Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
10 November Tussles Worth Watching fedor rogers
As 2009 hits the home stretch, the stars come out. The world’s best fighters, even those who have remained relatively quiet, remember awards, titles, fame and fortune are up for grabs at the end of the year. More than a dozen athletes who are recognized as top 10 fighters in their respective weight classes -- and even a couple of pound-for-pound kings -- will ply their trades in November. Still, there are some unusual cases of hardship this month.
At any other time, fights involving heavy hitters like former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, reigning Strikeforce light heavyweight titleholder Gegard Mousasi and Takeshi Inoue might have been guaranteed a spot in the top 10. Not this time.
As always, the list does not necessarily focus on the major bouts you already know to watch, but rather on fights from all over the planet that are worth seeing.
10. Ivan Mussardo vs. Philipp Schranz
La Onda “Manto Cup,” Nov. 1 -- Magdeburg, Germany
Two of the finest unsigned welterweight talents in Europe will clash when Italy’s Mussardo meets Austria’s Schranz. Both men like to stand and bang, but they are equally well-versed on the ground thanks to extensive training under Augusto Frota and Jorge Balarin, respectively. This Alpine duel was originally set to take place in the summer of last year in Basle, Switzerland, and La Onda promoter Sascha Poppendieck has jumped at the chance of adding this super fight to an already impressive card.
9. Wander Braga vs. Alberto Crane
Called Out MMA 2, Nov. 14 -- Ontario, Calif.
A handful of fighters were so far ahead of their time that they were successful during the “dark ages” of MMA but unable to reap the success they deserve. Frank Shamrock is one of them; Braga is another. This Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt ruled the mid 1990s with an iron hand in Brazil and returned from a five-year break to succeed inside the World Extreme Cagefighting and King of the Cage promotions in 2003-04. After another five-year hiatus, he returned this summer and lost for the first time as a professional mixed martial artist. Braga will try to eliminate the mistakes he made in his defeat to Gabe Ruediger, as he takes on Crane, another UFC veteran.
8. Michal Fijalka vs. Dave Dalgliesh
Beast of the East “Grabowski vs. Overeem,” Nov. 14 -- Gdynia, Poland
The collaboration between Dutch promoter Beast of the East and Polish fight gear manufacturer Pit Bull West Coast represents the alliance that is supposed to save Polish MMA. So far this year, the sport has been plagued in Poland by cancellations of major events, and the whole scene longs for Beasts of the East to succeed. Arguably the most competitive matchup on the stacked card pits the last KSW tournament champion, Dalgliesh, against Fijalka, an undefeated powerhouse spawned by the Polish monster forge Berserker’s Team in Szczecin.
7. Ryuichi Miki vs. Masaaki Sugawara
Shooto “Revolutionary Exchanges 3,” Nov. 23 -- Tokyo
All lovers of highly technical fighting should mark Shooto’s third installment of its “Revolutionary Exchanges” series with a big red cross, as two of Japan’s most talented flyweights look to remain fixtures in the world’s top ten rankings. Miki finds himself on the rebound after his first defeat in more than three years -- a tough unanimous decision loss against Yasuhiro Urushitani in September. It may prove equally difficult for him to bounce back, as he takes on another experienced ring wolf in Sugawara.
6. Che Mills vs. Jim Wallhead
Knuckleup at the Manor “Mills vs. Wallhead,” Nov. 1 -- Newport, Wales
Fledgling promotion Knuckle Up comes in strong with an intriguing bout between two of the UK’s top welterweights. Wallhead has emerged as the top 170-pound fighter in Europe yet to be signed by a major promotion. Mills came onto the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” with a plenty of hype following two knockout wins over current Dream champion Marius Zaromskis. However, he had the bad luck of facing eventual winner James Wilks in the first round. The winner of this one will make a strong case that he belongs on a bigger stage.
5. Fabricio Monteiro vs. Edilberto de Oliveira
Win Fight & Entertainment 5, Nov. 21 -- Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Brazilian MMA is clearly on the rise again, with Bitetti Combat Nordeste putting on a major event recently, Jungle Fight firing on all cylinders and WFE coming into the frame. The promotion, from the northeast coast of Brazil, has compiled its strongest card so far, co-headlined by a battle between the Japan-experienced Monteiro and UFC veteran Oliveira. Gracie Fusion’s Monteiro suffered a tough loss to Jorge Michelan last month and will be extra motivated against “Crocota,” who has finished his last three WFE opponents.
4. Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
UFC 105 “Couture vs. Vera,” Nov. 14 -- Manchester, England
One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. Martin Kampmann was supposed to fight Swick in a title eliminator in September but instead faced Dan Hardy’s teammate, Paul Daley, after Swick had to pass due to injury. Kampmann came out on the wrong end of a “Semtex” knockout. Hardy, the 27-year-old Nottingham, England, native now stands just one win away from challenging from UFC gold. Swick may have something to say about those plans, but it remains to be seen what kind of shape he will enter in after continuous injury woes.
3. Jorge Santiago vs. Mamed Khalidov
Sengoku “Eleventh Battle,” Nov. 7 -- Tokyo
For some, it may look like a tune-up fight for Santiago before the American Top Team ace defends his Sengoku middleweight crown against a deserving Japanese challenger. For others, it represents a significant opportunity for one of Europe’s brightest prospects to legitimize the European fight scene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Khalidov has fought his tail off in recent years, beating UFC veteran Igor Pokrajac and most recently former Pride Fighting Championships veteran Daniel Acacio. Can he reap the rewards now, or will he fall prey to the world-ranked Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt?
2. Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo
WEC 44 “Brown vs. Aldo,” Nov. 18 -- Las Vegas
Another of American Top Team’s champions will actually have to put his belt on the line. Brown will put his coveted title up for grabs for the third time when he takes on Aldo, the Brazilian sensation who has torn through the WEC ranks. An Andrei Pederneiras protégé, Aldo represents everything good about mixed martial arts. Aldo, an exciting young prospect, feels comfortable in every position and has pleased fans stateside with his spectacular knockouts. A perfect battle between experience and youth, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Brown vs. Aldo promises to be a barnburner.
1. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
Strikeforce/M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rogers,” Nov. 7 -- Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Even though he may not have gained mass appeal in the United States yet, Emelianenko remains a transcendent figure in the sport. Beyond reproach after two first-round destructions of two former UFC champions, his supporters and critics alike will watch in awe as he steps into the cage for the first time. He will takes on Rogers, an undefeated knockout machine, in the main event of Strikeforce’s debut on CBS.
www.mymmagloves.com
At any other time, fights involving heavy hitters like former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, reigning Strikeforce light heavyweight titleholder Gegard Mousasi and Takeshi Inoue might have been guaranteed a spot in the top 10. Not this time.
As always, the list does not necessarily focus on the major bouts you already know to watch, but rather on fights from all over the planet that are worth seeing.
10. Ivan Mussardo vs. Philipp Schranz
La Onda “Manto Cup,” Nov. 1 -- Magdeburg, Germany
Two of the finest unsigned welterweight talents in Europe will clash when Italy’s Mussardo meets Austria’s Schranz. Both men like to stand and bang, but they are equally well-versed on the ground thanks to extensive training under Augusto Frota and Jorge Balarin, respectively. This Alpine duel was originally set to take place in the summer of last year in Basle, Switzerland, and La Onda promoter Sascha Poppendieck has jumped at the chance of adding this super fight to an already impressive card.
9. Wander Braga vs. Alberto Crane
Called Out MMA 2, Nov. 14 -- Ontario, Calif.
A handful of fighters were so far ahead of their time that they were successful during the “dark ages” of MMA but unable to reap the success they deserve. Frank Shamrock is one of them; Braga is another. This Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt ruled the mid 1990s with an iron hand in Brazil and returned from a five-year break to succeed inside the World Extreme Cagefighting and King of the Cage promotions in 2003-04. After another five-year hiatus, he returned this summer and lost for the first time as a professional mixed martial artist. Braga will try to eliminate the mistakes he made in his defeat to Gabe Ruediger, as he takes on Crane, another UFC veteran.
8. Michal Fijalka vs. Dave Dalgliesh
Beast of the East “Grabowski vs. Overeem,” Nov. 14 -- Gdynia, Poland
The collaboration between Dutch promoter Beast of the East and Polish fight gear manufacturer Pit Bull West Coast represents the alliance that is supposed to save Polish MMA. So far this year, the sport has been plagued in Poland by cancellations of major events, and the whole scene longs for Beasts of the East to succeed. Arguably the most competitive matchup on the stacked card pits the last KSW tournament champion, Dalgliesh, against Fijalka, an undefeated powerhouse spawned by the Polish monster forge Berserker’s Team in Szczecin.
7. Ryuichi Miki vs. Masaaki Sugawara
Shooto “Revolutionary Exchanges 3,” Nov. 23 -- Tokyo
All lovers of highly technical fighting should mark Shooto’s third installment of its “Revolutionary Exchanges” series with a big red cross, as two of Japan’s most talented flyweights look to remain fixtures in the world’s top ten rankings. Miki finds himself on the rebound after his first defeat in more than three years -- a tough unanimous decision loss against Yasuhiro Urushitani in September. It may prove equally difficult for him to bounce back, as he takes on another experienced ring wolf in Sugawara.
6. Che Mills vs. Jim Wallhead
Knuckleup at the Manor “Mills vs. Wallhead,” Nov. 1 -- Newport, Wales
Fledgling promotion Knuckle Up comes in strong with an intriguing bout between two of the UK’s top welterweights. Wallhead has emerged as the top 170-pound fighter in Europe yet to be signed by a major promotion. Mills came onto the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” with a plenty of hype following two knockout wins over current Dream champion Marius Zaromskis. However, he had the bad luck of facing eventual winner James Wilks in the first round. The winner of this one will make a strong case that he belongs on a bigger stage.
5. Fabricio Monteiro vs. Edilberto de Oliveira
Win Fight & Entertainment 5, Nov. 21 -- Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Brazilian MMA is clearly on the rise again, with Bitetti Combat Nordeste putting on a major event recently, Jungle Fight firing on all cylinders and WFE coming into the frame. The promotion, from the northeast coast of Brazil, has compiled its strongest card so far, co-headlined by a battle between the Japan-experienced Monteiro and UFC veteran Oliveira. Gracie Fusion’s Monteiro suffered a tough loss to Jorge Michelan last month and will be extra motivated against “Crocota,” who has finished his last three WFE opponents.
4. Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
UFC 105 “Couture vs. Vera,” Nov. 14 -- Manchester, England
One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. Martin Kampmann was supposed to fight Swick in a title eliminator in September but instead faced Dan Hardy’s teammate, Paul Daley, after Swick had to pass due to injury. Kampmann came out on the wrong end of a “Semtex” knockout. Hardy, the 27-year-old Nottingham, England, native now stands just one win away from challenging from UFC gold. Swick may have something to say about those plans, but it remains to be seen what kind of shape he will enter in after continuous injury woes.
3. Jorge Santiago vs. Mamed Khalidov
Sengoku “Eleventh Battle,” Nov. 7 -- Tokyo
For some, it may look like a tune-up fight for Santiago before the American Top Team ace defends his Sengoku middleweight crown against a deserving Japanese challenger. For others, it represents a significant opportunity for one of Europe’s brightest prospects to legitimize the European fight scene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Khalidov has fought his tail off in recent years, beating UFC veteran Igor Pokrajac and most recently former Pride Fighting Championships veteran Daniel Acacio. Can he reap the rewards now, or will he fall prey to the world-ranked Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt?
2. Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo
WEC 44 “Brown vs. Aldo,” Nov. 18 -- Las Vegas
Another of American Top Team’s champions will actually have to put his belt on the line. Brown will put his coveted title up for grabs for the third time when he takes on Aldo, the Brazilian sensation who has torn through the WEC ranks. An Andrei Pederneiras protégé, Aldo represents everything good about mixed martial arts. Aldo, an exciting young prospect, feels comfortable in every position and has pleased fans stateside with his spectacular knockouts. A perfect battle between experience and youth, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Brown vs. Aldo promises to be a barnburner.
1. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
Strikeforce/M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rogers,” Nov. 7 -- Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Even though he may not have gained mass appeal in the United States yet, Emelianenko remains a transcendent figure in the sport. Beyond reproach after two first-round destructions of two former UFC champions, his supporters and critics alike will watch in awe as he steps into the cage for the first time. He will takes on Rogers, an undefeated knockout machine, in the main event of Strikeforce’s debut on CBS.
www.mymmagloves.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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Monday, October 19, 2009
UFC Bookings/Rumors Roundup: Koscheck, Escudero, Griffin, Daley + More
The UFC is reportedly making its first visit to Virginia for UFC Fight Night 20 (January 11th; Fairfax), and the lineup is starting to come together. Here's what we're hearing:
— Josh Koscheck (13-4), fresh off his first-round TKO over Frank Trigg at UFC 103, will be taking on Mike Pierce (9-1), who most recently scored a big upset over Brock Larson in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 19. Koscheck is under the impression that he'll be getting Georges St. Pierre soon, though he's probably still in line after his teammate Mike Swick.
— TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero (12-0) and Nik Lentz (17-3-1) have agreed to meet each other in a lightweight bout. Escudero's last win was a first-round TKO over Cole Miller at UFC 103, while Lentz defeated Rafaello Oliveira by decision at the same event. Not exactly a step up the ladder for Escudero, but the UFC has a way of building up their TUF winners slowly.
— Chris Leben (18-6), who has dropped back-to-back fights to Michael Bisping and Jake Rosholt (with a steroid suspension sandwiched between them), could be facing a win-or-get-lost match against Jay Silva (5-2), who's also under the gun after losing his UFC debut to CB Dollaway at UFC Fight Night 19.
— Tom "Just Bleed" Lawlor (6-1) is expected to be on the card against hot middleweight prospect Aaron Simpson, who has ended all his fights by TKO, including his UFC appearances against Tim McKenzie and Ed Herman. Lawlor most recently choked out CB Dollaway in 55 seconds at UFC 100.
— UFC Fight Night 20 is also rumored to feature a scrap between 35-year-old King of the Cage welterweight champ Mike Guymon (11-2) and 20-year-old Canadian prospect Rory MacDonald (9-0).
In other booking news...
— Following his loss to Mike Pierce, Brock Larson (26-3) will attempt to rebound at UFC 106 (November 21st, Las Vegas) against HIT Squad product Brian Foster (12-4), who was submitted by Rick Story in his Octagon debut at UFC 103.
— After making a statement in his first UFC fight by TKO'ing Amir Sadollah (6-0) in 29 seconds, Johny Hendricks will take on another undefeated welterweight, Ricardo Funch, at UFC 107 (December 12th, Memphis).
— UFC 108 (January 2nd, Las Vegas) may feature the return of Paul Daley, who's fresh off his first-round storming of Martin Kampmann at UFC 103; Daley will reportedly face Carlos Condit, who scored his first UFC win with his split-decision over Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19. The New year's event could also feature a lightweight battle between Tyson Griffin and Jim Miller.
www.mymmagloves.com
Sunday, October 18, 2009
What Value Are Submission Attempts in Mixed Martial Arts?
What Value Are Submission Attempts in Mixed Martial Arts?
by Luke Thomas on Oct 18, 2009 9:30 PM EDT in News
The biggest issue is that many people -- some fighters included -- see submissions as an "all or nothing" proposition. Either your opponent taps, or there is no value in the technique at all. If that were the case, submissions shouldn't be a part of MMA at all if the technical application has no inherent value. Some rogue promoters are starting to run shows that feature both striking and ground-and-pound, but no submissions -- maybe that should be our goal.
As you point out, some readers and listeners outright admitted they reward a fighter for escaping a submission more than the fighter attacking, which is illogical on all levels. On top of that, the judging criteria set forth ages ago, which are supposed to be adhered to under the Unified Rules, recognize Cerrone's action. "Repeated threatening attempts at submission and reversal resulting in continuous defense from the top fighter" ... sounds like Cerrone-Henderson to me.
The issue is really about the fundamental value of any submission attempt. With striking, it is easy to assess whether strikes are clean, effective and efficient. With submissions, gauging the value of the technique is much more difficult, especially with regards to reconciling it against strikes, as is the case in the first round of Cerrone-Henderson.
I think in order to have a fair and equitable evaluation of striking and grappling, essentially apples and oranges, scoring needs to actually become a bit more abstract. I like to ask myself, "What fighter is being more dominant or threatening, forcing his opponent to continuously defend rather than attack, with emphasis on quality of technique?" I emphasize the "quality of technique" part, as well; many people lump all submission effort that don't yield taps together. However, there's a vast difference between the quality of execution that someone like Donald Cerrone showed and a fighter aimlessly squeezing a lukewarm guillotine.
I have very little to add except two comments. First, like Breen, I, too, scored the fight for Cerrone.
Second, I have had many discussions with top-level referees and athletic commission officials. One constant that was consistently articulated to me was that escapes are of very insignificant value in MMA. As they suggested, what makes a fight possible is offense. Defense is valuable and noteworthy, but defense alone does not create the essence of the fight. Fighting, in its purest form, is offense. Without someone taking action or initiating violence or choosing to press the fight, there is no fight. Simply escaping an offensive maneuver, as they suggest, only means they brought the offense of their opponent and the fight itself back to even at the moment of the escape since the escapee had been losing up until that point.
I place high value on submission attempts. As Breen suggests, not all attempts are created equal, but the notion that because escaping dominant holds or positions counts for points in wrestling, that therefore escaping submissions should count for points in MMA is highly misplaced. We are dealing with a highly different animal with alien values that underwrite what actions are meaningful (offensive with a finishing quotient) and which aren't. Submission attempts - good ones, ones that threaten even when they don't finish - are not negated because they fail. They are negated when inept judges deem them worthless for having less than perfect application.
www.mymmagloves.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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