The talk of Saturday's mega Strikeforce show on CBS is dominated by the postfight melee instigated by Jason Miller's challenge to Jake Sheilds for a middleweight title rematch. I'm not defending Miller's actions, which were uncalled for, unnecessary and a serious case of terrible and unprofessional timing.
But besides Miller just living up to his act, is this truly one of the most disgraceful things to ever happen in sports? Didn't Mike Tyson try and bite Evander Holyfield's ear off? Wasn't there a riot at Madison Square Garden that exploded when one of Riddick Bowe's handlers smacked Andrew Golota in the back of the head with a walkie talkie after one too many low blows? How about that incident in Detroit that started when Ron Artest went after a fan that tossed a beer at him? Or when Juan Marichal and Jose Offerman used baseball bats as samurai swords? And didn't Frank Mir's death wish on Brock Lesnar horrify the MMA haters who still look at the sport as a spectacle?
Memo to the MMA haters and stuffy suit and ties: Chill out and get over it. Last I looked boxing, basketball, baseball and the UFC are still in business, and Strikeforce president Scott Coker will nip this in the bud and move on. As for Miller, I'd concern myself about Robbie Lawler this summer before any rematch with the reigning champion.
The big story to come out of Nashville Saturday night was how Shields, already a winner of 12 straight fights, elevated his stature even further with his unanimous decision victory over PRIDE & UFC veteran Dan Henderson. What made it more impressive is how this was supposed to be a bad matchup for Shields facing a guy who has also competed at 205 and his ability to survive Hendo's right hand was in question. Henderson landed a bomb nearly similar to the one that blasted Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Shields not only took it, he overcame the fear that was in his eyes and took the bout to his domain, the ground. The wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert dominated with a thorough game plan that frustrated the veteran, who relied on the home run shot the entire fight.
Best of all, Shields' bargaining power is to where both Strikeforce and the UFC will be handing over blank checks. Shields has a one-fight option available with Strikeforce and Dana White has expressed an interest in bringing him to Las Vegas. Posturing on White's part to drive up Shields' price or a plan to add one of his top competitor's biggest pieces to his empire?
"I just want to take some time off, leave the country, and enjoy myself," Shields said after the fight. "We'll talk about that next week. My management team will talk to Strikeforce. We'll see what happens."
In terms of contenders Strikeforce can offer Cung Le, Scott Smith, Lawler, Joey Villasenor, Melvin Manhoef and DREAM import Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. The UFC could throw Shields a few top middleweights before a showdown with Anderson Silva or Chael Sonnen, or perhaps a matchup with Georges St. Pierre, along with Zuffa's marketing power that will add more pizazz to Shields' name.
Not only did Shields earn the biggest win of his career, he's the hottest name on the market. If White's able to swipe him, the impact will be more profound than when Henderson agreed to go to Strikeforce. Coker's company is still building a program and a Shields defection will rattle its foundation quite a bit.
3 comments:
Are people forgetting tank vs cabbage same thing happened I still pic liddell leaping over the cage to help break that post fight up and tito vs the lions din I can name atleast 3 ufc fights that ended as bad.
It's just a shame that this kind of BS doesn't happen 99% of the time and then, when they have the national stage, and many many people are tuning in to see this sport for the first time, this happens. Not a great way to build a fan base.
That being said, the writer of this article took an interesting stance of 'this is not a big deal, other sports have done much worse', rather than take to task the individuals who are responsible for the situation. One or two incidents like this won't ruin the sport, but it certainly doesn't help the sport, and the offenders should be chastised for their immaturity, lack of mutual respect, and lack of respect for the sport and it's fans. I just think the article should have been more balanced between criticizing Miller (and Shields and co. to a lesser extent) and defending the sport.
That being said, if Anderson Silva's fight had been the main event of this national telecast I believe it would have done more harm to the sport than this little meleé.
You both make good points. I'm not saying it's not a big deal. As I wrote, Jason Miller's actions were uncalled for and unnecessary - and Jake Shields apologized because he knew he was wrong to retaliate. Stuff like this cannot be swept under the rug - Scott Coker must take disciplinary action - but given that there are those with any excuse in the book for MMA not to succeed, Saturday's shenanigans can't undo all the good the sport has done.
Tito vs. the Lions Den = another good example.
Thanks for reading,
Jon
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