Stay Tuned…
December 3, 2008“Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.”
Contest: Guess Dana White’s Huge Announcement
June 6, 2008
The MMA world is buzzing in anticipation over Dana White’s huge, gigantic and, don’t forget, mind-blowing announcement. For the uninformed, here is what the UFC president said in a recent interview with ESPN the Magazine with regards to said announcement:
“You have no idea some of the stuff that we have planned. I’m going to make an announcement next week that is going to blow people’s minds. That deal is done, but my employees don’t even know yet. I’m renting out a place next Thursday and I’m going to tell them. Then we’ll make the announcement later that day. It’s an indicator of where this business is going over the next five years.”
MMARated.com has been scratching its collective brain trying to guess what the announcement will be. UFC on FOX? Maybe. The return of Randy Couture? Yeah, right. Kimbo vs. Brock? Keep dreaming.
Truth be told, we have our suspicions (TUF going live?) but we would like to hand this one over the people. So, here’s the deal:
The person who correctly guesses Dana White’s announcement (or comes the closest) in the comments section will win a 5TH Round Randy Couture action figure signed by “The Natural” himself.
Don’t you just love the synergy involved in this contest? Dana and Randy together again.
Anyways, guess away and may the best predictor win.
Pollock’s POV: Capturing That Coveted Demo
June 4, 2008
When it comes to television ratings, we’re always hearing about that coveted 18-34 male demographic. It’s probably the most important demo for advertisers.
So why is professional wrestling ignoring this highly sought after group?
John Pollock looks at how the WWE can service this audience while also continuing their efforts of attracting the younger sector of society.
Pollock’s POV: Capturing That Coveted Demo
You can hear much more from John Pollock weekdays at 3 p.m. ET on Fight Network Radio on Sirius channel 186 or via Hardcoresportsradio.com not to mention every Sunday evening at 11 p.m. ET on Live Audio Wrestling.
George Lucas’ Daughter Fails In MMA Debut
June 3, 2008
(The following post originally appeared at MMARated.com)
I guess all that time hanging out on the set of “Star Wars” films must have lit a fire under young Amanda Lucas (left) as the daughter of legendary filmmaker, George Lucas, made her MMA debut in Auckland, New Zealand, this past weekend.
You read that correctly. George Lucas’ daughter is an MMA fighter.
First, Michael Jackson attends UFC 84 and now this? Who said MMA wasn’t mainstream?
Lucas, who actually appeared in three “Star Wars” films, was part of an all-female US team that took on an Aussie side for the Princesses of Pain MMA event held at the Auckland Boxing Association Stadium. She faced Kiwi kickboxer, Nicole Kavanagh, in a 73kg (161 lbs) bout.
In case you are pissed off that you chose to watch Kimbo vs. Thompson on CBS instead of trying to catch a bootleg telecast of this card on the Internet, fear not, as ABC’s “20/20” was in the house filming it for a future story.
Now, if you’re a “Star Wars” freak and that photo of her doesn’t look all that familiar, I can tell you that she played the role of dancer “Diva Funquita” and the voice of Trade Federation battleship communications officer “Tey How” in “Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” Outlander Club patron “Adnama” in “Episode II: Attack of the Clones,” and “Senator Terr Taneel” in “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.”
I have no clue as to what I just wrote.
Sadly, Lucas came out on the losing end in her MMA debut but she’s no one-hit wonder as she’ll be back in action quicker than a lightsaber can cut through flesh. Ok, no more “Star Wars” references for the rest of the day.
Props: Deadspin.com by way of FanIQ.com by way of Stuff (NZ)
Radio Party
June 2, 2008
Behold the newest edition of “THE MMARated Radio Show.” Guess what we’re talking about this week? Oh, I don’t know, maybe the most historic weekend in mixed martial arts history.
Predictably, many MMA pundits are hating on Elite XC and loving the WEC show. Personally, I liked them both because as the title of this show mentions, there was something for everyone. This sport is called mixed martial arts for a reason and that’s exactly what we got this weekend: a mixture of all kinds of MMA.
Enjoy the show and if you agree and/or disagree with my views I would love to hear your thoughts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW
Also, I will be appearing on FOX Sports Radio 910 in Virginia at approx. 4:30 PM EST to discuss this historic weekend. Should be fun.
Get Your Cageside Liveblog From The Elite XC Show Here!
May 31, 2008
Hey guys…it’s your boy AH, in case anyone is looking for a fun liveblog, I’m sitting cageside at the Elite XC show in newark so feel free to stop by and make yourself comfortable here.
Also, we will be posting some post-fight video interviews so stay tuned for that…enjoy the fights!
Pollock’s POV: I Love Working With Mauro Ranallo
May 27, 2008By now, you’ve surely seen this clip of Bill O’Reilly flipping out on set:
But as soon as I saw this clip, it reminded me of working with Mauro Ranallo!
Pollock’s POV: I Love Working With Mauro Ranallo
Future Stars In The Making?
May 27, 2008
by Alan Counihan, JarryPark.com contributor
Many have questioned the ability of World Wrestling Entertainment to produce future stars. Furthermore, WWE’s current developmental system has been strongly questioned. The system headed by Jim Cornette and Danny Davis in Louisville (which produced Cena, Orton, Batista and countless others) is now a thing of the past and a new system based in Florida is where the current crop of young WWE hopefuls are learning the ropes. The decision to scrap OVW has been criticized mainly because there are now 70+ guys being trained in one school, all learning the same in-ring style, cutting the same promos etc.
Thus, the output of the system will most likely be a lot of clones. I’m a firm believer that you need a wide variety of characters and wrestling styles on your roster and limiting yourself to just one developmental territory is a mistake when you could have had the Florida territory, the Louisville territory and who knows how many more all over the country. WWE just had one of their best financial quarters ever, so money does not appear to be a problem.
Now, I may be completely underestimating the current system. It may well produce the next generation of main eventers. But what if it doesn’t? In that case, one must look to the current roster and see what guys have the tools to break out and become bigtime players, guys who are only a push away from really making it.
I’ve picked out two wrestlers who fit this category: John Morrison and Lance Cade.
John Morrison:
Strengths: I don’t think WWE could ask for a guy with a better look than Morrison’s. He’s perfect for the character he plays with his movie star looks, Rick Rude-esque body, and, perhaps most importantly, he carries himself like he’s above everyone else. He also gets better every time I see compete in the ring. With the help of Joey (Mercury) Matthews, he became a good tag team wrestler several years ago and in recent years he’s become a great tag wrestler, as evidenced by his current run with The Miz. More important than his tag skills, though, is he’s development as a singles wrestler. He recently had a match with Batista which was, without a doubt, his best singles match ever. The bottom line is that the improvements Morrison has made in his solo efforts have been remarkable.
Weaknesses: His promo ability is still a little weak right now. He can definitely cut an entertaining promo but I’m not sure if he’s able to cut a “money” promo. There’s an important difference between the two.
Chances: Very good. I’d be shocked if Morrison didn’t get a chance to run with the ball at some point in the next two years. He’s got everything Randy Orton has minus the behavioral problems.
Lance Cade:
Strengths: Cade is, as Jim Ross would so eloquently put it, “a hoss.” Wrestlers as big as Lance Cade who move as well as he does are a rare breed. He has improved leaps and bounds as a worker over the last few years after initially not looking like anything special when he initially debuted on the active roster. He’s an underrated talker too.
Weaknesses: He has been stuck in mid-card status for so long that fans might forever view him as a second-tier performer.
Chances: Uncertain. A lot will depend on how his current program with former partner, Trevor Murdoch, pans out. The fact that the turn has been largely forgotten isn’t a good sign.
Get Your Radio Show Here!
May 26, 2008
Welcome, Ladies and Germophobes (that would be me), to the inaugural edition of “THE MMARated Radio Show.”
I have always struggled with the notion of whether I should put together an online show. The main strike against the idea was that I hated 99.99% of the shows out there because I thought most of them sounded way too campy and amateurish. Since I would never want to be viewed in that light I thought it would be better to just stick to the interviews.
Well, after experiencing UFC 84 weekend in Las Vegas, I had way too much on my mind so I thought, “hey, this might be a good time to record those thoughts.” The result is what you are listening to right now.
I’ll tell you this much, I thoroughly enjoyed talking to myself for 40 minutes. Reminded me of my college days.
Hope you enjoy the show and, as always, thanks for any and all feedback.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW
Merci GSP, You’ve Saved The Day Again
May 22, 2008
By now you’ve heard the news that Mark Coleman has been forced to pull out of his UFC 87 fight against Brock Lesnar due to a torn MCL. I guess that’s the risk in promoting a fight featuring a 43-year-old five months in advance.
While Coleman’s injury is certainly a bummer, the UFC did help turn our frowns upside down by announcing today that Georges St. Pierre will defend his newly-won welterweight title against Jon Fitch at UFC 87. I have a feeling this fight was going to take place on this card anyways but it certainly softens the Coleman injury blow by announcing both items on the same day.
This is the second-time in six months that GSP has been used to “save” a card. Of course, he recently stepped in to replace an injured Matt Serra at UFC 79 against Matt Hughes. It’s safe to say that he has officially paid the UFC back for pulling out of two major fights in the past; A September 2006 rematch against Hughes and a February 2007 fight against Serra.
Meanwhile, UFC 87 is shaping up to be the battle of the really nice guys and that might seem a little strange to us after a string of intense grudge matches. We’ve had GSP-Serra II, Penn-Sherk, Tito-Dana and, coming up, Jackson-Griffin. UFC 87 features St. Pierre, Fitch, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian – four of the nicest fighters in the sport. Don’t expect a ton of trash-talking coming from these candidates (although, I must say that Huerta and Florian have been showing signs of fire as of late).
