From the desk of the CSAC (3/3)
By Zach Arnold | March 3, 2008
The following suspensions have occurred as a result of positive tests for anabolic agents. These samples were obtained after the weigh-in for the Valor Fighting event in San Diego that was scheduled for January 12, 2008. Even though the event was cancelled, these athletes are licensees of the state and can be disciplined for any violation of CSAC rules and regulations.
Continue reading this article here…
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IFL 2/29 Las Vegas videos
By Zach Arnold | March 3, 2008
The promotion has posted the main fights from this past Friday’s event online.
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Preview of Jeremy Lappen interview
By Zach Arnold | March 2, 2008
This Wednesday, we’ll have a new edition of Fight Opinion Radio online. Our special guests on the show include Oleg Taktarov and Elite XC’s Jeremy Lappen. We asked Lappen some tough questions during the interview, including questions about details regarding EXC’s deal with CBS. Lappen dismissed rumors that EXC’s deal with CBS was a ‘time buy’ (aka pay-for-play) and that the company will be receiving a rights fee for the show. We also asked Lappen some questions regarding production of EXC shows on CBS and where the company is headed in the next year.
On a related note in regards to the EXC/CBS deal, CBS Sports writer Gregg Doyel claims that CBS chose the wrong MMA company to back.
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UFC 82 (3/1/08 Columbus, Ohio)
By Zach Arnold | March 1, 2008
First, a breakdown of how users at MMA Predictions predicted the fights on today’s card:
- Dan Henderson (50%) vs. Anderson Silva (50%)
- Cheick Kongo (65%) vs. Heath Herring (35%)
- Yushin Okami (56%) vs. Evan Tanner (44%)
- Josh Koscheck (91%) vs. Dustin Hazelett (9%)
- Luke Cummo (59%) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (41%)
- Andrei Arlovski (85%) vs. Jake O’Brien (15%)
- Diego Sanchez (94%) vs. David Bielkheden (6%)
- Jon Fitch (98%) vs. Chris Wilson (2%)
- Jorge Gurgel (70%) vs. John Halverson (30%)
- Chris Leben (67%) vs. Alessio Sakara (33%)
Event results: Observer | Sherdog | MMA Junkie | MMA Mania
Winners: Gurgel, Sanchez, Koscheck, Fioravanti, Arlovski, Fitch, Okami, Leben, Herring, and Anderson Silva. 7-2-1 chalk.
Coleman vs. Lesnar could be interesting.
Audio recap: Luke Thomas w/ Adam Morgan
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 39 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 82 heat-up
By Zach Arnold | March 1, 2008
First, make sure to head on over to MMA Predictions and get your picks in for the event.
Before you do that, however, check out the various preview articles for the event:
- The Los Angeles Times: Anderson Silva is the man to beat in UFC
- Steve Cofield: Anderson Silva’s abilities on another level
- The Canadian Press: Some MMA observers see Dan Henderson as man to bring down Anderson Silva in UFC
- The Washington Post: Anderson Silva’s ‘clone’ not available, so he’ll get Dan Henderson next
- The Canadian Press: Andrei Arlovski returns to the UFC after 11 months on the sidelines
- Larry Vollmer: Andrei Arlovski needs a decisive win at UFC 82
- Bet US: UFC 82 event preview and betting analysis
- The Dayton Daily News (OH): Silva vs. Henderson huge for MMA
- Sportsnet (Canada): UFC 82 picks
- MMA Analyst: UFC 82 Preview & Predictions
- MMA Payout: UFC 82 preview and thoughts on Anderson Silva
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The value of the EXC/CBS deal
By Zach Arnold | February 29, 2008
Pro Elite’s stock price was at $15 USD/share a year ago. It got cut in half, then cut in half again, and went down to $2.95 USD/share.
It jumped up to $7 USD/share by the closing bell Friday afternoon.
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About the Allan Green debacle…
By Zach Arnold | February 29, 2008
Allan Green, who has been pushed constantly on ESPN2’s boxing coverage for what has felt like an eternity, backed out of his scheduled fight tonight in Marksville, Louisiana, against Antwun Echols. There’s word that Green may get suspended for this move.
Echols ended up facing last-minute replacement Mike Walker, a boxer out of the Chicago area who has fought in Indiana. (And to hear the ESPN2 boxing broadcasting team, Indiana can be a prejorative and a state name.) Walker, who was labeled as a rather untested fighter, gave a good fight and fought Echols to a majority draw. The only thing that looked worse than Echol’s performance in the fight was the judge that ruled the fight in Echols’ favor, 98-92.
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Outcome of today’s Zuffa/Couture court hearing (2/28)
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
The judge (Jennifer Togliatti) ruled for further proceedings in terms of discovery (with that hearing set for March 6th). Adam Swift is reporting that the IFL will use the name Team Tompkins instead of Xtreme Couture.
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Thursday night trash talk (2/28/08)
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
- The Canadian Press: UFC celebrates beer sponsorship deal while talking up middleweight matchup
- The Canadian Press: Josh Koscheck doesn’t understand why he’s booed at UFC events
- Darren Rovell (CNBC): This Bud(weiser) is for UFC — wise move?
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A-B links up with UFC
- The San Luis Obispo-Tribune: Chuck Liddell will appear at fundraiser for Supervisor Jerry Lenthall
- Five Ounces of Pain: Eddie Alvarez to fight at DREAM 3/15 Saitama event
- Fightlinker: Ryo Chonan is broke
- MMA Analyst: UFC gains new blue-chip sponsor, doors of opportunity are wide open
- MMA Madness: The strategy of Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson
- Total MMA: Silva, Henderson, then… everybody else?
- Fightmetric: Fightmetric now on Yahoo
- MMA Betting: UFC 82 picks and predictions – who ya bettin on?
- TKO Xtreme: TKO 32 – Ultimate preview
Topics: Canada, DREAM, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
EXC/CBS deal news makes it onto ESPN
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
In fact, the second news item today on Jim Rome is Burning. With Kimbo’s mug right on the television screen.
“There will be blood” was the headline with Kimbo talking about opening up a cut on someone’s skin.
“MMA may have finally hit the mainstream officially.” The entire focus was on Kimbo Slice and no other fighter in EXC. “Now he will be in every living room in America.”
Leland Roling has some concerns. Brandt DeLorenzo does not, however.
Update: ESPN program Around the Horn discussed the CBS deal in their three-person panel segment with J.A. Adande, Jay Mariotti, and Jackie MacMullan. Audio here. Mariotti called the deal “the undoing of the American culture.” “MMA is not getting anything more than 75,000 hits per PPV.” MacMullan was also down on the deal. Adande brought up SNME in the 1980s. Mariotti said CBS may as well air “Grand Theft Auto.”
On Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon discussed the story about “Mixed Martial Arts going network.” Audio here. It was the lead story. Kornheiser did the same Mariotti routine, claiming that “the network of Edward R. Murrow” is airing MMA. “It’s so violent, it’s so brutal,” exclaimed Wilbon. Kornheiser says MMA “tries to be savage.” “They’re not looking for the 45-65 demographic.” Wilbon said about MMA, “They’re going after kids they want to lock into this.” Kornheiser said that boxing not being on free-to-air TV led to the opening for MMA to get onto network TV.
Here is the audio of Sam Caplan talking about the big EXC/CBS deal with John Pollock today.
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Latest happenings in Xyience/Bergeron case
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
Yesterday, we pointed out that Xyience has shifted to a third legal team in their lawsuit against Rich Bergeron. That legal team is trying to, through motions, drag the court case out over a longer period of time. It’s interesting news, given that April 1st is the final date in regards to Xyience’s bankruptcy proceedings for finding the highest bidder.
Throwing another curveball into the case is that judge Tim Williams has recused himself from the Xyience/Bergeron court case. From the Clark County court:
It has come to the Court’s attention, based upon recent filings in this case, that one of Plaintiff’s newly substituted counsel of record is a former client. Although the Court feels it could be fair and decide this matter on the merits, to avoid the appearance of impropriety or appearance of potential bias, this Court hereby recuses itself and, as a result, this matter shall be REASSIGNED at random.
A hearing has been scheduled for March 3rd at 8:30 AM. At the hearing, Xyience’s motion for a time extension will either be granted or denied. The new judge in the case is Elizabeth Halverson.
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UFC-Bud Light press release
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
Here it is. Dave Meltzer has more details. Meltzer also claims that Faber vs. Pulver will happen this summer in Sacramento. Unless they plan on a massive show at Arco Arena, put your money on the venue being the Convention Center (which contains the Memorial Auditorium along with exhibit halls that can be combined for a super-large show space).
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Thursday trash talk (2/28/08)
By Zach Arnold | February 28, 2008
Yeo Jong-Hoon reports that Yoshihiro Akiyama made an appearance on a famous South Korean TV show called “Golden Fisher.” Here is Akiyama singing:
Compustrike was recently at the Strikeforce event at the Tacoma Dome and has all the stats you need from the show.
Onto today’s headlines.
- Cord Weekly (Canada): UFC has no place in Canada – there should be an MMA ban in Canada
- Charles Jay: The IFL – what is real, what is the illusion?
- The Sun: Michael Bisping Q & A – part one
- KSBY 6 Action News: In the cage with Chuck Liddell – part one
- KSBY: In the Cage with Chuck Liddell, Part II
- Kevin Iole: Evan Tanner follows his own path
- The Arkansas Times: State goes easy on Toughman
- ESPN: Josh Koscheck – ‘I learned that you have to be a complete fighter’
- The Sun (UK): Randy Couture wants cross-promotion in MMA
- The Baltimore Sun: Sanctioning proposal set to move forward in Maryland senate
- Press release: Strikeforce shatters live gate records in Washington State
- Setanta Sports (UK): Michael Bisping backs Dan Henderson
- Pramit Mohapatra: Talent and questions mark UFC 82
Topics: IFL, Media, MMA, StrikeForce, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |