article -1 -1 0 2010-01-26T23:28:00-05:00 Playerpress No 76 7142 <p>&nbsp;UFC 109 Preview</p><p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Super Bowl odds are the main attraction in the sports betting world right now but the hardcore fight fans will be happy to see the UFC get back into the mix. On the eve before the Super Bowl, we&rsquo;ll get a chance to see a great fight card at UFC 109: Relentless.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So while most people focus in on Super Bowl betting, let&rsquo;s take a closer look at UFC 109 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">and make some picks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Paulo Thiago vs Mike Swick</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mike Swick was gracious enough to step in for an injured Josh Koscheck and he&rsquo;ll take on Paulo Thiago in this battle. Swick is coming off a tough loss to Dan Hardy back at UFC 105 and was itching to get back in the ring and show that he is still the fighter who won four straight prior to that.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But when you take a closer look at who Swick has beaten, he&rsquo;s clearly worked over lesser competition in those four wins. Against the better fighters, Swick has struggled to put them away and that clearly shows that he&rsquo;s just not on that level yet.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thiago is a good fighter and he&rsquo;ll have control of this fight the whole way through.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Online Betting Pick: Thiago</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Damian Maia vs Dan Miller</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This should be a very interesting fight and one of the better fights of the evening. Both fighters on the upswing and both are fighting about as good as they have in their careers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maia is clearly the better fighter but is coming off a tough loss to Nate Marquardt at UFC 102. Maia was expected to win that fight but was knocked out. In this battle, though, he won&rsquo;t have to worry about that. He&rsquo;ll only need to be conscious of Miller&rsquo;s submission game, which is very good.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Expect Maia to be ready and hungry in this fight. He was 11-0 prior to his last fight and he was slowly growing into the No. 1 contender role. Marquardt has hopped ahead of him because of that win but Maia can quickly get back on track with an impressive win over Miller.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Miller is a good submissions specialist but he really hasn&rsquo;t fought anyone of Maia&rsquo;s ilk to date. He has done well with who he has face but Maia is a big step up. Expect that to be the main difference.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bookmaker Review Pick: Maia</p> </p> 76.97.188.228 2010-01-26T23:28:00-05:00 -ufc-109-ufc-picks No Yes 99.231.6.229, 66.249.68.245, 123.125.66.73, 174.36.241.148, 142.166.3.122, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.155.45, 85.114.136.243, 174.129.90.99, 65.52.22.222, 216.24.142.46, 70.37.70.228, 204.236.198.91, 89.151.116.59, 67.202.5.6, 75.101.170.136, 217.129.18.233, 67.195.111.172, 67.202.10.201, 67.195.114.42, 79.99.6.106, 38.99.97.126, 72.44.54.68, 99.185.43.190, 66.249.67.229, 128.241.112.231, 72.44.48.172, 190.224.18.207, 216.255.125.163, 98.234.73.198, 67.218.116.131, 63.215.202.234, 119.63.198.12, 142.166.170.104, 38.99.97.10, 64.184.179.77, 81.94.205.98, 76.203.26.176, 173.69.167.33, 216.129.119.11, 71.193.80.98, 64.184.179.74, 218.28.29.236, 142.166.170.101, 173.77.204.45, 66.249.67.142, 67.202.0.31, 66.249.68.204, 71.63.36.85, 67.176.69.220, 68.38.64.181, 146.186.44.231, 66.249.65.114, 173.58.101.130, 67.195.112.85, 64.74.243.101, 72.177.93.20, 87.250.252.241, 189.169.176.129, 75.83.204.221, 203.131.250.162, 142.166.170.100, 169.229.32.138, 170.35.224.64, 138.163.106.72, 173.12.75.238, 24.160.96.214, 68.210.176.73, 38.100.41.105, 78.0.83.172, 66.249.68.163, 173.34.128.98, 85.133.249.160, 71.105.21.219, 66.249.67.12, 67.195.37.188, 76.185.167.201 UFC 109 – UFC Picks 17 No -1 402 writer

article 165 -1 0 2010-01-20T01:45:00-05:00 Ifansblog No 240 7065 <p><img src="/uploads/Image/n1307361232_7770.jpg" alt="Kacee Carlisle" />&nbsp;</p> <p>You dont want to step into the ring with ACW womans wrestler Kacee Carlisle! I can tell you by her pics and videos, this is one tough girl! And on Jan.24th at ACW Destiny, Sara Del Ray will be in the fight of her life, when she meets Kacee in the ring, for the #1 contenders match! This match will be worth the price of admission&hellip;..I guarantee you!</p> <br /><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I recently had the chance to speak to Kacee about her upcoming #1 womans contender match with Sara Del Ray, and here is what she had to say&hellip;&hellip;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim Lumber: You have been making a big name for yourself as a Womans Pro Wrestler. You have been wrestling for 4 1/2 years. How and when, did you 1st decide you wanted to be a Professional Wrestler?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>KC: I knew wrestling was something I wanted to be involved with from the moment I laid eyes on it. I started watching wrestling in January 1988 and was in absolute awe. The characters, the drama, the excitement&ndash;it was all a really big deal to a 7 year old kid and I ate it up. I used to walk around my house pretending I was the next Miss Elizabeth, leading my wrestler to the ring. As I got older though, my focus turned to wanting to be a wrestler. I&rsquo;ve been lucky enough to perform as both a manager and a wrestler over the past several years, though I do prefer to wrestle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim Lumber: &nbsp;I seen pictures on your facebook page, of you wrestling WWE Legend Doink the Clown. Can you tell us about it?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>KC: That match was crazy. On one side of the ring you had Doink and two midgets, and on the other side you had myself and my two partners. We isolated the little guys for awhile, but then Doink thought it was funny to spray me with silly string and even spanked me with a wooden paddle. He ended up getting the last laugh, which I suppose appropriate. Next time it won&rsquo;t be so funny. IF I decide to allow him to be in the ring with me again.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim Lumber: &nbsp;You will be making your ACW debut at ACW Destiny on Jan.24th. How excited are you, to be wrestling in ACW?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>KC: I&rsquo;m excited to wrestle anywhere. Anytime I have the chance to spread my greatness around and show a new promotion how awesome I am, it&rsquo;s a win-win situation. I get to perform in front of a new crowd in a new area, and they get to watch me! I&rsquo;ve heard nothing but good things about ACW, and I&rsquo;m looking forward to seeing what they have to offer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim Lumber: &nbsp;At ACW Destiny, you will be taking on Sara Del Ray. The winner will be the #1 Contender for the Womans ACW Championship Belt. What are your feelings toward Sara Del Ray, and do you have any predictions for this match?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>KC: Sara Del Rey is one of the most respected wrestlers in the country, male or female. She&rsquo;s going to present a huge challenge, and I&rsquo;ll have to step up my game to defeat her. BUT&ndash;that&rsquo;s exactly what will happen. I&rsquo;ll defeat her. I don&rsquo;t have to predict. I know. It won&rsquo;t be easy, but I&rsquo;m not a newcomer to the game, and I&rsquo;m not some small, fragile little girl who can&rsquo;t take a hit. At the end of the show I&rsquo;ll be the #1 Contender for the title. Then I&rsquo;ll just need one more victory before I&rsquo;m calling it MY title.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim Lumber: &nbsp;Womans wrestler Ashley Nicely will be the special guest referee for your and Sara del Ray&rsquo;s matchup. Does it worry you, that they have a womans wrestler as a special guest referee?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>KC: Not at all. Bring it on! I don&rsquo;t care who they throw in there as the special referee. No matter who is wearing the striped shirt, my hand will be raised at the end of the match, and everybody just needs to accept that. Honestly, Ashley needs to be worried about me. One bad call and she&rsquo;ll have a mouthful of my fist too.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kacee Carlisle is on Facebook and Myspace here her links to her page.<br /> Facebook&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KaceeCarlisle?v=photos#/KaceeCarlisle"><font color="#0a8fbc">http://www.facebook.com/KaceeCarlisle?v=photos#/KaceeCarlisle</font></a><br /> Myspace&nbsp; <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kaceecarlisle"><font color="#0a8fbc">http://www.myspace.com/kaceecarlisle</font></a><br /> And here is the link to the Official ACW website&nbsp; <a href="http://www.acwprowrestling.biz/"><font color="#0a8fbc">http://www.acwprowrestling.biz/</font></a></p> 76.97.188.228 2010-01-20T01:45:00-05:00 interview-with-acw-womans-wrestler-kacee-carlisle No Yes 24.35.44.24, 66.249.67.99, 69.63.178.249, 66.249.68.137, 174.36.241.157, 66.249.67.162, 38.99.97.126, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.111.172, 123.125.66.73, 142.166.3.122, 66.16.216.127, 174.129.141.17, 66.174.93.57, 129.174.132.2, 67.62.211.225, 12.28.176.170, 173.79.187.181, 67.76.160.190, 67.80.14.158, 207.154.59.124, 69.63.178.247, 96.246.109.177, 71.62.66.66, 174.129.95.55, 68.39.65.46, 173.67.1.127, 97.96.218.16, 70.169.16.73, 70.174.30.198, 67.213.33.5, 71.110.154.32, 173.10.139.129, 76.97.188.228, 67.207.201.151, 64.13.147.189, 85.114.136.243, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.47, 89.151.84.34, 65.52.19.122, 67.202.5.6, 75.101.197.164, 70.37.70.228, 71.206.189.13, 76.104.110.253, 174.133.61.66, 174.143.213.49, 64.34.161.235, 67.218.99.195, 69.63.179.33, 216.129.119.81, 69.78.129.28, 208.74.66.39, 174.129.141.109, 67.142.168.23, 74.110.76.35, 83.149.199.55, 24.144.233.120, 71.61.185.59, 205.188.117.73, 69.63.179.34, 69.27.64.251, 64.13.147.187, 75.101.170.136, 70.37.70.230, 72.13.91.40, 208.74.66.62, 208.74.66.42, 94.23.51.159, 174.129.90.99, 68.194.36.201, 12.37.155.14, 64.12.117.73, 75.190.147.170, 67.202.30.126, 96.255.106.103, 98.218.74.94, 174.129.58.57, 66.249.68.228, 71.125.249.56, 67.218.116.131, 75.101.177.23, 68.13.201.17, 204.232.248.53, 72.78.18.63, 142.166.170.102, 173.3.3.30, 76.100.56.89, 189.81.93.196, 90.207.11.97, 91.7.89.113, 98.113.131.235, 98.217.201.64, 97.119.9.54, 80.212.215.212, 74.95.121.173, 71.194.204.207, 75.101.174.137, 99.7.101.227, 69.47.12.53, 98.178.162.8, 220.41.246.226, 91.13.130.39, 79.78.143.158, 92.251.105.16, 210.136.113.104, 172.190.17.28, 160.5.231.162, 92.77.145.140, 199.67.138.42, 99.231.205.123, 72.88.62.44, 88.203.27.231, 174.102.82.198, 69.250.87.76, 75.23.35.165, 24.200.142.112, 142.167.126.61, 174.101.65.204, 204.34.247.9, 90.8.25.75, 24.125.134.139, 71.230.217.216, 220.100.1.119, 97.87.110.13, 75.99.66.179, 93.130.178.218, 71.230.95.66, 74.125.16.3, 198.180.131.21, 86.172.163.145, 72.44.33.94, 217.94.224.92, 89.15.212.37, 99.253.56.71, 24.183.43.153, 66.249.65.115, 72.14.193.68, 70.252.143.244, 75.33.87.191, 150.70.84.155, 216.107.116.123, 71.167.153.104, 24.89.9.99, 207.191.187.20, 69.63.179.35, 76.167.224.223, 24.191.213.188, 76.28.207.93, 74.107.122.208, 72.12.137.230, 68.60.21.205, 67.246.183.158, 88.163.220.186, 96.230.192.215, 170.141.56.4, 94.190.193.50, 69.181.107.41, 24.4.108.145, 86.122.219.249, 123.125.66.59, 144.191.148.3, 67.195.37.165, 86.68.1.93, 67.191.155.80, 66.235.124.59, 67.218.116.133, 195.93.21.1, 194.98.70.11, 151.71.24.183, 88.8.88.197, 92.140.188.95, 98.248.137.73, 88.191.89.58, 142.176.39.1, 98.232.1.111, 71.251.49.9, 69.29.86.8, 99.76.217.203, 79.72.216.140, 119.63.198.21, 122.167.68.125, 216.129.119.11, 108.2.146.252, 87.244.67.244, 188.129.154.150, 99.60.127.167, 151.71.27.111, 74.243.151.75, 78.182.153.42, 151.71.27.205, 66.235.124.57, 90.21.192.39, 66.249.67.76, 81.52.163.238, 166.137.137.62, 69.171.187.11, 209.191.123.35, 72.30.65.53, 96.231.54.123, 200.84.131.205, 64.182.124.212, 58.167.228.208, 208.118.60.154, 95.33.59.104, 142.166.170.100, 119.63.198.14, 67.142.168.22, 169.234.86.74, 66.249.68.245, 136.165.101.172, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.67.229, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.67.146, 38.99.97.10, 142.166.170.103, 66.249.67.12, 66.249.67.218, 66.249.68.149, 218.186.10.228, 66.249.68.204, 69.243.18.65, 114.143.44.23, 66.249.67.142, 66.249.65.77, 66.249.65.70, 66.249.65.114, 99.248.11.3, 212.50.226.185, 75.72.255.35, 203.131.250.162, 38.99.97.168, 24.117.158.153, 67.195.114.55, 38.100.41.105, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.29 Interview with ACW Womans Wrestler.....Kacee Carlisle 17 No acw wrestling kacee carlisle -1 1146 writer

article -1 -1 0 2010-01-07T02:08:00-05:00 Playerpress No 80 6884 <p>He has managed some of the greatest Pro-Wrestlers to ever live. Former ECW Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome and WWE Legend Sid Vicious,&nbsp;are just 2 of the many wrestling greats,&nbsp;Judge Jeff Jones has managed. And on January 24th, the JUDGE is back in Maryland! Now the commisioner of&nbsp; ACW Wrestling, he will be making a appearance at ACW Destiny. I recently had a chance to interview the Judge...and here is what he had to say!<br /> &nbsp;</p><div class="clearer">&nbsp;</div> <div class="content-box"> <div id="stry.1412470" class="post-data story"><br /> <div class="summary"> <div id="post-content"> <p><img id="photo.744424" alt="photo" src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/uploads/ballhype/story_large/2010/01/06/14651_1207911850082_1597261249_527341_2896916_n.jpg" /></p> He has managed some of the greatest Pro-Wrestlers to ever live. Former ECW Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome and WWE Legend Sid Vicious,&nbsp;are just 2 of the many wrestling greats,&nbsp;Judge Jeff Jones has managed. And on January 24th, the JUDGE is back in Maryland! Now the commisioner of&nbsp; ACW Wrestling, he will be making a appearance at ACW Destiny. I recently had a chance to interview the Judge...and here is what he had to say!<br /> <br /> Tim Lumber: &nbsp;You are a former ECW Legend turned ACW Commisioner. As the Judge, what are YOUR duties at ACW?<br /> <br /> Judge Jeff Jones:&nbsp; Well I think Legend may be a stretch but I will take the compliment&hellip;.My duties as ACW Commissioner are many&hellip;but the most important is trying to bring the fans some of the best action in the ring today.<br /> <br /> Tim Lumber: &nbsp;Who are the most talented wrestlers in the ACW?<br /> <br /> Judge Jeff Jones:&nbsp; Tyler Hilton, Pat Brink, Adam Cole and Ryan McBride come to mind immediately&hellip;and of course the ACW Heavyweight Champion and fellow ECW Original, The Franchise Shane Douglas<br /> <br /> Tim Lumber:&nbsp; &nbsp;Is there any wrestlers in the ACW who you feel LACK talent?<br /> <br /> Judge Jeff Jones:&nbsp; There a few that if I had final say would probably be asked to buy tickets to the event, but it's not my call, LOL&hellip;in reality everyone needs to get a start somewhere and I am sure there were plenty of VETS who said the same thing about me when I broke in the business in 1990.<br /> <br /> Tim Lumber: &nbsp;They call you Judge Jeff, if a wrestler in the ACW didnt obey your rules, what would happen to him?<br /> <br /> Judge Jeff Jones:&nbsp; Well as I have proved in the past with some of the guys I have managed, the late Mike Awesome and the Legendary Sid Vicious, I tend to surround myself with some big guys who can handle business for me. And if anyone from the opening match to the main event doesn't obey the Judge&hellip;.you never know when I will pick that phone up and call Sid or someone new all together to come help the Judge out<br /> <br /> Tim Lumber:&nbsp; &nbsp;Is there anything else you would like to add to this story? Any other topic on your mind that you want to bring up?<br /> <br /> Judge Jeff Jones:&nbsp; Just for everyone to come out and support ACW on January 24th for another great event and see some of the best indy wrestlers out there today.<br /> <br /> For more info on ACW Destiny, click onto this link to go to there website. <a href="http://www.acwprowrestling.biz/" rel="nofollow"><font size="2" color="#0066cc">http://www.acwprowrestling.biz/</font></a></div> </div> <form method="post" action="/story/interview-with-acw-commisioner-and-former-ecw-manager/widget/" name="widgetForm"> &nbsp; </form> </div> <div class="clearer">&nbsp;</div> <div class="post-cluster">&nbsp;</div> <div class="post-data story add-ons">&nbsp;</div> <div style="height: 20px; clear: both;">&nbsp;</div> <div class="reaction_title">&nbsp;</div> </div> 76.97.188.228 2010-01-07T02:08:00-05:00 interview-with-ecw-wrestling-legend-and-acw-commisioner-judge-jeff-jones No Yes 24.35.44.24, 66.249.68.143, 123.125.66.116, 67.195.112.159, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.67.229, 142.166.3.122, 174.129.171.1, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.157.195, 65.52.18.116, 70.37.66.245, 67.202.5.6, 216.24.142.46, 89.151.84.34, 174.129.141.109, 75.101.170.136, 64.34.161.235, 208.74.66.42, 208.74.66.39, 83.149.199.55, 89.151.116.54, 142.166.170.104, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.135, 87.250.252.241, 24.170.231.28, 67.218.116.131, 142.166.170.103, 204.228.117.202, 38.101.36.70, 64.184.179.75, 142.166.170.101, 74.107.70.178, 74.53.3.132, 99.253.239.50, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.119, 66.249.65.115, 66.249.68.137, 66.235.124.59, 67.195.115.23, 24.186.213.78, 66.249.67.162, 64.12.117.15, 67.18.5.149, 66.249.67.99, 198.200.181.205, 66.249.68.248, 67.195.114.42, 67.218.116.133, 67.195.37.165, 66.249.68.245, 69.250.223.177, 66.216.169.29, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.68.149, 66.249.67.218, 65.55.207.51, 66.249.68.204, 205.209.170.18, 66.249.67.214, 66.249.67.142, 67.195.112.85, 66.249.65.114, 66.249.65.77, 68.114.249.57, 24.130.11.4, 216.243.212.198, 74.215.12.50, 91.214.248.2, 203.131.250.162, 69.88.47.99, 74.53.80.46, 67.195.37.188, 38.99.97.10, 38.100.41.105, 66.235.124.54, 67.195.112.114, 142.162.135.16 Interview with ECW Wrestling Legend and ACW Commisioner Judge Jeff Jones 17 No ECW, ACW, Pro Wrestling -1 1146 writer

article -1 -1 0 2009-10-04T15:58:00-04:00 Playerpress No 146 5448 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The UFC has finally achieved what it needs to be a success in the fighting industry.&nbsp; Despite what Dana White's ego believes the UFC has now reached its full circle. <o:p></o:p></p><p> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNicole%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" /> <link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNicole%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" /> <link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNicole%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For the first time the Fighters sitting on top of their divisions are arguably the best fighters in those respected divisions.&nbsp; The weight classes are a fairly new aspect to the MMA world and have lacked the depth, talent and consistency it takes to build a dynasty.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <b style="">&quot; The Prodigy&quot; BJ Penn - Lightweight Champion<br /> </b>&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One of the most recognized fighters in the world BJ Penn has accomplished it all in his career.&nbsp; He has honed his skills overseas, has dominated his particular martial art and has been one of the most consistent champions the UFC has ever seen.&nbsp; The Lightweight Champion who fights at 155 has had successful matches against all weight classes and has never backed down from any challenge.&nbsp; Classic matches stemming from a light heavyweight match ten years ago against Lyoto Machida to the dream match recently against GSP.&nbsp; Penn has been considered one of the best at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu rivaling the pioneer Gracie.&nbsp; His skill set is on another level than most fighters and what makes him so deadly is his ability to adjust to any style of fighting.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <b style="">George &quot;Rush&quot; <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">St. Pierre</st1:city></st1:place> - Welterweight Champion</b><br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; GSP is without a doubt the pop culture icon of MMA.&nbsp; He has appeared in commercials, movies, and remains one of the most popular fighters to ever compete in the UFC.&nbsp; <st1:city w:st="on">Pierre</st1:city> has put <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place> on the map the way Bret Hart did in professional wrestling and is exceeding his popularity in all races, sexes, and ages.&nbsp; GSP is a unique fighter who seems to improve with every match, the interesting part is that every match is supposed to be the toughest of his career and he dominates with fluid precision.&nbsp; One of the best events to ever happen to his career was to lose to Matt Serra in the upset of the century, which spawned a man with a mission, never look weak again.&nbsp; GSP is on everyone's mind when talks arise about possible dream matches which speak of his status in the MMA world.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="">Anderson</b></st1:city></st1:place><b style=""> &quot;The Spider&quot; Silva - Middleweight Champion</b><br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; The spider is currently the most talked about pound for pound king of the sport.&nbsp; Silva has had matches in the UFC at both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions experiencing tremendous success.&nbsp; Known for his counter attack style the spider stalks his opponents the first round to build a game plan on the fly.&nbsp; Fighters psych themselves out too much trying to anticipate his every move and end up looking like an amateur against his trainer.&nbsp; The spider has risen to the top of Pride and UFC respectively making him an international king of the sport.&nbsp; Silva arrived to the UFC to raise his level of competition and has breezed through many big name fighters; leaving many to wonder what is the ceiling for this <span class="GramE">guy</span>?&nbsp; A permanent rise to the light heavyweight division seems to be in Silva's future and the giving up his current title does not seem to be an issue for a <span class="GramE">guy</span> just looking to compete.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <span class="SpellE"><b style="">Lyoto</b></span><b style=""> &quot;The Dragon&quot; <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Machida</st1:place></st1:city> - Light Heavyweight Champion</b><br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A sleeper pick if you ever saw one.&nbsp; <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Machida</st1:place></st1:city> is an action speaks louder than words type of fighter and has slowly built his fan base with his performance inside the Octagon.&nbsp; The dragon is the most accurate striker in the organization and still has yet to lose a round in the toughest division in the UFC.&nbsp; <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Machida</st1:place></st1:city> has resurfaced one of the lost martial arts in Karate and has taken it to another level.&nbsp; Karate <span class="GramE">has never been considered</span> successful in the sport of mixed martial arts, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Machida</st1:place></st1:city> has shown what true discipline and dedication can do for a martial art that he feels is the only thing he needs to compete in this sport.&nbsp; The dragon has vowed to be a <span class="GramE">long term</span> champion and no one in the MMA world is saying otherwise.&nbsp; He has everything a fighter needs to be successful and has become one of the must see fighters in the organization with a fan base as loyal as he is to his martial art.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <b style="">Brock <span class="SpellE">Lesnar</span> - Heavyweight Champion</b><br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Brock is not the most popular <span class="GramE">guy</span> among MMA circles.&nbsp; Many believe he was not and is still not the deserving champion, but he still fits this article for the following reasons.&nbsp; Brock <span class="SpellE">Lesnar</span> is like a car wreck that you just have to lock your eyes on if <span class="GramE">it&rsquo;s</span> in front of you.&nbsp; He is a physical specimen that demands people's attention like everybody's favorite big man Andre the Giant.&nbsp; People are naturally attracted to the big circus act that leaves them wanting more.&nbsp; There is no one else in the UFC with the size and strength <span class="SpellE">Lesnar</span> possesses which makes him an interesting draw anytime he is on the card.&nbsp; Fans want to see who will be the fighter to defeat him and how they will go about accomplishing that feat.&nbsp; Brock <span class="SpellE">Lesnar</span> will continue to be on articles similar to this until someone knocks him off his throne.&nbsp; The catch to that statement is that no expert could tell you who and how that will happen and that is why he is a deserving champion.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Three out of the five fighters on this list <span class="GramE">have been mentioned</span> as current pound for pound kings and have been mentioned countless times in dream fights against one another.&nbsp; Fighters all over the world want a piece of the Champions UFC has to offer which speaks highly of the talent they have built.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> 76.97.188.228 2009-10-04T15:58:00-04:00 the-ufc-full-circle No Yes 66.249.68.248, 213.180.209.10, 174.46.170.180, 200.126.226.16, 67.195.115.229, 72.30.79.93, 216.129.119.40, 67.218.116.131, 66.235.124.57, 67.195.115.163, 67.195.113.245, 70.240.228.165, 66.249.67.136, 66.249.67.133, 114.30.114.10, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.106.210, 66.249.67.87, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.238, 38.105.83.13, 174.46.170.185, 67.202.15.176, 216.129.119.14, 71.107.56.173, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 85.17.211.164, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.114.233, 166.205.130.220, 38.98.19.67, 84.64.217.62, 67.218.116.133, 66.235.124.8, 216.56.24.242, 66.249.67.6, 67.195.112.187, 66.249.67.206, 205.209.170.2, 82.130.28.24, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 65.55.207.28, 208.43.229.68, 95.108.157.251, 38.105.83.11, 209.202.168.79, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 66.96.220.69, 65.55.108.241, 98.197.25.73, 66.249.68.178, 66.249.67.229, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.207.140, 209.249.53.179, 66.249.67.82, 67.195.115.23, 207.46.199.196, 66.249.68.219, 68.78.15.99, 66.249.68.143, 38.100.41.66, 207.46.199.189, 65.55.106.114, 207.46.199.178, 74.53.3.132, 38.101.148.126, 207.46.199.182, 65.55.207.125, 67.195.114.42, 208.115.111.245, 209.191.123.35, 65.55.109.185, 65.55.207.27, 67.195.37.165, 203.131.250.162, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.112.114, 38.100.41.105, 66.249.67.12 The UFC Full Circle 17 No UFC, MMA, Champions -1 1096 writer

article -1 -1 0 2009-09-14T15:50:00-04:00 Playerpress Yes 298 5134 <p>Kimbo Slice may not be the best fighter to ever grace a MMA event, but he is one of the better known and controversial. Controversy follows this guy and opinions on his skill and impact are all over the meter. Brett Rogers and Frank Mir are highly critical of Slice. In fact, Mir has stated that every time Slice fights he sets MMA back.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Those gentlemen are certainly welcome to their opinion and I&rsquo;m not about to forcibly alter their way of thinking. But, after Seth Petrucelli was drafted as a stand in for a main event with Kimbo Slice and walked away the victor it brought about severe ramifications that led to the state of Florida investigating the fight, the Monsters in the Morning radio program insisting that Petrucelli had been paid by EliteXC promoters to &ldquo;take it easy&rdquo; on Slice and, according to no less of a source than Dana White, caused EliteXC to go bankrupt.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At the time of the bout Slice was the up and coming poster boy for EliteXC. His infamous street fights had made him an internet sensation and a no brainer for placing into the octagon. Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson, earned his nickname after slicing open the eye of Big D; an opponent whose clash with Slice circulated heavily on YouTube and other video sites.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Slice began his street fighting in 2003. His success led to a job as a bouncer for a strip club and that career move led to a meeting with RealityKings; a Miami based web porn business. Mike &ldquo;IcyMike&rdquo; Ember, part of RealityKings, offered him a job as chauffer and became his manager.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>Before saving the virtue of strippers who are employed by porn magnates, Slice had earned a spot on the Dolphins taxi squad and attended Bethune-Cookman and the University of Miami. He majored in criminal justice. Unfortunately, his classroom knowledge could not help him avoid taking a rap for carrying a concealed weapon in 2003.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With college behind him, Slice embarked on a successful street fighting career that had only one blemish; a loss to Seth Gannon. The fact that Gannon is a former Boston police officer shows a certain karmic balance in terms of his win over the guy who was charged with a felony.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The internet, back alleys and back rooms couldn&rsquo;t contain Slice as he moved inexorably toward the light of MMA sanctioned bouts. EliteXC sought to take advantage of his underground fame and signed him up. On June 23, 2007, Slice debuted in an Atlantic City card against WBO boxer Ray Mercer. He took Mercer out with a guillotine choke at 1:12 of the first round. Slice made EliteXC look like they had backed a winner as he defeated Bo Cantrell and Tank Abbott.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Nothing lasts forever and on May 31, 2008, on network television Slice was beaten on EliteXC: Primetime. His opponent, James Thompson utilized the ground and pound to win on points, but suffered a ruptured eardrum in the process. Next up was Petrucelli&rsquo;s upset win when he was chosen as a last minute stand in for the injured Ken Shamrock.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>EliteXC may be gone, but Slice is still around, beard and all. He had to earn his way onto Dana White&rsquo;s The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, but he will be featured on the Spike program. If he is the last man standing he may be able to silence some of the critics. If not, the controversy will continue.<br /> &nbsp;</p> 76.97.188.228 2009-09-14T15:50:00-04:00 a-slice-of-the-pie No Yes 66.249.68.248, 213.180.209.10, 174.46.170.181, 200.126.226.16, 66.249.67.41, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.106.230, 67.195.115.163, 65.55.106.203, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 67.202.15.176, 82.30.237.20, 38.105.83.13, 174.46.170.185, 169.237.202.92, 66.249.68.227, 67.202.34.153, 174.129.81.149, 38.98.19.111, 216.129.119.14, 66.249.67.79, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 67.195.114.233, 89.189.137.21, 67.195.112.109, 69.58.178.26, 65.55.106.112, 66.249.67.6, 66.249.67.174, 203.173.162.215, 67.218.116.133, 209.34.239.254, 98.196.230.23, 208.54.4.60, 24.71.131.117, 66.249.67.21, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.67.206, 205.209.170.2, 203.219.73.92, 208.115.111.246, 65.55.207.133, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.65.199, 67.195.112.159, 208.43.229.68, 216.104.15.142, 209.202.168.75, 95.108.157.251, 66.249.67.99, 38.105.83.11, 88.108.120.252, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 66.96.220.69, 213.133.20.230, 66.235.124.58, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.178, 65.55.110.163, 69.58.178.27, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.152, 152.157.78.172, 66.249.68.195, 66.249.68.233, 99.227.112.118, 87.250.252.241, 93.109.22.170, 66.249.67.82, 208.54.90.70, 65.55.207.50, 67.195.115.23, 65.55.108.242, 99.2.40.197, 68.78.15.99, 66.249.68.219, 63.215.202.234, 38.100.41.66, 80.202.226.25, 65.55.207.135, 74.53.3.132, 38.101.148.126, 198.237.195.10, 67.195.114.243, 69.58.178.30, 71.77.38.178, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.207.95, 90.220.65.10, 166.137.137.114, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.37.165, 38.100.8.50, 98.252.190.240, 96.20.252.93, 77.98.237.101, 218.28.29.236, 65.55.106.160, 67.195.112.85, 38.99.97.10, 98.204.161.250, 66.249.67.12, 38.100.41.105 A Slice of the Pie 17 No Kimbo Slice, Ultimate Fighter, Spike -1 12 writer

article -1 -1 0 2009-08-05T15:43:00-04:00 Playerpress No 343 4689 <p>The UFC's pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva, gets back in the Octagon at UFC 101.</p><p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><b><br /> </b>The UFC's pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva, gets back in the Octagon at UFC 101 after his disappointing performance against Thales Leites, and many people will be hoping he tears Forrest Griffin's head off.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Leites refused to fight Silva, falling on his back and laying there several times as the two danced for about five rounds. I'm <a href="http://payperhead.com/" title="betting management" id="mqfv">betting management</a> will make sure that it won't happen again.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The difference in this bout will be that Griffin is not one to chicken out of a tussle and he's not one to dance around and wait for opportunities. He'll look to create them himself.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The problem for Griffin is that he doesn't really hold any edges on Silva in any aspect. Silva can knock him out rather easily if the fight is fought standing, or if it goes to the ground, Silva is going to use one of his many submission tactics. That's why Silva is so effective - there really isn't any way that he can't or struggles to fight.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Griffin might last longer if he goes for take downs and tries to be the aggressor on the mats. That strategy might get him through the five rounds and if he can wear Silva down with some ground and pound, he could have a chance at a decision. Even so, Silva is so slippery that he's likely to block any take downs and force the fight to be battled standing.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>There is a reason why Silva is the biggest favorite of any fighter on the UFC 101 fight card. He's the best all-around fighter UFC has to offer and Griffin, who has struggled against elite fighters, won't be the guy to stop him.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><a href="http://bettorsedge.wordpress.com/" title="Betting pick" id="j9t8">Betting pick</a>: Silva via 2nd-round knock out.</div> </p> 0.0.0.0 2009-08-05T15:43:00-04:00 ufc-101-anderson-silva-vs-forrest-griffin No Yes 72.30.142.117, 98.24.227.99, 213.180.209.10, 65.55.207.122, 66.249.68.248, 174.46.170.180, 66.249.67.41, 24.173.47.205, 72.30.79.93, 72.30.78.232, 67.195.115.163, 99.226.222.170, 78.20.215.79, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 71.211.94.56, 208.115.111.246, 67.195.113.245, 67.195.115.152, 66.249.68.227, 65.55.106.112, 74.101.207.164, 38.105.83.13, 66.99.105.2, 66.235.124.8, 71.254.82.205, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.79, 85.17.211.164, 99.178.166.254, 66.249.67.6, 92.255.207.37, 76.23.28.101, 216.129.119.14, 65.55.108.243, 70.60.50.178, 74.93.242.29, 194.65.92.57, 67.218.116.133, 65.55.106.139, 67.195.112.109, 94.5.47.18, 24.99.125.176, 76.180.200.47, 70.170.119.147, 120.155.215.116, 212.117.187.100, 220.161.245.159, 63.197.68.111, 82.198.250.6, 98.244.98.50, 63.215.202.234, 67.195.37.172, 209.183.55.2, 189.58.231.80, 66.249.65.200, 12.35.105.66, 67.195.112.159, 84.243.201.167, 208.43.229.68, 95.108.157.251, 65.55.106.137, 38.105.83.11, 203.51.119.188, 66.249.68.172, 209.202.168.79, 66.96.220.69, 71.224.90.128, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.152, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.67.50, 87.250.252.241, 99.227.112.118, 66.249.68.233, 209.249.53.134, 24.91.182.196, 65.55.106.180, 65.55.104.15, 66.249.67.82, 67.195.115.23, 99.238.208.23, 124.176.233.229, 66.249.68.166, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.67.123, 66.249.68.135, 74.53.3.132, 189.13.221.61, 65.55.207.54, 66.249.65.72, 67.195.114.42, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.207.136, 187.37.194.69, 66.249.67.76, 38.100.8.50, 67.195.37.165, 70.180.40.101, 67.195.112.85, 65.55.106.131, 38.99.97.10, 38.100.41.105 UFC 101: Anderson Silva vs Forrest Griffin 17 No MMA, UFC, UFC 101 -1 402 writer

article -1 -1 1 2009-07-17T00:01:00-04:00 Playerpress Yes 348 3866 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Royce Gracie is much different then most fighters when it comes to reasons to motivate himself. He was the first dominant and overwhelming UFC champion in its 16-year history.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Gracie does not need the money these days that he got from fighting. He does not need the fame that comes from fighting either. He also does not need the students that being a dominant champion can bring. There is absolutely nothing for Gracie to prove in the cage anymore, and life outside of the cage has been pretty darn good for Gracie.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He is relaxing on the porch, sitting back and thinking about life and contemplating on whether he wants to get back in the cage or not.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="GramE">Gracie, who even at 42-years-old, is hounded daily by his fans about when he is going to get back in the cage and fight again</span>. Call it pleasant remembrances, fond memories, homesickness, longing, reminiscence, sentimentality, yearning, or just plain old Gracie nostalgia. His fans want to see him back in the cage. In addition, this from a man with a slight and slender frame of 170 pounds, who basically ran out of opponents ten years ago because he had beaten them all, regardless of size.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The funny thing is, Gracie has not come out and said that he will definitely not fight again and when he <span class="GramE">is asked</span>, he just smiles and leaves it open for interpretation. In other words, anything is possible.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Gracie officially left the octagon cage in 1995, although he has had a few comebacks of sorts since then. He returned to the cage in 2000 in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and had an epic all-out battle with Kazushi <span class="SpellE">Sakuraba</span>, which he lost. <span class="GramE">And yet</span> this was the pinnacle of his post-UFC career.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Gracie returned to the Octagon six years later, in May of 2006. Against champion Matt Hughes, a younger, stronger, and faster fighter, Gracie was beginning to look his age. <span class="GramE">Hughes, made use to pounding the side of Gracie&rsquo;s head repeatedly after he realized that the UFC legend would not tap to an arm lock even though it dislocated his elbow.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In June of 2007, Gracie defeated his old nemesis and fellow legend Kazushi <span class="SpellE">Sakuraba</span> at Dynamite USA in a re-match that was nothing more then humdrum. <span class="GramE">And</span> to make matters worse, after the bout, he tested positive for steroids. It was later found out that the levels of the drug found in his system were significant. Gracie claimed that he did not know he was taking performance enhancers. Sounds like a broken record with athletes these days.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Since that occurrence, Gracie has stayed out of the limelight and has been happy to be out of the spotlight all together.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On the weekend of UFC 100, the fans and media mobbed him as he walked through the hallways of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mandalay</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Event</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>. He felt unclear about being at the event. <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&ldquo;One hundred is good, but it makes me feel so old,&rdquo; he said while laughing.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Most fans believe that Gracie failed to adapt <span class="GramE">to new tendencies in the game in his many returns to the cage</span>. MMA had evolved into a hybrid sport, and he did not put in the time to learn them and become well versed in all of its new capacities.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">However, the fans still wants to see him. Nostalgia is reliable source for &lsquo;what have you done for me lately&rsquo; fighters.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">However, the one thing that seems to be missing is that Gracie does not have the fire anymore to fight. He wants to compete, and he says he is physically fine, but something else is missing. There is no urge, no edge, <span class="GramE">no</span> desire to train.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel the urge to fight,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel that edge, that urge to fight. Now&hellip; eh, I don&rsquo;t feel that.&rdquo;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Gracie watched from outside the cage on Saturday night, watching fighters take each other down and fight for position. He was taking it all in and his legacy was all over the action.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Will Gracie ever step back inside the cage? The odds are against it at this point, but then again, anything is possible. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> 76.97.188.228 2009-07-17T00:01:00-04:00 former-ufc-champion-contemplating-return No Yes 72.30.142.117, 72.30.87.97, 67.180.90.243, 66.249.68.248, 174.46.170.180, 200.126.226.16, 67.164.222.166, 72.30.79.93, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.107.182, 67.195.115.163, 83.167.62.168, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 208.115.111.246, 67.202.15.176, 66.249.68.227, 194.110.162.82, 66.235.124.8, 66.249.67.41, 38.105.83.13, 67.195.115.152, 174.46.170.184, 216.129.119.14, 67.195.113.245, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 67.195.114.233, 166.205.130.220, 65.55.207.96, 65.55.37.186, 67.218.116.133, 213.180.209.10, 174.127.132.10, 65.55.207.126, 67.195.112.159, 208.43.229.68, 67.195.115.23, 209.202.168.75, 95.108.157.251, 65.55.207.135, 38.105.83.11, 66.96.220.69, 98.197.25.73, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.153, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.67.9, 123.125.66.24, 99.227.112.118, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.211, 209.249.53.134, 209.249.53.179, 174.127.132.157, 65.55.207.132, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.216.9, 66.249.68.135, 72.30.142.161, 123.125.66.81, 66.249.65.72, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.67.162, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.207.93, 67.195.37.165, 174.127.132.64, 174.132.242.42, 67.49.111.211, 66.249.67.229, 38.98.19.66, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.67.21, 190.120.238.117, 218.28.29.236, 65.55.215.76, 67.195.112.85, 123.125.66.73, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.108.241, 38.99.97.10, 38.100.41.105 Former UFC Champion Contemplating Return 17 No MMA, UFC, Royce Gracie -1 231 administrator

article -1 -1 0 2009-07-09T13:33:00-04:00 Playerpress Yes 1525 3788 <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></font></span><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman"> In honor of the upcoming UFC 100, I wanted to take a moment to discuss the wave of &ldquo;outsiders&rdquo; who are fighting their way into, and succeeding, in MMA. Chances are good that this Saturday night, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in </font></span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: small;">Las Vegas</span></st1:place></st1:city></font></font></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">, the UFC event will set record numbers for the sport. With two title matches and a third with top tier fighters, the entire card is stacked. The main event, for the heavyweight title belt, features a rematch between Frank Mir and former WWE star Brock Lesnar. It is fitting for the 100^th show, that Dana White and Company pull out all the stops. On paper, this is, by far, the best event the UFC has ever put together. Now it is up to the fighters to live up to that billing.</font></p> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">Hardcore MMA fans and purists will tell you that WWE Entertainers and any other &ldquo;outsiders&rdquo; who attempt to compete in mixed martial arts competitions are nothing but a fraud and an embarrassment to the MMA community. Vince McMahon&rsquo;s stars have long been thought of as a joke when it comes to &ldquo;real&rdquo; wrestling. I am still chided about thinking the WWF was &ldquo;real&rdquo; as a child, but I&rsquo;m not bitter or anything. Maybe that thought has lost its merit though. More and more football players and larger than life (literally) personalities from the WWE are taking up mixed martial arts. Could MMA be entering a new era?</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Take the aforementioned Brock Lesnar for example. He is currently the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Granted, he beat an extremely old Randy Couture for the belt, but he has looked very impressive in his brief MMA career. His lone loss came in his UFC debut, against Mir. Lesnar was caught in a knee bar and forced to submit early in the first round. That was after Mir was taken down twice, with ease, by the much bigger Lesnar though. Without that mistake by the much larger, stronger, and faster Lesnar, Frank Mir would have been physically dismantled, without difficulty.</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The popular reality series The Ultimate Fighter, which gives the winner a hefty UFC contract, will feature heavyweights in the new season. Not just any heavyweights though. Coached by foes Rashad Evans and Quinton &lsquo;Rampage&rsquo; Jackson, there is a mix of ex-NFL players, former IFL (International Fight League) performers, other experienced cage fighters, and the cult hero Kimbo Slice, who is sure to be gone after his first fight.</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sure, Lesnar may have been the exception to the rule about WWE stars being able to make the crossover, but what about Bobby Lashley? He has annihilated opponents thus far, accumulating a 4-0 record, and only once hearing the bell that signals the end of round one. A heavyweight like Mr. Lesnar, Lashley has looked dominant against his opponents. It is only a matter of time before he gets a chance to fight someone with more than just a recognizable name.</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This new wave of fighters entering the UFC and the lesser-known companies run by it (such as the WEC), are great for the sport. These guys are bringing a new fan base, which can only mean the in-coming cash flow will grow exponentially for Dana White the Fertitta&rsquo;s. There will always be those doubters, who see the ex-WWE performers cross over and ask &ldquo;what about the steroids?&rdquo; There is no way men can get that big and that cut without some help from science, right? I agree, but so far, whatever testing program the UFC implements, has found nothing.</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dana White has got to be drooling all over himself at the promotion side of the WWE entertainers. Marketability is huge, especially for a still-growing sport like MMA. Like them or not, fighters who can engage an audience outside the octagon, as well as inside it, are worth much more to the company at the end of the day than what their paycheck says. Not every fighter has that charisma, in fact few do. There are many great athletes in the MMA world, but finding the combination of talent and personality that will draw outside interest can be very difficult.</font></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you are not busy Saturday night and have access to pay-per-view, this UFC event may be one to watch. With more than a handful of Dana White&rsquo;s superstars fighting, UFC 100 could go down as one of the best in history, and I&rsquo;m talking many, many years from now, not just tomorrow or next week. This show will answer the classic &lsquo;strength vs. skill&rsquo; and &lsquo;size vs. speed&rsquo; arguments. As with every other major main-stream sport, mental toughness inside the cage is, and will be, the ultimate equalizer. So sit back, relax, grab a cold one (root beer, of course, for those of you who have yet to turn 21), and enjoy round after round of some of the UFC&rsquo;s biggest stars going head to head.</font></span></p> 0.0.0.0 2009-07-09T13:33:00-04:00 ufc-100-a-new-era No Yes 72.30.87.97, 174.46.170.180, 77.248.22.141, 66.249.67.41, 65.55.207.21, 174.127.132.10, 66.249.67.133, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.68.245, 67.195.113.245, 194.110.162.86, 208.115.111.246, 83.167.62.168, 67.202.15.176, 174.46.170.182, 38.105.83.13, 216.129.119.14, 66.249.68.227, 71.107.56.173, 66.249.67.79, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 69.58.178.26, 65.55.106.108, 67.195.112.109, 118.68.60.117, 124.115.0.15, 67.195.114.233, 124.115.0.156, 67.218.116.133, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.67.21, 201.19.196.122, 66.249.65.200, 65.55.207.69, 66.249.65.199, 208.43.229.68, 67.195.112.159, 209.202.168.77, 209.202.168.78, 124.115.4.190, 38.105.83.11, 163.1.5.150, 65.55.106.186, 66.249.68.172, 66.96.220.69, 95.108.157.251, 61.135.249.203, 66.235.124.8, 66.249.68.178, 69.58.178.27, 67.195.111.172, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.233, 99.227.112.118, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.187, 66.249.67.82, 65.55.109.75, 72.30.142.161, 207.46.199.179, 66.249.68.143, 207.46.199.193, 200.207.29.251, 198.237.195.10, 69.58.178.30, 65.55.207.121, 207.46.199.184, 66.249.67.162, 65.55.108.242, 67.195.114.42, 208.115.111.245, 61.135.220.157, 61.135.220.140, 38.100.8.50, 67.49.111.211, 66.249.67.229, 63.215.202.234, 61.135.220.147, 65.55.207.52, 61.135.220.134, 67.195.37.165, 61.135.220.142, 61.135.220.172, 66.249.67.12, 61.135.220.161, 67.195.112.85, 61.135.220.166, 61.135.220.177, 67.195.37.188, 38.99.97.10, 61.135.220.155, 38.100.41.105, 65.55.207.97 UFC 100: A New Era? 17 No MMA, UFC, Dana White, Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, 100, WWE -1 428 writer

article -1 -1 1 2009-05-15T13:21:00-04:00 Playerpress No 251 3085 <p>Some people just never go away. You think they&rsquo;d have their 15 minutes and then fade into deserved oblivion. Unfortunately, that isn&rsquo;t always the case. That&rsquo;s why we constantly are forced to hear about celebs we don&rsquo;t care about going into rehab, or coming out of the closet. In that annoying class of people a few athletes have gravitated and one of the Kings of guys who should just go away is Jose Canseco.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If Canseco was trying to come clean and present all the facts when he composed his tomes on steroid use in MLB that would have been an acceptable reason for him to put pen to paper. Instead, he was trying to make a fast buck and inflate an ego that was as shriveled as his juiced out testicles.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Needless to say his book on steroid use wasn&rsquo;t well received among his peers; even those who have remained clean and Canseco not only burned his bridges, he pretty much ended any chance of maintaining the lifestyle he had when he shot up to hit homeruns. After making the talk show circuit, shilling more written crap about performance enhancing substances and boxing a member of the Partridge Family it appeared that Canseco would be a mere blip on our memory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfortunately, faster than you can say last ditch attempt to cash in on my notoriety Canseco is back with possibly his last money making scheme. He is scheduled to make his MMA debut on May 26 in Japan on the card of Dream 9 at the Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan. Yes, at one time washed up baseball players went to Japan to finish out their fading career, now they go there to get their butt kicked by 7&rsquo;2&rdquo; Hong Man Choi.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Choi is a 330 lb behemoth with a 1-2 record. While that isn&rsquo;t overly impressive it should be enough to finish off Canseco if everything is on the square. Canseco, who is listed at 6&rsquo;4&rdquo;, 260, did have one other celebrity boxing match with Vai Sikahema. The former member of the Philadelphia Eagles fulfilled everyone&rsquo;s fantasy by whipping Canseco.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Canseco admits he has no idea what can happen to him in the octagon and acknowledges it is a tough endeavor he is about to undertake. His girlfriend, Heidi Northcott admitted he is doing it because he is hard up for cash. Knowing his options are limited, Canseco took the match when it was offered by MMA. It is my hope that the fight was offered with the intent of ridding the world of Canseco. Here&rsquo;s further hoping that the ref is slow to intervene in what should be a whupping of the first degree.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You may question why MMA included Canseco in the open weight Super Hulk Tournament, but be aware that HDNet will air the card live at 12:00 am Pacific Time with a re-airing for all of you east coast residents who have jobs and require sleep before you report to work. The repeat is on May 29 at 10:00 pm Eastern. If all goes well Canseco may be revived in time to view his ass kicking on the replay while MMA gets to pick up some cash courtesy of the TV contract.<br /> &nbsp;</p> 0.0.0.0 2009-05-15T13:21:00-04:00 mma-can-he-do-for-mma-what-he-did-for-mlb No Yes 66.249.68.248, 72.30.87.97, 213.180.209.10, 72.30.142.117, 174.46.170.181, 174.46.170.179, 76.174.28.160, 65.55.106.230, 174.127.132.10, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 72.30.78.232, 96.238.3.142, 67.202.8.198, 208.115.111.246, 67.202.15.176, 66.235.124.8, 67.195.115.163, 38.105.83.13, 72.30.142.161, 216.129.119.14, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 67.195.112.109, 83.167.62.168, 65.55.106.160, 66.249.67.6, 67.195.114.233, 67.218.116.133, 67.195.112.187, 66.249.67.174, 128.33.17.34, 202.180.34.186, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.206, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 65.55.106.207, 67.195.112.159, 208.43.229.68, 65.55.207.75, 209.202.168.77, 209.202.168.78, 38.105.83.11, 66.96.220.69, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.111.172, 67.218.116.131, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.115.23, 66.249.68.233, 174.127.132.124, 65.55.207.93, 91.199.50.204, 66.249.67.82, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.219, 66.249.68.166, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.68.143, 174.127.132.157, 65.55.106.158, 66.249.68.135, 192.234.2.90, 65.55.108.242, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.72, 66.249.65.119, 66.249.67.162, 66.249.68.137, 65.55.106.187, 67.195.37.165, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.67.136, 209.191.123.35, 67.195.112.85, 65.55.106.131, 38.99.97.10 MMA: Can He Do For MMA What He Did For MLB? 17 No -1 12 writer

article -1 -1 0 2009-03-11T22:11:00-04:00 Playerpress No 268 2182 <p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What you are about to read has sparked many arguments, some maybe even leading to a fight. MMA has taken over as the sport of choice for fight fans. You still have your boxing purists, but for the average fan, MMA just seems to have more to offer. I've never seen either sport in person, and probably couldn't afford to if I wanted to, but if I could see one, it sure wouldn't be boxing. If I wanted to see two fighters dance, I'd tune in to Dancing With the Stars. I'd much rather watch Evander Holyfield, who was booted off second in season one, or Floyd Mayweather Jr., told to go home 4^thon season five, in the ring, dismantling their opponent.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There have been boxing matches in the past that were as good as gold. In 1985, 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler and Tommy 'The Hitman' Hearns stood toe to toe and traded hook after hook until Hearns was knocked out cold in the 3^rd round. It is one of the greatest fights, of any kind, in any sport, ever. There may never be another like it. Ali had numerous fights that were spectacles, including the 3^rd and final bout versus Joe Frazier, known to many as The Thrilla in Manila. Unfortunately, these fights are few and far between. Now, fighters like to dance around 'feeling out' an opponent before picking their spots to attack. I'm sure there is a science to dancing around bobbing and weaving, but no one wants to watch that.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I will refuse the urge to put down boxing and not point out what I believe are the negative aspects of MMA. When a fight hits the ground in mixed martial arts, pull up a chair and get comfortable, most fights will end there once a fighter goes down. Many times it is very boring to watch, one fighter laying on top of another, seemingly taking a nap almost. I know there is loads of strategy and jostling for position going on, but like dancing in boxing, fight already! It is not always boring on the ground though. A fun-to-watch ground fighting tactic is the ground and pound. It is exactly like it sounds. The fighter on top, who is usually in the more dominant position, will unleash a flurry of strikes.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A boxer has to worry about one weapon, the fists. In MMA, everything is a weapon. Hands, legs, knees, and elbows are all very effective tools to hurt your opponent. More often than not, a fight is stopped by submission in mixed martial arts. Knocking out your opponent is a fantastic feeling, I would imagine, but making him tap out? It doesn't get better than making your opponent quit. In boxing, its knockout or decision, that's it, unless you consider a technical knock out different than a knockout, in which case we can agree to disagree.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MMA requires a wide array of fighting styles. A boxer, for instance, would probably not be successful in mixed martial arts unless he was proficient in at least a couple other disciplines such as jui jitsu or wrestling. All sorts of martial arts are studied, hence the name 'mixed' martial arts. In addition to those, different forms of wrestling and kickboxing are incorporated as well. I guess MMA is more a case of knowing a little about a lot as opposed to knowing a lot about a little, like in boxing.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In boxing, there are probably 15 belts you can hold simultaneously. Maybe it is because it is still a young sport, but MMA basically consists of the UFC and maybe Affliction, if you want to count that promotion. There is really only one belt that matters, and it's in the UFC, at least that's how it appears to the common fan. It's a bit difficult even for boxing purists to remember what belts their favorite fighters hold. You're either the champ or chump, right?</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I liken the UFC to pro baseball or football, or even the NBA. It is 'the league' to be in, they have the best of the best, talent wise. Boxing is more about self promotion, which hurts when you are not especially good at promoting yourself or your fighter. A lot of fights don't happen because the fighters don't get as much money as they want. Selfish, greedy, sellout, throw out any synonyms for those words and that describes any boxer who declines a fight for monetary purposes. MMA doesn't have that problem, yet. As the sport grows, and believe me, it is exploding, this may become more of a problem.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My last argument, I promise, is who fights who. Boxers tend to shy away from other top contenders. Yes, once in a blue moon you get two superstars in the ring, but for the most part it is a no-name against a top draw or even two no-names, although, sometimes those are the best fights. Granted, the UFC only has one major fight card a month, which kinda sucks, but the main event is always big names, sometimes there are two or three fights on a single card, in a single night mind you, that have the more popular fighters. And every show usually has a title fight, not quite true for boxing.</span></p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in">&nbsp;</p> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I don't hate, or even dislike boxing, I just think MMA is more exciting. There is more going on, more technicality to it. I love watching fights like Hagler and Hearns, but how many are there? Once a generation, if that? MMA has grown exponentially since its inception, and there's no sign of letting up. Boxings problem may just be the lack of top level talent. Fans might be more apt to pay their hard earned money to see a boxing match involving two big names if they happened more than once a year or two. So for all you boxing fans out there, please take it easy on me, I'm not denouncing your sport, I'm simply implying it has lost its luster, at least for the time being.</span></p> 0.0.0.0 2009-03-11T22:11:00-04:00 them-s-are-fightin-words No Yes 66.249.68.248, 174.46.170.180, 174.46.170.179, 65.55.207.22, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.41, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 208.115.111.246, 38.105.83.13, 174.46.170.185, 216.129.119.14, 67.202.15.176, 67.195.114.233, 67.195.112.187, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 65.55.106.185, 66.235.124.56, 83.167.62.168, 65.55.108.243, 67.218.116.133, 66.249.67.174, 65.55.106.158, 67.195.112.159, 202.180.34.186, 208.43.229.68, 66.249.67.21, 38.105.83.11, 209.202.168.79, 66.96.220.69, 95.108.157.251, 66.249.67.227, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.111.172, 65.55.106.186, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.115.23, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 174.127.132.158, 66.219.58.34, 65.55.207.78, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.67.46, 65.55.109.205, 66.249.68.102, 66.249.67.58, 66.249.68.137, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.67.99, 65.55.207.96, 66.249.67.134, 209.191.123.35, 66.249.67.47, 174.127.132.136, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.37.165, 67.195.112.85, 66.249.68.163 Them's are Fightin' Words 17 No MMA, boxing, UFC -1 428 writer