I watched most of the Strikeforce Challenger Series card featuring cyborg vs. smoking joe. And well. The fights were ok, they weren't bad, but they weren't great. Nothing I haven't suffered through, but in comparison these cards are as bad/good (depending how you look at it) as the WEC.
I would have to say, for free on Showtime, which is the same broadcast medium as the big cards (Jake Sheilds vs. Bobby Lawler), it's obvious that they should be having one of these "Challenger Series" cards once a month at minimum. I think if Strikeforce built it's reputation on the sensible fact that.....
We have an organization. We pay decent. But we also have a bigger roster. We cycle more fighters, more often. Building them to their own standards for when they should fight. With the influence of the Bellator Fighting Championships, you can obviously see that a "tournament" style fight series can be beneficial.
The "Challenger Series" is Strikforce's equivalent to "Ultimater Fight Night" from Zuffa LLC. With the talent they have, I would suggest they have these more often. The little pay they get, they'd rather fight and knock folks out as much as possible. Definitely not worth pay-per-view but worth having showtime as a bonus.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Matchmaking: Post UFC 98 & 99
Alright. New Rant....
I'm going to try and put out what I think the best matchups for the UFC are wit these little segments. UFC99 was a great card for having no title bouts. If Zuffa can create great cards like UFC99, I would see a higher level for this organization. I have come to think that these would be some great match ups for the future after the results of UFC98-99.
Carlos "Natural Born Killer" Condit vs. Ben "Killa B" Saunders (170lbs.)
Martin "Hitman" Kampman vs. Mike "Quick" Swick @ Welterweight (170lbs.)
Shane Carwin vs. [Winner of Nogeira vs. Couture]
Shane Carwin vs. Mirko CroCop
Cain Velasquez vs. [Winner of Lesnar vs. Mir]
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga vs. Mirko CroCop II (Gonzaga got CroCop w/ his own famous headkick)
Sean "Muscle Shark" Sherk vs. [Loser of Sanchez vs. Guida @ Ultimate Fighter Finale]
Dan "Outlaw" Hardy vs. Matt Hughes
Marcus "The Irish Handgernade" Davis vs. Matt "Terra" Serra
Dan Lauzon vs. [Loser of Nick Diaz vs. Stevenson]
Frank Edgar vs. [Winner of Penn vs. Florian]
Krzysztof "Polish Experiment" Soszynski vs. Keith "Dean Of Mean" Jardine
Dennis Kang vs. Drew McFedries
Nate "Rock" Quarry vs. Dennis Kang
Luiz Cane vs. Chuck "Iceman" Liddell
Brock Larson vs. Frank Trigg
Mostapha al Turk vs. Pat Barry
Dan "Outlaw" Hardy vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Taylor
Tim Hague vs. Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga
Cheick Kongo vs. Stefan Struve
Antoni Hardonk vs. Heath "Crazy Horse" Hearing
Wanderlei "Axe Murder" Silva vs. Alan "The Talent" Belcher
I'm going to try and put out what I think the best matchups for the UFC are wit these little segments. UFC99 was a great card for having no title bouts. If Zuffa can create great cards like UFC99, I would see a higher level for this organization. I have come to think that these would be some great match ups for the future after the results of UFC98-99.
Carlos "Natural Born Killer" Condit vs. Ben "Killa B" Saunders (170lbs.)
Martin "Hitman" Kampman vs. Mike "Quick" Swick @ Welterweight (170lbs.)
Shane Carwin vs. [Winner of Nogeira vs. Couture]
Shane Carwin vs. Mirko CroCop
Cain Velasquez vs. [Winner of Lesnar vs. Mir]
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga vs. Mirko CroCop II (Gonzaga got CroCop w/ his own famous headkick)
Sean "Muscle Shark" Sherk vs. [Loser of Sanchez vs. Guida @ Ultimate Fighter Finale]
Dan "Outlaw" Hardy vs. Matt Hughes
Marcus "The Irish Handgernade" Davis vs. Matt "Terra" Serra
Dan Lauzon vs. [Loser of Nick Diaz vs. Stevenson]
Frank Edgar vs. [Winner of Penn vs. Florian]
Krzysztof "Polish Experiment" Soszynski vs. Keith "Dean Of Mean" Jardine
Dennis Kang vs. Drew McFedries
Nate "Rock" Quarry vs. Dennis Kang
Luiz Cane vs. Chuck "Iceman" Liddell
Brock Larson vs. Frank Trigg
Mostapha al Turk vs. Pat Barry
Dan "Outlaw" Hardy vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Taylor
Tim Hague vs. Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga
Cheick Kongo vs. Stefan Struve
Antoni Hardonk vs. Heath "Crazy Horse" Hearing
Wanderlei "Axe Murder" Silva vs. Alan "The Talent" Belcher
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
TUF10 Prelude (History of a Star)
Part 2 - History of a Star:
For the TUF10 show to come.... there's a known star who appears to be given the green light.... Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. "Slice" is known for his brutal street fights on the internet and a couple of fights on Shotime's EliteXC promotion. To some, they're thinking:
A) Why would Kimbo go to be on a reality show
B) Why would the Zuffa/UFC put Kimbo on TUF
The answer is easy.... it's great TV. Ferguson needs time and needs to train. He can take a beating and can give one. Ultimately, he needs time. Kimbo Slice was trained by Bas Rutten who in my eyes is genius as well as a legend, you can truly tell there was just a matter of time for everything Bas was teaching Ferguson to sink in. As many know Kimbo Slice isn't afraid of anyone and got no problems with hyping something up. Kimbo is not likely to be your Junie Browning type for the show, but his star status could have a lot of folks wanting to test and push his buttons, again, GREAT TV.
So how did we get here with Kimbo Slice? I thought Dana White hated him and talked badly about him? If you thought that you're not in the wrong one bit. White's initial response was what you expected if you know how Dana White is. The initial response of Kimbo Slice being a joke and couldn't last in the UFC was changed in time. The first transition from the "we don't want you or anything to do with you" to an cracked door of opportunity came when EliteXC turned belly up.
Many fighters had issues with contracts and fighting in another organization. If there was anyone who took the best opportunity it was Ferguson. He waited patiently for his legal battles to clear and Dana White cracked the door open. I vividly remember something along the lines of "If Kimbo was to fight on the Ultimate Fighter I would give him that shot to be in the UFC."
Most think that TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) is for the unknowns and people who want to be famous. Which makes Kimbo Slice's appearance for Season 10 awkward. Truly speaking, it's what makes TV better. The season of the ultimate fighter which had "The Comeback" had many fighters who have been in the fight game for a while was a great season. They either were famous at one time, or were almost famous. That mix of people caused the house to have the fighters inside knowing of each other. Knowing who got knocked out, knowing weaknesses and no one having to act crazy (chris leben/junie browning) to earn shine.
Back to the cracked door of opportunity.... with Dana White speaking on Kimbo having a chance at the UFC and what it was, it's only perfect for him just getting through the EliteXC drama and TUF has not had a heavyweight cast for the show since Season 2. Oh yeah, Season 2 is the one that Rashad Evans won as a heavyweight. A "slice" of irony anyone?
For the TUF10 show to come.... there's a known star who appears to be given the green light.... Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. "Slice" is known for his brutal street fights on the internet and a couple of fights on Shotime's EliteXC promotion. To some, they're thinking:
A) Why would Kimbo go to be on a reality show
B) Why would the Zuffa/UFC put Kimbo on TUF
The answer is easy.... it's great TV. Ferguson needs time and needs to train. He can take a beating and can give one. Ultimately, he needs time. Kimbo Slice was trained by Bas Rutten who in my eyes is genius as well as a legend, you can truly tell there was just a matter of time for everything Bas was teaching Ferguson to sink in. As many know Kimbo Slice isn't afraid of anyone and got no problems with hyping something up. Kimbo is not likely to be your Junie Browning type for the show, but his star status could have a lot of folks wanting to test and push his buttons, again, GREAT TV.
So how did we get here with Kimbo Slice? I thought Dana White hated him and talked badly about him? If you thought that you're not in the wrong one bit. White's initial response was what you expected if you know how Dana White is. The initial response of Kimbo Slice being a joke and couldn't last in the UFC was changed in time. The first transition from the "we don't want you or anything to do with you" to an cracked door of opportunity came when EliteXC turned belly up.
Many fighters had issues with contracts and fighting in another organization. If there was anyone who took the best opportunity it was Ferguson. He waited patiently for his legal battles to clear and Dana White cracked the door open. I vividly remember something along the lines of "If Kimbo was to fight on the Ultimate Fighter I would give him that shot to be in the UFC."
Most think that TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) is for the unknowns and people who want to be famous. Which makes Kimbo Slice's appearance for Season 10 awkward. Truly speaking, it's what makes TV better. The season of the ultimate fighter which had "The Comeback" had many fighters who have been in the fight game for a while was a great season. They either were famous at one time, or were almost famous. That mix of people caused the house to have the fighters inside knowing of each other. Knowing who got knocked out, knowing weaknesses and no one having to act crazy (chris leben/junie browning) to earn shine.
Back to the cracked door of opportunity.... with Dana White speaking on Kimbo having a chance at the UFC and what it was, it's only perfect for him just getting through the EliteXC drama and TUF has not had a heavyweight cast for the show since Season 2. Oh yeah, Season 2 is the one that Rashad Evans won as a heavyweight. A "slice" of irony anyone?
TUF10 Prelude (History of Coaches)
Currently..... we're all aware that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "Sugar" Rashad Evans will be the next coaches for the next Ultimate Fighter Season (10). Let me break down some common knowledge:
Part 1 - History of Coaches:
UFC96 - Evans has the light heavyweight belt, Keith "The Dean Of Mean" Jardine is set to fight Quiton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC96. This is Rampage's fight to punch his ticket for next in line if he can defeat "The Dean Of Mean." Through many interviews, Jardine made it very apparent that he did not want to fight Evans (who is his teammate at Greg Jackson's school, a good friend and training partner). Jackson made a couple of good jokes to Jardine saying he will help Jardine with not having to face Evans (i.e. beating Jardine would take him out of the 'next-in-line' spot).
Jackson beats Jardine in a good headlining fight to the UFC96 card. Generally when it's known that a fight is for who gets the next title shot, the champion is in the crowd to greet/meet/face off/speak about the title defense to come. Evans' friend Jardine was just beat by "Rampage" which puts Evans in some what of an emotional state. Long-story-short, Jackson and Evans have some words and the animosity is apparent. Jackson & Evans at UFC96: Black on Black Crime
Rampage wasn't healthy to fight Rashad in the window given for Evans' first title defense. Thus, Evans vs. Machida happened at UFC98. Evans loses the belt and suffers his first loss. Rampage was asked who he would like to fight next, giving him a chance to ask for the title shot (if he wants it) or hoping he wants to fight someone who has beaten him (i.e. Mauricio "Shogun" Hua, Forest Griffin). "Rampage" picked Rashad. For those who know Jackson, he doesn't grudge too much and usually only wants to beatdown folks who have beaten him at some point in his fight career. The history is set.
Part 1 - History of Coaches:
UFC96 - Evans has the light heavyweight belt, Keith "The Dean Of Mean" Jardine is set to fight Quiton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC96. This is Rampage's fight to punch his ticket for next in line if he can defeat "The Dean Of Mean." Through many interviews, Jardine made it very apparent that he did not want to fight Evans (who is his teammate at Greg Jackson's school, a good friend and training partner). Jackson made a couple of good jokes to Jardine saying he will help Jardine with not having to face Evans (i.e. beating Jardine would take him out of the 'next-in-line' spot).
Jackson beats Jardine in a good headlining fight to the UFC96 card. Generally when it's known that a fight is for who gets the next title shot, the champion is in the crowd to greet/meet/face off/speak about the title defense to come. Evans' friend Jardine was just beat by "Rampage" which puts Evans in some what of an emotional state. Long-story-short, Jackson and Evans have some words and the animosity is apparent. Jackson & Evans at UFC96: Black on Black Crime
Rampage wasn't healthy to fight Rashad in the window given for Evans' first title defense. Thus, Evans vs. Machida happened at UFC98. Evans loses the belt and suffers his first loss. Rampage was asked who he would like to fight next, giving him a chance to ask for the title shot (if he wants it) or hoping he wants to fight someone who has beaten him (i.e. Mauricio "Shogun" Hua, Forest Griffin). "Rampage" picked Rashad. For those who know Jackson, he doesn't grudge too much and usually only wants to beatdown folks who have beaten him at some point in his fight career. The history is set.
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