Jon Lane's World

NGN (Not Good News) for CBS

2010-04-18T19:22:00.003-04:00

Media Week shared the overnight figures for Strikeforce on CBS.

CBS Strike Force Saturday Night Fights

9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 2.57 million (#4), A18-49: 0.8/ 3 (#4)
9:30 p.m. – Viewers: 2.55 million (#4), A18-49: 1.0/ 3 (#4)
10:00 p.m. – Viewers: 2.89 million (#3), A18-49: 1.2/ 4 (#2)
10:30 p.m. – Viewers: 2.52 million (#3), A18-49: 1.0/ 3 (#2)

Among males 18-to-49 -- mixed martial arts' core demographic and the only reason networks have any interest in the sport at all -- CBS Saturday Night Fights at various times trailed Cops, The Biggest Loser, Shark Tale and re-runs of Law & Order SVU.

The early figures represent a 31% drop from Strikeforce's November show on CBS, which attracted 3.79 million viewers in the 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. slot.

CBS began promoting the event during the NCAA Tournament, albeit in 5-10 second spots. And beyond the standard promos and affiliate spots that were at most 30 seconds there was nothing to educate the casual viewer on a loaded event and get them excited about it. Why Showtime or CBS - even if they go viral - can't piece together a promotional package remains a mystery.

Spike re-aired UFC 110 opposite Strikeforce. I'm curious about its ratings.

Shields scores

2010-04-18T09:24:00.005-04:00

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.

Lauzon looking at next fight on his turf

2010-04-16T16:03:00.004-04:00

I wish I can blog in this space more often. Alas, it's Yankees season and I've put up plenty of commentary here. Of course there's been plenty of MMA work on my plate. No offseason in that sport and it seems like there's been a show every week. Tomorrow night is Strikeforce on CBS with the WEC's premiere pay-per-view a week later.

I chatted with Joe Lauzon earlier and he's looking at his next fight coming in August before his hometown fans in Boston when the UFC makes its debut in Beantown for UFC 118. Health permitting, Frankie Edgar-B.J. Penn II and Kenny Florian-Gray Maynard could co-headline the show. Lauzon, who lost a unanimous decision to Sam Stout in February, stated his preference to compete in Boston and it's looking like he'll get that chance.

"They're saying it's going to happen, so we'll see," Lauzon said. "The UFC is meeting with the commission and all that stuff to make it all happen. It's looking like something's going to happen for August."

A lot of variables will determine his opponent Lauzon split his last two bouts, submitting Jeremy Stephens before falling short versus Stout in what was the Fight of the Night. Stephens and Stout are fighting May 8 at UFC 113 in Montreal. Could a rematch with the Hands of Stone be in the cards? Lauzon had Stout in trouble in the first round before Stout's striking dictated the rest of the fight. Furthermore, ACL surgery kept Lauzon out of action for 11 months. By August he'll be back at peak strength and a rematch on his turf may end up breeding a different result.

I would love to get that one," Lauzon said. "I look at Jeremy Stephens is a more dangerous fighter. Sam is a more polished guy. It'll be interesting to see how that goes. If Sam doesn't get by Jeremy we'll both be coming off a loss so I'm all for doing that again."

Also in Montreal, besides the light-heavyweight title rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua, is a compelling welterweight battle between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley that may determine Georges St. Pierre's next challenge. My feature on Semtex is in the new edition of TapouT Magazine, Issue 36, Page 86.

MMA fans were disappointed with UFC 112 thanks to Anderson Silva's embarrassing antics, and it's a shame because Silva's decision to act like a clown and make a mockery of the sport overshadowed Edgar's stunning upset of the once invincible Prodigy. Dana White was rightfully pissed off, and to be fair 112 is likely just an aberration, but the door is open for Strikeforce to prove they're serious about competing against the Zuffa monolith. Tomorrow night on CBS is a great, great lineup featuring three title fights, including what may end up to be Jake Shields' final fight with the organization.

Shields' Strikeforce contract expires after Saturday and White has made it clear he will make a play for the stud who's won his last 13 bouts. If he wins Strikeforce will have no choice but to hand him an open check, but will money's pull be stronger than the opportunity to face GSP or the Spider? Of course, Silva will have to cut the crap in addition to defeating Chael Sonnen at UFC 117. White has threatened to cut Silva from the company if he pulls another stunt like he did in Abu Dhabi.

Silva: Jones must earn right to fight me

2010-03-29T17:06:00.003-04:00

One week and change later, the MMA world is still buzzing over Jon Jones' destruction of Brandon Vera. Today on FightMagazine.com I suggested five potential next opponents for the white-hot light-heavyweight.

One is Thiago Silva, coming off a loss to Rashad Evans, but competed well enough to retain his high standing in the division. In fact, Silva told my colleagues at MMAJunkie.com that Jones must first get to his level before they fight one another.

"I think [Jones] is a wonderful fighter; he's doing a good job, putting on a good show," Silva said. "But I think he has to prove himself more to get the right to fight me. He’s doing fine, but he has to take a few more steps. I [want to] climb fast to the title shot, so I want people with the high ranking right now."

Silva may have planted a bug in Zuffa's ear. He's looking at a UFC 116 return from a back injury. Last I checked Jones' calendar is open. How about Joe Silva telling Thiago Silva, "Think you're that much better than Jones? Prove it."

Carwin changes the questions

2010-03-28T09:31:00.005-04:00

He'd never survive past the first round.

That 11-0 record, with each win coming in the opening stanza, was cosmetic. He never faced anyone the caliber of Frank Mir. Gabriel Gonzaga buckled his knees. Never mind that he showed the mark of a champion by taking it and finding a way to win.

That one-year layoff from competition would come back to hurt him. Mir was going to dice him.

People at Zuffa will never admit it, but they were secretly hoping for Mir to defeat Shane Carwin to set up a rubber Mir-Brock Lesnar match July 3 and build hype based on legit hate.

With an explosive left hand that sent Mir tumbling and a barrage of follow ups that would turn cement into dust, Carwin changed all the questions at UFC 111. To anyone who doubted him because he lacked the big-fight experience of Mir, Carwin proved he's for real. By capturing the UFC interim heavyweight title he actually did Zuffa favor: Lesnar-Carwin lacks the spike fit for a WWE storyline, but Dana White and Co. can turn a 1,000-page novel (with no pictures) on the history of cabinet making into an exciting tale.

And the bottom line is this: Carwin provides Lesnar with the best matchup. For one, Lesnar won't be able to bully Carwin into a defenseless position, like he did Mir. Lesnar's chin has also never been truly tested. I don't care who you are. You get hit flush by a Carwin punch, you're falling. In turn, all of Lesnar's MMA fights took place prior to the diverticulitis that ravaged his body. Not only is Lesnar healthy, he's stronger.

Carwin will also be Lesnar's greatest challenge. Cry all you want about the quality of his opponents. When you win all 12 of your MMA fights, needing no longer than three minutes and 48 seconds, to vanquish 12 of the world's best athletes whose ability allowed them to excel in this sport, you've accomplished something absolutely amazing and remarkable. And this is from someone who at age 35 works full-time as an engineer and is a married father of a newborn daughter. Carwin's got the "it" factor I believed would get him past Mir and it did. And while doing so he forced the first seed of concern behind Lesnar and his smug smile.

*******

If there ever was going to be a fight in which all five rounds were scored 10-8, it was Georges St. Pierre's domination of Dan Hardy. This wasn't scored 50-40, but the judges had it 50-43, 50-44 and 50-45. Hardy earned respect by surviving an armbar and other painful submission attempts that would have forced a lesser fighter to tap, but there's nothing that nether he nor anyone can do to solve GSP. He's just that good ... From what Dana White said after the fight, the winner of Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley in May could meet Jon Fitch. The door for Jake Shields is looking wide open ... All five of the Jersey Boys won their bouts at 111, though I had Mark Bocek beating Jim Miller in a great fight that was very hard to score ... If I were matchmaker, I'd sign off on a rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Both are out of the title hunt and both are still steaming over their last fight that Mir won but to whom Minotauro refused to give credit because he got over a staph infection ... It was a fun week in New York City. I hung out with great fans Friday night while reporting on Thiago Alves' next step. The UFC also sold out the Prudential Center and earned a gate of $4 million, more evidence clear to everyone except that clown and idiot, Assemblyman Bob Reilly, that MMA must be sanctioned in New York State.

White dodging Cain-Junior, for now

2010-03-22T14:33:00.002-04:00

Updating this morning's post, Dana White danced around reporters' questions following UFC on Versus regarding a showdown between emerging stars Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. This matchup that will eventually determine the No. 1 contender to the heavyweight crown makes sense, as does White's assertion that he'll wait until after Frank Mir-Shane Carwin Saturday night before unscrambling the puzzle. If the winner of the interim title suffers an injury that forces them on extended medical leave, Velasquez would face Brock Lesnar likely at UFC 116 July 3.

"They're all going to fight," White said. "All these guys in that lineup are going to fight, but we've got to figure out how it's all going to go down. Mir and Carwin are going to get this thing started. We'll see what happens there, and the great thing is, we're a week away from that."

Back in the day, boxing's heavyweight champion was the most recognized athlete in the world. It'll still be awhile before MMA is in that echelon, but a heavyweight division deeper than it's ever been is a great foundation.

The top contenders: Frank Mir, Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos
Second-tier: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Cheick Kongo, Stefan Struve, Roy Nelson (fighting one another at UFC Fight Night 21)
Keep your eye on: Pat Barry, Todd Duffee

Jones on track to immortality

2010-03-22T09:49:00.002-04:00

Brandon Vera's intent was to crack Jon Jones' aura. He implemented a couple schemes: trash-talking and a heated staredown at the weigh-in that sent the normally tranquil 22-year-old into a rage. Vera walked away laughing, confident half the battle was won.

Then the horn sounded Sunday night in suburban Denver. That's when Vera realized true core cracking in MMA happens inside the Octagon. Three minutes and 19 seconds later, the only things cracking were Vera's orbital bone and the ladder he had been climbing towards a light-heavyweight title shot.

I've written and said this many times: Jones could end up one of the best in MMA - ever. He took another step towards immortality by doing what three former UFC heavyweight champions, including Hall of Famer Randy Couture, couldn't do to Vera, destroying The Truth in a UFC on Versus main event that was hardly in doubt. Jones executed one of his slick takedowns seconds into the fight and it was Joe Rogan's astute commentary that had me concerned when Vera was on his back. It appeared that Jones was leaving his left arm too extended and vulenerable for an armbar. While Bones is already one of the great ones, he's just 22 and the experienced Vera had a plan to make his opponent pay for a rookie mistake.

So much for that. Jones ate an illegal kick to the chin and once Herb Dean - for my money the best referee in the business - deducted a point and ordered a restart from the exact same position, it didn't take long for Jones to end the fight with an elbow so brutal it echoed around the arena and through the TV microphones at ringside.

Think about this for a moment: Vera knocked Couture down and had him staring at the clock in hopes the seconds would move faster. He lost that fight, but his reputation gained in stature and was set up to be Jones' biggest challenge. Alas, Jones made it look too easy - just like he did against Matt Hamill, Jake O'Brien and Stephan Bonnar. And because Jones is one of the most mature 22-year-olds you'll ever meet, he allowed himself to learn another lesson.

“In the future, I’ll deal with trash talkers better and focus on what the task is,” Jones said.

The questions began immediately after Dean stopped the fight, who's next? Couture? Mauricio Rua? Rashad Evans? Quinton Jackson? Not exactly.The UFC is going to handle Jones carefully, despite his success, similar to the Washington Nationals sending top-pick Stephen Strasburg to Double-A despite his 100-MPH fastball, writes Kevin Iole. If I were matchmaker: Jones gets either the winner of Forrest Griffin-Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (UFC 114) or another light-heavyweight on a rapid rise to the top: Ryan Bader.
____

How good is Junior Dos Santos? He toyed with top contender Gabriel Gonzaga before smashing him 3:53 into their bout Sunday night. Four of Dos Santos' five UFC wins have come via a first-round knockout or TKO. This heavyweight division is so loaded a matchup of any of the top guns would be main-event caliber. Again, if I were matchmaker, Cain Velazquez is next for Cigano, with the winner to take on the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin/Frank Mir.

Launch of a new project

2010-02-24T11:38:00.002-05:00

I am now a weekly MMA blogger for FightLaunch.com, a place where fighters, promoters, models, gyms and fans can connect and network. My first entry was posted this morning during which I give my take on the WEC, Jens Pulver, Frank Mir's recent comments and look back at UFC 110.

I'll still be sharing my thoughts in this space, which will include my Yankees coverage and general stuff on my mind. Today in Yankeeland, Derek Jeter was his usual composed self while answering questions - for the first and only time - about playing in the final season of his contract.

Black on black crime will finally happen. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Rashad Evans is official May 29 at UFC 114. Their dislike for each other on The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights was heated and hilarious. This showdown after Rampage's win over Keith Jardine is timeless and priceless.

Jersey show a major deal

2010-02-23T09:23:00.003-05:00

Think UFC 111 is just another pay-per-view? Think harder. The show takes place in Newark, N.J., in the shadow of New York City, Zuffa's nirvana once MMA is finally sanctioned in the state of New York.

The efforts to hype and market UFC 111 are a message to the suits in Albany that says, "Think MMA is irrelevant? Too violent? A menace to society? Here morons, have this."

UFC's second Primetime special beginning March 10 on Spike is centered around Georges St. Pierre vs. Dan Hardy. The co-main event is Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin in a battle to decide Brock Lesnar's next challenger. The card as a whole is loaded including Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch and a few Jersey boys representing their home state: Jim Miller, Ricardo Almeida and Kurt Pellegrino. Also count on No. 1 lightweight contender, and Tom's River's own, Frankie Edgar, being inside the Prudential Center on March 27. I'm mapping out my next feature for FightMagazine.com on the Jersey fighters competing on this show, and what UFC 111 means to them and for Zuffa, New Jersey and New York.

Speaking of Miller, while he and Dan Miller are recognized by MMA fans, there are a few brother combination who haven't reached mainstream status (though Little Nog is close) and those who never will. My breakdown is on Fight's site and you can check it out here.

If you can't make it to Newark, you can't miss the show if you have a burning desire to see it. There's pay-per-view, of course and your local sports bar. If the crowded, rambunctious bar scene isn't your thing, check this out: Beginning with UFC 111, movie theaters around the country will be showing live events.

The operative words: "Beginning with UFC 111." Coincidence? I think not.

Cain is able: An exclamation point on rebuilt division

2010-02-21T15:57:00.001-05:00

Even if you had Cain Velasquez defeating Minotauro Nogueira, no chance I'm believing you if you predicted first-round knockout. Nogueira was the popular pick among fans and media. And while the consensus was that Velasquez was good, and win or lose he'd remain a future champion, Saturday night in Sydney he shocked Nogueira and everyone by proving he's damn good.

Velasquez looked awesome and is no doubt championship material. For now he'll have to wait his turn. The winner of Frank Mir-Shane Carwin next month at UFC 111 will determine the No. 1 contender to Brock Lesnar's title, but if the victor is forced on a lengthy medical suspension, Dana White said Saturday night that Velasquez will step right into the top spot.

The heavyweight division was once on life support. Now with three viable top contenders - the winner of Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga becomes the fourth - this group is deep and getting stronger. Where in Strikeforce depth is a major problem, the UFC is building a foundation that will keep life pumping into the organization for years. In other words, Zuffa is winning the battle against complacency - at least in 2010

“Five years ago, there is no comparison to the way it is now,” White said during the UFC 110 post-fight press conference. “We had nobody like Cain. Nobody. All we had then was Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski and that was it. The division was terrible. It sucked and [Sylvia] and Andrei kept knocking each other out. Now, you go down the list and you see guy after guy and you go, ‘He’s the real deal. He’s the real deal. He’s the real deal.’ We’re full of them right now. I can’t wait to see some of these fights. It’s going to be sick.”

Nogueira, 33, is finished as a top contender, but still remains a tough out. You can't forget how impressive he was against Randy Couture, who is suddenly a threat at 205. In Velasquez Minotauro ran into a buzzsaw who took a quantum leap. The same can be said about a division once ruled (via an interim title) by the legend from Brazil.

“The young lions are definitely coming,” said Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, who himself mustered a needed win at UFC 110 over late replacement Anthony Perosh. “The heavyweight division is better than it’s ever been.”

If I were matchmaker, assuming Mir or Carwin emerge from UFC 111 healthy, I'd pit Velasquez against the dos Santos-Gonzaga winner (the two battle on the UFC's debut show on Versus). Seeing that health and injuries can wipe out Plan A (see UFC 112 and Anderson Silva's next opponent), a good Plan B would be Roy Nelson if he gets by Stefan Struve. The bottom line is you don't want Velasquez sitting idle for nearly a year waiting for an opponent of either Lesnar, Mir or Carwin to emerge.

Speaking of Mir-Carwin, UFC 111 is the next UFC pay-per-view. It takes place in Newark, N.J., in the shadow of New York City, where Zuffa is hell-bent on placing its flag by early 2011. It's no coincidence that Mir-Carwin is the co-main event with Georges St. Pierre-Dan Hardy - the focus of Spike's second UFC Primetime special debuting March 10.

Bonnar: Coleman was beaten before battle

2010-02-10T15:55:00.002-05:00

I caught up with Stephan Bonnar for a feature I’m penning for MMA Worldwide. It gave me a chance to ask him his take on Mark Coleman’s loss to Randy Couture at UFC 109. It was Bonnar who Coleman unexpectedly defeated at UFC 100 that helped pave the way for a main event bout against The Natural last Saturday.

Unfortunately, the UFC’s first heavyweight champion and the father of “ground and pound” was a shell of his old self before he choked out in Round 2.

“Yeah, it didn’t look like he tried too hard,” Bonnar said. “He’s been fighting for a long time and that’s the only fight I’ve seen in which he didn’t attempt a takedown. I think he was kind of beat before he entered the ring. He kind of conceded like he’ll get paid but won’t win this one.”

As expected, Coleman was released from the UFC today. Cory Brady was the first to report it and Jonathan Snowden – author of the fantastic reference book "Total MMA" – cited a source that said UFC officials felt, in good conscience, they couldn't let Coleman fight again and “we were looking at a potential death in the Octagon.”

Bonnar hesitated to suggest that Coleman is finished and believes there could be a chance to at least go out with his head held high if the right opportunity presented itself.

“If you give him a good matchup against someone he can probably take down and ride out, I think he could win,” Bonnar said. “I’m not one to say he should retire.”

Bonnar is facing one of those infamous “must-win” fights at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia a week from Saturday when he takes on fellow Ultimate Fighter alum Krzysztof Soszynski. The American Psycho is down in history for his epic contest against Forrest Griffin at the first Ultimate Finale that represented MMA’s breakthrough into the mainstream and helped secure Bonnar a UFC contract despite losing a close decision.

However, Bonnar’s lost four out of his last six fights, including a rematch against Griffin. From Brock Larson to Jake Roshalt to most recently Phillipe Nover and others, the UFC has cut loose fighters who have hit a wall, but Bonnar has been competitive in every one of his bouts. Out of his six MMA defeats, only one has failed to reach the judges, a 2003 bout in Brazil against a young fighter fighting in his homeland named Lyoto Machida. He’s also one of just two of Jon Jones’ 10 opponents (Andre Gusmao) to take “Bones” to a full three rounds.

“Even during my losses I fought my ass off until the very end,” Bonnar said. “If it were for five dollars in a backyard, I’m going to fight to the death. I don’t care what kind of fight it is. To me it’s always the most important. It’s everything and I’m going to fight that way. If I won my last two it’d still be in my mind a fight to the death.”

Soszynski had won his last three UFC bouts, including a submission win over Shane Primm at The Ultimate Finale 8, and five straight until dropping a unanimous decision to Brandon Vera at UFC 102. Unless Bonnar destroys him, Soszynski probably has some shelf life in Zuffa, but a defeat in Sydney would put him on shaky ground.

“He’s bald, covered in tattoos and ugly,” said Bonnar, laughing. “He’s a seasoned veteran, pretty well-rounded and physically he’s strong. I just have to make him fight, put the pressure on him and beat his ass. It’s that simple.”

Couture amazing story, but No. 1 contender?

2010-02-07T10:02:00.004-05:00

I'm a firm believer that age isn't measured in years. It's about how you life your life, take care of your body and apply to your craft while making the required adjustments to cope with bones and muscles that tend to bark a bit louder as your chronological number increases. There is a small part of it, though, that's up to a greater power: God's genetic programming.

Mark Coleman is 45 years old. Randy Couture is 46. Saturday night showed that Couture is aging like fine wine while Father Time is demanding Coleman, "Enough is Enough." Coleman is a decorated fighter, the UFC's first heavyweight champion, and a man of dignity. And it's sad to see him go out this way. Coleman offered little to no resistance against The Natural, yet said afterwords he still wants to fight. Dana White made it clear it won't be in the UFC - against Tito Ortiz or anyone. There's an awful lot The Hammer can contribute to the sport, but he no longer belongs inside the Octagon.

Couture is an incredible athlete and an amazing story. He's 2-2 in his last four fights, which includes the stiffest test anyone's provided Brock Lesnar, a heart-and-soul battle against Minotauro Nogueira, and a controversial decision over Brandon Vera. He appears to be on course for a shot at becoming a three-time light-heavyweight champion, a goal that if accomplished would put Captain America on the immortal level.

But is Couture a legit No. 1 contender? On paper, not yet. I'd like to see him in a rematch against Vera; to this day The Truth believes the judges screwed him out of a win at UFC 105. Coleman's heart is admirable, but his tools of today is not the ideal litmus test that Vera or even Jon Jones would be.

That said, does Urijah Faber deserve a shot at Jose Aldo over Mike Brown? I don't think so, but the UFC/WEC at times places a premium on a compelling matchup over merit (unlike Dan Hardy's fair chance at Georges St. Pierre). You can make an argument for Rashad Evans if he defeats Rampage Jackson, but also point out Evans' 0-1 record against champion Lyoto Machida. Then again, Brown is 2-0 against Faber, yet he's on the undercard of WEC's first pay-per-view while Faber-Aldo is the bout between two of world's most exciting featherweights that everyone wants to see.

Couture could benefit from timing. Beyond Evans and Vera (if he defeats Jones), there's no light-heavyweight that's ready for a title fight. If Vera wins he could draw the lucky number, but those convinced that Couture won that fight would probably want more proof out a rematch too. This puzzle can take well into the summer to complete.

UPDATE 12:04 p.m. Dana White confirmed that Couture is in the title picture. Machida's second defense against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 113, as well as the Evans-Rampage Jackson showdown expected to be settled at UFC 114 in May, will have to sort itself out.

"There's some unfinished business in the light heavyweight division," White said. "We've got to do Rashad and Rampage. We've got to do the Machida and 'Shogun' fight, and Randy falls in the middle of that whole mess somewhere. We'll see what happens. I've got to see what happens with the next couple fights."

Trigg: Losing to Serra not an option

2010-02-05T16:18:00.001-05:00

Frank Trigg makes no fuss about it. His chance at redeeming his first-round TKO loss to Josh Koscheck comes with a caveat: Losing to Matt Serra – a loser of his last two bouts and also on notice – is not an option.

“For sure it’s [a must-win],” Trigg told me during an interview for my UFC 109 piece on FightMagazine.com. “I lost to Koscheck and I’m going to lose to Serra? If I lose two in a row there’s no reason for the UFC to keep me. Serra’s in that same position. You have to start thinking about what’s going to happen.”

First on his mind is Serra, who’s TUF Season 4 win boosted his profile and led to a title shot against Georges St. Pierre (no need to remind you how he fared). GSP dominated Serra in the rematch and after a 13-month layoff to heal an injury to the ulner nerve to his left elbow suffered in the aforementioned rematch he dropped a close decision to rival Matt Hughes last May.

“Serra’s great on the ground and he’s improved his stand-up,” Trigg said. “He has a heavy left hand and body blow and I must be conscious of his big right hand,” Trigg said. “He’s very strong and compact for his weight class and like trying to fight a bowling ball. He’s a former champion for a reason.”

Painfully obvious what will happen if Trigg loses, I began asking him, “What if you win?” He cut me off. “When I win.” Trigg is ready and willing, and insists he's able.

“I’m taller and better looking,” Trigg said. “As much as Matt has improved the last couple of years he’s still pretty much the same fighter. I’ve had to adopt my style.”

Trigg’s experience against GSP at UFC 54 was the polar opposite to how Serra fared in his first fight thanks to humbling a rear naked choke submission defeat in the opening round. The loss would be Trigg's final appearance in the UFC until UFC 103, almost 50 events later, and he used the time away to compile a 7-2 record on the independent circuit that took him to Denver, Honolulu and Satiama, Japan, where he earned a win over 2006 Pride Fighting Championships welterweight grand prix winner Kazuo Misaki at Sengoku 4.

“After I was run over and destroyed St. Pierre , UFC color analyst Joe Rogan called me an amateur,” Trigg said. “I looked like an amateur [and thought], ‘What do I have to do to fix that? Every training came I have to find something new.’ I want to prove that I still have some game left and I’m up for the challenge. After I beat Serra I’m not going to be a contender, that’s not going to happen, but I want to be a contender after the next couple of fights.”

Intangibles the attraction for Couture-Coleman

2010-02-05T14:06:00.001-05:00

Jake Rossen is one of best MMA reporters and bloggers in the business. As always his primers serve as a valuable quick-hit information tool to generate interest in an upcoming event. He makes a fair point in his UFC 109 primer over the lack of fan enthusiasm over a card headlined by two fighters in their mid 40s.

"If fan enthusiasm is dull for Saturday's card, it might be blamed on mismeasured expectations: Standards that apply to 25-year-olds should not be heaped on men nearing 50 who have fought as frequently as some athletes have sparred. If you expect to watch Couture-Coleman and be dazzled by radical, hyper attacks, you will quickly grow disappointed; if you accept that two veterans will engage in a game in which nasty tricks and a takedown or two can alter the outcome, you probably will walk away satisfied."

Here's a reason to actually look forward to this fight: Sometimes when two old, great warriors tangle, you watch a war of attrition where ultimately heart and guts trumps any diminished skills. I recall the Thomas Hearns-Sugar Ray Leonard rematch in 1989. Since it was eight long years after the classic contest that Leonard won with a TKo in the 14th round, many fans looked at the ridiculously overdue rematch as one between two dinosaurs way past their prime. What both Hearns and Leonard proved was that, to quote analyst Larry Merchant during the broadcast, "there's no quit in either of these great warriors."

I also look back at Couture's bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Minotauro is only 33 years old, but a veteran of 38 MMA fights who entered the bout off the TKO loss to Frank Mir that left most to wonder how much he had left in the tank. Not only did Nogueira win, it was UFC 102's Fight of the Night.

Moral of the story: Don't expect to be blown away by Couture-Coleman, but watch it with an open mind and know that you're getting the privilege of seeing two active Hall of Famers defy age and provide a fight not aesthetically pleasing, but a blood-and-guts battle of wills which sometimes turn out the better story to be told.

Next for Cyborg: It's Toughill

2010-01-31T09:55:00.003-05:00

After another of Cris Cyborg's victories I asked rhetorically over Twitter who's next. Well after I went to bed, Strikeforce president Scott Coker said Erin Toughill is likely next for the seemingly invincible women's champion.

Junkie's man in Miami, Dann Stupp, has the story. Figure on the fight happening late spring-early summer since it's too early for April's CBS show. I did notice a lack of a buzz during Cyborg's third-round TKO over Marloes Coenen, but that's because Coenen isn't Gina Carano. Neither Coenen nor Toughill is a media darling, but both are tough and relentless, with the latter providing the ideal size and strength challenge Cyborg needs.

As for Coenen, she will be back. Another two wins or so and I see her getting a rematch. There's nothing she did to lose that fight. Cyborg - again - did everything to win a fight.

What we learned from Strikeforce: Miami

2010-01-31T00:24:00.002-05:00

EA Sports' tech capabilities needs work. Those not in Miami were denied Jay Hieron-Joe Riggs. Hieron took the decision, but from what I read didn't establish himself as a top contender.

Wes Sims could have walked to the cage without the spare tire and Bobby Lashley still would have wiped him out. Next for Lashley needs to be another up-and-coming heavyweight in the 6-0, 7-0 range. Next for Sims is Tim Sylvia in March. Whoa boy.

Yogi Berra would love MMA. Fights are never over 'till they're over. Ask Melvin Manhoef. Just as I was planning an entry on "No Mercy" being a breakout star in the United States did Robbie Lawler resurrect his career with a Hail Mary overhand right. Lawler won't be able to walk for days, but he's back in the hunt at 185. I'd love to see him tangle with Scott Smith one last time, unless Strikeforce presents Smith a rematch with an angry and embarrassed Cung Le, another who can verify Yogi's most famous -ism.

Herschel Walker can fight into his 50s. God Bless him. Realistically I don't see him becoming heavyweight champion, but so what?

Cris Cyborg is a destruction device. Like I projected Marloes Coenen put up a great effort and gave Cyborg perhaps her toughest test. Cyborg won because she's too quick, too strong and has one hell of a chin. I asked Twitterville who's next for her and the name Erin Toughill was tossed around. MMA Worldwide EIC RJ Clifford thought out of the box and suggested Tara Larosa. There's simply a lack of challengers to Cyborg at the moment and that's something Strikeforce must address in 2010. Get Toughill back in the cage, sign Larosa, leave the door open for Hollywood Gina Carano and perhaps consider Coenen for a rematch after she earns a couple of wins.

Nick Diaz showed why he's one of the best welterweights out there by smashing international superstar Marius Zaromskis. He's found a home at 170 and needs to stay there.

Alright, time for bed. Thanks to Jack Frost turning Long Island into Alaska I'm fighting a sore throat. Next Saturday it's UFC 109. I'll be watching from my local Hooters or Buffalo Wild Wings, so I won't be Twittering, but will have plenty of preview material in this space and at FightMagazine.com starting Monday.

Strikeforce worth watching

2010-01-29T21:47:00.003-05:00

I hate winter. Snow and ice is bad enough, but Jack Frost’s weekend gift to the New York metropolitan area – and much of the country, for that matter – is temperatures in the mid to upper 20s with a lovely wind chill to smack you in the face and tense your muscles to where they can’t move.

For that reason I’m hunkering down with the family, save for Saturday morning errands and my weekly Sunday Gymboree trip that helps my two-year-old unleash his energy on something other than household items. It’s also why a small part of me wishes I was in Miami, where natives and transplanted northeasterners enjoy beach weather year ‘round. Miami is the place to be these next two weeks. A strong Strikeforce show followed by the NFL Pro Bowl headlines this weekend. Then South Beach braces for the Super Bowl invasion, and a week of hype and parties leading up to next Sunday’s big game between the Colts and Saints. I was in New Orleans for Super Bowl 24. Even for us commoners it was an amazing time.

The week that was in Yankeeland saw the Johnny Damon saga reach an apparent conclusion. Damon is a goner, though he said on Friday his heart is in New York and is hoping for an eventual return through the back door (you can thank his agent, the commission-hungry Scott Boras, for putting his client in a position where he’s out of work and Jim Edmonds is reporting to Brewers camp on a Minor League contract). Another thing we know: Randy Winn will be a Yankee after he passes his physical. I can only hope he’s employed as the fourth outfielder instead of the everyday left-fielder. Brett Gardner’s best baseball is still inside him. Time to let it out.

I also conducted interviews with Frank Trigg, Phillipe Nover and Phil Davis for various MMA projects. Davis makes his UFC debut at UFC 109, where Trigg, Nover and others will be in must-win situations, which will be explained when FightMagazine.com publishes my five fighters who have to win at 109 Monday morning.

That’s for next Saturday and Super Bowl Eve. MMA’s focus will be Saturday in Miami and a card so good even UFC cult loyalists need to pay attention. Long Island’s Jay Hieron faces former Zuffa standout Joe Riggs in an undercard bout in such heavy demand it’ll be broadcast on EASportsMMA.com. Herschel Walker and Bobby Lashley make their heralded MMA debuts against Greg Nagy and Wes Sims (hookers not included). Robbie Lawler looks to get back on track against Melvin Manhoef, himself returning to the United States. Cris Cyborg makes her first title defense against Marloes Coenen. And in the main event it’s Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis vying for the vacant welterweight title.

My editor at MMA Worldwide, RJ Clifford, offers predictions in his first “Contenders and Pretenders” column. I’ll leave it to RJ to provide the analysis. From a storyline perspective it’s a proving ground for both Walker, a Heisman Trophy winner and MMA rookie at age 47 (not a typo) and Lashley, the latest pro wrestler to make the transition to this sport. I’m intrigued to see how Walker, his whole life an incredible athlete, fares against Nagy, who I believe will put up a credible fight. Sims, well, not so much. He’s an entertaining character, but being fed to a lion like Lashley.

To be clear, I have Cyborg winning her fight, but she won’t annihilate Coenen like some have predicted. Like Gina Carano, Coenen has the tools to compete with Cyborg, but Carano gave into fear during Cyborg’s destruction of the female face of MMA. There’s something about Coenen that tells me she’ll survive the battle of wills, but not the skills. Cyborg has that aura of invincibility that will remain uncracked. Still, I see it being a better fight than most think.

Zaromskis made his name on the international circuit, but faces a major challenge on Diaz’ turf. For whatever reason it didn’t work out for Diaz in the UFC. He has a chance to become a lynchpin in Strikeforce and he’ll get it done by finding a way to use his superior wrestling to take the feared striker to the mat.

If half of these fights live up to the hype – you know Cyborg-Coenen will – it’s another feather in Strikeforce’s cap in its mission to not compete with the UFC (yet), but become a major player in MMA. Fedor Emelianenko-Fabricio Werdum and Dan Henderson-Jake Shields are on tap for CBS in April. The momentum of a strong Miami show and Strikeforce’s marketing machine will get its chance to take it to another gear.

Greenland

2010-01-24T09:48:00.008-05:00

The week that was, was colored green, as in Jets green and white. Reminiscent of the Giants' march to the Super Bowl two years ago, the Jets have taken New York City by storm and are providing the perfect distraction to the impatient Spring Training countdown. Left for dead at 4-6, and by their coach following a hideous loss to the Falcons, Gang Green has filled the post-Yankees void in this city. The Knicks have played better, but the jury's still out on them even in a week Eastern Conference. The Rangers? One night they score eight goals and are shut out their next two games, the last Saturday's 6-0 whitewash in Montreal - which incidentally was their second 6-0 loss in three weeks.

On Tuesday I wrote why I truly believe the Jets are headed to Super Bowl 44. Their run is different from the Giants' in 2007 in the sense that more people are giving them a legitimate chance on the road against an NFL power. Yet this is similar in that it was unexpected. Enjoy this, Jets fans. As a loyal Giant fan I loved my journey two years ago. And it's cool if you're a Giants fan to pull for Gang Green. Last I checked they share the same venue, do not play the Giants six times a year and don't compete in the NFC East.

Brock Lesnar's recovery and return to MMA training, combined with New York Gov. David Patterson introducing a bill to legalize the sport, created an opportunity for me to publicize Lesnar and MMA through my YESNetwork.com blog. Lesnar reminds me of what Jens Pulver did for the UFC's little guys. In this case, Lesnar's brute skill and marketability is helping MMA earn more mainstream cred. The priority was seeing the man get 100 percent healthy. After that it was great to learn that he'll be defending his heavyweight title as early as Memorial Day weekend. His opponent will be the winner of Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin - by the way taking place in late March in Newark, N.J.

Lesnar's return also set the course of other heavyweight contenders. Prior to the announcement, FightMagazine.com published my breakdown of the UFC's top contenders in 2010. It's truly going to be a fun year. What will make it better is Strikeforce eventually stepping up it's marketing campaign to remind fans that there's life in MMA outside of Zuffa. If not for Herschel Walker's presence on this Saturday's event in Miami and the media blitz that hit New York last week, who would know to tune into Showtime to see Walker, Bobby Lashley-Wes Sims, Cris Cyborg-Marloes Coenen and Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis or vacant welterweight title? Here's a novel concept: Work out a deal with Showtime, or maybe CBS, to do a UFC Countdown-type preview show for your April card that will feature Fedor Emelianenko-Fabricio Werdum and Dan Henderson-Jake Shields. Hardcore MMA fans will get excited and watch, but the mainstream audience remains a lot bigger and must be stroked and educated.

Following watching my son play at my local Gymboree, it'll be off to my local Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Jets. In between, Johnny Damon and the Yankees will continue their waiting game of you can come back, but on our terms. Brian Cashman loves to fly stealth, so expected the unexpected, but he's not stretching the team's outfielder budget, nor trading Joba Chamberlain, for Carl Crawford. That's for 2011 ....

RIP Bob Shamrock, '10's top contenders, Almeida feeling great

2010-01-15T14:51:00.004-05:00

Another week nearly in the books and it's actually been (kind of) light in the MMA world. There's actually a break between shows that started after Monday's UFC Fight Night and will end January 30 with Strikeforce Miami. Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis for the vacant welterweight title, and Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen in Cyborg's first defense of the women's crown headline a show that also features the Strikeforce debut of Bobby Lashley and the MMA premiere of Herschel Walker. Appearing on the preliminary card is fellow Long Islander Jay Hieron (Freeport) against veteran Joe Riggs.

Sad news hit the MMA world late yesterday with the passing of Bob Shamrock, the adopted father of MMA legends Frank and Ken Shamrock, at the age of 68 due following a long-term battle with various health complications due to diabetes. Bob's impact on the brothers was amazing. He kept the boys out of trouble by turning them to sports and resort to fist fight - provided he supervised it - to settle their differences. Frank & Ken grew up to be fighting champions, and are forever legendary and among the best we'll ever see.

I penned a piece for FightMagazine.com that went up today, which looks ahead at the top contenders in each of the UFC's weight classes in 2010. Lots changed since I filed the original draft earlier in the week. Frankie Edgar is next for B.J. Penn, while Nate Marquardt will secure his middleweight title shot against the winner of champion Anderson Silva vs. Victor Belfort - if Nate the Great gets past Chael Sonnen at UFC 109 in a few weeks.

That night I'm looking forward to also watching two of my favorite fighters and people in the game, Matt Serra and Frank Trigg, oppose one another. Then there's the main even featuring two active legends, Randy Couture and Mark Coleman. The Natural struggled in defeating Brandon Vera, but put together a classic with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira back in August. When two old, great warriors collide, you usually see something special, and that's what I'm expecting from Couture and Coleman. Heck if Couture wins he may get one last shot becoming a two-time UFC light-heavyweight champion.

Get psyched, Jersey. The UFC's return to the Garden State (UFC 111 in Newark on March 27) is loaded. The top three bouts are Georges St. Pierre-Dan Hardy, Shane Carwin-Frank Mir and Thiago Alves-Jon Fitch. It's also loaded with Jersey boys Ricardo Almeida, Jim Miller and Kurt Pellegrino. I spoke with one of Almeida's coaches this week. He told me Big Dog, 3-1 since returning to the UFC (and that defeat was to Patrick Cote via split decision), is "feeling great" and in awesome shape having worked his way back from a knee injury that prevented him from competing at UFC 106. MMA becoming legalized in New York State is looking inevitable with Gov. David Patterson publicly endorsing the sport. This card is a hell of a way to seal the deal, or if it's done by then allow lawmakers with open minds to tell themselves, "I made the right decision."

Joe Lauzon, off a crushing loss to Sam Stout earlier this month, said in a release that he hopes his next fight will be in his backyard when the UFC makes its Boston debut this August. Lauzon had Stout in trouble early, but failed to finish him and was pummeled by the Canadien in dropping a unanimous decision, but that was his first fight in 10 months after having knee surgery to repair his ACL. Lauzon gutting out the best performance of Stout's career to date earned them Fight of the Night honors.

“I’m obviously disappointed in the result,” Lauzon said. “It was an entertaining fight, but that’s not what I want to be known for. I focused on the health of my knee and it held up. I didn’t concentrate on my overall condition and I was a little rusty. I trained like a maniac six days of the week, twice a day, and then I couldn’t do too much for six months.”

Thanks to everyone for reading and following me on Twitter. I'm still penning my takes on the Yankees and Rangers, and have a story on the boxing/MMA relationship out in this month's edition of TapouT magazine (Issue 34). Though we're still months away, I'm gearing up for working UFC 111 on site at the Prudential Center. Expect a lot more stuff happening until then.

Call answered: Edgar gets his shot at Penn

2010-01-13T09:20:00.002-05:00

It's not 100 percent official yet, but when Dana White says something's going to happen, prepare for it. As first reported by ESPN.com's Franklin McNeil, Frankie Edgar has been named the No. 1 contender to B.J. Penn's lightweight championship. Penn recently stated on his Web site that he expected to fight at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, whereas it was Edgar's hope that his next bout would be before his hometown fans in Newark at UFC 111 in March.

That's probably not going to happen, UFC 111 already has two title bouts, and I for one am sure Edgar will be more than happy to accept the deal whether it's in Abu Dhabi or the Sahara Desert. Besides enjoying a three-fight winning streak, his latest a second-round submission of Matt Veach at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in December which earned "Fight of the Night" honors, Gray Maynard, presumed to be the next in line for Penn by virtue of him owning a victory over Edgar, looked lackluster in defeating Nate Diaz Monday night, leading to White claiming he wasn't "100 percent ready" for the Prodigy.

Maynard is a good fighter who trains under an outstanding camp led by Randy Couture, so his time will come. Right now there's no doubt it's Edgar's time. He's 11-1 (6-1 in the UFC) with a resume that includes wins over Sean Sherk, Hermes Franca, Spencer Fisher and Tyson Griffin. During an exclusive interview that was published in the last edition of MMA Worldwide magazine, Edgar told me he's never been one to seek publicity and proudly billed himself as “the same dude from Toms River, N.J.,” who hangs with the people he befriended in high school. He’s always quick to counter that through hard work and faith your just rewards will be realized.

“If you win and perform well, all that stuff and recognition is going to catch up to you,” Edgar said. “People are going to notice.” Then when asked for a reaction to White’s praise that came after the Sherk win, he looked at it as a happy boss telling him job well done – until he slipped: “And it was good to finally get some recognition.”

Edgar's in the limelight now, but will be facing heavy odds. During yesterday's "Sirius Fight Club," host Randy Gordon and his crew agreed that Penn is on another level and will walk through Edgar. That will be the popular line of thinking. Penn destroyed Diego Sanchez, who I honestly believed stood the best chance of dethroning him, and nobody in the lightweight division can touch him now, if not ever. I'm interested to hear from Edgar how he plans on dealing with the Rocky-like odds that will be stacked against him.

Final answer for Edgar?

2010-01-12T09:43:00.003-05:00

Shameless plug alert: Friends or enemies? Issue No. 34 of TapouT Magazine has a feature I wrote on the working relationship between MMA and boxing, and is available on news stands. Also, for hockey fans, I've returned to penning a Rangers column for SNY.tv. Yesterday I posed a question on whether the Rangers are legit contenders (buyers) or destined to flame out (sellers).

On to a few thoughts on a two-day stretch of MMA shows featuring the WEC and UFC.

Gray Maynard needed a win over Nate Diaz Monday night at UFC Fight Night 20 to secure a likely shot at B.J. Penn in April in Abu Dhabi. He eked out a split decision, but there was much more required to winning the fight. Maynard had to look good, had to put on a show, dazzle the audience and the UFC championship committee, and put a bug in Penn’s head (if that’s even possible). Instead he let Diaz’s trash-talking and mind games get the best of him and take him completely off his game.

“Gray learned a valuable lesson in this fight, and it's that you can't let someone get in your head,” said his trainer, Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture. “He can disrespect you with all the verbal crap that goes on in or outside the cage, but you can't allow that to distract you from your goal, your job, what you trained to do.

“I think Gray verbalized that and realizes that's what happened, and that he got caught up in Diaz's attitude.”

Afterwards a contrite Maynard expressed some doubt that his phone will ring with an offer to fight Penn for the lightweight championship.

“The game plan and technique went out the window,” Maynard said. “I'm sorry about that. You won't see that again.”

The reason why Maynard was ranked ahead of Frankie Edgar was because he’s the only man to have defeated “The Answer.” Diaz lost the fight, but it appears as if he took away something from his opponent more valuable than the win at this stage of his career. Edgar looked awesome in December defeating Matt Veach. His dream is to represent New Jersey in March. It looks like the reality could turn out greater than the dream. Early Tuesday morning a source told ESPN MMA insider Franklin McNeil that the UFC has offered Edgar a title shot.

_______________________

Admittedly I didn’t see most of UFC Fight Night 20 in its entirety; the King of the Castle, age two, decided to take over. But reading the results I’m able to draw an obvious conclusion: You do everything in your power to prevent the fight from getting beyond your control and into the subjective opinions of the judges. Tom Lawlor put on the finest performance of his career against Aaron Simpson. Alas, Simpson barely survived the first round and escaped with a split decision to the vociferous displeasure of the crowd at the Patriot Center ... Chris Leben held on to his UFC spot with a sorely-needed victory over Jay Silva. The bigger story is the hope that The Crippler finally has his life together for good ... Efrain Escudero tasted defeat for the first time when he tapped to Evan Dunham in Round 3. Fellow fighters and mentors are lining up to tell the TUF Season 8 winner the loss will be the best thing to ever happen to him ... TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah looked even better than his last fight, a gritty, razor-sharp unanimous decision win over veteran Phil Baroni, this time going the distance to defeat Brad Blackburn. It’s amazing that Sadollah entered the TUF house without a professional record. His striking and Muay Thai are excellently executed and it’s now time for him to swim in deeper waters.

_______________________

I did get to watch WEC 46. The great thing about World Extreme Cagefighting is that you’re guaranteed at least one great fight and/or great performance. Mike Brown, Kamal Shalorus, Urijah Faber and Ben Henderson were fabulous, with Smooth wrapping up Jamie Varner like a tarantula to unify the lightweight title. A rematch between Henderson and Donald Cerrone is a given, while WEC president Reed Harris is talking up a showdown with Faber and featherweight champ Jose Aldo to headline the organization’s premiere pay-per-view event. Look for Brown to compete against a top contender with an impressive victory to assure him a chance at regaining the title he dropped to Aldo in November.

Strikers, new names reign at 108

2010-01-03T11:09:00.011-05:00

The next issue of TapouT (No. 34) has a feature I wrote on the budding working relationship between MMA and boxing and how more fighters have implemented the time-honored techniques of "The Sweet Science" into their training regimens. Boxing in the cold gyms of Portland, Maine, built the foundation for Mike Thomas Brown's career. An opportunity to train with Miguel Cotto helped recalibrate Miguel Torres coming off a shocking loss of his WEC Bantamweight title.

The great Howard Davis Jr. is a boxing coach at the renowned American Top Team and works with Brown, Thiago Alves, Kimbo Slice and many others including Chuck Liddell trained with Davis to add new wrinkles to their game. The best wrestlers can neutralize anybody's game like Rashad Evans did in his win over ATT product Thiago Sliva Saturday night at UFC 108, but if one's striking isn't beyond par, chances are it's curtains before it gets that far. (Ask Damien Maia if he remembers what hit him in his ill-fated contest with Nate Marquardt.)

“I always say 85 percent on the ground, but when the bell rings you’re 100 percent up,” Davis told me for the story. “If you don’t have your skills in the first 30 seconds to a minute, you’re going to have problems.”

Joe Lauzon is razor-sharp on the ground, but Sam Stout combined takedown defense with precision striking and Muay Thai that diced J-Lau for three rounds, by far the finest performance of the Canadian's career. Especially impressive was how Stout was popped and bloodied early in the fight and nearly tapped out to a kimura. Once the bout was back on the feet, Stout took a game Lauzon apart to win 30-27 on all three scorecards.

Dustin Hazelett, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, was a late replacement for Carlos Condit and matched with striker Paul Daley. Adhering to Davis' words, Hazelett began the fight standing with the powerful Brit and held his own until a vicious left hook put McLovin to sleep at 2:24 of Round 1. I'd love to see if Daley can keep a Josh Koscheck at a vertical base. Daley's takedown defense needs work and if he can't prevent Koscheck from taking him to the ground, the former NCAA Division I wrestling champion will provide the same education he gave Anthony Johnson.

UFC 108 was maligned for the 'injury curse' that robbed it of its star power. Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira-Cain Velazquez and Anderson Silva-Victor Belfort were all pulled from the event, along with Gabriel Gonzaga, Condit, Tyson Griffin and Rory Markham, for reasons beyond anyone's control. In adversity there's often strength and adversity also opens doors for new names to break down walls. Stout, Daley, Junior dos Santos, Jim and Cole Miller, and Mark Munoz were provided opportunities to shine and they all did. The lower the expectations, the greater the chance that one is surprised and UFC 108 certainly delivered an exciting event.

This is my first blog of 2010 and I'd be remiss if I didn't extend my heartfelt congratulations to MMAJunkie.com (best MMA media source) and lead reporter John Morgan (best MMA journalist) for taking home hardware at the MMA Awards. Lead site editor Dann Stupp gave me the first opportunity to cover MMA and has made me a part of the team, a great team that produces great work. Don't expect us to slow down. Between John racking up world traveler miles and the evolution of George Garcia's entertaining MMA Junkie Radio program, 2010 will be our finest year yet.

Grispi: 'I can't be stupid like I usually am.'

2009-12-29T21:41:00.004-05:00

Remember Josh Grispi? The featherweight out of Plympton, Mass., used a guillotine choke to shock MMA legend Jens Pulver in 33 seconds at WEC 41 on June 7. Until recently, it was thought that the loss sent Pulver into retirement.

We haven't seen Grispi since. Two days before meeting Pulver he was hitting mitts and went for a high kick when he fell backwards and turned his right ankle to where it was severely swollen on fight night, but you had no idea seeing how he wiped out a pioneer of the sport and someone he's considered a role model since adolescence. Pulver was one of the first fighters Grispi saw and became his favorite after watching his lightweight title win over B.J. Penn at UFC 35, when he was blown away by Little Evil's "ridiculous" hand speed.

I spoke with Grispi Tuesday afternoon for a feature on Pulver I'm penning for TapouT Magazine and he provided an update since he underwent surgery in September. The cast was removed the middle of this month and he's followed an intense rehabilitation program at the Rockland, Mass.-based South Shore Sportfighting that includes aqua therapy.

Grispi (13-1, 3-0 WEC) said he's healing "quicker than I thought," but there remains no timetable for a return to the cage and he's not yet been cleared by his doctor to resume training. Before his WEC debut, Grispi's first 10 fights took place over a span of 15 months, and just when his career was set to take off, the surgery could keep him inactive for up to a year.

"I wanna get back soon," Grispi said. "I've never gone this long without training. It's crazy, but the doctor cautioned it's not fully healed. I can't be stupid like I usually am. I'm so young and can go so far. I don't want a permanent injury."

Grispi turned 21 in October, so there's absolutely no rush to return. Each of his three WEC wins have come in the first round, his last two in under a minute, so expect "The Fluke" to resume his rapid ascension up the ranks of WEC's deepest division.

Holiday Hustle

2009-12-24T10:08:00.007-05:00

It wasn't last-minute shopping, but that didn't stop me from running around the past few days to gear up for Christmas. Major League Baseball is closed for business until next year, though that won't stop general managers from tapping away at their blackberries. And like last year, the Yankees made a big deal within the five days before Christmas. No, it didn't shake baseball's foundation like the signing of Mark Teixeira, but the trade that brought Javier Vazquez back to the Bronx was another example about how the champs aren't resting on their laurels.

The rich getting richer? Complain if that's your thing, but the Red Sox also re-loaded with John Lackey and may yet end up with Jason Bay back in green, red and white. And the last I looked, no laws were broken.

Vazquez's first stint in New York was anything but idyllic. After a strong first half, a bout with pink eye combined with a tired shoulder he refused to reveal to the Yankees' medical staff led to a 6.29 second-half ERA. His lasting impression was the two Game 7 home runs he surrendered to Johnny Damon (one a grand slam, the other a two-run bomb) that sealed the Yankees' epic ALCS collapse.

Now Vazquez has a second chance to write a new story. He returns a better and wiser pitcher, having finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. Yes he's back in the hitter-friendly American League, but Vazquez put up some decent numbers while with the White Sox and has pitched at least 190 innings every season since 2000.

Also, in 2004 he was considered a front-line starter riding shotgun with Kevin Brown and Carl Pavano, two wonderful influences. In '09, he pitches behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, a true ace, a fully-matured veteran and one of the best big-game pitchers in franchise history. Even if his homers-allowed and ERA rises, Vazquez's projected numbers will be those that teams will kill for out of their fourth starter.

This means either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain will open the season in the bullpen. Chamberlain denies it, but his mojo is in the 'pen. Yet Hughes will work under an innings limit - the Hughes Rules - and Chamberlain will not. The fifth-starter competition will be a chief storyline during Spring Training with Sergio Mitre (another year removed from Tommy John surgery will make a big difference), Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves also in the mix. That's a nice luxury to have.

Big projects are in store for my MMA coverage and especially the sport. I'm arranging an interview with Jon Jones for a meaty feature to run on FightMagazine.com before Bones' showdown with Brandon Vera, the headliner of the UFC's debut on Versus. Last week I had a great chat with Trevor Wittman, Rashad Evans' assistant coach during The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, about Matt Mitrione. Despite "Meathead's" portrayal on the show, Wittman has great respect for him as a person. As a fighter, Mitrione must improve his ground game - and he knows it. The mental side to his craft, according to Wittman, will make or break him. Lots of interesting ground to cover there.

Huge props to WEC and Strikeforce for tremendous shows last Saturday night. The WEC continues to showcase exciting and compelling talent, while Strikeforce showed there's a lot more to the MMA world. Scott Smith provided dramatic and amazing theater of the unexpected while Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thompson tore it up in what was unquestionably a top-five Fight of the Year for 2009.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I'll check in again before the new year. Today and tomorrow are days to cherish with loved ones even more than usual.

Thanks for reading,

Jon

Winter's wrath

2009-12-19T11:22:00.006-05:00

It's 32 degrees and plummeting in my corner of the world. By mid-afternoon the first flake of what's expected to be at least a foot of snow is expected to hit the ground straight through Sunday morning. Those of you living in South Florida or Southern California, go ahead, brag. From where I sit it's an excuse to hunker down and enjoy a fine TV day and night. The Rangers are in Philly to take on the Flyers at 1 p.m. And tonight a big Cowboys-Saints game is an appetizer for two MMA shows airing at 10: WEC 45 on Versus and Strikeforce: Evolution on Showtime. I understand the importance of competition, but also wish these great shows didn't air simultaneously.

I did a great interview with Matt Mitrione this week for a FightMagazine.com feature running early next month. The crux of it: "Meathead"says The Ultimate Fighter behind him. His UFC contract was extended and he hopes to prove that there's a lot more to the devious person that was portrayed on the show. That said, if you choose to hate him, he won't care. He'll tell his story in the Octagon. Here's how he summed up his win over Marcus Jones at the TUF Finale on December 5:

“As soon as he took me down the first time and couldn’t do anything with me, I was saying to myself, ‘Oh he’s [screwed],’” Mitrione said. “You’ve got nothing for me, guy.”

Lay off the haterade: First, there's no argument that the UFC is tops in the MMA world and the best is still yet to come as long as it continues to build and market its new stars. But why knock your competition? Strikeforce to date is not making Ted Turner's and Eric Bischoff's mistakes nor is it jumping in deep, shark-invested waters. Let it build and grow, and from there up the ante. It's in the best interest of MMA's market and fans.

Yet more haterade, this time in baseball: Why are many hating on the Yankees' decision to sign Nick Johnson? Is he Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon? No. Is he a good player (when healthy)? Sure is. Johnson, pending he passes a physical, returns to his original team with career numbers of .279-.477.-413. Damon and the Yankees are at an impasse (thank you Scott Boras), so the Yankees turned to a player who fits in perfectly as a No. 2 hitter who along with Nick Swisher can spell Mark Teixeira at first base. Johnson will primarily DH, but that slot will remain a pit stop for the older veterans with a ton of mileage on their legs.

I'm sad to see Matsui go. He represented class, dignity and was clutch during his seven seasons. Unfortunately, the grind of all those games in Japan and the U.S. took a toll on his knees. He'll put up nice numbers in Anaheim in 2010, but the Yankees were not going to play him in the field at any cost. With Matsui gone, here's hoping Damon can somehow find his way back in pinstripes. He's another one of the great guys in the sport who still has plenty of game. Boras' demands just don't match with his market value at this stage of his career, which is why interest remains minimal from strictly a baseball perspective.

Mid-week ramblings

2009-12-16T14:47:00.007-05:00

It's close to 3 p.m. on a Wednesday and I'm still recovering from a wild holiday party thrown by MLB Advanced Media. No, I did not overdo it. It was just good conversation and plenty of ping-pong. Of course, living in the sticks, the LIRR got me back home around 12:30 a.m. and it was up early for a few errands - top of the list getting my son his new bed.

With headache and fatigue still in two - and warm coffee in the mug - a few random thoughts while enjoying some down time.

The Yankees made news by doing nothing on Monday when John Lackey and Mike Cameron agreed to sign with the Red Sox. The Big Texan and Cameron made the BoSox a better team, adding a horse to the top of the rotation while tightening team defense in hopes of unseating the Yankees as AL East - and World - Champions. Why was it a good day in Yankeeland? Because Roy Halladay, better than Lackey (who's darn good) and a top-three pitcher in the game, is not going to Boston. In fact, he's en route to Philadelphia and out of the Yankees' hair. Since the price was too high to pay for Doc and extend him another three years, the next-best thing was him not going to Boston.

Of course, some Yankees fans were in an uproar thinking that Brian Cashman sat back and watched the parade go by? Wasn't it last week when Cashman took over Indianapolis and the Winter Meetings by acquiring All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson? Talk about having a short memory. To serve as a refresher, the Yankees are introducing Granderson during a formal press conference Thursday morning at Yankee Stadium.

Unfortunately, the Yankees bid farewell to Hideki Matsui, who signed a one-year deal with the L.A. Angels. Godzilla was one of my favorite players to watch and one of my favorite people to interview. It'll be great to see him back in the Bronx and receive his ring in person when the Yankees open their 2010 home schedule against the Angels. How's that for timing?

The UFC is returning to New Jersey and the shadow of New York City on March 27 when the Prudential Center hosts UFC 111. This isn't just some token event to appease fans on the East Coast who too often do not receive opportunities to view live events. Check out this unofficial lineup: Georges St. Pierre vs. Dan Hardy, Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir (reportedly an interim heavyweight title fight), appearances from Thiago Alves and Ricardo Almedia, and expected fights from Jersey Boys Frankie Edgar, Kurt Pellegrino and Nick Catone. Could The Answer be booked for a showdown with Kenny Florian, with the winner getting a shot at lightweight champion B.J. Penn? The Prodigy will have to face the next No. 1 contender, which in my view will be Gray Maynard (who handed Edgar his only MMA loss) if he defeats Nick Diaz at UFC Fight Night 20. The Bully is 9-o with one no-contest with wins over Roger Huerta and Jim Miller too.

I have a couple of special projects lined up for FightMagazine.com: Lengthy features on Matt Mitrione and Jon Jones. The former is nursing a wrist injury coming off his knockout of Marcus Jones while evaluating his next options (Kimbo Slice?). The latter will likely fight Brandon Vera at a UFC Fight Night event the end of March and is appealing his DQ loss to Matt Hamill. No matter the outcome, "Bones" has the look of a future champion and at this rate will go down as one of the best ever. Much more on these fighters and other projects for MMAJunkie.com and TapouT Magazine - my feature on boxing and MMA working together runs in Issue 34 - coming soon.

The Master

2009-12-13T01:07:00.007-05:00

I'm back from watching UFC 107 from my local Hooters. I was originally at Buffalo Wild Wings until finding out an hour before the telecast that they no longer carried UFC pay-per-views. Luckily I got to Hooters in time to sit at the bar. The place was jam-packed and electric, a great time for a Saturday night during the holiday season.

Okay, I went with the upset picked Diego Sanchez to defeat B.J. Penn. Oh well. What's undisputable is that Penn is going down as one of the greatest MMA fighters in the sport's history. The Prodigy had an answer for anything Nightmare attempted is now 7-2 in nine championship fights and a champion in two weight classes. Incredible.

When he dropped Sanchez with a right within the first 30 seconds he set the tone for the rest of the bout. I thought it was over, but Sanchez's heart kept him it. His tools, however, were no match for Penn's systematic destruction that ended with a high kick in Round 5 that opened an ugly cut on Sanchez's forehead.

For Sanchez, expect a mandatory medical suspension that will keep him out of action until around the beginning of summer. For Penn, he's cleaned out the lightweight division and left you wondering who on earth can stop him? Someone will be deemed No. 1 contender and my guess is Gray Maynard if he defeats Nick Diaz next month at UFC Fight Night 20. If I were matchmaker I'd also pair Frankie Edgar against Kenny Florian, who looked awesome in choking out Clay Guida and the winners in a title bout.

I'll have more about Frank Mir's demolition of Cheik Kongo and Alan Belcher's first-round TKO later. It's off to bed and early to rise for a leisure trip to New York City to enjoy the holidays sights.

Iole: Trouble in Florian camp

2009-12-12T18:22:00.003-05:00

Yahoo's MMA/Boxing writer Kevin Iole broke down the weigh-ins as part of his UFC 107 preview. Towards the end he revealed he's heard things haven't been right with Kenny Florian due to turmoil in his camp. For that reason, in large part, Iole is suddenly giving Clay Guida more of a chance.

I already called Ken-Flo by decision and gotta stick with it, but even if there was harmony on Florian's side - and Iole was pretty vague in his report - Guida stands a great chance of winning the fight regardless. From Day 1 his wrestling game has been awesome and work with Greg Jackson just might get him over the top in this, the most important fight of his career. A solid win over Ken-Flo vaults The Carpenter into the lightweight title picture, where Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar also have legit claims.

I'll be at my local Buffalo Wild Wings taking in what I expect to be a great night. Even with Rampage Jackson backing out of his showdown with Rashad Evans you have three main-event caliber bouts plus the underrated and angry Alan Belcher in one of the prelims.

Going against wisdom and with the gut

2009-12-12T15:02:00.002-05:00

"The psychological aspects of mixed martial arts are so huge, if you’re not right in the mind you’re not going to be right in the cage, and the worst thing a fighter can let enter his mind is doubt. There is a power within all of us, a spiritual power. There is something special in all of us and you can tap into that at any given time." – Diego Sanchez.

Luke Thomas at BloodyElbow.com offers more about a fascinating personality and a hell of a fighter. The funny thing is there are very few actually giving Diego Sanchez a chance against B.J. Penn. Sanchez has never gone five rounds. Penn is one of the all-time greats and owns the edge in striking, jiu-jitsu, takedown defense, etc. It’s also not the overmatched, undersized B.J. Penn we saw against Georges St. Pierre, rather the technician who lulled Kenny Florian into a false sense of security, thinking his gas tank was approaching ‘E’ in the championship rounds before catching him with a right cross and locking in that patented rear-naked choke.

Memo to the doubters: Diego Sanchez thrives when people are against him. His essence is a catalytic converter, taking toxic words and thoughts and filtering them into positive and kinetic energy that pumps his belief system. Many have Penn finishing Sanchez by Rounds 4 or 5, and those who give Sanchez any trace of a chance believe he must finish the Prodigy off early in their main event at UFC 107.

Whether that happens or goes the distance, win or lose, Thomas notes that “Nightmare” will exhaust every mental resource. Few fighters, Penn included, have neither emptied their inner-most reserves nor have they faced such an opponent who’s an unquestioned believer in the Peak Mind State. In his many wars of attrition, Penn has ran on fumes and found ways to win solely on talent alone. There’s always been a time, even against Florian, where Penn steps back and resets.

That’ll be the only opening Sanchez needs. Conventional analysis dictates Sanchez bull-rushing Penn like he’s done to all his opponents. Against Guida Sanchez went balls out before having to defend against the Carpenter’s prolific wrestling attack. In that bout he proved his striking improved greatly and with every fight – many in which he was the underdog – Sanchez has proven people wrong while learning something new about himself.

Like the Florian fight, Penn comes off an awesome training camp run by Marv Marinovich, one of the world’s best strength and conditioning coaches who also infamously and allegedly pushed his son Todd too hard. It looked inevitable that Penn would show signs of overtraining during the Florian fight. That didn’t happen, but what you’ll see at UFC 107 is a classic example of the power of belief, not to mention the sage teachings of a fourth-degree black belt and Royler Gracie disciple named Saulo Ribeiro.

I’m in the minority, and if I’m wrong, I’m wrong. But jeez, this isn’t picking Matt Serra over St. Pierre. Uh, wait minute, what happened in their first fight? Feel the power ... of the underdog! Sanchez split decision.

Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo
Kongo is playing the role of the silent but dangerous face to Mir’s loudmouth, trash-talking heel. Funny, the last fight it was the other way around with Mir’s volume turned down just a little bit. Mir hates Brock Lesner and he’s channeled it into his training, building the strength and muscle mass that will be enough to overtake a fierce striker but one who’s yet to prove he can get it down on the ground, which is Mir’s domain. Mir’s not overlooking Kongo either. He’s been through hell and back, which humbles the best of them. Mir submission Round 1.

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida
If there’s any night for Guida to finally break though, it’s this one. The Carpenter worked under Greg Jackson and it may have helped him to unlock some technical skills to complement his wrestling. When Ken-Flo the technician begins to chip away at Guida’s defense, Guida will be getting by on heart. Like Sanchez, Florian is an opponent with a heart to match and a skill set just a bit better. Florian unanimous decision.

Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce
A grind-it-out battle if there ever wants one. Pierce wants to show he’s more than the one who hugged his way to a win over Brock Larson. Fitch wants to remain relevant in the welterweight division and the one nobody wants to fight. Fitch unanimous decision.

Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia
Not only is Belcher too skilled – see how Nate Marquardt handled Gouveia - he’s angry. Already seething over a close loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama, Belcher feels dissed over being on the preliminary card. That 5-4 UFC record may have a bit to do with it, but The Talent is better than that and needs a win to justify his case, if not simply to remain in the UFC. Belcher KO Round 2.

Hamill: 'I will die before I tap'

2009-12-10T12:33:00.002-05:00

Matt Hamill posted a statement on his Web site this morning days after his DQ win over Jon Jones. He said it best: Jon Jones didn't win and I didn't lose, and when explaining how he took those barrage of blows before Jones' 12-to-6 elbow ended the fight, he said simply, "I will die before I tap." I reported on Sunday that Hamill suffered a dislocated left shoulder that was popped back into place at the hospital, adding that referee Steve Mazzagatti was correct in not stopping the fight sooner.

Jones' camp has appealed the DQ decision. Whether it's upheld or not, I see a rematch. Neither fighter is satisfied with the result and both want to see a definitive winner to come out of this.

The big catch

2009-12-09T12:52:00.007-05:00

It's not Roy Halladay, but the Yankees reeled in a pretty big fish named Curtis Granderson this week at the winter meetings. Once all medical records are reviewed and physicals are passed, Austin Jackson and Phil Coke head to Detroit, and Ian Kennedy to Arizona, as part of the three-team deal.

Jackson may well end up a superstar, but today he's projected as a fourth outfielder, and from where I sit, give me production over potential any day. Granderson's batting average has been in a decline the past two seasons and he flat-out cannot hit left-handers, but on top of his 30 home runs, there's no reason to believe a 28-year-old sparkplug can't rebound from a down season (just ask Nick Swisher). Kevin Long has worked wonders as Yankees hitting coach and I can promise you Granderson will be energized to play in New York and Yankee Stadium.

I interviewed him exclusively in 2008 when the Tigers were in town and learned about his lust for the Big Apple. He's made for New York and he'll be pushed and prodded to help repeat as World Champions.

Oh, Andy Pettitte has re-signed with the Yankees. Widely expected, but hugely important.

Pretty quiet in the world of MMA, save for Dan Henderson signing with Strikeforce, another good signing for Dana White's fledgling competitor that must remain committed to not taking too big a bite out of elephant. Last decade, Ted Turner and Eric Bishoff weren't content with competing with Vince McMahon's empire. They wanted him out of business and instead of evolving with the times tried too hard to make it happen instead of building a program. I hope Scott Coker doesn't make similar mistakes. The UFC needs healthy competition to help keep MMA thriving.

UFC business will pick up again Saturday night in Memphis when Diego Sanchez challenges lightweight champion B.J. Penn in the main event of UFC 107. I'm in the vast minority who believes the Nightmare will dethrone the Prodigy. Later this week I'll explain why.

No Bones about it

2009-12-06T09:57:00.006-05:00

It's too bad Jon Jones competes in an ocean-deep light-heavyweight division. In the long run this will contribute to his development as one of the greats MMA has ever seen. Short-term Jones will be waiting awhile for his name to be on the championship committee's table. If he defeats Rashad Evans next month, Thiago Silva, in my view is in line for the next shot at the winner of May's rematch between champ Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua. If Sugar wins he'd love his shot at a second title reign. The wild card in this is the predictable return of Rampage Jackson. A chance at shutting up his hated rival - combined with big money - will probably supersede Evans facing either Machida or Rua.

Back to "Bones," who looked awesome in destroying Matt Hamill only to be handed a disqualification loss for an illegal "12-to-6" elbow that was confirmed by the wise implementation of instant replay. Hamill dislocated his shoulder early in the bout, but never in his career - not even against Rich Franklin - has "The Hammer" been decimated like he was Saturday night.

(For the record, Steve Mazzagatti, yet again in the line of fire for controversial situations, was 100 percent correct in not stopping the fight. Hamill may have been on the brink, but he was still defending himself in survival mode. In this sport it's often damned if you do, damned if you don't. You get heat for stopping a bout "too soon" when it's your job to protect a fighter's health or doing nothing and increasing risk of a serious injury.)

The DQ win combined with the injury will get Hamill a rematch, but considering what Jones displayed the results will be similar. Jones' flair for the creative and the dramatic, and his unorthodox style (think Keith Jardine with finesse), has him on track to be a future champion. He's just 22 years old and that's out-and-out scary.

****

Kimbo Slice will never be UFC Heavyweight Champion, but because he cemented his place in the UFC, he's a winner. Slice refused to buy into his hype for one second and his commitment to MMA is admirable. It'd be great if his next fight is a rematch with Seth Petruzelli ... I doubt seriously you'll see Slice-Houston Alexander on any best of 2009 compilations. Alexander looked awful and you have to wonder if the UFC's door is closed for good ... Stop hating on Roy Nelson. He's a legit heavyweight who'd put a scare into the top-tier fighters ... Brendan Schaub will be back and will be a superstar ... Marcus Jones, 36, has a lot of work to do and little time to do it ... Matt Mitrione knocked out "Darkness" with one punch, but must improve his ground game and endurance to complement his immense power ... What's next for Frankie Edgar? A rematch with Gray Maynard or the winner of Kenny Florian-Clay Guida? "The Answer" is a one more impressive win over a top contender from a title shot ... Am I in the vast minority of picking Diego Sanchez over B.J. Penn? I'll explain some time this week.

Heavyweight Explosion

2009-12-04T14:25:00.002-05:00

Not since Season 1 has The Ultimate Fighter generated this much buzz and excitement as the Heavyweights’ installment momentum heading into Saturday night in Las Vegas. You have the fight for the six-figure contract, a main event worthy of pay-per-view status, a lightweight poised to take a quantum leap, an undercard bout between two former NFL players that screams an old-school pro wrestling grudge match.

And of course there’s MMA’s cult creation Kimbo Slice, who impressed me throughout the show with his heart and humility. Last I check in with Kimbo was during an interview with Howard Davis Jr. for a boxing/MMA feature to run in TapouT Issue No. 34. Slice’s education from the ground up was making gradual progress with so much to absorb. Whether or not it’s enough to defeat veteran Houston Alexander is part of the intrigue that will unfold Saturday night on Spike.

My fearless forecast:

Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill
This is similar to Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson in terms of a talented future star (Jones) who has yet to swim with the sharks. Hamill has and he unveiled a new dimension to his game with a vicious knockout of Mark Munoz (head kick) at UFC 96. Jones’ game is a dazzling array of moves that blend power with finesse, but one mistake that leaves him open could be his last. “The Hammer” gets the edge in the ground game and he’ll be the first to neutralize Bones’ dynamic offense. Think of it as Bill Parcells' Giants grinding Buffalo's K-Gun to a halt in Super Bowl XXV. Hamill unanimous decision.

Brendan Schaub vs. Roy Nelson
Time to give “Big Country” some deserved credit. He and his girth weren’t supposed to hang with the young guys and his thick head was expected to be his downfall. Alas, Nelson proved what experience can do. His strength is the takedown and if he smothers you, it’s curtains. I love Schaub and he’s going to be a stud, but like Jones he’s treading water surrounded by a dangerous fish. Nelson TKO 2.

Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Veach
You know Edgar but probably have never heard of Veach. Veach is 11-0 and that’s not cosmetic. He’s a student from the H.I.T. Squad and you saw shades of the school’s master Matt Hughes in Brian Foster during his destruction of Brock Larson. Edgar won’t take him lightly – not a chance. The Answer deserves a spot in the lightweight division’s elite having defeated some big names. His win over Sean Sherk was a revelation. His defeat of Veach will move him one step closer to a title shot. Edgar TKO 2.

Houston Alexander vs. Kimbo Slice
Practical wisdom is that Alexander sends Slice back to the drawing board. Gut feeling says Davis and American Top Team unlocked some new tricks. My guarantee is the fight doesn’t get back the first round. Slice KO 1. (From there, how about a rematch with Seth Petruzelli?)

Marcus Jones vs. Matt Mitrione
Love ‘em both and both deserve spots in Dana White’s stable. Jones is the fan favorite and Mitrione is the villain. Take it from me, Mitrione is a better person that what was portrayed on TUF. Schaub exposed Jones’ chin and Mitrione hits way too hard. Darkness’ only chance is to take Mitrione down. It won’t get that far. KO 1.

Darrill Schoonover vs. James McSweeney
McSweeney defeated Mitrione because he somehow took Mitrione’s best shot and Mitrione make a foolish mistake. Schoonover will grind it out and frustrate him, which is easily done. Schoonover unanimous decision.

Jon Madsen vs. Justin Wren
Wren’s fight with Nelson should have gone to sudden death. He’s 22 and on the rise. Madsen’s chin was also exposed by Schaub. Wren KO 2.

UFC releases Larson

2009-11-25T14:21:00.001-05:00

Brock Larson has been released by the Ultimate Fighting championship less than a week after he suffered a TKO loss to Brian Foster at UFC 106. My full story with some big help from MMAJunkie.com editor Dann Stupp, is here.

Once considered a rising star in the WEC and the UFC's welterweight division, Larson has dropped his last two MMA bouts after winning 14 out of his last 15. Twelve of those wins came in the first round and Larson was pegged for stardom after his triangle-choke submission of Mike Pyle just 3:08 into their UFC 98 bout in May. However, newcomer Mike Pierce was pegged as a late preliminary card opponent at UFC Fight Night 19. Larson lost via unanimous decision before he was matched with Foster in the latter's second UFC appearance. That night, Larson's game collapsed. He had two points deducted in the first round for an illegal kick and an illegal knee, and was battered and beaten to where he was tapping right after the bout was stopped.

Larson's biggest difficulty was not his opponents, neither of whom he took lightly, but the challenge of getting motivated dropping down in competition - and card status - instead of stepping up.

"It's probably a good thing," Larson (26-4 in MMA) told me via text message. "I was having a hard time getting motivated for my last two fights. I needed a change. The undercards just didn't do it for me."

We spoke briefly off the cuff a short time after. He's a great guy who's taking it well and has options in Japan and Strikeforce. He knows he's better than what he showed against Pierce and Foster and will be re-energized by the new challenges that await elsewhere. And the UFC's door isn't closed permanently. If Larson can rebuild his game overseas, he'll get his second chance.

Koscheck not No. 1, but GSP's top challenger

2009-11-23T12:27:00.000-05:00

Josh Koscheck is not the No. 1 contender to Georges St. Pierre’s welterweight title – that’s Dan Hardy, and it looks like he’ll get his shot February in Australia – but for my money he’s right now the best challenger in the division, one that GSP has cleaned out the past two years.

Koscheck took his game to new heights by submitting Anthony Johnson at UFC 106 before calling out Hardy and demanding why he is the No. 1 contender. That drew some boos which isn’t surprising. Koscheck is one of the UFC’s polarizing figures you either love or hate. He’s brash and obnoxious with a big mouth, but also entertaining. My brother yesterday came up with a good analogy: Koscheck is the UFC’s Ric Flair. He’s not afraid to call anyone out and boast that he’s the best, and in his last two bouts he’s backed it up.

Hardy defeated Mike Swick to move to 4-0 in the UFC and Dana White honored his promise of granting the winner of that fight a shot at GSP. However, Hardy should have finished Swick long before the bout went to the judges. Three of his four UFC wins have come via decision and he barely squeaked by Marcus Davis at UFC 99. For a hard puncher and a dynamic personality, Hardy’s lack of a killer instinct is troubling. My lasting impression of Swick vs. Hardy was that St. Pierre would tear either of them apart in less than five minutes.

Koscheck fought GSP once before, losing by a unanimous decision at UFC 74, another reason why technically Hardy is next in line. But when reviewing Koscheck’s remarks after he defeated Johnson –“He ain't fought nobody like me," he said. "Guaranteed, I'm the No. 1 freaking contender in the division." – he’s right. He’s much better than when he met St. Pierre in 2007 – and in that fight he became the last fighter to win a round from the welterweight king (at that time not the champion). He’s one of only two to hold a win over Diego Sanchez (fighting B.J. Penn for the lightweight crown next month) and recovered from a first-round KO loss to Paulo Thiago in February (also his third fight in four months) with impressive victories over Frank Trigg and “Rumble” Johnson.

Figure on Koscheck fighting capable competition in early 2010 before getting the winner of St. Pierre vs. Hardy – perhaps at the show that could end up at Fenway Park this summer.

**

I went 4-4 in my UFC 106 predictions, correctly picking Koscheck, Forrest Griffin, Amir Sadollah and Paulo Thiago, but whiffing on Luiz Cane, Marcus Davis, Jake Rosholt and Brock Larson. Sadollah and Ben Saunders gave clinics in Mauy Thai, Kendall Grove and Little Nog looked tremendous and Larson's days as a top welterweight are over after Brian Foster - showing shades of his teacher Matt Hughes - took him apart in two rounds. Larson's a great guy enduring a bad slump. Here's hoping he recovers sometime in 2010.

The show must go on

2009-11-20T21:34:00.002-05:00

UFC 106 was originally headlined by Brock Lesnar's defense of the heavyweight championship against Shane Carwin, and supported by a rematch of the classic Tito Ortiz-Forrest Griffin war, a dynamic battle between Josh Koscheck and Anthony Johnson, and the intriguing matchup between Karo Parisyan and Dustin Hazelett.

First Lesnar got very sick – and hope remains that it’s not career threatening – and then Parisyan suddenly backed out before the weigh-ins. The latter news I found very shocking. Not even a week ago Parisyan provided me an exclusive interview for FightMagazine.com during which he sounded very confident and motivated to prove skeptics wrong, while also admitting his career had been on a downward spiral.

Suddenly, Dana White blasted Parisyan over Twitter and announced his UFC days were over for good. Then the rumors started, notably one that suggested he had not kicked his pain killer addiction and was afraid he would fail the post fight drug test. Parisyan and I traded text messages earlier today, starting when he said, “I will prove myself in time,” and standing by his story that his ongoing issues with panic attacks – not an addiction to painkillers – is to blame for the about face.

“I’ve talked to my doctors and it’s getting all better soon,” Parisyan said. “All the support I got from everyone, thank you so much.”

The bottom line is that Parisyan has a ton of personal issues to solve once and for all before he thinks about returning to Mixed Martial Arts. He’s also a real down-to-earth person who is keeping the faith. Whether it’s in Japan, with Strikeforce, or if he and White reconcile – not unprecedented if you check White’s history with Ortiz and Randy Couture – he’ll be back and competing sometime in 2010.

Hazelett, incidentally, took the disappointing news very well and was paid the winner’s share of the fight purse. One of his representatives met UFC matchmaker Joe Silva after the fight was canceled. Both agreed it was the bout that was the most intriguing on the bill, and Silva vowed to not just get Hazelett back in the cage – he’s been inactive for a year due to a knee injury – but pair him with the ideal opponent, one which I bet is of similar caliber to Parisyan when the latter’s on his game.

On to UFC 106 as it stands. Ortiz-Griffin II is not a main event match, but still pretty good as a contingency plan. The first fight could have gone either way. The fact that Ortiz held on fighting with a degenerating back figures to give him the edge here now that he's 100 percent healthy. He also hasn't fought in a year-and-a-half. Griffin was embarrassed in his last bout, but that had everything to do with Anderson Silva being the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the world. As long as Griffin can avoid Ortiz’s legendary takedowns and ground-and-pound, his heart will take care of the rest. Griffin by unanimous decision.

Koscheck-Johnson
My pick for “Fight of the Night” honors, which pits two of the most exciting strikers in the business. “Rumble” finally steps into the limelight with an 8-2 record. He’s yet to swim with the sharks. Koscheck has. His world-class wrestling makes the difference and gets people thinking about a rematch with Georges St. Pierre if the former gets by Dan Hardy next year. Koscheck TKO 3.

Phil Baroni vs. Amir Sadollah
The “New York Bad Ass” returns to the UFC to face The Ultimate Fighter Season 7 winner. This is an important bout for Sadollah coming off a controversial loss to Johny Hendricks while Baroni is on a 3-7 in his last seven fights, but in my view is being dismissed too quickly as big-name fodder for Sadollah. A tough one to call between veteran and neophyte. I’ll take the fighter with the greater upside. Sadollah by unanimous decision.

Other bouts
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira’s UFC debut will be a rude awakening when Luiz Cane fells him in Round 2 … Marcus Davis, still steaming over his June loss to Hardy, takes it out on Ben Saunders (submission, Round 2) … Paulo Thiago, owner of a KO win over Koscheck in his UFC debut, spoils that of Jacob Volkmann (TKO 1) … Jake Rosholt looked awesome defeating Chris Leben. He’ll submit Kendall Grove in war ending in Round 3 … And in a bout airing neither on pay-per-view nor Spike, but one that deserved TV time in my view, Brock Larson recovers from his loss to Mike Pierce by choking out up-and-coming Brian Foster in Round 2.

Memo to NY: End the MMA ban

2009-11-18T12:21:00.003-05:00

Randy Gordon was 16 years ago the chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission who led the charge to ban Mixed Martial Arts in the state. He succeeded, but ironically today, he's front and center of the movement to legislate the sport and approve it for competition. Gordon, also the host of "The Sirius Fight Club" (Tuesdays and Fridays 5-7 p.m.) and a good friend, opined about the topic in today's New York Daily News.

I've written about this before: MMA in New York City - Madison Square Garden - is a perfect marriage. Gordon wrote about the impact it had on Philadelphia, tourism and media coverage. It'll do the same for the Big Apple. Of course, if it's too logical and makes too much sense it usually never gets done. It's time for the boneheads in Albany to actually grasp the concept of pumping life into a sour economy. Why everyone outside of Albany sees that is beyond reason.

Epic in the Bronx?

2009-11-16T15:23:00.013-05:00

Manny Pacquiao proved why he's currently the best fighter in the world (in my view) by pulverizing a game Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds Saturday night. A showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is inevitable. Everybody wants it - fans, media, cable outlets, DirecTV, sports bars. All that has to happen is the fighters agreeing, and from there business people and promoters biting their tongues when it comes down to the zillions, billions and trillions they'll be making.

If this happens, the Yankees have reportedly expressed interest in hosting it at Yankee Stadium next spring. This has to happen. Boxing is enjoying a second wind in terms of publicity and the two best fighters need New York's stage to showcase that a buzz not felt since the Mike Tyson era is back. (Breaking the law and biting ears are no longer required either.)

Spike TV countered Pacquiao-Cotto with a free airing of UFC 105 (though it was well over an hour before the card ended when the bell for the boxing match rang for Round 1). The disturbing trend of controversy surrounding the judges at ringside continued with Randy Couture's paper-thin victory over Brandon Vera. I normally have little to no tolerance for horrible, inferior officiating, umpiring and judges, but I too felt Couture won the fight - barely, only because he was able to neutralize Vera's offense when he needed to. Of course, Vera was pissed at the verdict, but if there's any lingering doubt about him being a top-tier light-heavyweight, The Truth put that to bed. Vera has proven he's changed course and career is no longer at a crossroads.

Dan Hardy will get the next shot at Georges St. Pierre's welterweight title, though I wasn't impressed with his win over Mike Swick. The lack of a killer instinct against an opponent clearly not on his 'A' game bothered me. Hardy's simply not at GSP's level. Then again, who is at the moment?

Very excited about WEC 44 Wednesday night (which means the DVR will be set to "The Ultimate Fighter"). Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo headlines a solid show that includes Manny Gamburyan (Karo Parisyan's cousin)-Leonard Garcia. Karen Darabedyan-Rob McCullough and Danny Castillo-Shane Roller. This bout won't be aired unless there's down time, but Cub Swanson has an extremely important fight against John Franchi on the preliminary card. The last time we saw Swanson, Aldo blasted him in eight seconds. There are big questions about Swanson's ability to perform in major fights; Jens Pulver made him tap 35 seconds into their WEC 31 showing. Still, he's an exciting fighter who trained with Greg Jackson for Franchi. We'll see if that excitement can finally be harnessed properly.

WEC co-founder and general manager Reed Harris angrily dismissed a report of a merger between it and parent company UFC. Good for him. Why take the spotlight away from some of the sport's most breathtaking talent? The morons at the defunct World Championship Wrestling frequently bragged about how it recruited talent from around the world to compete in its cruiserweight division. Then the brainiacs buried them under the old and slow 'big names.' When you have something as unique as the talent in WEC, you maximize its exposure and showcase it as your niche product.

To be clear, Zuffa markets young and hot new starts virtually every day. What you don't want is to see too many good fighters get lost in the shuffle. Keeping WEC as a separate entity under one umbrella gives Brown, Urijah Faber, Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres and others their deserved time in the sun.

UFC 106 is Saturday on pay-per-view. I'll have more on the Tito Ortiz-Forrest Griffin rematch along with takes on the returning New York Badass Phil Baroni, and crossroad bouts for Parisyan & Brock Larson.

UFC 105 predictions, Brown ready for Aldo

2009-11-13T14:34:00.007-05:00

Since 2003 it's been a challenge to find new and creative ways to keep busy during baseball's offseason. Of course there's all that Hot Stove chatter and "sources familiar with the situation" scattered across the four corners of the earth, plus my inevitable presence at a press conference announcing the Yankees' next A-list acquisition (Roy Halladay? John Lackey?)

Covering Mixed Martial Arts for MMAJunkie.com, FightMagazine.com and TapouT/MMA Worldwide magazine has more than helped fill the void. In fact it's been a blast. The next issue of MMA Worldwide has my debut feature on Frankie Edgar, who on December 5 at the Ultimate Finale will take on Matt Veach (an injury replacement for Kurt Pellegrino), on newsstands real soon. Karo Parysian, fighting Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106, provided me a very candid, enlightening and forthcoming interview that will run on Fight next week.

Before I get to tomorrow and UFC 105, Mike Thomas Brown will make his third defense of the WEC Featherweight title Wednesday against the electric Jose Aldo at WEC 44. I haven't seen the odds yet, but my guess is there are those who still refuse to believe Brown is for real. Even Brown himself didn't consider himself a legit champion until he blasted Leonard Garcia in Round 1 of his first defense. His defeat of Urijah Faber in their rematch was enough to eliminate any trace of doubt from where I sit.

At 18-1, Aldo is an amazing talent who in his last fight destroyed Cub Swanson in eight seconds prior to Brown-Faber 2. He's also a guy whose aggressiveness may end up hurting him against Brown, a veteran who knows how to turn an opponent's strength into his downfall.

“Aldo is probably more technical, throws more punches and combinations, better knees and better kicks," Brown told me during an interview for another TapouT/MMA Worldwide feature. "But Leonard is probably a harder puncher; he swings hard and tries to kill you with every shot.

“Aldo is a little more finesse, but the game plan is similar – try and swing and crack him, put him down. If I hurt him I hurt him. If I don’t, I don’t. If that doesn’t work, take him down and try to submit him.”

Brown's best quality is his modesty and integrity. The way he continues to live his life - answering the phone at his home base of American Top Team, driving the same beat-up old car, and how he conducts himself with the highest amount of integrity - makes him a champion win or lose. Sometimes, in fact, Brown needs to be reminded that he's a recognized world champ.

“Sometimes fighters get to a high place and they forget all the hard work – and they forget that they deserve it,” said Howard Davis Jr., a 1976 Olympic Gold medalist who helps Brown with his striking game at ATT. “There’s a little guilt in them. I remind him every day he’s champ and that he deserves it.

“Mike hasn’t changed himself one bit. I asked him, 'Did you know you’re the WEC Featherweight champion? That put a huge smile on his face. [He told me] 'You know something you’re right coach. I am champion of the world.'”

As for UFC 105, I've picked against Vera twice and been wrong twice. The third time will be a charm: Couture takes a bout that goes the distance. Mike Swick proves he's ready for a shot at Georges St. Pierre by taking out Dan Hardy (TKO-2). Michael Bisping-Denis Kang is a tough call. This will depends if Bisping is physically and emotionally recovered from Dan Henderson's one-punch knockout at UFC 100. Emotion plays a big part in MMA, and Bisping will draw off the support of his home country by taking a decision.

There's the Yankees and, well ....

2009-11-10T11:39:00.003-05:00

The afterglow of the Yankees' 27th World Championship will last awhile. That's good for Yankees fans - and newspapers, who will now feast on the misery that's the rest of New York sports.

The Devils and Rangers are exceptions, and though they're an afterthought at the moment, the Islanders have been surprisingly competitive - and they have John Tavares; the hyped first-overall pick is tied for the team lead in scoring.

Tops on the tabloids' radar, however, are the following teams, each in currently in a state ranging from sad to pathetic.

Giants: Losers of four straight after a 5-0 start and currently outside of the playoff bubble. As a fan watching them give away a game to the Chargers was the first in a long time I've been so disgusted with them.

Jets: 4-4 after a 3-0 start. Their 1-3 slide includes two galling losses to the Dolphins and an inexcusable setback to the Bills. Rex Ryan's bravado is refreshing, but if it's not backed up he's left to look like a fool.

Knicks & Nets: Whoa boy. The Nets are 0-7 and the teams are a combined 1-14. Everyone knew this would be a transition season at Madison Square Garden and the Swamp, but these teams' performances have been hideous. Nobody, not LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, will want to play for bad teams that barely compete. That's the vibe on both sides at the moment. It's been like shrugging their shoulders and saying we'll get 'em next year.

Unless the Giants and Jets get it together, and the Rangers can weather their current injury storm, brace for a long winter. Here's hoping native and fellow Long Islander Phil Baroni can make a triumphant return to the UFC against Amir Sadollah at UFC 106.

****

Junkie published my feature on Miguel Torres and how training with Miguel Cotto is helping him recover from his shocking loss to Brian Bowles. More and more MMA fighters are learning from boxers and their training techniques, and the relationship is getting stronger. Howard Davis Jr. works with Mike Brown, Thiago Alves, Thiago Silva and Kimbo Slice (the best move for Kimbo right now) at American Top Team. Famous boxing trainer Freddie Roach has worked with a ton of them, including a session where Michael Moorer watched Frankie Edgar's footwork. I have more about that story in the new TapouT/MMA Worldwide magazine coming out later this month.

Champions

2009-11-06T15:18:00.003-05:00

I was afforded the unique and memorable privilege of covering the night the Yankees captured World Championship No. 27. Next to making a positive difference for people like the late George Murray, nights like Game 6 at Yankee Stadium is why I got into the business.

Let's be fair: The Yankes were baseball's best team. They won 115 games, many in dramatic fashion. And it was extra special seeing Hideki Matsui put on a show. I'm sure it reminded many older fans of what Reggie Jackson did in 1977 - also in Game 6. Reggie belted three homers that night. Matsui drove in six runs (tying Bobby Richardson's World Series record). Both took over the city, and in Matsui's case he also took over Tokyo.

The 2009 season and postseason was one of serious redemption for Alex Rodriguez. You can like him or not like him, and his wounds were self-inflicted, but A-Rod worked his way out of hell to slug 30 homers and drive in 100 runs for the 13th time in his career (12th straight season) - and he was sidelined until May 8 while rehabbing from hip surgery. On some levels, this may have been Rodriguez's finest campaign.

A.J. Burnett drove Yankees fans crazy at times, but you know what? The Yankees may not have won the World Series if he didn't shut down the Phillies in Game 2 to even the Fall Classic at 1-1. There will always be "Good A.J." and "Bad A.J." but when he's on there's nobody better, and you can never question his mental strength in big games. I spoke with Burnett during the clubhouse celebration about what he learned from his first season in the Bronx.

Because baseball never slows down, expect more observations, analysis and the inevitable coverage of the Yankees' big-ticket free signee this winter. Because business always picks up in MMA, expect MMAJunkie.com and other outlets to keep me busy. An alumni event has me missing tomorrow's big Strikeforce show in Chicago, but I'll be DVRing CBS' broadcast. I have Fedor beating Rogers, showing why he's the sport's best heavyweight, and in the fight of the night, Jake Shields doing enough to get by Jason "Mayhem" Miller.

Close the deal

2009-11-04T12:39:00.004-05:00

Tonight is Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, another chance for the Yankees to win World Championship No. 27, this time in front of their fans for the first time since 1999.

What's been said has been written. What's been documented has been digested. The Yankees now have to get the job done, defeat a tough, and gallant Philadelphia Phillies team that just so happens to be the defending champions.

As a journalist I am obligated to tell it like it is whether the Yankees win or lose 10-0. As fans we cannot control the outcome. As fans you can control the environment. Phillies fans are among the best and they went crazy showing support for their team. Tonight it's Yankees fans' turn.

Whether you root for the Yankees or Phillies, here's something to pump you up. Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez has one of the more dramatic entrances in the UFC. Only he knows how he'll enter the Octagon before his shot at B.J. Penn's lightweight title December 12 in Memphis. Count on some more Tony Robbins influence.

One win, 27 outs to go

2009-11-03T15:12:00.004-05:00

Amazing how people are fretting about the Yankees and using hindsight to bash Joe Girardi for having the gall to live or die with one of his top-tier pitchers. A.J. Burnett started Game 5 on three days' rest. He lost because the Phillies have heart and remain the reigning World Champions, not because Burnett was on short rest. If Chad Gaudin would have started his first game in a month and gotten bombed, people would moan over that too.

Memo to the worry-warts: The Yankees lead the World Series three games to two. They need to win one of two games at Yankee Stadium to win their 27th World Championship after taking two of three in Philadelphia. The job isn't done, but that's pretty good, right?

Those ready to jump off a cliff need an image of Alfred E. Newman.

Like the rest of the postseason, I've been covering the home games for YESNetwork.com, while blogging away on the YES Blog, and will be at Game 6 and (if necessary) Game 7. CC Sabathia met his match in Game 1 and Burnett was awesome in Game 2. In Game 6, Andy Pettitte - also on three days' rest - attempts to win his Major League record sixth clinching game.

I'm still covering MMA and looking forward to doing a lot more once baseball is finally over. My debut feature for TapouT/MMA Worldwide magazine, a profile of Frankie Edgar, hits newsstands the middle of this month. Today, MMAJunkie.com published a feature on Brock Larson, a good fighter and great guy out for redemption when he battles Brian Foster at UFC 106.

Future projects include a piece on Miguel Torres and the budding relationship between MMA and boxing training techniques. I'm also looking forward to chatting with Karo Parisyan for FightMagazine.com.

First thing's first: Back to the Bronx tomorrow night.

Two down, two to go

2009-10-19T09:31:00.005-04:00

Two crazy, sleep-deprived days defined my Friday and Saturday. I'm not in California, so most of my Sunday was spent playing catch-up.

The Yankees resume their series against the Angels ahead two games to none. CC Sabathia took over the game, and the town, Friday night, while Jerry Hairston made his first postseason game a memorable one to end Saturday's marathon. And with Sabathia named the Yankees' official starter for Game 4, the team will be in position for a shocking sweep if Andy Pettitte outduels Jered Weaver this afternoon.

It takes four to win a series and the Yankees have won two, but if you're not a believer in karma, the Yankees have been great sellers. They've gotten it done every which way, and everyone has bought into the philosophy of winning.

Whew!

2009-10-13T15:47:00.003-04:00

Nothing like an insane amount of activity to keep me from blogging. Well, not exactly. I've been feeding the YES Blog with enough material to supply an encyclopedia. To sum up, the Yankees swept the Twins in three games to reach their first League Championship Series in 2004.

I remember '04 and flying two and from New York and Boston. At Fenway Park I was three Mariano Rivera outs from covering a World Series and making travel arrangements to St. Louis. No need to rehash the few things that happened to squash those plans.

I'm not traveling this year - though a Philadelphia excursion remains a slight possibility - but there's been plenty of action. Game 1 was the start of Alex Rodriguez's rebirth. People won't leave him alone until he continues to scorch opposing pitching en route to his first World Series ring, but the Yankees may not win that series at all if not for A-Rod.

A-Rod played hero again in Game 2, as did Mark Teixeira when his walk-off home run ended one of the greatest postseason games I've ever witnessed. Alas, Teixeira's heroics aren't possible if not for David Robertson's yeoman effort in the top of the 11th. The kid earned his stars and stripes that night, believe me.

It's been a couple of days of quiet since the Yankees sealed Game 3 and learned that the Angels, their longtime nemesis, stand in the way of their first World Series since 2003. We'll find out more when the team works out Wednesday and Thursday, but Joe Girardi is leaning towards starting CC Sabathia in Games 1, 4 and if necessary 7. He'll also have to decide on a roster and whether to stick with three catchers and/or replace Damaso Marte (horrendous in Game 2) with Brian Bruney or Freddy Guzman.

I'm still covering MMA. Days before Benson Henderson put on one of 2009's top individual performances by defeating Donald Cerrone, he spoke with me about how he became "Smooth" and how he manages his hair. Ryan Bader also returns to the Octagon October 24 when he faces Eric Schafer at UFC 104. In a Q&A done for FightMagazine.com, Bader talks about his love for guns, Bader TV and a bright future for Kimbo Slice.

Yesterday I interviewed Frankie Edgar for my first feature for TapouT Magazine. "The Answer" is a moniker that is wholly appropriate for one of the UFC's rising lightweights, one despite his impressive roll call of wins is still evolving and still waiting in line for a title shot. Provided he gets past Kurt Pellegrino December 5 at the TUF 10 Finale, from my view he deserves a crack at the winner of the B.J. Penn-Diego Sanchez lightweight title fight one week later at UFC 107.

Matt Hamill and Jon Jones will officially headline the TUF 10 card. There are a lot of fights I cannot wait to see - Lesnar v. Carwin & Penn v. Sanchez are two of them - but this one is going to be great. I've done interviews with both "The Hammer" and "Bones," and their respective camps. This is far and away Jones' toughest challenge, and a bout that Hamill needs to win badly. Jones is 22 years old and if it won't be the end of the world if he loses. Hamill, however, is 33 and the clock on his chances at a light-heavyweight title shot will freeze if he ends up on the short end of this one.

I'm told, by the way, that "Hamill: The Movie" is in its last week of shooting.

Petruzelli responds to Kimbo

2009-09-29T09:41:00.002-04:00

Kimbo Slice denied declining a rematch with Seth Petruzelli yesterday during a conference call to promote his TUF Heavyweights bout with Roy Nelson that airs tomorrow night on Spike. Petruzelli fired the first salvo on The Underground, calling out Slice while stating he's likely to sign with the UFC. Slice's response was blunt, brutal and to the point, saying the Silverback's Smoothie King franchise was "a sissy ice cream shop" before going as far to say he'd fight Petruzelli "bare-knuckle style."

Not one to hold back either, Petruzelli e-mailed me his side of the story:

"LOL, a 'Sissy ice cream shop.' My bad for thinking ahead of fighting and opening a franchise. Kimbo wouldn't know the first thing about opening and running a successful business. He should stick to what he knows: being a thug and hanging with icey 'class act' Mike.

"And I was told by two promoters that they talked with his manager and that he said NO, so either the promoters were lying or he is. I hope Dana will sign me back to the UFC and maybe we will see."

Slice needs an opponent for the TUF Finale in December. I'm just sayin'.

Business picking up

2009-09-26T22:04:00.013-04:00

Yet another eventful week in Yankeeland and the MMA World - with more potential projects on tap! One thing is for certain, I'm bracing for a wild postseason ride. I'll be covering most of the Yankees' playoff games at Yankee Stadium, and was there Friday night to document Joba Chamberlain stepping up to and meeting the challenge presented to him during a stern conversation with manager Joe Girardi. All parties played down the discussion, but Chamberlain's maturity has been questioned, as have the handling of "The Joba Rules." What matters is winning, and if Chamberlain is lights-out come October, fans will find something new to complain about.

For now, enjoy the journey. The Yankees clinched a tie for the AL East title behind CC Sabathia's one-hitter over seven innings. The Yankees haven't had that truly dominant ace/stopper since 2003, one that opponents fear. They have one in the big lefty. Of course, talk radio palavers and their cult followers will obsess over Sabathia's October failures while bracing for Alex Rodriguez to strike out in a big spot. Allow me to quote the great Reggie Jackson: "With the bat (or in CC's case, the ball) in your hand, you can change the story."

In between Yankees coverage I have two new assignments for FightMagazine.com: Ben "Smooth" Henderson and Ryan Bader. The biggest fight of Henderson's young career comes next month at WEC 43 when he battles Donald Cerrone for the interim lightweight title, as current champ Jamie Varner (hand) has not been medically cleared. Cerrone has made no secret of his respect for Henderson and pure hatred for Varner.

Bader's turned up the intensity of his preparation for Eric Schafer at UFC 104, his first fight since injuring his knee back in April. Bader takes full advantage of the information age. He continually updates his Web site and keeps a Facebook page. He told me during a May interview about the importance of fan interaction and how it will help grow the sport, and at 9-0 (2-0 in the UFC), many are already pegging him a future champion. First thing first is not overlooking Schafer. I'm not insinuating a darn thing, but Brock Larson's rising star is at a pit stop thanks to his loss to Mike Pierce.

FIGHT posted a story on Strikeforce fighter Zak Cummings hours before Tim Kennedy ended his 10-0 run with a second-round knockout. Cummings was very upset with The Ultimate Fighter's selection process, Kimbo Slice in particular. From what I've seen on TUF Heavyweights, Kimbo has completely embraced the opportunity to go back to the beginning and learn how different it is from a street fighter to a Mixed Martial Artist. It's now up to Cummings to take a step back and tend to his own ship.

Wednesday night it's Kimbo vs. Roy Nelson in arguably TUF's most anticipated fight ever. Win or lose, Kimbo will compete at The Ultimate Finale in December.

A shout out to Daniel Cormier. The former Olympian knocked out Gary Frazier in his MMA debut for Strikeforce. For a man who's endured multiple trips to hell and back, Daniel is a emotionally strong and remarkable human being, one who hasn't lost his zeal to compete and live his life.

Quinton Jackson quit the UFC and reports indicate it'll be Rashad Evans versus Thiago Silva at UFC 108 January 2 in Las Vegas. There are many layers to the Rampage-Dana White spat. I'll narrow it down to three sides: Jackson's, White's and the truth.

UFC 108's main event, by the way? Anderson Silva vs. Victor Belfort. The winner of that fight meets the winner of Dan Henderson-Nate Marquardt bout, a bout also rumored for 108. No slowing down the UFC, is there?

Schultz, Larson, Bader and the Yankees

2009-09-21T15:45:00.003-04:00

Some quick hits to begin the week while I listen to Tommy Bolin Band's Homeward Strut on Sirius Channel 16:

I went 4-3 on my UFC 103 predictions, whiffing on Rich Franklin, Martin Kampmann and Drew McFedries while getting it right with picking Dos Santos, Koscheck, Griffin and Escudero. I was surprised with how McFedries had nothing and how electric Victor Belfort is. Cro Cop proved once again that he hasn't been the same since he was knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga, while Frank Trigg says retirement is imminent following his disappointing return to the Octagon.

Ryan Schultz, again at a crossroads, has a big fight Wednesday night in Japan. "The Lion" explained to me during an interview for FightMagazine.com what happened the last time nobody gave him a chance.

I spoke with Brock Larson this afternoon five days after his bitterly disappointing loss to Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 19. Larson knows this was a lost opportunity, especially with Martin Kampmann's TKO loss to Paul Daley, to move a few rungs up the welterweight ladder and get his coveted rematch against Carlos Condit. He's obviously frustrated, but plans on training harder than he's ever had in his entire life. Like the loss to Condit, Larson is hell-bent on becoming better from this experience.

Ryan Bader told me in an e-mail: "Every thing is going great. I am training hard and am ready to go." The TUF Season 8 light-heavyweight winner steps into the Octagon next month for the first time since April, when he tore his MCL and PCL, to face Eric Schafer on the preliminary card of UFC 104.

Los Angeles will play host to a stacked event despite Shane Carwin being pulled away from his scheduled bout against Cain Velasquez in favor of a shot at Brock Lesner. Velasquez takes on Ben Rothwell. Anthony Johnson returns from his injury to face Yoshiyuki Yoshida, and Joe Stevenson-Spencer Fisher and Gleison Tibau-Josh Neer precede Lyoto Machida's first defense of the light-heavyweight crown against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Strikeforce continues to stock up, this time signing former NCAA and NFL star Herschel Walker. Okay, Walker is 47, but won't fight until at least early next year and will train under one of the best camps in the country, American Kickboxing Academy and Bob Cook. The odds of a prosperous MMA career may be against Walker, but I personally have never been one to dismiss anyone strictly due to age.

If you believed the Yankees had the AL East wrapped up, look again. Their lead is down to five games coming off three losses in five games while the Red Sox are winners of 10 out of their last 11. This weekend set at Yankee Stadium suddenly has some bite, especially if the Yankees sweep the Angels and the Sox fall our course, or if - gasp - New York's division lead shrinks to two or even a game-and-a-half. This is why Yogi Berra was baseball's Einstein.

Jeter's place secure

2009-09-18T14:53:00.004-04:00

I meant to share this much sooner, but it's been another crazy week. I Tweeted this while providing real-time updates on the YES Blog. I was on hand to watch Derek Jeter pass Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees' all-time hits leader. Jeter may not be the greatest to ever wear a Yankees uniform, but you can make a case of him perhaps being the best shortstop to have played the game. His career is far from over, which means 3,000 - and perhaps 4,000 - hits are in sight.

MMA has returned to CBS with Strikeforce's huge November 7 show, which was supposed to be in Newark, N.J., but thanks to a Miley Cyrus booking will take place outside of Chicago. Here's hoping CBS learned from the Elite XC debacle and that Strikeforce doesn't make the same mistakes.

Appearing next week on FIGHT's! Web site: Features on Ryan Schultz and Zak Cummings. The magazine was set to publish a piece on Brock Larson until Larson lost to Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 19. Larson is a great guy and I'll be calling him to chat informally this weekend. His career is far from over and his spot in the UFC remains secure, but Wednesday was definitely a step back.

My quickie UFC 103 predictions:
Franklin over Belfort: Split decision
Dos Santos over Cro Cop: Unanimous decision
Kampmann over Daley: 1st round TKO
Koscheck over Trigg: 3rd round TKO
Griffin over Franca: Unanimous decision
Escudero over Miller: Unanimous decision
McFedries over Drwal: 1st round KO

Killing time

2009-09-11T19:20:00.006-04:00

As I return to the blogosphere after a two-week hiatus, I'm sitting in my perch in Yankee Stadium's press box waiting through an interminable rain delay. It's disgusting here, on all nights, the one when Derek Jeter has a chance to become the Yankees' all-time hits leader. Journal News beat writer Peter Abraham wrote a good line earlier today: "Not even Mother Nature will mess with Derek Jeter. Like every other girl, she’s crazy about the Captain." I guess she's in tune to the rumors of his engagement to Minka Kelly.

While tracking Jeter and the Yankees - in case you haven't noticed, their magic number for clinching the AL East is 15 - on the YES Blog, I've kept plenty busy in the MMA world too. Since I last checked in ....

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria and Randy Couture had a classic fight at UFC 102 worthy of two great warriors with Minotauro pulling off the unanimous decision. Nogueria is in line for a shot at heavyweight title, but judging from recent comments he wants a rematch with Frank Mir, but Mir vs. Cheick Kongo is almost locked in for UFC 105 in December.

Junkie ran my feature on TUF Heavyweights contestant Matt Mitrione this week. Later that day, I was clued in to a verbal agreement to Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones at the The Ultimate Finale in December. The buzz for that fight has been tremendous. This will undoubtedly be Jones' toughest fight while Hamill will have to prepare for his greatest challenge since Rich Franklin.

On tap for FIGHT! Magazine's Web site: Short stories on Ryan Schultz and Zak Cummings, the latter who is headlining the Strikeforce September 25 Challengers Series against Tim Kennedy.

Smashed

2009-08-29T11:07:00.003-04:00

On Thursday Junkie ran my feature on Mark Kerr and his latest comeback attempt. The odds were Buster Douglas-like against Mike Tyson, but there was no shocking upset. In fact, it was pretty ugly. Muhammad Lawal literally knocked out Kerr in 25 seconds. Kerr's a real good guy who's cleaned up his life and told me he plans on fighting until the end of next year. To be fair, he had just three weeks to prepare for a rising star looking to make a name for himself in the United States. But Kerr needs to step away. He finally has balance in his life and there's nothing more to prove.

Thursday afternoon I did something different for YES: A feature on a visiting team. The Texas Rangers showed they're for real in taking two of three from the Yankees, but they will be in a war to secure a playoff spot.

Tonight is UFC 102 and a great card is lined up. Here are my quickie predictions:

Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Big Nog offered up no excuses for his KO loss to Frank Mir, but competed with a staph infection. The Natural is still a force even at age 45, but this time Minotauro is healthy enough to pull off one of his patented rise-from-the-dead late comebacks. Nogueira split decision.

Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva

Both are off losses and their careers are at a crossroads. Jardine's been through the wars and has proven his resilience, but which Dean of Mean will show up> Silva was knocked out cold by Lyoto Machida and will be taught more hard lessons. Jardine unanimous decision.

Demian Maia vs. Nate Marquardt

This will be the fight of the night. Maia (10-0) is undefeated - and untested. Marquardt looked awesome in dismantling Wilson Gouveia and has also competed against Anderson Silva and Martin Kampmann. Maia has that invincible aura about him, but his best chance in this, his stiffest challenge, will be keeping it on the ground. Marquardt has an array of skills and is peaking. Marquardt TKO Round 3.

Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt

Both are coming off losses, yet this is Leben's last chance. He's been given numerous opportunities to stay clean. Here's hoping his life is finally in shape. As for his UFC shelf life, the Crippler makes a statement. Leben TKO Round 1.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brandon Vera

Great opportunity for The Polish Experiment, who steps in for Matt Hamill (knee). The Hammer and his camp have a vested interest in this fight, for it's likely Hamill will take on the winner. Like Jardine, the biggest question about the Truth is whether the good or bad Vera will show up. Soszynski was TUF 8's best competitor and was stopped only by an injury. Vera is re-dedicated to the sport, but hasn't yet shown he can maintain focus. The experiment cashes in on his chance. Soszynski unanimous decision.

Rink Rap, Silverback, Smashing Machine

2009-08-26T14:01:00.003-04:00

Jim Cerny, a colleague and friend from my hockey writing days, has launched a new blog called "Rink Rap." Jim's covered the NHL for more than 20 years working as radio play-by-play voice of the Islanders and now as the beat writer for the Rangers' official Web site. You can't have a big enough hockey fix, especially in the New York metropolitan area. Jim will keep you plugged in.

Seth Petruzelli knocked out Chris Baten at 2:23 of the first round last Saturday in his first post Kimbo Slice bout. The Silverback told me days before that he's been in talks with Strikeforce and the UFC about a return to the latter promotion. This is a nice first step.

Keep an eye on MMAJunkie.com tomorrow for my exclusive interview with "The Smashing Machine," Mark Kerr, who is attempting another comeback and this time in the best frame of mind he's been in his whole life. Kerr will fight rising star Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal at M-1 Global's first televised event Friday night in Kansas City. Seconding Lawal is his close friend Daniel Cormier, the former Olympian who spoke with me shortly after singing an MMA contract with Zinkin Entertainment.

Contrary to popular belief, the Yankees haven't wrapped up the AL East. There's more than a month to go and Tuesday night the Texas Rangers showed why the road to a championship won't be easy. I'll be at Yankee Stadium tomorrow to learn more about the team that's shooting for its first postseason appearance since 1999.

Couture-Varon? Strike now, Coker

2009-08-19T16:50:00.003-04:00

The Junkie crew had this covered yesterday, culminating with John Morgan's exclusive interview with Kim Couture. As former WWE and current TNA wrestler Victoria (aka Lisa Marie Varon) told Dann Stupp, she's planning an MMA career and has apparently challenged Couture to a future fight.

Couture's record speaks for itself. She may be too big of a bite for Varon, but Brock Lesnar wasn't supposed to steamroll through veteran competition either (Heath Herring, Randy Couture, Frank Mir II). And Varon has always been full of surprises. Before a 2001 WWE (nee WWF) event in San Jose, Varon sat in an empty area with a few WWF developmental league wrestlers and was about as a warm and gracious person you'd ever meet. I knew she'd make an impact someday, but she blossomed into one of WWE's most feared competitors and its women's champion.

Yes, wrestling is an act, but it takes an unbelievable amount of physical talent and incredible charisma to succeed in the business, one that takes a physical and emotional toll beyond comprehension. Varon has the desire to succeed in MMA. The question is whether her skills will be up to standards.

Either way, if I'm Scott Coker, I'm not wasting time. Couture is eying two bouts before the end of the year and this is Coker's opportunity to cash in on the electric fan reaction to Gina Carano-Cris Cyborg by building a women's division. Attendance dropped 8.12 percent from April's "Shamrock vs. Diaz" Strikeforce event, but Carano vs. Cyborg drew 576,000 viewers on Showtime, the highest-rated MMA program to ever air on Showtime Networks according to Showtime officials.

Thanks to the bad economy, you can cut the attendance figures some slack. This is Coker's chance to strike it rich. Dana White had his chance (WEC), but passed. A full-fledged woman's division, combined with Fedor and a growing talent roster and Coker's ready to seriously compete.

Silverback: Time to create my own image

2009-08-17T16:35:00.003-04:00

Seth Petruzelli returns to the cage Saturday night when he'll face Chris Baten at an Art of Fighting event in Tampa., Fla. There are still those who consider the Silverback lucky and a joke. Saturday is his chance to rewrite his story. An impressive win brings him one big step closer to a deal with Strikeforce or a return to the UFC, and possibly a rematch with Kimbo Slice. A lackluster win and doubt will still surface. A loss and he can forget about shaking that fluke label.

Carano didn't give into fear

2009-08-16T18:16:00.003-04:00

It was last July when Gina Carano sat ringside at the Stockton Arena for EliteXC: Unfinished Business. One of the televised matches was Cris “Cyborg” Santos against Shayna Baszler. Cyborg destroyed Baszler at 2:48 of Round 2. CBS cameras caught a glance of Carano smiling, but not the attractive grin that ticketed her for Maxim’s hot list. It suddenly dawned upon her that a showdown with this destruction device was inevitable. For the first time in her life there appeared to be a shred of fear and she entered Saturday night the face of women's fighting, but also an underdog.

Give this to Carano: She lost to Cyborg, beaten up pretty badly, but did not give in to fear, unlike Michael Spinks against Mike Tyson in 1990. She gallantly traded punches with Cyborg and escaped a kimura attempt late in the round, but Cyborg’s power was too much. She pinned Carano against the cage and unloaded at least 20 unanswered blows. Amazingly, there are those who thought referee Josh Rosenthal was wrong in stopping the fight. The ref’s job is to keep an eye on the fighter, not the clock. While Carano was getting pounded, she was told three times she had to fight back and when he failed to receive a response Rosenthal had no recourse but to stop it when it just so happened to be one second left in Round 1.

There were a few comparisons to the epic Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor bout in 1990, when Taylor was three minutes from ending Chavez’s undefeated run at 66 fights and winning the WBC World Junior Welterweight title. He was floored with 17 seconds left and rose at the count of six, yet was verbally unresponsive to referee Richard Steele’s questions. Steele stopped it with two seconds left, setting cornerman Lou Duva in a rage. In Taylor’s case he was nodding and looking towards his corner. He had two more seconds in him, which is why the controversy continues to this day.

No controversy over Cyborg’s tremendous victory before arguably one of the hottest and most energized atmospheres (13,524 strong at The Shark Tank, the NHL’s loudest arena) in the history of MMA, albeit one virtually 100 percent behind Carano.

“I felt like everybody was on Gina's side, but I wasn't alone," Santos said. "I had God on my side and all of my team. I was very comfortable with that. [Having the crowd against me] was something more (to motivate me) for the fight, but I was ready. Inside the cage, there's only two fighters.”

Who’s next for Cyborg? For Carano? And what about the future of women’s MMA and Strikeforce? All mostly sunny from where I sit. Strikeforce president Scott Coker is looking at one of his new additions, veteran Marloes Coenen (16-3), reports my Junkie colleague John Morgan.

Mike Chiappetta of Fanhouse projects it’ll be Erin Toughill, respected in the MMA community, but unfamiliar to the casual audience Strikeforce is looking to attract. Toughill had reportedly been at odds with the organization, but Coker told reporters that she will be welcomed into the fold.

Either way, both Cyborg and Carano need one fight – and impressive wins – under their belts before a rematch, which would be so big Strikeforce had better hope a deal is in place with CBS (they’re not ready for PPV yet). Anyone who believes Strikeforce will go under because its ‘meal ticket’ was pummeled is misguided and failed to notice how awesome Glibert Melendez and Gegard Mousasi looked during their respective victories. If management's eyes do not get bigger than its stomach, Strikeforce will be OK.

Carano will be back and better than ever, because the great ones evolve after learning how to lose. As far as Cyborg goes, never mind her being the the best female fighter. She proved Saturday night she's one of the best in the world, period.

Daniel Cormier launching MMA career

2009-08-11T10:08:00.003-04:00

This release came from Zinkin Entertainment & Sports Management, who now represents former Olympian wrestler Daniel Cormier.

A few quick updates: I'll be interviewing Seth Petruzelli on his next fight, August 22 against Chris Baten at Art of Fighting 4 in Tampa, Fla. After that it's a discussion with former New York Giant turned MMA fighter Matt Mitrione and Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter. And I couldn't help think about Forrest Griffin while reading Zinkin's release. Never a good loser, Griffin was schooled by Anderson Silva at UFC 101, stormed out of the Octagon and hasn't been heard from since. Word has it days before the bout the last thing he wanted to deal with was media attention. Stay tuned.

Daniel Cormier, 2x US Olympic Wrestler and 6x U.S Senior National Champion, has just signed on with Zinkin Entertainment & Sports Management, officially beginning his professional career in MMA. Cormier adds his name to other MMA stars under Zinkin Entertainment such as Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Josh Koscheck, Cain Velasquez, Josh Thomson, Bobby Southworth and Paul Buentelllo.

Cormier, resident of Oklahoma since his collegiate wrestling career at Oklahoma State University, is known for his extraordinary talent and physically aggressive, explosive style of wrestling. Zinkin Entertainment is excited to have Cormier as part of their team and have high expectations for their latest MMA fighter. Daniel will soon begin training at the world-renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose , California under “Crazy” Bob Cook, Javier Mendez and Dave Camarillo.

With a collegiate record of 117-10, Cormier is considered one of the most decorated U.S wrestlers.

Munson: The heart & soul of a franchise

2009-08-02T14:36:00.002-04:00

YESNetwork.com's tribute to Thurman Munson, 30 years after his untimely death, is on-line. Here's the rundown:

As I write this, the Chicago White Sox radio broadcast team are recalling Munson as an all-out player who would beat your brains out for a win. Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis was a catcher growing up and is describing how Munson was an influence and how he admired his toughness. If you were a runner heading home and Munson was blocking the plate, he'd ensure you'd make contact with his shin guard before applying the tag. A long-time Yankees fan who I interviewed for my feature summed it up best: There was tough and then there was "Thurman tough."

It's ironic that today, August 2, 1979, the Yankees are in Chicago playing the White Sox in the same park where Munson played his final game. Whether he's a Hall of Famer or not - my heart says yes but conventional wisdom and analysis suggests no - is immaterial. Munson is on the same level as Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Yogi, Martin and Jackson: Yankee icons who made an impact on the field and in the hearts of fans. To this day we're still talking about them as well as plenty of others.

For me, it's back to covering the modern gang. Thursday marks the opener of a four-game showdown against the Red Sox.

Five Days in August

2009-08-02T10:53:00.005-04:00

Ray Negron, a Yankees senior advisor and special consultant to George Steinbrenner who's worked for the Boss for 35 years, kept a hand-written diary that documented his emotions of the five days in August of 1979 when the team mourned the loss of its captain, Thurman Munson. Last week, Negron made his diary public and I produced a five-part series for YESNetwork.com that launched its tribute to Munson's memory 30 years after his tragic death in a plane crash.

A week of HOPE

2009-07-24T14:57:00.004-04:00

The Yankees put together an amazing endeavor that concludes tonight called HOPE Week, (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), a community program that will bring to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.

I worked Wednesday's game and participated in the event that took place in the Billy Martin suite before first pitch: The powerful, compelling and tear-jerking story of George Murray, a former Army paratrooper terminally-ill with Lou Gehrig's disease. What started as an invite from Mark Teixeira to watch batting practice turned into a big surprise from the team, a day George, his wife Kim and son Trason will never forget.

The following night, my colleague and friend, Jerome Priesler, attended a postgame carnival on Yankee Stadium's field for the children of Camp Sundown, a haven to these courageous kids living with a rare skin disorder called Xeroderma Pigmentosum that prevents them from being in the sunlight. The Yankees have always been at the forefront of community events and helping charitable organizations. In a word, HOPE Week was fantastic and the organization deserves a tremendous amount of credit.

On the side, the first-place Yankees are winners of seven straight entering tonight against the A's. Their philosophy is simple. A big piece of the puzzle has been Phil Hughes.

Because Josh Barnett failed a drug test, Affliction: Trilogy was canceled. Not only is Barnett selfish, he's stupid. Barnett was in the show's main event against Fedor Emelianenko.

I can only divulge so much, but a fight date for Brock Larson is almost set.

Knee injury forces Hamill out of UFC 102

2009-07-20T15:57:00.002-04:00

Matt Hamill was poised for his biggest test since his humbling defeat against Rich Franklin, but a knee injury has forced him out of his UFC 102 bout with Brandon Vera.

Sherdog.com was the first to report the injury, which his trainer Duff Holmes confirmed to me as a meniscus tear that will keep him out three-four weeks. MMAJunkie has the latest on Sherdog's initial report, which also listed Krzysztof Soszynski as taking "The Hammer's" place. It's a tough break for Hamill, but also the smart decision. It was affecting his ability to go to the ground and giving out on him.

Meanwhile, this is a great opportunity for Soszynski, who has won his last three fights since losing in the semifinals of The Ultimate Fighter, Season 8. He and eventual winner Ryan Bader showed the most promise in the show's light-heavyweight division. No disrespect to Vinny Magalhaes, but Soszynski was Frank Mir's finest student. A win over "The Truth," who has rededicated himself to conditioning and nutrition, rockets him up the latter, and perhaps a match with Hamill.

Fun in the Bronx, while Larson still waits

2009-07-19T21:06:00.006-04:00

Old Timer's Day this afternoon at Yankee Stadium was its usual fun. It was a day spent appreciating the past while enjoying the present and feeling optimistic about the future. For those who think this is typical Yankee pandering, get over it. OT Day is wholly enjoyable for all and the Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Tigers to pull within one game of first place. In the win, Joba Chamberlain showed how good he can be as a starting pitcher. Now he has to put a string of consistency together, and impatient people need to realize he's only 23 years old.

The best part about my day was interviewing Diana Munson and a few of Thurman Munson's former teammates. This week I'll be penning a special tribute to No. 15, 30 years after his tragic death, and compiling a few special projects and surprises. I discuss Munson and my experiences here.

I've been focused on Yankees the past couple of weeks, while still working hard on my feature for FIGHT! on Brock Larson. This will happen - for real. All Larson needs is an opponent. We spoke on the phone the middle of last week and mentioned that two potential opponents, Carlos Condit (Chris Lytle @ UFC Fight Night 19) and Martin Kampmann (Mike Swick @ UFC 103, with the winner Georges St. Pierre's next challenge) - the only two to defeat Larson to date - were signed to fight other opponents. Larson admitted he too was keeping a checklist, begrudgingly crossing off the names while playing the waiting game.

If there was one fight he truly wanted, it was Condit. Until if and when he gets his rematch, Larson's first-round submission loss at WEC 29 in August 2007 still burns deep inside him, yet it was also a night when he was taught a valuable lesson. Since that night in Las Vegas, Larson has won five in a row - all in the first round. In the first of our exclusive discussions, he explained how and why.

Also for the story I interviewed Jared Feierabend, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who's known Larson since third grade. Among the anecdotes he shared was the time kids stirred up enough trouble that a playground fight between the two was scheduled immediately after school. Whether the two came to blows, you'll find out, but way back as a child, Feierabend learned something about Larson and his respect for him grew over the years.

A quick take on Brock Lesnar

2009-07-15T16:27:00.002-04:00

I meant to share this earlier, but Brock Lesnar came across like an idiot Saturday night. It's one thing to generate hype for a fight and the UFC will thrive even more by building around a villain. That's fine, because almost every fighter talks trash and Brock comes from a world where he had to sell himself and a story along with a match. But refusing to touch gloves with Frank Mir, getting in his face after winning the bout - referee Herb Dean, despite fan objections, was correct in not standing them up; Lesnar was working - flipping off fans and dissing a sponsor made him come off as completely unlikeable.

Now here's where I defend Lesnar. First, he apologized after a good tounge-lashing from Dana White. Say what you want about it, but he did. Second, it is incredible how far he's come in only five MMA bouts (four in the UFC). Not another heavyweight comes close to his level, neither Shane Carwin nor Cain Velasquez (yet). And third, it is totally ridiculous how some people still refer him as a fake wrestler and hold his sports entertainment background against him. Lesnar's WWE days are over, he's a full-fledged Ultimate Fighter and the UFC heavyweight champion. Love him or hate him, he's a deserving champion.

Jesse Ventura said it best when he became Governor of Minnesota, citing a world where as "The Body," before he was able to win, he had to learn how to lose. The matches themselves are scripted, but what goes on behind closed doors, and the physical and emotional toll that comes from being wrestler, is more real than the ignorant can possibly imagine. If you need convincing, study the story of Chris Benoit.

Random mid-summer musings

2009-07-15T14:03:00.003-04:00

Some quick hits to play catch-up:

Yankees.com posted my feature on a new book by Marty Appel looking back at the life and career of the great Thurman Munson. It's another of a few Munson-related projects I've done or are in the works. Sunday I'll be at Yankees Old Timer's Day - always a fun afternoon - where many of Munson's former teammates will be on hand, along with his widow, the forever-classy Diana.

Will Roy Halladay become a Yankee? Probably not. Do the Yankees have to have him? No, but they must explore every angle on what it'll take to get him. A memo to the daydreamers: It's going to take at least a package of Phil Hughes and/or Jesus Montero to acquire the six-time All-Star and 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner. Once an idea entered my mind, I took a shot at playing virtual GM. Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson and Montero for Doc. Media types are strongly in favor of getting Halladay, while most fans are vehemently opposed to busting up a farm system recently rebuilt. I've always been in favor of building a program, but sometimes an elite pitcher still in his prime is worth the risk. Do you bank on potential or a starting rotation with a front three of Halladay, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett?

UFC 100 was a fun event - and a fun night at my local Hooters. And I was actually 5-2 on my won-loss predictions. We now look ahead to UFC 101 next month in Philadelphia, but also on my radar is UFC 104 October 24 in Los Angeles. It's the return of Ryan Bader, Lyoto Machida's first light-heavyweight title defense against Mauricio Rua and a highly-intriguing heavyweight bout between Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez. Somebody's '0' will go and the winner gets a shot at Brock Lesnar. But Carwin decided to trash Lesnar for his unprofessional post-fight antics after defeating Frank Mir. Tough talk by the Colossus from Colorado, but perhaps misguided. He has to get past a freight train about as focused and intense of anyone I've covered in MMA.

It'll be Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick at September's UFC 103 in Dallas for the right to challenge welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, who has cleaned out the division. My question is about Brock Larson's immediate future. I figured he'd get a rematch with Carlos Condit, but Condit is rumored to be fighting Chris Lytle at UFC Fight Night 19. I have a call placed into Larson to see if he's heard anything new. Once his next opponent is announced, I can work up a feature article on the up-and-comer from Minnesota for FIGHT! Magazine.

UFC 100 predictions

2009-07-11T17:14:00.009-04:00

The last time I tried this (UFC 98) it didn't turn out too well. For example, I had Rashad Evans over Lyoto Machida, but no regrets. And it's the big one, so what the heck.

Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar
Lesnar is better than the fighter whose rookie mistake doomed him in the first fight. Mir is better than the fighter who took the next big step on his comeback trail when he forced Lesnar to tap. Lesnar is motivated to extract revenge, but I sense he won't channel his negative energy properly. Mir knows he's the underdog and proved mind over muscle the first time. This won't end in Round 1, but Mir - the cerebral assassin - will find another way. Mir submission Round 3.

Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
The Pitbull has promised not a win, but a knockout. He owns wins - and dominant ones - over Karo Parisyan, Chris Lytle, Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck. But he's never faced anyone at GSP's level. In fact, nobody today is at GSP's level. St. Pierre is battle-tested in the championship rounds. If Alves can't finish him early, he loses his best shot. He'll be great someday, but GSP remains at his peak. St. Pierre TKO Round 4.

Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Bisping is 17-1. He's acting like he's 30-0. Henderson has been there, done that, and a volcano set to erupt. Bisping has gotten a kick out of talking smack. He hasn't faced anyone with Henderson's pure, brute strength. The closest fighter too it, Matt Hamill, was robbed on Bisping's home turf. Henderson KO Round 1.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
"Sexyama" makes his UFC debut against the Talent. I'm intrigued to watch him and believe he'll unveil a few tricks that will take Belcher off his game. Akiyama unanimous decision.

Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago
Fitch's lone loss is nothing to be ashamed about: St. Pierre. A prodigy of the Dave Camerillo camp, Fitch responded with a gritty win over Akihiro Gono at UFC 94. I've been learning about the Camerillo principals while working on my Brock Larson feature for FIGHT! Thiago is at his best when taking advantage of opponents' mistakes. Fitch won't let it come to that. Fitch TKO Round 2.

Stephan Bonnar vs. Mark Coleman
Coleman is a deserving Hall of Famer, but one past his finest days. He lost a war to Shogun Rua at UFC 93. Shogun earned a shot at Machida, Coleman is trying to hang on. Bonner was knocked around by Jon Jones in his last night and knows he must quickly get his career back on track. Bonnar unanimous decision.

Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
I wish this fight was on the main card and hope there's enough time for it to be aired. O'Brien has a future, but "Bones" is already being touted as a future champion and is way ahead of the learning curve. Jones unanimous decision.

Howard Davis Drive

2009-07-11T16:51:00.008-04:00

A great early evening in Glen Cove, N.Y., capped a week when MMA Junkie was in UFC 100 lockdown and I spent it focused on baseball. I made my first trip to Citi Field on Wednesday for a feature on a Dodgers team with many similarities to the Yankees of the mid-1990s that grew into a dynasty. Joe Torre also discussed Hideki Matsui, the old Yankee Stadium and more, and I caught up with another former Yankee, Jeff Weaver.

Friday night I was invited to a ceremony where Mason Drive in Glen Cove was renamed Howard Davis Drive in honor of the 1976 Gold Medalist in boxing and his late father. The backdrop was the Glen Cove Housing Authority in Davis' old neighborhood, where many people who watched him grow up and run three miles up Robinson "Agony" Hill still reside today. He told the story about the day Howard Sr. took him to see a biography on Muhammad Ali when he was 15 years old. The next morning he woke up at 4:30 - on his own - and ran up and down Robinson. When he was asked what he was doing, Howard told his dad how the movie inspired him to want to become a fighter.

The rest, as they say, is history. Instead of being a phase, Howard Davis Jr. has lived boxing since that night as a 15-year-old. He neither chased women nor drank alcohol and today has evolved into a MMA trainer working at American Top Team and is promoting his first show set to debut in December.

"I was willing to die for it," Davis said on his goal of winning the gold. "It was kill or be killed."

Davis helped train Thiago Alves for his fight against Georges St. Pierre tonight at UFC 100. He asked me who I have winning. I had to be honest, so I told him GSP. Of course he's behind his student - with conviction. "He's a beast," he said. "He's going to steamroll through him."

My encounter with the classy Arguello

2009-07-02T15:16:00.002-04:00

I meant to bring this up yesterday but I was shocked to learn of the death of Alexis Arguello, the sixth boxer to win championships in three weight classes. The first time I saw him fight was against my favorite growing up, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. It was October 3, 1981 when Mancini challenged Arguello for the WBC Lightweight Title. I didn't know anything about Arguello, all I knew was I was rooting hard for Mancini until Arguello knocked him out in Round 14 to hand "Boom Boom" the first loss of his career. After the bout was when I learned something about Arguello. He had the heart and the class of a true champion. He embraced a young and hurt Mancini, thanking him for the fight and telling him better days were ahead.

A year later Arguello met Aaron Pryor for the first time, losing a 14-round war dubbed the "Battle of the Champions" and one of the greatest I've ever seen. A couple of years after that I met Arguello at a Superstars competition in Key Biscayne, Fla. He was the absolute nicest guy who signed an autograph that read, "To Jon. From a friend. The Three Time World Champion."

Arguello was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. Initial reports have it as a suicide, but that remains under investigation. A terrible loss under terrible circumstances.

Today I share a mutual friend with Arguello, Howard Davis Jr., and he'll be honored next Friday in Glen Cove, N.Y., when the town will name a street after him. His father - Howard Davis Sr. - will also be honored for his services as the “Father of the Community” in Glen Cove. Before it became the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, Davis Sr. served as Director of what was called the Lincoln House in the 1960’s. Davis Sr. passed away earlier this year and was in his son’s corner as boxing trainer for nearly his entire career.

Today, Davis Jr. is President of Fight Time Promotions LLC, a Florida-based Sports Entertainment Company and his working on USA VS Brazil., his first MMA show as promoter to take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, later this year. He's also Boxing Director for American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., helping train the likes of WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown, UFC Welterweight contender Thiago Alves and many others.

A week from Saturday, Alves faces the biggest challenge of his life: a shot at champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 100.

Larson, GSP, Lashley and more

2009-06-28T17:59:00.013-04:00

Another week in the books, though technically Sunday is the first day of a new seven days. This week to be presents only four days of work before a three-day weekend thanks to the July 4 holiday. Besides fireworks, here's hoping July ushers in consistent sunshine.

I had the privilege of spending a half hour this morning speaking with UFC welterweight contender Brock Larson for a feature I'll be penning for FIGHT! Magazine. He had just landed in Minnesota after seconding Kyle Jensen at an event in Pittsburgh, where Jenson was victorious after a broken clavicle felled opponent and UFC veteran Rich Clementi.

As of now I have no deadline because they want to time it to promote Larson's next fight, in which a date and opponent are both TBD. Larson, who debuted in FIGHT's monthly rankings at No. 10 in his division thanks to his tremendous triangle submisison victory over Mike Pyle at UFC 98, made it clear he desires a rematch with Carlos Condit, who handed Larson his last defeat on August 5, 2007 when both competed in the since discontinued WEC welterweight division.

Since then Larson has won five straight - all via first round TKO - and owns an overall MMA record of 26-2. Not only is Larson a great fighter who at age 31 has yet to peak, he's a great person with an everyman attitude that keeps him grounded, a lot like WEC featherweight king Mike Brown. Larson is hoping to sign on his next fight in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

UFC 100 is in two weeks. My Junkie colleague John Morgan took part in a conference call with Georges St. Pierre, who will defend his welterweight crown against Thiago Alves. GSP called it the biggest challenge of his career, one which he's taking seriously. The Pitbull told me exclusively in May he promises to knock GSP out and "shock the world."

Brock Lesnar's success still hasn't swayed the ignorant who consider professional wrestling as "fake" or a joke. Like Lesnar, Bobby Lashley is a former WWE competitor turned Mixed Martial Artist that has yet to be taken seriously. His first-round submission win over veteran Bob Sapp at Saturday's Ultimate Chaos event in Biloxi, Mississippi, should sway a few more who have yet to grasp the concept of wrestling's realism. (Sadly, there are those who never will.)

Another Junkie colleague, Steve Sievert, was in Biloxi. I'm looking forward to his "Building Bobby Lashley" story next week.

"To all the heavyweights out there, if you're not looking at me, you better, because I'm coming. I'll take on all challengers," Lashley (4-0) said.

Three out of Lashley's four MMA wins have come in Round 1, with only Jason Guida, a last-minute replacement for the suspended Ken Shamrock, taking him the distance. It sounds to me like he's ready to compete in any of the Big Three.

Speaking of UFC competition, Affliction vice president Tom Atencio competed at Ultimate Chaos at age 42 and TKOed Randy Hedderick in Round 2. He's made it clear he'd love to do the same to Dana White.

“Screw Dana White for what he said about you," Atencio said to Hedderick. "Anybody who steps in the ring deserves a lot of respect. Win, lose or draw, at least you had the balls."

Checking in

2009-06-26T16:43:00.004-04:00

No blogging this past week with me being on vacation. Alas, I return to work on Monday, but with it brings the Yankees back home hosting the Mariners and Blue Jays, the July 4 holiday and the push towards UFC 100.

I haven't covered the Nets in a couple of years, but it was hard not to notice that the last of the Big Three was traded away. Vince Carter was dealt to the Orlando Magic on draft day in what was a salary purge for the Nets to place them in position to make a play for LeBron James or any out of the big free agent class of 2010. It's a great move for the future, but unless Rod Thorn somehow reels in a big name, it'll be a long and quiet season in the Swamp. Right now the biggest name on the roster is Devin Harris, but Brook Lopez and Courtney Lee look like future stars and one player they got back in the deal, Rafer Alston, is a native New Yorker with an expiring contract.

Tragically, the NBA Draft was overshadowed by the deaths of two cultural icons, Farrah Fawectt and Michael Jackson. I was a mere tot during Fawectt's Charlie's Angels days, but from what I recall and read she was the first of the modern-day supermodels and revolutionized what was "hot" and what became known as the "diva."

Jackson was the Elvis of my generation and possibly the biggest pop star who ever lived. You knew that he wasn't in perfect health but his death yesterday was flat-out shocking. His music bridged generations, races and genres. Whether you're a metalhead or classical is more your speed, you enjoyed Jackson's music. It's a shame he could never find happiness off the stage.

Slice-Petruzelli II?

2009-06-15T16:41:00.003-04:00

Not for a long time, but seeds were planted first when Kimbo Slice was picked to compete on The Ultimate Fighter, Season 10. Curious if Seth Petruzelli, the man who knocked out a cult creation in 14 seconds, felt slighted, I conducted an interview with him for Junkie and the story was posted today. The Silverback took the high road, only saying he was surprised considering Dana White's smack talk after the night that infamously took Elite XC down. Despite his release from the UFC in 2006 and White's harsh words about him being a UFC reject, Petruzelli is open to doing business with White again and has been talking with Strikeforce.

If Petruzelli wins his next fight in August (TBD) and Slice shows something in the TUF house, there's enough money to be made for a rematch, whether it's in the UFC, Strikeforce or elsewhere. The fight will hardly be a classic, but it'll be a better production without the presence of the Elite XC boneheads.

I spent last Friday night in the Bronx working Game 1 of the Subway Series. Like everyone else I had it documented that Alex Rodriguez failed in the clutch yet again until Luis Castillo dropped his pop up. Between Castillo's faux pas and the craziness of the subsequent two days, it was a wild and bizarre weekend, but one New York fans took in to the fullest.

Brown Pride

2009-06-10T11:32:00.003-04:00

My feature on Cain Velasquez was posted on Monday. Besides his fight against Cheick Kongo at UFC 99 Saturday in Germany, the story is on his development as an MMA fighter and the reasoning behind the "Brown Pride" tattoo on his large chest.

The ink has made him a lightning rod. Many of the 200-plus who commented on the thread made this a racial issue, which if you study closely is not. A win over Kongo and more people (unfortunately) will be pushing buttons, but many more will be talking about Velasquez's chances at a heavyweight title shot. Yeah, he's a UFC newbie, but so is Brock Lesnar.

It was a banner evening for the WEC in Sacramento. Mike Brown shut more people up by defeating Urijah Faber in one of the greatest bouts - and overall cards - I've ever seen. But even in defeat, Faber elevated himself. I'd love to see Brown-Faber III, but it'll be awhile.

Yankees, MMA, rock June's first week

2009-06-05T14:25:00.004-04:00

The Yankees continue to roll, and it's not that they're just winning, it's how they're doing it. When you're 17-5 and finding new ways to rally from behind, you're doing a lot of things right. There's a special aura around this team. Just like in April when even though the team was scuffling and looked old, tired and already finished, the season wasn't over, it's not yet the All-Star break. Still, there's a unique vibe around the Yankees not seen in years. My colleague and friend Jerome Preisler documented many layers from Thursday's victory.

It's an exciting weekend for MMA fans with Strikeforce tomorrow night and WEC 41 (Brown vs. Faber II) Sunday night. Yours truly has been assigned to interview the loser of that highly-anticipated rematch once he's decompressed and has a chance to evaluate his next step. Writing for a moment as a fan, I'd be happy if either wins. Mike Brown and Urijah Faber are two first-class individuals and it would be with a touch of regret to do my job and discuss why one of them had to lose.

On Monday, Junkie is publishing my feature on Cain Velasquez in advance of his fight against Cheick Kongo at UFC 99. Trust me when I tell you that there is more to this intimidating presence than meets the eye. I also have a message out to Seth Petruzelli in hopes of getting his reaction to Kimbo Slice - the man he knocked out in 14 seconds - getting his shot at a UFC contract on The Ultimate Fighter, Season 10.

FIGHT! Magazine has me working too. We confirmed a feature on Brock Larson, a rising welterweight contender brought to the UFC when the WEC discontinued the division.

Bader Nation

2009-05-31T11:03:00.003-04:00

Junkie posted my feature on Ryan Bader yesterday. "Darth" is on target for a September return and is confident about his chances if he were to fight Lyoto Machida for the light-heavyweight title in two years. (Thanks to Fanhouse's Mike Chiappetta for the prediction on Twitter.)

The other day, David Cone and I did our second Q&A of the season and have another lined up for Thursday before the Yankees battle the Texas Rangers. The Yankees continue to play fantastic baseball. They're 17-10 this month, have won five out of eight and 14 out of 17, and open their next homestand Tuesday against the Rangers, from whom they took two out of three in the Lone Star State last week. I expect an interesting week of storytelling.

Driving them crazy

2009-05-29T09:46:00.003-04:00

Even with my ongoing MMA coverage, I still track and blog the Yankees, and plan on more projects upon their return home next week. The hot topic in Yankeeland, one that won't go away, is this Joba Chamberlain debate. My colleagues had their takes, but mine remains firm: He's a starter. Such fervor has one loyal reader going nuts over where he thinks Joba belongs.

On tap for the Yankees are meetings with the Rangers, Rays, Red Sox and the Mets. To quote a famous wrestling announcer, "Business is about to pick up."

Things aren't slowing down in the MMA world either. Junkie is running my feature on Ryan Bader this weekend and soon an in-depth look at up-and-comer Cain Velasquez. Cain is low-key and soft-spoken, but there are many layers to his story and drive.

I'll stick to writing

2009-05-24T11:22:00.012-04:00

There's a reason why I'm not in the prediction business. It turned out I was 1-5 in my UFC 98 forecast. Yeesh. I'll leave that stuff to Performify.

Welcome to the Machida Era, writes John Morgan. I picked Rashad Evans because he was the reigning champ who has had an answer for everyone, and it concerned me how Lyoto Machida would react the first time he was hit with a clean shot. Not only can't Machida be beat, nobody can TOUCH him. I've love to see any available Compubox numbers. I doubt Sugar landed more than 10 blows in the two round before he was knocked out. I see the Dragon reigning at 205 for at least two years; he's got the goods, writes Franklin McNeil. His next bout is against Quinton Jackson, but Rampage won't have an answer for Machida Karate either.

Matt Serra had his chance when an accidental head butt left Matt Hughes dazed, but once Hughes took Serra to the ground, he took control of the fight and won a very close decision that could have gone either way. The Terror has nothing to be ashamed of - nothing. And it was good to see the two embrace afterwards. In the fight game, sometimes being respected is better than being liked.

Not enough people talk about Frankie Edgar. He owns wins over Jim Miller, Tyson Griffin, Spencer Fisher, Hermes Franca and now Sean Sherk. A breakthrough for The Answer, writes Dave Doyle, one that could put him in line for a shot at the winner of B.J. Penn-Kenny Florian in August.

Ever hear of Drew McFedries? It took him a whole 37 seconds to dispose of Xavier Foupa-Pokam. Looke for The Massacre to make his move among the middleweights and most importantly wish him the best in his ongoing battle with Crohn's Disease.

I didn't see the fight, so I can't judge whether it was a quick stoppage, but a devastaing loss for Phillipe Nover, KOed in 1:03 by the previously winless Kyle Bradley. Referee Yves Lavinge later told Nover, "I'm sorry that I stopped the fight," but in MMA you err on the side of caution the second you determine a fighter cannot defend himself. Dana White predicted during TUF 8 that Nover would become one of the great ones. Don't give up on the kid from Brooklyn. He's going to learn from this and bounce back strong.

UFC 98 predictions

2009-05-22T14:43:00.007-04:00

For those with a gaming affinity, MMAJunkie.com resident handicapper Eric "Performify" Foster offers his picks for UFC 98 tomorrow night. Here's how I see a few of a bouts shaking out, based on who I've seen in action:

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Tough call in what will be a great fight. Machida is a buzzsaw who owns wins over name opponents. Depending on your point of view, this is either a strength or a smokescreen. B.J. Penn, Stephan Bonnar and Rich Franklin weren't at their peaks, and Tito Ortiz was past his prime. The Dragon convinced a lot of skeptics he's for real with his first-round knockout of Thiago Silva at UFC 94. Sugar Rashad is on a roll off consecutive destructions of Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. Machida has lost neither a fight, nor a round, in the UFC. That has to end sometime, right? With a win, Evans could defend the light-heavyweight crown against Quinton Jackson. To quote Rampage, it'll be "black on black crime!" Evans by unanimous decision.

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
A grudge match that pits two fighters that hate each other beyond the hype. Three years ago, Hughes wins this easily, but Serra had no chance against Georges St. Pierre either. Hughes is 1-3 in his last four fights and comes off a serious injury, while Serra's inactivity ends after 13 months. The Terror loves being the underdog and his unquenchable will to beat Hughes up overcomes any talent and experience disadvantage. Serra by TKO, Round 3.

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
A similar set of circumstances for Sonnen entering his last fight in which he holds an edge in experience but lacks the submission skills of his opponent. Sonnen was schooled by Demien Maia at UFC 95. He rebounds with a better effort but loses the striking battle. Miller by unanimous decision.

Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
The sleeper fight of the event. Edgar holds wins over Tyson Griffin, Spencer Fisher and Hermes Franca, but has never faced anyone the caliber of the former UFC Lightweight Champion. Sherk holds victories over Griffin, Franca and Kenny Florian. His three defeats are against St. Pierre, Penn and Hughes - nothing to be ashamed off. Sherk vaults back into title contention with an impressive win. Sherk by TKO, Round 2.

Undercard
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
A destruction device, Nover has learned a lot since falling to Efrain Escudero at the TUF 8 finale, most importantly how to lose. He takes it out on Bradley. Nover KO, Round 1.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao
Soszynski was a popular contender on TUF 8 and 2-o in the UFC. The Polish Experiment takes another small step up the latter. Soszynski by unanimous decision.

Amazing Stories

2009-05-21T21:02:00.004-04:00

Think the Yankees' eight-game winning streak (as of this writing) is amazing? Their charitable contributions are priceless. From Brett Gardner to Francisco Cervelli to a team-effort to give a dying boy his greatest day, these guys are a group of Guardian Angels.

Crazy Horse out of 99

2009-05-20T15:16:00.002-04:00

It's now Cheick Kongo against Cain Velasquez at UFC 99. Heath Herring was forced out of the bout with a reported illness that's kept him from training the past two weeks.

This throws a change-up to my feature on Velasquez, to be posted in the coming weeks. Herring said he'd be available probably next week while Ryan Bader is set for hopefully tonight.

Yankees are winners of seven straight as of this writing and 9-2 since A-Rod's return. But front and center is CC Sabathia.

Rumble grounded?

2009-05-19T15:25:00.004-04:00

Apparently so, reports MMAJunkie. An injured knee has forced Anthony Johnson out of his June 20 fight with Matt Brown at the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale. A representative of "Rumble" confirmed only that Johnson suffered the injury during training but would not substantiate Johnson's claims on his MySpace page, or those from a source close to Johnson, that he's out of the event.

Anyone have Showtime? Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers has been added to an already stacked June 6 Strikeforce event headlined by Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields. Arlovski is 5-1 in his past six fights, but that one loss was because he got too cute against Fedor Emelianenko at an Affliction show in January. He paid for it when he was knocked into middle of next week.

The MMA media is giving Mike Brown the respect he deserves. Now will MMA fans? WEC 41, one day after Strikeforce, concludes a memorable weekend of MMA that actually does not include a live UFC show (though the WEC is the UFC's sister organization). The event is expected to set new records for the organization.

Meanwhile in Yankeeland, the Yankees are on a winning streak and having a ton of fun. I conducted my first Q&A with former Yankees pitcher and current YES analyst David Cone to talk about what's gone right. We'll be doing these periodically throughout the season.

Lighting a fire under Rumble

2009-05-17T12:06:00.002-04:00

Last week FIGHT! Magazine's Web site posted my debut story on Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. A moniker of "Danger" would also work for this rising star that not enough people talk about. Perhaps a win over Matt Brown at the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale June 20 will turn more heads and earn Johnson a spot on a bigger card.

A few nuggets that didn't make the story due to space constraints:

Johnson burns with an insatiable feeling of being overlooked. Disrespected. Sometimes dissed. Prior to his fight against Tommy Speer, Johnson bumped into Matt Hughes when leaving the locker room and said, "What's up?" Hughes brushed past him like he was a lowly undercard club fighter.

“I do want to fight Matt. He was kind of a dick. Tommy was his boy. He didn’t make any facial expression and just kept going. That’s messed up. If the UFC wants his career to keep going, they better not let me fight him.”

[Does anyone not hate Matt Hughes?]

On how doing honest work on a farm every day molded his work ethic and desire to be the best:
“My granddad beat it in me to be the best person I can be and work hard for what you want. It’s worked out so far and I know he’s happy. If he could complain he still would, telling me to do better than I am right now, but he’s happy. He taught me to be a man.”

Johnson's collegiate coach, Joe Arminas on the credo at Lassen Community college, where Johnson broke assistant coach Joe Carr’s mark of 101 consecutive wins at the school with his own tally 104. You may get beat by somebody, but you make sure that somebody knows who you are. Walk away with a sense of respect win, lose or draw.

“If one guy was slacking in that room, everybody on that team got on him/ You had no choice otherwise you got your ass whooped. I had no doubt in my mind Anthony was going to win. He was a man amongst boys.”

On how much Johnson hates to lose:
“I hate losing a game of checkers or UNO.”

Can Pitbull deliver on bold promise?

2009-05-16T20:33:00.003-04:00

Thiago Alves made a bold prediction for his fight against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 100. If anyone can back it up, he can. He's 25, on a seven-fight win streak and is too relaxed to not feel any pressure.

What I can promise is this one will be a classic. Both come from great camps (GSP, Jackson Submission Fighting; Alves, American Top Team), and Alves has been working with Howard Davis Jr., whose influence was readily apparent in Chuck Liddell's fight against Maurico Rua before the Iceman (again) let his guard down. Both are young (GSP, 27; Alves, 25) and while GSP is at the top of his game, the Pitbull is still peaking.

Lined up in the coming weeks are interviews with Ryan Bader, Cain Velasquez, Heath Herring, and various sources from their past and present. Looking ahead to July 11 I'll be attending a ceremony in Glen Cove, N.Y., where the town is naming a street after its native son, Davis.

Another nice win for the Yankees today. That's four in a row, two via the walk-off hit. Today's hero was Alex Rodriguez, who belted a walk-off home run to win it in the 11th, and his postgame quote is a hopefull sign that he's finally growing up.

“I gave you guys something to talk about and write about in the 11th inning and I didn’t have to open my mouth. That’s the way I want things, to stay out of my own way.”

I'm at the Stadium on Monday for my first Q&A of the season with YES analyst David Cone. That will be fun.

Alves predictions kayo of GSP

2009-05-15T15:52:00.005-04:00

Another week of Twittering along with coverage of the Yankees and MMA has come to an end, but not before a nice 4-2 road trip through Baltimore and Toronto. Not to shabby for the Yankees considering the plethora of injuries. I see this team being back to full strength by June 15, meaning a lineup with Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and hopefully Xavier Nady, along with a rotation that includes a healthy and productive Chien-Ming Wang. That's when all the excuses come to an end. The Yankees will be healthy and any acclimation period for Mark Teixeira (.203 as of this writing) will be long over. For the all the hype surrounding this team, it'll be put up or shut up, or the season will be over sooner than anyone will want to believe.

I interviewed Thiago "Pit Bull" Alves on Thursday for a story running on Junkie Saturday. Alves is preparing for the biggest fight of his life, a challenge to Georges St. Pierre for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 100. Not only is the robust 25-year-old Brazilian not unnerved by the hype nor the magnitude of the fight and event, he told me this: "I'm not going to win. I'm going to knock him out. I'm going to shock the world. I will make history. I promise you that." This is what's great about covering MMA: Shock value!

Cain Velasquez is an up-and-comer in the UFC's rebuilding heavyweight division, one ruled by Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir and ripe with talent in Velasquez, Shane Carwin and Cheick Kongo. He's facing the biggest challenge of his young career at UFC 99 in Germany, veteran Heath Herring. I expect to be interviewing Cain next week as part of a full-length feature to run the week of the event.

Props to MMAMadness for getting Chuck Liddell's take on whether he's retiring or not. The Iceman hasn't made up his mind, but as John Hackleman told me, he believes Liddell has at least one fight left in him. That feature generated a hell of response and intense debate, which shows you the passion of the Iceman's loyal following.

My Junkie colleague John Morgan has been keeping a video blog of Urijah Faber's preparation for his rematch with featherweight champion Mike Brown at WEC 41 June 7. From what I've read, this could end up the most successful show in the history of the UFC's sister promotion. Every MMA fan wanted a Brown-Faber rematch and they'll get it. Many have "The California Kid" pegged to regain the title he lost to Brown in a shocking first-round knockout, but I'm not so sure. Brown proved he wasn't a fluke with his destruction of Leonard Garcia and he's grounded enough to not let this success swell his head. Like Alves, Brown trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., who recently employed the services of 1976 Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis Jr. Brown, like Faber, is as classy as they come, but extremely intense and focused on keeping his belt. I'm expecting another deep conversation as Judgment Day in Sacramento draws closer.

Hermes Franca is feeling great while continuing to rehab a torn ACL. We traded a few text messages in which he was trying to convince me to come out to Las Vegas for UFC 98 next Saturday. If only money wasn't so tight. Someday I'll get out there and when I do it'll be worth it that much more.

I end today's posting with a flashback of Eric Bischoff's challenge to Vince McMahon. Affliction Entertainment promoter Tom Atencio has challenged UFC president Dana White to a fight. White was on a corporate retreat, but upon learning that Atencio had called him out, the one-time amateur boxer told Yahoo! Sports, "If I were him, I'd want to fight me, too," White said. "I'm the guy who is killing all of his hopes and dreams."

Like I said, shock value!

Twittering and the Iceman's future

2009-05-04T14:23:00.002-04:00

I'm now Twittering! MMAJunkie.com editor Dann Stupp suggested a way to promote our work and reach out to our fans. Follow my MMA reports at MMAJunkieJon.

My interview with John Hackleman is on line and it's generated a ton of response from Chuck Liddell's loyal fan base. Liddell's fans want to hear their fighter's side of the story, except The Iceman is on a mini vacation and spending time with family. Hopefully I'll be able to reach him within the next few weeks.

Getting untracked

2009-05-01T14:10:00.003-04:00

Three consecutive wins in which the Yankees totaled 26 runs have calmed the waters, at least for now. Another loss and people will again deem the team a bust and call for Joe Girardi's head.

How easy is it just to chill and enjoy the games? To each his own ....

The best part about the Yankees the past few games have been the young players. Robinson Cano has returned to form with a vengeance. Melky Cabrera has taken the center field job away from Brett Gardner. Phil Hughes was awesome on Tuesday and Joba Chamberlain followed it up with his best performance as a starting pitcher since last July. Conclusions: Hughes needs to build on this and Chamberlain should not go to the bullpen. End of story.

Business is again picking up in the world of MMA. UFC 98 is this month and Long Island's Matt Serra has his legacy fight against Matt Hughes. I have an update on The Terror in the works and yesterday caught up with John Hackleman, Chuck Liddell's longtime trainer. Contrary to what Dana White said, Hackleman told me the Iceman is not done yet. He has one fight remaining on his UFC contract and Hackleman implied that Liddell will even figut outside of the organization. How fast will Strikeforce jump at the chance?

Natives restless in Yankeeland

2009-04-28T16:20:00.003-04:00

Yankees fans are screaming and running, and those sticking around are planning a revolt – all this in response to a 9-10 ballclub. That's what happens when you spend $423.5 million on people. Expectations are in the ridiculous stage and weaknesses are blown up like hot balloons after every loss. There are varying opinions behind another Yankees’ slow start. Joe Girardi can’t manage. The underbelly of the bullpen stinks. Joba Chamberlain should not be starting ...

... I’m out of breath. Yes there are big problems, but last I checked the season doesn’t end in late April. That said, I’ve already been feeding the YES Blog with hearty meals, including open letters to CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes. Last week presented a look back at one of the longest games in history that ended in dramatic fashion and a look ahead at the Yankees’ first meeting with the Red Sox, one that didn’t turn out so well.

Next time anyone cries over what’s wrong with the Yankees, see the Rangers, who as of this writing seem destined for a collapse. Firing the coach solves all problems, right? Yeah, Tom Renney had his shortcomings, but he never let unruly fans cause him to throw water bottles or brandish a stick in a threatening manner. That’s John Tortorella for you. He’s cracked the whip, but the power play is still atrocious and the offense blacks out when it matters the most. And it’s been proven that Tortorella is more immature than Sean Avery. Another day in the life of the Rangers organization.

A couple of weeks ago I landed an exclusive interview with Chuck Liddell to discuss his fight with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Retirement wasn’t an option, insisted The Iceman, adding he was in the best shape of his life for a bout that either would re-launch or sink his career. It turned out it was the latter, but he’s (probably) leaving with his head high. One of his coaches was Howard Davis Jr., gold medalist in the 1976 Summer Olympic games. He works for American Top Team and is promoting his first MMA show in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Davis is a native Long Islander (Glen Cove) and a great guy. I was glad to learn he found his second calling.

Retirement? Don't go there

2009-04-15T09:40:00.007-04:00

My guess is that for purposes of procuring that 'juicy' story, but many outlets have peppered Chuck Liddell with questions on whether he's considering retiring from MMA, or if he should have awhile ago. Alright, maybe the Iceman has lost three out of his last four fights - two on the receiving end of spectacular knockout punches.

But like in boxing, there's a big difference between getting beat and getting beaten up. Liddell's recent efforts and desire has been questioned, but when you break down those defeats, two were when he simply got caught and the third was to Keith Jardine, an opponent who on his best night can drive anybody nuts. It's amazing how everyone forgot that his win came against Wanderlei Silva and after that fight they proclaimed "The Iceman is back!" This is what happens when you're 39 years old and measuried against you're own standard of excellence.

Here's why Liddell is far from finished: On February 4, 2006, 42-year-old Randy Couture was knocked out by Liddell in Round 2 of the rubber match of their three fights, his second KO loss to the Iceman in under a year. Couture came back 13 months later to defeat Tim Sylvia to become the UFC heavyweight champion of the world. Even after losing to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91, The Natural said he's still becoming a better fighter and blamed his loss on a bad performance, not his age.

That's where Liddell is at. I spoke with him exclusively last night about his bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua Saturday night in Montreal for a story running on MMAJunkie.com this week. When I asked him, one with a reputation for enjoying the Vegas nighlife, about if he's in the best shape of his life, he replied, "It's probably the first time I've ever said that." The 'R' word was neither raised nor discussed. Why should it be? He has a fight this Saturday, so let's table that until there's a reason to, like if Liddell is beaten up by a fighter finally healthy after two knee surgeries and trying to find his footing in the UFC.

Liddell has no intention of letting it get that far. Within a year or two, he intends to hold the light-heavyweight title aloft one more time. If Couture can do it, why not Liddell?

Finally catching up

2009-04-14T15:17:00.002-04:00

One month later ... wow. That's how crazy it's been on my end, but like with every start to the Yankees season, business begins to pick up. Joe and I have been feeding the YES Blog with regularity and we all had a lot of fun covering the Stadium's first day of business. The Hard Rock Cafe had a celebratory guitar smash grand opening and while getting their first look at the clubhouse, Nick Swisher told me how 50 grown men became five years old.

A team that spent $423.5 million on people is off to an inauspicious beginning. Because they're the Yankees and invest more than anyone, a 3-4 start creates an uproar. Let's see where this team is by the All-Star break before we attempt to draw any conclusions. Tuesday's 15-5 loss to the Rays was an embarrassment, but Nick Swisher compared it to an Etch-A-Sketch, you need to shake it and start over again.

I recently interviewed Kenny Florian about his part in ESPN.com's MMA Live show, a weekly look at news making headlines in Mixed Martial Arts. We also spent quality time discussing what will be the biggest fight of his life: a showdown against lightweight champion B.J. at UFC 101 August 8 in Philadelphia.

Thursday is the Yankees' home opener, the first official game played at the new Yankee Stadium. It's part of an historic week in New York, one in which the Mets opened Citi Field to regular season baseball and the Rangers will participate in the postseason for the fourth straight year. The YES Blog will have plenty of color commentary and photos of the big day.

RIP, Andrew Martin

2009-03-15T14:38:00.004-04:00

The beginning of my weekend was hit with the knowledge of the untimely death of Andrew Martin, who competed as Test in the WWF/WWE four days shy of his 34th birthday. For the past decade there have been too many former and current wrestlers who passed away while just in their 40s. Too many good human beings have caved under pressure to get to - and especially stay at - the top of a profession ripe with drug and PED abuse, replete with politics and the circus animal-like treatment without the benefit of a union. Many have campaigned for the sports entertainment industry to establish a union for its peformers. Sadly, that will never happen.

Test debuted in the WWF in 1998 and within a year found himself in a major storyline as the love interest, and later the fiancee, of Stephanie McMahon. Once that ran its course, Test and Albert (Matt Bloom) became a tag team called T&A managed by a sultry newcomer named Trish Stratus. Over the years, Martin would hold the WWF tag-team, European, Hardcore and Intercontinental titles, but despite looking outstanding in spurts would flame out and never took that final step to be recognized as one the company's elite.

Martin's role as one-half of T&A was gaining steam by the time I started with the WWF in 2000. I didn't know him as well as some of the other wrestlers, but recall a conversation backstage at Madison Square Garden while he was getting a massage. The day before the Rangers were clobbered 6-1 by the Detroit Red Wings in the same building. A lot of the wrestlers, namely Chris Jericho, Edge and Christian, were huge hockey fans.

Christian and I were having an extended conversation about the NHL and the Rangers' woes within ear shot of Martin. Although he was the recipient of deep soft tissue manipulation courtesy of an attractive young lady, Martin turned his head to the left and looked over his shoulder towards me with a smile, and softly said, "Those Rangers have big problems, don't they?"

A simple story, for sure, but one that's resonated since yesterday afternoon. I didn't know Andrew Martin well, nor did I speak with him after that day, but he was a small part of my life and one who I'll never forget. It's a damn shame that after Martin will be honored and remembered with respect and dignity, the "show" will go on without anyone reflecting that the system continues to be broken. Alas, nobody will do something about it, and that's sad and a damn shame.

_______________________

The Rangers have concluded a 4-1 win over the Flyers as I write this, a nice bounce-back win from yesterday's loss in Philadelphia and are now in a three-way tie for fifth place (80 points) in the Eastern Conference with Montreal and Pittsburgh. I hated the firing of Tom Renney, but this has been a much different team under John Tortorella. Scoring has been up, ditto accountability and a stronger sense of urgency. This week features a showdown Tuesday night in Montreal and another critical game at MSG Saturday night against Buffalo (three points out of eighth place as of this writing). In a race this tight all you concern yourself with is winning and everything else will take care of itself.

Two other reasons behind the Rangers' turnaround: Nik Antropov and Sean Avery. Antropov is 3-2-5 in six games since being acquired from the Maple Leafs. Avery scored twice today and is 4-1-5 in his six games while showing the fire and passion missing from this team for much of the winter. It's amazing how much of a difference Avery is to the Rangers and only the Rangers.

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The Yankees are three weeks from Opening Day April 6 in Baltimore. I've been tracking the team daily on the YES Blog and my colleague, Joe Auriemma will be in Tampa from March 18-28 with exclusive insight and videos leading up to Grand Opening of the new Yankee Stadium on April 3. My first chance to see the building will be the week of the 30th when I pick up my season credential. From there it's a Yankees workout on April 2 and the unveiling the next night. I'll be keeping both a written and pictorial diary, and well as the latest team news and notes, on the YES Blog. That's when the fun starts!

Monday talk

2009-03-09T16:17:00.002-04:00

Alex Rodriguez had successful surgery this morning and specialist Dr. Marc Philippon was extremely happy. Under the care of one of the best in his field, combined with A-Rod's tremendous condition and work ethic, Rodriguez should make it back by May and be a big part of the Yankees' fortunes. He'll have a more invasive procedure after the season, but that's for November and he's already been proclaimed ready for Spring Training 2010. The 2 Live Stews from Sports Radio 790 in Atlanta had me on this afternoon to discuss A-Rod, the World Baseball Classic and CC Sabathia, who I wrote last week is the key to the Yankees' chances in 2009.

It was assumed that it would be Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans at UFC 98 following Jackson's victory over Keith Jardine Saturday night, but not so fast. The Junkie crew was all over Dana White's contention that Lyoto Machida still could end up getting a shot at Evans' light-heavyweight title. May and UFC 98 would be Rampage's third fight in five months and White wants to ensure he'd be 100 percent.

To me this makes sense. Give "The Dragon" the shot he deserves and let Rampage fight the winner. Then again, the heat between Rampage and Sugar Rashad after the Jardine fight was priceless. Machida may spoil those plans, but if he doesn't you're talking about month's worth of promotion and hype for what Jackson called "Black on Black!"

Meanwhile, Frank Mir's knee surgery moved his fight against Brock Lesnar to UFC 100 on July 11. The UFC's 100th event should be headlined by a heavyweight title fight.

Back to attack

2009-03-09T15:59:00.002-04:00

Back to blogging, at least other things besides Yankees, after a five-day period that hearkened memories of Eugene Levy's line in Splash: "What a week I'm having!"

Monday March 2: The tri-state area gets crushed with 14-plus inches of snow. Yours truly broke his back for nearly three hours shoveling the two feet that was on my driveway thanks to the crosswinds. All part of the wonderful world of winter.

Tuesday March 3: I'm tortured by a wind chill that felt below zero while making my way to work to find out Alex Rodriguez is in the news - again. This time it was due to a cyst on his right hip. Since it's A-Rod, we learn there is much more to this story.

Wednesday March 4: ESPNdeportes reports A-Rod needs surgery and could be out six-to-10 weeks, causing yet another uproar in both YES and Yankeeland. Later in the day we learn it may not be as bad at it seems. Even when it's not his fault, just when you think you have the answers, A-Rod changes the questions. Within A-Rod hell, the Rangers make two trades before the NHL deadline, acquiring Nik Antropov and Derek Morris.

Thursday March 5: Honestly it's a blur.

Friday March 6: Beating a tight deadline, I file my story for MMA Junkie on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Over the weekend, Jackson defeats Keith Jardine by decision and all parties decide A-Rod will have the surgery, a less invasive procedure that if everything goes right should have him back by May. The rest of the surgery will take place in the offseason.

Spring games begin, WEC 39, Blame Sather

2009-02-27T21:32:00.006-05:00

While I work I devoted most of my time to my new pet project, The YES Blog. I've been happy with the contributions of my colleagues, Joe and Glenn, reader comments and the MLBlog community. The Yankees have played only three spring games and excitement is on the rise. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy looked good in their debuts, Brett Gardner has taken an early lead over Melky Cabrera in the competition for center field, and Nick Swisher has made a great first impression with both his patience at the plate and vibrant personality.

It seems like every week there's a MMA show either on Spike, Versus or Pay-Per-View. Diego Sanchez showcased his stuff on Spike last Saturday and on Sunday Mike Brown defends the WEC Featherweight title against Leonard Garcia. Many people still no little, if anything, about Brown even after he shocked Urijah Faber in November. There is a lot to know, and especially like, about Brown. And Faber, despite his rock star status, is extremely down to earth. Here's hoping these two meet again with the title again on the line.

My next assignment should be very interesting: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. He fights Keith Jardine a week from tomorrow at UFC 96 in Columbus. If Rampage wins, he's lined up to take back the light-heavyweight title from Rashad Evans, who took it from the man who took it from Rampage, Forrest Griffin. Should Jardine win Lyoto Machida gets the title shot. Also fighting is Ohio native Matt Hamill, who takes on Mark Munoz. I've remained in touch with Hamill's camp since penning the Matt Hamill: RAW series for Junkie. Trust me when I tell you life under trainer Duff Holmes gets harder every day.

Tom Renney was fired on Monday. His replacement, John Tortorella, is a good choice and a good coach who won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004. Alas, he was Rangers property four years earlier before Glen Sather decided he wasn't worth keeping and hired Ron Low - and then Bryan Trottier. Sather has completely lost touch with today's game and the mess the Rangers have become is on his hands. The Rangers are 0-2 under Torts with two regulation goals. Yes Slats. It's Renney's fault and not yours.

Diego's dominance

2009-02-22T20:24:00.004-05:00

Diego Sanchez made a seamless transition from welterweight to lightweight, you think? Sanchez dominated Joe Stevenson for three rounds Saturday in London to position himself into the division's championship division. His management team is working on getting me an exclusive for Junkie this week. I also hope to catch up with Josh Koscheck, whose UFC status is now tenuous after his controversial KO loss to Paulo Thiago. Koscheck and the fans in London were furious over what they perceived as a premature stoppage; UFC commentator Joe Rogan disagreed. It'll be interesting to see if the outspoken Koscheck is still steaming over this.

Also on tap is Mike Brown's first defense of the WEC Featherweight title Sunday night against Leonard Garcia, and his first right since shocking Urijah Faber in November. Junkie ran a poll on February 14 in which less than 10 percent thought Brown wouldn't last the year as champion. I am amazed he's being treated like another Buster Douglas. Brown took advantage of a rare Faber mistake and caught him flush with a right cross. A win over a good fighter in Garcia and it'll be interesting to see if he gets a rematch with Faber or tackles a deep division. Lots of interesting topics to explore here.

Thanks to everyone who checked out the new YES Blog. I've been keeping tabs on the Yankees and their routine down in Tampa, with my colleagues Joey and Glenn soon to follow. It'll be read and react until the team makes its way up north and into the brand new Yankee Stadium, and that will be when the real fun will begin.

The YES Blog

2009-02-19T09:27:00.005-05:00

The YES Blog is here! Me and my YESNetwork.com colleagues, Joe Auriemma and Glenn Giangrande, will be sharing in-depth analysis of the Yankees, as well as quick posts and photos of events in and around George M. Steinbrenner Field and the new Yankee Stadium thoughout the season. When the doors to the palatial palace open April 1 with an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs, I'll be relaunching my on-line diary complete with photos and observations of the vibe on and off the field. Log on and let us know what you think!

There's plenty of stuff happening in Tampa, Fla., already — and I'm not talking about Alex Rodriguez. While the YES Blog will carry most of my Yankees takes, I'll be linking them on this space as well along with my continuing coverage of Mixed Martial Arts and other special projects.

Speaking of MMA, lots of excitement surrounding Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson Saturday in London. Pay particular attention to the profound comments of Sanchez's trainer, Saulo Ribeiro.

And that's that

2009-02-17T17:23:00.004-05:00

Yeah, right. Alex Rodriguez at times came across like a fool. Others he showed how sorry he was and especially expressed remorse to his fans and teammates. Against my best wishes, this topic will not go away, but this week I'll have a reaction: the fact that 25 guys, including A-Rod, play this game called baseball. And because the game of baseball is not at fault, there are reasons to get excited about team that few have talked about thanks to A-Rod. For example, I've seen one or two articles on Chien-Ming Wang, a two-time 19-game winner coming back from a torn tendon in his foot that short-circuited his season last June. In this rotation, depending on your point of view, he's the Yankees' second or third starter.

MMA Junkie has started its coverage of UFC 95 with features on Troy Mandaloniz and Evan Dunham, and my piece on Chael Sonnen. Sonnen is easily misunderstood. Think of him as your mischevious kid brother who will not leave you alone. He'll poke and prod you, and get you riled up, but he means no real harm. That's Sonnen. His views are rather peculiar and with his experience stands a decent shot at defeating Demian Maia in London.

Quick hits

2009-02-17T10:52:00.003-05:00

Forgot to mention this earlier: Hermes Franca is having knee surgery February 23 in Miami, performed by Dr. John Uribe at the Sports Medicine Institute. Once we get on the horn we'll see how that went am I'm interested in hearing how he thinks Jeremy Stephens will respond from his submission loss to Joe Lauzon on February 7. It's a quick turnaround for "Lil Heathen" as he takes on TUF Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero April 1.

Alex Rodriguez's press conference is today at 1:30. Joy. The sooner this nonsense is put behind everyone, the better. But A-Rod needs to take that next big step, not play the game of hop scotch he did with Peter Gammons.

Weekend notes

2009-02-15T15:20:00.010-05:00

Today I watched, when I wasn't channel surfing or dozed off, one of the absolute worst performances I've ever seen put forth by the Rangers, a team that clearly is in serious trouble. Only the Rangers can allow a 3-on-5 goal like the one when Mike Richards took control off a blocked shot, split his defenders and beat Henrik Lundqvist with a flutter over his left shoulder.

That was the Flyers' first goal of three in a span of 1:49. After Richards' goal I turned on Invincible on FX. At the commercial break I switched back to NBC. It was 5-0, Flyers. The Rangers and Tom Renney were completely at a loss. The fans serenaded Renney and the incompetent, over-the-hill GM Glen Sather with chants once reserved for Isiah Thomas.

Interesting postgame comments from Renney, who realizes the end could be near. I've been steadfast about giving Renney until the end of the season for the Rangers to make a full and fair evaluation. Renney has been the coach since 2004. It's inevitable players begin to tune out the coach, as this group has done with Renney. And Renney is with plenty of faults. His defensive system is suffocating to his own personnel. He leaves the wrong players on the ice (read: Wade Redden and Aaron Voros) on the ice during critical situations. He's never held his underachieving veterans (Redden, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Michal Rozsival) accountable, nor has sent them a message with a benching or a healthy scratch. Yet he'll keep Petr Prucha in a jacket & tie and refuse to tweak the system to best fit his young and energetic players.

Everyone shares the blame in this mess and the philosophy is always you can't fire the players, so fire the coach, with the thinking that a changing of the lead voice will slap new life into the team. But someone explain to me what difference Jim Schoenfeld, Renney's assistant, would make at this point of the season. The true culprit is Sather, who put together this budding disaster and has left the Rangers choked in salary cap hell. Of course, since he works for the Dolan Dummies, don't expect him to go anywhere.

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In the MMA world, UFC 95 is this Saturday in London, and I'll have features on Diego Sanchez and Chael Sonnen (fighting Joe Stevenson in the main event and Demian Maia, respectively) posted on Junkie this week. UFC president Dana White confirmed show No. 100 for July in Las Vegas with welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre to fight on the card, but in lieu of top contender Thiago Alves, a third bout with B.J. Penn may be in order.

My take: Forget this Vaseline controversy and keep the divisions intact. If Sanchez beats Stevenson, he deserves the next shot at Penn's lightweight crown, if not Kenny Florian, while Alves was assured a shot at GSP. Quick take on Penn: He may never be the same following GSP's destruction of him. Sanchez's trainer, Saulo Ribeiro, touched on this during our interview and insists his fighter can defeat Penn if they fought tomorrow.

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Meanwhile in Yankeeland, pitchers and catchers are in camp, and CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett look relaxed and ready to compete in the Bronx. Of course, the center of discussion is Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod will address a huge media throng Tuesday in Tampa, which is hopefully the first big step in putting his sorry predicament behind him. This being A-Rod, it's never cut and dry, but my hope is by the time I'm back on the beat April 1 for the new Yankee Stadium's grand opening, more of the talk will be about baseball and less about a terrible situation that will not go away.

Ranger Danger

2009-02-11T16:46:00.004-05:00

SNY.tv published this yesterday afternoon. The Rangers take the ice tonight against the high-octane Washington Capitals as a team with big problems. They're not scoring. Offseason additions not name Markus Naslund have failed miserably. And unfairly, Tom Renney is on the hot seat. At this rate Henrik Lundqvist has to pitch a 1-0 shutout for the Rangers to earn two points.

The Rangers were projected to be a sixth or seventh seed in the East anyway, but when you consider that they spent much of the season atop the Atlantic Division, their fall has been precipitious and has exposed their weaknesses: no go-to scorer and nobody who can carry a team on broad shoulders.

Sean Avery has already been labeled a savior. What? If he clears re-entry waivers and and rejoins the Rangers, he'll be a big help. But cries of "Hurry Sean hurry" are a bit ridiculous. If Glen Sather can steal Vincent Lecavalier from the Lightning, there's your savior.

Speaking of Sather, he should have been out of the front office a long time ago, but what do I or any of us know?

A wild weekend roundup

2009-02-08T17:17:00.009-05:00

Finally some quiet in what's been a chaotic week in sports, except for more reaction towards A-Rod's latest fling with drama. More on this in a bit, a situation that unlike chatter about his love life, shouting "Ha!" or if he's really a fraud is very real and very serious.

It was a great night of fighting Saturday in Tampa and UFC Fight Night 17. Joe Lauzon carved up Jeremy Stephens with Jiu-Jitsu that would earn bows from the Gracie family. Anthony Johnson TKOed the capable Luigi Fioravanti in the first round. What impressed me about Rumble and Cain Velasquez there most were their harsh evaluations of their performances. Too many fighters enjoy small tastes of success and think it's a breeze. Then they get pounded into the middle of next week and their development is set back at least a year.

The MMA world was tame compared to the stuff that happened in New York City alone. First, you had the knee-jerk reaction towards Joe Torre's "tell-all book." Then Kobe Bryant and LeBron James combine to shred the Knicks for 113 points. From there, Sean Avery may be on his way back to the Rangers, a smart decision if they can pull it off.

The Rangers are 0-3-1 in their last four games, the latest a hideous 10-2 embarrassment in Dallas, while scoring a total of four goals, one that came with 10.5 seconds left against the Thrashers. Should Tom Renney be on the hot seat? I don't think so. What makes anyone think Jim Schoenfeld or Pat Quinn, or anyone else. will make any difference whatsoever? I've said this since Day 1: Give Renney the season and then decide.

You think the Rangers have problems? To quote one of my mentors, "It's always something in Yankeeland." The Yankees come off a tremendous offseason in which their revamped their pitching staff and solved a ton of problems with one player, Mark Teixeira. Instead of tossing away zillions, billions and trillions, the Yankees spent their money wisely this time. (OK, five years was too many for A.J. Burnett, but he's an upgrade over Sidney Ponson.)

Instead of opening Spring Training this week talking about a complete upgrade, it'll be a circus thanks to Sports Illustrated's revelation that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steriods in 2003. This is one of the greatest players of our generation, and maybe ever, and we oh so wanted to believe in someone after having Barry Bonds forced down our throats. Alas, A-Rod is now forever tarnished, but there is something he can do to remedy this fairly quickly: Be accountable, admit you made a big mistake and take your medicine. As soon as A-Rod goes 3-for-4 with four RBIs everything will be convienently forgotten.

But should A-Rod play the deny or "I have nothing to say" game, it's going to be harder and harder to hide, and the distractions around the Yankees will grow to nearly intolerable proportions. That's completely unfair to Burnett, Teixeira and CC Sabathia, the big-ticket players who decided they wanted to play in the Bronx to compete for a championship. Now there's the risk they'll be in the middle of the A-Rod melodrama. Should that happen, it would be a damn shame, but remember that A-Rod came begging to Hank Steinbrenner and showed remorse over his ill-timed opt-out. He got a 10-year deal for his penance. And now the Yankees have to deal with the side effects.

Today on Junkie: Faith in Stephens

2009-02-05T09:59:00.004-05:00

My report on Hermes Franca was posted last night. I'll know more by the middle of next week when he sees a second - and maybe a third surgeon - to determine who will perform the surgery. Franca and his camp are exploring every avenue and not taking any chances. Even in his mid-30s, Franca still has a career in the cage ahead of him and many athletes, with the right rehab program, have come back from ACL surgeries stronger than before.

Franca is in Tampa., Fla., for Fight Night 17 to support his protege, Jeremy Stephens, for his fight with Joe Lauzon. Lauzon was supposed to be Franca's opponent until the latter was felled by the torn ACL in his right knee.

Smokin' Joe and Classy Adam

2009-02-04T15:42:00.009-05:00

Lots to catch up on. It's been a busy week and it's only Wednesday.

Adam Graves was bestowed a well-deserved and long-overdue honor, a tribute that saluted not only a key player in the Rangers' Cup run in 1993-94 and once the franchise record holder for goals in a season (52), but a very classy, humble and tremendous human being.

Joe Lauzon is fighting Jeremy Stephens Saturday night in Tampa. It was supposed to be Hermes Franca until Franca was forced to pull out with a torn ACL. Bad blood was exchanged between the two on The Underground. Good-natured kidding was blown completely out of proportion in this case.

Speaking of Franca, he met with Dr. Paul Meli today in Fort Lauderdale. Next Tuesday he's seeing Miami Dolphins Team Physician, Dr. John Uribe to discuss the inevitable surgery that he expects will keep him out for six-to-10 months. I'm working on a full report for Junkie.

Anthony Johnson's fight against Luigi Fioravanti has been moved up to Saturday's main card. This is a great chance for Rumble to showcase his skills, writes my Junkie colleague John Morgan. A win will further boost Johnson's profile, not to mention my story for FIGHT appearing in either March, April or May.

Dr. Johnny Benjamin, has a great argument for MMA to finally get sanctioned in New York State. In a nutshell, one crusty clown of a state Assemblyman named Bob Reilly is stuck on the outdated perception that MMA is human cockfighting and "barbaric" when in fact it's far less dangerous than boxing. All this ignorant character needs to do is review the 37 states that have legalized the sport, including our neighbors in New Jersey. Holding events in this state and seeing the UFC work its way into Madison Square Garden will open doors to a huge fan base, not to mention slap life into the failing economy.

As a wise man once said (Charley Steiner): "If it's too logical, it never gets done."

Wild Weekend

2009-02-02T10:08:00.005-05:00

It turns out I went 5-for-5 in my UFC 94 predictions. What stood out in the main card was Clay Guida taking it to Nate Diaz and proving he's ready for the top contenders in the lightweight division. Though he was running on empty by Round 3, Jon Jones was dynamite and boosted his profile with a decision win over Stephan Bonnar. Georges St. Pierre left no doubt he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world with his destruction of B.J. Penn, though Penn remains the lightweight champ whose best days are far from over.

The highlight of the night was Lyoto Machida's fiurst-round knockout of Thiago Silva. The Dragon's fighting style has been panned as boring and frustrating to fans for reasons I cannot understand. Like him or not, Machida is the real deal and he's getting a shot at the light-heavyweight title if Keith Jardine defeats Quinton Jackson at UFC 95. Should Rampage retain the strap, he'll meet champion Rashad Evans, but Machida should be in line for a fight with a significant opponent. Lots to choose from in that division. Personally, I'd love to see him against Forrest Griffin - or perhaps Jon Jones or Matt Hamill.

Another busy week on tap. I have a feature with Joe Lauzon in the works to promote his UFC Fight Night main event against Jeremy Stephens this Saturday night. Part of this story was how Lauzon's original opponent, Hermes Franca, was forced to back out with a torn ACL, but that didn't stop him from making disparaging remarks about Lauzon and his brother, Affliction fighter Dan, over The Underground MMA fourm. The normally laid back Lauzon shared a strong respose, which has me tracking down Franca for a reaction.