Brock Vs. Randy Slow Sales

It may be the economy or it may be record breaking ticket prices. UFC 91, one of the most anticipated fight cards of the year has not sold out the MGM Grand Garden Arena. According to the Wrestling Observer they have sold just over 8,000 tickets of the 14,000 that are actually available.

In an interview with FOX News in September, Dana White claimed that the UFC will stay strong in hard economic times because it is an inexpensive form of entertainment. I hope the PPV numbers are strong. I would hate to think that MMA has already peaked.

Kimbo V. Petruzelli 2?

Sharon Robb of the SunSentinel.com reports that a Kimbo Slice rematch may be in the works for New Year's Eve DREAM K-1 show with Seth Petruzelli.

Petruzelli knocked out Kimbo in 14 seconds in the last ever EliteXC show.

Petruzelli further rocked the MMA world by alleging that officials of the EliteXC offered him an incentive if he kept the fight off the ground.

The Florida State Athletic Commission later cleared the dead EliteXC organization of any wrong doing.

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Mazzagatti 1 - Team Lesnar 0

Seems that Brock Lesnar lawyered up and sent some attorneys to a regularly scheduled Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to make a request.

In Lesnar's first UFC bout against former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir, Lesnar was pounding on Mir, including punches to the back of Mir's head. During the match, referee Steve Mazzagatti deducted a point from Lesnar for blows to the back of the head after warning him.

Seems Lesnar had his legal team request that NSAC remove Mazzagatti from eligibility to ref Lesnar's upcoming fight with Randy Couture. Commissioner Keith Kizer said...Uh Uh.

Mario Yamasaki was awarded the fight, but not because the request was made.

What's up with ex-street fighters and ex-pro wrestlers thinking they can have the game manipulated for them? Brock Lesnar's MMA future is bright, and he very may well come out with a win against Couture.

But focusing on a referee before a fight is bad sign that he is concentrating on the wrong things.

Randy Couture is no Heath Herring.

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A Legend Calling Out BJ Penn

Renzo Gracie talks about his feud with BJ Penn courtesy of MMAMANIA.com. Hope you find it as interesting as I did. Renzo is talking about the fight the two had at K-1 World Grand Prix Hawaii in 2005. The fight by the way was at 185ilbs.

Come One! Come All!

Smashmouth MMA really is a blog for the fans by fans.

With that said we want to hear from you the smashmouthmma readers. Whether you are a returning reader or just found our blog, and want to contribute, we have a mission for you.

Through the years of talking with fellow MMA fans, one thing is prevelant amongst the community. Each of us has a different viewpoint on fights we have seen through the years. Thats where you , the readers/fans, come in. We want to hear specific fights you have seen live, or on Tv, that stick out in your mind. The fights that you stood up and clapped, or layed down and cried over. It doesnt matter what organization, the fighter, or where it was fought. We want to hear from you. So write into

smashmouthmma@gmail.com

Let us know what you feel! We will compile all of these on one post!

Thanks-Smashmouth Dudes

Welcome Back Mr. Couture

It has been a long time since UFC fans have seen the Heavyweight champ, Randy "The Natural" Couture, defend his title inside the octagon. In fact it's been a long time since we have seen him fight at all.

It has been over a year. But on Nov. 15, at UFC 91 Couture will put his title on the line against the up and coming Brock Lesnar. Now we have seen a lot of fighters take an extended amount of time off, only to come back lacking something that made them so dominate.

With Couture, its different. You see Couture has something that not many in the UFC have, especially not in the Heavyweight division; his age. Randy is 45 years old and has made a career out of being an underdog. But at UFC 91, the best tool Couture will have is his experience in the cage. Randy is a master strategist, and has often come out on top using that grey matter between his ears. This has kept him fresh despite his age, and will surely be his advantage in facing the bigger stronger Lesnar.

With that said, Lesnar is going be a huge test for Couture, and I mean that literally. Couture may have the experience and skills, but Lesnar has the strength, and in this fight Randy is either going to be the greatest master, or the perfect teacher for future champ Lesnar.

Regardless, this fight should be entertaining. I just hope Lesnar throws that movie style right hand, that made both Mir, and Herring fly backwards. This sport is great.

Patrick Cote, 3 Round Champion

I keep hearing Patrick Cote say hes the first fighter in the UFC to take Anderson "The Spider" Silva to a third round, at this past weekend's UFC 90.

Great! You still lost. Not only did you lose, but you also lost in a fashion nobody wanted to see. Mainly an ending without "The Spider" doing one of his dances, and you waking up, or trying to wrestle with the ref.

At the start of the the third he held up the number three, and mouthed, "Round Three."

After that his knee blew out, and us as fans, and PPV buyers were left unsatisfied.

Whats this supposed to prove? I don't remember a ranking for the "best pound for pound three round adequate fighter." Look, Cote didn't look all that bad considering a lot of fans didn't see "The Predator" getting out of the first 30 seconds, of the first round.

Unless there is a W on your record, and you shock the world by giving Silva his first loss in the UFC, don't make things that are so menial come off as victories.

You can see what I'm talking about in the video that BrokenStyle posted below.

Patrick Cote Sounds Off

Though this video contains language that may not be suitable for some I thought it was an interesting view on the Patrick Cote Vs. Anderson Silva fight.

London Calling

Fighters Only Magazine is reporting that the UFC is going to be in London February 21, 2009. They are not attaching any names to the event yet, but Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva are two names that are causing rumbles on the rumor mill.

It seems a bit early to return to that part of the world the after a fight in Dublin in January, so this report may not hold water. However TUF season 9 starts taping in January so maybe they are going to attempt build a media blitz.

Carano Is Enough

Open letter to Dana White.

Find a way to sign Gina Carano.

With the recent demise of EliteXC, alot of fighters have gone into the free agent market. One fighter in particular should be at the top of every fight organization's list; Gina Carano. Carano is the face of women's Mixed martial arts, and has opened alot of eyes to that particular division. Carano has won her last two fights, dominating her opponents while not even being in shape.

EliteXC was arguably the most established fight organization, not named the UFC and while they lacked in presentation and intriguing fighters, they did have Carano and the women's division of MMA.

With that said Dana White president of the UFC needs to find a way to sign Carano. Say what you will about White, he knows how to expand the sport of MMA. Should he sign Carano to a UFC contract and make a women's division? No, because we all know that will never happen. But I know of a certain fight organization owned by Zuffa. The same company that owns the UFC, that just recently got rid of their heavier weight divisions, and disolved them into the UFC.

You guessed it...

Im talking of course about the WEC, which would be the perfect outfit for the addition of women's MMA. If there is anything that EliteXC proved its that women's MMA can hang with the big boys, and in some cases can be more exciting.

So please Mr. White, and the powers that be at Zuffa. Get her involved in your company somehow, some way. I know alot of MMA fans still want to see Gina Carano VS. Christiane "Cyborg" Santos, including myself.

If you truly want the sport of Mixed Martial Arts to grow, accepting women as true fighters is the next step.

Looking Ahead: Georges St. Pierre Vs. Bj Penn ll

With the recent announcement that GSP Vs. Bj Penn 2 is set for UFC 94 on January 31, 2009, many fans have been talking about the match-up, and who will come out on top. We at Smashmouth MMA are no different.

This fight has the makings to be the best fight of 2009, and the most anticipated fight in MMA history. St. Pierre VS. Penn 1 took place back at UFC 58, and was a very close fight between two of the world's best.

Since the split decision loss to St. Pierre, back in March 2006 Penn has made huge changes to his life inside, and out of the octagon. Gone are the days of an out of shape Penn fighting strictly with his freakish athletic talents.

In the first fight, Penn was winning the fight until he gassed in the second round, and let St. Pierre get the best of him. Flash forward to 2008 Penn is the defending lightweight champion, and one of the best in the world. Now he wants gold at 170, and to avenge his loss. With his current conditioning, and out look on the fight game this fight has tons of intrigue, and more than just title of champion, but also the best in the world.

Up and Comer

Dave “Pee Wee” Herman is something that the heavyweight division desperately needs. Someone who is young, exciting and looks like he enjoys what he is doing.

A natural athlete, Herman did not wrestle until he tried out for the team at the University of Indiana. He made the team and by his senior year was selected a pre-season All American. Dave was kicked off the wrestling team for fighting. It may have been a premonition of things to com. He began an MMA career because he did not want to start a real job and enjoys a good fight. He started to train in his living room with his friends and would drink adult beverages up until the day before a fight.

However, At 12-0 with wins over MMA and Pride veteran Ron Waterman and Mario Rinaldi he is begging to take things a little more serious. Dave has shown the kind of dominant athletic ability that makes MMA fans dream, and fighters have nightmares about.

What other heavyweight throws flying switch kicks?

He began to train with Ken Hahn who can now be seen on The Ultimate Fighter season 8 and is the head coach at Striking Unlimited in Las Vegas. He was the featured fighter on the ShoXC Challenger series fights on October 10, 2008. Dave’s passion was a definite step down from previous efforts but his TKO at 1:06 of the first round showed that he was not taking the fight lightly.

The demise of EliteXC may put into question when we will see Mr. Herman next, but I have a distinct feeling the big shows will come a calling with an exciting young heavyweight. The future of MMA seems to be as bright as it's present

Hughes Vs. Serra

Matt Hughes the former UFC Welterweight champion is reporting on his web site (http://www.matt-hughes.com/) that a match between Hughes and Serra could happen as soon as April.

Hughes says, "This week, I talked to Joe Silva at the UFC and a possible date for Serra and I is in April. I don’t know the exact date right now or venue. So, that is something that I can look forward to and I can set my training up for that schedule."

This means that the fight would most likely take place at UFC 96.

No word on whether or not this fight would be a headliner, or undercard.

This fight was supposed to take place at UFC 79: Nemesis, back in December 2007. The fight was going to be a title fight until Serra had to back out of the fight, due to a herniated disc. George St. Pierre stepped in to fight Hughes for the interim Welterweight belt.

This is a much anticipated fight, since a war of words started between the two, after The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback.

The Undisputed Heavyweight MMA Apparel Champ

This fact really should have come as no surprise, but I have to admit it caught me off guard. Retail colossus WalMart has now exhibited it's prowess in the MMA Apparel octagon.

It seems that the fight for prime shelf space at The Mart has led the UFC to ban MMA Authentics' family of MMA apparel brands. The brands marketed are Cage Fighter and Familia Gladiatora.

The few of the fighters that have signature shirts include Chuck Liddell, B.J. Penn, Fedor Emelianko, Forrest Griffin, Urijah Faber, Roger Huerta, Diego Sanchez, Michael Bisping, and Joe Stevenson.

According to a report by MMAPayout.com, when MMA Authentics aced the UFC out of prime shelf space, the UFC retaliated by pulling the plug on MMA Authentics' access to the UFC octagon.

Again quoting the MMAPayout article, "The UFC is able to take such measures by exercising Article 22.1 of the Zuffa Standard Contract, which states that “Fighter covenants and agrees that no wording, symbols, pictures, designs, names or other advertising or informational material… ii. of any sponsor in conflict or competition with Zuffa or any of Zuffa’s sponsors.”

The list of UFC banned apparel brands is growing. These latest brands join notable brands Affliction (due to them creating a competing promotion), and Xtreme Couture (not including shirts representing the Xtreme Couture Training Center) which is MMA legend and UFC hall of famer Randy Couture's brand, who until recently was estranged from the UFC.

On a related note, this blogger found Tim Sylvia "Three Time Champion" t-shirts on the markdown rack last weekend for a budget saving $3.00 each.

True story.

A Smashmouth Bow To Story Source MMAPayout.com

Deciphering The Spider

Upon preparing for this weekend's UFC 90: Silva Vs. Cote, I began to recall the way Anderson "The Spider" Silva has grown from being one bad brazilian to pound for pound the best middleweight in the world.

When Silva first came into the UFC back at UFC Fight Night 5 back in June 2006, not many American MMA fans new just who this fighter was, or what he was capable of. We soon found out after his first round destruction of Chris Leben.

Then there was UFC 64: Unstoppable where Anderson annihilated then current champ Rich Franklin, also in the first round.

Ok, so thats impressive. But 4 title defenses, and a dominant victory in the 205 division, has proven what he's capable of to MMA fans worldwide.

So what chance does Patrick Cote have in deciphering The Spider?

None.

There is no deciphering Silva. No matter what area you go, whether striking, ground, or clinch, Silva is world class. The question really isnt if Cote will be Silva's 5th successful title defense, but how, and what round.

Bankrupt!

So rumors of its demise were more fact than fiction. EliteXC's brief and embattled time in the spotlight has gone the way of the buffalo.

Under a sea of debt, mostly due to the purchasing of smaller organizations like King of the Cage and Rumble on the Rock (a Penn family company), the company filed for bankruptcy. Investor CBS and its parent company decided not to buy the remaining portion of EliteXC.

Stars like Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler have the chops to play lead in many organizations and will likely find work soon.

The potential star that may be looking for a job for a while will be emergent pop icon Gina Carano. Not due to lack of ability but because the lack of organizations that feature women’s MMA .

It is a sad day for the sport when an organization falls but EliteXC's trip on the stairs to the main stage seems a little less tragic. Squandering resources, controversies and making stars of people based off seedy Internet postings, it was really just a matter of time before this orginization fell.

I am just glad they did not have enough time to bring the sport of MMA down with it.

Topps Secures Exclusive UFC Rights

American Chronicles' Rich Mueller reports that The Topps Company, maker of sports and entertainment trading cards for generations, has struck an exclusive deal with the UFC to produce UFC branded collectibles.

"The Topps Company, best known as a creator and marketer of sports and related trading cards from the ranks of baseball, football, basketball and hockey, has joined forces with The Ultimate Fighting Championship.

UFC, the world´s leading professional mixed martial arts organization, has agreed to give Topps exclusive rights to produce UFC brand trading cards featuring current, future and former UFC athletes.

The deal lasts through May 2011 for UFC trading cards and stickers.The new collector brand will include all of the biggest mixed martial arts moments from the start of the brand at UFC 1 to the upcoming Nov. 15 mega-fight UFC 91, featuring returning Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar (predicted to be the organization´s biggest event ever), and all the action-packed fights to come."

This deal was coming down the pike the end of last year as is evidenced in this interview of UFC Prez Dana White by Ex Disney Chief and current owner of Topps, Michael Eisner.

No word on whether we can expect those strips of pink sugar (gum) in each pack.

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UFC To Return To Ohio In March 2009

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland is reporting that the head of the Ohio Athletic Commission, Bernie Profata announced the UFC has tentative plans to hold an event at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 7, 2009.

For the 3rd time, this event will coincide with the Arnold Sports Festival (formerly Arnold Classic) which is a growing sports expo named after Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The UFC hosted UFC 68 in 2007 and UFC 82 this year.

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UFC 100 - Titleapalooza

It is being reported at mmabay.co.uk that the UFC is planning a whopper of an event to celebrate their 100th event this upcoming July 4, 2009.

The event reportedly will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with championship matches for every weight class.

This story originally found at The Bleacher Report.

An "F" Word Dana White Is Scared Of

It's no secret that UFC President Dana White's colorful language closely resembles Samuel L. Jackson's character in the movie Snakes On A Plane.

There is an "F" bomb that White fears however and that word is "Fix". Fixing fights has long plagued boxing in reality and perception. Allegations of a suggested fix in a recent highly publicized MMA promotion threatens to undermine 10 years of effort that White and the UFC have made to legitimize MMA as a real sport with real athletes.

Last weekend, part time fighter Seth Petruzelli knocked out internet street fighter and MMA upstart Kimbo Slice in the opening seconds of the highly touted televised headline match.

Petruzelli went on a Florida radio station and stated “The promoters kind of hinted to me, and they gave me the money to stand and trade with him. They didn’t want me to take him down. Let’s just put it that way. It was worth my while to stand up and try to punch him.”

Kimbo was the marketing cornerstone of EliteXC's television deal with CBS. Kimbo is an inexperienced fighter whose strength was believed to be in his punching power, meaning his stand up game. To suggest to Petruzelli in any way, shape, or form that he keep the fight standing up would mean they were trying to affect the outcome of the fight by playing to Slice's strength.

When Kimbo was exposed by knockout last Saturday, many felt EliteXC was exposed in the process. Then came Petruzelli's bombshell all but proving that the Kimbo monster was really a front, much as Dorothy discovered about the Wizard of Oz.

Of course, the next day the giant revisionist eraser was broken out and Petruzelli retracted the comment offering another meaning in it's place and the EliteXC organization followed suit by denying it as well.

Typical 21st century spin.

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Forrest Griffin: Scientologist?

The answer is not clear, you be the judge.

Check out this great Q&A session between the UFC Light Heavyweight Champ and Mark Chalifoux who pens the MMA Stomping Grounds blog for baltimoresun.com.

In addition to the Scientology topic (he's probably kidding.....maybe?), he discusses the best and worst thing about being himself, worst job, acting, his love of The Wire, playing pick up basketball, and plans for the probable upcoming defense of his title against fellow TUF veteran Rashad Evans.

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New Zuffa V. Tito Clash

Much like a good MMA bout itself, the ZUFFA (UFC's parent company) versus Huntington Beach Bad Boy Tito Ortiz just keeps grinding away.

This time the issue is over a claim that Tito makes of an insurance claim that was rejected by the UFC's insurance carrier.

The Yahoo article this post is based on states that Tito is claiming he was a warrior and fought through a deteriorating back issue. He said, “I have made it though the last eight fights by physical therapy, methylprednisolone pills, and spinal injections for my last three fights.”

Tito decided to get back surgery after UFC 84, and now says that the UFC denied the claim for the surgery and would "not give me the medical care I so desperately needed."

The UFC responded by saying the level of insurance they carry for their fighters is above the level they are required to carry and ...............wait for it........................ "The decision regarding whether a filed claim is valid and therefore approved is determined exclusively through the standard review process of the insurance company AIG.”

If the information reported is accurate, this round seems to go to Zuffa/UFC. If like me, you've been following the Tito saga for some time, the one conspicuous absence is that of any statements directed at or toward Ortiz' regular adversary UFC President Dana White.

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MMA Knocks Out The Internet

Internet street fighter and hyped MMA phenom Kimbo Slice was knocked out by Seth Petruzelli 10 seconds into the first round in tonight's EliteXC bout.

Originally, Slice was to have faced off against MMA legend Ken Shamrock in this, his 4th fight in a cage. Shamrock opened a cut above his eye earlier in the day while warming up that required 6 stitches to close, whereby causing Shamrock's elimination by governing fight doctors.

Before this fight Seth Petruzelli was best known for being on the 2nd season of the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter, as well as a brief career in the UFC. He had taken the last year off from competition, and was looking to get back to action in an undercard performance.

Instead, he took the last minute offer to fight Kimbo and took down the EliteXC's chosen marketing cornerstone. The burning question is whether or not he killed a fight promotion (EliteXC) in the process.

EliteXC a One Trick Pony?

It is a loose/loose situation for the people at EliteXC tonight on CBS. Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson will be fighting Ken Shamrock in the main event for tonight’s card.  When Kimbo wins this fight what has he proven? That he can beat a legend? That he has arrived and is ready to take on top-level heavyweight talent?

What Kimbo proves is that he can beat a guy that has lost 7 of his last 10 fights spanning back to August 2000. One of those wins was against the mighty Sam Adkins who boasts a 7-20-2 record. What if the miracle happens and Mr. Ferguson looses to the “Worlds Most Dangerous Man”? Kimbo will no longer be able to even draw big numbers on YouTube. I understand the desire to reach the general public and you do so with shinny things that go bang, but why not pit him against a young up and comer or at least a mid level fighter somewhere near the prime of his career. If the up and comer or the mid level fighter beats Kimbo at least you can bill that fighter as the guy who beat the Internet’s most mythical figure.

EliteXC needs to go with its strengths they have Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler in their stable both are ranked in the top 5 in their weight class. They also rule the roost in woman’s MMA. Build on the talent that you do have and save the freak shows for professional wrestling