Tag: Ron Artest

Mirror, Mirror: Comparing UFC Fighters With Their Sports Star Counterparts


(Oh, you said you have a *flaggy* tattoo? I must have misheard you.) 

By Nathan Smith

During a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Dana White said, “Globally, we’re already bigger than the NFL.” From a global stand point that may be true, but in the Pulp Fiction-esque United States, the NFL is still Marsellus Wallace. The UFC may never gain the notoriety that the NFL has in America but stand-out fighters continue to ink major product endorsement deals. Anderson Silva (Burger King, Budweiser), Georges St. Pierre (Gatorade, UnderArmor) and Jon Jones (Nike) are paving the way to success for future mixed martial artists. Although big-time corporate sponsorship for fighters is in its infancy, the other major professional sports leagues have seen their athletes gain almost as much notoriety outside the lines as within.

The UFC was purchased by Zuffa just over a decade ago and has been charging towards global domination ever since. Sure, the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL (well, maybe not the NHL) playoffs and championship contests annihilate the UFC ratings-wise but the premier MMA organization is gaining at a rapid pace. Take into account the combined several hundred years of history the 4 “major” professional leagues hold and it is glaringly apparent that the UFC and its stars are closing the gap like a fat dude towards a parked Roach Coach.

Comparing the UFC’s ratings and popularity with the aforementioned leagues is somewhat asinine and it would not be fair or rational to compare athletes from other sports with UFC fighters – but you have visited Cagepotato.com. We have never been accused of being fair or rational and matching fighters with their counterparts from around the world of other sporting organizations seemed as logical as a booze-filled headset.

Anderson Silva and Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan has become the benchmark to which all athletes are measured, although the comparisons have transcended far beyond the realm of athletics. Any activity or event draws comparisons to #23 (or #45 whatever). From Ken Jennings being the Michael Jordan of Jeopardy, to Joey Chestnut being the Michael Jordan of gluttony or Peter North being the Michael Jordan of male climax volume, Jordan is synonymous with superiority. In every single poll taken in the last decade regarding the “Top 100 NBA players in History” the battle is for #2 through #100. Michael Jordan is considered the greatest of all time in his medium (and I am not talking about minor league baseball).  Anderson Silva, with his perfect 15-0 record and 10 consecutive title defenses in the UFC, has done things that may never be accomplished again in the history of mixed martial arts. Some day a fighter may come along (if he hasn’t already *foreshadowing*) and surpass Silva’s records but until his numbers fall, Anderson Silva is the Michael Jordan of MMA – period.


(Oh, you said you have a *flaggy* tattoo? I must have misheard you.) 

By Nathan Smith

During a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Dana White said, “Globally, we’re already bigger than the NFL.” From a global stand point that may be true, but in the Pulp Fiction-esque United States, the NFL is still Marsellus Wallace. The UFC may never gain the notoriety that the NFL has in America but stand-out fighters continue to ink major product endorsement deals. Anderson Silva (Burger King, Budweiser), Georges St. Pierre (Gatorade, UnderArmor) and Jon Jones (Nike) are paving the way to success for future mixed martial artists. Although big-time corporate sponsorship for fighters is in its infancy, the other major professional sports leagues have seen their athletes gain almost as much notoriety outside the lines as within.

The UFC was purchased by Zuffa just over a decade ago and has been charging towards global domination ever since. Sure, the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL (well, maybe not the NHL) playoffs and championship contests annihilate the UFC ratings-wise but the premier MMA organization is gaining at a rapid pace. Take into account the combined several hundred years of history the 4 “major” professional leagues hold and it is glaringly apparent that the UFC and its stars are closing the gap like a fat dude towards a parked Roach Coach.

Comparing the UFC’s ratings and popularity with the aforementioned leagues is somewhat asinine and it would not be fair or rational to compare athletes from other sports with UFC fighters – but you have visited Cagepotato.com. We have never been accused of being fair or rational and matching fighters with their counterparts from around the world of other sporting organizations seemed as logical as a booze-filled headset.

Anderson Silva and Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan has become the benchmark to which all athletes are measured, although the comparisons have transcended far beyond the realm of athletics. Any activity or event draws comparisons to #23 (or #45 whatever). From Ken Jennings being the Michael Jordan of Jeopardy, to Joey Chestnut being the Michael Jordan of gluttony or Peter North being the Michael Jordan of male climax volume, Jordan is synonymous with superiority. In every single poll taken in the last decade regarding the “Top 100 NBA players in History” the battle is for #2 through #100. Michael Jordan is considered the greatest of all time in his medium (and I am not talking about minor league baseball).  Anderson Silva, with his perfect 15-0 record and 10 consecutive title defenses in the UFC, has done things that may never be accomplished again in the history of mixed martial arts. Some day a fighter may come along (if he hasn’t already *foreshadowing*) and surpass Silva’s records but until his numbers fall, Anderson Silva is the Michael Jordan of MMA – period.

Georges St. Pierre and Derek Jeter

GSP is the focal point of Canadian MMA. He is the big fish in a larger-less-populated pond and the entire weight of a nation rests on his shoulders every single time he enters the octagon. Derek Jeter plays in the biggest media market in the world and has been given the moniker “The Captain” for the most storied franchise in the history of team sports. There is a lot of pressure to perform for both world champions and they are viewed with a certain amount of reverence by fans, media, and contemporaries. Both men have graced the covers of athletic magazines as well as high fashion publications and in regards to their female fans, let’s just call them “popular.”

Jon Jones and Lebron James

It has been covered on CP that there is a thin line between love and hate in regards to Jon Jones and the same can be said for Lebron James after “The Decision.” Both men are loved and hated regardless of their stellar performances during competition. Both men are just entering the recognizable primes of their careers and have already captured championships. Add in the fact that both men are genetic freaks compared to their colleagues and it appears that the dominance of Bones and King James has only just begun. Maybe?

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Terrell Owens

Not that long ago, both Rampage and T.O. were at the top of their professions. Rampage was sporting the UFC light-heavyweight strap and T.O. was widely perceived as the best wide receiver in the NFL. Both men were flamboyant, arrogant and a bit unstable. While Rampage did it with his trash talking combined with a John Candy inspired freeway escapade, Owens did it with his touchdown celebrations and an accidental overdose.  Now, Jackson is on the last fight of his UFC contract and T.O. is desperately trying to make the roster on an NFL team. How the mighty have fallen.

Ron Artest vs. Rampage Jackson and 5 Other Celebrity vs MMA Fights to Make

Over the recent decade, mixed martial arts has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing sports.As MMA continues to grow, so does its fanbase.And, not only does the fanbase consist of those who’ve been dedicated to the sport for years, but als…

Over the recent decade, mixed martial arts has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing sports.

As MMA continues to grow, so does its fanbase.

And, not only does the fanbase consist of those who’ve been dedicated to the sport for years, but also some of the world’s most popular celebrities.

Not only have these celebrities become fans of the rapid growing sport, but their desire to become involved has greatly increased.

It has so greatly increased to the point where MMA fans are now wanting to see their favorite fighters and celebrities square off inside the Octagon.

The following slides display five celebrity vs. MMA fighter fights that need to be made.

Let’s take a look.

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UFC News: Ron Artest and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Want to Box for Charity

Lakers forward Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, is one of the most controversial characters on the court. Seemingly out of nowhere, fellow colorful personality UFC light heavyweight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tweeted the following to Artest aroun…

Lakers forward Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, is one of the most controversial characters on the court. 

Seemingly out of nowhere, fellow colorful personality UFC light heavyweight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tweeted the following to Artest around 2 a.m. on Monday:

“Hey you a beast on the court… we can box a few rounds for charity.”

Artest, who recently was eliminated on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars, expressed no problem with now taking his talents to the ring when he tweeted back: 

“Rampage gonna test my chin for charity!! This will be the biggest heavyweight fight outside klits and haye!! (sic)” is what Artest tweeted around 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. 

Rampage is fresh off of a submission loss to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 135, so the charity boxing match seems at least somewhat plausible in the sense that it will be a while before Jackson is back in the Octagon. 

Meanwhile, Artest is dealing with the NBA lockout, so it makes sense that he would have time to train for an extracurricular activity like a boxing match. 

Of course, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that Artest has no prior fight experience and Rampage is one of the most recognizable veteran faces in MMA today, charity fight or not.

While it would probably not make much of a difference, Artest would have the height, weight and reach advantage in this fight, with his official profile at NBA.com listing him as standing 6’7″ and 260 pounds. 

Sherdog.com lists Rampage at 6’1″, 204 lbs., although many fans and fighters alike have been told that Jackson can weigh as much as 250 lbs. between fights.

Additionally, neither the NBA nor the UFC has confirmed or denied that this fight will take place, while both Artest and Jackson have yet to mention which charities are in the running to sponsor such a contest. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC Power Rankings: 5 Best Sports Fights of the Decade Outside the Octagon

Over the past decade we have seen some of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC. While the UFC has clearly been the center stage for fighters across the globe, it’s certainly not the only place we’ve seen exciting fights. While fighting outside…

Over the past decade we have seen some of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC. While the UFC has clearly been the center stage for fighters across the globe, it’s certainly not the only place we’ve seen exciting fights.

While fighting outside of the Octagon does not occur regularly, there are some exceptions. Outside of the UFC we have almost seen it all. The one-punch knockouts, fans interacting in fights and the bench-clearing brawls.

The following video slides display the top five sports fights that have occurred away from the sport of mixed martial arts. Please sit back and enjoy.

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