Mike Coughlin’s Half-Guarded Truth (11/23/2009): Karo Parisyan and a Growing Problem Within MMA

Mike Coughlin posted this very well-written, mature, and thoughtful article on the Figure Four site.  In this blogger’s opinion, it is the best written article on the sport this year.  I hope Mike’s articles can be incorporated in a Best American Sports Writing or similar anthology.

Former Guest Fights Tonight (possibly on CBS)

(C) Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Modafferi was a guest on my show last fall (2008).  The episode in question is: The Invisible Web Episode 21 (0302) – Fighting 63 in Japan.  Tonight she will be facing one of the premiere female fighters in the world, Merloes Coenen on the StrikeForce Fedor vs Rogers undercard.  Her fight may or may not be televised due to time constraints. In 2007 , Roxy beat Merloes to win the K-Grace Tournament, in Japan.  At that time many consider Merloes to be the “female Rickson Gracie” due to her numerous tournament wins.  We here at the Invizible Web (and MMA-Blitz) wish Roxy a good fight and know she will kick Merloes’ ass again.

My Appareance Shooting the Breeze on MMA Blitz

This week I join two friend and colleagues and shoot the Breeze ala gonzo journalism.  Note, if you are easily, I seriously ask you  not to listen.

Bull to Paper Democrats

MMA Blitz: UFC 97 Picktastic Pick’em‏

That’s right peeps! An audio version of the picktastic pick’em! This was recorded a couple of days ago with Casey and is available on the Combat Hooligans podcast feed but i thought you guys would like a direct download link to the podcast.

Here it is:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/combathooligans/UFC_97_Picktastic_Pickem.mp3

Enjoy!

Euan

This is Amazing: Marcus “Lelo” Aurelio vs Keegan Marshall

Below is the amazing match between Lelo and Marshall from April 4th, 2009 from British Columbia at the 24th North American Challenge. Don’t blink.  And prepare to rewind.  This is something that is probably once in a lifetime.

MMA Sunday Episode 3 W/Elaina Maxwell now available

The third episode of MMA Sunday with guest Elaina Maxwell (also here) is now available for your listening enjoyment. Elaina discusses her athletic background, how she got in to MMA, took a call from a surprise guest or 2 and gave her thoughts on Pulver-Faber II and Penn-St. Pierre II and a whole lot more.

If you’re in the Lousiana area, you can see Elaina next week for a combined MMA/Car show at the Superdome in New Orleans. Go to SteelCageFighting.com for more information.

Also, check out one of her favorite causes, the fight against dog fighting at KnockOutDogFighting.org .

Download (Right Click, Save As)

or if you’d rather you can stream the show here:

MMA Sunday is a production from Ric Gillespie of Canvas Chronicle.com and Casey Trowbridge of Combat-Hooligans.com and airs most sunday nights at 9:00 PM ET. on the Georgia Wrestling History Radio Network .

MMA Sunday, Episode 1 with Bobby Lashley now available.

Tonight, Canvas Chronicle ’s Ric Gillespie and Casey Trowbridge (of Combat Hooligans infamy)hosted the premier of MMA Sunday on the Georgia Wrestling History Radio Network .

Our guest tonight was former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley .

Among topics discussed:

• His debut fight back in December
• Training with American Top Team and how that has been so beneficial towards his development as a fighter
• What lessons Pro Wrestling taught him that he has been able to apply to MMA
• The value of entertainment
• Where he’ll be fighting next
• His plans for the future in both MMA as well as a desire to do more pro wrestling

You can listen to tonight’s episode clicking here and don’t forget to check out the rest of the shows on the Georgia Wrestling History Radio Network and tune in next Sunday for more of MMA Sunday .

New UFC World Heavyweight Champ Says Homphobic Words

(Las Vegas, NV) Former World Wrestling Entertainment ace Brock Lesnar just defeated 45 year old Mixed Martial Arts legend Randy Couture around midnight for the UFC World Heavyweight Championship. In 2004, Brock made the following comments that I do not recall that he ever retracted, “I don’t like gays. Write that down in your little notebook. I don’t like gays.” It is found here in the introductory section. With much anger already against those who funded and supported unconstitutional and unethical Prop 8, the UFC probably should expect a PR nightmare for the ill timed crowning of someone who spouted bigoted ideals. With buys projected in the millions by the UFC President himself, Brock should be scrutinized over his hateful bigotry which may affect the fanbase of mostly 18-49 year olds.

Ultimate Fighting Championships 91- Couture vs Lesnar Play By Play

1) Opening Match: Demian Maia vs Nate Quarry (Middlweight Bout)

Interesting. Maia with Wanderlei Silva trains at Xtreme Couture whereas Quarry used to be a protege of Couture, currently with Randy’s former training camp, Nate Quarry. Nate is entering to hip hop music. Never has a man as white (and vanilla) as Quarry attempted such a feat. FAILURE~!

Round One: Ariany is the ring girl for the opening match. Herb Dean is ref. Maia (whose surname comes from the ancient Greek Goddess of the Spring), clinches Quarry, pulls Guard, and gets a Body Triangle from the Back Mount. It looks tight but not backbreackingly brutal. Maia gets a Rear Naked Choke (might as well have humbled him while he was Naked).

Winner: Demian Maia (via R1 Submission – RNC) Nate Quarry

Randy Couture enters the building with wife Kim while SABLE is absent from entering with her significant other, Brock Lesnar. I seriously think a Lesnar victory would be the defeat (and/or shame) of the human race.

2) Second Match: Gabriel Gonzaga vs Josh Hendricks (Heavyweight Bout)

I still don’t feel pumped for the show. Hell I am visiting Newsarama. Not to seem ignorant but is it me or does Napao look like a bigger Shogun Rua? UFC’s tedious intros really need revamping. Now checking Technoccult and Disinfo.

The Invisible Web Episode 21 (Fighting 63 in Japan)

(C) Roxanne Modafferi

The Invisible Web Episode 21 (0302) – Fighting 63 in Japan

On this episode of the Invisible Web I interview Roxanne Modafferi, who is one of the headliners for the inaugural GCM VALKYRIE MMA show on Saturday, at Tokyo’s Differ Ariake (doors open 1:00 PM Tokyo and 2:00 is bell time). We discuss the etymological origins of her family name, her mini feud with Megumi Yabushita, training with the Wajyutsu Keishukai Network (Caol Uno and Yushin THUNDA Okami), anime, and more. And as a bonus I read Time and the Gods by Lord Dunsany.

Roxanne’s official website.

Fightlinker, her top sponsors who sell her t-shirts.

Time and the Gods at Project Gutenberg.

UPDATE: Roxanne won the decision in her fight today at the inaugural VALKYRIE show against Chisa Yonezawa. Congratulations~!!

EliteXC ‘Heat’ – 10/04/08 – round-by-round coverage Not good for TV.

Segment:  Show opens with Ken apologizing that he pissed away 5 to 6 figures and possibly killing the office.  I wonder if this is the end for him.  Over a cut. he got from a headbutt during a warmup…There goes Elite.  Thank you Dr.  Fields…

Show returns with Frank saying Ken has tossed away the family legacy.  KIMBO is taking the fight against Petruzelli.

Can they fit 5 fights including a title fight in 2 hours?

Prefight video:  Benji Radach is hired by LA Boxing but doesn’t train there?  Good marketing Benji.

Invisible Web Season Two Bonus Track TapOut Conference Call

courtesy of Erika Mlejova (@) Openphoto.net

On this episode of the show I take part in the TapOut Season Two conference call from last Wednesday. Find out how they select fighters and gyms to highlight, and their thoughts on the controversy of fighters sandbagging records.

Invisible Web Season Two Bonus Track TapOut Conference Call

The new season of TapOut starts tomorrow night, July 30th, on Versus. Please check your local listings and the website for details.

Elite XC on CBS Coverage (07-26-2008)

American Dog commercials

Who is this commentator? I do not recognize the voice. That’s Gus?

Shayna Baszler vs Christiane Cyborg Evangelista

NIck Thompson vs Jake Shields

Nick Diaz vs Thomas Denny (By the way now that I know they will not air the Noons footage I think they will deserve their failure when they do not sell that match. That will be sad.)

Robbie Lawler vs Scott Smith

Match One: Shayna Baszler vs Cristiane Cyborg Evangelista

NY Combat Sambo profiled in New York Times

My coach in the background. (C) Bess Greenberg/The New York Times

By R.M. SCHNEIDERMAN for the New York Times, Published: July 19, 2008

It was born in the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution and remained largely a state secret until the collapse of the Soviet Union.

It is called sambo, a Russian acronym that stands for self-defense without weapons, and it is a martial art that combines striking, submissions, throws and weapons disarmament.

Popular in Russia and the former Soviet republics, sambo was relatively unknown in the rest of the world. But over the last five years that has slowly changed in the United States with the increased popularity of mixed martial arts, a sport that counts a number of sambo experts among its elite fighters.

Two such fighters, Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski, will participate in a mixed martial arts event Saturday in Anaheim, Calif. Emelianenko, considered by some to be the best fighter in the world, will take on Tim Sylvia, the former heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Arlovski, also a former U.F.C. champ, will square off against Ben Rothwell, an American who has dabbled in sambo.

Read more.

The Invisible Web Episode 19 (Season Two Episode 10) – El Solo Cachorro de Espada

The Invisible Web Episode 19 (Season Two Episode 10) El Solo Cachorro de Espada

Combat sports galore. 65 Minutes ~! The RAW Draft, Triplemania, and other fun stuff. And remember to vote for Rupert the AntiChrist for President in the 2008 US Presidential election.

Xanshin @ Green Destiny

Andy @ Osaka Holiday Paradise

Flash CMLL Juicio Final results by Kris Zellner

Better late than never: AAA Triplemania 2008 results

AAA TripleMania Preview and Predictions

New Japan Pro Wrestling Best of Super Jr. Final Results

Lorenzo Fertitta begins full-time with UFC

MMA in NY? Not if NY Mag and Albany got their ways.

RAW 2008 Draft Recap

Lorenzo Fertitta begins full-time with UFC

Lorenzo Fertitta, co-owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championships, has stepped down from his lucrative position of President at the Station Casinos, the multi-million dollar casino owned by his family to occupy a full-time management position at UFC. He will continue his practice of globalization but now with the MMA promotion in mind. Dana White will now work day-to-day with him.

For more information please read the official Press Release.

my comments to come