Thats right folks, this weekend brings us UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch live from the Acer Arena in Sydney Australia. The big question here is quite simple, will Penn sizzle or fizzle? Will Jon Fitch get BJ to the ground and grind the hell out of him? Will Michael Bisping circle into another huge right hand? All these questions and more will be answered for us tomorrow night on Pay Per View.
BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch
Most pick: Fitch by Decision, due to the tremendous size advantage and consistent game Fitch brings to the octagon.
Steele pick: Penn by TKO, I love the underdog...and in this case I think the pissed off, scary BJ Penn is going to show up instead of the listless, defenseless one we saw against Edgar.
Bisping vs. Rivera
Most pick: Bisping by Decision, due to the anger created by Ranger Up and Jorge's great series of videos.
Steele pick: Rivera by TKO, because I love Jorge Rivera...I think his age helps him here, and a pissed off Bisping is more likely to circle right into a huge right hand. Plus, I got drunk and had a dream that Rivera won by TKO in Round 2, and Bud Light has never did me wrong.
George Sotiropoulos vs. Dennis Siver
Most pick: Sotiropoulos by Submission, because the Aussie has yet to come up short in front of the home crowd.
Steele pick: Sotiropoulos by Submission, because I have to agree with everyone at some point...and I don't think Siver's ground game is enough to handle the Aussie, even if he has the advantage on the feet. I say G-Sots chokes him the heck out.
Chris Lytle vs. Brian Ebersole
Most pick: Lytle by KO, because Lytle really wants a title shot...and he is facing a late sub for Carlos Condit and if I was a new UFC fighter, I wouldn't want to see that pissed off dude across the Octagon from me.
Steele pick: Lytle by Freakin' Murder, because I'm pretty damn sure Lytle is going to drop this fool like Lindsay Lohan from any respectable job.
Kyle Noke vs. Chris Camozzi
Most pick: Camozzi by Decision, because apparently he looks better on paper.
Steele pick: Noke by Decision, because I thought he sounded cool at the press conference. In case you haven't noticed, I don't know a damn thing about these two.
Showing posts with label UFC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UFC. Show all posts
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
MMA in NY, an Analysis in Ignorance
"If you're adding kicking and punching to mixed martial arts, how can you regulate it so that there isn't serious injuries?"
This question from NY Post Reporter Megan Paznik says everything you need to know about the level of research done by many on the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
I had the displeasure of earlier watching a video report that Ms. Paznik did on the "barbarism" of the sport, with plenty of bloody fight photos and even comparisons to dog fighting.
Well Ms. Paznik, here is my answer to your question.
Last time I checked, boxing is regulated in NY, as are many of the individual disciplines in MMA. That list includes wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, and the list goes on. In addition, other contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse are both legal and popular in the State of New York as well as elsewhere around the country. I could put together a video of Eli Manning's nasty cut this past preseason, Lawrence Taylor breaking Joe Theismann's leg, and Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills suffering a career and life threatening neck injury with similar comparisons to ban the sport of football, and oddly enough every reference I just used is from a New York NFL franchise.
Every contact sport carries with it a risk of injury, as well as a responsibility for the organizations which promote such sports to ensure the safety of athletes in competition. The fact is that in almost twenty years of operation, the UFC has never seen a life threatening injury or death in competition...which includes the pre-sanctioning days of the mid-1990's. Within the sport you have a referee whose sole job is to ensure that a strict set of rules of followed, and who also is there to ensure the safety of both fighters. As in boxing, medical evaluations of athletes are required prior to and after competition, and there must be a medical staff on hand to further ensure the safety of each fighter. In no way is it a fight to the death as in dog fighting as some would lead folks to believe. There are just as many cuts, bruises, and broken bones in football, hockey, and yes...even boxing as there are in MMA, if not more.
And finally, my most important point...the economic impact of denying New Yorkers the pleasure of watching our sport. The effect of Mixed Martial Arts on every market it has reached has been both favorable and noticeable. Why would anyone in their right mind not add tens of millions in revenue to the local economy? In this day and age it is not only stupid, but ridiculous. Nearly every other major market benefits from MMA, yet New York persists with an obtuse attitude toward a safe, marketable sport, and is basically telling the world the economy there is fine...and they don't need your business.
Give me a break. Get off your pedestal and join the rest of the world in enjoying Mixed Martial Arts.
This question from NY Post Reporter Megan Paznik says everything you need to know about the level of research done by many on the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
I had the displeasure of earlier watching a video report that Ms. Paznik did on the "barbarism" of the sport, with plenty of bloody fight photos and even comparisons to dog fighting.
Well Ms. Paznik, here is my answer to your question.
Last time I checked, boxing is regulated in NY, as are many of the individual disciplines in MMA. That list includes wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, and the list goes on. In addition, other contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse are both legal and popular in the State of New York as well as elsewhere around the country. I could put together a video of Eli Manning's nasty cut this past preseason, Lawrence Taylor breaking Joe Theismann's leg, and Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills suffering a career and life threatening neck injury with similar comparisons to ban the sport of football, and oddly enough every reference I just used is from a New York NFL franchise.
Every contact sport carries with it a risk of injury, as well as a responsibility for the organizations which promote such sports to ensure the safety of athletes in competition. The fact is that in almost twenty years of operation, the UFC has never seen a life threatening injury or death in competition...which includes the pre-sanctioning days of the mid-1990's. Within the sport you have a referee whose sole job is to ensure that a strict set of rules of followed, and who also is there to ensure the safety of both fighters. As in boxing, medical evaluations of athletes are required prior to and after competition, and there must be a medical staff on hand to further ensure the safety of each fighter. In no way is it a fight to the death as in dog fighting as some would lead folks to believe. There are just as many cuts, bruises, and broken bones in football, hockey, and yes...even boxing as there are in MMA, if not more.
And finally, my most important point...the economic impact of denying New Yorkers the pleasure of watching our sport. The effect of Mixed Martial Arts on every market it has reached has been both favorable and noticeable. Why would anyone in their right mind not add tens of millions in revenue to the local economy? In this day and age it is not only stupid, but ridiculous. Nearly every other major market benefits from MMA, yet New York persists with an obtuse attitude toward a safe, marketable sport, and is basically telling the world the economy there is fine...and they don't need your business.
Give me a break. Get off your pedestal and join the rest of the world in enjoying Mixed Martial Arts.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
UFC 121 Forecast
What: UFC 121
Why: Because barely three months after his come from behind submission of Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar steps back into the Octagon to face what may well be a bigger challenge in unbeaten Cain Velasquez. Because everyone has been waiting to see the 170 pound version of Jake Shields enter the UFC, and because Tito Ortiz has all of us wondering if he is actually healthy this time around.
Brock Lesnar (5-1) vs. Cain Velasquez (8-0)
When Champion Brock Lesnar steps into the Octagon on October 23rd, he comes in riding a very short but very impressive record, with victories over Randy Couture, Frank Mir, a very dangerous stomach ailment, and Shane Carwin to his credit.
Unbeaten Cain Velasquez comes into this fight with the slightly longer resume, however his early UFC competition pales in comparison to that of Lesnar, who was thrown a former Champion (Mir) in his first UFC bout. (Lesnar lost that one by kneebar, but did so after dominating Mir).
This fight boils down to a battle between size over technique. Both men are accomplished amateur wrestlers, but Lesnar to date has shown relatively simple and unrefined striking. Velasquez on the other hand has shown he is a pinpoint striker, effectively mixing his punches and kicks into a formidable stew of pain for everyone he has faced, highlighted by his first round dissection of Minotauro Nogueira in his last outing. Size will always be a factor with Lesnar, as he will likely outweigh the challenger by 30 or so pounds come fight night. What Cain does have however, is a legendary gas tank and the ability to go hard for three rounds. How he does in four or five rounds is yet to be seen. Lesnar hasn't had his cardio questioned yet, but I believe this fight will finally give us a clear cut idea of how well conditioned the massive Champion is.
As I said before, this fight comes down to size over technique...and I believe Lesnar will walk away with a decision win if he gets it to the ground. Brock by UD.
Why: Because barely three months after his come from behind submission of Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar steps back into the Octagon to face what may well be a bigger challenge in unbeaten Cain Velasquez. Because everyone has been waiting to see the 170 pound version of Jake Shields enter the UFC, and because Tito Ortiz has all of us wondering if he is actually healthy this time around.
Brock Lesnar (5-1) vs. Cain Velasquez (8-0)
When Champion Brock Lesnar steps into the Octagon on October 23rd, he comes in riding a very short but very impressive record, with victories over Randy Couture, Frank Mir, a very dangerous stomach ailment, and Shane Carwin to his credit.
Unbeaten Cain Velasquez comes into this fight with the slightly longer resume, however his early UFC competition pales in comparison to that of Lesnar, who was thrown a former Champion (Mir) in his first UFC bout. (Lesnar lost that one by kneebar, but did so after dominating Mir).
This fight boils down to a battle between size over technique. Both men are accomplished amateur wrestlers, but Lesnar to date has shown relatively simple and unrefined striking. Velasquez on the other hand has shown he is a pinpoint striker, effectively mixing his punches and kicks into a formidable stew of pain for everyone he has faced, highlighted by his first round dissection of Minotauro Nogueira in his last outing. Size will always be a factor with Lesnar, as he will likely outweigh the challenger by 30 or so pounds come fight night. What Cain does have however, is a legendary gas tank and the ability to go hard for three rounds. How he does in four or five rounds is yet to be seen. Lesnar hasn't had his cardio questioned yet, but I believe this fight will finally give us a clear cut idea of how well conditioned the massive Champion is.
As I said before, this fight comes down to size over technique...and I believe Lesnar will walk away with a decision win if he gets it to the ground. Brock by UD.
Friday, August 13, 2010
UFC 118: Couture - Toney
August 28th brings us a promotional rarity from the UFC; Randy Couture (17-10) vs. James Toney (0-0).
While some of the older fans of mixed martial arts are likening it to the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, I'm not alone in declaring this match a complete and total freak show. The days of single styled fighters going at it in the Octagon are long gone, snuffed out with the destruction of Royce Gracie by Matt Hughes in 2007.
James Toney has a very good boxing career, holding several titles in several weight classes over the years. But to think that a 41 year old boxer who has never stepped foot in the Octagon can knock out an elusive Greco-Roman wrestler such as Couture is defying the odds on a level I don't think anyone will go out on a limb for. As a boxer, Toney has trained for years on how to best unload knockout punches on an opponent with no threat of being taken to the ground or kicked. Toney is the kind of fighter who is heavy on his feet while throwing punches, and I see Couture using this to his advantage in getting the fight to the ground, where his considerable experience will pay dividends and result in a first round stoppage due to strikes or submission. Even though Toney appears to be putting in a diversified training camp for this fight, I don't see him closing the experience and talent gap that Couture will have on the ground and in the clinch. Besides, at 41 years of age...Toney is going to be a long shot at proving that old dogs can learn new tricks.
Despite being 47 years old when he steps in the Octagon on the 28th, Randy Couture (17-10) is still a very elusive, very fit, very talented fighter. Despite his lackluster win over Brandon Vera at UFC 105, Couture rebounded with a very dominant showing against the questionable Mark Coleman at UFC 109. Despite this, I believe Couture still has the ability and talent to be a top five Light Heavyweight fighter and I'm looking to see a strong showing from him against Toney in Boston at UFC 118. The only question left is to see what the UFC lines up for him next once he finishes Toney. I personally would like to see him match up against Forrest Griffin or Rich Franklin for his next 205 bout, and perhaps the winner of the Lyoto Machida/Rampage Jackson fight if he defeats Griffin or Franklin. All in all I would say Couture is two or three wins away from another title shot at 205. Make sure you check back for continued UFC 118 analysis and if you are free the 28th, order UFC 118 on Pay-Per View.
While some of the older fans of mixed martial arts are likening it to the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, I'm not alone in declaring this match a complete and total freak show. The days of single styled fighters going at it in the Octagon are long gone, snuffed out with the destruction of Royce Gracie by Matt Hughes in 2007.
James Toney has a very good boxing career, holding several titles in several weight classes over the years. But to think that a 41 year old boxer who has never stepped foot in the Octagon can knock out an elusive Greco-Roman wrestler such as Couture is defying the odds on a level I don't think anyone will go out on a limb for. As a boxer, Toney has trained for years on how to best unload knockout punches on an opponent with no threat of being taken to the ground or kicked. Toney is the kind of fighter who is heavy on his feet while throwing punches, and I see Couture using this to his advantage in getting the fight to the ground, where his considerable experience will pay dividends and result in a first round stoppage due to strikes or submission. Even though Toney appears to be putting in a diversified training camp for this fight, I don't see him closing the experience and talent gap that Couture will have on the ground and in the clinch. Besides, at 41 years of age...Toney is going to be a long shot at proving that old dogs can learn new tricks.
Despite being 47 years old when he steps in the Octagon on the 28th, Randy Couture (17-10) is still a very elusive, very fit, very talented fighter. Despite his lackluster win over Brandon Vera at UFC 105, Couture rebounded with a very dominant showing against the questionable Mark Coleman at UFC 109. Despite this, I believe Couture still has the ability and talent to be a top five Light Heavyweight fighter and I'm looking to see a strong showing from him against Toney in Boston at UFC 118. The only question left is to see what the UFC lines up for him next once he finishes Toney. I personally would like to see him match up against Forrest Griffin or Rich Franklin for his next 205 bout, and perhaps the winner of the Lyoto Machida/Rampage Jackson fight if he defeats Griffin or Franklin. All in all I would say Couture is two or three wins away from another title shot at 205. Make sure you check back for continued UFC 118 analysis and if you are free the 28th, order UFC 118 on Pay-Per View.
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