Mixed martial arts continues to grow and expand into the mainstream as evidenced by the recent release of ESPN’s 2011 ESPY Award nominees, which include three MMA fighters: Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Fabricio Werdum.St-Pierre and Jones, bot…
Mixed martial arts continues to grow and expand into the mainstream as evidenced by the recent release of ESPN’s 2011 ESPY Award nominees, which include three MMA fighters: Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Fabricio Werdum.
St-Pierre and Jones, both UFC champions, have been nominated for the award of “Best Fighter.” Their competition will include top-level boxers Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez and Bernard Hopkins.
This relatively new ESPY award, which replaced the “Best Boxer” award in 2007, has never been won by a mixed martial artist.
St-Pierre has been nominated for the award twice before in both 2008 and 2010, but boxer Floyd Mayweather walked away with the award on both occasions.
However, given boxing’s struggles in 2011 and MMA’s ever-growing market, there is a better chance than ever that one of these two UFC studs could be representing their sport with by actually winning the ESPY this time.
Fabricio Werdum joins St-Pierre and Jones as a nominee, but will be up for the “Biggest Upset” ESPY award after his stunning victory last summer over former No. 1 heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko.
Fan voting has already begun, and the results will be announced when the award show airs on ESPN on July 13.
Following a tough loss in late April—which was only the fifth of his professional career—Jake Shields, although disappointed, views UFC 129, its lead-up, and fallout, as positive experiences and is hungry to make his way to the top of the d…
Following a tough loss in late April—which was only the fifth of his professional career—Jake Shields, although disappointed, views UFC 129, its lead-up, and fallout, as positive experiences and is hungry to make his way to the top of the division once again.
The defeat, which came at the hands of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, albeit disappointing to Shields, was a long time coming.
“I really liked fighting right away. I think, initially, I thought it was a one- or two-time thing, but I think after four or five fights, I thought that I could make it,” said Shields in an exclusive interview with Ed Kapp, “Of course, it took longer than I thought; I thought that I’d be fighting for UFC titles in just a few years. It took a bit longer, though [laughs].”
Despite dropping two out of his first five matches, Shields, from February 2001 to October 2010, only lost a pair of bouts and registered notable victories over Hayato Sakurai, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler, Jason Miller, Dan Henderson and Martin Kampmann before falling to St. Pierre in Toronto.
“Losing sucks—I broke my huge winning streak—but to go out there and fight GSP for five rounds in front of 60,000 people was quite a cool experience.”
“Of course, it’s a little disappointing; when you go out there and lose, it’s always disappointing. I look back at a lot of things that I did wrong and wish I did it differently, but you can’t dwell too much on the past. All you can do is move forward, try to learn from your mistakes, and get prepared for your next fight. “
As for Shields’ next match, although he is unsure when he will return to the Octagon, the Cesar Gracie student admits that he, once again, is feeling “the itch to compete.”
“I’m starting to feel that again. I was a little burnt out after the last fight from the long training camp and all of the media. Plus the letdown of losing really had me burnt out for a month afterwards, but two months later, I’m ready to call the UFC and ask who they’ve got for me.”
Shields, although ready to make a call to the UFC, in an effort to establish another impressive winning streak and an eventual title shot in the Octagon, is ready and willing to take on all callers.
“It’s not up to me who I fight—I’m willing to fight whoever—so I’m just waiting for the UFC to call me, so I can get back on the winning track. I’ve just got to get back on track. I still want that belt, so I’ve got to go on to win a couple fights and, hopefully, I can get a title shot, again.”
Although many fighters, following disappointing losses, question their future in the sport, Shields’ lofty ambitions in mixed martial arts, after more than a decade of professional competition and championships in Shooto, EliteXC and Strikeforce, are yet to waver.
“My goal—even though I fell short last time—is to hold the UFC belt. That’s the most honourable belt that anyone can hold in this sport.”
MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world right now (but I’m developing trampoline kickboxing right now, so look out!) and the UFC is pretty much the sole reason for this rapid expansion.As the UFC gains popularity and media coverage, it is importa…
MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world right now (but I’m developing trampoline kickboxing right now, so look out!) and the UFC is pretty much the sole reason for this rapid expansion.
As the UFC gains popularity and media coverage, it is important for Dana White to know which of his fighters have the most commercial potential.
With the right fighters acting as the faces of the organization, the UFC has the chance to grow even more through television interviews, commercials, product endorsements and even film.
Let’s take a look at the most commercial fighters in the UFC…
James Toney will give his MMA career another go with a fight against Ken Shamrock. I’m not sure whether to laugh at or feel really really bad for both these guys: here. Shoulder injury forces.
James Toney will give his MMA career another go with a fight against Ken Shamrock. I’m not sure whether to laugh at or feel really really bad for both these guys: here.
Shoulder injury forces Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos out of fight with Paul Daley in Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson event. A replacement opponent has yet to be announced: here.
Strikeforce Challengers 16 will feature first female fight under the Zuffa banner with Julia Budd vs. Germaine de Randamie. Check out the ladies: here.
Catch live UFC on Versus 4 weigh-ins this Saturday: here.
Find out if Jon Jones or Georges St. Pierre will win an ESPN ESPY award: here.
More pictures of the busty, Jennifer Swift aka Ms. TapouT below. If you want to hear her speak…especially about some girl fights she’s been in, check out her interview: here.
MMA fans eagerly anticipated the rematch between Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem and his former foe, Fabricio Werdum, at the previous Strikeforce show that featured two of the quarterfinal bouts in the heavyweight tournament.The fight…
MMA fans eagerly anticipated the rematch between Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem and his former foe, Fabricio Werdum, at the previous Strikeforce show that featured two of the quarterfinal bouts in the heavyweight tournament.
The fight didn’t live up to the hype, and Overeem won a lackluster decision after three rounds of minimum offense and a lot of defense.
One bad fight doesn’t change the course of events that are to come, and it makes fans more excited to see a good fight and one that won’t let them down.
Maybe these 10 fights will live up to the hype, and they will all be happening soon.
(The good old days — when men were men and briefs were shiny.)
Hello to all of my Cage Potato friends and thanks again for your interest and questions. It’s been a busy 2011 so far and things are only looking better from here. Thank you for the wonderful night before UFC 129 in Toronto. To those who missed it, there was a Cage Potato: Banned party that week and I had the opportunity to meet many loyal readers and Cage Potato “Big Wigs.” As you may know, I’ve reached a different stage in my career and I hope to provide you with more honest insights into many of the things that I’ve learned. I’m pleased to be black by popular demand. Ask away for my next column. Also, add me on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog www.bigdaddyfightteam.com.
All the best and Happy Humping,
Gary Goodridge
‘Bob Villa’ asks: How do you feel about all the lay and pray we’ve been subjected to lately? What do you think about guys like GSP who seem to fight not to lose and never go for the finish?
You’re asking the wrong guy because I always went for the finish. I think just lying on top of somebody is just crap and ridiculous. However, when fighters start doing that they pay the price because the promotions are not going to bring you back. You already know I like Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben; I also like a lot of the U.K. fighters like Dan Hardy because they always provide entertaining fights.
GSP is a different animal though. He is a champion. He doesn’t have to finish these guys. They have to finish GSP. His job is to keep his belt any way that he can because the belt means prestige and, more importantly, money. If I were him I would use every fibre in my body to walk away with the belt. I never won a championship beyond the International Vale Tudo Championship so I was never in a position to have to try and retain my belt. I was the guy who tried to shatter the myths of others fighters as champions.
People need to understand that guys like GSP are facing the top competition in the world every fight. There is no room for a mistake. It may not look like he’s doing much but trust me, he is.
‘bgoldstein’ asks: At PRIDE 11, you gave Yoshiaki Yatsu one of the most savage beatings I’ve ever seen in my life. Why did PRIDE book a rematch of that fight the next year? Did you feel bad accepting it?
(The good old days — when men were men and briefs were shiny.)
Hello to all of my Cage Potato friends and thanks again for your interest and questions. It’s been a busy 2011 so far and things are only looking better from here. Thank you for the wonderful night before UFC 129 in Toronto. To those who missed it, there was a Cage Potato: Banned party that week and I had the opportunity to meet many loyal readers and Cage Potato “Big Wigs.” As you may know, I’ve reached a different stage in my career and I hope to provide you with more honest insights into many of the things that I’ve learned. I’m pleased to be black by popular demand. Ask away for my next column. Also, add me on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog www.bigdaddyfightteam.com.
All the best and Happy Humping,
Gary Goodridge
‘Bob Villa’ asks: How do you feel about all the lay and pray we’ve been subjected to lately? What do you think about guys like GSP who seem to fight not to lose and never go for the finish?
You’re asking the wrong guy because I always went for the finish. I think just lying on top of somebody is just crap and ridiculous. However, when fighters start doing that they pay the price because the promotions are not going to bring you back. You already know I like Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben; I also like a lot of the U.K. fighters like Dan Hardy because they always provide entertaining fights.
GSP is a different animal though. He is a champion. He doesn’t have to finish these guys. They have to finish GSP. His job is to keep his belt any way that he can because the belt means prestige and, more importantly, money. If I were him I would use every fibre in my body to walk away with the belt. I never won a championship beyond the International Vale Tudo Championship so I was never in a position to have to try and retain my belt. I was the guy who tried to shatter the myths of others fighters as champions.
People need to understand that guys like GSP are facing the top competition in the world every fight. There is no room for a mistake. It may not look like he’s doing much but trust me, he is.
‘bgoldstein’ asks: At PRIDE 11, you gave Yoshiaki Yatsu one of the most savage beatings I’ve ever seen in my life. Why did PRIDE book a rematch of that fight the next year? Did you feel bad accepting it?
No, I didn’t feel bad about accepting it at all. Why would I feel bad? If he wanted to take the fight again, who am I to turn him down? I will say that nobody can ever question Yatsu’s heart. In fact, it you ever see a Yatsu watch next to a Timex, pick the Yatsu because guaranteed it’ll take a licking and keep on ticking.
(Goodridge vs. Yatsu, 10/31/00. The brutal finish begins around the 9:40 mark.)
‘RWilsonR’ asks: What injury have you sustained that has hurt the worst? Randy Couture said he has never felt pain like a broken orbital bone. Do you have an especially painful injury story?
I have never felt pain like I did when Musashi gave me my first taste of a legitimate leg kick. If you watch the fight you can see that I can’t even stand. My nerves weren’t used to receiving those types of strikes and I didn’t know how to defend against them. After that fight, I went straight to the dressing room and cried for a long time. I didn’t even know why I was crying because it didn’t stop the pain. But I had never felt anything like the leg kicks in K-1.
‘NotReadyStatus’ asks: I have seen you listed as repping Canada and/or Trinidad-Tobago. Which Country do you feel is more “Big Daddy’s”?
This is an odd question for me because I don’t consider myself very patriotic. I say I’m Canadian though because I’ve been here for over 40 years of my life. Canada is my home. All of my family is here expect one of my sisters who lives in Jamaica. My mother is very patriotic. She chose to bring her family here for a better life. I know she’s similar to other immigrants in that she sees herself as more Canadian than many people who were born here. Out of all of the places in the world, this is where she chose to come. As far as I’m concerned, promoters can say I’m from wherever they want me to be from. That type of stuff never bothered me.
‘RWilsonR’ (again) asks: What’s the story behind your fight with Mario Neto? It says you lost via Submission (No Apparent Reason) on Sherdog.
I have a hard time remembering this fight and a lot of people tend to bring it up. All I can say is that I was exhausted. It was early in my career and I didn’t know how to train properly. People ask me how I didn’t know that I needed cardio…I just didn’t know. None of us knew anything. At that point I didn’t have the mental fortitude that fighters need in order to surpass that point of exhaustion. I was exhausted and I couldn’t defend myself so I didn’t want to stay in there and take more damage.
‘LOKI’ asks: Did you ever turn down a fight for any reason that in retrospect you wish you had taken?
No I never turned down any fights in my life. Only when I got married. Take that as you will
Mixed martial arts continues to grow and expand into the mainstream as evidenced by the recent release of ESPN’s 2011 ESPY Award nominees, which include three MMA fighters: Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Fabricio Werdum.
