Contrary view on the worlds fastest growing sport...Mixed Martial Arts. Unique, original and fun commentary on the top fighters, trainers and promoters. See how the sport of MMA is becoming an economic force on the sports landscape. Enjoy!
As reported by fightline.com the UFC has released Akhiro Gono.
Entertaining Japanese MMA veteran Akihiro Gono has been released from the UFC. Gono’s release comes after his decision loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 94 in January.
The loss to Fitch was Gono’s 2nd straight and he carried an overall UFC record of 1-2; his lone UFC win came over Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78 in November 2007.
However, it appears Gono will not be unemployed for long as he is currently in negotiations with the Japanese-based Sengoku promotion. If Gono reaches a deal with Sengoku then he could fight for them as early as May 22nd for Sengoku 8.
That really is a shame. a 1-2 record may not be anything to get excited about but he lost two decisions...one to Dan Hardy who is no joke and one to Fitch who is a top10 WW. The guy can fight.
Plus he was fun....hey Dana, remember fun?
Maybe he was just a quick distraction...a hired gun of hilarity and cross dressing. Or maybe they don't have room for him at 170. In either case, he will be missed.
In all fairness...he is also 17-1 and has never been stopped. Not a bad anchor for the UFCs presence in the UK. Zuffa, never one to miss an opportunity to make more money, has offered the fighter a new 8 fight contract. As reported by Fightersonlymagazine.com: (Excerpts)
The middleweight star won series three of The Ultimate Fighter (as a light-heavyweight) and returns as a coach in season nine, which begins airing next week.
His contract with the UFC is apparently drawing towards its end and the organization is looking to negotiate a new deal as he moves forward with his career.
Bisping is 17-1 in MMA and 6-1 in the UFC. He has never been stopped in a fight and his only loss is a split-decision to current light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, a verdict he disagrees with.
Starting April 1st (April 5th in the UK) Bisping will be seen coaching a team of UK fighters on season nine of The Ultimate Fighter.
His rival coach is Dan Henderson, who will be captaining Team USA and who will fight Bisping in a middleweight bout at UFC 100.
Bisbing along with fellow Brit Dan Hardy are helping the UFC establish themselves as a global fight brand without equal. Add to that up and comers Terry Etim and Paul Kelly and their UK stable is looking very good.
Expect them to replicate that strategy in other corners of the small and getting smaller world.
As rumors continue to circulate regarding a UFC 101 main event between Penn and top contender Kenny Florian (11-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), the challenger said on the latest episode of ESPN.com's "MMA Live," he's still waiting to secure the deal.
"At the end of the day, I just want this fight to be signed," Florian said. "Let's get an event, let's get a date, and let's make it happen."
Florian, currently riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC, then clarified that nothing was finalized, but that he was hopeful for the bout.
"Hopefully it is true," Florian said. "Aug. 8, it's supposed to be in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center, which would be phenomenal for me. I'm from the East Coast."
Later in the episode Florian answered a viewer mail question which asked if the events of "Greasegate" made a third bout between Penn and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (18-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) a marketable option for the organization.
Florian had a simple answer.
"I think the fans want to see Penn against Florian," Florian said.
I think Kenny is 100% correct.
No one really wants to see GSP beat up BJ...again. Only to have BJ think of some other excuse why he lost. BJ: Stick to 155. And while you're at it...beware of Kenny Florian. What happens when Kenny beats BJ? Is BJ going to insist that Kenny is an alien from outer space and that he cheated by channelling his alien laser beam when BJ was on his back.
There is no good reason for this fight not to happen and when it does there will be a new LW Champ.
TTC- You area renowned poker player. How did you get started in poker?
BB- Probably around the age of eight, I was taught three things basically; poker, 5/7 card stud and black jack. I was taught everything I needed to know about horse racing; the only way to follow a horse is with a shovel. Basically I never got into horse racing.
Poker is my game. I was a professional black jack player for awhile. I made a living playing black jack for about a year. Now I solely play poker. You control money and treat it like a business. I love it.
TTC- Where do you find time to play poker along with your responsibilities with UFC?
BB- I think the easiest part is I never got married. That has allowed me to enjoy things and take the piece of pie in life, whether it be a girl friend on one end, my business interests which takes up most of my time and taking care of my family. I also have my interests such as surfing; I'm a film buff, history buff and plenty of hobbies. The daily poker is something I like to do.
I actually make what most people would consider a nice living playing poker. I could actually turn pro and make a living just playing poker. But, I only have so much time, so the time I do get to play, I really enjoy it and have a lot of passion for the game.
Instead I will hang out with the UFC brass, hot chicks and the best fighters in the world. Oh and by the way...I will also play cards at a professional level.
SuperPimp. Pro BlackJack, potential for pro poker, UFC announcer and proud NOT to be married. Bad Ass.
That plus the 180 flip makes him close to deity status.
While UFC 97 may not be the greatest card of all time on paper...I dig it's vibe.
Some reasons why...
No Brainer: It's really fun to watch Anderson fight. By just being on the card he makes it worth buying. Plus, after the Cote fight, he is looking to establish his rightful place...leaving no question that he is the best fighter on the planet.
Cheick Mate: IF Mr. Congo can get past Antoni...he needs to be considered for a shot or a shot for a shot.
TUF Love: Krzysztof Soszynski is totally psyched.
Kool and the Kang: Dennis Kang is not as psyched as the loveable Pol. For Dennis Kang...this is what some would call...A Money Fight. The people that would not call it a Money fight are fools.
Say it ain't so: Two aging legends try to prove that they are both still relevant. For right now...they are. This is the lynch pin of the fight card. If these guys bring their "A" games this will be a sick card. Write it down. However, if this fight is a repeat of Shogun/Coleman someone is out of the UFC.
WEC Light Heavyweight champion: Sink or Swim.
TUF love, Part 2; Return of the Love: I hope Eliot wins. I also hope for nightly motorboats. That does not happen.
The Return of the Crow: So Much Promise. Running out of time...another "Money Fight". Textbook. Ed Herman really needs this fight as well. Sleeper pick for fight of the night.
He Beat Anderson Silva: His fight may not be televised.
Slugfest: This will be the first fight on the under card to be broadcast on PPV. It's a Lock...you know what fight this is.
and...a few more fights...however, those were not as intriguing and spawned zero words.
Carano maintains a solution will be reached that will put her back in action in the near future.
“I just had to weigh some options,” she explained. “I’m making these decisions, so nobody else is going to make these decisions for me. I have to make them, and so we’re going to get something figured out and I’ll be fighting.
“I pray about it and see what would be a good move for my career, and I just know that no matter what, any fight from here is going to be a big fight, and a tough one. Maybe it’s the calm before the storm.”
The current storm on the horizon is Christian “Cyborg” Santos. The fearsome striker made her wish to fight Carano known again at Strikeforce’s press conference announcing the upcoming “Shamrock vs. Diaz.” Santos is scheduled for the April 11 card against submission specialist Hitomi Akano, and a win could position her for a summer showdown with Carano.
“It’s gonna happen,” said Carano of the much-anticipated fight. “Actually, the only person I can think about right now. My focus is on her, and I don’t really want to fight anybody else but her. Let’s do it.
I'm really not crazy about the ladies fighting...sorry it just doesn't do it for me. Having said that, I am not against others enjoying it if that is what they like. So my plea to Christian "Cyborg" Santos (maybe the scariest women I have ever seen on TV) is...please....please do not mess up Ginas face.
One of the great things about this sport is that there are several different ways to win...many of them have nothing to do with punching or kicking someone in the face. Slap a leg lock, arm bar or choke on her...give her a liver shot that buckles her...anything but don't bust up her kisser.
I know that it's not a rational request but it's a request nonetheless. She is the hot girl that fights and that's cool...what would not be cool is to be the "once hot" girl who fights who now has a sideways nose. Maybe this is why I don't like the chicks fighting.
I mean, when a guys face gets destroyed (Rich Franklin etc...) no one cares...Guys faces were meant to be destroyed. But the face if Gina Carano...not meant to to be busted up. She is the face of ladies MMA...BECAUSE she is hot and she is good. However, without the hot she may not only be poster girl for the sport but she may also become a constant reminder of how brutal the sport can be and the damage that it can cause.
Brutal damage on a guy is a badge of honor, brutal damage on a girl is disturbing.
Time will tell what long term effect his fight with Jason Guida will have on his MMA career. At face value...he did win the fight. That should be enough to move a step closer to the "Big Time" shouldn't it?
Clearly former WWE start Lashley is a physical specimen...complete with a sponsor-worthy face. Additionally, he does have a legitimate Collegiate wrestling career. Typically, those two attributes are enough to at least "fast forward" into a MMA career. Of course, he would need to beat his fair share of cans on the way to legitimacy. However, if he did put together a string of 6-7 victories without a loss, he could be in line to cash in and have some meaningful (and lucrative) fights.
As everyone saw on Saturday night, that path is sometimes easier said than done. Up against a sub .500 journeyman fighter in Jason "The Carpenters Fat Brother" Guida, Lashley looked less than impressive. Although he got the "W" he was not able to finish Guida and he was sometimes not able to take him down. His performance was lackluster and did not display the talent that is needed to be signed by a major promotion. In fact, he was lucky that he did not lose. Guida secured a fairly tight guillotine in the last round that could have ended the fight.
Either Jason Guida is a much better fighter than his 17-20 record shows or Bobby Lashley has years to go before he can even come close to Brock Lesner money...maybe it's a little of both.
If he had tapped in the third, he would most likely have to pick up boxing like Kimbo. Having said that, a boring decision really did not serve him that much better.
You could make a case that Tito Ortiz, more times than not, gets an unfair shake when MMA fans discuss him and his career. While I feel that most critics are not keeping the big picture in mind, I also can't help but wonder if he is responsible for some of this negative attention.
The fighter who helped carry the UFC torch through a challenging time is now the butt of several jokes while his skill in the ring has been called into question by the MMA Illuminati. I think people need to take a closer look and cut him some slack.
Over the last five years Tito is 5-3-1. Granted, two of those wins were over a washed up Ken Shamrock. However, he also beat Patrick Cote, Forrest Griffin and Vitor Belfort. All three loses were from two of the most dominant fighters in the weight class...Chuck Liddell and Lyoto Machida (who admits to almost going unconscious from Titos triangle at the end of the fight). Add to that a draw (that could have easily been a win) against the undefeated LHW Champ Rashad Evans and you have the last five years of Titos fight record...all with a badly injured back.
It is also worth pointing out (to those who are not aware) he did not pick his fights...Joe Silva and Zuffa did. He can't help it if they wanted to cash in on the rivalry (and they did) between him and Ken Shamrock.
The last five years are really not that bad.
In fact, it's very similar or better than other featured UFC fighters during the same time frame. So why the extra harshness for Tito?
Is it a "live by the sword...die by the sword" situation? Is the brash "Bad Boy" whose grave digger celebration and incessant trash talking getting what he deserves?
Is it is the Dana White Effect? Many have learned the hard way what happens when you cross Mr White...something that Tito has done on a regualr basis?
Is it that the fraternity of fighters does not accept him and has cast him out as a leper? Hard to believe as Tito has always been a champion for fighters rights...making more money etc...
Or maybe he is just a very easy target at the low end of a very rough and unforgiving totem pole. Is it just too easy to hate Tito Ortiz?
If that is the reason, it's a stupid one.
Charles "Mask" Lewis (RIP) had many detractors who criticized him and his brand as being "bad for the sport"...in fact, they even used that as a tag line in an advertisement. However, once the finality of death took him away...all you heard was the indisputable positives of his life and contributions to the sport. Don't you think Mask would have loved to hear how important everyone thought he was...when he was alive?
Consider this when thinking of Tito. I am not suggesting that you throw any pity his way...he certainly does not need it. However, keep a counterbalance in mind when trashing his career. It's easy to Pig Pile on Tito and talk about his big head or his porn star wife or his fading skills.
However, we shouldn't forget what he did to help the sport that we all love get to this place. At the risk of sounding over-dramatic, what if he were to die tomorrow? Clearly he would be remembered as a pioneer. Why not think of him in those terms now?
Strikeforce has learned to compete with the UFC and still maintain the Goliaths respect (at least in public and at least for the time being) Affliction failed "Not Pissing off Dana White 101"...in fact they skipped the class, burned the book and held a rally outside of the school.
Affliction Entertainment is currently engaged in preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of promoting its third-ever event on Saturday, July 11. Such a booking would put the promotion in direct competition with the UFC’s historic UFC 100 pay-per-view event.
Several fighters and managers have been approached by Affliction officials about the possibility of accepting restructured contracts in order to compete on the show.
Meetings are expected to take place within the next several weeks regarding a possible television partner for the proposed event. If enough fighters were willing to accept a reduced rate to compete on the show and if a deal with a suitable television partner could be reached, the door would then be open for Affliction to go head-to-head with UFC 100.
One source also indicated to us that the possible July event for Affliction could be the company’s last MMA show, with the popular lifestyle clothing label looking to “go out with a bang” by going up against UFC 100.
When contacted by FiveOuncesOfPain.com for comment, Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio said he could neither confirm or deny our report.
Great Idea...grab all your talent and have them burn the UFC bridge while...earning less money? If any fighter agrees to that then it's their own fault.
Granted...the UFC is the worst offender of counter programming. However, that does not make it wise to return the favor out of spite to "go out with a bang".
At some point in the future, I hope that the Affliction business plan is reviewed at a University somewhere in the course "How not to compete with the UFC"
