A week in MMA: Mitrione and Kongo go menstrual; The incredible shrinking Country, "Cowboy" Cerrone saddles up his...pony?
28 October, 2011
28 October, 2011
Mitrione and Kongo go menstrual
After his unbelievable comeback against Pat Barry in what many MMA fans consider the fight of the year, Cheick Kongo need do little to hype his next appearance in the Octagon – against Matt Mitrione.
And it’s probably a good thing, judging by the bizarre pre-fight jibes both have made this week.
Mitrione, who so impressed everyone with his dominant KO of Christian Morecraft last time out, suggested in an interview that he was going to “get Kongo pregnant”.
It was a puzzling comment, and perhaps one that Kongo ought to have ignored, but the Frenchman doesn’t duck a fight – whether it’s physical or verbal. He responded by saying that he was going to “give Mitrione his period”.
To his credit the always-unflappable interviewer, Ariel Helwani, managed to safely negotiate the choppy waters of MMA menstrual cycles and reach the safer ground of Saturday night’s co-main event at UFC 137.
This will be Mitrione’s first appearance at the top of the card and his performance against Kongo will determine quite how far the Ultimate Fighter alumnus has progressed.
His big-punching style, coupled with Kongo’s willingness to swing for the fence should ensure a spectacular encounter.
The incredible Shrinking Country
He’s been the subject of stinging criticism by no less than UFC supremo Dana White about his appearance, but Roy
Indeed, he recently launched a passionate defence against his many detractors, stating:
“It’s just because people are mean. I look in the mirror every day, my wife thinks I’m beautiful. Looks are in the eye of the beholder.”
However, there was a ripple of excitement this week when a seemingly trimmer Nelson was pictured next to Forrest Griffin. Has Nelson secretly been dieting? Are we going to see a leaner and meaner version of the Las Vegas
The 35 year-old is facing probably the most important night of his career when he takes on Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic this weekend. After two defeats in succession, the MMA vultures are circling and many speculate that a loss for Nelson could lead to his removal from the UFC roster.
His opponent is in an eerily similar situation. After recent losses to Brendan Schaub and Frank Mir, “Cro Cop” has admitted that it’s win or bust for him:
“To lose three times in a row will be a disaster for me, but even if that happens, I’ll survive. I have two kids. I have to live for them. But it’ll be a disaster.”
Two bruising fighters, both with a point to prove. Diet or no diet: this is a recipe for a great fight in Vegas.
Don “Cowboy” Cerrone saddles up his… pony?
There’s an old saying that goes “be careful what you wish for” and one that UFC featherweight Nam Phan may do well to heed.
After his spectacular decision victory over Leonard Garcia at UFC 136, which earned both a “Fight of the Night” bonus, Phan allegedly criticised Garcia’s coaches for making him a “one-trick pony”.
This angered Garcia’s friend and stablemate lightweight contender Don Cerrone. The “Cowboy” is on a five-fight winning streak and faces Denis Siver this weekend. However, he’s already set his sights on Phan, even if it means dropping to a lower weight class.
“Kong” aims to bounce back
Injuries are an unfortunate reality of any pro fighter’s career. For many, the punishment of being away from the sport - and their means of paying the bills - is far more hurtful than anything they receive in combat.
For British star Tom “Kong” Watson, the experience has been particularly painful. In his honest and thoughtful blog, Watson spoke of his frustration at being laid up with a back injury at a crucial time in his career.
Watson was on the brink of one of the biggest fights of his life against ex-UFC veteran Frank Trigg when the injury struck. He’d earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters outside of Zuffa-owned organisations and was spearheading BAMMA’s rise on the UK
We all wish him a speedy recovery.
Ralph Welch
@ralphwelch
Weekend Wrap: Dana/ Shamrock go to war; Spratt/ Marquardt return
24th July, 2011
Dana and Shamrock go to war; Mike Swick gets confused
Dana White’s had his differences with some of the sport’s biggest names. Notorious feuds with the likes of Tito Ortiz and Josh Barnett have been vitriolic at times but ultimately ended in reconciliation. However, the mutual hatred with Frank Shamrock shows no sign of abating.
This weekend saw another war of words between the two, as reported by bloodyelbow.com, lightened only by the quizzical intervention of UFC welterweight Mike Swick.
It started when Shamrock was asked if there was one fight he’d come out of retirement for. His response of “Dana White” provoked a stinging rebuke from the UFC supremo…
after seeing the beatins frank has got in his last few fights I don't blame him for wanting to fight me!!!!
plus he's had those goofy braces on for like 7 years now and wouldn't want to fuck that grill up.
swick has been beggin me to put a beatin on u. He thinks its a joke u do anti bully shit, says he never met bigr bully then u
Unfortunately, it seemed no one had told Swick. As the to and fro continued, a blissfully ignorant Swick returned to his twitter account to find himself besieged by fan talk of this potential match-up.
Slated to fight Erick Silva at UFC134 in Brazil
Woa Twitter! lol @DanaWhite am I fightin Frank?
Thankfully he isn’t and he can keep preparing for Silva.
The whole episode acts as a stark reminder of the world we live in, where big fights are arranged and announced via the medium of social media.
But the next time it happens, please, someone tell Mike…
Spratt reminds us of old times
He’s a popular UFC veteran with a fairly unremarkable record (23-20), but Pete Spratt rolled back the years this weekend with a stunning 18-second KO of Antonio Flores in Houston , Texas
Spratt is a throwback to the early days of MMA. The slugger made his UFC debut back in 2002 and achieved most notoriety for defeating Robbie Lawler at UFC 42 in April, 2003.
Ultimately Spratt’s rather fragile takedown defence saw him cut from MMA’s flagship promotion in 2007. Since then he’s picked up his gloves and stepped into the cage for various regional promotions across the US and Canada
He wins some, he loses some, but his heavy hands mean he’s only ever one shot away from getting his hand raised. MMA diehards greatly enjoyed seeing him do what he does best.
Click to see the punch in all its glory.
Marquardt comes to the UK
If ever there was an example of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity then surely it was BAMMA’s signing of UFC exile Nate Marquardt, as reported by espn.
BAMMA is one of the UK ’s most dynamic and energetic UK
Marquardt was recently fired from the UFC for alleged steroid violations after recording abnormally high testosterone levels in pre-fight testing. He’s since protested his innocence, claiming it was a result of medically-prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. This has been greeted with cynicism by fans, commentators and other athletes.
Marquardt will have to work incredibly hard to silence the doubters. He brings controversy but he also brings huge recognition. He’s a truly world-class fighter with many great bouts ahead of him.
If his signature helps shine the spotlight on some of the great fighters in the BAMMA ranks, then this could be the best deal in the short history of mixed martial arts in the United Kingdom
Ralph Welch
Follow me on twitter: @ralphwelch
Weekend Wrap: “Rocky” moments make UFC event a knockout show
“It ain’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit – and keep moving forward.”
Rocky Balboa
Will we ever see a more dramatic 30 seconds of mixed martial arts than the conclusion of the Pat Barry/ Cheick Kongo fight this past Sunday?
With Kongo knocked down twice in quick succession and the commentators screaming “IT’S OVER”, the Frenchman was staring not just at defeat, but at the end of his UFC career.
Out of nowhere, he dragged himself back up and unleashed a right hand that will go down in Octagon history.
Pat Barry was on the floor, the crowd were off their seats.
What a moment.
What a sport.
Brenneman goes from zero to hometown hero
Nate Marquardt’s dramatic withdrawal from the co-main event had briefly threatened to derail the whole show.
The UFC had invested a huge amount in promoting Marquardt’s bout with rising star Rick Story and his subsequent withdrawal – for a failed medical - remains shrouded in mystery.
Dana White looked as disappointed as I’ve seen him when he announced that Marquardt would “never, ever fight in the UFC again.”
However, the UFC boss channelled that disappointment into finding a replacement and ensuring that fans weren’t short-changed.
Step forward Charlie Brenneman. The Pennsylvania
The rapturous reception he got walking to the ring was only eclipsed by the jubilation when his hand was raised.in victory.
At that moment, I didn’t think he show could get any better.
How wrong I was.
Ralph Welch
@ralphwelch
Weekend wrap: Victories for Barnett and Overeem, but fans unimpressed
Weekend wrap: Victories for Barnett and Overeem, but fans unimpressed
Many observers saw Saturday’s Strikeforce event at the American Airlines Center Santos
Saturday was a chance to prove them wrong. Unfortunately, despite both emerging victorious, neither man particularly enhanced his reputation.
Overeem toils as Werdum spoils
In fairness, Overeem wasn’t helped by a bizarre display from his opponent, Fabricio Werdum, whose histrionics did little to endear him to the arena crowd. At times the Brazilian clasped his hands in prayer in a desperate attempt to goad big-punching Overeem to the mat. Given that Overeem has built his career on powerful striking, it was an insane ploy and showed the lengths to which Werdum would go to avoid engaging with the Dutchman.
This defensive display was particularly confusing, given that when Werdum did curl his hands into a fist, he had reasonable success with his right-hand. Ultimately his lack of ambition was recognised by the judges who handed Overeem a unanimous decision.
Barnett bulldozes Rogers
Barnett, whose PED (performance-enhancing drugs) controversies have been well-documented, had looked particularly focussed in the build-up to his contest with Brett Rogers. His impromptu wrestling promo at an open media workout brought some much-needed positive PR, becoming an overnight internet sensation.
The “Baby-faced Assassin” had been widely expected to dominate the crude-but-powerful Rogers
The win, by arm triangle, was solid if unspectacular. But Barnett can only beat what’s in front of him.
The future
The fact that we’ve heard so little from the UFC upper management doesn’t bode well for either fighter.
Of the two, Barnett will be more satisfied. He outclassed his opponent and his entertaining promos, both before and after the fight, were a glimpse at the intelligent, creative character beneath an occasionally abrupt surface.
Yes, he’s had his controversies. And yes he’s made mistakes. But Josh Barnett’s comeback is gaining momentum. It will take a very talented fighter to stop him.
Ralph Welch
Email: info@ultimatefightclub
Twitter: @ralphwelch
UFC shows boxing how to make the big matches
The much-anticipated UFC superfight between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz has been set for October.
Barely four weeks after St-Pierre strolled through a unanimous decision victory over Jake Shields, UFC supreme Dana White signed, sealed and delivered the biggest fight in welterweight history.
Typically, it was done with the minimum of fuss. No elaborate press conferences, no publicity stunts, no to and fro between the opposing camps. White, always open to engaging with his fanbase, gave a brutally simple message via his twitter account; “It’s on!!!!”
Dana White: “The fans wanted it”
His reasoning, much like his approach, was remarkably simple; “the fans wanted it”. And that was that. The fans wanted a big fight; he gave them a big fight.
In the UFC if you’re the number one fighter in the world, then you fight the number two. There’s no cherry-picking an easy title defence.
If you want to be the best, then you’ve got to prove it. Or you’re out.
White, known for his colourful use of Her Majesty’s English, has a mantra with which he greets potential fighters; “In the UFC , we like fighters who f*ckin’ fight. If you don’t want to fight, then go home”.
It’s an attitude that puts boxing to shame.
In two weeks’ time, the heavyweight division in boxing will finally have the big showdown the fans have been craving: Haye vs Klitschko. The build-up has been protracted and at times descended into farce.
It started with Haye ambushing Wladimir on the escalators at Waterloo. This was soon followed by Haye sporting the infamous t-shirt depicting him holding aloft the severed heads of the Klitschko brothers at a press conference – a stunt the Ukrainian described as “unspeakable”. And then we had Wladimir’s open challenge to Haye via Youtube.
There was a lot of talk, but still no fight.
As Haye readily admits, the fighters have spent over two years arguing over everything from purse splits to ring entrances. With such a fragile build-up, few of us will believe that the fight is actually happening until the opening bell sounds on July 2nd in Hamburg
But even Haye vs Klitschko pales into comparison with the struggle to get the two best welterweights in the world to share a ring.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao; the best fight we’ll never see
Boxing fans have been imploring Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather to prove once and for all who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.
A fight between these two icons would produce hundreds of millions in gate receipts and pay-per-view buys. But even the dollar signs aren’t enough to dissuade the two camps from unnecessary posturing. The closest we came to a fight breaking out was in 2009, only for Mayweather’s camp to insinuate that Pacquiao’s legendary conditioning may be the result of illegal substances.
The fight now seems more unlikely than ever with Mayweather now choosing to fight Victor Ortiz, amidst the ongoing rift between rival promoters and TV companies.
It tells you everything you need to know about the problems in boxing today. The great contests aren’t waged in the ring with a pair of 10oz gloves. The real battles take place in the offices of TV executives and promoters, with lawyers poring over the small print.
Nobody is benefiting from it. Least of all the fans.
Dana White puts the UFC fans first
The UFC may be a dictatorship. But at the helm is a man with a clear vision.
The truth is that there is no bigger fan of MMA than Dana White. He may be a billionaire, he may be one of the most powerful men in sports, but at heart he’s the same as the millions of MMA fans across the world.
He loves nothing more than seeing two great fighters touch gloves and go to war.
He’s committed to giving the fans the best possible spectacle every time they hand over their dollars to watch a UFC event. He will never let politics get in the way of that.
St-Pierre vs Diaz is another example of Dana White listening to the fans. It’s why the sport of MMA keeps growing.
And it’s why boxing is standing still.
Ralph Welch
info@ultimatefightclub.co.uk
twitter: @ralphwelch
Talking point: Diaz at a crossroads
23 May, 2011
Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz claims he is ready to ditch the Octagon and enter the professional boxing ranks.
Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz claims he is ready to ditch the Octagon and enter the professional boxing ranks.
But can fighters switch from the cage to the boxing ring that easily?
Diaz: “There’s no more fights for me here….”
Over the past 15 months Strikeforce’s 170-pound champ Nick Diaz has dominated the division. His most recent victory, over British hopeful Paul “Semtex” Daley, was a real barnstormer. The two sluggers served up five minutes of brutal striking that had the arena on their feet.
A bloodied Diaz emerged victorious and his most dangerous opponent had been dispatched. It’s left him with little incentive to stay with Strikeforce. Glory and bigger paydays lie in boxing and a fight with former IBF champ Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.
Lacy is known to British fans as the man Joe Calzaghe dominated in 2006 to win the IBF super-middleweight title. Entering the ring with an unbeaten record and a puncher’s reputation, Lacy was outclassed that night.
Since then the American’s career has nosedived. In 2009 he was stopped by Roy Jones Jr, a fortysomething fighter well past his best.
But if Diaz thinks he will be an easy ride, then he‘s wrong. Lacy may no longer be a world-class operator. But the boxing ring is his home. And whilst Diaz might be a force in the Octagon, the skills required to compete between the ropes are entirely different.
Trading places is hard to do
In recent times there have been a few occasions where MMA fighters have taken up boxing and vice versa.
They’ve almost always ended in failure.
The most notable was James “Lights Out” Toney’s shambolic attempt to challenge UFC legend Randy Couture in the cage at UFC 118. Toney, a legendary trash-talker, was scornful of MMA and its reliance on mat grappling. In his eyes, he’d simply knock Couture out before the fight went to the ground.
Universally, MMA commentators thought this incredibly naïve and Couture would teach the boxer a lesson.
They were proved right.
Within 15 seconds, Couture had taken down Toney and three minutes later submitted him via an arm triangle. It was an embarrassment and Toney was duly released from his multi-fight UFC contract.
The difference between punching in boxing and MMA
Toney’s disregard of the striking skills in MMA is typical of many boxers. They see the upright stance and looping punches of an MMA fighter as crude. They’ve honed their own boxing skills on tight guards, crisp punches and lots of upper-body movement such as the “bob and weave”.
In boxing, long, looping punches are predictable and rarely result in knockouts. Many boxers operate best “in the pocket”, nose-to-nose and able to release short, punishing punches to both head and body. Ricky Hatton was a fine exponent of this.
Those tactics are completely redundant in MMA for one reason: takedowns.
If you’re that close to your opponent, then it’s all too easy for them to suddenly switch from striking to grappling and shoot for the legs. Within miliseconds you’ll find yourself on the mat, in a vulnerable position.
That’s why MMA striking must happen at a greater distance. And whilst looping punches may be less effective in boxing, where fighters wear heavy gloves, MMA fighters wear 4oz versions.
This means that every fighter has potential knockout power.
Toney showed the danger of under-estimating what’s required to switch disciplines.
Nick Diaz should heed that warning.
Money, money, money
Of course, the big variable in all of this is UFC supremo Dana White, whose company has just purchased Strikeforce. Notoriously unafraid to speak his mind, White has voiced his disapproval at Diaz’s latest move.
In my opinion, White will dangle a carrot in front of Diaz in the shape of a bout with all-conquering UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.
Both have big reputations. And In this business, big reputations equal big bucks. It will be too hard for Diaz to ignore.
There’s one thing that boxers and MMA fighters will always agree on…
Money talks.
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At UFC 128, Jon “Bones” Jones became the youngest-ever UFC champion, decimating the vastly experienced champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Is he the man to lead MMA into the mainstream?
The search for “crossover”
They call them “crossover fans” and they’re the holy grail for any network showcasing a pay-per-view sporting event. Networks know that if they get their marketing right, the hardcore loyal support will always tune in.
If that product then starts to attract more casual viewers, intrigued by what they’ve seen in the media, that’s when networks know they’re onto something special.
The Baddest Man on the Planet
Arguably boxing’s most famous “crossover” moment came on November 22, 1986. A young fighter from Catskill, New York had attracted a blaze of media attention with a phenomenal winning streak, kayoing 25 of his first 27 opponents. And at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 22 days he stepped into the ring to face the experienced Trevor Berbick for the WBC title.
His name, of course, was Mike Tyson. Within five minutes “Iron Mike” had dispatched Berbick to the canvas a with a trademark display of ferocity. In doing so, he became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world in history.
Tyson subsequently became one of the most recognisable faces on the planet. With a media profile that portrayed him as a fearless, snarling predator, he reignited interest in a heavyweight divison that had been floundering since the retirements of legends such as Ali and Foreman.
Whilst his subsequent fall from grace has become the stuff of folklore, the “Baddest Man on the Planet” is greatly missed by the boxing fraternity. The Klitschko brothers dominate a poor division characterised by slow, predictable main events. Fans and pundits alike are crying out for another night like that one in November ‘86.
But 25 years on could it be that Mixed Martial Arts, rather than boxing, is celebrating its own “Tyson” moment?
The dawn of “Bonesmania”
It’s fair to say that the UFC has been searching for their own poster boy to really push them into the public consciousness. In recent times PPV rates have risen, gates have sold out and main events have matched any of those offered by boxing. Yet still MMA is regarded as a niche sport.
Inspirational president Dana White continues to innovate to help the UFC grow. He engages passionately with fans on his twitter account. In recent times he’s posted live fights on facebook. And in an attempt to attract those crossover fans, he let boxing legend James Toney compete in the Octagon.
But no-one builds a brand like a champion.
On March 19, Jon “Bones” Jones became the youngest ever title-holder in UFC history defeating the vastly-experienced Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to win the light-heavyweight strap. It was the culmination of a streak of impressive wins that had captured the imagination of UFC fans.
Jones allies his unquestionable athletic gifts (he has the longest reach in UFC history, an astounding 215cm) to a pulsating style. Like Tyson, “Bones” has cruised through the big names in the division with ease. Jones was feted Breakthrough Fighter of the Year at the World MMA Awards in 2010.
As a triumphant Jones basked in the glory of his victory, commentator Mike Goldberg stated “we are looking at the present and the future of the UFC”. He wasn’t just towing the company line. He was echoing the thoughts of many MMA fans anxious to see their sport get both the credit, and the attention, it deserves.
Exciting style
Detractors of MMA have often decried the “lay and pray” style of ground-based fighters as a barrier to acceptance by the mainstream. They argue that technical grappling is too unedifying a spectacle to the casual fan. It will never match the adrenalin rush of a toe-to-toe war that great boxing contests can produce.
But Jones offers a counter to this. His style is both exciting and unpredictable. Against Rua he showed a dazzling array of low-kicks, side-kicks and elbows during the stand-up that had the crowd on its feet. And when the fight did go to the mat, he was both busy and brutal.
Marketability
Jones also offers sheer marketability. Aside from a remarkable nickname, he has that X factor that helps a champion become a media personality.
Days after winning the belt he won plaudits for his appearance on the Jay Leno show. In a textbook piece of PR, he revealed how on the day of the fight he actually foiled a robbery. Jones dashed from a nearby park to pursue a mugger, tackling him and then waiting for police to arrive. Before anyone makes accusations of Max Clifford-esque spin doctoring, this entire story was backed up by the police and the victim.
The moment of truth
And now the hype builds towards Jones’ first defence of his title.
And it’s a marketer’s dream.
Jones will defend against former best-friend and stablemate “Suga” Rashad Evans. Both Evans and Jones trained out of Grag Jackson’s legendary training camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Throughout their respective careers both have stood firm on the conviction that they would never fight each other, no matter what the UFC said. However, an interview that Jones gave just weeks before the Rua fight seemed to soften that stance. A crack appeared in their relationship. That crack has developed into a full-blown rift. Evans walked out of the Jackson camp amid claim and counter-claim of betrayal and disrespect.
This is a human story that has elements of everything – friendship, betrayal, jealousy and rivalry – to capture the imagination of casual fans.
Surely the UFC will never have a better moment to capitalise on its popularity and enter the mainstream.
When we see the viewing figures for Jones vs Evans, we’ll know if “Bonesmania” was a false dawn, or the start of something truly special.
