Rogan out, Couture in at UFC 61.
By Luke | July 8, 2006
I guess this has been known for months, although I had no idea, that Joe Rogan has a gig at a comedy show in Boston tonight and won’t be available to do colour commentary for UFC 61 tonight.
It delights me to say that Randy Couture will replace him tonight. I’m hoping this works out so well, that Joe Rogan’s role on the broadcasts is either reduced, or eliminated all together. I really like the legitimacy, and integrity that Randy Couture would bring to the broadcast booth as a former fighter, and former multi-time UFC champion.
Topics: All Topics, Luke Nicholson, MMA, UFC | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE continues big talk
By Zach Arnold | July 7, 2006
By Zach Arnold
The PRIDE office is pushing a story in the media (Nikkan Sports report here) that they are aiming to get Olympic Greco-Roman 120 kg Russian wrestler Khassan Baroev to work a match for their Otoko Matsuri (Man Festival) show (if they have the event take place).
Baroev made news a few years ago for his win over Rulon Gardner at the 2003 (wrestling) World Championships.
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 61 – here’s the buzz
By Zach Arnold | July 7, 2006
By Zach Arnold
So I wrote a post a few days ago asking where the buzz was for the UFC 61 show. To be fair, here’s the mainstream coverage that the show is getting:
Washington Post | CBC (Canada) | Newsday | Fox Sports
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The Arashi drug bust
By Zach Arnold | July 7, 2006
Nikkan Sports HP: Arashi arrested for possession of marijuana
Yahoo Japan HP: Pro-wrestler Arashi arrested for marijuana
Copy of story from Puroresu Power down below.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, Pro-Wrestling, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
WFA preview show on Showtime
By Zach Arnold | July 7, 2006
Press Release
Showtime to Air “WFA: King of the Streets” Countdown Special Nationally in Advance of World Fighting Alliance MMA Pay-Per-View Event on July 22nd From Los Angeles, CA
The World Fighting Alliance (WFA), a recently launched national mixed martial arts (MMA) organization featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, reached an agreement today with Showtime Television. Under the new partnership, Showtime will broadcast on its network throughout the month of July, the WFA’s thirty-minute preview/countdown special for its upcoming
WFA: King of the Streets national pay-per-view event on July 22nd from the Forum in Los Angeles.
The thirty-minute countdown show will premiere on Showtime THIS SATURDAY, July 8, 2006 at 12:00 a.m. MIDNIGHT EST/PST following Showtime championship boxing.
The WFA countdown show will also air as follows (all times are EST and PST):
Sun. 7/9 2:00pm
Wed. 7/12 1:30am
Thu. 7/13 5:30pm
Fri. 7/14 10:00am, 12:30 am
Sun. 7/16 3:30am
Mon. 7/17 2:00am
Tue. 7/18 1:45pm
Wed. 7/19 1:00am
Fri. 7/21 5:35pm
Sat. 7/22 5:30pm
WFA: King of the Streets features arguably the most impressive U.S. MMA fight card ever assembled highlighted by the highly anticipated return of legendary MMA fighter Bas Rutten to fight veteran street fighter Kimo, and the WFA debut of international MMA star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson taking on former U.S. Olympic silver medal-winning wrestler Matt Lindland. The preview special will feature personal profiles on the four main event fighters along with several other interviews highlighting the star-studded lineup of MMA stars comprising the unparalleled fight card featured at the event on July 22nd.
WFA: King of the Streets will be broadcast live on pay-per-view television via iNDemand and Dish Network (check local listings for details). Tickets are available at all Ticket Master outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or WFA.TV or charge by phone at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (661) 322-2525 or (805) 583-8700.
For more information on the WFA and “WFA: King of the Streets,” July 22nd at the Forum in Los Angeles, visit www.wfa.tv.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Press Releases, WFA | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Dana White interview
By Luke | July 7, 2006
Recently, Alex Marvez of the Florida Sun-Sentenial did an interview with Dana White that was posted on wrestlingobserver.com. Dana White makes some interesting remarks regarding, TNA, mainstream press, and potential UFC expansion.
The most interesting thing that came up, was with regards to UFC expanding, and getting into scripted television. Thats right, SCRIPTED TELEVISION~! I’ll say this, I hope Dana White can be more successful at non mma-related ventures than Vince McMahon has been at non WWE-related ventures. Dana specifically mentioned that they had pitched a television show about the Irish Mafia.
The rest of the interview was good. When Dana was asked about UFC’s relationship with TNA, Dana was complimentary of TNA and wished them luck, but he basically said they’re two different companies promoting two different products. According to Dana White they’ll be expanding to Houston and Florida. Apparently an Ultimate Fight Night program is slated to take place at the…wait for it….yes, the Hard Rock Cafe in October. No word on when they plan to invade Houston.
Dana, also noted that they had a five year plan that they’ve achieved in four years. And, now they’re working on a new five year plan. Dana noted that there will always be copycats, but they’re the original brand, and they’re not worrying about what others are doing. Oookaaay. I wonder if the IFL would like to comment on that?
Lastly, Dana White noted the usual lines about UFC getting more mainstream exposure, and how they’re slowly changing people’s minds about MMA. This was decent stuff. He talked about how he doesn’t like Golf, but he doesn’t say Golf shouldn’t be on TV, just because he doesn’t like it. In Dana’s words “If you’re a fight fan, you’re going to enjoy UFC. If you’re not, shut up and change the channel”. I tend to agree with that statement.
Overall a good interview. Check it out.
Topics: All Topics, Luke Nicholson, MMA, UFC | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Major speech coming on Monday
By Zach Arnold | July 7, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Bob Sapp will be making a big appearance at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan on Monday to address the media as to what happened between him and K-1. The press conference (Bob Sapp and attorney Michael Connette) will last one hour (10:30 AM-11:30 AM). (Hat tip: Gryphon.)
Update: Shukan Gendai, the magazine that had a negative campaign against PRIDE with allegations of yakuza connections, has a minor article coming up in Monday’s magazine about Bob Sapp and PRIDE (with the word “boryokudan” — yakuza — being used).
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 61 Analysis
By Stephan | July 6, 2006
Is it me or is the buzz not as great for this weekend’s UFC as usual? I dont hear or see much of buzz in the fan forums about this event. Maybe we’re getting saturated…UFC will have to be careful with that. Well it looks like its not me after all…I just saw Zach posting about this after I wrote this entry.
Regardless, UFC 61 actually has a good card, it should be a great one to watch.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Media, MMA, Stephan Marceau, UFC | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Daily reading of media links
By Zach Arnold | July 6, 2006
- The Toronto Star – The Fight Network is now the most-watched digital sports channel in Canada
- Battle Creek (Michigan) Enquirer – Battle Creek native, WWE champion charged
- Boston Globe – Small-town shows give wrestlers with big-time ambitions a chance to perform while they are learning the ropes
- The Vortex – PRIDE vs. UFC (again)
- The UFC Octagon – UFC 61 odds & predictions
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 61 – where’s the buzz?
By Zach Arnold | July 5, 2006
By Zach Arnold
It’s Wednesday, and we’re only a few days away from the UFC 61 event in Las Vegas with Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock as the headliner. MMA HQ has predictions, but the bigger question on my mind is whether or not there is serious mainstream buzz for this upcoming show? There seems to be more interest in Dana White in the mainstream media these days than there is for this specific show.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 11 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Media link wrap-up
By Zach Arnold | July 4, 2006
- Complete Vale Tudo Access – More details on Inoki 9/1 Budokan event
- Fight Biz – Critical Countdown not so critical
- Whaledog – Is the talent pool for MMA too thin right now?
- Flying Python – Comparing UFC vs. PRIDE
- FIFA World Cup – Tito Ortiz says US & Mexico will be good in 2010
A primer for those of you curious about the Inoki “Genome” show on 9/1 at Nippon Budokan. New Japan (owned by Yukes) is pushing the show on their web site, which should tell you a lot about the politics involved in this deal. They are also floating names like Don Frye being involved. Today, Inoki claimed that he wanted to see Bob Sapp vs. Brock Lesnar take place at the Budokan show.
Regarding the name of Inoki “Genome,” various smart marks on Japanese message boards caught on right away to the Genome name. Why? Is Genome simply an acronym being used in place of DNA, which was the name of the proposed promotion that Seiya Kawamata (the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 promoter who is in hiding) was going to attempt to run by headlining with Mirko Cro Cop and Hidehiko Yoshida? Just what exactly is the relationship still between Kawamata & K-1, K-1 & Inoki, and Kawamata & Inoki? Is this opening the door for the old guard of the Inoki Office to come back into the business?
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
More arguments in the Sapp vs. K-1 war of words
By Zach Arnold | July 3, 2006
By Zach Arnold
American attorney Michael Connette, who is based out of Tokyo and has experience practicing law in California, sent a press release to the fight media on Monday claiming of inaccuracies in statements made by K-1 matchmaker Sadaharu Tanigawa last week. Tanigawa issued a public reply to a FAX that Bob Sapp sent through a Japanese lawyer. In Tanigawa’s statement, he mentioned how Mr. M (referring to Connette) was advising Bob Sapp in regards to demanding an annulment of his K-1 contract, labeling Connette as a DSE American lawyer.
The main point in Connette’s statement about Sapp and K-1 is that Sapp’s original contract was with K-1 and not with Tanigawa’s FEG company. Connette finished his statement by saying that he hoped a resolution between Sapp and K-1 would develop quickly.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Inoki 9/1 Budokan show
By Zach Arnold | July 2, 2006
By Zach Arnold
An update on the 30th anniversary Inoki vs. Ali themed Nippon Budokan show in Tokyo. It is scheduled for September 1st and will be titled “INOKI GENOME.” Nikkan Sports notes that Inoki’s camp is floating the names of Josh Barnett, Brock Lesnar, and Naoya Ogawa as potential names appearing in an 8-man tournament. Also, there is discussion that Inoki’s side is negotiating to bring in Laila Ali as a special guest. Inoki’s team also noted that they would bring in fighters from Jungle Fight and other promotions.
Of course, the following question needs to be asked: How is Josh Barnett going to work an MMA tournament a week before the PRIDE 9/10 Saitama Super Arena show? Is someone making a calculation that PRIDE isn’t going to be around by then, or is this purely bluster by Inoki? And if it is conjecture by Inoki, how will DSE react to Inoki falsely marketing one of their fighters for his show?
Update: Fumihiko Uei (BML producer) angrily issued a FAX to the fight media stating that the names of Kazunari Murakami & Katsuyori Shibata are unfairly being used to promote the Inoki 9/1 Budokan show.
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |