We’ve considered inviting the think lab at Ranger Up Clothing if they’d consider coming to work for us, but we didn’t for fear that they’d laugh at us and punch us in the face just for asking.
We’ve considered inviting the think lab at Ranger Up Clothing if they’d consider coming to work for us, but we didn’t for fear that they’d laugh at us and punch us in the face just for asking.
The latest one takes *another* shot at brash brit Michael Bisping, who isn’t even fighting one of their boys. In fact, “The Count” is fighting one of Ranger Up sponsored fighter Tim Kennedy’s longtime rivals, Jason Miller, which says a lot since even Tim appears in the video proclaiming his desire for “Mayhem” to punch Bisping in the face. Kennedy actually rallied for a fight with Bisping, but it never came to fruition, so it’s no surprise he’s rooting for his opponent, especially since he could get the winner.
We’ll find out Saturday if Miller does his part to save the planet.
With the recent allegations aimed at former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the sports world has been thrown into a bit of chaos in the past few weeks. The story, which has undoubtedly tarnished the legacy of not only the college itself but also its legendary football coach Joe Paterno, is one of the most shocking and disturbing events to surface in the history of competitive sports.
Whether or not we’ll actually try to do anything but mock them is yet to be determined.
Check out ten of the dirty little not-so-secrets of MMA’s past after the jump.
With the recent allegations aimed at former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the sports world has been thrown into a bit of chaos in the past few weeks. The story, which has undoubtedly tarnished the legacy of not only the college itself but also its legendary football coach Joe Paterno, is one of the most shocking and disturbing events to surface in the history of competitive sports.
Whether or not we’ll actually try to do anything but mock them is yet to be determined.
Here we go.
#10 – Brock Lesnar’s UFC 100 Tirade
(Video courtesy of YouTube/krispyism. Apologies for the shitty video quality.) What happened: After dealing with months of Frank Mir‘s off-color brand of mental warfare, Brock Lesnar let his fists do the talking at UFC 100, which is where the talking should have ended. After smashing Frank Mir in the second round of their heavyweight title fight, Lesnar proceeded to not only berate a battered Mir, but flip off the crowd, openly insult one of the UFC’s biggest sponsors in Bud Light, and then hint at fornicating with his smokin hot wife. Ok, so maybe the last part wasn’t so bad (if you put yourself in Lesnar’s position), but the rest of Brock’s outburst came off to critics and fans alike as an act of incredible stupidity and childishness. At a time when many UFC fans were reluctant to allow someone from the world of professional wrestling into their realm, Lesnar’s dramatic antics were the warning flare that many were looking for to discredit the UFC as a professional organization.
(Video courtesy of YouTube/leer5858.) What happened: On the heels of an interim title loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria and a 36 second annihilation at the hands of Fedor Emelianenko, it seemed to many that former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia had hit rock bottom. But nay, we had only witnessed the beginning. When it was announced that Sylvia would challenge former WBO champion Ray Mercer to a MMA match, most figured it was part of some charity event, or maybe just a case of a good old fashioned freak show fight. It turns out the latter was correct, as Tim Sylvia showed up to the event dressed as Giant Silva, and proceeded to be flattened 9 seconds into the bout compliments of the very first punch that Mercer threw.
The fallout: The fight was basically MMA’s version of Billy Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs, except that neither of the competitors were even close to being in their prime. And as that match attempted to ignite women with the belief that they could compete with men in a sports setting (lolz!), this match opened the floodgates for the likes of James “Mushmouth” Toney to badger his way into an undeserved fight in MMA’s highest promotion. And though MMA reigned supreme at UFC 118, there was truly no winner to be had in what was one of the most pathetic, one sided matches in the sport’s history.
As for the fighters involved, Mercer’s punch was apparently so powerful that it permanently disabled Sylvia’s ability to fight at under 300 lbs thereafter. Despite that fact, Sylvia would go 6-1 following the loss, picking up wins over Paul Buentello, Marius Zaromskis, and most recently Andreas Kraniotakes at the abysmal Pro Elite 2: Big Guns event. Mercer has yet to compete in MMA again.
#8 – Paul Daley’s Cheap Shot at UFC 113
(Video courtesy of YouTube/codymckinley.) What happened: Let’s be honest, Paul Daley is kind of a scumbag. After coming up short in his #1 contender match against Josh “Fraggle Rock” Koscheck, Daley decided that the best chance to land his most significant strike of the fight would be after the fight was over. So he approached Koscheck in what seemed to be a congratulatory hug, and then took a swing at him. Referee Dan Miragliotta best summed up the moment when, after rag-dolling Daley into the cage, simply said, “Are you kidding me?”
The fallout: Turns out, Dana White was not kidding either, and immediately fired Daley following the fight, stating, “I don’t give a shit if he’s the best 170 pounder in the world, he will never come back here again.” But, true to DW’s form, never doesn’t exactly mean…never. In the midst of the Strikeforce purchase, White was asked about the possibility of Daley returning to the UFC, and had this to say, “We’ll see what happens with that first. I just have a hard time with what Daley did.” Consistency, folks, it’s truly what keeps a thriving business thriving. And speaking of British folks with less than stellar reputations…
The Marines, enjoying someone fighting for them for a change. (Photo: MMAOnTap.com)
There is no shortage of military metaphors in the world of MMA. “War Diaz.” “War Penn.” Our athletes don’t just compete, they go to battle. Even that shirt you claim not to own is ‘an expression of combat known worldwide’.
But these are mere words. For a select few of the sport’s elite, the challenges they encounter inside of the cage are nothing compared to the trials they signed up for by enlisting in the armed forces. It turns out the reasons MMA fighters serve their country, and their experiences in the military, are as varied as anyone else’s. As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, check out a quick glimpse of their lives in uniform.
Thanks to the folks at Ranger Up for making their crew available.
The Marines, enjoying someone fighting for them for a change. (Photo: MMAOnTap.com)
There is no shortage of military metaphors in the world of MMA. “War Diaz.” “War Penn.” Our athletes don’t just compete, they go to battle. Even that shirt you claim not to own is ‘an expression of combat known worldwide’.
But these are mere words. For a select few of the sport’s elite, the challenges they encounter inside of the cage are nothing compared to the trials they signed up for by enlisting in the armed forces. It turns out the reasons MMA fighters serve their country, and their experiences in the military, are as varied as anyone else’s. As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, check out a quick glimpse of their lives in uniform.
Thanks to the folks at Ranger Up for making their crew available.
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps (5 years), three tours to Iraq
What drew you to enlist in the armed forces?
I was drawn to the military because I love a challenge and I love to travel, two things I thought the marine corps could offer me. I was going to school full time and working full time and I couldn’t afford college anymore. I had done my research and knew that I could get the gi bill which would pay for school. All the stories I heard about missions and boot camp sounded amazing. Everything just seemed to add up that the military was my best option.
On a typical day in service you’d find me…
A typical day in the military consisted of little sleep and sacrificing that little to sleep to lift weights and run. In Iraq after my workout I’d walk to work with my weapon and gear. As a unit we’d do morning fod walk then work off the aircraft maintenance in our shift. While I was working and waiting for equipment to test I’d usually do pushups, squats, lunges, and curls with the tools I had. After my 12-16 hour workday I’d do my long walk home. It was chill time alone to relax and mellow out from the workday. By the time I got back to the can or hut I lived in I would just shower then listen to music or try and watch a movie on a friends working laptop.
What has your time in the military meant to you?
My time in the military was opportunity. I met people I never would have met and saw things I never would have seen. It also opened up doors that previously weren’t even possible. College, something previously taken off the shelf was made possible again. I met people that introduced me to sports I had always been interested in like snowboarding and skydiving. My time in the military represented a lot growth for me.
Ranger Qualified Special Forces Sniper (2003-Present), Bronze Star recipient
What drew you to enlist in the armed forces?
9-11 had a really big impact on me in the sense that it gave me an opportunity to look at my life and I thought it was a very pointless, pathetic, narcesis, ethnocentric existence. I wanted to do something important, so I enlisted to change my life.
On a typical day in service you’d find me…
My unit, we’re shooters. So we spend three days of the week at the range. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, we’re at the range, and Monday we’re getting ready for the range and Friday cleaning up after the range.
What has your time in the military meant to you?
Having the honor to defend our country is something that every single person should do in their life. I’m not saying everybody has to be a shooter, but it changed me in every way. A shit head in 2002 to a hard working, productive member of society within two years. It changed my life in every way. So now when people are using their constitutional first amendment right—even if it’s things that make my blood boil—when it happens I know I’ve done my job because I’ve fought for the constitution and to defend this country and now they’re using that right that I’ve defended. So I love seeing people do things that I’ve fought for.
Private First Class (E-3), U.S Army (1990-1992) Montgomery G.I. Bill
What drew you to enlist in the armed forces?
I enlisted in the army because I was coming out of high school with no real plans and had gotten my girlfriend pregnant so I had to do something to provide.
On a typical day in service you’d find me…
On a typical day you would find me in the motor pool working on our M-1 tank.
What has your time in the military meant to you?
I’ve found that it’s helped with life in general. I’ve also found a much deeper appreciation for my country as well.
—————-
Today is about more than bitching that you can’t go to the bank and the ability to speed through school zones. If you see a man or woman in uniform, let them know that they are appreciated.
Some selected highlights from our friends around the MMA blogosphere. E-mail [email protected] for details on how your site can join the MMA Link Club…
– Team Gina Carano Updates Strikeforce on Health Condition via Vague Email (5thRound)
– Pete Sell Returns to Competition After Two-Year Absence, Wins Ring of Combat Welterweight Title (TheFightNerd)
– The New CEO of ProElite Explains to Us How the Company Plans to Be the Number Two MMA Organization in the World (MiddleEasy)
– Werdum and Gloom: The Politics of Pulling Guard (NBC Sports MMA)
– Chad Griggs vs. Daniel Cormier Could Be ‘Logical Next Step’ for Strikeforce (MMA Fighting)
Some selected highlights from our friends around the MMA blogosphere. E-mail [email protected] for details on how your site can join the MMA Link Club…
– Team Gina Carano Updates Strikeforce on Health Condition via Vague Email (5thRound)
– Pete Sell Returns to Competition After Two-Year Absence, Wins Ring of Combat Welterweight Title (TheFightNerd)
– The New CEO of ProElite Explains to Us How the Company Plans to Be the Number Two MMA Organization in the World (MiddleEasy)
– Werdum and Gloom: The Politics of Pulling Guard (NBC Sports MMA)
– Chad Griggs vs. Daniel Cormier Could Be ‘Logical Next Step’ for Strikeforce (MMA Fighting)
In a ten minute clip from an interview with ESPN, UFC middleweight Michael Bisping chatted about Chael Sonnen, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Jorge Rivera and season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Bisping is no stranger to the TUF series…
In a ten minute clip from an interview with ESPN, UFC middleweight Michael Bisping chatted about Chael Sonnen, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Jorge Rivera and season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Bisping is no stranger to the TUF series, winning season 3 as a light heavyweight, and coached on season 9 on the show opposite Dan Henderson in season touted as “The United States vs. The United Kingdom.”
As far as what Bisping learned from his experience with the show, he explained “you’ve got to be careful…because they’re going to edit it a certain way, and try their best to make you look like an asshole.”
“The Count” said he plans to avoid that since “they can’t edit you as an asshole, if you don’t act like an asshole” but also admitted “that’s easier said than done.”
Speaking on arguably the UFC’s biggest villain, Chael Sonnen, Bisping explained that “I have no type of friendship wit the guy” but that he just feels that “he’s (Sonnen) paid his dues.”
Bisping was also adamant in the fact that “I’ve never taken a steroid in my life” and that “I’m a massive anti-steroid guy.”
Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Sonnen’s replacement for head coach opposite Bisping on TUF 14, Bisping feels that “he’ll be good for the show, but he wasn’t really the opponent I wanted.”
The Count pulled no punches when he stated that “I would have liked to fight a guy like Chael Sonnen, or perhaps the winner of the (Yushin) Okami-(Anderson) Silva fight.”
Bisping also indicated that while he is a fan of the “massive exposure” that comes from doing TUF, he also “likes to stay active, and fight regularly” and isn’t a big fan of “sitting on the sidelines for 10 months.”
In regards to Miller as opponent, Bisping said that Miller has “great cardio, is tough as hell, great jiu jitsu, an underrated stand up, and good wrestling.”
“I’m not saying he’s a lesser fighter than me, but in terms or world rankings and getting a title shot, I don’t think a win over him helps me.”
Additonally, “the pressure is on me, because I’m going out there with everyone expecting me to win.”
Inevitably, the “spitting incident” between Bisping and Jorge Rivera became a topic of conversation as well.
Bisping obviously became heated over the topic: “Well, it wasn’t a spitting incident, ya know, I spat on the floor ‘cuz the guy was talking shit about my family.”
The British fighter also rationalized that “if I talked shit about your family, I’d expect you to spit on the floor and show contempt for me as well.”
Furthermore, Bisping added “the guy (Jorge Rivera) is an absolute piece of shit, and that’s what I think, and that’s what I showed him.”
For the fans calling for Bisping to get suspended or even cut from the UFC, Bisping went off saying that “those guys need to get a fucking grip on themselves,” and reminded that he issued an apology to the UFC, Rivera, and Rivera’s camp for spitting in Rivera’s corner.
“I am yet to hear an apology from him for insinuating that my girlfriend has Chlamydia, and all the other shit he’s talked,” Bisping angrily recalled.
When it was brought up that Mayhem would try and push Bisping’s buttons the way Rivera did, Bisping quickly drew a distinction between the two fighters.
“All the pre-fight build up (from Rivera)…I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. You can push my buttons all you want, and say whatever you want about me, and that’s fine…fighters do that.”
“I wanted to fight Chael Sonnen; you don’t think he would’ve pushed my buttons a little bit? But I don’t think for one second that he would’ve said or done what that last guy did. Go and watch the videos again.”
How does Michael Bisping’s TUF team look, as far as he’s concerned? “My initial thoughts on the team is that they’re amazing, absolutely amazing.”
“I’m so impressed with these guys, we only had one workout session…but the work ethic, the determination….the fights are gonna be crazy.”
Bisping also mentioned that he has met Miller a few times, “just hanging out, having fun” and that he has “no beef with the guy.”
However, he also clarified that “it’s still early days, and he’s a big personality, and I talk a little bit too much myself,” indicating that he does not foresee a boring season on the horizon.
In what is just a quick fun fact, Bisping is moving to Orange County, California, and has considered opening a gym over there.
When pressed if MMA fans in general are anti-British, Bisping responded by saying that “I think it’s just in human nature if you’ve got two guys fighting, and you don’t really know them, you’re going to root for the guy who comes from your country.”
Bisping also indicated that “I’ve never had a negative experience (in America), outside of being booed.”
A bit surprisingly, Bisping has seemingly put his feud with Strikeforce middleweight Tim Kennedy on hold, as he did not address the military once during the interview.
For those wondering when the sparks will fly between Mayhem Miller and Michael Bisping, keep in mind that Miller has already said that “Michael Bisping has replaced Bin Laden as the most hated man in America.”
Any excuse to post a Monty Python homage. VidProps: RangerUp
Matt Phinney, perhaps better known to most of you as that funny coach that drove Michael Bisping bugshit insane in the leadup to his fight with Jorge Rivera, will make his pro MMA debut this month for World Championship Fighting. Phinney brings a strong amateur boxing background to the fight with two Golden Gloves titles to his name, something he explains has made it difficult to actually get a fight signed. “I’ve been trying to take an MMA fight for a while now, but there aren’t many guys looking to take a fight with a first timer with a strong boxing background,” Phinney says.
Any excuse to post a Monty Python homage. VidProps: RangerUp
Matt Phinney, perhaps better known to most of you as that funny coach that drove Michael Bisping bugshit insane in the leadup to his fight with Jorge Rivera, will make his pro MMA debut this month for World Championship Fighting. Phinney brings a strong amateur boxing background to the fight with two Golden Gloves titles to his name, something he explains has made it difficult to actually get a fight signed. “I’ve been trying to take an MMA fight for a while now, but there aren’t many guys looking to take a fight with a first timer with a strong boxing background,” Phinney says.
Outside of his boxing pedigree, Phinney wrestled competitively in high school and holds a blue belt in BJJ under Tim Burrill, but his accurate striking will be his bread and butter in the fight.
Phinney is the guy in red, doing work.
Look for Phinney to use wrestling to stay on the feet and pick apart his opponent, a guy by the name of Mike Mason who will also be making his pro debut. If you happen to live in the area, World Championship Fighting 11 pops off in Wilmington, MA on June 18. Head on out and support local MMA, and if you see Phinney, tell him we said “hi”. And see if you can get him to do his Walken impression. Walken impressions always crack us up.
