Here is a quick rundown of the weights for tonights fights.
Main Event – UFC Welterweight Championship
Georges St-Pierre 169.5 vs. Jake Shields 169
Co-Main Event – UFC FeatherwChampionshipeight
Jose Aldo 145 vs. Mark Hominick 145
PPV-televised
Randy Couture 203.5 vs. Lyoto Machida 204.5
Vladimir Matyushenko 205.5 vs. Jason Brilz 204.5
Mark Bocek 155 vs. Ben Henderson 156
SPIKE TV PRELIMS
Nate Diaz 171 vs. Rory MacDonald 170.5
Sean Pierson 170 vs. Jake Ellenberger 170
FACEBOOK PRELIMS
Claude Patrick 169.5 vs. Daniel Roberts 170.5
Ivan Menjivar 136 vs. Charlie Valencia 135.5
Jason MacDonald 185 vs. Ryan Jensen 185
John Makdessi 155.5 vs. Kyle Watson 155
Yves Jabouin 146 vs. Pablo Garza 145
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Ridiculous Rule!
It's January. Your favorite football team is driving down the field late in the game for that winning score. With just 35 seconds left on the clock, they get their touchdown! Your team is now ahead by 3 with only half a minute to play. The kicker lines up, takes aim, and heads for the ball. He sends a towering kick 8 yards deep into the end zone. The opposing team quickly calls a timeout. When your defense comes out to play out what should be the final 30 seconds of the game, they find themselves deep in their own territory, backs to their own goal line, feeling as though they had been penalized in some way. The opposing team was awarded the 25 yard line....YOUR 25 yard line!! Why? Because they had one timeout remaining? The offense was given 3/4 of the field because of a called timeout? That seems absolutely ridiculous, doesn't it?
Well, such is the case in the NBA. In the last 2 minutes of a game, a team may call a timeout after a change of possession, and advance the ball beyond midcourt without any time coming off the clock. Really? This, in my opinion, is taking away the work that the other team just put in to take the lead. You are rewarding a team for having a timeout. They didn't earn that "special" timeout. It was given to them at the start of the half. It was given to them as just a regular old timeout. Somehow, miraculously, it transformed into this ball advancing wonder that saved their season.
In last nights Memphis vs San Antonio playoff game, such a travesty took place. With just 1.7 seconds showing on the clock, Memphis in-bounded the ball, and was immediately fouled. They went to the free throw line, and hit both FT taking a 3 point lead. In college, this is when you get to see something like Grant Hill throw a 3/4 court pass, Laettner catching, making one move, and then breaking the hearts of Kentucky fans around the world. That's EARNING a win. In last nights game, you instead see the Spurs call a timeout, (exciting) get the ball beyond half court to in-bound, (no work had to be done, no time off the clock) and hit a 3 pointer as time expired to send it into OT. The Spurs eventually won the game in OT.
In my opinion, the final shot, pass, run, or hit, depending on your sport, should be earned. I don't see 3rd base being awarded on a bunt single in the bottom of the 9th......Do you?
Well, such is the case in the NBA. In the last 2 minutes of a game, a team may call a timeout after a change of possession, and advance the ball beyond midcourt without any time coming off the clock. Really? This, in my opinion, is taking away the work that the other team just put in to take the lead. You are rewarding a team for having a timeout. They didn't earn that "special" timeout. It was given to them at the start of the half. It was given to them as just a regular old timeout. Somehow, miraculously, it transformed into this ball advancing wonder that saved their season.
In last nights Memphis vs San Antonio playoff game, such a travesty took place. With just 1.7 seconds showing on the clock, Memphis in-bounded the ball, and was immediately fouled. They went to the free throw line, and hit both FT taking a 3 point lead. In college, this is when you get to see something like Grant Hill throw a 3/4 court pass, Laettner catching, making one move, and then breaking the hearts of Kentucky fans around the world. That's EARNING a win. In last nights game, you instead see the Spurs call a timeout, (exciting) get the ball beyond half court to in-bound, (no work had to be done, no time off the clock) and hit a 3 pointer as time expired to send it into OT. The Spurs eventually won the game in OT.
In my opinion, the final shot, pass, run, or hit, depending on your sport, should be earned. I don't see 3rd base being awarded on a bunt single in the bottom of the 9th......Do you?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
UFC 129
Toronto will be the place to be this Saturday night as UFC 129 invades Canada. The card should be a good one. A mix of past champions, current champions, and great youth fill the card.
The highlight for the Canadian fans will no doubt be Georges St-Pierre. His MMA record is 21-2-0, 14-2 in his last 16, and 8-0 in his last 8. He will put his Welterweight Title on the line once again as he faces off against Jake shields (26-4-1). Shields is one of, if not the best, at controlling the action from the top position once on the ground. The problem is getting GSP to the ground, and putting him on his back. If Shields can accomplish that, he should be able to control GSP for the duration of the fight. If he can't, look for GSP to do what he always does....use his amazing ability to strike, take you down, and control.
In a fight of "big names," Lyoto "the Dragon" Machida (16-2-0) meets up with "the Natural" Randy Couture (19-10-0). After his dismantling of Rashad Evens, many people thought Machida was untouchable. Then he met Rua. In their first fight, Machida won a very controversial unanimous decision. Rua took matters in to his own hands in the rematch knocking out Machida in the first. Machida again looked human against Rampage as he lost a split decision. His opponent will be 48 years old in June. Couture just never seems to get old, although he said he will retire after this fight. His last couple of fight were not against "top" competition (an old Coleman, & boxer turned MMA James Toney), but he dominated both fight and won easily. If Couture can get to Machida, he should be able to use his strength to overpower him. If not, Machida will keep Couture at range and pepper him with his Karate.
The fight I am personally most excited for is the UFC debut of the UFC featherweight champion (he inherited the belt when the WEC & UFC merged in December) Jose Aldo (18-1-0). He will square off against Mark Hominick (20-8-0). Mark is riding a 5 fight win streak. Hominick, like St-Pierre, is a Canadian & will no doubt have 55,000 strong behind him. Hominick is a lightning fast striker and has great speed moving around the cage. He will no doubt want to keep this fight on its feet. Aldo is the real deal. Brazilian born, his ground game is at the top of any list. He dealt with a vertebrae injury that sapped his strength and kept him out of his last fight. Aldo says he is at full strength for this fight. This fight expects to be fought at a very high pace, and should be action packed!
The highlight for the Canadian fans will no doubt be Georges St-Pierre. His MMA record is 21-2-0, 14-2 in his last 16, and 8-0 in his last 8. He will put his Welterweight Title on the line once again as he faces off against Jake shields (26-4-1). Shields is one of, if not the best, at controlling the action from the top position once on the ground. The problem is getting GSP to the ground, and putting him on his back. If Shields can accomplish that, he should be able to control GSP for the duration of the fight. If he can't, look for GSP to do what he always does....use his amazing ability to strike, take you down, and control.
In a fight of "big names," Lyoto "the Dragon" Machida (16-2-0) meets up with "the Natural" Randy Couture (19-10-0). After his dismantling of Rashad Evens, many people thought Machida was untouchable. Then he met Rua. In their first fight, Machida won a very controversial unanimous decision. Rua took matters in to his own hands in the rematch knocking out Machida in the first. Machida again looked human against Rampage as he lost a split decision. His opponent will be 48 years old in June. Couture just never seems to get old, although he said he will retire after this fight. His last couple of fight were not against "top" competition (an old Coleman, & boxer turned MMA James Toney), but he dominated both fight and won easily. If Couture can get to Machida, he should be able to use his strength to overpower him. If not, Machida will keep Couture at range and pepper him with his Karate.
The fight I am personally most excited for is the UFC debut of the UFC featherweight champion (he inherited the belt when the WEC & UFC merged in December) Jose Aldo (18-1-0). He will square off against Mark Hominick (20-8-0). Mark is riding a 5 fight win streak. Hominick, like St-Pierre, is a Canadian & will no doubt have 55,000 strong behind him. Hominick is a lightning fast striker and has great speed moving around the cage. He will no doubt want to keep this fight on its feet. Aldo is the real deal. Brazilian born, his ground game is at the top of any list. He dealt with a vertebrae injury that sapped his strength and kept him out of his last fight. Aldo says he is at full strength for this fight. This fight expects to be fought at a very high pace, and should be action packed!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Panic....Really?
The Lakers and the Hornets played in game 4 of their NBA playoff series last night in New Orleans. The Hornets won a close game evening the series up at 2 games apiece. If you did not have any knowledge of the series, and only heard the post game reaction, you would think that the Lakers were down 15 points in the final minute of an elimination game. The reaction around the sports world is; "Is it time for the Lakers to panic?" Why would the Lakers have any more reason to panic than the Hornets do? Lets look at the facts. The series is tied at 2-2. Let me repeat that...THE SERIES IS TIED AT 2-2!! Each team has won a game on the other teams home court. None of the games have been real blowouts. There are potentially 3 games left to be played in the series, and 2 of them will be in LA.
This is not exclusive to basketball either. One week into the MLB season, the Boston Red Sox were 0-6. The word panic was thrown around the baseball world as though it were late September and the Yankees were 5 games up. 0-6.....IT'S A 162 GAME SEASON!! As of today, the Sox are 3.5 games out of first, and only have 141 left games to crawl out of that hole. Think the panic talk was a little premature?
Until the game, series, and season are realistically out of reach, lets keep the panic talk under raps. I think it's a little overused, and a little ridiculous.
I can't wait for the Colt, Patriots, Packers, or any other Super Bowl contending team lose their opening game of the season. Listen for all of the "panic" talk fly around sports TV and radio. "Only 15 games left....not enough time." Ridiculous.
This is not exclusive to basketball either. One week into the MLB season, the Boston Red Sox were 0-6. The word panic was thrown around the baseball world as though it were late September and the Yankees were 5 games up. 0-6.....IT'S A 162 GAME SEASON!! As of today, the Sox are 3.5 games out of first, and only have 141 left games to crawl out of that hole. Think the panic talk was a little premature?
Until the game, series, and season are realistically out of reach, lets keep the panic talk under raps. I think it's a little overused, and a little ridiculous.
I can't wait for the Colt, Patriots, Packers, or any other Super Bowl contending team lose their opening game of the season. Listen for all of the "panic" talk fly around sports TV and radio. "Only 15 games left....not enough time." Ridiculous.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Super Heavyweight
Pardon the pun, but boxing has had a bit of a black eye for several years now. One thing people like to point to as a reason for this is the lack of American talent in the Heavyweight division. Although that is a major factor, I believe it goes deeper than that. The Heavyweight division is loaded with men who have no business stepping in to the ring as "Heavyweights."
If you take out the Heavyweight division, you are left with 18 divisions. Those divisions start at Strawweight (105) and end at Cruiserweight (200). There is a 5.3 lb average in weight increase from one division to the next within those 18, and if you take out the 15 lb jump from Light Heavy (175) to Cruiser (200) the average drops a full lb. This makes for very exciting, and more often than not, very fair fights.
In Muhammad Ali's prime, he fought between 205-220. Evander Holyfield also fought in that same range. He actually started his career at 175 lbs. Even "Big" George Foreman was in the 220 lb range in his early days. Mike Tyson was at his best when he weighed 215-220 lbs. These guys were true Heavyweights.
The men who are on top of the division now, and have been for a while, are NOT in the same weight class as those other men. Lennox Lewis was one of the first to break on to the scene. Lewis was 6'5" tall, and in his prime weighed in at around 245 lbs! Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko stand at 6'6" & 6'7" respectively, and weigh in the 245 lb range. It is normal for these fighters to get in the ring with an opponent who is not only 3-4 inches shorter, but outweighed by as much as 30 lbs. Go back to the first 18 weight divisions....5.3 lb average in weight increase. Go to Heavyweight.....30 lb difference within a single fight.
The way to revive the Heavyweight division in boxing is simple, put the extraordinarily big men in their own division, the Super Heavyweight division. Guys who are 6'2" 215 lb should not be penalized because boxing is too lazy to add another division. Give these guys a cut off at around 225 lbs, and let the "bigs" slug it out in their own division. There are already 19, whats one more?
If you take out the Heavyweight division, you are left with 18 divisions. Those divisions start at Strawweight (105) and end at Cruiserweight (200). There is a 5.3 lb average in weight increase from one division to the next within those 18, and if you take out the 15 lb jump from Light Heavy (175) to Cruiser (200) the average drops a full lb. This makes for very exciting, and more often than not, very fair fights.
In Muhammad Ali's prime, he fought between 205-220. Evander Holyfield also fought in that same range. He actually started his career at 175 lbs. Even "Big" George Foreman was in the 220 lb range in his early days. Mike Tyson was at his best when he weighed 215-220 lbs. These guys were true Heavyweights.
The men who are on top of the division now, and have been for a while, are NOT in the same weight class as those other men. Lennox Lewis was one of the first to break on to the scene. Lewis was 6'5" tall, and in his prime weighed in at around 245 lbs! Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko stand at 6'6" & 6'7" respectively, and weigh in the 245 lb range. It is normal for these fighters to get in the ring with an opponent who is not only 3-4 inches shorter, but outweighed by as much as 30 lbs. Go back to the first 18 weight divisions....5.3 lb average in weight increase. Go to Heavyweight.....30 lb difference within a single fight.
The way to revive the Heavyweight division in boxing is simple, put the extraordinarily big men in their own division, the Super Heavyweight division. Guys who are 6'2" 215 lb should not be penalized because boxing is too lazy to add another division. Give these guys a cut off at around 225 lbs, and let the "bigs" slug it out in their own division. There are already 19, whats one more?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
With warm months, comes a warm voice
With the close of every NCAA basketball season, comes the beginning of every baseball season. For us this means spring, warmer days, hot dogs, (or Dodger dogs if you're like me) and all of the sounds that go with Americas pass time. Baseball has a very unique soundtrack. There is the unmistakable sound of a bat connecting with a ball on the "sweet spot." There's the organ playing as it crescendo's towards the cries of "CHARGE!!!" The 7th inning stretch and 50,000 fans singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Even the nonsense mumbles of heckling fans as they try to disrupt a player, or get under the skin of an umpire...."Heeeey batter batter batter, SWING!!" Or, "Get off your knees blue, you're blowing the game!" Baseball is full of great sounds, but the best sounds are in the voices.
In Philadelphia, fans will tell you about Harry Kalas and his "outta here" phrase uttered after every home run. He was a Phillie from '71 until his death in 2009...38 years. In Detroit, they'll tell you about Ernie Harwell. Ernie was a Tiger for 42 years. The Tigers replaced Ernie one year, but the outcry from his fans forced the Tigers to bring him back the following season. He retired in 2002, and died just last year. On the north side of Chicago, it's all about the gruff, sometimes mumbled sounds of Harry Caray. Caray was loved by Cubs fans maybe more than they loved their own players. From his home run call, "It might be, it could be, IT IS!! A home run!!" to the now famous tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from the broadcast booth along with the fans of Wrigley..."and uh 1, and uh 2, and uh...." And even though John Sterling provides Yankee fans with his signature "Thaaaaaa, Yankees WIN!" I think the voice most remembered by NY fans will be the one that came from public address announcer Bob Sheppard. Sheppard was the PA man from '51-2007. His calming, melodic voice was loved not only by fans, but by the Yankee players he introduced. So much so, that Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter has a recording of Sheppard's voice introduce him to this day. Sheppard died in 2010 at the age of 99.
For me, and just about every Dodgers fan out there, the voice of baseball has always been Vin Scully. Vin has been a Dodger for 62 years, going all the way back to the Brooklyn Dodgers days. He has been there for every one of their World Series titles. His voice has been part of some of the most historic games in baseball. Bill Buckner in '86...."Behind the bag!!" Sandy Kofax perfect game in '65. Hank Arron breaking Babe Ruth's Home Run record in '74. And of course, Kirk Gibson and "The Natural" moment of his career, the Game 1 home run in the bottom of the 9th in the '88 World Series. But Vin is more than that. His voice coming from another room where the TV or radio is on is as familiar as your Grandfathers voice calling out your name. It's soothing, comforting, and unmistakable. No one can paint a picture better than Vin. You will know exactly how the sky looks, the shape of the clouds, and how cute the little girl in the front row is, all dressed up in her dodger gear, watching the game from the safety of her daddy's lap. He can tell stories from baseballs past, and seems to have enough knowledge to fill hours of broadcast time. But he also know the enormity of "the moment." Several times in his career, he has been praised for knowing when to sit back, be quiet, and let the sights and sounds of that moment tell their own story.
Baseball has a wonderful soundtrack. It's one I look forward to every Spring. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe Vin is on, and I have some listening to do.
In Philadelphia, fans will tell you about Harry Kalas and his "outta here" phrase uttered after every home run. He was a Phillie from '71 until his death in 2009...38 years. In Detroit, they'll tell you about Ernie Harwell. Ernie was a Tiger for 42 years. The Tigers replaced Ernie one year, but the outcry from his fans forced the Tigers to bring him back the following season. He retired in 2002, and died just last year. On the north side of Chicago, it's all about the gruff, sometimes mumbled sounds of Harry Caray. Caray was loved by Cubs fans maybe more than they loved their own players. From his home run call, "It might be, it could be, IT IS!! A home run!!" to the now famous tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from the broadcast booth along with the fans of Wrigley..."and uh 1, and uh 2, and uh...." And even though John Sterling provides Yankee fans with his signature "Thaaaaaa, Yankees WIN!" I think the voice most remembered by NY fans will be the one that came from public address announcer Bob Sheppard. Sheppard was the PA man from '51-2007. His calming, melodic voice was loved not only by fans, but by the Yankee players he introduced. So much so, that Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter has a recording of Sheppard's voice introduce him to this day. Sheppard died in 2010 at the age of 99.
For me, and just about every Dodgers fan out there, the voice of baseball has always been Vin Scully. Vin has been a Dodger for 62 years, going all the way back to the Brooklyn Dodgers days. He has been there for every one of their World Series titles. His voice has been part of some of the most historic games in baseball. Bill Buckner in '86...."Behind the bag!!" Sandy Kofax perfect game in '65. Hank Arron breaking Babe Ruth's Home Run record in '74. And of course, Kirk Gibson and "The Natural" moment of his career, the Game 1 home run in the bottom of the 9th in the '88 World Series. But Vin is more than that. His voice coming from another room where the TV or radio is on is as familiar as your Grandfathers voice calling out your name. It's soothing, comforting, and unmistakable. No one can paint a picture better than Vin. You will know exactly how the sky looks, the shape of the clouds, and how cute the little girl in the front row is, all dressed up in her dodger gear, watching the game from the safety of her daddy's lap. He can tell stories from baseballs past, and seems to have enough knowledge to fill hours of broadcast time. But he also know the enormity of "the moment." Several times in his career, he has been praised for knowing when to sit back, be quiet, and let the sights and sounds of that moment tell their own story.
Baseball has a wonderful soundtrack. It's one I look forward to every Spring. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe Vin is on, and I have some listening to do.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
NCAA
In what was a very entertaining tournament, the final game left most fans wanting. Only UCONN fans can truly be happy with the end result. A sloppy, ugly, basketball game that saw one team make 3 2pt baskets over the whole 40 minutes while shooting a miserable 18% for the game (an all time low). Butler can't even blame it on the "1 and done" trend in the NCAA, They are full of seniors with championship game experience. Maybe they choked. Maybe UCONN's defense was really that good. Or maybe, in a year that saw a very average group of top tier teams, Butler just got lucky. A last second put back, a ridiculous foul with no time on the clock, an amazing run by VCU....who? Last years Butler team would have beat this years team by 15 in last nights game. Butler did what it needed to do to get back to the final 4, but lets not put this team in an "all time team" conversation. The Rebels of the 80's & 90's, the 80's Hoyas. the Duke's of the 90's & early 2000's, Arkansas 40 minutes of hell, even the Fab 5 would have embarrassed both of those teams last night.
The tournament is fun no matter the quality of the field. We still get our buzzer beaters, our Cinderella's, and even our one shining moment. But please, what ever you do, don't put these teams in an all time conversation. They had good runs against average competition. Leave the history talk for the teams that actually made history.
The tournament is fun no matter the quality of the field. We still get our buzzer beaters, our Cinderella's, and even our one shining moment. But please, what ever you do, don't put these teams in an all time conversation. They had good runs against average competition. Leave the history talk for the teams that actually made history.
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