MAD SQUABBLES: A Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Blog

A Farewell

2007-05-21T10:58:00.000-04:00

Let's not be overly dramatic about this. While this will be my last post here, this is really just the beginning. Effective immediately I am now blogging full time over at BloodyElbow. That blog needs a lot of work, but so did this one when I took it over. I promise you I notice all the things wrong with it as much as you do. Rest assured that everyday I am making the necessary changes.

Most importantly, I must extend a gigantic thanks to you, my readers. From this little blog and an Internet radio show has come the real opportunity to freelance as a commentator on all things mixed martial arts. Because of this blog, a whole host of new opportunities have opened up for me that otherwise would've passed me by. I owe much of that credit to you guys for keeping my honest, linking this site, and offering feedback. I cannot communicate how appreciative I really am.

So from now on, head on over to BloodyElbow to read what I have to say. I've got really big things planned for that blog and it'd be a shame if you missed it. Like I said, this is just the beginning and the sky's the limit.

Thanks again. See you on the other side.

MAD SQUABBLES EXCLUSIVE: Couture NOT training Ortiz

2007-05-18T20:39:00.000-04:00

Even though I posted otherwise this afternoon, it turns out Randy Couture will not be headed up to Big Bear to help train Tito. I got an email this evening from Sean O'Heir, Director of Public Relations for Xtreme Coture, stating the following:

Randy Couture is not going to Big Bear to train with Tito Ortiz. Randy Couture is not training with Tito, period.

I'm not sure if Tito's just mistaken or lying, but either way, this doesn't look good for him. First the "bad blood" with Dana and now this? The plot thickens...

Video of the Day

2007-05-18T16:25:00.000-04:00

I wouldn't care if aliens landed on the planet and someone filmed the entire thing. Could there possibly be a better candidate for Video of the Day than this?

MMA and marijuana

2007-05-18T15:40:00.000-04:00

BodogNation tackles the topic and gives this blog some credit...sort of.

UPDATE: Sprawl N' Brawl gets in on the marijuana action, too. Notable quote:

I'm not saying all fighters smoke. But some obviously do. And it seems that if Sam Sheridan can identify that at least in Brazil, smoking weed is a clear part of the jiu jitsu culture, then it must have some influence on the American MMA culture, which incorporates Brazilian jiu-jitsu and its culture into its sport. And people like Nick Diaz and Diego Sanchez are clear cases of this.

So why are we testing fighters for it?

Excellent question. And to the previous point, fighters wouldn't even need to import cultural practices related to jiu-jitsu in Brazil to figure out marijuana has a lot to offer. The best argument I ever heard in favor of marijuana turned a major argument against the drug on its head: if pot is so great, why does it cause people to not engage life? The obvious response - to anyone who's ever used pot - is that, on the contrary, marijuana is known to enhance the enjoyment of all sorts of activitives such as watching a movie, listening to music, eating food, enjoying the weather, helping with sleep, alleviating hangovers, inducing appetite, among dozens of others. So is it really any wonder why people choose to use the plant?

Quote of the Day

2007-05-18T13:54:00.000-04:00

"I still smile from ear to ear thinking about it. I have sacrificed a lot and it finally paid off. As far as wearing the belt to school, I wore the first three days after my fight. And not just to school, but everywhere. Then my fiancé said she would no longer be seen in public with me if I continued to wear the belt. I really miss being seen in public with her!" -- Nick Thompson pulling a Tim Sylvia after becoming the BodogFight Welterweight Champion

In case you forgot

2007-05-18T12:56:00.001-04:00

This is going to be a barn burner. The NYBA has so much to gain here.

Randy Couture

2007-05-18T12:46:00.000-04:00

Apparently Chuck Liddell thinks he's the toughest opponent he's ever faced. Notable quote:

East Windsor, N.J.: Who, in your opinion, has been your toughest opponent? For which of your fights are you most proud of your performance?
Chuck Liddell: I think beating Randy, the first time I beat him. He was one of the guys who could actually take me down without me making a mistake.

I watched that fight again last night. Randy utterly demolished him. The Natural looked virtually unscathed at the end of that fight. When I watched the fight the first time what struck me the most was Randy's awesome takedowns. Ditto that on Couture's fight with Ortiz. But the second time around it was Randy's mount in the third round. It was a nice high mount, deep inside Chuck's armpits. Chuck could do nothing but absorb punishment. If Rampage can get to the mount at some point in this fight, I honestly wonder if he'll be able to do the exact same thing.

Couture to help Ortiz

2007-05-18T11:43:00.000-04:00

In an interview with Nokaut, Tito Ortiz reveals he'll be training for his fight with Rashad Evans by pairing up with Randy Couture. Notable quote:

Justin (Nokaut.com): With Randy [Couture]’s return, we might not see him back at 205 [pounds], but is that another fight you would like to see happen for you?
Tito Ortiz: I would love it, but Randy and I will probably be training for this fight with Rashad, he might come up to Big Bear for a little bit. Randy beat me, yeah, and if he stayed at 205 I would like to fight him, but he’s at Heavyweight now and he’s the champion, so there is no reason for him to be at 205. I think he is a better fighter at Heavyweight just because he can use his size against other guys and wrestling against other guys that don’t have that same style. It just comes down to having a great training partner in Couture and he’s going to help me with this fight so I am excited to train with him and I think it will really help me out and bring me to a new level with my wrestling.

Smart move on the part of Ortiz. Not only will this help sharpen Ortiz's wrestling as he prepares to fight another wrestler, but Couture is a master gameplaner. If you listen to him commentate, Couture is very adept at identifying strategy, fighter habits, and tactics. He will for sure help Ortiz train for some of Rashad's more noticable traits. Rashad trains with a master gameplaner himself in Greg Jackson, so whatever wisdom Randy imparts will not be all Ortiz needs to win. But training with an experienced, cerebral fighter like Couture - a fighter who easily bested Ortiz at his own game - will help Tito to avoid his more obvious mistakes. Couture will help sharpen his skill, help him prepare for his specific opponent, and clue Ortiz into the mistakes he should avoid making (likely some of the same ones Couture himself used to defeat Ortiz).

As a side note, I wonder what Chuck thinks about all of this.

MMA blogs

2007-05-18T11:19:00.001-04:00

Now you've got no excuse not to have one.

MMA round-up

2007-05-18T11:11:00.000-04:00

ProElite's takeover is officially in full swing.

Words of wisdom: "Now that I know more about fighting, I'm less likely to react in violence," Freid said. "It takes the legitimacy out of fighting. It makes you a thug."

Ohio journalists realize their state is a hotbed of MMA action.

Full of $hit

2007-05-18T11:06:00.000-04:00

That's what some are calling Kermit Cintron now that his claims about his wrestling accolades are under scrutiny.

The IFL format

2007-05-18T10:59:00.000-04:00

This quote pretty much sums up what's wrong with the IFL:

But instead of focusing on personalities, as the well-known Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit has done with athletes like Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture, Shamus based his league on teams, hoping that would appeal to mainstream sports fans and TV executives. He also courted the mass market by outlawing elbow shots to the face, a leading cause of bloodletting in mixed martial arts.

Pop quiz: someone name a professional sports team that doesn't focus major attention on its star players? Ready for the answer? There isn't one. No matter if its baseball, football, basketball, soccer, or even cricket, even leagues with teams highlight their star players and use their presence and playing time as a recruiting tool for live attendance, merchandise sales, and every other marketing effort.

In a sport as individualized as MMA, to not do this is a surefire recipe for failure. The IFL needs to fix this immediately.

Happy Birthday

2007-05-17T21:30:00.000-04:00

Lloyd Irvin - the greatest grappler I've ever personally known - turns 38 today.

Kimbo speaks

2007-05-17T17:40:00.000-04:00

He admits to losing to Sean Gannon, but claims Chuck Liddell can't touch him here.

Nogueira speaks

2007-05-17T17:26:00.000-04:00

According to an interview with Tatame it was Anderson Silva (a BJJ blackbelt under the Nogueira brothers) who got Minotauro his UFC contract. Big Nog goes on to comment about a variety of issues - including whether he'll leave Brazilian Top Team - but his comments about the style of fighting in the UFC is interesting. Notable quote:

Looks like Mirko had problems with UFC rules. How will you deal with elbows rules?

I started fighting MMA in the octagon. In the ring sometimes they stop the fight when it’s going out of the ring and that never happen in the octagon what is better for the one who looks for submissions. Elbows are not bad for me, because when the opponent tries to use elbows He will open space for my submission attacks. Also I never liked soccer kicks and stomps. I think that’s for street fights.

He's right, although I worry about whether the many wars Nogueira's been in have produced scar tissue that cuts very easily a la Pedro Rizzo. It would be a shame for such a grappling wizard to lose fights because someone landed a glancing elbow.

Pictures from MMAC

2007-05-17T16:17:00.000-04:00

Here is Murilo Bustamante and some moron who runs a blog. See the rest of his pictures here.

Lift the Ban Watch 2

2007-05-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

The story of Brandon Garner is representative of the stories of many promising young MMA fighters in America who simply don't have the opportunity to take themselves to the next level. If it's not his weight, its the lack of a market. If its not the market, then the sport is outright banned. Notable quote:

Garner is 4-1 as a pro after his victory Saturday in Canton, Ohio, where he fought in the FightFest tournament. At the UFC level, there's no place for him. His fighting weight is 145 pounds and the lightest UFC class is 155.
The state banned the sport after the UFC made a stop in Charlotte in 1995. Back then, the sport was billed as human pit bulls inside a steel cage with no rules.
The rules have since been tightened -- no pulling hair, biting, striking the groin, back of the head or spine -- and there is an effort to bring the sport back here.
For Garner, it would open up a world of opportunities.

And many more just like him.

Chuck will take your questions now

2007-05-17T14:09:00.000-04:00

Over at WashingtonPost.com, "The Iceman" will take your questions and answer them in an online Q & A with fans. It's already started, so get in line.

What am I doing?

2007-05-17T13:33:00.000-04:00

Right now I'm editing up the last practice demo for the return of WhoopAss radio. I think you will all be very pleased. If you have any suggestions for what should be included in the first new episode, drop some comments. I'm all ears.

Competiton

2007-05-17T12:37:00.000-04:00

Chris Leben is proving there's still some competition in the MMA marketplace. The problem is, would he be this inclined to leave if he were on the road to the middleweight belt?

Lift the Ban Watch

2007-05-17T11:38:00.000-04:00

Illinois' state House passes a bill to legalize the sport. UFC in Chicago? Seems only a matter of time.

All apologies

2007-05-17T11:34:00.000-04:00

I apologize to my readers for not blogging until noon. Unfortunately I got food poisoning last night. I was up all night, so I tried to sleep in a bit to recover. I'm still hurting, but I feel better now.

Blogging will resume as normal.

The case of Ben Rothwell

2007-05-16T18:32:00.000-04:00

Ben Fowlkes of CBSsportsline has a piece detailing the unfortunate plight of Ben Rothwell. While the article suggests Rothwell's perfectionism has him both diminishing his achievements and spurring him into action, the more important observation is that its going to be hard to get Big Ben the attention he deserves. Notable quote:

"It's a constant uphill battle," he said. "Like our team. We won the championship, and the hill only got steeper. No team in the IFL has fought as much as we have. Now if I could rematch Dan Christison and make up for that loss, that would be good. But even if I knock him out in the first round, people will say, 'So what?' If I beat somebody I've already beaten, like Krzysztof (Soszynski), they'll say, 'So what?'"

"I'm going to have to beat somebody nobody thinks I can beat. That's what it's going to take, and I think I have the skills to beat anyone. Not every fighter can say that."

That's true, not every fighter can say that. But Ben can. The problem is that the list of competitors for Ben that will enable him to be marketed effectively or move up the heavyweight rankings are dwindling. The UFC is actively trying to score as many of the world's top heavyweights and while Ben is in that category, his MFSElite teammate Tim Sylvia already fights in that organization. If Ben wanted to fight big names he'd have to jump ship, but eventually it seems those two would have to cross paths (they did once before they were teammates) and that's something both would like to avoid.

Ben is a legit talent, but the team concept isn't doing him very many favors. Outside of the individual superfight competitors, its the teams that get the lions share of marketing. Ben Rothwell is on television now more than ever, yet is still virtually anonymous. He's having difficulty amassing victories over recognizable names, but since the teams are the focal point for the IFL, they don't have a great deal of incentive to correct this problem.

If Rothwell wants to reach the top of the heavyweight rankings, fighting Dan Christison as part of a team isn't going to get him there anytime soon. Something has to change. Either the IFL needs to recruit talent and market him properly or he needs to leave the organization.

Screech and MMA

2007-05-16T15:24:00.000-04:00

Dustin Diamond - a.k.a. Screech - pissed off former Marine and Fit Club trainer Harvey Walden for some of his aggressive comments. Diamond's response? He invites Walden to set up a "UFC match anytime."

Chuck Liddell's improvement

2007-05-16T13:36:00.000-04:00

Rampage doesn't think much of it. Notable quote:

So, the last time you fought Chuck was in 2003. That was Chuck’s last loss, so what have you done differently this time to improve to brace yourself for a much improved Chuck in 2007?

To be honest, I don’t think Chuck improved much. I've been watching his fights. I’ve been training and staying where I did last time...I don’t think Chuck improved that much, those same punches. His cardio don’t look good, he looks old, he still got a beer belly, I see a few stretch marks, I don’t see no improvement.

There are two ways to look at this statement.

The first is to say Rampage is making the same mistake as Jeremy Horn prior to their rematch. Horn claimed that the Chuck he was about to fight was the same Chuck Liddell as before but with slightly more polished skills. I believe his statement was that Chuck was simply a better version of himself whereas Horn was a completely different fighters. Horn's assessment may be right. Chuck does seem to just be a slightly better version of himself. But that may be just enough for Chuck to dominate. Say what you will about Chuck's improvement or ability, but the fact of the matter is he gets the job done and does it with an exclamation point.

The other way to look it is to take a look at Rampage's attitude. People forget that Rampage was counted out a lot in his career in PRIDE. No one expected him to do well against Sakuraba, Arona was supposed to finish him easily, and everyone thought Vovchanchyn at 205lbs. was going to be unstoppable. Rampage knew he was being set up and didn't care. He didn't care who his opponent was. His concern was showing up, executing his gameplan, and making opponents fight his fight. So here we are again with Rampage being counted out, albeit on slightly more reasonable grounds. But the point is that Rampage's dismissal of Chuck's much-hyped improvement reminds me of his attitude going into those fights he was supposed to lose. He has the same "veil of ignorance" confidence: it doesn't matter who his opponent is because, regardless, they are going to be fighting Rampage's fight.

We'll see what happens next weekend.

Hat tip: Lay and Pray