Interview with Sam Stout
By Stephan | July 11, 2006
A short and interesting interview, post defeat for Sam. He has the right attitude and is learning from his defeat, hopefully he will progress from there.
Meanwhile it has been reported that Kenny Florian turned down a title fight against Sherk at UFC 62 (August 26). It used to be nobody would turn down the chance of going after a title shot. Is KenFlo being smart by picking his fights? Nate Quarry did not hesitate for a shot at Franklin. The problem is Dana may not be too impressed at a fighter that turns down a title fight, I know you can hear him too saying “Dont you want to be a f*** fighter?!”. Will he get a chance again? Who knows…only time will tell.
Now the question is who will fight Sherk? Would BJ Penn go down to that class again? Or is it been-there-done-that? Perhaps Fisher? Pulver?!
Topics: Canada, MMA, Stephan Marceau, UFC | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Shukan Playboy: The bubble is bursting
By Zach Arnold | July 11, 2006
By Zach Arnold
This week’s edition of Shukan Playboy has a four-page spread titled who killed martial art movement? in English next to Japanese text asking what killed the Japanese kakutougi (MMA) boom. It’s a fairly complete article in terms of writing, with numerous sportswriters being quoted and all the facts being accurate. The main theme of the article is that more and more people in the Japanese fight business are calculating that Japan is no longer going to be the primary market for fighting, and that business is quickly shifting to America. There are some interesting viewpoints in the article that should be read closely.
The Shukan Playboy article addresses Fuji TV’s cancelation of PRIDE and the K-1/Bob Sapp fiasco as the two big events that have lead to the current climate in Japan. There’s a discussion about how there has been an MMA boom in Japan for the last 10 years, and that the bubble is finally bursting. Questions in the article are raised about obtaining sponsors now that Fuji TV got rid of PRIDE (due to scandal), even though the PRIDE 7/1 Saitama show drew a claimed 44,606. A sportswriter is quoted on how the role of TV has impacted sports such as kickboxing and what it ultimately means for PRIDE.
The article shifts to the image of PRIDE being damaged. Tarzan Yamamoto is asked about the roots of the kakutougi (MMA) boom, and he notes that the shift from pro-wrestling to MMA occured because MMA became a big business with big contents (fights) to produce for TV. Yamamoto said that MMA made pro-wrestling into a “small business.” A Sankei Sports writer (who is generally favorable to K-1 and PRIDE) was also quoted. The article states that MMA was able to develop big Japanese stars (while pro-wrestling in Japan didn’t do so). One example brought up is Masato, the ace of K-1 World MAX, and how he has brought in tons of new female fans.
The article shifts to the Bob Sapp/Holland debacle and how the big war between the two major powers (PRIDE & K-1) has raised the stakes. The issue of fight money is brought up, and a sportswriter mentions the names of big gaijins from the past such as Andy Hug, Peter Aerts, and Mike Bernardo of guys who were stars and elevated the business.
The article closes out talking about just why the bubble is bursting for MMA in Japan, discussing the role of both promoters and TV networks in the industry. “Kameda fever,” as in support of the brash Kameda boxing brothers, is listed as a big concern for those in the Japanese MMA industry. The last few paragraphs are spent talking about PRIDE trying to shift their business in America, as UFC is currently the dominant power and that business has increased significantly in America — especially on PPV. The Japanese viewpoint is that things are declining steadily in Japan, while the money is shifting to America and that the calculated move to adjust to the business climate must be made.
For Japanese MMA fans, the article does read as a cautionary tale of things to come. It is a good article aimed for a mainstream audience that may or may not know anything about the fight industry other than what they’ve seen on free TV in the past.
Update: There are some people online who are trying to use this article translation as if I am the one who is personally making a declaration that the business is dying in Japan. I am not making that declaration personally, but the author of the article did. Some valid points were raised in the article, and it is not an invalid claim to make that the MMA industry is picking up steam in America while it is starting to show some declining signs in Japan.
Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Boston Globe article on UFC
By Zach Arnold | July 11, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Update: Jeff Thaler responds.
Ron Borges, one of the more famous mainstream media boxing writers, attended the UFC 61 show and filed a report in the Boston Globe newspaper. (A second article by Borges can be found here.)
For those who have been frustrated about the way the media covers the “transformation” of UFC from it’s SEG-owned days to today’s administration, expect to be highly frustrated again after reading the article.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Being dealt a bad hand
By Zach Arnold | July 10, 2006
There are wire reports today that state that American legislators are going to attempt to stop the flow of money to offshore companies that provide online gambling services to American citizens. The LA Times reports has more on this story.
If such legislation is passed, it would deal a blow to people who are involved in online gambling (such as placing bets on sportings events — like MMA fights, along with online poker players).
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE vs. UFC heading toward all-out war
By Stephan | July 10, 2006
I didn’t make this title up, this comes from this article on the PRIDE web site.
Well, if you missed Saturday’s UFC, the big news, Wanderlei Silva is to fight Chuck Liddell! Apparently Chuck has been asking for this matchup.
So, I wasn’t exactly sure why Wanderlei Silva was wearing a Pride shirt. I didnt hear through the screaming whether he was joining the UFC. In fact, this is a one time event. Wow, this is so exciting! Next, lets bring Fedor to clean up that boring Heavyweight division. There are many more dream matches possible!
This is a great development in between Pride and UFC (Couture had wanted this too), and it sounds like it may happen more in the future.
Imo this could be embarrassing for the UFC. The difference between talent (and pay) could be displayed. I really like both organization, but believe Pride has greater fighters specially in the two higher divisions. No sure? watch Rampage vs Liddell, or Wanderlei Silva vs Arona, or many of the great Pride fights. Liddell better work on his cardio and takedown defense (without using the fence).
Here’s the full translation of the Pride Release (thanks to Bush Hog in the UG):
Powder keg Situation at UFC with Silva and Chuck Liddell! Fujita to Participate in the November UFC?
The undisputed Pride middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva, made an appearance at the UFC, which took place July 8th in the US! Why did Silva step inside the octagon of the UFC, the largest MMA event in the US and competitor of Pride? (subtitle text)A big surprise that would suddenly rock the MMA world occurred after the Ken Shamrock & Tito Ortiz match. The man that the UFC’s Dana White beckoned to the Octagon with the words, “I’d like to introduce a friend of mine” was none other than the reigning undisputed Pride middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva. The entire stadium erupted in loud cheers as Silva unexpectedly entered the octagon.
Silva took the mike and said to UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, who had been saying for some time that he wants to fight Wanderlei, “Fighting is my job. I want to fight the best match. That is why I have come here. I want to accept the fight with Chuck. Chuck come out here!”, emphasizing his readiness to accept Chuck’s challenge. Liddell himself came into the octagon and the two faced off in an intense staredown.
Then Dana White stated “If Chuck beats Babalu at UFC 62, these two champions will fight at the UFC in November”.
At this announcement, it’s a sure thing the two fighters’ camps will begin moving toward making this fight happen. The first clash in history between Pride’s current champ and UFC’s current champ is now close to being realized. A great war, unprecedented in history is beginning, with the US as the stage.
Moreover, Sakakibara, who accompanied Silva to the UFC, said “Wanderlei’s participation in the UFC signals the ‘all-out war’ between us at Pride and the UFC”. And the big surprises continued.
It seems that participation of Fujita in the November UFC is also being planned. If it turns out that Fujita, Pride’s heavyweight fighter and a representative of Japan, enters the UFC, one can well imagine the multiple dreamcard matches possible.
Pride has dropped the bombshell counterattack which will blow away all the recent negativity. Who will claim victory in this great war? Pride? UFC? ——
The rest is the comment from Sakakibara. He says his and Vanderlei’s purpose in coming to the UFC is to take Chuck’s belt and make Silva the “first Pride/UFC double champion in history”. He also says a UFC fighter may take part in Pride’s 10/21 show in Las Vegas. And he comments on plans for Fujita to also take part in the Nov UFC. He says that more suprises await.
Topics: MMA, PRIDE, Stephan Marceau, UFC | 12 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Josh Barnett comments
By Zach Arnold | July 10, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Here are some comments that PRIDE heavyweight fighter Josh Barnett gave to me in a brief Q & A session.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Sapp – “I was betrayed by K-1”
By Zach Arnold | July 9, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Bob Sapp held a press conference on Monday morning (Nikkan Sports report here with comments from Sapp’s lawyer, Michael Connette) at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Sapp told the press that he did not run away from fighting and that he wanted the fans to know the truth.
He went into detail about what happened at the K-1 5/13 Holland event and why he didn’t fight Ernesto Hoost, stating that what was said about him in the Japanese mass media was false. Sapp said that he felt angry with K-1 over contractual issues. When asked about whether or not Sapp would fight for another promotion, he stated that right now nothing was on the horizon. He finished by saying that his focus was strictly on resolving his problem with K-1 right now.
The role of Fuji TV covering the K-1 Holland show was mentioned several times, so there is some media pressure on the network.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Media, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Potholes in Kings’ Road
By ditch | July 9, 2006
By Dave Ditch
Four pro wrestlers have made headlines so far this month, and all of them have one thing in common: tours of All Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Kenta Kobashi was trained there, debuted there, and became a top star there. He was first lauded as one of the best wrestlers in the world during the mid-’90s, and without having reached elite status early in his career he wouldn’t have become an industry cornerstone today. For all intents and purposes Kobashi is currently the ace of the Japanese wrestling community, due to an underachieving young generation and rapidly aging predecessors. Be it in terms of kayfabe strength, drawing power, crowd response, media image or any other facet, Kobashi has what you want in a megastar. Then, just as he was set to headline NOAH shows at the Tokyo Nippon Budokan in July and September, he was struck by the discovery of a kidney tumor- and a cancerous one at that. NOAH and Japanese wrestling both could not afford to lose him. US indy promotion ROH was told bluntly that Kobashi was not going to be wrestling in America ever again, despite the success of his brief stop-over last fall. The implication of course was that Kobashi might not be able to wrestle in Japan again, much less for some pissant gaijin concern.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Dave Ditch, Japan, Pro-Wrestling | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE comments on UFC
By Zach Arnold | July 9, 2006
By Zach Arnold
While Dana White was allegedly busy having security escort WFA President Jeremy Lappen out of the Mandalay Bay Events Center, PRIDE was busy posting a report on their web site about Vanderlei Silva’s appearance in the UFC octagon. PRIDE’s report clearly states “PRIDE x UFC” as a full-out promotional war, and raises the possibility of Kazuyuki Fujita working as a PRIDE representive in UFC on the same show as the proposed Chuck Liddell vs. Vanderlei Silva match.
The PRIDE HP report has comments from Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Sakakibara clearly states that he would like to see the winner of the Liddell/Silva fight be the first double-crown (PRIDE & UFC) champion — with the PRIDE Middleweight and UFC Light Heavyweight belts at stake. Additionally, Sakakibara claims that there is a possibility of UFC fighters working the 10/21 Thomas & Mack Center PRIDE show in Las Vegas.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC vs. PRIDE 2
By Zach Arnold | July 9, 2006
By Zach Arnold
My previous post on UFC vs. PRIDE can be found here.
Reflecting upon the latest news developments with Vanderlei Silva apparently signing a 3-fight deal with UFC, one has to wonder what exactly is going to happen with both UFC & PRIDE in the future. There are a few possibilities on the horizon that could indicate something similar to what WWE did to WCW several years ago.
With PRIDE financially on the ropes, the idea of UFC absorbing their top names and weakening PRIDE’s power structure is a sneaky play. That’s smart business. Conventionally, the idea of using Silva as a “PRIDE guy” even though he is under UFC contract would make sense if UFC wanted to do an interpromotional war (similar to what New Japan did with UWF-International in 1995). In the case of WWE using WCW talent after the acquisition of assets, WWE had a chance to do some real big business with WCW, a nationally recognized name, in an interpromotional setting. Instead, WWE sabotaged the WCW brand and it’s a mistake that still haunts Vince McMahon to this day. In the case of the UWF-International vs. New Japan feud, Nobuhiko Takada had strong name value and was a nationally recognized figure in Japan. The three UWF-International vs. New Japan themed Tokyo Dome shows drew over $20 million USD. Ironically, what drove UWF-International to cooperate with New Japan was financial trouble. After a political campaign by Nobuhiko Takada (along with other UWF-International political issues), the company needed cash and ended up agreeing to work with New Japan — only to see New Japan matchmaker Riki Choshu bury the company and laugh all the way to the bank). The problem for UFC even considering an “invasion” angle with PRIDE (using “PRIDE guys” under UFC contract) is that PRIDE isn’t recognized nationally in America. In order for such an invasion angle to work, UFC will have to spend capital building up the PRIDE name over several months, if not a couple of years.
However, there are several factors that could screw up a “PRIDE invasion” in UFC. What if PRIDE collapses in Japan? What if police arrest certain individuals? What if Chuck Liddell loses to Renato Babalu in August? Unlike pro-wrestling, you can’t script every move in a shoot environment. The concept of doing a “PRIDE invasion” angle in UFC sounds great. PRIDE, having some of the most talented gaijin fighters in the world (including a certain former UFC Heavyweight champion who could be marketed as a major star in America), finds itself in an interesting position. Unable to pay the top dollar any more for gaijin talent, PRIDE finds itself seeing one of their top stars (Silva) go to UFC. The question is whether or not PRIDE has calculated that they can maintain some control over how Vanderlei Silva is booked without having to pay his salary. It’s a risky, perhaps desparate move. By the same token, PRIDE knows that Dana White is a huge mark for Vanderlei Silva and realizes that they may have plenty to gain by letting Dana pushing their brand in the United States. PRIDE has put itself into a very interesting position, one that nobody could have imagined a couple of years ago. Will Emelianenko Fedor be the next fighter to sign a UFC contract? If that happens, UFC will have both the PRIDE Heavyweight and Middleweight aces under their sleeve. But at what price?
I remain perplexed as to why UFC would want to go into business with PRIDE at this point, even if it means absorbing PRIDE’s top stars. Why not wait for PRIDE to collapse and then cherry-pick who you want to fight for your company? Why push a company (PRIDE) that has recently been scandal-tainted? There is a risk that the scandal could taint UFC if things progress badly in Japan.
Besides all of the factors listed above, the biggest risk that Dana White faces is that the “PRIDE guys” will likely beat the native UFC fighters. However, unlike in pro-wrestling, you can’t book your native fighters to make come backs and go over the heels in the storybook ending. It’s a shoot environment, and UFC may find itself in a situation where they look second-rate by having the “PRIDE guys” beat all their fighters — with the real possibility that UFC won’t be able to build up any native fighters who can stop and beat the outsiders.
As a fan, it’s certainly an exciting time period of watch. Everyone who is a hardcore fan wants to see Silva vs. Liddell. With that stated, what will the casual fan think about that match? I can only imagine how many casual fans will start cracking jokes on how Chuck Liddell is fighting the Brazilian clone of Kurt Angle. Speaking of Angle, he’s reportedly (according to various wrestling web sites) to be on the sidelines for 30 days, needing a break. The WWE does have a wellness (drug testing) program and it’s garnered some headlines this past week.
One important question that does need to be asked revolves around drug testing. The Nevada State Athletic Commission performs drug testing for all fighters involved in title fights. Given that there is no drug testing of fighters in Japan, how will this situation play out when the “PRIDE guys” start working in California or Nevada? Will all the UFC vs. PRIDE fights be non-title bouts, or will UFC be confident that the fighters will pass the tests without fail?
The more and more I think about what is happening with UFC, the more intrigued I am about what direction this company is heading. Investing time and money in pushing the PRIDE brand seems to be a high-risk, low-reward proposition for UFC. For PRIDE, it seems to signal an all-in-or-nothing strategy that will garner big headlines in Japan, but do little or nothing for their domestic box office business. Without Fuji TV’s support, PRIDE is facing some very tough decisions. You never know who your friends and enemies are from one day to the next.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Pro-Wrestling, UFC, Zach Arnold | 17 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 61: Undercard eclipses main events.
By Rob Sayers | July 8, 2006
By Rob Sayers
UFC 61 had 2 very hyped main events. Neither fight lived up to the expectations created by the UFC marketing department. Fortunately, the rest of the event manged to help redeem this card.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Rob Sayers, UFC | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The reviews are coming in
By Zach Arnold | July 8, 2006
On the UFC 61 PPV:
Observer – Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock is up next. This came off badly. Ortiz slammed Shamrock hard and was hammering him and hit five elbows. Ken wasn’t doing much to defend, well actually nothing, and it was stopped. Ken got right back up. Really Ken likely wasn’t getting up, but you don’t know for sure. It was too early but it was 2-3 elbows away from what what would have been it. The reaction is ugly. “Bullshit” chants. This was not what the UFC needed with this kind of momentum.
F4W Online – Final verdict: DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DON’T BUY THE REPLAY.
Knockout Zone – All in all, a complete suck fest. But allow me to come to the UFC defense for a moment. Fight fans can be complete morons, I mean you only gotta check out MMAWeekly’s “Sound Off Forum†or Sherdog to see what I’m saying. Quotes like “If this is the product the UFC is going to put out there, I’m not going to pay my hard earned moneyâ€. Well then don’t fucking buy it then. Dana White & Zuffa have NO CONTROL over the outcomes. They cannot force people to stay busy.
Fight Report – I watched this event with a group of seasoned boxing fans who’ve recently been getting into Mixed Martial Arts. Just as any veteran MMA fan was they too found the event quite disappointing.
Technorati search – a lot of MySpace/LiveJournal personal blog reviews, with most posters feeling extremely angry about the show.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC vs. PRIDE
By Zach Arnold | July 8, 2006
By Zach Arnold
UFC President Dana White announced Chuck Liddell vs. Vanderlei Silva to happen in November.
Internet response to this story: Eddie Goldman | Whaledog | MMA HQ | Ivan Trembow
Update: Commenter Torn Victor points out a report on Fox Sports that Vanderlei Silva has signed a 3-fight deal with the UFC. This means that he is under contract to UFC and not PRIDE. Does this mean that Silva will not work the 9/10 Saitama Super Arena show for PRIDE, or will UFC getting a booking fee out of the deal from DSE for it? Or is this a co-promotional deal where DSE gets to use Silva one more time in Japan and then UFC gets the rights to him? Here is the quote from the Fox Sports site:
Dana White was a bit vague in talking about the Wanderlai Silva-Chuck Liddell fight, saying he’d have more details next week. He did say Silva is contracted for three fights and that UFC will be able to use PRIDE footage to promote the show.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, UFC, Zach Arnold | 16 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |