M-1?s Vadim Finkelchtein Calls For ?Strict Drug Testing? In Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8197.shtml
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UFC president Dana White and chairman Lorenzo Fertitta met with the press in New York City to make their commitment to the Big Apple clear. They announced via an online press conference that once MMA is regulated, the UFC will bring two shows to Madison Square Garden. According to studies from an independent researcher, those two shows would bring $23 million and more than 200 jobs to N.Y.
"By bringing UFC events to New York, the state will see a positive financial impact," White said. "The arenas will get to host major UFC events and local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses will attract new customers. They’ll look forward to the times we bring UFC to New York."
N.Y. assemblyman Dean Murray was on hand to talk politics, and the process that had to happen to get MMA legalized and sanctioned in his state. He will try to sway newly sworn-in governor Andrew Cuomo to include revenue from MMA in the state budget, which will give it an easier path. He is pushing for MMA's legalization because he wants the state to find new economic streams.
"In today's climate, we don't need to be raising taxes. We need a chance to raise revenue," Murray said.
But one thing was clear throughout the press conference -- the UFC's biggest hurdle in getting MMA in the Empire State was not effective lobbying or discussions of economic impact. It's the need for education.
White emphasized the process of education several times throughout the half-hour press conference, and then a reporter on-hand showed just why education about of MMA was needed, asking, "How will you regulate martial arts when you add in kicks and punches?"
White calmly pointed out that kicks and punches are part of MMA, one of the few sports regulated by the government, and that safety is always the first concern.
It's that time of year. The time when the holidays are over, the credit card bills are filling your mailbox and the snow has turned from a pretty white blanket to gray slush. What will help you through the long winter? People pummeling each other, of course! Here are five to savor before the vernal equinox on March 20.
Jan. 29, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg -- Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza vs. Robbie Lawler: Brawler vs. grappler. Striking vs. submissions. Gritty vs. smooth. This match-up for the Strikeforce middleweight belt matches up different styles of MMA: the heavy hands of Lawler agains the submission genius of Souza. Though Jacare has showed improved stand-up in his last two fights
Feb. 5, UFC 126 -- Miguel Torres vs. Antonio Banuelos: After constantly bringing exciting fights to the WEC, Torres and Banuelos will bring the bantamweight brand to the UFC. There is about 0.0005% chance that this fight will not be exciting. Not to mention, does an epic mustache win out over an epic mullet? We'll find out.
Feb. 12, Strikeforce and M-1 Global -- Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva: So many questions will be answered in this bout in New Jersey. How will Fedor rebound from
his loss to Fabricio Werdum? Will the long layoff affect him? What will be Fedor's answer to Silva's size? Will the Russian guy who got away from Chrissie Moltisanti and Paulie "Walnuts" be there to cheer on Fedor?
Mar. 5, Strikeforce -- Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum: He's made history fighting everywhere but Strikeforce, but will he Overeem able to get past the Fedor-slayer to get through the first round of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, defending his belt along the way?
Mar. 19, UFC 128 -- Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani: My legs hurt just thinking about this bout. Barboza won his UFC debut by piling up leg kicks on Mike Lullo. Njokuani has elbows and head kicks that can end fights. Don't expect this bout to last long or to be boring.
What fights are you looking forward to in the cold, winter months?
Paul Varelans Jovany Anaconda Varela Tony Vartanian Cain Velasquez
Pat Miletich is the best broadcaster in mixed martial arts at recognizing the action in the cage and explaining it in a way that's accessible to fans. There's no one as good as Miletich, a former UFC champ, at taking his experience as a fighter and applying it as a broadcaster. That's why it's so disappointing that Miletich does so much to destroy his own credibility by shilling for the Strikeforce product, offering blatantly dishonest analysis designed to make Strikeforce fights and fighters sound better than they are. Miletich's technical analysis was on display Friday night on the Strikeforce Challengers broadcast on Showtime, at least when there was good action in the cage for Miletich to analyze. Unfortunately, the rest of the time, Miletich overstated the quality of the fights and the fighters.
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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/08/pat-miletich-should-tone-down-the-shilling-on-showtime/
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Scott Coker and company keep hitting home runs with his Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, yet there are some fans who are still complaining. Why?
Earlier in the day, Showtime's play-by-play voice @mauroranallo snapped off on some Twitter followers for the incessant bitching about the format and the participants. I don't blame him. Showtime and Strikeforce nailed this one and the fury over the bracket or Alistair Overeem's inclusion is mind-boggling.
One of my followers on Twitter @mmafan84 sent out this tweet:
Really? These fights were going to happen "anyway?" Strikeforce just went through a horrendous year of heavyweight matchmaking. This tournament seems like the only way to guarantee the fights that fans want to see will actually take place. Fighters are free to pull out, but that's on them now.
As far as the bracket complaints, who cares? Most fans have been clamoring for Fedor Emelianenko vs. Alistair Overeem and ripping Strikeforce for not getting the fight done. With Fedor and "The Reem" on the same of the bracket, and one less fight to get through, the risk of missing out on the fight is reduced. You cry for the integrity of the tournament, I'll enjoy Overeem-Fedor in the semis.
Update - It was reported earlier in the day that all Overeem fights would be five rounds.
Showtime/Strikeforce also nailed it by not adhering to the stupid precedent that a tourney should be waged to decide who gets to face the champ.
Overeem, the Strikeforce title holder, has to be in the field. Showtime employed the same strategy with its Super Six boxing tournament featuring the elite 168 pounders in the world. Carl Froch entered the tournament with the WBC strap, lost it and then got it back. If he's good enough to take out both Glen Johnson and probably Andre Ward, then he'll emerge with the title later in 2011. The same goes for Overeem.
Frankly, any MMA media person or fan, who thinks it's smart to keep Overeem on the sidelines is insane. The guy fought MMA one time between New Year's Eve 2009 and New Year's Eve 2010. This tournament guarantees that Overeem gets fights in the U.S. In the end, that's great for MMA.
The only person who doesn't think so, is MMA television analyst Chael Sonnen. Sonnen crapped all over Overeem during a recent appearance. He's entitled to his opinion. That's what television is all about.
MMA Live is developing some of the best MMA analysts on TV, but ESPN needs to nail one or two polarizing, opinionated figures to match what the major sports already have on the network. Maybe Sonnen is that guy.