BodogFight 4/13 Russia event results
By Zach Arnold | April 14, 2007
Results here from Sherdog. Fight Report show review here. Also, Bodogbeat review here as well. Post your show thoughts in the comments section.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: BoDog, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 34 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE 5/20 Saitama show postponed
By Zach Arnold | April 14, 2007
Dream Stage Entertainment issued a press release stating that Lorenzo Fertitta has asked for the PRIDE 5/20 Saitama Super Arena event (the promotion’s Lightweight GP tournament – first round) to be postponed. “There is not enough time for production and promotion.”
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 23 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Evening headlines: Focus on Fedor
By Zach Arnold | April 13, 2007
The writer who was hounding Xyience & UFC online is apparently back.
One question I would like to get your answer on: If Bodog is in fact taking bets on their own BodogFight show, are you comfortable or uncomfortable with this taking place?
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: BoDog, Canada, IFL, Media, MMA, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 21 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Fight Opinion Radio #45: The funeral of PRIDE
By Zach Arnold | April 13, 2007
Jonathan Goulet & Caleb of The Fightworks Podcast join us on this week’s edition of Fight Opinion Radio. Check out Jonathan’s site and find out how you can sponsor him for future fights.
We have a big two-hour radio show in store for you this week, as we discuss all of the major MMA happenings over the past two weeks. UFC 69 discussion, The Ultimate Fighter: Season 5 discussion, and of course our tribute to the funeral that was the PRIDE 34 show. We look at how and why PRIDE fell apart plus we look at people in the ‘MMA media’ who didn’t do their jobs in covering what was the biggest scandal/implosion in the history of MMA.
This week’s show is brought to you by Monster Wrestling Rings and Kakuto Store.
Add us as your MySpace friend.
Potential sponsors (web sites, fighters, teams, companies) – if you want to have ads on our show (paid or barter), e-mail us immediately. Use the e-mail also if you Want to write guest op-eds for the site.
Comments off
Podcasting Links
- iTunes subscribers – click here.
- Yahoo Podcast subscribers – click here.
- Podcast Alley subscribers – click here.
The 45th 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
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Canada, Erin Bucknell, Fight Opinion Radio, IFL, Japan, Jeff Thaler, Luke Nicholson, Media, MMA, podcasts, PRIDE, UFC, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The Zoo in Tunica
By Zach Arnold | April 13, 2007
By Zach Arnold
Tonight at Fitzgerald’s Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, boxer Zab Judah made his comeback after a year-long suspension. He faced Ruben Galvan, who was all but called a jobber in this tune-up fight. Originally, this fight was supposed to take place outdoors but had to be moved inside to an indoor facility due to lightning (bad weather).
Judah was using this tune-up fight to build up to a future fight against Miguel Cotto, who happened to be with Brian Kenny in the ESPN2 studios in Bristol, Connecticut (ESPN2 aired the Judah fight live).
Within a minute into the action of their fight, Judah clearly was having his way with Galvan. He delivered a flurry of punches. During this flurry, however, Galvan got a cut on the left side of his forehead and the blood would not stop flowing. Galvan and his corner immediately argued to the referee during the doctor stoppage timeout that it was caused by a headbutt. The referee waived off the fight and representatives from the MS Athletic Commission started debated on how to rule the outcome of the fight. Because the fight didn’t go four rounds, any sort of inconclusive stoppage would be ruled a no contest.
During the debate as to how to rule the finish of the fight, ESPN2 aired multiple replays of the finishing sequence. Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas tried to figure out what caused the cut on Galvan. Their conclusion was that it was likely a punch that caused the cut, but the commission did not approach Atlas or Tessitore to see replays on camera. Tessitore used this period of time to bring up the proposal by Nick Lembo and the NJACB (New Jersey Athletic Control Board) to use instant replay in the state of New Jersey for all MMA & boxing fights. Tessitore mentioned, however, that under that replay proposal, the commission would only have 60 seconds to review the spot being challenged. The spot in the Judah/Galvan fight took several minutes of replay viewing and still, the commentators couldn’t up with a conclusive decision.
Making the scene an even bigger zoo (as usual with Judah fights) was the amount of handlers in the ring. It was excessive. Adding more intrigue was the fact that Zab Judah had one Adam “Pacman” Jones in the ring after the fight was stopped. This was Pacman’s first public appearance since being suspended by the National Football League for one full season due to disciplinary measures in response to off-the-field incidents.
After the fight, Brian Kenny moderated an interview between Cotto and Judah on TV to hype up their fight at Madison Square Garden on June 9th. Judah claimed that he had more Latino fans than Cotto.
Links
The Memphis Commercial Appeal: Judah’s comeback bout declared no contest
Boxing Scene: Judah, Cotto Exchange Post-Fight Words
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Friday update: Heat-up for Lindland vs. Fedor
By Zach Arnold | April 12, 2007
Pawel Nastula is training with Mirko Cro Cop.
Satoru Kitaoka submitted Fabricio “Pitbull” Monteiro at today’s DEEP Korakuen Hall event to earn a spot in the PRIDE Lightweight GP tournament (starting on 5/20 at Saitama Super Arena). Also at the DEEP event, Murilo Bustamante defeated Ryuta Sakurai by KO in 3’50 of R1. On the undercard, Joe Doerksen defeated Kim Dae Won in R1 at the 3’35 mark with a triangle choke.
Ohio event promoter Corey Fischer is promoting Cliff “Twin Tyson” Couser for an upcoming MMA event. Couser fought in the past for K-1. If you recognize the name Corey Fischer, it’s because he used to be associated with Toughman boss Art Dore. Fischer also was named by an Ohio Athletic Commission watchdog group a few years ago for using professional fighters in amateur Toughman events (including MMA fighter Forrest Petz).
Onto today’s headlines.
- UFC Mania: Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation not releasing UFC 69 salary information
- The Canadian Press: Matt Lindland faces hard-hitting Fedor in Bodog’s Clash of the Nations
- Gambling 911: Is the Bodog.com web site taking bets for fights on the BodogFight Russia show?
- Fox Sports: Lindland ready for big challenge
- The Boston Herald: Joe Lauzon talks about Week 2 of The Ultimate Fighter
- The St. Petersburg Times: Monstah Lobstah enjoying time in limelight
- The LA Times: Bob Arum ‘will copy UFC telecast’ format for Saturday boxing show
- The Chambersburg Public Opinion: Mike Felix will enter Indiana swinging
- The Sonoma Index Tribune (California): Sonoma alum Joe Abouata in Gladiator Challenge this Saturday
- The Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi): Caged and enraged, ‘Blood and Sand’ at MS Coast Coliseum this Saturday
- The Colorado Springs Gazette: IFL, wrestling ally
- The Wilmington News Journal (Delaware): Former Delawarean Din Thomas mixes hip-hop style with a mean right cross
- Fight Report: The Clock is ticking for Larry Merchant
- Locust Star: BodogFight – did Calvin Ayre make a huge mistake?
- CBS Sportsline: Interview with Brock Lesnar
Topics: BoDog, Boxing, IFL, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, Zach Arnold | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, Episode 2
By Erin | April 12, 2007
I discovered that the reason I automatically like Jens is because he reminds me of pro wrestler Spike Dudley, who’s just awesome. Small, wiry, and kinda dirty looking (this is not an insult by the way), it works.
Cole is so happy after his first fight that he practically sobbing. I can hear my ex-roommate Janel yelling at him from here.
Team Jens creates a belt to hand around to whoever won the last fight. That’s kinda cute.
Allen comes back to the house and announces that the losers don’t have to hang out in Sequesterville and get to stick around for the remainder of the show. Matt’s not cool with this as he doesn’t want guys who have nothing to lose distracting him.
Its massage day and Gabe feels the need to tell everyone why he dislikes Matt, who of course takes exception to this.
BJ decides to play the Criminal Mastermind by orchestrating a ploy to have Robert write a “fuck†laden letter to Corey. This is just kinda silly and I really hope Team Jens isn’t that easily duped. Thankfully Manny chooses Noah, and my love for Team Jens grows.
The boys try to get some chicks (who happen to be on horseback) to come hang out at the house and it actually works until one of the horses freaks out on the concrete. The boys come out to help the poor horse back up to its feet and Rob warns the guys to be carefully of the “gnarly thai kicks†of the horse. I officially declare this the weirdest moment to ever happen on TUF.
Gabe and Matt keep talking shit to each other to the point where the rest of Team BJ feels that they have to tell Penn about this. BJ tries to get the guys to sit down and chat about it, but they can’t even be around each other enough to do that. BJ is ready to kick them both out of practice.
Manny talks about his childhood and how he has the same fighting style as his training partner/cousin Karo Parisyan.
Official Weigh-Ins
Noah eats a sandwich during his weigh-in and comes in at 154.5. Manny weighs in at 156.
The guys decide it will be fun to hurl spears at each other, but thankfully they test it out with a ball first. Which is good as one of the guys takes a shot right to the nuts.
Emerson has some fun writing random insults on the walls of the house. Nathan takes this personally, gets pissed and starts calling people out. He throws off his shirt in preparation for a brawl, though I was hoping for some shoe flinging in the style of his brother.
Rob apologizes but both Nathan and Brandon are still pissed. Manny gets pissed just as Nathan is cooling off. Gabe describes it like a relay race with one guys handing off to the other. Rob crosses off his insults and adds smiley faces. I think everyone needs a hug and hot chocolate.
Manny Gamburyan vs. Noah Thomas
Manny gets a good shot to Noah’s jaw early and goes in for a takedown. Noah grabs a guillotine as Manny comes in, but Manny manages to get him down anyway. Manny gets to side mount and drops some elbows. Noah is trying to tie up Manny’s right arm between his legs. Manny grabs Noah’s left arm and locks in a kimura. Noah taps out.
Winner: Manny Gamburyan via kimura.
Next show: The Team BJ coaches get annoyed with their fighters, Gabe gets a colonic, Jeremy Horn shows up as a special coach for Team Jens and Corey is overly aggressive as usual.
Topics: Erin Bucknell, MMA, UFC | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Link dump: More coverage of Nick Diaz
By Zach Arnold | April 12, 2007
From Denis Martins:
Jacare collides with Jeremy Jackson at Gracie FC
World BJJ and ADCC champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will be facing UFC veteran Jeremy “The Scorpion” Jackson at Gracie FC: “Evolution” on May 19th. Jackson, a veteran of UFC and WEC events, has a 9-5 resume and the chance to redeem himself from his last fight loss. However, Jacare does not want to be bit by the Scorpion. Since skipping training for ADCC 2007, Jacare’s focus is on MMA and trainings to beat Jackson in their upcoming fight. Stay tuned for the upcoming GFC announcements and the upcoming “Evolution” show on May 19th at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Today’s headlines.
- The Whit Online (Rowan University): MMA and wrestling on verge of competition
- Mad Squabbles: Keith Kizer on the Nick Diaz marijuana suspension
- The UNLV Rebel Yell: Something about Diaz
- KSL TV (Salt Lake City): Brandon Melendez star in reality TV show TUF
- All Africa: Cameroon’s Sokoudjou excels in martial arts in the US
- The Hartford Courant: IFL combines many martial arts
- The Herald Community Newspaper: Matt Serra battling to a title
Topics: IFL, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Link-o-rama: A lot of MMA audio clips
By Zach Arnold | April 11, 2007
My latest article at MMA Insight discusses the natural comparisons between the last episode of WCW Nitro and the PRIDE 34 show. Much like Dana White has told PRIDE fighters, Vince McMahon made a lot of promises to WCW wrestlers after he bought that company out. We know how well that turned out.
Speaking of MMA Madness, here is audio from three writers of that web site discussing the latest news in MMA.
- Radio: MMA Smackdown #18 w/ Royal Burnell
- China Combat: ShuaiJiao.tv
- Mad Squabbles: Legal set-ups (more on the Nick Diaz/NSAC story)
- The Rochester Post-Bulletin: Travis Wiuff says merger is good news (he claims that UFC has to honor his contract)
- The New York Post: Q & A with Joe Rogan
- UFC Mania: Sports Illustrated – A day in the life of Chuck Liddell
- Black Athlete: Discussion with Mo Smith and his IFL Tiger Sharks
- Webwire (PR): Art of War II 5/11 Austin, TX. card announced (Wes Sims vs. Chris Guillen and Freddie Espiricueta vs. David Loiseau)
- PR Newswire: Bluff Media to launch new MMA magazine, FIGHT!
- Radio: Eddie Goldman interviews Kevin Jackson
- MMA Game: What is considered “a great fight” in MMA?
Topics: IFL, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Uncertain futures for PRIDE fighters
By Zach Arnold | April 10, 2007
Nikkan Sports has a headline grabber today, claiming that Hidehiko Yoshida will fight at 205 pounds in the future (for a run at the UFC Light Heavyweight division). The article claims that Yoshida’s 5/20 Saitama Super Arena fight will be preparation for him fighting in UFC later this Summer.
Daily Sports has an article claiming that Josh Barnett may work for the IGF 6/29 Ryogoku debut show. From what I have been told directly, Barnett’s status right now as a fighter is in limbo. He is waiting for any and all offers. He has not been contacted by Zuffa in relation to the ‘new’ PRIDE.
In the other category…
Hollywood Tadao Yasuda is expected to compete in Antonio Inoki’s new IGF (Inoki Genome Federation) promotion. Their first show is on June 29th at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Yomiuri Hochi published an article discussing the possibility of disgraced Judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama “getting a second chance” thanks to an appeal by Antonio Inoki.
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, Pro-Wrestling, UFC, Zach Arnold | 27 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Nick Diaz suspended 6 months by NSAC
By Zach Arnold | April 10, 2007
Sidenote: Latest CSAC drug suspensions.
Fighter Nick Diaz, following his defeat of Takanori Gomi on the February 24, 2007 Pride event in Las Vegas, Nevada, also tested positive for Delta-9-THC. The commission suspended Diaz for 6 months from the date of his fight, which would be August 24, 2007 and fined him $3,000, which was 20 percent of his reported $15,000 purse.
Though Diaz’ disciplinary suspension will last six months, Diaz was already serving a six-month NSAC medical suspension due to a broken orbital bone suffered in the Gomi fight.
In addition to the suspension and fine, the NSAC also ruled that the result of the Diaz vs. Gomi contest be changed from a victory for Diaz to a result of no contest.
Personally, I’m going to look at it like the latter. Diaz, even when stoned, is one of the best MMA fighters in the game today. But come on Nick, no one really believes this was a “one-time†thing, so please don’t try to play it off in that way. That excuse just doesn’t fly for you, for Diego Sanchez, or any other fighter. MMA is hitting the mainstream now, and all fighters need to take the initiative and realize the results of their actions before they do them.
I’ve tackled this issue before, but please read what I wrote it if you haven’t yet. What the NSAC is doing is absolutely shameful. They are testing for a drug with no demonstrable performance effects and they are establishing “intoxication” with a test that definitively does not prove intoxication.
Topics: Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 17 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Open mailbag
By Zach Arnold | April 10, 2007
We’ll be taping a new edition of FO Radio soon. You can guess on what topics we’ll be covering. With that stated, we want to field your questions on the show. Either leave a question in the comments section or e-mail us your question.
Topics: Fight Opinion Radio, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 9 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Tuesday headlines: Encountering troublemakers
By Zach Arnold | April 9, 2007
Yomiuri Online has a story getting national attention in the Japanese media. The story details a new relationship established between the JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police department to try to keep the boryokudan (yakuza) out of the sport of Japanese boxing. An estimated 300 boxing gyms will be part of an educational course process to learn how to fight off the yakuza from infiltrating the business. The hope by the JBC is to encourage an environment at boxing shows for children and women to attend.
This story comes on the heels of a campaign in late 2006 with the Japan Sumo Association working with Tokyo Metropolitan Police to talk to Sumo wrestlers, managers, and stables on how to keep the yakuza out of their business (this was before the January tournament series at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo).
IFL Battleground
Post your thoughts on the show in the comments section. I enjoyed watching Matt Lindland fight last night. He’s a likeable character and a very interesting fighter. He’s an excellent fighter to build a top event program around.
Stock exchange
Over at The Underground Forum, there is a link to an SEC filing for Pro Elite Inc.’s reverse stock merger with Real Sports Inc. This is the end result.
Today’s media headlines.
- The Daily O’Collegian (Oklahoma State University): OSU graduate Crag Cobb overcomes injuries to cage fight
- The Albuquerque Tribune: No more perfect career for Diego Sanchez
- Sherdog: Phil Baroni arrested in Miami, out on bond
- The St. Petersburg Times: Cage offers a new release (story on Corey Hill)
- NSAC: Medical suspensions coming out of 4/5 Las Vegas UFC event
- The Daily Reveille (LSU): UFC rising among nation’s sports
- The Baltimore Sun: Who will be TUF 5’s Sanjaya Malakar?
- Jake Rossen: Trading places (UFC and PRIDE)
- The Chronicle Herald (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Jason Mackay’s ECC win will stand
- The Fight Network: Mark Hominick will face Urijah Faber in WEC this June
- Thomas Hauser: New York state athletic commission considering legislation to legalize MMA in the state
Topics: Boxing, Canada, Japan, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, Zach Arnold | 16 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |