Archive for October, 2010

British MMA took a clear step back last night.  And not just because John Hathaway lost to a journeyman and Dan Hardy got KTFO.  Michael Bisping won the battle of the Kang Hunters and is now supreme Kang Hunter.  He may be due for the title qualifier he feels he’s earned.  On the surface, that would seem to be a step in the right direction for the UK in its search for a champion. The problem is that Bisping won’t be winning that belt.  Win or not, he proved that on saturday.  Look, I like Bisping’s game.  He has clear [...]

I’ll start by saying the unthinkable: I sort of like Michael Bisping.  I know he comes off like a tool a lot of the time, but not all the time.  Sometimes he seems like kind of a cool guy.  I’ve thought he sounded legitimately intelligent a time or two.  I don’t know, I guess I just feel like things aren’t really as simple with Bisping as everyone makes them out to be.  He’s not just a heel. Case in point: The Ultimate Fighter.  Bisping rubbed a lot of people the wrong way as a coach on that show, myself included.  [...]

Weigh-ins for tomorrow night’s “UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama” event took place today at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, England. The event across the pond tomorrow will be held at The O2. The card is headlined by a middleweight bout between English superstar Michael Bisping and Japanese sensation Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama. All fighters made weight with no issue. Here are the official weigh-in results: MAIN CARD Yoshihiro Akiyama (185) vs. Michael Bisping (185) Carlos Condit (170) vs. Dan Hardy (171) John Hathaway (171) vs. Mike Pyle (170) Travis Browne (251) vs. Cheick Kongo (228) Claude Patrick (171) vs. James [...]

So many things to respect about the Dutch.  They have a long history of tolerance, both religious and otherwise.  They harbored my favorite philosopher, Benedict Spinoza, when his own people were out for his blood (religion baby, you gotta love it!).  They have a relaxed attitude about almost any vice you could have.  They had the strongest resistance movement during WW II.  Their soccer team is legit.  Their names are great.  And I don’t have to tell you about their work in the tulip industry.  Well, score one more for Europe’s best country.  My girl Marloes Coenen’s Golden Glory teammates gave her [...]

Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are teaming up for another season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. The next season will feature fighters from the 170-pound and 185-pound weight classes. UFC president Dana White is expected to be at the try-outs alongside Spike TV’s senior vice president of sports and specials, Brian Diamond. The open casting call will take place on November 4th in Las Vegas. Want to fight on The Ultimate Fighter® season 13? The show producers are looking for Middleweights and Welterweights this time around. REQUIREMENTS: 1. All applicants must be at least 21 years of age. 2. All [...]

A total of nine fighters were drug tested by the Indiana Gaming Commission following last month’s UFC 119 event. All fighters came back with negative tests, according to Andy Means, head of the Commission’s athletic division. UFC 119: Mir vs Cro Cop took place at the Canseco Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. The night of fights was capped off with a dreadful main event that had no action until the final minute when Frank Mir earned a knockout win over Cro Cop. The nine fighters who were tested included: main event participants Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop, Ryan Bader, [...]

Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt Jake Shields will be making his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he goes to way with top ten welterweight Martin Kampmann at UFC 121. Shields has not lost since 2005 and he has hauled off 14 straight wins. Shields entered the UFC after defeating Dan Henderson to retain his Strikeforce middleweight title. He won the bout in dominating fashion and added Hendo to his list of notable wins along with guys like “Mayhem” Miller, “Mach” Sakurai, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler, Yushin Okami, and Carlos Condit. Shields is now returning to his natural [...]

I should start this preview by stating for the record that Dan Hardy is one of my favorite fighters in all of mixed martial arts.  I try not to be too biased when analyzing a fight, but I may not be able to help myself here.  I love the way Hardy fights, and I love the way he talks.  A truly rare combo in MMA.  So you might want to take what I say with a grain of salt here.  Qualifying soliloquy over. Dan Hardy is going to kick Carlos Condit’s ass.  I see a second round KO.  I would [...]

Video courtesy of FIGHT!

Was this fight an instant classic?  No.  Was it two good fighters gettin’ after it for five rounds?  Absolutely.  We should be able to enjoy it on that level. Mauro Ranallo threw out some ridiculous hyperbole, and he’s taken some deserving lumps for it.  I’m sure Mauro was just trying to be a company man, but come on.  Announcers just shouldn’t say things they know aren’t true.  Hardcore fans will know, and it sickens us.  The worst part about Mauro’s over-hyping to me was that it opened the door for people to hate on what was really a pretty awesome fight.  Some people are now turning their noses [...]