Friend of our site


MMA Headlines


MMA Torch


MMA Weekly


Search this site



Latest Articles


News Corner


MMA Rising


Audio Corner


Oddscast


Video Corner


Fight Hub


Special thanks to...

Link Rolodex

Site Index


To access our list of posting topics and archives, click here.

Friend of our site


Buy and sell MMA photos at MMA Prints

Site feedback


Fox Sports: "Zach Arnold's Fight Opinion site is one of the best spots on the Web for thought-provoking MMA pieces."

UFC 61 PPV available online

By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2006

The Boston Herald reports that the July 8th event will be available for purchase on the Internet (use this link). Here’s more information about the good numbers UFC is doing on conventional American PPV distribution.

Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Grueling training session = competitive eating

By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2006


Photo credit: Sports Nippon

Some fighters prefer to train in exhausting workout sessions in deserted places. And then there is Ikuhisa Minowa, who prefers to train by participating in the Japanese qualifying tournament round of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Tokyo. Minowa was able to get 6 hot dogs in 12 minutes, while the winner savaged 19 hot dogs in 12 minutes. Minowa said that at first it was both delicious and painful to eat the hot dogs, but it quickly became “hot dog hell” for him.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

K-1 gets knocked publicly

By Zach Arnold | June 17, 2006

By Zach Arnold

For those who have spent years covering K-1, one thing is for sure — they can tell some great stories in the press (such as their multiple accounts of trying to book Mike Tyson), but don’t put your life savings on the claims always being 100% accurate. On May 31st, I noted a funny Nikkan Sports article in which K-1 matchmaker Sadaharu Tanigawa was claiming that the UFC 60 PPV drew 800,000 buys. Oddly, that posting got very little response online. However, recently another post online made the same claims and got some traction. When UFC President Dana White was asked about those claims, he said it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard of.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

So I go to PRIDE arena…

By T2y-Sano | June 16, 2006

By Tetsuya Sano

ここにPRIDE無差別級ＧＰ二回戦のチケットがある。
7月1日、僕は友人達と共にさいたまスーパーアリーナに足を運ぶ。

There is a ticket of PRIDE open weight GP 2nd round.
On July 1st, I will go to Saitama Super Arena with friends.

フジテレビがＰＲＩＤＥと縁を切ったのは僕達ファンに凄まじいショックを与えた。
いや、ファンだけではなく格闘技に
それほど関心のない人々にまでそのショックは広がった。
フジテレビ以外の地上波局の夕方のニュース、yahoo、livedoorなどのトップを飾り
まさにプロレス格闘技界にとって未曾有の一大事件と言えるだろう。

PRIDE-FujiTV affair gave us, Japanese fans, a huge shock. And this is a huge impact for general public too. TV networks (without Fuji TV) broadcasted it in the evening news shows, and it was on the top of both Yahoo and Livedoor HPs. It is an unprecedented affair for the Japanese pro-wrestling and fight industry.

スカパーことskyperfecttvのPPV放送は続くらしいが
ＰＲＩＤＥにとってフジテレビの存在は資金面だけでなくソフト面でも大きかった。

“SkyPer” (SkyPerfecTV) will continue their PPV service of PRIDE, but Fuji TV’s influence was not only money but also soft(ware)/production.

フジテレビの優れた紹介ＶＴＲは会場の観客、視聴者達の興奮を誘い
リング上で繰り広げられてきた戦いに彩を添えてきた。
最近の例で言えば一方的な試合となることが分かりきっていた
ミルコ・クロコップ対美濃輪育久に多大な期待感を与え
彼らの入場時には僕を含め多くの観衆が声援を飛ばした。

Fuji TV introduced great technology for VTR (video tape recordings) and production values. Big expectations were given for Mirko Cro Cop vs. Ikuhisa Minowa and a lot of people were tense with the fight becoming a one-sided match.

また、フジテレビのアナウンサーと高田延彦との試合中の掛け合いは
ＷＷＥでのマイケル・コールとタズのような可笑しさもあった。
そして6月4日に行われた武士道ではそこに高阪剛が加わり
実況：アナウンサー、解説：高阪、そして感想：高田の完璧な布陣が出来上がった。

Nobuhiko Takada as an announcer on Fuji TV was amusing like Michael Cole and Tazz on WWE TV. Bushido was taped on June 4th with Tsuyoshi Kohsaka doing color commentary, and Takada’s perfect lines were said.

海外のファンにとって
『フジテレビとＰＲＩＤＥの縁が切れたことがどれほど
重大なニュースかということが理解されていないし、俺は攻撃されまくってる』
とある友人からそんな話を聞いた。
その辺はsherdogのような大手サイトが
その件について一切報じていないことだけではなく
アメリカではＰＲＩＤＥ放送をアメリカのテレビ局
FOX SPORTS NETWORKが製作していることにある。
実況も解説も当然ながらアメリカ人(解説はバス・ルッテンだったっけ？)
つまり、アメリカでＰＰＶを見ているファンにとって
フジテレビは“見えない存在”と言って良いだろう。

For overseas fans, a message was said to me, “It is important news about Fuji TV canceling PRIDE and it is not understood, and we get attacked for saying this message.” Such a story was told to me from a certain friend, talking about Sherdog. While the story of Fuji TV canceling PRIDE was told on all the major media outlets in Japan, this story was not told at all by the American media (including Fox Sports Net), and coverage of the story is “sight unseen.”

これは僕らにとってWWEのそれに似ている。
少し前にＲＡＷだかSMACKDOWNの放送局が変わったらしいけど
日本での放送局は変わらないし、実況・解説はＷＷＥに所属している面々。
僕にとってアメリカの放送局はアメリカの格闘技ファンにとっての
フジテレビと同じように“見えない存在”だ。

Americans fans reacted to Fuji TV canceling PRIDE is similar to how the Japanese reacted when RAW or SMackdown started changing, with WWE left to explain. The broadcasting of the Fuji TV news by kakutougi fans in America is “sight unseen.”

こう考えるとアメリカ人ファンが
フジテレビとPRIDEとの関係を軽視することも理解しやすい。

さて、“とある友人”ことZachさんが何度となくこのfightopinionで
PRIDEとyakuzaの関係を取り上げていますが
正直言って僕はその関係に大して興味はないです。

For American fans, it is easy to disregard and understand the relation between Fuji TV & PRIDE.

Well, I must say that I was not very interested in relation of the truth about the allegations of PRIDE’s association with the yakuza as my friend Mr. Zach of FightOpinion was.

ファンにとってはただ良い興行を与えてくれれば良いということ
そして日本のエンターテイメント産業にはほぼ必ずyakuzaが絡んでいる
それが大きくなればなるほど必ず。
そう、言ってみれば“見えない存在”として。

だから僕は7月1日PRIDEの会場へ足を運ぶ。
すばらしい試合とジョシュ・バーネットの勝利を願って

In the Japanese entertainment industry, the viewpoint of fans is that the yakuza is intertwined in the industry. “Sight unseen” mentality, even if they exist.

So I will go to the PRIDE show on July 1st, and I wish for wonderful fights and Josh Barnett getting a victory.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, MMA, PRIDE, Tetsuya Sano, Yakuza | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Fight Opinion Radio: Episode 21 (Fallout between Fuji TV & PRIDE)

By Zach Arnold | June 15, 2006

Sherdogs, Whaledogs, and all sorts of members of the animal kingdom are welcomed on this week’s edition of Fight Opinion Radio. Jake Rossen of Real Fighter Magazine and Jeff Thaler join us this week to discuss the falling out between Fuji TV & PRIDE. If you are looking for a 90-minute show that is oriented on the UFC, IFL, and the WFA, then this is the place to be. In addition, Fight Opinion writer Luke Nicholson joins us to talk about the recent Bushido show and what PRIDE collapsing would mean for the entire MMA industry.

Special thanks to Bryan & Vinny and Karl Stern of DragonKingWrestling.com for their audio clips that played on this week’s show.

The 21st 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: All Topics, Erin Bucknell, Fight Opinion Radio, Media, MMA, podcasts, Rob Sayers, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |

PRIDE 7/1 Saitama card gets two new matches

By Zach Arnold | June 14, 2006

PRIDE announced Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Cyborg and Yoshiki Takahashi vs. Vitor Belfort as undercard matches for their 7/1 Saitama Super Arena show.

The promotion also announced the participation of Yoshihiro Nakao, who was made somewhat famous after his “kiss incident” with Heath Herring at the K-1 12/31/05 Osaka Dome show. Nakao is playing up that gimmick in the press.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

The Return of ROSS~!

By Luke | June 13, 2006

By: Luke Nicholson

This week on The Utimate Fighter, Ross Pointon, the Brit who lost to Kendall Grove back in week three, will return to the show to fight at LHW against Mike Bisping because Matt Hamill was forced out due to injury.

Most people aren’t picking Ross to beat Mike, and I don’t think it will happen either. But, I think the chances of it happening are higher than people think. You can never underestimate the meaning of a second chance. Athletes in all sports always talk about just having the opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize, whatever that might be. On this show its a six figure contract with UFC. If Ross truly values the second chance he’s been given, he’ll make this fight count, and he’ll do it by training properly and dieting right. So, when the fight happens he’ll be able to say he gave it his all, win or lose. You’ll see a different Ross return to the show.

Hopefully, the SpikeTV producers and Dana White saw the opportunity to really create something special here. Given that Ross and Mike B. were the only two Brits on the program, I think they developed a friendship, and a bond with each other. SpikeTV and UFC need to play off that friendship and bond, to create interest in this fight. Obviously some of the interest is built-in because the winner goes to the live finale, for a shot at the UFC contract. But, it can mean even more, if both fighters talk about their friendship that built over the course of the first three weeks, and how that friendship will be put aside once the octagon door closes on Thursday night. They both need to put over what it means to have a chance at the UFC contract. If this is done right, this could be another money feud that UFC has in the bank, waiting to cash in on.

Both Ross Pointon and Mike Bisping are colourful personalities that the fans have learned to care about. Thats two thirds of the winning formula for drawing money already in the bank. The final third is pitting them against each other in an important match. And, to most fans watching TUF, this match on Thursday is an important match. I can’t wait. Hopefully, a re-match on PPV can sound just as lucrative.

Topics: All Topics, Luke Nicholson, MMA, UFC, UK | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

AERA, Playboy, and Gendai talk about Fuji TV & DSE

By Zach Arnold | June 13, 2006

By Zach Arnold

This week’s edition of AERA, a weekly magazine produced by Asahi Shimbun, had a one-page article about the PRIDE press conference from last week. The focus was on what Hidehiko Yoshida & Emelianenko Fedor would do next in their careers. It starts off by talking about Yoshida in the PRIDE 2006 open-weight tournament and how he’s a star in prime time (along with mentioning his fight vs. Naoya Ogawa). AERA refers to Shukan Gendai’s negative campaign against DSE for alleged ties to the boryokudan (yakuza). They address how much the Fuji TV contract meant to DSE and address the future of the company by quoting a fight writer (Yoshida of kami no puroresu). The article talks about what kind of decisions Hidehiko Yoshida, Emelianenko Fedor, and Mirko Cro Cop will be facing now that fight money could be decreasing in PRIDE. The article concludes by addressing what role K-1 could play in the situation.

Burning Spirit also has notes on an article in Shukan Playboy. The main three bullet points of the Playboy article deal with: SkyPerfecTV’s decision with PRIDE, the futures of Yoshida & Fedor, and the momentum of UFC.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Broadsheets reflect upon Fuji TV’s decision

By Zach Arnold | June 12, 2006

By Zach Arnold

A week after Fuji TV canceled their television deal with PRIDE, the Japanese broadsheets continue to analyze the decision. Asahi Shimbun had a fair and complete review of the story in their newspaper, talking about Fuji TV’s “Dear John” letter to DSE. The article points out that PRIDE was an excellent money-making program that drew big ratings for FujI TV, and that the cancelation notice of DSE on the network was very abruptly done. The article points out that DSE suspects that Shukan Gendai’s negative campaign about the company allegedly being associated with the boryokudan (yakuza violence group) influenced the TV network’s decision. The Asahi article finishes out by analyzing how much of a percentage the Fuji TV money was for overall DSE company revenue, and that the company is facing a crisis right now.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

No final decision by SkyPerfecTV

By Zach Arnold | June 12, 2006

By Zach Arnold

Sankei Sports reports that there is more internal debate to come regarding the future of Hustle & PRIDE PPV telecasts on SkyPerfecTV. No 100% final decision has been made yet. Yomiuri Hochi has a report quoting a SkyPerfecTV official stating that no changes have been made to the schedule yet, but that the possibility of a change occuring does exist if new facts surface regarding problems with DSE. The Yomiuri story stresses that only a temporary opinion was formulated, nothing permanent.

For now, it appears that broadcasts of the Hustle Aid 6/17 Saitama Super Arena & 7/1 Saitama Super Arena shows will air on Japanese PPV.

Update: SkyPerfecTV released a statement (here’s a link to it in Yomiuri Hochi) in which the company stated that PRIDE shows would continue to air on PPV. The statement notes that they are continuing the investigate the facts in regards to allegations made against DSE of being associated with the boryokudan (yakuza). SkyPerfecTV stated that broadcasts of PRIDE shows will continue, but if any facts surface regarding “problems” being confirmed then they will discontinue the airing of PRIDE events.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Open thread

By Zach Arnold | June 11, 2006

Talk about anything fight-related that you want to in the comments section of this thread. Here’s a few topics to peruse:

  1. Hopkins dominates Tarver in career finale (FightReport: Hopkins humiliates Tarver)
  2. Fox Sports: Cotto batters Malignaggi in impressive fight
  3. Inside Bay Area: Strikeforce a hot brand of mayhem
  4. Honolulu Advertiser: Moreno steps in with big KO (X-1 MMA show)
  5. Poll: How long will PRIDE continue to promote shows?
  6. New MMA event with relations to HERO’s

Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

SkyPerfecTV announcement on Monday

By Zach Arnold | June 10, 2006

Yomiuri Hochi reports that the board of directors for SkyPerfect Communications (Shibuya, Tokyo) will make an announcement on Monday regarding DSE programming on SkyPerfecTV PPV.

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Overeem beats Belfort at Strikeforce

By Zach Arnold | June 9, 2006

By Zach Arnold

The listed attendance for tonight’s show was 10,374, almost 8,000 less than the previous full-house gate at the HP Pavilion (San Jose Arena). The main controversial moment from the show involved James Irvin and Bobby Southworth, with Irvin falling out of the cage (through the cage door). Results here.

Newspaper reports from the event: San Jose Mercury News | Hollister Free Lance | Long Beach Press-Telegram | Santa Cruz Sentinel

Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |

« Previous Entries Next Entries »