St. Pierre wins bloodbath bout in return to action at UFC 154
By Zach Arnold | November 17, 2012
Event: UFC 154 (11/17 Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
TV: FX/PPV
Undercard
- Featherweights: Darren Elkins defeatedSteven Siler after 3R by unanimous decision.
- Bantamweights: Ivan Menjivar defeated Azamat Gashimov in R1 in 2’44 with an armbar.
- Welterweights: Matt Riddle defeated John Maguire after 3R by unanimous decision.
- Featherweights: Antonio Carvalho defeated Rodrigo Damm after 3R by split decision.
- Lightweights: vs. John Makdessi defeated Sam Stout after 3R by unanimous decision.
- Light Heavyweights: Cyrille Diabate defeated Chad Griggs in R1 in 2’44 with a choke sleeper hold.
- Middleweights: Patrick Cote defeated Alessio Sakara in R1 in 1’26 by disqualification due to punches to the back of the head.
Main card
- Featherweights: Pablo Garza defeated Mark Hominick after 3R by unanimous decision.
- Lightweights: Rafael dos Anjos defeated Mark Bocek after 3R by unanimous decision.
- Middleweights: Francis Carmont defeated Tom Lawlor after 3R by split decision.
- Welterweights: Johny Hendricks (-140, 7 to 5 favorite) defeated Martin Kampmann (+120) in R1 in 46 seconds by KO.
- UFC Welterweight title match: Georges St. Pierre (-360, 18 to 5 favorite) defeated Carlos Condit (+300) after 5R by unanimous decision (50-45 twice, 49-46).
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: Canada, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 47 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
A mixed reception for Georges St. Pierre’s return?
By Zach Arnold | November 13, 2012
It’s interesting to see the reaction internally in the MMA business about the return of Georges St. Pierre. Ticket sales for his return in Montreal (against Carlos Condit) are OK. They’re not off-the-charts, but completely respectable. On top of that, I don’t think there’s much doubt that St. Pierre will draw at least 600,000 PPV buys. Of course, the card underneath the fight isn’t the most eye-catching menu in the world but it’s serviceable.
What’s more intriguing is that since St. Pierre has been on the sidelines, there are a few notable fighters who are willing to take their digs at St. Pierre. Martin Kampmann is one who decided to throw St. Pierre under the bus in a recent interview. Kampmann says that Carlos Condit isn’t a quitter but that St. Pierre’s showing against Matt Serra is somehow proof that when things get tough, St. Pierre is a frontrunner who will quit.
If there were any concerns about St. Pierre winning convincingly against Condit, the public isn’t buying it. St. Pierre remains a solid -350 (7 to 2) favorite for the fight, which is slightly lower but not off the normal favorite status GSP is in for his high-profile fights as champion. Kampmann, in comparison, remains a slight underdog to Johny Hendricks for the semi-main event fight. Don’t put the cart before the horse?
And then there’s the public negotiations happening with Anderson Silva about a potential fight against either St. Pierre or Jon Jones. St. Pierre’s probably the safer fight for him to take and he’ll probably make the same amount of cash for that bout as he would if he fought Jon Jones, who is a bigger-sized opponent.
As this video from Ed Soares demonstrates, they’re considering a 178-pound catch-weight fight against St. Pierre. If you had to make the odds for a Silva/St. Pierre fight, who would be the favorite and by how much?
Topics: Canada, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
An update on UFC Japan 2013 series starting next Spring
By Zach Arnold | November 10, 2012
Update (11/10): UFC will return to Saitama Super Arena on March 3rd, 2013. Will be interesting to see if they do as well as the 2012 show. They have a multi-year agreement with Dentsu for shows, so this is no surprise. The question is how much paid vs. paper.
***
(Originally posted on August 29th, 2012)
Mark Fischer of UFC told Nikkan Sports the following:
- UFC Japan series starts in Spring 2013
- The plan is for four house shows a year
- The shows will be in 5,000-seat buildings (Yokohama Bunka Gym, Osaka Prefectural Gym, Tokyo Bay NK Hall, the like)
- Won’t be UFC numbered shows but shows in order to find Japanese talent and extend the UFC name into the marketplace
What wasn’t said is as interesting as what was said.
First, is Japan going to be UFC’s primary Asian target market or is it China, which is Mark’s home turf in Asia?
No real talk about a television deal in the marketplace. As I’ve said before, the over-the-air TV situation for combat sports in Japan is terrible. The door has been slammed shut. The combat sports business is too dirty right now for the networks to touch. They don’t want any part of it. They would be interested in a Japanese operation if it was big-time and clean but UFC is not a Japanese operation. Will a Japan series change that? No. It won’t really get them anywhere in terms of getting a substantive TV deal in Japan. They’ll have to be content with buying time from TV Tokyo for random 3 or 4 AM show airings that don’t move the needle. That’s not UFC’s fault but rather the way things are in Japan in 2012.
As for what it means for the yakuza in combat sports, the gangs on the ground are hurting big time for cash and the anti-yakuza finance laws are targeting them in a big way. The police are trying to clear out the gangs from some of the more notable buildings so that there aren’t as many scams going on for protection money of turf. That said, always expect the gangs to act like stooges and try to sink their teeth into the UFC Japan series either through managing talent or by trying to get an ‘in’ as a consultant. Dentsu has power and they can always take care of the small fish but if the big fish get interested, you never know. I doubt UFC will encounter much trouble with the smaller buildings in the Tokyo area. The rest of the country may be a different matter…
UFC Japan 2012 at Saitama Super Arena turned out to be a last gasp of big-scale MMA in Japan rather than a starting point. Even if you believe the reports that Dentsu/Softbank had half the arena comped for tickets, UFC still overachieved with that show. But even bubbles burst and it’s clear that there was no real momentum from that show for UFC to run big scale events in Japan on a continuing basis. This is OK. It’s not bad news nor is it a sign of any failure for them. It’s just reality. Will UFC be able to draw big houses again in Japan? The jury is still out on that one, but it makes it easier that they really are the only ball game in town at this point. It could go either way.
History says that UFC looks at Japanese fighters and what they desire in future prospects much differently than what the general Japanese public thinks is appealing. The classic example is Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, who the UFC coveted and he was an undercarder in RINGS. The public cared little about Kohsaka, even after the UFC run, and cared all about Kiyoshi Tamura. If the purpose of the UFC Japan shows is to find talent that will be title-class, they may be in for a disappointment given how the situation on the ground is right now for the gyms and their kind of training. That and there simply isn’t the level of high-end doping going on in the Japanese gyms like there is at the American & Brazilian gyms. The truth is the truth. If the mission of UFC is to try to find Japanese fighters who can draw but may not be competitive worldwide, that might be a more realistic goal. However, that’s not the way UFC thinks. They always think with one mindset and not about regional market preferences.
So, I’m not entirely sure what the overall goal is for the UFC Japan series other than it fulfills a contract with Dentsu, builds some name recognition in Japan, and maybe they find a few fighters in smaller weight classes. Just don’t expect a big splash to happen as far as this series of shows booming into something major. I like the overall concept but I don’t think the UFC’s standard corporate philosophy meshes with the traditional Japanese fan tastes very well. Here’s hoping they can find some success and flush the bad guys out of the Japanese scene. There’s still plenty of cockroaches that need to be fumigated.
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 27 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Strikeforce will die, but Showtime’s MMA dream will live on? Update: Is GLORY now a candidate?
By Zach Arnold | November 8, 2012
So, the announcement of Ronda Rousey going to UFC was made… on TMZ. The focus now is on Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg.
As MMA Weekly’s Damon Martin puts it, “Just because Strikeforce is exiting Showtime, don’t think they are getting completely out of the MMA game.”
Given Showtime’s history, they will want to work with a turnkey operation rather than build their own promotion. Do they figure out a way to cut a deal with World Series of Fighting if NBC Sports Network/Versus cuts bait after the ratings the first show drew last weekend? I guess there’s always King of the Cage…
The last Strikeforce event on Showtime will be in January. Out with a whimper, not a bang.
The big loser? California’s fight scene (again).
Press release:
STRIKEFORCE® heads to the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday, Jan. 12 with three championship fights, plus the return of Oklahoma State University star Daniel Cormier, all televised live on SHOWTIME®. With a collection of some of the best fighters in the world today, STRIKEFORCE has put together a memorable and historic card for the fans in the Sooner State.
The action-packed night includes the following bouts:
Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez (champion) vs. Pat Healy for the STRIKEFORCE lightweight title
Luke Rockhold (champion) vs. Lorenz Larkin for the STRIKEFORCE middleweight title
Nate Marquardt (champion) vs. Tarec Saffiedine for the STRIKEFORCE welterweight title
Daniel Cormier (Grand Prix champion, OSU All-American) vs. Dion Staring“We’ve built an absolutely stacked card for Oklahoma City and the SHOWTIME viewers,” STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker said. “We have three awesome title fights featuring some of the best fighters to ever grace the STRIKEFORCE cage. Plus, we have Daniel Cormier, one of the fastest-rising heavyweight stars today, returning to his roots in Oklahoma to fight Dion Staring. January 12 is going to be a really special night.”
“The biggest stars in STRIKEFORCE are putting their titles on the line in competitive fights,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®, “and that is precisely what fans of STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME have come to expect. We are excited to be part of the event.”
STRIKEFORCE® will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). Additional fights scheduled for the event are expected to be released shortly.
Tickets for STRIKEFORCE® go on sale to the public on Friday, November 16 at 12 p.m. CT and are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $50. Tickets are available at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, at Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Ticket prices will be announced in the coming days. Applicable service charges may apply.
Update: The Glory 12/2 Makuhari Messe show in Chiba has been canceled in favor of piling resources towards their New Year’s Eve event on 12/31 at Saitama Super Arena. If Glory’s going to push forward in 2013 and spend cash, Showtime may just have a partner for both MMA & kickboxing.
Topics: Media, MMA, StrikeForce, Zach Arnold | 21 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Overanalyzing the overanalyzing of the World Series of Fighting debut event
By Zach Arnold | November 5, 2012
There’s some good… and curious… developments that came out of the first World Series of Fighting show from Las Vegas that aired on NBC Sports Network/Versus this past weekend.
First, the skinny. Ray Sefo’s name is on the MMAWC LLC along with Sig Rogich, who’s an establishment Republican backer but is also an ally to Harry Reid in Las Vegas. In other words, a long-time political player with some juice. But, as we know from the history of money marks in the fight business, even rich people hate losing money and don’t always have the strongest of stomachs to burn cash long-term. There were murmurs behind the scenes before the first show on Saturday that Rogich & company were contacting some big sponsors to put up some cash in exchange for joint ventureship. Whether WSOF got anyone to bite on that, I don’t know. The sales pitch allegedly was that WSOF had a year-long deal with NBCSN, but as we all know that deal is basically a per-show contract in regards to whether or not NBCSN will push events long-term. You could tell some bets were hedged based on the fact that the second show date for WSOF wasn’t pushed hard on the television broadcast.
The show itself came across as an upgraded, cage version of the IFL. They ran Planet Hollywood and had a different kind of crowd than a typical MMA show. Tim Hughes and Keith Evans from the IFL are involved. The set-up was kind of weird — the crowd looked real small for the fighter introductions but then they had some cut-away shots during Andrei Arlovski’s win and it looked like an entirely different crowd for a different show. Don’t ask me.
Every time a new start-up emerges, there’s always a rush to judgment as far as whether or not to push the next league as a potential rival to UFC. It’s not going to happen here at all. The matchmaking gave us a clue as to why. There were three routes: 1) book fights with exciting finishes (i.e. mismatches), 2) book the most competitive & even fights (UFC philosophy), 3) book some cornerstones and build for the future. In the case of the first WSOF show, we got more of option 1 but it wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world to watch. Tyrone Spong basically had a sparring match with an easy target in the cage. Anthony Johnson had his KO moment. Miguel Torres lost in excruciating fashion. Andrei Arlovski fought Devin Cole. Seriously, Devin Cole, a guy with a legal record who isn’t a great fighter. Who on Earth thought that it would be a good idea to put Devin Cole in a main event of a debut show in order to attract sponsors to buy into the promotion for future shows? Why don’t we have a Gilles Arsene cameo while we’re at it.
Does anyone consider Arlovski or Rumble Johnson to be ‘cornerstone’ fighters for an upstart promotion? If that’s the plan, then this isn’t going to go far. Plus, if the second show goes head-to-head against a UFC show on Fox broadcast TV, it will get zero coverage. The fact that people were excited about Devin Cole trending on Twitter is alarming. Every Monday night, Vince McMahon & WWE are trying to trend on Twitter and look where that has led their business. Business for him now is as rough as it was during the Ludwig Borga (Tony Halme) days. Feed me? No, don’t feed me… any more Twitter crap to try to claim that because something is trending on Twitter that it somehow computes into being a big deal.
So, I’m just like you when it comes to WSOF. I have no idea what the future is and I don’t think the promoters involved are sure, either.
List of (reported) salaries from Saturday’s show.
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The art of trash talking & drug testing in today’s MMA climate
By Zach Arnold | November 1, 2012
Fox says the UFC show in Seattle (set for December 8th) is sold out. UFC is working with Ticketmaster to create a secondary ticket site for those re-selling tickets.
An article by Dave Deibert in The Calgary Herald says that ticket sales for the Georges St. Pierre/Carlos Condit UFC 154 show in Montreal at the Bell Centre are sluggish. Deibert reports that around 14,000 tickets have been sold so far.
AsiaOne has an article about One FC & MMA in Singapore, featuring comments from Dan Henderson. AsiaOne also has an article on Evolve MMA.
Speaking of Dan Henderson, his opinion on Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen is that it is bad for MMA’s integrity. Jeff Wagenheim at Sports Illustrated says the MMA circuit is suddenly all talk, talk, talk. Jonathan Snowden sees no problem with this development.
Loretta Hunt has a new article about Dr. Margaret Goodman and the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency. The focus of the article is the mixed reaction amongst fighters about VADA’s role in increased drug-testing in MMA. Rory MacDonald says that the extra drug testing is a pain in the ass and a waste of his time. This is a really important article to read. It’s interesting to note that Jason Genet, Shane Carwin’s manager, is a vocal critic of VADA because Genet is not exactly the guy I would want as a public face on the situation (given his issues with the Securities & Exchange Commission). Brent Brookhouse has a great article about Genet’s blow-up with VADA and how it’s an example of poor MMA fighter management.
Gerald Harris says he wants VADA drug testing for his future MMA fights.
Speaking of drug testing, UFC says they will test the fighters on the Macau show. Who is performing the drug testing? Who makes the call regarding the positive/negative results and do the fighters get a copy of the results? What happens with the results — are they used against the fighters for more than just drug-related suspensions? UFC is in a no-win situation by running events in areas without competent regulation, but as we’ve seen with California and other states it’s hard for MMA fans to expect much good governance right now on these kinds of issues.
Injured Cung Le represents a catch-22 for Zuffa’s desperate China Macao debut. Franklin remains a 3-to-1 favorite. If the injury news is true, I suspect the line on the fight will bump up to Rich being a 4-to-1 if not 5-to-1 favorite.
MMA fictional book author Jill Easter has been accused of attempting to plant marijuana & drugs on a PTA president.
Two interesting fight cards in Las Vegas coming up this weekend…
Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 (11/2 Texas Station)
- Bantamweights: Sergio Pettis vs. Jimmy Jones
- Lightweights: Derrick Burnsed vs. Dakota Cochrane
- Lightweights: James Krause vs. Guilherme Trindade
- Featherweights: Fredson Paixao vs. Lance Palmer
- Light Heavyweights: Marcio “Pe De Pano” Cruz vs. Joe Yager
- Welterweights: Chidi Njokuani vs. Phil Dace
- Lightweights: Tyson Griffin vs. Efrain Escudero
World Series of Fighting (Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas)
TV: Sherdog.com undercard, NBC Sports Network/Versus for main card
- Featherweights: Fabio Mello vs. Waylon Lowe
- Lightweights: JZ Calvancante vs. TJ O’Brien
- Welterweights: Steve Carl vs. Ramico Blackmon
- Middleweights: David Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby
- Welterweights: Gerald Harris vs. Josh Burkman
- Lightweights: Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb
- Light Heavyweights: Tyrone Spong vs. Travis Bartlett
- Welterweights: Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele
- Bantamweights: Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes
- Light Heavyweights: Anthony Johnson vs. DJ Linderman
- Heavyweights: Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole
Here’s a preview article by Tristen Critchfield about this weekend’s WSOF 1 event. Smoogy says that the target audience WSOF 1 needs to get for their debut event on NBC SN is around 250,000 viewers. Can they pull it off?
Topics: Canada, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 21 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Playing catch-up with (partial) one-liners
By Zach Arnold | October 30, 2012
Jon Jones is considering a move to Heavyweight in 2013.
Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo is now set for Super Bowl weekend.
Stephan Bonnar is retiring.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum is on the horizon for next Summer after they coach a Brazilian edition of The Ultimate Fighter.
The Ultimate Fighter continues to tank horribly in the ratings in the States.
Rampage Jackson wanted to fight Glover Teixeira, then didn’t want to fight him after Teixeira got a lengthy medical suspension coming out of his Brazil fight… and now may want to fight Teixeira again. I may have more about this debacle later on…
Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone is still going to happen, with January as the target time frame…
The mess involving the Florida DBPR (Department of Business & Regulation) with the Florida athletic commission is turning out to be a mini-clone of the disastrous situation that California’s athletic commission has turned into thanks to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Cesar Gracie wants you to know that Nate Diaz will never fight Gilbert Melendez.
There’s little heat for the upcoming Cung Le/Rich Franklin UFC show in Macao (at least in terms of domestic interest) and the heat so far for St. Pierre vs. Condit in Montreal is tepid, though the PPV buys should be relatively decent given that St. Pierre hasn’t fought for a while now.
Karyn Bryant was nominated in the World MMA awards for her journalistic work… maybe she’ll motorboat her way to a win.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 20 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Lea Young: Women starting to push boundaries in male-dominated BJJ scene
By Zach Arnold | October 28, 2012
Kauai Girl Brings Home Gold Medals in Women’s Jiu Jitsu
In a sport that is particularly dominated by men, women are starting to push the boundaries and make their presence known on the mat. One Kauai girl, Alexis Carvalho, a Relson Gracie Kauai Technical Institute (KTI) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt, is doing just that.
Coming from an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean where many grapplers find it difficult to travel to the mainland to compete in larger tournaments, Carvalho’s drive to compete has taken her to the largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions in North America. In September, Carvalho won two medals at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federations (IBJJF) Masters and Seniors World Championships, and just recently won another two more gold medals at the NAGA Championships on Oahu. She is also a former world champion silver medalist from last year’s IBJJF World Championships of Jiu Jitsu.
In a competition where people from all over the world come to compete, Carvalho won the gold medal for her Senior 1 division at the IBJJF Masters and Seniors World Championships. Although there was no one else in her weight category, she went on to fight in the absolute weight division, which included winners from the various weight divisions in her age category. Carvalho earned a silver medal, having three matches where she won 9-0, 7-0, and then lost in the finals 0-0 by referees decision.
Just one month later, she was back on the mats competing again at the NAGA Championships held annually on Oahu. She won both her no-gi match (6-0) and gi match (2-0), earning another two gold medals to add to her team’s collection of hardware at their academy.
Carvalho, a student under Pono Pananganan at KTI in Lihue, said that KTI (and jiu jitsu) saved her life. She has been training for almost four years and is one of KTI’s first females to be promoted to blue belt. Through jiu jitsu, Carvalho says she has gained a healthier lifestyle, more self-esteem, focus and perseverance, but most of all she has been blessed to train with an amazing group of people who she has come to know as her own family.
When she suffered the recent loss of her father in July, she turned to her KTI family and jiu jitsu.
“No matter what you’re stressed or worried about, it ceases to exist when you step through that door. We are more than a team, we are a family. KTI helped me discover who I want to become, things I need to work on. When I lost my dad, they gave me strength and courage when I needed it most. Without them I wouldn’t have gotten through these past few months.”
Her instructor, Relson Gracie brown belt Pono Pananganan, describes Alexis as always laying it on the line and leaving everything out on the mat. He says that anyone who meets Alexis out on the street or in the grocery store would never guess that she is such a fierce competitor, given her shy and humble nature. She always jumps at the chance to compete and represent her fellow KTI teammates and he is amazed and proud of her continued courage and dedication.
Alexis is a true testament of the jiu jitsu athlete. Her attitude, along with her love for the sport and her team, shows that she is a true role model for other women who may be too intimidated to train in a martial art. Not only did she bring multiple World championship medals home to Kauai, she continues to proudly represent Kauai in women’s jiu jitsu.
Lea’s on Twitter – @effenprincess. But of course.
Topics: Lea Young, Media | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
What UFC didn’t tell the public about Jeremy Stephens (who knew what?)
By Zach Arnold | October 24, 2012
When Dana White made his public plea about trying to get Jeremy Stephens out of a Minnesota jail cell for extradition to Iowa, it was one of the more bizarre scenes in the history of White’s tenure with the UFC. He was fighting on behalf of a guy who was not even fighting on the main card of an FX show, a show that drew lousy ratings. He was also sticking up for a guy in Stephens who used the n-word when trash talking Floyd Mayweather on Twitter in the past.
Judge Moisan in Polk County, Iowa signed off on an Order of Protection on October 12th against Jeremy Stephens, ordering him to stay away from Shane & Jennifer Schreck on the following grounds:
On the basis of the complaint or affidavit(s) submitted to the court at the time of the defendant’s appearance, the court finds there is probable cause that the Defendant committed the offense of WILLFUL INJURY (SHANE SCHRECK0; ASSAULT CAUSING BODILY INJURY (JENNIFER SCHRECK) and believes that the presence of the defendant in the alleged victim’s residence poses a threat to the safety of the alleged victim, persons residing with the alleged victim, or members of the alleged victim’s immediate family.
The State of Iowa also went after Stephens for an increase in his bond. Read carefully and you will see why they were playing hardball with Dana:
1. The defendant was charged by complaint with Willful Injury and Serious Assault on October 20, 2011. Bond was set at $20,000 cash and $1,000 cash, respectively, pending the service of the arrest warrant.
2. The Des Moines Police Department has been notified that the defendant has been arrested on the warrant in the above-captioned case in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
3. The defendant is a professional mixed martial artist who travels the country to participate in mixed martial arts competitions.
4. The undersigned was contacted by attorney Matt Boles several months ago about the above-captioned case, which would indicate that the defendant is aware of the warrant. The defendant has not turned himself in on these charges prior to being arrested in Minneapolis.
5. Considering the nature of the charges, the defendant’s inclinations towards travel, and the length of time since the underlying incident occurred, the State requests that the bond be increased to protect the public and to insure the defendant’s presence at future court hearings.
So, now we know why Dana and company went silent about Stephens’ predicament a few days after making a fool out of himself at the FX show in Minneapolis.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 22 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Jeff Blatnick dies at age 55
By Zach Arnold | October 24, 2012
WNYT report on his death due to complications from heart surgery.
Remembering gold medalist and former UFC commissioner Jeff Blatnick:
Nick Lembo: Jeff should be remembered as one of the most important figures in the growth and formation of MMA in this country. He was the Chair of the MMAC, a key drafter of the proposed unified rules, an outstanding judge, and trainer to new officials.
He was also a dear personal friend and a man of loyalty, integrity and kindness.
Very sad day..Jeff Blatnick was my 1st UFC broadcast partner, 1st mentor, & to this day I still called him partner I’m crushed..RIP JEFF
R.I.P. Olympic Champion Jeff Blatnick “You learn to win by learning to lose. That is.. you aren’t afraid to lose!!”-JB
Sad day. Jeff Blatnick was one of most sincere people I’ve ever met, especially in MMA. His wisdom will be missed.
greatest trick the Zuffa Myth ever pulled was to convince the world Blatnick didn’t exist…Jeff gave both shape & form to the sport of MMA
Jeff would judge a show in NJ and drive back to upstate NY overnight to coach wrestling in the morning. “Dedicated” barely describes it.
Jeff was the sport’s first face of legitimacy. Nowadays, Zuffa has Marc Ratner meet w/ legislators but back in the day it was Jeff Blatnick.
Jeff Blatnick worked tirelessly to try to get MMA sanctioned in NY. Even met with Bob Reilly and offered to let him regulate amateur MMA.
Jim shadowed Jeff last year while he was working as a judge at a show. Todd Martin also has a great article on Jeff’s impact on the early days of MMA.
Dave Meltzer: Whenever you hear the term mixed martial arts, you should think of Jeff Blatnick
He and current UFC matchmaker Joe Silva worked together on the first UFC rule book, and on the original judging criteria. He was also the television announcer, a role he had since UFC IV in 1995.
At the time, I was a UFC judge.
The show, held in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, La., was over and we were in Bourbon Street in New Orleans, with Silva and my future wife, and ran into Jeff. He said to me, “Don’t refer to the sport as No Holds Barred anymore, it’s mixed martial arts.”
Lembo said Blatnick was also charged with teaching shadow judges, who worked their way up through the state’s amateur MMA program. Blatnick also conducted judging and wrestling seminars for new officials, said Lembo.
“The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has lost its anchor Judge, the world has lost a man of honor and integrity, and I have lost a dear friend who I cannot replace,” Lembo said.
In his 2012 memoirs, iconic MMA referee (Big John) McCarthy acknowledged Blatnick as one of the unsung heroes of the MMA movement.
“Jeff, you came into our sport with an open mind and was always willing to help,” McCarthy wrote. “You did more than most people realize, and you will always be someone I respect and am proud to call my friend.”
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 5 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
On Dana White and women fighting in the UFC…
By Zach Arnold | October 23, 2012
A report from Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated tonight:
UFC president Dana White tells SI.com he’s working on a female division of the UFC, largely because of Rousey’s influence.
“It’s absolutely going to happen,” White said Tuesday of the women’s division.
Rousey’s manager Darin Harvey says, “Nothing is immenient. She’s a Strikeforce champion not a UFC fighter. We still have three fights left for Strikeforce.”
Rousey is obligated to Showtime until at least 2014. Dana isn’t announcing anything, he just likes to casually tamper w/fighters he fancies.
Is it crazier talk than Lorenzo Fertitta claiming that Zuffa research has found that India’s youth is tiring of Bollywood and wants to see an entertainment/sports product like the UFC? Jordan Breen’s “TUF India” punchline is actually coming to life here.
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Georgia’s Andy Foster takes over paralyzed California State Athletic Commission, but with a twist…
By Zach Arnold | October 23, 2012
The media headlines today (here and here) about former Georgia Athletic Board boss Andy Foster taking over as the Executive Officer of the California State Athletic Commission fail to address the back story on how this move happened and what it means for California’s combat sports scene.
Let’s start off with an introduction of who Andy Foster is. From his Georgia profile:
Director Foster was appointed by Secretary of State Karen Handel in 2008 and was retained by Secretary of State Brian Kemp in 2010. Before his appointment, Director Foster served the Commission as Head Mixed Martial Arts Referee. Director Foster is a former mixed martial artist with a professional record of 9-2 and an amateur record of 8-0. Director Foster has also participated in amateur boxing, amateur kickboxing, and amateur grappling. In addition, Director Foster was a martial arts instructor between 2001 and 2008. Director Foster promoted five mixed martial arts bouts and two professional boxing cards between 1999 and 2003. Director Foster currently serves the Association of Boxing Commissions as Chairman of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts Committee, member of the Unified Rules of Professional Mixed Martial Arts Committee, member of the Mixed Martial Arts Judging Committee, member of the Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing Matchmaking Committee, and as a member of Mixed martial Arts Training Committee. Director Foster has a vast knowledge of combative sports regulation and serves as Region 2 Director of the Association of Boxing Commissions.
Andy is a former MMA fighter and is extremely active as a regulator. Greg Savage profiled Andy’s appearance at the latest Association of Boxing Commissions meeting this year in Tampa:
Another point of concern for the ABC members in attendance was the future appointment of George Dodd’s successor as executive director of the CSAC. Pennsylvania Director Greg Sirb spoke up in open session to lobby for a role, either directly or indirectly, for the ABC in helping California choose a suitable replacement.
Sirb called Dodd a “nice guy who was in over his head,” and opined that he was not given the tools or budget to run a successful operation. It was clear he was hoping for an experienced regulator to take his place.
Georgia Executive Director Andy Foster gave an impassioned presentation imploring his colleagues to use the best officials at their disposal. His Southern drawl in full effect, Foster hammered away at his anonymous targets, both in attendance as well as in absentia about the use of boxing officials to referee and judge MMA. New Jersey Commission chief Aaron Davis voiced his support for Foster’s comments.
Foster also asked the assembled state commission representatives to either regulate amateur MMA or ban it in their states. This drew a rousing chorus of applause from a number of the members. It is a hotly-contested issue but Foster and his supporters believe that the health and welfare of amateur fighters is best served by athletic commissions who have the safety of the athletes in mind.
The irony of ABC’s MMA man taking over the role as E.O. at CSAC while Kirik Jenness is sending a deadbeat letter to Che Guevara for the MMA LLC database is not lost on me.
On paper, and in a vacuum, the announcement of Andy Foster taking over as E.O. of CSAC is a really good move. If you were starting the commission over with a clean slate, it’s exactly the right move.
However, there’s a twist to this story that may change your tune about today’s announcement.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: CSAC, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
ABC/MMA LLC letter to deadbeat Che Guevara at the California State Athletic Commission
By Zach Arnold | October 16, 2012
To: Che Guevara, CAMO, ABC Boxing
Dear People:
The Association of Boxing Commissions Database Committee has directed me to remove the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) access to the mixed martial arts database, effective immediately.
This unprecedented step was taken in response to California’s several-years-long failure to either pay for the records and suspension service, or to direct California promoters to pay the fee.
California is the sole Athletic Commission in the United States that is grossly failing to pay the fee.
Our process for removal is as follows: Effective November 1st, CSAC commissioners, as well as CAMO representatives, will have their login access to the system removed. This will result in the inability of California to be able to access the suspension system to check athletes scheduled to compete for existing suspensions, which may result in athletes competing while under suspension.
Effective November 11th, the MMA database will no longer accept results from California or CAMO for inclusion in the database, which means California suspensions will no longer be recorded. This would in effect allow California athletes to leave the state and fight while under an active suspension.
On the above dates we will notify the office of the State of California Attorney General about these changes, as the legal repercussions are significant. We will as well contact both California and MMA media.
We have worked with every single State and Tribal Commission in the US to get fees paid, and yet remain open to working with the CSAC. The account is in deeply, deeply in arrears – the last quarter alone was $3,600.
Despite the late hour, should California be able to make arrangements for each of their events to pay the results fee going forward, we can yet forego the access-restricting process.
I understand and appreciate that the California state government is facing tremendous financial challenges at present, and recommend that the CSAC join the vast majority of regulatory bodies across the USA, and rather than pay for the service out of state funds, direct that promoters do so, as a condition for promoting an MMA event California. Cost to your office is zero.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. I can of course be reached at this email address; if you wish to speak in person, my cell is [redacted].
Best,
Kirik Jenness
President, Mixed Martial Arts LLC
- Investigation: The future of combat sports in California (May 6th)
- Investigation: How did (then) 80 year old scandal-plagued politician John Frierson get an important job promotion? (May 9th)
- The politics of MMA’s testosterone push & California’s coming collapse (June 7th)
- California State Athletic Commission on a path towards insolvency, could get shut down (June 10th, 2012)
- PDF report now online – Blame game: DCA, CSAC civil war (emergency 6/26 meeting set by DCA) (June 16th, 2012)
- DCA/CSAC civil war: Taxpayers & promoters get a raw deal in California (June 19th, 2012)
- DCA outlines potential CSAC fraud; Dodd out as Executive Director (June 22nd, 2012)
- Amidst DCA/CSAC civil war chaos, a second CSAC member (Brian Edwards) is gone (June 24th, 2012)
- Source – George Dodd prepared for showdown w/ DCA on Tuesday (June 24th, 2012)
- DCA, CSAC face retaliation & age discrimination lawsuit (June 25th, 2012)
- Explaining the motives of the DCA/CSAC civil war (June 26th, 2012)
- Civil war: CSAC keeps George Dodd (against DCA wishes) (June 26th, 2012)
- How the CSAC fought DCA’s power grab (June 28th, 2012)
- DCA’s illegal Saturday morning CSAC meeting (June 29th, 2012)
- Explaining why DCA’s Saturday CSAC hearing was illegal (June 30th, 2012)
- DCA’s new spin on illegal CSAC hearing doesn’t cut it (July 2nd, 2012)
- Incredible – DCA advising CSAC on getting a loan (July 6th, 2012)
- DCA preparing CSAC loan to help cover debt, some of which DCA admits was caused by fraud (July 9th, 2012)
- Horrible atmosphere at CSAC, strained promoter relations (July 12th, 2012)
- Notes from 9 AM CSAC stakeholders call (July 15th, 2012)
- George Dodd resigns at CSAC; DCA goes for full purge at CSAC (July 16th, 2012)
- Road map of CSAC chaos reveals fingerprints from California’s biggest politicians (Darrell Steinberg, Jerry Brown, Denise Brown) (July 18th, 2012)
- Why it’s possible UFC will get involved in CSAC chaos (July 18th, 2012)
- Tax records reveal DCA corruption & who cashed in big at the California State Athletic Commission (July 23rd, 2012)
- Pest Control E.O. Bill Douglas accused by prosecutor of targeting CSAC office (July 30th, 2012)
- Che Guevara thinks he’ll be the next E.O. at the California State Athletic Commission (August 3rd, 2012)
- Department of Consumer Affairs admits George Dodd was right & that the California State Athletic Commission isn’t broke (August 7th, 2012)
- Sacramento’s new sleazy cost-cutting measures for the California State Athletic Commission (August 8th, 2012)
- DCA’s nightmare: The California State Athletic Commission is about to get audited (August 9th, 2012)
- What’s next for the California State Athletic Commission? (August 13th, 2012)
- What’s missing on the job application for Executive Officer slot at CSAC (August 14th, 2012)
- Failed power plays has DCA interested in sunsetting the California State Athletic Commission (August 19th, 2012)
- Andre Berto re-licensing by CSAC is another stain for the Department of Consumer Affairs (August 21st, 2012)
- Did Governor Jerry Brown reveal a DCA quid pro quo at CSAC to fire George Dodd? (August 23rd, 2012)
- Crystal ball: CSAC audit will reveal up to 7-figures $ missing (August 28th, 2012)
- Chaos at CSAC – skinned gloves, illegal hand-wraps, wrong gloves (August 31st, 2012)
- The California State Athletic Commission is openly losing & manipulating fighter paperwork (September 6th, 2012)
- About that Strikeforce CSAC drug testing fiasco… (September 9th, 2012)
- Internal memos from Sacramento CSAC office reveal utter chaos & rules violations (September 12th, 2012)
- California State Athletic Commission gets served with $1.9M legal notice (September 17th, 2012)
- Exodus – Kathi Burns, Sarah Waklee out at CSAC office (September 19th, 2012)
- California State Athletic Commission backs shady promoters & watches a scandal brew in Oxnard (September 24th, 2012)
- When CSAC’s word isn’t their ($50k) bond: DcA leaves fighters vulnerable to predatory promoters (October 2nd, 2012)
- Legal policy changes at the California State Athletic Commission ignite an internal uproar (October 4th, 2012)
- Feijao: CSAC inspector re-used a collection cup for my drug test (October 6th, 2012)
- Sacramento’s bloodsucking bean counters screwing over broke fighters (October 9th, 2012)
- Deadbeats: CSAC stiffing ABC on money over MMA information access (October 12th, 2012)
Topics: CSAC, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 14 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |