Official MMA Discussion Thread

I enjoy MMA but I don't enjoy watching two wrestlers nullify each other's strength only to result in one of the most piss poor (in terms of quality) boxing matches. Wild looping overhand rights against someone who has both hands dropped over and over again in between repeated eye pokes. That is not martial artistry, that is car crash entertainment that probably is what makes UFC so popular. If the non-English speaking Brazilians completely dominate UFC and they aren't able to generate a caucasian star that beer swilling frat boys can embrace a la Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, etc., then the mainstream popularity of MMA is in serious jeopardy. The same people who boo when fighters grapple for a prolonged period of time or actually try to avoid being struck are the ones who generate the necessary tipping point PPV revenues and TV ratings. Even with Machida they had to market him as a Karate Kid type.

One of the things I love to watch in MMA, either UFC, Strikeforce or stuff like Bellator is when a box boxer guy is very cocky and disregards the ground game completely. Watching a skilled fighter on the mat systematically submit a hoss like clockwork is entertaining to me. Speaking of Bellator - is this league a notch way down? Whenever I see guys fight each other in this league they always do weird kicks and seem much much less seasoned than the other leagues. Like they're all amateurs. It could be me just not liking the announcers though. Maybe I am just too accustomed to Joe Rogan's commentating from UFC when it's not there it seems weird.

I'm just trying to rub it in to all those who say "LOL boxing". I like MMA but man, some of these cards leave me feeling ripped off.

I haven't seen a live event since the middle of last year but I imagine the UFC still sells out and bars are still packed. You may not like the direction it's going (not that I disagree with you) but there's plenty of meat heads around to pump money into the machine. The mainstream popularity won't be affected at all.

I actually started complaining about the state of affairs last year when they would pull matches out of nowhere, effectively killing any sort of ranking system. I watch TUF is my dvr catches it and always try to watch WEC but beyond that I don't follow it as much as I used to.

Watching at a bar is a great option. $5 cover plus I can hang w/my buddies and drink some brewskis.

$50 at home is a different story.

MMA remains the best sport in America.

This Hendo unsigned situation is a bit perplexing. If the rumors are true and Hendo wants some golden parachute type finale payout for all the years and contributions he's made to MMA, then he's a bit misguided. Let me see:

1) You want UFC to reward you mainly for the years you fought for their rival promotion,

2) You want to get paid at a level when you're clearly not a draw nor a PPV headliner, despite your incredible career success and frat-boy friendly KO of Bisping (I like Hendo a lot but the guy has to look at what he brings in revenue wise),

3) You're sitting out and not getting any younger. I'm sure your market value will be even higher if you're still sitting out and you hit 39, 40 years old.

The UFC has been hit by injuries and still don't seem to be budging and I don't blame them. They're still around when rival promotions aren't partially because they don't spend like drunk whores. We may have to see Belfort - Marquardt instead of Belfort - Silva and Hendo - Marquardt, but at least the UFC won't set a dangerous precedent in fighter compensation. You ever see what the UFC grosses at the gate? It's all PPV driven and Hendo, like Franklin, doesn't sell PPVs.

I love the guy as a fighter, he's a warrior, but you don't pay guys in that fashion.

Reminder TUF Finale on Spike at 9pm

Predictions:
Darkness over Meathead (armbar Rd 2)
Houston over Kimbo (TKO Rd 1)
Big Country over Schaub (decision)
Bones Jones over Hamill (TKO Rd 3)

I love that Dana White said he finally saw Big Country fight an exciting fight when he did the exact same thing he did in his two fights prior. It'll be pretty funny if he does the stomach lay and arm pin on Schaub to win the whole thing. I actually hope Schaub knocks him out.. but.. who knows.

Houston is a pretty crazy step into the UFC for Kimbo.. should be interesting.

Seems like Marcus Jones was the fan favorite on the show.. I wanted him to win. But his post-loss interview was a little troubling. He spent a lot of time talking about how he was in the NFL and could do it.. but his heart wasn't in it. How fighting is different, it is his life. Then he loses and says he doesn't think he's going to fight anymore.. haha.

0-4 on my specific predictions, although I had at least one winner (2 if you count Jones)

He has all that talent, an already present high level wrestling background, and he's training with an awesome camp. And he's only 22 years old.

Wow.

EDIT - Hendo signs with Strikeforce. A dream matchup with Mousasi awaits! I'm hyped to see that one.