MMA fans are in for a treat on March 1. UFC 82 boasts a stacked card and a main event for the ages. Here are my predictions:
John "The Hurricane" Halverson vs. Jorge Gurgel
Both fighters are coming int into this fight with similar records. Halverson is 16 - 5 while Gurgel is 14 and 3. Gurgel is 2 - 2 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Alvin Robinson at UFC 77 in October. Halverson on the other hand is victorious in his only UFC fight. He devastated Roger Huerta with a knockout in just 19 seconds at UFC 67.
I've got Halverson in this bout, the guy has knockout power and an exciting fight style. Gurgel is a BJJ black belt but has yet to finish a fight in the UFC, all four of his previous bouts have resulted in unanimous decisions.
Prediction: Halverson - KO second round, second minute.
David Bielkheden Vs. Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez
As much as I hate Sanchez, I'm picking him to win this fight. Bielkheden is a newcomer to the UFC with an MMA record of 12 - 5. He is a BJJ black belt with solid ground and pound skills. The once indestructible Sanchez is looking to begin his climb back up the welterweight ladder after losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Sanchez, who sits at 19-2, doesn't seem to have much finishing power. His last win was his only knockout in the UFC against the glass chinned Joe Riggs in December of 2006.
Sanchez is desperate for a win and has great ground skills. This fight has the potential to be a great showcase for Jui Jit Sui
Prediction: Sanchez - Choke third round, third minute.
Dustin Hazelett Vs. Josh Koscheck
A lot of people are taking Kos in this fight. The former reality show star has an 11-2 record in MMA and possesses some great wrestling skills. Koscheck is coming off a loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 74 and hasn't finished a fight since April of 2005, excluding his submission loss to Drew Fickett at Fight Night 2. Although he has great slams and excellent conditioning, I doubt the power in his hands.
Dustin Hazelett is where my money is for this fight. The 21 year old, fighting out of Cincinnati, has a 12-3 record in MMA and is 3 - 1 in the UFC. His last two wins came by way of submission in the first round at UFC 72 in June of 2007 and three months later at Fight Night Thomas vs Florian.
Prediction: Hazlett - Arm Bar first round, third minute.
Luigi Fioravanti Vs. Luke "The Silent Assassin" Cummo
Both fighters come into this fight at 27 years old. Firavanti has an MMA record of 12-3 and a UFC record of 2-3. Cummo has an MMA record of 9-4 and a UFC record of 3-3. Both guys like to stand up and strike. Fioravanti has some conditioning issues and had a tendency to gas. Neither fighter likes to go to the grounds and this fight has the potential to be the best of the night.
Prediction: Cummo - KO second round, third minute.
"Irish" Jake O'Brien Vs. Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski
Its been over a year since the undefeated O'Brien last fought in the UFC. After a neck injury impeded his march to the top the 230 pounder's sight is now set on Andrei Arlovski. O'Brien is an aggressive wrestler with great ground and pound. His last win was against Heath Herring in a unanimous decision.
The former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski is on a two fight win streak. His most recent win came by way of decision against Ferbricio Verdum at UFC 70. Arlovski has knockout power in his hands and good grappling skills.
Prediction: Arlovski TKO first round, fourth minute.
Chris "The Professor" Wilson Vs. Jon Fitch
Wilson is calling an upset in this fight. His opponent, Jon Fitch, is on a 7 UFC fight win streak and has an MMA record of 20-2-1. Wilson is a striker with a record of 12-3-1 and is making his UFC debut.
Prediction: Fitch TKO first round, third minute.
Yushin Okami Vs. Evan Tanner
The Japanese sensation takes on the former champ in this middle weight tilt. The 26 year old Okami has a record of 22-4 and has a record of 5-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming to Rich Franklin. Okami is a ground and pound artist with a bright future in the UFC.
Tanner is 37 years old and has an MMA record of 34-6. This is Tanner's first fight since April of 2006. Tanner's strength is in his legs with great kicks and knee's.
Prediction: Okami Unanimous Descision.
Alessio Sakara Vs. Chris Leben
The war of words between Sakara and Leben is in full swing, with Leben publically questioning Sakara's right to be in the UFC. Leben is 27 years old with a record of 17-4. Sakara is 26 and has a record of 16-6. Both are great strikers and are looking to keep this fight on the feet.
Prediction: Leben TKO third round, second minute
Heath Herring Vs. Cheick Kongo
Despite Kongo's latest victory over Mirko Crocop, he still hasn't impressed me. Herring is a bad match up for Kongo, who has little ground skills. If Herring gets this fight to the ground he could do some serious damage.
Prediction: Herring TKO second round, second minute.
Anderson Silva Vs. Dan Henderson
Im so excited for this fight, I've been waiting for a long time to see it. Anderson Silva has been dominating the middle weight division, walking through everyone he faces. Dan Henderson's wrestling pedegree is a style Silva has yet to face. This will be the Spider's best test to date, and if he wins ... who else is left?
Prediction: Silva KO third round, second minute.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Metro
So we all know what a metro sexual man is. A guy with a feminine side. A man who puts pride in his personal appearance, likes to shop and is very trendy.
But what about the other side of the gender table? What is a metro sexual woman like? They must exist. What about those girls that love to scarf down wings, watch them game, shotgun some beers all still be hot? Is that what a metro sexual female is like? Are metro sexual s attracted to each other physically, not unlike hetero and homo couples? The whole thing really brings up more questions the more I think about it.
Could these new hybrid personalities and lifestyles that metro sexuality brings be the way of the future? Only time will tell.
But what about the other side of the gender table? What is a metro sexual woman like? They must exist. What about those girls that love to scarf down wings, watch them game, shotgun some beers all still be hot? Is that what a metro sexual female is like? Are metro sexual s attracted to each other physically, not unlike hetero and homo couples? The whole thing really brings up more questions the more I think about it.
Could these new hybrid personalities and lifestyles that metro sexuality brings be the way of the future? Only time will tell.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Kimbo Slice
Say what you want about Kimbo Slice, the guy is my hero (one of my many).
Originally named Kevin Ferguson, Kimbo became an overnight superstar thanks to his backyard fight videos. The brutal, bare knuckle contests caught the attention of many (last check on you tube was well over two and a half million hits). One such person being MMA pioneer and legend, Bas Rutten.
Under the guidance of Rutten, Kimbo has walked through every one of his professional fights. In his three MMA bouts, Kimbo has seen a total of 2 minutes and 12 seconds of action. Take into account that Kimbo's street fights often went close to five minutes or more.
Now, you could argue Kimbo's opponents have been less than stellar and I agree. The Tank Abbott fight was a mismatch and Bo Cantrell ... that was a joke. But lets not forget, the man only has three professional fights. Stiffer competition is on the horizon.
Bas Rutten sees something in Kimbo, and wants to properly build his career. The very worst thing that could happen to Kimbo is being rushed. He is a proven raw talent and is living his very own version of the "American Dream".
Kimbo is legit, he's here to stay and with the right guidance and training he could be one of the most celebrated, revered, and decorated champions in MMA's short history, as well as Elite XC's flagship fighter.
As for future opponents, I think everyone has their own Kimbo dream match. Personally I'd love to see him drop to 205 and face the likes of Tito Ortiz. Tim Sylvia is another possibility in the heavyweight division.
Regardless of who he fights, the future looks bright for this Miami native. But God damn is he ever ugly!
Sorry Kimbo, you know Im just playin.
Originally named Kevin Ferguson, Kimbo became an overnight superstar thanks to his backyard fight videos. The brutal, bare knuckle contests caught the attention of many (last check on you tube was well over two and a half million hits). One such person being MMA pioneer and legend, Bas Rutten.
Under the guidance of Rutten, Kimbo has walked through every one of his professional fights. In his three MMA bouts, Kimbo has seen a total of 2 minutes and 12 seconds of action. Take into account that Kimbo's street fights often went close to five minutes or more.
Now, you could argue Kimbo's opponents have been less than stellar and I agree. The Tank Abbott fight was a mismatch and Bo Cantrell ... that was a joke. But lets not forget, the man only has three professional fights. Stiffer competition is on the horizon.
Bas Rutten sees something in Kimbo, and wants to properly build his career. The very worst thing that could happen to Kimbo is being rushed. He is a proven raw talent and is living his very own version of the "American Dream".
Kimbo is legit, he's here to stay and with the right guidance and training he could be one of the most celebrated, revered, and decorated champions in MMA's short history, as well as Elite XC's flagship fighter.
As for future opponents, I think everyone has their own Kimbo dream match. Personally I'd love to see him drop to 205 and face the likes of Tito Ortiz. Tim Sylvia is another possibility in the heavyweight division.
Regardless of who he fights, the future looks bright for this Miami native. But God damn is he ever ugly!
Sorry Kimbo, you know Im just playin.
Friday, February 15, 2008
NIU Shooting
Well, it seems to be a growing trend in North America. If you're pissed off at the world, take a gun to school and work out some frustration. The latest shooting at NIU disgusted me. My heart felt thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and the entire staff and student body of that institution.
Although the news of another shooting is troubling, one thing it isn't is surprising. Ever since Columbine we have seen a steady increase in these cowardly and ruthless attacks. Once the dust settles and the body bags are piled up, often the first questions asked are "who?" and "why?"
Naturally the public searches for a name and a reason why an individual would resort to such a cold blooded and useless act. We often then learn of the perpetrator being a loner, or bullied as if we are supposed to feel sorry for them?
The reality is these people are sick, twisted individuals that are an embarrassment to the human race. I don't care how lonely or socially awkward you are, you don't take a weapon into an academic institution and gun down kids in the prime of their lives. They deserve no sympathy, no recognition.
The media circus that surrounded Klebold and Harris after Columbine is a perfect example of giving these defects exactly what they crave. Before April 20th 1999 no one knew Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, now they are rock stars and martyrs to every other freak out there.
I'm sure the name of the shooter in the NIU tragedy will be released, if it hasn't already. In this day in age I could easily find it, but I'm not going to look. I'm not going to give this asshole the satisfaction. In my mind he deserves to rot in hell, alone and unknown.
Although the news of another shooting is troubling, one thing it isn't is surprising. Ever since Columbine we have seen a steady increase in these cowardly and ruthless attacks. Once the dust settles and the body bags are piled up, often the first questions asked are "who?" and "why?"
Naturally the public searches for a name and a reason why an individual would resort to such a cold blooded and useless act. We often then learn of the perpetrator being a loner, or bullied as if we are supposed to feel sorry for them?
The reality is these people are sick, twisted individuals that are an embarrassment to the human race. I don't care how lonely or socially awkward you are, you don't take a weapon into an academic institution and gun down kids in the prime of their lives. They deserve no sympathy, no recognition.
The media circus that surrounded Klebold and Harris after Columbine is a perfect example of giving these defects exactly what they crave. Before April 20th 1999 no one knew Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, now they are rock stars and martyrs to every other freak out there.
I'm sure the name of the shooter in the NIU tragedy will be released, if it hasn't already. In this day in age I could easily find it, but I'm not going to look. I'm not going to give this asshole the satisfaction. In my mind he deserves to rot in hell, alone and unknown.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Writers Strike?
TV and movie lovers around the world rejoiced today as a tentative agreement in the Hollywood writers strike was announced.
After 14 weeks of picketing, I ask what exactly did these writers accomplish? Was the strike as devastating to the entertainment industry as everyone thought it would be?
I myself wasn't effected in the least bit by the strike. I haven't watched network television with any regularity in years. Whenever I find the time to flick on the old tube my attention is usually on a sports network or specialty channels like Spike TV.
With reality trash dominating the airwaves another question is aroused. What exactly are these writers working on? In my opinion reality TV will be the death of the entertainment industry, but that's another post for another day.
So, was 14 weeks enough? I say no. The idea behind a writers strike would be to cripple the industry and bring productions of major network shows to a halt. This happened a little bit, the late night shows running re runs for instance, but not nearly as much as it could have.
After 14 weeks of picketing, I ask what exactly did these writers accomplish? Was the strike as devastating to the entertainment industry as everyone thought it would be?
I myself wasn't effected in the least bit by the strike. I haven't watched network television with any regularity in years. Whenever I find the time to flick on the old tube my attention is usually on a sports network or specialty channels like Spike TV.
With reality trash dominating the airwaves another question is aroused. What exactly are these writers working on? In my opinion reality TV will be the death of the entertainment industry, but that's another post for another day.
So, was 14 weeks enough? I say no. The idea behind a writers strike would be to cripple the industry and bring productions of major network shows to a halt. This happened a little bit, the late night shows running re runs for instance, but not nearly as much as it could have.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
First One
The time has come for me to become a part of the online sensation that is blogging. Can I get a woot woot? This first post is just an introduction (or warning whatever one you like) to what you, the reader, can expect.
I'll be ranting, raving and writing up a storm. Hopefully I'll get some fans along the way. If you like what you're reading let me know. Like most folks, I enjoy the ego boost.
That's about it for my introduction. I look forward to regaling you readers with tales of triumph, tragedy and everything between.. Thanks for reading.
I'll be ranting, raving and writing up a storm. Hopefully I'll get some fans along the way. If you like what you're reading let me know. Like most folks, I enjoy the ego boost.
That's about it for my introduction. I look forward to regaling you readers with tales of triumph, tragedy and everything between.. Thanks for reading.
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