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Tuesday weekly notes
By Zach Arnold | January 15, 2007
A brand new poll on the side of the main page. Results from our last site poll:
Which potential fight are you most excited about watching?
- Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture – 38%
- Vanderlei Silva vs. Dan Henderson – 31%
- Mirko Cro Cop vs. Eddie Sanchez – 23%
- Quinton Jackson vs. Marvin Eastman – 5%
- Rob McCullough vs. Kit Cope – 3%
Now, onto today’s media headlines.
- Fight Report: One of the sickest knockouts in MMA history
- IGN: Interview with THQ VP Kelly Flock about the new video game deal with UFC
- NHB News (Japanese): Sergey Kharitonov vs. Gilbert Yvel a possibility for the PRIDE 2/24 Las Vegas show
- Brandweek Magazine: Warner Home Video signs on as a marketing partner with the IFL
- UFC Mania: Tim Sylvia likes whipped cream in his drinks
- Pramit Mohapatra (Baltimore Sun MMA writer): “Era of the Striker” in the UFC
- The Miami Herald: Weight-cutting issues
- The Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Training at Gracie South BJJ & Submission Grappling
- The Sweet Science: WBC VP says the organizational body has no interest in MMA
- K-1 fighter Nicholas Pettas: Akiyama, what are you doing? (Japanese title is “Akiyama shock!”)
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 8 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Note to WBC: Good. Corrupt and illegal sanctioning bodies like the WBC and other similar organizations in boxing are the last thing that MMA needs.
I will be amazed if Yvel ends up actually fighting in Vegas. He has such a horrible reputation as a dirty fighter. Would the athletic commission clear him to fight?
I’m not sure Pride wants to have the stigma of booking bad seeds on their fight cards if they are trying to establish credibility in the US, especially after having to deal with seperate scandals with Steriods from their previous show.
I’m not sure how the NSAC or anyone else collects their information on a fighter before approving their paperwork, but i hope someone takes a long look at Yvel’s rap sheet in the ring and takes it into consideration.
Although i guess certian US commissions let Tyson fight after some of his infamous in-ring shady tactics. Sigh.
I for one am a big mark for Yvel in the way I have marked out for many pro-wrestling heels in years gone by. I can’t wait to see Kharitonov bait Yvel similarly to the way he baited Fedor’s younger brother last summer. My prediction: Kharitonov by DQ.
Hey Brian, no doubt he is an excellent bad guy, and i have enjoyed his fights that are (relatively) clean, but it concerns me that a guy who openly eye gouges and KO’s referees continues to be able to work in a sport that is desperately trying to stave off any more black eyes, especially a Promotion like Pride whose reputation has struggled such as it is as of late.
I’m not sure Pride makes a big enough splash to garner any kind of mainstream attention, but if some newspaper or publication catches wind of Yvel’s antics… That could be some very negative publicity, and with the athletic commissions being as “moody” as they have been recently, a little community-based pressure could influence the commissions and do some harm, all for a fighter who is nowhere near top ten (although definitely entertaining at times.)
Its funny that you mentioned the alexander fight, I just watched that fight. Kharitonov is a guy with a lot of potential, i would definitely like to see him get back on track, and Yvel would be a good test… Is there a twin brother “good” yvel out there? Sergei would definitely get some good guy heat if he were to nobly dispatch Yvel. They could use another reputable heavyweight since CC jumped ship.
You should add the option “none of the above” to the poll – I can’t see any of the existing feds challenging the UFC in the US in the near future.
I hope Kharitonov comes in a little leaner this time, the extra weight seemed to slow him down some.
You Gilbert Yvel fans should track down his fights vs Dirty Bob & Semmy Shilt…great brutal fights.
Ah the Yvel/Dirty Bob “Trilogy”- a sea of moral concern!