Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers Predictions

We'll make this a quick one:

 

Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko (30-1) vs Brett "The Grim" Rogers (10-0)

I previously gave my opinion about Fedor signing with Strikeforce instead of the UFC, and how it could be detrimental to his legacy and reputation as the best fighter in all of MMA. Though it may have seemed like I am not a fan of Fedor, the opposite is true, which is why I wanted him to fight in the UFC. It will always be debatable about who is 'the best', but there is no debating the fact that Fedor is the most complete and well-rounded fighter around. I am not going to give a history lesson on his accomplishments; unlike the general fan, I assume most of you reading this know all about Emelianenko. There has been some (maybe deserved) criticism that his last five opponents—Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Hong Man Choi, Matt Lindland and Mark Hunt—have posed no threat to the Last Emperor. But he defeated all of them in convincing fashion. He also holds victories over such fighters as Big Nog (multiple) and Mirko 'Cro Cop' (when he was at the top of his game). This fight will be his introduction to the casual U.S. fight audience, before he faces off against Alistair Overeem for the Strikeforce heavyweight title.

Bret Rogers first started getting attention in the now defunct EliteXC because of a near altercation with that organization's poster child—Kimbo Slice—during a press conference. It seemed like the two behemoths were headed for a confrontation, but fate had other plans. EliteXC decided that Rogers was too big a threat to their cash cow, and were also miffed about the statements Rogers made during the press conference that led to the argument with Slice—referring to both Kimbo and the main event match as 'garbage'. Slice was instead matched up with Shamrock, which led to the debacle with Petruzelli and contributed to the demise of EliteXC (I will talk more about Kimbo in the future, his appearance on TUF 10 has really won me over). Rogers signed with Strikeforce, and went on to defeat Ron Humphrey and his most notable opponent, Arlovski. With a perfect 10-0 record and the absolute destruction of Arlovski, Rogers was ready to be matched up against an elite heavyweight to see how he truly measured up. Instead, he gets the elite heavyweight. It is win-win situation for Rogers, as win over Fedor would cement his career; a loss won't hurt because he isn't expected to win.

Breakdown: Rogers has once chance in this match: the punchers chance. There is no denying his power, and he is capable of landing a knockout blow against Fedor. But that is his only chance. He cannot matchup against Fedor on takedowns or on the ground, and Fedor himself is really good striker. Rogers also has the tendency to throw wide power punches, which Fedor will counter with tight, clean shots. He will then take Rogers down, do some GNP, and lock in an armbar or RNC.

Prediction: Emelianenko, 1^st Round, submission

 

Jason "Mayhem" Miller (22-6) vs Jake Shields (23-4) for the vacant Strikeforce MW championship

This is the matchup that I am looking most forward to on the card, and has the potential to be fight of the night. They are both well matched on the ground, Miller has slightly better striking skills.

Prediction: Miller, Decision

 

Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi (26-2) vs Rameau "The African Assassin" Sokoudjou (7-4)

I have enjoyed watching Mousasi develop as a fighter. He indeed the real deal.

Prediction: Mousasi, 2^nd round, TKO

 

Fabricio Werdum (12-4) vs Antonio "Junior" Silva (13-1)

Prediction: Werdum, 2^nd round, submission

 

Beer and The Raven

So it is time for Fall, my favorite season of the year. Writing commitments have kept me busy, but will be waning soon. Just in time, with a busy few months of MMA action on the horizon and the holiday season looming near. In honor of this time year, two quick treats. First, a simple drink mix that captures the taste of the season followed by the presentation of Poe's classic and one of personal all-time favorites) "The Raven", to get into that proper Halloween mood.

The Drink:

12 pack of dark beer (Guiness, etc. My personal choice is Newcastle.)

12 pack of hard apple cider (Hornsby's works well)

1 gallon of quality apple cider

 

Combine ½ bottle of dark beer, ½ bottle of hard cider and ½ cup of apple cider. Stir well. Drink. Enjoy.

 

 

 

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door --
                         Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; -- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow -- sorrow for the lost Lenore --
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore --
                         Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me -- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door --
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door; --
                         This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you " -- here I opened wide the door; ----
                         Darkness there and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" --
                         Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore --
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;--
                         'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door --
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door --
                         Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore --
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
                        Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning -- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door --
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
                        With such name as "Nevermore."

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered -- not a feather then he fluttered --
Till I scarcely more than muttered "Other friends have flown before --
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
                        Then the bird said "Nevermore."

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore --
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
                        Of "Never -- nevermore."

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore --
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
                        Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplght gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
                         She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee -- by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite -- respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
                         Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! -- prophet still, if bird or devil! --
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted --
On this home by Horror haunted -- tell me truly, I implore --
Is there -- is there balm in Gilead? -- tell me -- tell me, I implore!"
                         Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil -- prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us -- by that God we both adore --
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore --
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
                         Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting--
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! -- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
                        Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
                         Shall be lifted -- nevermore!

Fedor's Folly: Emelianenko signs with Strikeforce

So the news has come in that Fedor Emelianenko has signed a three-fight deal with Strikeforce. We have known that the main sticking point with Fedor and the UFC is that Fedor’s management has demanded that the UFC co-promote his fights with M-1 Global. This, from a business standpoint, is absolutely ridiculous. Dana and Zuffa have proven their business acumen. There was no way they were ever going to acquiesce to that demand. It is akin the CFL demanding that the NFL takes them on as a business partner in order for them to sign their number one player. And in the current MMA landscape, that is exactly what the UFC is: it is the NFL, NBA and MLB of the fighting world. If you’re going to claim that you are the best heavyweight in the world, you have to fight in the best promotion against the best fighters. Right now, that place is the UFC. Fedor’s claim to be the best, not to mention his legacy, is now in serious jeopardy. Though pure MMA fans know exactly who he is, the casual North American fan has no idea. Bringing him in to fight Lesnar or Couture, with the UFC hype machine selling his history to those casual fans would have instantly legitimized him in America. But signing with a lesser promotion, no matter how much they push him, is going to have nowhere near the same effect. Because every time they promote him as the premier heavyweight, those fans are going to wonder why he isn’t in the UFC. Fedor faces the very real prospect (and one that will probably make pure MMA fans’ heads explode) of playing second fiddle to Brock Lesnar.

The main issue, of course, will be his competition. Strikeforce will want to get the heavyweight belt on him as soon as possible. That means a fight against Alistair Overeem--if they can set it up. Between injuries and not seeming to want to fight in America anymore, Overeem has been a ghost champion for Strikeforce. I wouldn’t be very surprised if Strikeforce ends up having to strip of him of his title. And what the bout does happen? Neither Overeem nor Fedor are recognizable fighters in America. Then what? The only exciting matches that they could have put together to draw the casual fan interest would have been against Tito Ortiz and Vitor Belfort, who both recently re-signed with the UFC (and don’t think for a minute that this wasn’t part of the reason on why that happened) That leaves Fabricio Werdum and Brett Rogers, neither of whom are top ten heavyweights. There is no one else left to bring in. Fedor defeated Arlovski and Sylvia already, and Barnett will not likely get a major promotion fight in America again.

It’s definitely a lose/lose situation for Fedor as far as his legacy goes. If he loses to any of those opponents, his standing will be severely tarnished. If his streak continues, his mystique will be gone. Instead of dominant fighter from the East coming into the UFC to take over, he’s going to be a guy who beat some other guys in a smaller promotion. Unfortunately, I think the biggest loser of this signing might turn out to be Strikeforce. Fedor didn’t come cheap, I don’t see him bringing in enough revenue for them to profit off it. I would hate to see yet another MMA promotion fold because they over over-reached themselves.

UFC 100 Predictions

On Saturday, July 10^th, the UFC will air UFC 100 live from Las Vegas, Nevada. This card has been hyped enough, so let's just get to it.

Brock Lesnar (c) (3-1) vs. Frank Mir (12-3)

There are many MMA fans (and fighters) that dislike Lesnar strictly because of his stint in professional wrestling. Maybe if he was coming in with professional wrestling being his only background, that opinion might hold some weight. But they purposely downplay his amateur career (and at the same time claim that wrestling is the best foundation for any future MMA fighter to have, and it is). And what an amateur career it was: undefeated in high school, NJCAA Champion in 1998, NCAA Division I runner-up in 1999, NCAA Division I Champion in 2000, with an overall amateur record of 106-5. Those stats are should definitely be kept in mind when looking at his MMA record of just four fights. There are a few other things to consider about his pro-wrestling career: WWE wrestlers are on the road and performing 5-7 days a week, around 350 days a year, so his conditioning has been great for a long time. The amount of money Lesnar made enables him to focus full-time on his MMA training. Finally, his WWE career lasted for about four years, his Japan wrestling career consisted of a few matches. He is now approaching two years as MMA fighter, training full-time. He almost (and should NOT have been stopped) beat Mir the first time, he completely dominated Heath Herring and he beat the legend Couture. That's one steep learning curve.

Mir himself has issues in garnering respect. In fact, his surprising decimation of Nogueira raised his stock in the MMA world more than any other fight he has had before (including his breakage of Tim Sylvia's forearm). His first reign as UFC heavyweight champion came to a (literal) crash when he wrecked his motorcycle in 2004 and sustained some significant injuries. His return to the UFC in 2006 resulted in a TKO loss, a lackluster decision, and another TKO loss. He finally regained some momentum with a submission victory over Antoni Hardonk at UFC 74. When he faced Lesnar the first time, most fans were unaware of his successful pre-accident career. His performance against Lesnar that night was anything to write home about, and it is questionable if he would survived Lesnar's onslaught if the referee had not stopped it for illegal blows to the back of the head. But his match with Nogueira definitely put him back on the map. Coupled with a legit black belt in BJJ and Mir's style of taking a hold to its nasty end, rather than just seeking a tapout, and you have one dangerous heavyweight.

Breakdown: Though he showed considerable growth in his striking game against Noguiera, standing toe-toe with Lesnar is akin to standing toe-to-toe with a freight train. Mir's game plan will be much the same as it was in their first fight: wait for Lesnar to make a mistake and then capitalize on it with his superior submission skills. Lesnar will initially keep it standing, but will eventually utilize his wrestling skills and incredible strength to take Mir down. If he can stay on top, he will smother Mir to neutralize his BJJ and pick his shots from there. As long as he doesn't leave himself open, this method will ultimately be successful.

Prediction: Lesnar, TKO by ground-and-pound, 2^nd round

 

Georges St-Pierre (18-2) (c) vs. Thiago Alves (22-4)

GSP is the consummate MMA fighter. If there is a current challenger to Silva's claim to best pound-for-fighter, GSP is near or on top of the list. He has victories over such notables as Matt Hughes (twice), BJ Penn (twice), Matt Serra, Josh Koscheck, Sean Sherk, Karo Parisyan, Frank Trigg and Jason Miller. His only two losses occurred at the hands of Hughes (early in GSP's career) and the surprise victory of Serra; losses that GSP avenged in more than convincing fashion. Alves is a rising star, with striking similarities to GSP was in both career and style. He avenged his first loss against Derrick Noble for his UFC debut, but lost his next match against John Fitch. He then went on an impressive win streak, including victories over Chris Lytle, Karo Parisyan, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck.

Breakdown: As good as Alves is, his stylistic similarities with GSP will be his downfall. He will play right into GSP's hands, whom is at or nearing his prime as an MMA fighter. This will be a busy, exciting fight, with GSP emerging as the victor.

Projected result: GSP, Unanimous decision

 

Dan Henderson (24-7) vs. Michael Bisping (18-1)

Henderson is being referred to as an MMA legend by the UFC, and rightfully so. He made his UFC debut way back at UFC 17, winning the tournament with a victory over Carlos Newton. He then competed in the RINGS King of Kings tourney in Japan, winning the whole thing and beating Gilbert Yvel, Nogueira, Renato Sobral and Wanderlei Silva in the process. He then became of the stars of PRIDE FC, holding victories over Marilo Rua, Renzo Gracie, Murilo Bustamante, Ryo Chonan and Vitor Belfort. His biggest claim to fame is winning the PRIDE light-heavyweight title against Wanderlei while still holding the middle-weight title. His return to the UFC has not been as stellar as he hoped, with losses to Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva in first two bouts. He rebounded with wins over Rousimar Palhares and Rich Franklin. Bisping rose up through the TUF series, winning season 3. He won his first UFC PPV match against Elvis Sinosic, followed by a controversial decision over TUF 3 darling Matt Hamill. After losing a decision to Rashad Evans, Bisping moved down to middleweight, winning his next three matches. He proved to be a very good coach on TUF: USA vs UK; however Henderson will be the toughest opponent of his career so far.

Breakdown: Bisping proved against Hamill that he has trouble with strong wrestlers, and though he has surely worked on it, Hamill is no Hendo. Dan Henderson is a veteran with more to give, and that will be the difference maker.

Projected result: Henderson, Decision

 

Rest of the TV Card:

John Fitch vs Paulo Thiago, TKO

Alan Belcher v. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Decision

Incredibly a Hulk

 

The pounding in my chest was only matched by the pounding of my legs. I furiously pumped my arms and legs faster and faster. My small five year old frame hurled forward along the side of the house; I could feel my feet almost stop touching the ground. I knew for a fact that one day this would happen and I would run up into the air. A gentle breeze caressed my sweaty skin, the mountain air providing respite from the heat of summer. It was a beautiful day in a beautiful world and there was nothing else that would have made me happier than chasing Tommy with all of the speed that I could muster. It was too perfect of a day for me to leave a part of my childhood behind me, but the universe could be notoriously uncaring of such things.

My family's house sat on a mountainside, tucked away in a forest clearing. The nearest neighbor was half a mile down the highway, giving my siblings and me our very own kingdom to rule. The main road was far enough away that we did not have to worry about traffic; we could play in our domain with reckless abandon. Our parents did not have to set boundaries, none of us were brave enough to travel too far into the forest. We were well aware that the hidden depths contained the nightmarish creatures that we feared it did. It was a child's dream place to play. The only limits were our imaginations, and I had a very large and active one.

    On that particular day, my mom had a visitor, and this visitor had brought me a present in the form of her also five year old son, who was named Tommy. It as a wonderful gift, my brothers were in school that day and my sister was too young and too boring. Like all children of this age who meet each other, we immediately became best friends. We spent the day doing all the things that two young boys would do in such an environment. Tommy made the foolish claim that he was faster than me and I was doing my best to prove how wrong he was.

As I began to round the corner of the house into the front I started to slow down. I did not want to fall by taking the turn too fast. I expected Tommy to be just ahead of me and I slowed even further when I realized that somehow he was not. When I glanced to the side, I stopped dead in my tracks. Tommy stood a few feet away with a ready and loaded slingshot. He was aiming right at me. I looked at him questioningly, wondering what this new element of our game was. I knew that he was not going to actually shoot me. I was wrong. He let the missile fly and pure instinct had me turn to the side at the last possible moment, the rock burning a line of fire across my stomach. I looked at Tommy in wide-eyed shock; the look on his face mirrored my own. I morbidly inspected the damage and watched in fascination as blood began to seep from the wound. The fire seemed to spread to the inside of my body, growing hotter and hotter. It felt like I had swallowed a pot of boiling water. I looked up at Tommy again and the heat became a raging inferno. I did not know what was happening to me, I did not know how much more of this feeling that I could take. Then the sun exploded in my head. I covered the distance between us even faster than I had though possible and threw my body into his. We crashed to the ground and the air was driven from his body, my mind from mine. All sound completely disappeared as I looked on from a point just above my head. I watched without a care as my body began to stomp on him in the same manner that we had done to some unlucky ants just a short time before. Once, twice, three times. I began to raise my leg for a fourth blow when my body was swept up into a pair of arms and my mind was forced to return. All of the muted sound began to assault me at once and I realized that Tommy was screaming and probably had been the whole time. I looked up into the horrified face of my mom and the fires instantly blew out. I felt nothing but cold and empty for a brief moment, and then I buried my face into my mom's shoulder and began to cry uncontrollably.

Later that evening, I lay in my bed and stared up at the ceiling. I could not let go of the sadness that enveloped me. I could not understand the anger that had possessed me or how it had it driven me to hurt somebody. I suddenly knew with certainty that I would have to battle this demon the rest of my life. I rolled over and clutched my pillow, feeling like I had lost my favorite toy.

(C)2008 Daniel Wynters

What He Said (inspired by What He Said [2])

What He Said (inspired by What He Said [2])
My love is my bright-faced wife.
In the light of day
She shines like the sun
In the bright-blue summer sky
Happy to be with me.

And then, she shows her metals
The light becomes flame,
And then she reminds me
Of how lucky I am,
To be one with her night and dawn

With the same radiant face.

Copyright © 2008 Daniel Wynters

Looking Back to the Future

Just as Confucius looked to the past for idealized answers, so too can modern society. The nuggets of wisdom that he passed on still hold relevance. A single quote from Confucius can impart much knowledge, when closely examined. Passage three in Book VII of Analects is a prime example. It begins “The Master said, “It is these things that cause me concern: failure to cultivate virtue…” This has proven to be a valid concern, as modern society places no emphasis on this quality. Virtue has become entangled with religion; gone are the days when personal honor and integrity were admired and sought out characteristics.

It continues “…failure to go more deeply into what I have learned…”, which is a continuing and growing problem. It is the Information Age, but that there is almost too much information. In the era of cable, the Internet, cell phones and the intermixing of the three; it has become about quantity instead of quality. Society has become conditioned to accept what they get from these media without question. Many people simply regurgitate sound bytes and news headlines as fact, without researching any of it. Knowledge isn’t so much as gained as it is passed around.

“…inability, when I am told what is right, to move where it is”. Too often in life we know what the right thing is, we simply feel overwhelmed by it or lack the virtue to take action. It concludes “…and inability to reform myself when I have defects”. Instead of seeking personal change and growth, modern individuals seek excuses. All of those defects that everyone possesses are not their own faults; they are due to outside forces. This attitude has overtaken society as a whole and is directly tied to America’s current problems. When the government is always busy pointing fingers in blame, is no surprise that its citizens have accountability issues as well.