It’s official. The fight for MMA supremacy is on like Donkey Kong!
The rumors were just confirmed that the UFC has put together a card to be aired on July 19th, the very same night that rival league startup Affliction is to air their Banned card on Pay-Per-View. The card will feature Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva moving up to Light Heavyweight to face James “The Sandman” Irvin and will be aired on SpikeTV (Digital Channel 0559) for free.
And that’s not the end of it. There have also been rumors that the UFC is considering putting together yet another card for July 26th to go up against the next scheduled CBS EliteXC event on broadcast television. It’s getting insane in the membrane!
Then again, the UFC has always been the dominant name in MMA. They’re just pushing their muscle around. Ultimately, this is, I think, a good thing for us fans. We get to see the best in MMA competition, regardless of the organization who puts it on.
Talk to me!
* What do ya’ll think of this?
* Which are you planning to watch? Personally, I’m doing the DVR thang!
* Do you think Affliction (who is now backed by Donald Trump) can get some traction with their big names?
Get ready for history in the making folks. Tonight, EliteXC, in a partnership with CBS, will bring the first-ever Mixed Martial Arts fight card to the mainstream when EliteXC Saturday Night Fights makes its debut on CBS (KGMB 0007 or KGMB HD 1007 on Oceanic Time Warner Cable) at 8PM HST.
A HUGE step for a renegade sport that was once completely banned from TV just a few, short years ago.
Headlining the card is Internet legend, turned MMA manchild Kimbo Slice (Kevin Ferguson). His Youtube exploits were so popular that they eventually led to a contract with the then startup Showtime EliteXC organization. Now training with retired MMA fighter and trainer extraordinaire Bas Rutten, Kimbo’s career has reached a new high. He will be facing James “The Colossus” Thompson, a 6′5″ 265 pound giant.
But in what will probably turn out to be the more competitive/exciting fights, former UFC and ICON fighter Robby Lawler will defend his Middleweight title against The Ultimate Fighter alum Scott Smith, while the most popular female MMA fighter in all the land, Gina Carano, who also moonlights as Crush on the American Gladiators, will take on future up and comer Kaitlin Young.
And… Tomorrow!!!
Former UFC legend Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver drops down to featherweight (145lbs) to take on the man who’s been dominating that division, WEC Featherweight champion Urijah “The California Kid” Faber. The rest of the card looks suspect, but it’ll also be on free TV: VERSUS Channel 0210 or HDGOLF 1216 at 3PM on Oceanic Time Warner Cable.
In other news, check out “Pho Fantasy - A Tour of Hawaii’s Favorite Pho Restaurants,” my June AroundHawaii article, where I visit three of Hawaii’s favorite Pho Restaurants (coming June 1, 2008).
On Saturday, BJ Penn’s flying knee knocked the living daylights out of Sean Sherk, making us reminisce about what he did to Caol Uno back at UFC 34. What impressed me more was not the victory over the former lightweight champion. It was his actions after the match.
As announcer Bruce Buffer proclaimed his victory, we saw BJ yell “Mahalo Kakou!” And as Joe Rogan interviewed him, he repeatedly sent love and thanks to Hawaii, even making a comment about how expensive gas was in Hawaii, but that he was still thankful for his fans who flew in to watch him fight. Talk about loyalty!
The best way I can describe it is that BJ Penn keeps it real. He never forgets where he came from and does his part to represent Hawaii with pride. You can see it in everything he does. From his entrance music, when he walks out to Israel Kamakawiwoole (a mix of “Hawaii 78″ and “E Ala E”), to his clothing, covered in everything Hawaii, to the way he surrounds himself with our local people. He is always proud to rep our island home, and we are so very proud (and lucky) to have BJ Penn.
OK, I think you’re convinced already that I’m a BJ Penn fan. Without further ado, here are scenes from my UFC 84 BBQ Parrrtay. Enjoy!
This is how I roll… *grin* (P.S. Welcome back Primo!)
“Put me on the Advertiser!” LOL!
Bacon-wrapped Scallops
BJ making his way to the Octagon. Dig my official UFC poster?
What did you think of BJ’s peformance? The card overall? And is it just me or is Penn’s face made of metal? I’ve never seen him bruise or bleed. What the?
OK, working for the cable company, I know this is a bit self-indulgent, but since this blog is supposed to include the latest and greatest in MMA, I just had to plug the X1 Legends fight scheduled for tomorrow night. Not just because Oceanic Time Warner Cable is offering this event in Pay-Per-View for Digital, High Definition as well as on the web, but because it is history in the making as 42 year old local boy Egan Inoue comes out of retirement to fight for the first time in almost 5 years.
Yesterday, we had the unique opportunity to have Egan as a guest presenter on our monthly Road Runner Interactive Webinar. Following the show I got a chance to chat with him a bit and discover that he is one of the most humble, grounded guys around. It’s amazing that this very man, in the heat of battle, can turn on the fire within, and compete with the best. I mean, you’re talking a former world champion racquetball player, Navy Seal trainer and BJJ World Champion, in addition to being a former champion MMA fighter. Bruddah is driven!
Not sure exactly what the odds are against his 23 year old counterpart Hans Marrero (11-5), but you can bet that I’ll be pulling for Egan tomorrow night. Either way, I know he’ll succeed.
Fight Details:
X1 Presents Legends - The Return of Egan Inoue
Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 7:30PM
Neal Blaisdell Arena Also, available Live on Oceanic Time Warner Cable PPV @ 7:30PM (replay at 10:30PM)
- Digital Channel 0260 - Standard Definition - $29.99
- Digital Channel 1260 - High Definition - $39.99
- x1ppv.oceanic.com - On the Web - $19.99
Fight Card (subject to change):
Hans Marrero vs Egan Inoue
Brandon Wolff vs Chad “The Grinder” Reiner
Richie Whitson vs Ray “Bradda” Cooper
Michael Brightmon vs Kolo Koka
Dylan Clay vs Ronald “The Machine Gun” Jhun
Albert Manners vs Kana “The Riot” Hyatt
Chris “Red Bull” Willems vs Brandon Visher
Sean Sakata vs John “The Warrior” Visante
