MMA Live Chat - Live Blog Live Blogging

MMA Live Chat

(06/13/2008)

12:34

Who do you think will win the Elite XC main event tomorrow night?
K.J. Noons

( 50% )

Yves Edwards

( 50% )

Friday June 13, 2008 12:34

12:34

Do you plan on buying the Affliction Pay-Per-View on July 19?
Yes

( 50% )

Friday June 13, 2008 12:34

12:35

We'll start the live chat at 1 p.m. Eastern but until then feel free to submit questions and/or weigh in on the pair of polls.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:35

1:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Friday June 13, 2008 1:00

1:00

We're here to talk about Elite XC on Showtime tomorrow night and anything else in the mixed martial arts world that's on your mind.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:00

1:01

Suppose the best place to start would be with some preview and predictions on tomorrow night's fights.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:01

1:02

Starting from the bottom of the card, I think Rafael Feijao will beat Wayne Cole.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:02

1:03

Ninja Rua vs. Tony Borello is an interesting fight. Rua's star has fallen quite a bit of late and Borello has a gaudy record but very little stateside exposure.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:03

1:04

I like Rua but will admit it's only because I'm more familiar with his work. Would love to hear some from people who have seen Borello fight more often.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:04

1:05

Dave Herman and Ron Waterman is a classic youth vs. experience matchup. Waterman has the power while Herman has a pretty extensive and impressive amateur wrestling background.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:05

1:05

So long as Herman stays away from Waterman's right, I think he can win.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:05

1:06

Nick Diaz and Muhsin Corbbrey is another interesting fight.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:06

1:07

Diaz should be on the shortlist for the next shot at the lightweight title he lost to K.J. Noons but his fights have often turned into wild brawls like the one he lost to Noons.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:07

1:07

If Corbbrey can get things going on the ground, the fight could go his way.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:07

1:08

I don't think he will, though, and think Diaz will position himself as the next challenger to the winner of the main event.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:08

1:09

Which is, of course, K.J. Noons and Yves Edwards.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:09

1:09

It's a big test for Noons, maybe even more than the Diaz fight which introduced him to the MMA world. Edwards has been around the block several times and will offer Noons a chance at beating a seasoned veteran skilled in all aspects of fighting.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:09

1:11

Lost of potential for a great fight here but I see Noons raising his game and holding onto the title.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:11

1:11

Any other thoughts on the card out there?

Friday June 13, 2008 1:11

1:13

Guess not.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:13

1:15

Perhaps everyone's been talked out by the last three weeks in MMA which have been some of the most action-packed in the sport's history.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:15

1:16

Two UFC pay-per-views, Elite XC's debut on CBS, Donald Trump wading into the mixed martial arts world, the latest attempt at legalization in New York...no shortage of things going on in the MMA world.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:16

1:19

Alright, I'll keep sharing my thoughts, hopefully we'll get some other opinions in here shortly.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:19

1:19

I think Trump's involvement signals the continuing shift of MMA from the outer tier of American sports into a more central area.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:19

1:20

Like Mark Cuban, his name draws eyeballs to a story or an event and, overall, that's a good thing. As is an expansive spread for Dana White in Rolling Stone and Elite XC on CBS.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:20

1:21

The latter has been pilloried as being a bad show by longtime MMA fans but I don't think that was the audience being targeted.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:21

1:22

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I think Noons smokes Yves. In my opinion, Diaz and his brother are both punks, but they are extremely skilled fighters, especially on the ground in Nate's case. And Nick has good hands. Anyone who can take out Nick (even though it was from a cut) shouldn't have much trouble with Yves.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:22 Rick

1:22

Diaz is definitely a skilled fighter.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:22

1:23

I'd like to see a rematch between Diaz and Noons and think that Edwards, being a veteran, will help Noons get better ahead of such a fight.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:23

1:23

[Comment From RickRick: ]

Rematch would be nice, especially since Diaz supposedly had that scar tissue worked on to eliminate the frequency of cuts.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:23 Rick

1:24

Going in, I don't know how many people thought Noons would win that fight and the fact that it ended on a cut and not by an overwhelming KO calls for another go.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:24

1:24

Diaz looked quite good thrashing Inoue at DREAM 3.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:24

1:26

I know he's supposed to fight on another DREAM card but I think a rematch, especially if it were on Elite's next CBS card, would hold a bit more interest for him.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:26

1:28

Going back to Rick's earlier comment, Diaz has been a bit of a punk at times, hasn't he?

Friday June 13, 2008 1:28

1:28

I wonder if he might look past Corbbrey and create a more difficult fight for himself in the process.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:28

1:30

Anyway, back to the other discussion, to truly grow MMA has to look beyond the hardcore fans who have been following the sport for years. That's probably going to mean more fireworks and dancing girls like we had a couple of weeks ago, but it will also mean more of a chance for unknown fighters to gain a following.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:30

1:31

Strikeforce has been pulling some really solid ratings, given their graveyard slot, and NBC could be the next network to get in the game.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:31

1:31

[Comment From RickRick: ]

Maybe he'll send him some emails before the fight like he did with Riggs

Friday June 13, 2008 1:31 Rick

1:32

Or perhaps he'll start another brawl in the hospital. Diaz is unpredictable like that.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:32

1:33

The consolidation between companies like Adrenaline and Affliction and DREAM and Elite XC (as well as IFL's apparent demise) also serve to make for a few strong groups instead of an oversaturated marketplace.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:33

1:34

UFC is the big dog so the smaller guys will need to continue amassing their assets to really challenge them. It's an exciting time in the sport.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:34

1:34

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I think at least a few of these leagues will get a lot more attention pretty soon. As people start to appreciate the sport more, they'll realize UFC is not the only place that has quality fighters.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:34 Rick

1:34

Absolutely right.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:34

1:34

And there will be more chances for fighters to make money and capitalize on there talents because of it.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:34

1:34

[Comment From RickRick: ]

A lot of my friends who were never into it before now come over to watch fights; that's a good sign

Friday June 13, 2008 1:34 Rick

1:35

My wife loves it, which surprises me and, I'll be honest, scares me a little.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:35

1:35

I fear she's planning to use a guillotine choke on me.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:35

1:36

Seriously, though, it's exciting, physical and, when the fighters are well-matched, dramatic as hell.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:36

1:36

[Comment From RickRick: ]

Sexy. My fiance will watch it too, although she freaks out when someone gets hit in the face really hard.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:36 Rick

1:37

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I have never heard of Rua's opponent. What is the status of Rua's brother in UFC right now? Still hurt?

Friday June 13, 2008 1:37 Rick

1:37

I've heard of him but never seen him. Bonello is undefeated but there's some talk of his fights being worked overseas.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:37

1:38

As for Mauricio Rua, it's been a long wait for him to get back in the cage.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:38

1:39

Last I heard he needed knee surgery, which kept him out of UFC 85, but I'm not sure if he's had it or not.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:39

1:39

[Comment From RickRick: ]

That Griffin fight shocked me. I thought Rua would wak through him

Friday June 13, 2008 1:39 Rick

1:40

Yes, I think everyone from Dana White on down expected a Rua-Jackson rematch to come out of that fight.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:40

1:40

I know that Rua wanted Liddell as well but by the time he's back, the line may be long.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:40

1:41

[Comment From jtjt: ]

rua had a torn acl going into the fight not to make excuses but he was far from 100 percent

Friday June 13, 2008 1:41 jt

1:41

Right, that's the knee he needs surgery on.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:41

1:41

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I'll buy that

Friday June 13, 2008 1:41 Rick

1:42

With Jackson fighting next month and Liddell looking like a September fight, not sure where Rua would go next. Maybe a rematch with Griffin to reestablish himself?

Friday June 13, 2008 1:42

1:42

[Comment From jtjt: ]

and he tore the same acl rehabbing and prepping for the liddell fight thats why hes out so long

Friday June 13, 2008 1:42 jt

1:43

Thanks for the clarification JT, didn't realize he blew the same one twice. That's a lot to come back from.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:43

1:44

[Comment From jtjt: ]

no problem

Friday June 13, 2008 1:44 jt

1:44

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I think a rematch with Griffin would depend on the Rampage outcome. If he beats him, I assume Rampage gets a rematch.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:44 Rick

1:44

True.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:44

1:44

I'm thinking Rampage wins that fight, though.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:44

1:45

[Comment From jtjt: ]

i think rampage finishes the fight late 1st early 2nd

Friday June 13, 2008 1:45 jt

1:45

That sounds about right.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:45

1:45

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I do too, but it seems to me that MMA, more than other sports, has upsets. I have seen a lot of fights go the other way of my opinion. Although maybe that just means I have crappy opinions.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:45 Rick

1:47

Fights can turn so quickly and everyone at a high level has the ability to make something happen in a flash.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:47

1:47

Take the Machida-Ortiz fight, for example.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:47

1:47

Machida was dominating but Ortiz had that opening late and nearly pulled off the win.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:47

1:47

[Comment From jtjt: ]

i dunno but i think next fight thats logical is shogun when hes ready to come back and sokodju since he called him out

Friday June 13, 2008 1:47 jt

1:48

[Comment From jtjt: ]

i just dont like machidas style yes its a decent style but its kind of boring if you think about it

Friday June 13, 2008 1:48 jt

1:48

It isn't a flashy style, that's for sure, but I enjoy watching him.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:48

1:49

He's a good foil for an agressive fighter and so skilled at avoiding the takedown that it's going to be very hard for anyone to beat him.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:49

1:49

[Comment From jtjt: ]

hes explosive when he breaks out yes dont get me wrong its a great style but just not my cup of tea

Friday June 13, 2008 1:49 jt

1:49

I hear you, different strokes for different folks.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:49

1:49

[Comment From jtjt: ]

put him in there with wandy hell get in his face and be aggresive

Friday June 13, 2008 1:49 jt

1:49

That's a great idea for a fight.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:49

1:50

If he could elude Silva, I'd be quite impressed.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:50

1:50

[Comment From RickRick: ]

I agree with JT. He's not as boring as Sylvia (nobody is), but that Ortiz fight got annoying at times.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:50 Rick

1:50

It's funny, I really enjoyed that fight. I like contrasting styles.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:50

1:51

The wild brawls have their place too but I like to see power try and catch a slippery foe.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:51

1:51

[Comment From jtjt: ]

and i met tito 4 days after that fight at a book signing and he called machida a pussy which i thought was hillarious

Friday June 13, 2008 1:51 jt

1:51

[Comment From jtjt: ]

i like sylvia actually and i think he will beat fedor

Friday June 13, 2008 1:51 jt

1:51

[Comment From JCNJCN: ]

Mind if I toss in a baseball question? In relation to your post Mitch Harris, doesn't it rather suck a lot that the Navy won't let him join the Cardinals, while at least one of the other Armed Forces seem willing to compromise?

Friday June 13, 2008 1:51 JCN

1:52

JCN, it does suck but that's the deal he made when he signed up. Changing the rules after the fact seems a bit unfair.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:52

1:53

Surely there's a math whiz or an accomplished writer at Annapolis who would benefit from entering the civilian world a little early as well. I'm okay with a rule that says you can get out but the Navy never had that option.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:53

1:53

[Comment From RickRick: ]

My initial reaction is to call JT crazy, but it actually isn't. Fedor hasn't fought anyone good in a loooong time. I could see him getting caught with a stiff one.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:53 Rick

1:53

Back to MMA, I think Fedor wins and must admit that JT's is the first opinion to the contrary that I've heard.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:53

1:54

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

FEDOR WILL DESTROY SILVA BEFORE THE ROUND IS OVER

Friday June 13, 2008 1:54 PIT BULL CAFE

1:54

It has been a long time since he's fought a great opponent, that's true, but I just don't see Sylvia hanging with him long enough.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:54

1:55

[Comment From jtjt: ]

think about it fedors last fight he beat matt lindland who fights 20 pound under the hwy class and then the law gave fedor a fight and avoided and takedown by grabbing the ropes, other then that the person before that he beat 450 pound zuluzhino im telling you sylvia wins

Friday June 13, 2008 1:55 jt

1:56

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

FEDOR SUBMITTED THAT 8 FOOT KOREAN HE AINT AFRAID OF GIANTS I DOUBT SILVA COULD OF BEAT THAT KOREAN

Friday June 13, 2008 1:56 PIT BULL CAFE

1:56

[Comment From jtjt: ]

sylvia finishes the fight in the 2nd

Friday June 13, 2008 1:56 jt

1:57

Interesting. I like to hear some Sylvia support and I think he would have beaten Choi.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:57

1:57

I'm excited about Affliction's heavyweight group in general.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:57

1:58

If they can find a way to get Couture into the mix, it would be even more impressive.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:58

1:58

[Comment From jtjt: ]

yes i think they will be great i want to see how the pitbull does against rothwell

Friday June 13, 2008 1:58 jt

1:59

Yeah, that was a good signing. He's definitely past his prime but beating Arlovski will give anyone a boost and lends a lot of legitimacy to the effort.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:59

1:59

[Comment From jtjt: ]

arlovski past his prime hes only 29

Friday June 13, 2008 1:59 jt

2:00

I wasn't blown away by his last couple of fights.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:00

2:00

[Comment From jtjt: ]

true me either but still hes young and i think hell be back

Friday June 13, 2008 2:00 jt

2:01

Rothwell should be a good judge of that.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:01

2:01

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

HE SHAVED HIS HAIRY CHEST MAYBE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM LOL

Friday June 13, 2008 2:01 PIT BULL CAFE

2:02

Any thoughts on the rumor that Sylvia-Fedor will be for a title? Does that matter to anyone?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:02

2:02

[Comment From jtjt: ]

no its because he cut his long hair and actual pitbuill look

Friday June 13, 2008 2:02 jt

2:02

In general, the competing belts remind me of pro wrestling and boxing too much but I get it from a branding standpoint. Everyone likes to say so-and-so is the champion.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:02

2:03

[Comment From jtjt: ]

its not for a title you cant have a title fight on your first show

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03 jt

2:03

There's been some talk, JT, that it will be to inaugurate a title.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03

2:03

[Comment From SensteSenste: ]

I read Paul Heyman's take on Trump in MMA ... did anyone else see it? It was VERY VERY VERY interesting

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03 Senste

2:03

I didn't see that Senste, care to enlighten a little?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03

2:03

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

how good is kimbo slice?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03 Guest

2:03

He's better at drawing eyeballs than he is at fighting.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03

2:03

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

sivla vs slice?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:03 Guest

2:04

Sylvia? Would destroy him.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:04

2:04

[Comment From SensteSenste: ]

Heyman brings up all these very very important points about how involved Trump really is or isn't

Friday June 13, 2008 2:04 Senste

2:04

Name recognition is the biggest thing for Affliction in that deal. Any money he adds is gravy and important but the name is the biggest thing, I think.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:04

2:04

[Comment From SensteSenste: ]

I don't know if anyone saw it ... but here it is ... http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article1287649.ece

Friday June 13, 2008 2:04 Senste

2:04

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

SLICE IS A JOKE

Friday June 13, 2008 2:04 PIT BULL CAFE

2:05

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

rampage vs. slice?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:05 Guest

2:05

Put it this way, any experienced fighter > Kimbo.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:05

2:05

[Comment From jtjt: ]

thompson won the fight slices own trainer bas rutten said that fight shoulda been stopped in the second

Friday June 13, 2008 2:05 jt

2:05

I was at the Newark fight, right by the ring and am torn.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:05

2:06

From the undefended blows standpoint, absolutely. But those weren't killer shots by any means. I know that's not the standard but just my two cents.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:06

2:06

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

ha ok...

Friday June 13, 2008 2:06 Guest

2:06

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

SLICE IS A BAR ROOM BRAWLER HE CANT BEAT ANY REAL MMA FIGHTER

Friday June 13, 2008 2:06 PIT BULL CAFE

2:06

[Comment From SensteSenste: ]

I both agree and disagree with Heyman on a lot of things, but he's so dead-on accurate on this one ... would love anyone's opinon on it.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:06 Senste

2:07

I look forward to reading the piece. Thanks for throwing it out there.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:07

2:07

[Comment From PIT BULL CAFEPIT BULL CAFE: ]

SLICE TAPPED OUT

Friday June 13, 2008 2:07 PIT BULL CAFE

2:07

I didn't see that sitting there and didn't pick it up watching a replay.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:07

2:07

[Comment From jtjt: ]

i thought so too but its tricky to see if he tapped or i dunno

Friday June 13, 2008 2:07 jt

2:09

To me, he touched Thompson's arm and people were looking for a conspiracy. It's a much better argument, to me anyway, that the fight should have been stopped when Thompson was pounding him for a minute straight.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:09

2:10

I do think Elite has to broaden their known fighters and not put all their eggs in his basket. It was the right move for the first card but they can't ride Kimbo to respectability.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:10

2:10

It'll take too long and they'll lose credibility.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:10

2:10

[Comment From jtjt: ]

who is everyones favorite fighter?

Friday June 13, 2008 2:10 jt

2:11

Not an easy question.

Friday June 13, 2008 2:11

2:11