hardcore of fans knew about—until now. Fasten your seat belt and strap in for a wild ride. These are fights that you have to watch to consider yourself a hardcore fan.
People either love or hate Chael Sonnen. For a long while I was in the latter group. However, one day it dawned on me that my problem wasn’t so much with Sonnen as it was with me taking his words far too seriously. I should have known b…
People either love or hate Chael Sonnen. For a long while I was in the latter group. However, one day it dawned on me that my problem wasn’t so much with Sonnen as it was with me taking his words far too seriously.
I should have known better. I should have looked at Sonnen and recalled the days of my youth when wrestlers such as Superstar Billy Graham, Larry Zybsco or Ric Flair used over-the-top theatrics to incite the crowd and sell a fight.
Instead, I took Sonnen seriously, thinking that his theatrical exuberance sullied the sport of MMA. I thought that MMA fighters should be above engaging in that type of bombastic trash talk.
I saw Sonnen’s words as mere shtick. He came across as pre-packaged. His comments felt like they had been written in advance, and that he was just looking for the right question to be lobbed his way so he could knock it out of the park with a witty one-liner. His words made for great soundbites and had fans talking about him for days, but I still felt that they were better suited for the WWE than for the UFC.
At some point, I realized Sonnen was doing nothing more than getting his name out to every fight fan in the most expedient way possible. He took the bait that interviewers put in front of him with all the subtlety of a hungry Great White Shark.
The interviews were a win-win, with the interviewer receiving a goldmine of quotes and Sonnen working his way even further into the minds of the fans, as well as the UFC matchmakers.
Once I understood his intentions, I came to appreciate Sonnen. I eagerly await his next interview. Sometimes he surprises you by being complimentary to his opponent. On other occasions he shocks you with the vindictiveness of his comments. However, underneath it all, his interviews are a means to landing the biggest fights possible and gaining the interest of as many MMA fans as possible.
Is Sonnen a shameless self promoter? Sure he is, but in a sport’s world full of athletes always saying the right thing at the right time, we need people like Sonnen to remind us not to take things so seriously.
Weird stuff? Sometimes it happens, even in the UFC’s Octagon. In the last 18 years we’ve seen main eventers go to the hospital after slipping backstage, a superstar tell the world he was going to mount his wife and two dudes get in a fist fight after t…
Weird stuff? Sometimes it happens, even in the UFC’s Octagon. In the last 18 years we’ve seen main eventers go to the hospital after slipping backstage, a superstar tell the world he was going to mount his wife and two dudes get in a fist fight after the show—at the hospital.
I admit nothing that strange happened tonight. But some odd stuff did go down. Let’s take a look at five things that blew my mind about the UFC’s debut on FX.
In December 1997 announcer Mike Goldberg made his UFC debut in the “The Land of the Rising Sun.” For almost 15 years, with only a handful of exceptions, he’s been the sole play-by-play voice of the UFC.No longer.The UFC’s brand new broadcast deal…
In December 1997 announcer Mike Goldberg made his UFC debut in the “The Land of the Rising Sun.” For almost 15 years, with only a handful of exceptions, he’s been the sole play-by-play voice of the UFC.
No longer.
The UFC’s brand new broadcast deal with the Fox family has ramped up an already busy schedule and announcers Goldberg and color man Joe Rogan simply couldn’t keep up with the demand. Tonight, the two men who have become synonymous with the UFC on television will give way to veteran ESPN broadcaster Jon Anik.
The 33-year-old Anik will host the brand new Ultimate Fighter and call the action on FX and Fuel. Partnered with fighter Kenny Florian, Anik will attempt to fill Goldberg’s very large shoes.
Bleacher Report caught up with Anik on the eve of his first show to introduce you to the man who will walk you through the action for what should be years to come.
