Dome Pondering

Well,  alright.  It likely will take longer to write (and read) this reaction to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano last night on Netflix (17 seconds), but it is what it is.  I don't fancy myself a hardcore MMA fan. I'll watch the bigger fights (or more marquee fights) - like this one was - whenever they do happen. Just putting that out there... No kidding, dude. Your last post on a fight was over a decade ago, ironically, also a Ronda Rousey fight.  I watched last night's event with the same intrigue I had for Most Valuable Promotions jumping into the boxing scene with Netflix. We're in an era where sports ventures are happening, and traditional outlets are finding "competition" in these new visions.  The overall event was, well, an interesting first swing.  The arena looked great, and the production was amazing. The Intuit Dome will likely help with that vibe. However, as an admitted casual, the fights were meh. I genuinely enjoyed some of the prelims, with Mi...

Is it possible to be shocked even when you expected the outcome? That's exactly how I felt this past Saturday night after watching Ronda Rousey receive that devastating kick to the jaw that dropped her heavily, taking her invincibility and reputation with it. I am not looking for praise or attempting to humble-brag, but I did see Holly Holm walking away as the one to take down Rousey. Yes, for you pro wrestling fans, cue your inner Paul Heyman - the one in Rousey's 9-1 .  Holm's background of being a very skilled boxer and kickboxer lend to the strengths of what many believed was the way to beat Rousey. It reminds me of the years when boxing was fun (remember those?) and the draw that Tyson was. The game plan was the same - control the pace and the fight. Holm did both, obviously frustrating and at one point, infuriating Rousey.

If the name Ronda Roussey wasn't familiar yesterday, it sure is after last night's historic UFC 157 event. For the first time in UFC history, not only did two women square off inside of the octagon, but headlines a major pay-per-view event. After years of refusing to add a women's division the way other dying or defunct companies have (quite possibly the reason it was never added), Dana White finally decided to do so, and he did so under the banner that is "Rowdy" Ronda Roussey.

As the sport of mixed-martial arts has grown over the past decade, the growing perception is that MMA has managed to connect with today's generation in a way that boxing and pro wrestling could no longer do. MMA has managed to find a blend of appealing to fans while keeping the integrity of the sport solely as sport and competition-driven. And for the most part, MMA has done exactly that, specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC has made a conscious effort to keep their product pure and focused on competition and the art form, and letting the product sell itself without any gimmicks or fluff.  And they have done that for the majority of their existence. However, heading into UFC 148, the event carried a different overtone which caused such unique interest and hype around the anticipated event.

On December 30th, Brock Lesnar announced his retirement following a first round TKO defeat to Alistair Overeem. The announcement marked the end of an interesting run by Brock Lesnar in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It is not a secret that Dana White and the UFC attempted to make Lesnar the face of the company. Fight fans complained about the promotion of Brock's fights and the fast track he was given to the World Heavyweight title, including the hypocritical nature of White promoting the former pro wrestler.  However, it was hard to argue with the numbers and attraction that Lesnar brought. Lesnar fights drew casual fans into MMA, including helping pro wrestling fans cross over to continue following Lesnar's career.

There is no other way to put it, Brock Lesnar looked absolutely awful this past Saturday night against Cain Velasquez. In fact, Lesnar, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, looked so awful that it reminded everyone that he is indeed inexperience, that he did only have six professional fights going into his bout with Velasquez, and that he might have been a product of the UFC marketing campaign.  Lesnar, who came out aggressive, even firing a flying knee, was picked apart by the more experienced and more rounded fighter in Velasquez. Going into the fight, Velasquez had all of the abilities that made for a recipe to dethrone Lesnar. Velasquez is a two-time All-American wrestler that can strike and is light on his feet. Velasquez also had a template given to him by Shane Carwin who had Lesnar beat in his last fight before tiring himself out with an all-or-nothing (senseless) strategy.

  Before I begin, let me just say, it’s not often I agree with Dana White. I’ll repeat, it’s not often I agree with Dana White.  After all, White does more flip-flopping, trash talking, irrational, and unnecessary comments as your typical “flip-flopping, trash talking, irrational, and unnecessary commenting” individual. As the President of the UFC, White embodies and exuberates the confidence in his promotion as the number one Mixed Martial Arts organization in the world.  He’s bold, he’s brash, and he speaks his mind. But that’s why I am so intrigued by him as well. I enjoy different opinions, and White often offers his.

Every few years we witness an event that will undoubtedly make history, and create a change for the journey ahead. Saturday, August 15th, 2009, Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos will help create an inevitable change in female sports. The two prized fighters will meet for the first time ever to crown the first ever female mixed-martial arts champion in any class. A fight that is primed to not only be a great one, but that will finally cement women's MMA in the sports realm, and in the fighting world. As the two greatest and most recognizable female mixed martial artists in the world, both Carano and Cyborg are scheduled to be Strikeforce's main event. With Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship currently not recognizing women's MMA, Strikeforce has an opportunity to display something different to the MMA world this Saturday. Carano and Cyborg, and often times other various female MMA fights often steal the show on many cards, and to be quite hon...

It seems every time the topic of steroids is phased away and stamped as being a thing of the past, or regarded to as "another era", the more it is revealed that performance enhancing drugs is an issue larger than we can even imagine. Those who have been allegedly accused of using performance enhancing drugs or have been caught using the illegal substances understand the repercussions that come with being associated with them. From BALCO, to the Mitchell report, to congressional hearings, to leaked names, to the suspicions, and to the lesson that was A-Rod-gate, professional athletes, fans and society know that steroids can, and will ruin you. And as much pressure as there is to take steroids in order to compete, in order to hold that spot, and to hold on for that one last big run, in the end - it's still not worth it.

Here comes the pain! It's a reference many fans of Brock Lesnar have heard throughout his career. Whether it be professional wrestling, professional football, or mixed martial arts, Lesnar has always done just that - brought the pain. Standing six foot two inches and weighing two hundred and sixty five pounds, and boasting a freakishly massive frame combined with his remarkable athletic background, Lesnar had few doubters regarding the potential of a bright future. Following his historic collegiate career, Lesnar joined the WWE in pursuit of fulfilling his career. Lesnar wasted no time capturing World titles, the main event, and even headlining Wrestlemania XIX. However, the grueling life and travel of a professional wrestler (340 days per year) began to grow and wear Lesnar down mentally and physically. In a decision he was highly criticized for, he soon opted to quit, giving up fame and millions of dollars in return for his happiness. Crtitics jumped all over the decision. ...

So Kimbo Slice is the next great fighter? According to Elite XC he is. The street fighting legend who became a household name because of his fights on YouTube and his rags-to-riches story was victorious in his third MMA fight for Elite XC. In the main event role, Slice was a sure lock for interest and ratings for the struggling MMA company as it not only broke through on the national stage for the first time, but represented the entire sport on it's quest for mainstream recognition. In a fight which seemed right out of the book from Don King's manual, the entire night was built around Slice's fight, his background, and his merits. From the pre-fight interviews and introduction, to the announcers excitement for every Slice haymaker and jab, the night almost seemed disrespectful to the fighters that have learned honed the MMA honor and discipline for years. In what was MMA's breakthrough night, the entire sport laid rest on the back of a two fight, internet sensation.