Friday fight notes: The return of Akebono
By Zach Arnold | May 17, 2007
Stock ticker: IFL | Art of War | Pro Elite
More talk on the Kermit Cintron/Dana White PR battle.
Words cannot describe how great this article is.
Yomiuri Hochi reports that Akebono will return to HERO’s in July at the promotion’s Yokohama Arena event. He would have supposedly fought on the June 2nd LA Coliseum show, but allegedly couldn’t fight due to the CSAC standards/regulation.
- Fox Sports: Rampage, Iceman meet the press
- The Idaho Mountain Express: Lee Anderson pumped up and no one to fight
- The Columbus Other Paper: Bye-Bye Boxing
- The Coshocton Tribune: Rob Wince ready for ultimate fighting PPV
- Yahoo Sports: Battling begins (Taylor/Spinks fight)
- Yahoo Sports: Kelly Pavlik right on target
- Businesswire (PR): ProElite.com takes on Tapout Magazine and MMA Worldwide as MMA print partners
- Mad Squabbles: Photos from the Washington D.C. MMA event last weekend
- The Sweet Science: IFL 5/19 Sears Centre in Chicago event preview
- Jordan Breen: Shooto’s Best 143-pounders on display
- The Memphis Commercial Appeal: Boxing’s popularity goes in cycles
- MMA Weekly (Lee Whitehead): London calling – rules of engagement
- Sprawl ‘n Brawl: Marijuana culture in MMA
- The Jackson Clarion Ledger (MS): MMA to debut in Vicksburgh at the Convention Center
- The Chicago Tribune: Fighting for piece of spotlight (IFL 5/19 Chicago event talk)
- The Guam Pacific Daily News: Stephen Roberto and Mike Fowler headed for BJJ national championships
- The Oregonian: MMA notebook – ESPN/Sherdog partnership another sign of growth
- The Scotsman (UK): James Mair is the uncivil servant!
- The Newark Advocate (Ohio): Newark fighter Chris Myers could get landmark win against unbeaten opponent Nissen Osterneck
- The Springfield Journal-Register (Illinois): Law may sanction MMA in Illinois
- The Fresno Bee: 4 to fight for MMA ranking at Gladiator Challenge
- The Washington Post: Chuck Liddell chat transcript
- UFC Junkie: “The Irish Hand Grenade” forced to change nickname
- The Guam Pacific Daily News: Team Guam rakes in medals at Pan Asian BJJ and submission grappling tournament
- The Boston Herald (Joe Lauzon): TUF Week 7 – Here’s the real story
Topics: Boxing, HERO's, IFL, Japan, Media, MMA, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 32 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Use IE browser on the site for now
By Zach Arnold | May 17, 2007
Once again, the server-side is having trouble loading the site with Firefox. However, use IE and it should load up fine. This is a recurring problem that I am not thrilled about seeing.
Topics: Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, Episode 7
By Erin | May 17, 2007
Whoa it’s another two fight show. Does that mean we won’t get our weekly dose of Drama? Horrible. Who needs fights when we can watch pig outs and break downs?
Recap of Lauzon destroying Geraghty and Hill vs. Emerson.
Dana gives BJ a talking to because of his team is losing. Which seems kinda odd, I don’t remember any other coach getting straight up told that his team is sucking ass.
How the hell did they get a hold of a hookah and a keg!? The god damn grocery list? What kind of assistants do they have working on this show?
BJ complains that the people that raised their hands were not giving 100% (Roommate Jen: clearly this plan sucked). He then tells Andy to leave. Ummm, I don’t think he has the authority to do this.
Dana gets a call and is not pleased as getting a call to come down to the gym is never a good thing. Dana confirms that BJ doesn’t have the authority to kick anyone out.
Apparently, BJ blames everything on Andy. ‘Cause those other guys who lost had nothing to do with it, right? Jens seems perfectly cool with taking Andy onto his team as do the guys.
Andy for some reason isn’t too pleased. Umm, huh? Dude, you got kicked off BJ’s team, what the hell else are you going to do? Is this the Episode of Stupid Decision Making?
By the way Dana busted out with 25 “fucks†or variations thereof in 2 minutes (yes, I counted). That’s impressive.
This week’s fights: Weems vs. Maynard and Sims vs. Wiman.
Jens says that while Weems came in with pretty much nothing, but has pushed himself into some damn good condition. Â Gray pretty much indicates that he has every advantage over Weems.
Gray Maynard vs. Wayne Weems
Round 1. Maynard comes out fast getting the takedown, going to side mount and pushing Weems up against the fence. Maynard grabs a guillotine and after what seems like forever Weems manages to wiggle out. Unfortunately this just leads to Maynard getting Weems’ back  and smacking the crap out of the sides of Weems’ head. Weems pretty much just lays there until Ref Herb calls the fight.
Winner: Gray Maynard via TKO
Weems says that if Herb had let it go, he’d still be out there fighting. Wayne, covering your head and taking punches isn’t technically fighting.
Marlon continues with his stories and Wiman makes fun of him for it. They still have the keg and hookah. This just seems like a Bad Plan.
“Mildly Attractive†Matt Wiman? I can’t decide whether that’s horrible or fantastic. It’s better than the myriad of generic “dangerous animal†names, though.
Matt Wiman vs. Marlon Sims
Round 1. Wiman comes out gets a good shot to Marlon’s chin, gets his back and sinks in a rear naked choke. Sims refuses to tap out and Big John calls the fight when he passes out.
Winner: Matt Wiman via Rear Naked Choke.
Marlon, while not pleased with the outcome, takes the loss well.
Topics: Erin Bucknell, MMA, UFC | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Fight Opinion Radio #49: The future of MMA
By Zach Arnold | May 17, 2007
No guest this week, as we’re too busy ranting angrily about the latest happenings in MMA. Will 2007 be known as the year that all of UFC’s major competition folds (PRIDE, IFL, etc.)? Plus, the latest PR blunders featuring UFC President Dana White. What has us stoked up and brimming with dripping sarcasm now? Listen to this week’s show and find out. This week’s show is brought to you by Monster Wrestling Rings and Kakuto Store.
The 49th edition of Fight Opinion Radio is now online and available to download. Here are your options for listening to the show:
Broadband (MP3) | Dial-up/Streaming
Or you can use the great flash player to listen to it streaming (without having to use an external program). Check it out (down below).
[audio:http://www.fightopinion.com/podcasts/foradio-5-17-2007.mp3]Podcasting: Use http://feeds.feedburner.com/fightopinionradio. This link should work for all RSS programs and podcatching programs. You’ll never miss another show again.
If you have iTunes, do the following:
- In your iTunes program, go to Advanced. Then choose the Subscribe to Podcast option.
- Type in http://feeds.feedburner.com/fightopinionradio.
- The newest edition of Fight Opinion Radio will be automatically downloaded and future editions of FOR will download for you as well, hassle-free.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Boxing, Erin Bucknell, Fight Opinion Radio, IFL, Japan, Jeff Thaler, Media, MMA, podcasts, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Thursday trash talk: Which sport is more fan friendly – the NBA or UFC?
By Zach Arnold | May 16, 2007
The IFL stock price is declining.
On Wednesday night, I was in an irritable mood during the tapings of our latest edition of Fight Opinion Radio. However, I work with talented (nice) professionals like Jeff Thaler and Erin Bucknell who tolerate me every single week. For that, I thank them.
With that stated, after my angry mood (much of it directed toward Dana White’s recent public behavior) on the radio taping, I ended up listening to an interview that NBA commissioner David Stern did with ESPN Radio’s Dan Patrick. Audio here. Trust me – I have never reached a level displaying this much antagonistic, condescending acrimony as displayed by Stern here. Maybe I should aspire to reach such new levels.
To keep this on-topic with an MMA theme, which sports boss do you think is more fan-friendly — Dana White (UFC) or David Stern (NBA)? I want to hear your responses in the comments section of the post.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: BoDog, HERO's, IFL, K-1, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 24 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Wednesday notes: Where has your PRIDE gone?
By Zach Arnold | May 16, 2007
It’s now Day 51 since the March 27th Roppongi Hills Arena press conference where UFC and DSE did a handshake agreement to buy the PRIDE assets.
ESPN Page 2’s Bill Simmons w/ Adam Carolla, discussing ‘elitist’ boxing fans (audio here – start listening at the 8 minute mark). They also talk about UFC and MMA juxtaposed to boxing.
IFL rappers. All eyes on the IFL stock.
Very interesting World Freefight Challenge 3 card in Slovenia this weekend. Look at who’s listed – Mikko Rupponen. Excellent.
Onto today’s headlines.
- The Utica Observer-Dispatch (New York): Going to the Next Level – growing sport of MMA comes to area
- MMA Weekly: WEC Fighter Salaries
- The News & Observer (North Carolina): Fighting to fight in NC – MMA fighter trying to get home state to lift ban on sport
- The Republican (MA): Ludlow heaps honor on world-class fighter Gabriel Gonzaga
- Boxing Scene: Will Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright make a noise?
- The Marietta Times (Ohio): Washington County Fairgrounds hosts “Throw Down at the Fairgrounds II Cage Fight” this Saturday
- The Chicago Tribune: State may approve MMA – general assembly OKs bill to make sport legal in Illinois
Topics: Boxing, IFL, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, WEC, Zach Arnold | 13 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
IFL 2007 First Quarter report
By Zach Arnold | May 15, 2007
By Zach Arnold
The numbers are in on the IFL’s 2007 First Quarter report and the verdict is not good. The IFL’s first quarter saw the company have a net loss of $7 million USD. They claimed $1.6 million USD in revenues, but the cost to obtain that revenue was $6.4 million USD – $5.6 million USD of it alone for live event costs. In short, the house shows (and the way they are poorly promoting events) are killing the company and the IFL is bleeding cash very quickly. The quarterly report states that the IFL has $9.2 million USD left in cash and cash equivalents. Also, IFL Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ehrlich announced his resignation (effective June 30th).
The IFL stock price closed at $3.00 USD/share on Tuesday afternoon. I don’t expect it to stay at $3.00/share. Just based on the 10k report and today’s filing, the IFL has had a net loss of $16.6 million USD since the promotion started in 2006. Related post at Sprawl ‘n Brawl.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: IFL, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Evening news update: UFC 71 coverage heats up
By Zach Arnold | May 15, 2007
The MMA World League web site is going to stream the Gracie Fighting Championship event (on May 19th from Ohio). Wallid Ismail is building up this web site pretty fast and is doing a good job with it. Let me know if you watch any of the events streamed on that site and what the quality is.
An intriguing article in The Columbia Missourian, talking about how the Missouri State House attached an amendment about ‘midwifery’ and licensing private investigators in order to stall a bill that would regulate MMA.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Boxing, Canada, HERO's, IFL, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Rampage signs new sponsorship deal
By Zach Arnold | May 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OSIRIS GETS IN THE CAGE WITH UFC FIGHTER, RAMPAGE, FOR NEW SHOE
SAN DIEGO, CA, May 14, 2007 – San Diego-based skate/surf lifestyle brand, Osiris (www.osirisshoes.com), has recently signed a deal with Ultimate Fighter, Quinton “Rampage†Jackson, to create a special edition “Rampage†shoe.
Rampage, currently the #1 contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, is one of the most exciting and charismatic fighters in the sport. He has fought in both PRIDE and UFC bouts, amassing a career record of 26-6. He is slated to fight Chuck Liddell for the title at UFC 71, on May 26, 2007. This is one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history, as Rampage is the last person to defeat Liddell, the current UFC Lightweight Heavyweight Champion- doing so in definitive fashion, by scoring a T.K.O., in 2003.
The Osiris/Rampage relationship was made possible through Triumph United (www.triumphunited.com). Triumph United, an industry leader in the mixed martial arts world, producing fight gear and apparel, is responsible for introducing Rampage to Osiris. Triumph United lends their expertise of the M.M.A. world to Osiris for their Rampage shoe.
“We are very excited to see the bridge between action sports and MMA complete now. Rampage is very stoked to be working with such a great company,” said Hans Molenkamp, President of Triumph United. “It only makes sense that Rampage would join forces with a progressive company like Osiris. His fighting style emulates everything they do as a shoe company- Dynamic, Powerful, and Revolutionary.”
“Good ideas usually come from thinking outside the box, but in this case, great ideas have come from thinking inside the cage,†said Osiris Creative Creative Officer and Head Footwear Designer, Brian Reid. “Rampage is a great addition to our team and his shoe will help to strengthen the bond between action sports companies, like Osiris, and mixed martial arts.â€
Rampage, a fighter who never seems to be at a loss for words, has an innovative use for his new shoe with Osiris: “Now you can put foot to backside, just like me,†said Rampage.
About Osiris
Osiris is performance and style driven by creativity. Founded in 1996, Osiris is known for its’ innovative products such as the G Bag and the best selling skate shoe of all time. The company produces, markets, and distributes skate and lifestyle shoes, apparel, and accessories. Osiris’ team umbrella has expanded steadily beyond their roots in skateboarding and includes surf, skate, and moto x teams. Based in San Diego, CA; Osiris is sold in 45 countries worldwide.
Media Contacts for Osiris:
Guy Jordan
American Rebel PR
T: (310) 656-5020
[email protected]
Mike Fitzgerald
Osiris Shoes
T: (858) 874-4970
[email protected]
Topics: Media, MMA, Press Releases, UFC | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Tuesday media talk: Tim Allen in MMA movie
By Zach Arnold | May 14, 2007
How should fans react to the fact that Tim Allen will be the lead star in Sony’s new MMA movie Redbelt?
Onto today’s headlines.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: IFL, Japan, Media, MMA, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 21 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Monday notes: Drug testing at UFC 72
By Zach Arnold | May 14, 2007
Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio celebrated the ESPN/Sherdog tie-up on his show today. Audio clip here (start around the 8 minute mark).
Results from our last site poll question: Do you care about ethical business dealings in MMA?
Yes – 77%
No – 23%
New poll question added to the right side of the page.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: BoDog, Boxing, HERO's, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Pro Elite, UFC, Zach Arnold | 13 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Sunday papers: Fernando Vargas promoting MMA
By Zach Arnold | May 13, 2007
Dan Le Batard mentions Kimbo Slice in his NFL football column today for the Miami Herald newspaper:
Have you seen the Internet fury of a Liberty City man known as Kimbo? He is a huge bare-knuckle fighter, bearded and bald and shirtless, who has been knocking fools out in street fights on shaky video cameras and developing a mythical following with his quiet rage. A lot of rabid football players have some Kimbo in them. And we cheer that part of them when we aren’t disgusted by it.
The Ventura County Star reports that Fernando Vargas is getting into the MMA business:
As he works toward his farewell bout the meeting with Ricardo Mayorga tentatively set for Sept. 8 at a Los Angeles venue to be determined the 29-year-old from La Colonia is increasingly a diversified one-man corporation.
He won’t just be the headliner on the September fight card. He’ll also be the promoter.
He won’t just be a boxing promoter, but will also handle Ultimate Fighting Championship events.
His boxing and UFC cards won’t just feature fights, but also musical acts from rappers to ranchero singers under the umbrella of Vargas Entertainment Promotions.
Regarding any updates on the PRIDE asset sale situation… I’ve talked to many people in the business and no one has any idea what is going on. One prominent fighter was supposedly told that a deal between UFC & DSE would be in place by next week, but other than that story nothing else is known. This Miruhon report (in Japanese) claims that if a deal takes place that it will take two weeks to register with the legal affair bureau. Kakutolog notes the complete lack of information in Japan regarding the PRIDE asset sale.
Onto today’s headlines.
- The Washington Post: At the Armory, family-friendly fisticuffs (D.C. MMA debut draws 2,100 paid, and the author likes the word ‘cleavage’)
- The Washington Post: Fabiano Capoani makes quick work of Homer Moore at D.C. Armory
- NBC Sports: Captain America to the rescue
- The Houston Chronicle: GSP-Koscheck to square off at UFC 74
- Sprawl ‘n Brawl: Will Fertittas end up backing out of PRIDE deal?
- Yahoo Sports: WEC 5/12 Las Vegas event results
- The Chicago Sun Times: Taking responsibility – Bonnar owns up to steroid mistake, looks forward to UFC return
- The Fightworks Podcast: Show #67 – Canadian grappling scene, Royce Gracie, and Carlos Valente
- Fight Report: UFC 4 Remembered
- The Houston Chronicle: Jon Fitch ‘irritated’ division’s elite keep ducking him (w/ audio interview)
- The Waterloo Courier (Iowa): Sunday scrum: Is UFC overtaking boxing in popularity? Yes
- The Waterloo Courier (Iowa): Sunday scrum: Is UFC overtaking boxing in popularity? No
- UFC Junkie: A trip to Team Jorge Gurgel
- Yahoo Sports: Mayhem Miller – Worth the price of admission
- Lay and Pray: Kimbo Slice/Ray Mercer press conference
- MMA California: Cage Combat FC event results
Topics: Boxing, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, WEC, Zach Arnold | 12 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Saturday notes: Update on Fishman-DSE lawsuit
By Zach Arnold | May 11, 2007
By Zach Arnold
The MMA World League web site is offering two Internet PPV shows that will be streaming today.
Gryphon notes some financial trouble for Samurai TV, the 24/7 Japanese fight channel that airs on SkyPerfecTV. Here is the quick data (from Gryphon’s Japanese post NHB News) if you care for the particulars and can read Japanese.
Quick update on the Fishman Companies vs. DSE Inc. lawsuit: On Wednesday, Fishman Companies filed a joint case conference report to the court (judge Timothy Williams presiding), and on Thursday the lead attorney for Fishman Companies filed a notice of taking depositions (3 pages in length). The date listed/scheduled for performing the action is for Wednesday, May 30th. The hearing for DSE Inc.’s motion to dismiss the case (or for a summary judgment) was originally scheduled for May 17th, but it has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 31st (due to a request made by the attorney for DSE Inc.)
What the news means: My opinion — barring a settlement between Fishman Companies and DSE Inc., witness depositions are scheduled to take place by the end of the month (whether the PRIDE assets are sold or not by DSE).
Onto today’s headlines.
2ch has picked up the Frank Trigg post here on this site, and what’s intriguing about the pick-up is the response from Japanese fans on that thread (start at post #655). They are on the same wavelength as their American counterparts in regards to the hiccups in the PRIDE asset sale deal. Hint: They’re talking about the Fertitta’s casino license.
- The Washington Times: Combat sports heat up in the DC area
- Yahoo Sports: (Doug) Marshall plan
- MMA HQ: New GSP interview
- MMA on Tap: WEC 27 weigh-in results
- CBS Sportsline: Chuck Liddell is not amused
- Yahoo Sports: MMA notes – Liddell knocks Ortiz
- The Hamilton Spectator (Canada): Meet Samir “The Sandman” Seif
- The Washington Post: Ron Foster, MMA ready for D.C. debuts
- Sherdog: Art of War II event on Friday in Austin, TX. draws 2,854 fans
- The Oregonian: MMA notebook – Mayhem Miller is as wild as ever on eve of debut
- The Killeen Daily Herald (Texas): Jorge Gurgel making Xyience sponsor appearance on Saturday
- The Pueblo Chieftain Online (Colorado): De La Hoya sells Big Bear estate to Tito Ortiz
- The Wilmington News Journal (Delaware): Boxing trainer Leon Tebbs signs deal to be a cutman in UFC
Topics: Canada, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, WEC, Zach Arnold | 13 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |