RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Some of this stuff is not 100% confirmed... -PrideFC Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko (Or Emelianenko Fedor) has left the Russian Top Team and is now with the Red Devil team. From what I hear, the judo/sambo-based Red Devil team is a better place for him with better stand-up and more guys to train with. -UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia has been stripped of his title, fined $7,500, and is suspended for 4 months. (MMAWeekly Radio). Well, I guess he dropped the title on his own accord (Zuffa suggested it would be easier that way) -Early estimates for UFC 44 (Randy vs. Tito) has the show doing 80,000 buys. The company has ranged from 35,000 to 60,000 buys with the exception of the Ortiz vs. Shamrock PPV (which did 120,000 I beleive, it isnt printed in the story) As it turns out the show at Mandalay Bay didnt do nearly as good as was reported. The real figures were 10,143 fans. Heavily papered, as they only drew 7,593 paid for a gate of $1,127,985....well under the $1.6 million estimated initally after the show. This fell short of the $1,540,940 that Ortiz vs. Shamrock did. (From Da Meltz via Sherdog) -UFC will be airing their Infomercial "From Spectacle to Sport" on PPV for $9.99. However, added with that are 2 undercard matches from UFC 44 (Franca vs Uno, Thompson vs. Strebend). I've seen the infomercial and it's nice work, but for anyone who has followed the UFC for any bit of time would see it as a fluff piece. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premiere mixed martial arts sports association, will debut UFC: Spectacle To Sport, a one-hour pay-per-view special, on the iNDemand cable system at 10 p.m. EDT, this Saturday, October 18. An encore replay will start at 11 p.m., EDT, immediately afterward. Replays also will air on October 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and November 3, 13 and 14. The suggested retail price is $9.95. Viewers should check local listings and www.indemand.com for daily schedules. UFC: Spectacle To Sport will provide an action-packed overview of the UFC’s evolution from a pay-per-view spectacle 10 years ago to the professional combat sport it has become today. The one-hour feature also will include the never-before-seen lightweight battles between submission specialist Hermes Franca (8-0-0) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Japanese veteran Caol Uno (13-5-3) of Kanagawa, Japan, and Josh “The Punk” Thomson (23-1-0) of San Jose, Calif., and Gerald Strebendt (6-3-0) of Los Angeles, Calif., from the all-star, nine-fight card at UFC 44: Undisputed, September 26, from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Hosted by Showtime, fight analyst and commentator Al Bernstein, UFC: Spectacle To Sport will give viewers an in-depth look at how the UFC was founded in 1993 and details its growth and transition from an international spectacle into a true professional combat sport under the new ownership of Zuffa, LLC, its Las Vegas-based parent company. The UFC story is told through the eyes of principal owner Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White, celebrities like Joe Rogan, host of NBC’s Fear Factor, fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz, as well as mixed martial artists and mainstream journalists who have covered and reported the UFC’s growth. (MMAfighting.com) -King of the Cage has reinstated knee's-to-the-head on the ground (like Pride) From the KOTC Promoter: "KOTC will be reinstating knees to the head on the ground. After serious review of events where knees to the head on the ground were allowed. We at KOTC have seen no more damage occur from this type of strike then any other to the head while on the ground. Henceforth, they will be deemed legal strikes." (Sherdog MB) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HungryJack Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Knees to the head never should have been banned in the first place. I fail to see how that particular strike causes any more damage than any other, and in the interest of preserving the competitve nature of the sport, I say good job, KOTC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 (edited) More on Sylvia courtesy Da Meltz: Tim Sylvia vacated his UFC heavyweight championship today after being fined and suspended for a steroid test failure on 9/26. Sylvia was suspended four months, a lighter suspension than anyone failing a steroid test in Nevada up to this point has gotten, and fined $7,500 of his $60,000 winners purse. The suspension was back-dated to 9/26, which means he's eligible to return to UFC action after 1/26. Sylvia's punishment was so light because he immediately went public and admitted taking steroids when word came out of his test failure, and also agreed to voluntarily vacate his championship, although it is a virtual certainty he'd have been stripped of it anyway. He also agreed to visit high schools to speak to athletes about the dangers of using anablic steroids. Dana White, in a UFC press release, said that Sylvia would get a title shot at the new champion upon his return. So where do we go from here? I say cough up the bucks for Barnett- Rodriguez. The rest of the heavyweight division is a mess. Rizzo, Arlovski, Matyushenko, McGee. All these guys do is trade wins with one another and no one has really established themselves as better (although admittedly McGee looked good before his loss to Sylvia and Arlovski has that recent win over Vlad). Frank Mir is a possibility based strictly on his 4-1 record in UFC but he hasn't really beaten anybody and I would think before he even gets a shot at the title he should prove than he can actually beat Wes Sims because even though Sims got DQ'ed Mir did not look impressive. Edited October 16, 2003 by Brush with Greatness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Mir vs. Ricco is rumoured to be the Main Event at UFC 45 and it would be for the title. Mir was supposed to fight Sylvia at the show, and Ricco never got a rematch, so they would be the 2 logical contenders for the belt. I say put Arlovski vs. McGee out there, it's a bit risky, but McGee's standup was particularly pathetic against Sylvia, and Arlovski is a pretty darn good striker. Not exactly the most robust division on the planet... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Stolen from Sherdog MB. Looks like Fedor/CroCop is off. CRO COP VS MINOTAURO; SAKURABA ON FINAL CONFLICT FIGHTCARD From Dream Stage Entertainment October 15, 2003 LOS ANGELES, California – Dream Stage Entertainment announced the addition of two new matches for the FINAL CONFLICT fight card, scheduled for November 9th, 2003 from the Tokyo Dome in Japan: In the first match, top ranked heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic will face former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. After a verbal agreement in August, the originally scheduled match was to be Cro Cop against reigning PRIDE FC heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, but due to a recently broken thumb, Fedor has been forced to pull out. The thumb on Fedor’s right hand was injured during in his match against Gary Goodridge at TOTAL ELIMINATION on August 10th. After some time off, the thumb did not improve and the injury was re-aggravated during a training session on September 15th. With no improvement since then, Fedor was forced to back out of his match with Cro Cop. Because of the sensitivity of the injury, it is unknown when Fedor will be able to train or fight again. As a result, the Nogueira/Cro Cop match will be for the PRIDE FC interim heavyweight championship. The hope is that the winner will be able to face Fedor sometime during 2004 when he is ready to fight again. Fedor would like to apologize to his fans and plans to be in attendance at FINAL CONFLICT as a spectator. The injury creates a dynamic and style-contrasting match-up between two legendary fighters … Nogueira and Cro Cop. Nogueira, arguably the world’s top heavyweight grappler, is coming off a decision victory against Ricco Rodriguez while Cro Cop, arguably the world’s top heavyweight striker, is coming off of a dramatic knockout victory over Igor Vovchanchyn. In addition to the colossal Cro Cop/Nogueira match, PRIDE FC legend Kazushi Sakuraba is now set to fight again and is slated to face an opponent yet to be decided (in a match-up with no relation to the middleweight tournament). Sakuraba was eliminated from the tournament after a knockout loss to Wanderlei Silva at TOTAL ELIMINATION. All of these new matches are in addition to the middleweight tournament, which will feature Hidehiko Yoshida versus Wanderlei Silva and Quinton Jackson against Chuck Liddell. The winners of each of these match-ups will go on to the final round, which will be held on the same evening. FINAL CONFLICT Fight Card For the PRIDE FC interim heavyweight championship Mirko “Crop Cop” Filipovic vs. Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira Kazushi Sakuraba vs. TBA Semi Final round of the eight man middleweight tournament: Wanderlei Silva (Brazil) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (Japan) Quinton Jackson (USA) vs. Chuck Liddell (USA) More matches for FINAL CONFLICT will be announced soon. Fight Card is subject to change. FINAL CONFLICT is scheduled for November 9th, 2003 from the Tokyo Dome in Japan. The event will premiere on North American pay per view (through iNDEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK, UrbanXtra, TVN1, Bell Express Vu, and Viewer’s Choice) on November 9th via same day delay. For more information on PRIDE FC, visit pridefc.com! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Will this work out better for Pride in the end? I imagine that the tourney is going to be enough to sell out wherever they are running the show. So if CroCop gets by Nog, would there be enough interest in the CroCop/Fedor fight to sell out that show no matter what the undercard looked like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 I was just about to post that Ok. FUCKING FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK FUCKING FUCK!! I really wanted to see Fedor vs. Cro Cop. I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY PLEASE-DADDY-CAN-WE-GO-TO-DISNEY-WORLD-AGAIN-PLEASE REALLY REALLY wanted to see that fight. Though, Nog vs. Cro Cop is what I originally wanted to see at this show - since Cro Cop needs to beat someone in the Top 5 to enter the top 5. I don't like this 'interim' business, it should be #1 contender. Sakuraba always provides a good show. Hopefully it will be against someone his size (a Newton rematch, maybe, YEAH!). This looks to be another amazing card from Pride. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Well maybe it will work out that next year we will get Fedor/CroCop when PRIDE makes it's first stop in America that I remember you saying you were going to make the trip for. ...feeling better now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest neodragonsan Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Rudo, what about someone like Rua or Arona against Sak? That is, if Arona is healthy again... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 I was thinkin Bustamante vs. Sak, since Busta is rumoured to show up. Though there are rumours pointing to Henderson vs. Busta as well. Hell, speaking of Hendo, Henderson vs. Sakuraba would be righteous. Arona would almost be like a throw-back to Sak's Gracie days, and would be a neat lil mat match, but Arona is "too high" for Sak right now, it seems. Now, for Rua, do you mean Ninja or Shogun? Ninja vs. Sak would be freaking awesome, and I haven't seen Shogun so I can't comment. Sakuraba vs. Brazil really should die with Wanderlei though... enough Brazilians... though a re-match with Schembri could be a possibility as well. With Sakuraba, as long as it's not Wanderlei or someone double his size, I'll be happy. And no, I am not feeling better cause that Pride LV show is 6 months away while the Pride Tokyo Dome show is next month... I need that match NOW! Cro Cop vs. Nog doesn't pose the same questions as Fedor vs. Cro Cop did. With Fedor vs. Cro Cop, it was like a science trying to predict who would win. Mirko vs Antonio is a lil bit simpler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Now that I think about it, Sakuraba vs. a Japanese opponent would be VERY interesting. Cause I don't think Sakuraba, in Pride, has ever faced another Japanese fighter. SAKURABA VS. SHOJI!~!~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Well, if you aren't happy with these developments, you can go ahead and save your PPV money to a more useful purpose. Like Taker/Vince buried alive and Kane/Shane at SS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 ... I guess I am a bit happier now, knowing the alternative... Thanks Pinjockey, you've taught me the true meaning of PPV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 I finally get my wings. :pops Wings CD in discman: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Well, The Minotauro Drew A Heavy Sigh Seeing No One Else Had Come, And A Bell Was Ringing In The Tokyo Dome for the Fedor on the run. Fedor On The Run, Fedor On The Run. And The Cro Cop Man And Sailor Sam, were searching every one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 hmmm, what's that over there? :steals last post for sig: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Not really spoilers, just off-topic. Spoiler (Highlight to Read): Seriously, if I didn't have this picture gimmick (hmm, needs changing), today would be ripe for signature stuff. From your "I finally get my wings", to Sandmans "I want my five bucks entirely in cookies. Not the good kind either, the cheap ass Wal*Mart kind." and I am diggin the scott keith and fonzie gimmicks too... I've cracked up a dozen times today reading this stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 I am enjoying Fonzie. Hasn't appeared to overplay it yet. And putting my post in the sig wouldn't be fair since it was just a Simpsons reference. Sandman's quote is gold. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 New or Old Simpsons (New = Post 98)?? Cause if it's new, then I retract my statement Umm... NEW BUSHIDO PICS~! NOT the matrix. Just Shoji getting fucked up and knocked out. RRR: Thinking that a official "MMA News Thread" would be appropriate after the next Pride show or after this one dies out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest neodragonsan Report post Posted October 16, 2003 And I was thinking Ninja, not Shogun...I'm actually new to the Pride side of MMA (and was out of touch with UFC from about 6 on, so I've been out of the loop for ages). So, is Nog vs. Cro Cop simpler because you think Nog has a great chance, or does this one look more like a Cro Cop win? I guess basically, I'm wondering if you think Nog has much of a chance to get his title back in the future? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dames 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 *Ahem* I'd like a new Tap Out Wrap Up. Dames Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 I think it was from an ep around 2000 or so. Mediocre episode, great line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Fedor vs. Cro Cop had so much strategy involved. Since Fedor is a better stand-up fighter than Nog, but still not in Cro Cop's league. Fedor leads with a right, which means that Cro Cop could land his devestating left rib kick (which broke herrings ribs). But Fedor could close the gap and get Mirko against the ropes, or in the corner, and take him down. I don't think Nog would be able to do that. Nog's greatest strength is in the guard, and Cro Cop will have none of that. So Nog will have to try and take Cro Cop down, which would be hard since he couldn't take Fedor down and Cro Cop probably has better take-down defense than Fedor. Nog has been training with K-1 fighter Peter Aerts, who has an equally -if not more- sick high kick, so he could be able to defend that a bit better than most fighters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 In otherwords, Nog vs. Cro Cop is pretty black-and-white, while Cro Cop vs. Fedor is more grey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 MORE NEWZ. Gan McGee is petitioning for a "No Contest" ruling to his match vs. Sylvia from UFC 44. From Da Meltz --Gan McGee's lawyer is petitioning the Nevada State Athletic Commission to get the result of his 9/26 match with Tim Sylvia changed to a no contest due to Sylvia testing positive for steroids. That would really be the only fair thing if you are going to declare steroids illegal in Nevada. Where it gets more interesting from a political standpoint is that Zuffa cut McGee from his contract after the match because he lost October 14, 2003 Nevada Department of Business and Industry Nevada State Athletic Commission 555 E. Washington Ave. Suite # 1500 Las Vegas, NV 89101 RE: PETITION FOR DECLARATORY ORDER CHANGING THE DECISION IN THE UFC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN TIM SYLVIA AND GAN MCGEE TO "NO CONTEST" Gan McGee petitions this Commission for a Declaratory Order changing the decision rendered on September 26, 2003 in the bout between Gan McGee and Tim Sylvia. McGee Petitions the Commission for an Order changing the decision to a "no contest" decision. This petition is made in good faith and Gan McGee is licensed with the Commission as a fighter and combat athlete. The UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia was scheduled to fight petitioner, Gan McGee on September 26, 2003 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino for the heavyweight title of the UFC. On September 25, 2003, Tim Sylvia weighed in at 267 pounds (2 pounds above the legal limit mandated by Nevada law). Tim Sylvia then cut an additional 4 pounds and weighed in at 263. Interestingly, Tim Sylvia weighed in at 252 pounds on February 28, 2003 for his heavyweight title bout with Ricco Rodriguez in New Jersey. On September 26, 2003 Tim Sylvia knocked out Gan McGee and was declared the winner of the UFC heavyweight title fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Recently, Tim Sylvia tested positive for "performance enhancing "drugs, steroids, and recently admitted taking steroid injections to enhance his "physique" rather than gaining performance enhancement in speed, power and strength. Based upon Gan McGee*s contractual arrangement with the promoter of the UFC Zuffa LLC., Gan McGee*s multi-fight contract with Zuffa LLC., was terminated because the commission declared Gan McGee the loser of the September 26, 2003 Mandalay Bay heavyweight title fight. Gan McGee petitions this commission for declaratory order changing the decision of the September 26, 2003 heavyweight title fight at the Mandalay Bay to a "no contest" between Gan McGee and Tim Sylvia based upon the legal authority found in NAC 467.770 (1). Pursuant to NAC 467.770. The Commission will not change a decision rendered at the end of any contest of exhibition unless: (1) The Commission determines that there was collusion affecting result of the contest or exhibition; . . . The legal definition of collusion is found in Black's law dictionary as follows: An agreement between two or more persons to defraud a person of his rights by the forms of law, or to obtain and object forbidden by law. It implies the existence of fraud of some kind, the appointment of fraudulent means, or of lawful means for accomplishment of an unlawful purpose. In the instant case, Tim Sylvia clearly obtained performance enhancing drugs, steroids, with the assistance of either a physician, training partner, or associate for the purpose of competing dishonestly, contrary to the laws established pursuant to the Commission, NRS 467 et seq and NAC 467 et seq. Tim Sylvia engaged in fraud against the Commission , Gan McGee and the paid attendance who paid money to watch a fair fight among combat athletes Furthermore, he used an unlawful "performance enhancing" drug which clearly affected the result of the UFC heavyweight title fight. Regardless of Tim Sylvia*s assertions that he injected the prohibited performance enhancing drugs to enhance his "physique" the great body of medical authority establishes that steroids enhance physical performance and provide a mental edge in confidence. Tim Sylvia's body physique clearly showed the effects of performance enhancing drugs on September 26, 2003. Tim Sylvia's body appeared bloated and showed an increase in muscle mass that was established not only visually, but also in the discrepancy between his 252 pound fighting weight on February 28, 2003 as compared to his initial weigh in of 267 pounds on September 25, 2003. Performance enhancing drugs provide athletes with both a mental and physical edge over there opponent. The Commission has authority pursuant to NAC 467.770 to change the decision of the September 26, 2003 UFC heavyweight title bout based upon collusion which affected the result of the contest. The commission should inquire as to where Tim Sylvia secured the performance enhancing drugs, who administered the performance enhancing drugs, who knew Tim Sylvia was taking the performance enhancing drugs, and when the performance enhancing drugs were taken. Based upon the above Gan McGee respectfully requests that this commission change the decision of the September 26, 2003 UFC heavyweight title bout to no contest. DATED this ____ day of October, 2003 JAMES C. GALLO, JR., ESQ. Attorney for Gan McGee (From MMAweekly) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 ***MORE NEWS**** (MY GOD THE NEWS!) (from MMMMMAHWEEKLY) MIR VS RICCO FOR THE TITLE? PROBABLY NOT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MMAWeekly.com has heard the rumors of a possible fight between Frank Mir vs Ricco Rodriguez for the UFC Heavyweight Title. As of today, don't count on that happening. MMAWeekly has learned that as of yesterday Rodriguez continues to train for Pedro Rizzo for UFC 45. Ricco is currently traning in Houston, Texas. From what we heard with some people close to the situation in Las Vegas, they gave the impression that unless Frank Mir fights for the title, there wouldn't be any title match up in November. If Rodriguez is fighting Rizzo, which by all indications, he continues to train for, then that leaves Mir fighting only a couple of possible opponents for November, now that Tim Sylvia has been suspended. ------------ Ricco vs. Rizzo, Mir vs. Arlovski are two potential matches... winners face each other for the title... I'd dig that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Ricco vs. Rizzo, Mir vs. Arlovski are two potential matches... winners face each other for the title... I'd dig that That's OK, I suppose, but it does somewhat outline how shitty the UFC heavyweight division is, doesn't it? I mean, Mir is obviously the UFC's new "Golden Boy" but c'mon, Ian Freeman killed him. Surely, Gan McGee should be still in the picture as he only lost to a guy who was juiced out of his mind. As for Sak's opponent at the PRIDE Dome show, I think Sak-Newton II would not only be an awesome fight to watch, but it would also be a good fight for Sakuraba (and therefore good for PRIDE, too). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lei Tong 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Sylvia may have juiced, but I think the reason Gan lost is simple: WORST. STANCE. EVER. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 Had the fight been anything other than a quick'n'easy KO, then Gan would have a case... The UFC's heavyweight division is pretty weak, but something can still be made from it. Mir lost to Freeman, Freeman got beat by Arlovski, Rizzo beat Arlovski, McGee beat Rizzo.. You could work something out from all that for a good story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2003 This is disappointing news as a new viewer of MMA, Fedor was the guy I really got into, and was really looking forward to seeing him face Cro Crop because I honestly believed he could have stopped him. O well, I hope he isn't ducking him because that would really effect his reputation... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
