The future of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) communities
Welcome to the sMMAsh.co.uk Stay here for postings, comments, updates and articles about all things MMA. UFC, Strikeforce, Dream...they will all be covered. Join in and tell your friends. With no hidden agendas and a genuine passion for the sport, this is the place to be.
UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi - Post event chit chat
It's been, it's gone and it was in Sweden. The UFC branched out again to new territories across the globe and sMMAsh.co.uk watched it! Read the post event report now.
Bisping vs Belfort - What's gonna go down?
UFC on Fox takes place 19 January 2013. The headline fight is between Bisping and Belfort. Big things could be lined up for the winner. See here who sMMAsh hope's the winner is at this UFC event in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
UFC - Johnson vs Dodson - But why on earth is Rampage so high on the card?
Quinton Jackson. The Rampage. The man who howls. The man who where's a chain around his neck. The man who used to sleep in his car and barely train before knocking out Chuck Liddell not once, but twice! Sounds amazing, sounds like a great co-main event player. Well he used to be, but after losing his last two in not impressive fashion (yes you can lose but still look impressive, unlike Jackson), surely he shouldn't be that high on the card, and others should be. Click here to find out who should be higher on that card.
UFC 149 - Predictions
Has a card ever had so many changes made to it before it starts??? Click here to find out who is fighting, to see my predictions and see why I think that Faber is going to lose lose lose!
UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva
UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva is on the go, and here are my predictions for how the night will unfold. Click here to find out more.
UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller
No predictions, no bets, no idea who some of the people are, no idea what's going to happen, BUT these are often the best events. Click here to see who is fighting, and a video of Pat Barry kicking a Punch Machine (it's a lot more entertaining than the title suggests...honest).
UFC 142: The kick the shook the world (or at least Terry Etim's face)
UFC 142 is over. It was a fantastic events, with impressive submissions, knockouts that have never been seen in the UFC before, crowd surfing and one of the worst referee decisions I've seen in MMA.
UFC 142 - Aldo vs Mendes predictions
Aldo is defending his title, Johnson is overweight, Belfort looks p*ssed, Dana White isn't happy, Palhares fights again...it's UFC 142 and it's prediction time.
UFC 140 - Jones vs Machida predictions
Tonight, Jon Jones is in action defending his title again. This time against Lyoto Machida. The card is full of big names though, Tito Ortiz, Lil Nog, Big Nog, Frank Mir and The Korean Zombie. The biggest name of them though, literally, is Krzysztof Soszynski (that is a big name and winning scrabble score). Click here to see my predictions and some pre-fight banter.
The Kid (Yamamoto) are alright.
What do you know about Norifum "Kid" Yamamoto? He's fighting in the UFC on Saturday night. Find out more here.
The UFC is getting ready for a FOXy Saturday night.
This Saturday night, the UFC is on Fox for the first time, Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos, Ben Henderson vs Clay Guida and a hell of a lot more. Click here for the full card.
UFC 138 was a very weak card but an AMAZING event!!
I wasn't happy with the card for UFC 138...I decided to not go and watch it live.
I think I made a mistake!!!
I think I made a mistake!!!
UFC 138 - Predictions (or lack of) and a bit of a moan
UFC 138 is fast approaching (it's tonight, 5 November) and I'm not expecting fireworks (pun intended).
It's been a while, I shouldn't have left you...
...without a dope beatdown to step to. And sorry I've neglected you, I was gallivanting.
Why I'm looking forward to The Ultimate Fighter - Reason 3 & 4
Mayhem Miller is at it again. Getting me all excited about TUF! Damn him and all his wit, charm and random Strikeforce BRAWLS!!
Why I'm looking forward to The Ultimate Fighter - Reason 2
Mayhem Miller, dance routine, Dream 9 and Japanese girls. Simple really.
Why I'm looking forward to The Ultimate Fighter - Reason 1
21 September, The Ultimate Fighter season 14 starts. Mayhem Miller vs Bisping. I'm excited, but why??? Go to the blog page and find out why, boyeeee.
UFC 134: BRAZIL - Anderson Silva vs Yushin Okami
With the fighters currently fast asleep, after having a hearty meal, I thought I'd better get my ass in gear and make some predictions about UFC 134. Well here they are!!
UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle
Live, Sunday night, Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy in a last ditch attempt to salvage his UFC career vs Chris "Lights Out" Lytle. See my predictions on the blog page.
UFC 133 - Predictions
Can Ortiz step up with such short notice and gain some revenge over the controversial draw he had with Rasheed Evans four years ago!! See my predictions and the full (and very exciting) card on the blog.
Pro Wrestlers in MMA and MMA Fighters in Pro Wrestling.
For years, people have asked the question "Can MMA Fighters / Pro Wrestlers crossover?". sMMAsh.co.uk will be looking at this very question, looking at all those who have tried (wether that be tried and succeeded, or tried and failed). Go to the blog to see the first entry.
UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System IGN Review
If you have been watching any of the recent UFC events, you cannot failed to have noticed that the UFC has a new fitness game out. I thought it sounded like a strange idea. With only knowing that it was called "UFC Personal Trainer", how was this going to teach me about BJJ or Thai Boxing. It wasn't until I saw a trailer and seeing that it was a fitness game, did I realise what it was all about.
IGN have a decent review up which you can see here. The review points out that the XBOX and the PS3 versions are very different in quality. with the XBOX being far superior. I do think that the reviewer needs to man up a bit though, with his statement that " I was proud, until my digital trainer told me to do better next time. That doesn't sound like the right feedback for that situation. Also, it hurt my feelings."
IGN have a decent review up which you can see here. The review points out that the XBOX and the PS3 versions are very different in quality. with the XBOX being far superior. I do think that the reviewer needs to man up a bit though, with his statement that " I was proud, until my digital trainer told me to do better next time. That doesn't sound like the right feedback for that situation. Also, it hurt my feelings."
UFC Undisputed 3 video game pushed back to Jan 2012
The new UFC Undisputed 3 video game has been pushed back to January 2012. Boo. But it is looking pretty intense. Complete with a PRIDE mode as well!! Yay. The trailer is well worth a watch.
UFC 133 – Tito Ortiz steps up, but Franklin vs Lil Nog is off
Tito Ortiz, after initially declining the chance to fight Rasheed Evans, has now stepped up to the plate. Tito Ortiz is quoted as saying:
"Rashad is a great opponent. I've got my hands full," Ortiz said. "It's going to be a challenge, but I'm taking it in full stride and making the best of it. My emotions right now are to get into the gym and start training again."
This is very much what the card needed, since it was missing a main event due to Phil Davis pulling out. With Ortiz on a roll from a quick victory over Ryan Bader on July 2nd, he is looking to capitilise on his first win since a 2006 victory over Ken Shamrock. Rasheed Evans finally has someone to fight as well, since both Jon Jones and Phil Davis pulled out with injuries.
Antônio Rogério Nogueira (Lil Nog) has pulled out of the event due to a shoulder injury. No replaement has been found and with only a few of weeks until the event, I suspect that Rich Franklin will not be on the card that night.
"Rashad is a great opponent. I've got my hands full," Ortiz said. "It's going to be a challenge, but I'm taking it in full stride and making the best of it. My emotions right now are to get into the gym and start training again."
This is very much what the card needed, since it was missing a main event due to Phil Davis pulling out. With Ortiz on a roll from a quick victory over Ryan Bader on July 2nd, he is looking to capitilise on his first win since a 2006 victory over Ken Shamrock. Rasheed Evans finally has someone to fight as well, since both Jon Jones and Phil Davis pulled out with injuries.
Antônio Rogério Nogueira (Lil Nog) has pulled out of the event due to a shoulder injury. No replaement has been found and with only a few of weeks until the event, I suspect that Rich Franklin will not be on the card that night.
Never Surrender...I should have.
The premise is this: “From the cage to the big screen, the world's greatest Mixed Martial Arts Champions come together for the first time in a major motion picture. When an MMA world champion is lured into the illegal world of underground cage fighting by an elusive promoter, he quickly realizes that the only way out is to kill or to be killed. In a place where some fight for glory and some fight for the fight; he will fight for his life. Now, in his greatest effort to come out on top, he can never look back; never show weakness, never leave...and NEVER SURRENDER.”
What this shindig is really all about:
Hector Echavarria, writes a movie. He write the exact movie that I would have written if I was 13, 14...18...30 years old. In said movie he gets to fight some people and make passionate (and I would hope safe) love with lots of women. He then calls his MMA mates which includes Rampage, Anderson Silva and BJ Penn to beat some people up. GSP is in the film, but he just talks on the phone to him. BJ Penn wears white socks, which isn't all that macho, but he does beat some people up in his 45 seconds of screen time. The fighting is actually really poor as well. Hector has sex with some more women, some fights, rubbish MMA cameo, bad acting, sex...you get the idea.
I can't emphasise how bad this film is. I would go into detail about the plot, the sub plots, the acting...but there is nothing more to say than what I've said. The women he gets to play with aren't even that good looking.
Overall impression:
If it was 1995 and this was on Sky Movies about 11.40 pm (when all the erotic thrillers started), I'd still struggle to find any comfort in it. Don't buy it, don't download it and if you are to hire it, then only do so with the alterer motive of burning the disc so no-one else can watch it. GSP would want you to do this. 1 out of 10.
What this shindig is really all about:
Hector Echavarria, writes a movie. He write the exact movie that I would have written if I was 13, 14...18...30 years old. In said movie he gets to fight some people and make passionate (and I would hope safe) love with lots of women. He then calls his MMA mates which includes Rampage, Anderson Silva and BJ Penn to beat some people up. GSP is in the film, but he just talks on the phone to him. BJ Penn wears white socks, which isn't all that macho, but he does beat some people up in his 45 seconds of screen time. The fighting is actually really poor as well. Hector has sex with some more women, some fights, rubbish MMA cameo, bad acting, sex...you get the idea.
I can't emphasise how bad this film is. I would go into detail about the plot, the sub plots, the acting...but there is nothing more to say than what I've said. The women he gets to play with aren't even that good looking.
Overall impression:
If it was 1995 and this was on Sky Movies about 11.40 pm (when all the erotic thrillers started), I'd still struggle to find any comfort in it. Don't buy it, don't download it and if you are to hire it, then only do so with the alterer motive of burning the disc so no-one else can watch it. GSP would want you to do this. 1 out of 10.
Team Lesnar vs Team Dos Santos
That sounds wrong, you know, Team Lesnar, Team Dos Santos. It sounds like I'm a Twilight fan...lets go Team Jacob!!! Urgh.
Okay, back to business and the business in question is Welterweights. The entrants this year think that they can take the title from GSP. Compete again Koscheck, Alves, Shields and Fitch. Submit BJ Penn. I'm predicting that at the start of the show there will be some “The most crazy show ever” and “You think last year was mad, wait until you see this”. That is fine. I expect that and I want that. I want to be entertained and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) does that.
I hear that there is not going to be a cut in the first show, no 28 to 14 etc. I hope that this is not true as this packs the first or first two shows with some real MMA action. You also get the entertainment of watching people talk the talk but most certainly not walk the walk. People coming in ill-prepared, out of shape and just not good enough. You also know that those who got into the house are the real deal, they are not afraid to fight. Though with the most recent seasons all of the fighters have had a decent or certainly significant MMA record leading into the TUF show.
The selling point this year, and rightly so, is Brock Lesnar. Former Heavyweight Champion and a media machine with his WWE background. Brock Lesnar, the face, the cover of the UFC Undisputed 2010 video game. Last time out Brock was TKO'd and lost his title to Cain Velasquez. Dos Santos on the other hand beat Roy Nelson. When I say beat, I mean exactly that, beat, pounded, punched, hit, smacked...you get the idea. It was a brutal match, one which won fans for both fighters (through sheer grit and determination for Nelson). What does Brock (the selling point) bring to the show? He was the champ, so he brings credibility from that point. A fan base from his WWE days. Those who just want to see what he says and does as lets not forget, he is outspoken (remember his post fight interview after UFC 100, where he let us know his views on Bud Light).
What I will be watching Brock for is to see his work ethic (I have a vision of Dolph Lundgren hooked up to machines like in Rocky 4), his ability to train people and his submission skills. These submission skills have been questioned from the very start of his career and his inexperience was highlighted in his first UFC fight (and only second MMA fight) against Frank Mir. I hope to see some knowledge, some wisdom and some tactics...but I know that Brock is not a submission fighter. He is a wrestler, he can punch and he is a beast.
What do I want from this years TUF and the selling point, Brock Lesnar? Do I want passion, for sure, to see submission knowledge, if you want, do I want to hear wisdom, not really as it is Brock we are talking about and not Gandhi. What do I want above anything and everything else...to be entertained.
Note: I actually enjoyed the first Twilight movie, though the next two clearly needed Wesley Snipes to revive his role as Blade to make them more interested.
Okay, back to business and the business in question is Welterweights. The entrants this year think that they can take the title from GSP. Compete again Koscheck, Alves, Shields and Fitch. Submit BJ Penn. I'm predicting that at the start of the show there will be some “The most crazy show ever” and “You think last year was mad, wait until you see this”. That is fine. I expect that and I want that. I want to be entertained and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) does that.
I hear that there is not going to be a cut in the first show, no 28 to 14 etc. I hope that this is not true as this packs the first or first two shows with some real MMA action. You also get the entertainment of watching people talk the talk but most certainly not walk the walk. People coming in ill-prepared, out of shape and just not good enough. You also know that those who got into the house are the real deal, they are not afraid to fight. Though with the most recent seasons all of the fighters have had a decent or certainly significant MMA record leading into the TUF show.
The selling point this year, and rightly so, is Brock Lesnar. Former Heavyweight Champion and a media machine with his WWE background. Brock Lesnar, the face, the cover of the UFC Undisputed 2010 video game. Last time out Brock was TKO'd and lost his title to Cain Velasquez. Dos Santos on the other hand beat Roy Nelson. When I say beat, I mean exactly that, beat, pounded, punched, hit, smacked...you get the idea. It was a brutal match, one which won fans for both fighters (through sheer grit and determination for Nelson). What does Brock (the selling point) bring to the show? He was the champ, so he brings credibility from that point. A fan base from his WWE days. Those who just want to see what he says and does as lets not forget, he is outspoken (remember his post fight interview after UFC 100, where he let us know his views on Bud Light).
What I will be watching Brock for is to see his work ethic (I have a vision of Dolph Lundgren hooked up to machines like in Rocky 4), his ability to train people and his submission skills. These submission skills have been questioned from the very start of his career and his inexperience was highlighted in his first UFC fight (and only second MMA fight) against Frank Mir. I hope to see some knowledge, some wisdom and some tactics...but I know that Brock is not a submission fighter. He is a wrestler, he can punch and he is a beast.
What do I want from this years TUF and the selling point, Brock Lesnar? Do I want passion, for sure, to see submission knowledge, if you want, do I want to hear wisdom, not really as it is Brock we are talking about and not Gandhi. What do I want above anything and everything else...to be entertained.
Note: I actually enjoyed the first Twilight movie, though the next two clearly needed Wesley Snipes to revive his role as Blade to make them more interested.
JEREMIAH RIGGSto become first legit MMA fighter in WWE?
If I may start by quoting the USA Network with regard to Jeremiah Riggs: “He is trying to become the first legitimate MMA fighter to crossover into WWE. “
For those of you that don't know (which included me), J Riggs was on the Ultimate Fighter season 7. He didn't get past the prelims, but he was briefly on the show. He has also fought in Strikeforce and Bellator. I'm not questioning whether he is an MMA fighter or not, as he is. But in terms of the first legit MMA fighter to make it in WWE? Ken Shamrock anyone? Dan “The Beast” Severn. They even had Daniel Puder in Tough Enough before.
If I'm being really pick I could mention Tank Abbott being in WCW (for which WWE own the footage), but I won't.
With more and more MMA moves and even scripted MMA matches being used in pro-wrestling (Angle vs Jarrett, I would not be at all surprised to see Jeremiah Riggs win the competition...and good luck to him.
For those of you that don't know (which included me), J Riggs was on the Ultimate Fighter season 7. He didn't get past the prelims, but he was briefly on the show. He has also fought in Strikeforce and Bellator. I'm not questioning whether he is an MMA fighter or not, as he is. But in terms of the first legit MMA fighter to make it in WWE? Ken Shamrock anyone? Dan “The Beast” Severn. They even had Daniel Puder in Tough Enough before.
If I'm being really pick I could mention Tank Abbott being in WCW (for which WWE own the footage), but I won't.
With more and more MMA moves and even scripted MMA matches being used in pro-wrestling (Angle vs Jarrett, I would not be at all surprised to see Jeremiah Riggs win the competition...and good luck to him.
World's strongest man? Yes. Ultimate Fighting Champion? Hmmmm
Mariusz Pudzianowski is the world's strongest man. I'm not asking you to debate this, he just is. There is a Pole sat next to me who will give me the cold shoulder if I say anything else, but I don't need or want to say anything else on the subject. He IS the world's strongest man.
But he is also an MMA fighter. A record of 3-1 is not bad. Brock Lesnar is 5-2, so 3-1 is not a bad record. Pudzianowski one loss came at the hands of the former UFC champion Tim Sylvia, which is not a bad person to lose to. Why did he lose, he gassed. This can be worked on, he can improve.
What Pudzianowski brings to MMA is power. Real power. No one can overpower him. Give him the right technique and he'll have some effective punches...but this is not my point. He has the power, he can work on technique and skill, he will have the right work ethic. But there is one problem with him ruling the roost in the UFC, his size!
Pudzianowski fights at Super Heavyweight, the UFC does not have this division. It is unlikely that Pudzianowski will either want or be able to drop down to heavyweight. He is 34 years old and not used to cutting weight. He is already a celebrity in his native homeland and famous across the world. I just can't see him ever wanting to cut weight, assuming that he could whilst still keeping his strength.
But would the UFC ever create a Super Heavyweight division? I suspect not. Historically some of the heavyweights have looked out of shape, gassed and been an embarrassment. Letting them become even bigger would be bring back these issues. There is a reason why the 135 and 155 pound fighters are so fast and entertaining, smaller human beings can keep up this level of cardio. Also when you have fighters such as Brock Lesnar making 265, why would you want to let in bigger people?
So what is the solution? A one off fight? Yeah, sure, but against who? Bobb Sapp, Butterbean, lol? This is not UFC calibre. Are there opponents out there that anyone would pay to watch as this is the real question? I just don't think that there is unless it is another former WWE wrestler, but this is much more the territory of a Strikeforce or a smaller organisation. Money is important to all organisations, but the UFC is succeeding without having to pull in former NFL players etc.
The answer to the question then, will Pudzianowski become a UFC Champion? No he will not. Can he become a success in the sport, yes he can and with a record of 3-1 he is on his way to doing so.
Note: Yes I know that Pudzianowski came second in the last world strongest man competition, but like I said I fear for my relationship by writing anything different to the above.
But he is also an MMA fighter. A record of 3-1 is not bad. Brock Lesnar is 5-2, so 3-1 is not a bad record. Pudzianowski one loss came at the hands of the former UFC champion Tim Sylvia, which is not a bad person to lose to. Why did he lose, he gassed. This can be worked on, he can improve.
What Pudzianowski brings to MMA is power. Real power. No one can overpower him. Give him the right technique and he'll have some effective punches...but this is not my point. He has the power, he can work on technique and skill, he will have the right work ethic. But there is one problem with him ruling the roost in the UFC, his size!
Pudzianowski fights at Super Heavyweight, the UFC does not have this division. It is unlikely that Pudzianowski will either want or be able to drop down to heavyweight. He is 34 years old and not used to cutting weight. He is already a celebrity in his native homeland and famous across the world. I just can't see him ever wanting to cut weight, assuming that he could whilst still keeping his strength.
But would the UFC ever create a Super Heavyweight division? I suspect not. Historically some of the heavyweights have looked out of shape, gassed and been an embarrassment. Letting them become even bigger would be bring back these issues. There is a reason why the 135 and 155 pound fighters are so fast and entertaining, smaller human beings can keep up this level of cardio. Also when you have fighters such as Brock Lesnar making 265, why would you want to let in bigger people?
So what is the solution? A one off fight? Yeah, sure, but against who? Bobb Sapp, Butterbean, lol? This is not UFC calibre. Are there opponents out there that anyone would pay to watch as this is the real question? I just don't think that there is unless it is another former WWE wrestler, but this is much more the territory of a Strikeforce or a smaller organisation. Money is important to all organisations, but the UFC is succeeding without having to pull in former NFL players etc.
The answer to the question then, will Pudzianowski become a UFC Champion? No he will not. Can he become a success in the sport, yes he can and with a record of 3-1 he is on his way to doing so.
Note: Yes I know that Pudzianowski came second in the last world strongest man competition, but like I said I fear for my relationship by writing anything different to the above.
End of the road for Cro Cop?
UFC 128, Cro Cop vs Brendan Schaub, surely the last fight in the UFC that Cro Cop wil have. Yes, I'm saying that he will lose. He will not impose and he will not impress. I actually think it will be a quite brutal end to the career of Cro Cop.
I'm not saying that Cro Cop will retire, but I am saying that he should. He certainly won't be on UFC any more (maybe Strikeforce will sign him).
Why? A combination of factors. Schaub is impressive. 7-1 MMA record, beating Gabriel Gonzaga who himself has previously beaten Cro Cop with a famous knockout at UFC 70 and he does not rely on one style of fighting, unlike Cro Cop.
I am a fan of Cro Cop, or I was a fan, but in the UFC he really has not impressed. The last fight against Mir was very uninteresting and there was an element of embarrassment / pity in the style he lost (being put down by knees, when he is meant to be the lethal striker).
Cro Cop is a legend, but his time is over. MMA really has evolved, he has not and where there was previously excitement floating around when I knew he was going to fight, now I just hope that he doesn't get hurt!
I'm not saying that Cro Cop will retire, but I am saying that he should. He certainly won't be on UFC any more (maybe Strikeforce will sign him).
Why? A combination of factors. Schaub is impressive. 7-1 MMA record, beating Gabriel Gonzaga who himself has previously beaten Cro Cop with a famous knockout at UFC 70 and he does not rely on one style of fighting, unlike Cro Cop.
I am a fan of Cro Cop, or I was a fan, but in the UFC he really has not impressed. The last fight against Mir was very uninteresting and there was an element of embarrassment / pity in the style he lost (being put down by knees, when he is meant to be the lethal striker).
Cro Cop is a legend, but his time is over. MMA really has evolved, he has not and where there was previously excitement floating around when I knew he was going to fight, now I just hope that he doesn't get hurt!
Strikeforce poll
At Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson, they had the following vote:
Which one of these strkeforce fighters will have a breakout year in 2011?
Daniel Cormier 44%
Roger Gragice 28%
Tyron Woodley 15%
Shande Del Rosarid 10%
Luke Rockhold 3%
There is a clear out and out winner in the poll, Daniel Cormier, but do you agree with this? From his credentials as an amateur wrestler and his 7-0 MMA record Daniel Cornier is an understandable choice. But I would go for Roger Gracie. 4-0 MMA record, a quite incredible BJJ record (google it, you will be impressed) and of course the Gracie name, you can clearly see my logic.
I would personally like to see a match up between the pair of them. Can the BJJ skills of Gracie be enough for the wrestling of Cormier, there is an easy way to find out...FIGHT!!!
Which one of these strkeforce fighters will have a breakout year in 2011?
Daniel Cormier 44%
Roger Gragice 28%
Tyron Woodley 15%
Shande Del Rosarid 10%
Luke Rockhold 3%
There is a clear out and out winner in the poll, Daniel Cormier, but do you agree with this? From his credentials as an amateur wrestler and his 7-0 MMA record Daniel Cornier is an understandable choice. But I would go for Roger Gracie. 4-0 MMA record, a quite incredible BJJ record (google it, you will be impressed) and of course the Gracie name, you can clearly see my logic.
I would personally like to see a match up between the pair of them. Can the BJJ skills of Gracie be enough for the wrestling of Cormier, there is an easy way to find out...FIGHT!!!
MMA article - Why strikeforce doesn't quite hit the mark
Whilst watching Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson the other day, I started to question why Strikeforce is not as enjoyable as the UFC? Now, don't get me wrong, there have been some good fights over the years and they do have some very good competitors (a couple that the UFC would surely love to have), but there is one major thing above all else which is a problem...the commentary team!
Have you ever met someone who acts as if he knows everything about every subject, but actually knows nothing...this is Mauro Ranallo. I don't think he is a bad person or anything, I just don't rate him as a commentator.
When a commentary team won't admit that the “H Bomb” (a Henderson punch which they embarrassingly kept talking about) didn't knock out Feijao, but it was the impact of his head bouncing off the canvass! I don't know what contract Henderson has signed, but they were desperate to big him up as much as possible compared to Feijao, who was the champion. I want unbiased commentary when I watch MMA. Feel free to get excited or big up something which has been done in the ring, but don't do it when nothing has happened.
Strikeforce is trying to compete with the UFC and in some ways it is doing well. They have some massive names with Fedor, Overeem and Henderson. They have some talent with Diaz, Daley amongst others. They have also worked a good crossover with the Dream organisation. The heavyweight tournament is a good concept if it works and people don't start gettting replaced due to injury etc. I would have probably never watch women fight in MMA if it were not for Strikeforce and I have been impressed with the little I have seen. You can see that they have also tried to not be a carbon copy of the UFC, but until they get a much better commentary team they will never ever be able to take the championship away from the UFC.
Michael “The Voice” Schiavello is a part of the answer in my opinion, to partner him though, I do not know.
