This week’s radio show features a recap of the Brook vs. Golovkin bout, the defeat of Phil “CM Punk” Brooks, Stipe Miocic’s Heavyweight Title bout with Alistair Overeem and Tony’s visit with former gues Antonio Tarver at a recent Philadelphia boxing event. Tom, Tony and Rich also look at some news from combat sports and preview upcoming UFC, Bellator and boxing events.
Tom, Tony and Rich discuss the week in Combat Sports, focusing on the recent UFC Fight Night in Hamburg, Alemanian, the UFC debut of Phil Brooks (A.K.A. CM Punk) and the upcoming battle between Kell Brook and Gennady Golovkin.
Join Tony “Tornado” Penecale, “Rabble Rousin'” Rich Bergeron and “Psychic” Tom Padgett as we analyze UFC 202, discuss the budding Pro Fighters Association and go over the weekly combat sports schedule.
By: Rich Bergeron
Pertsonalki ezagutzen nautenek pertsona apala naizela esango lukete, ni serio zeharkatu arte, bezalako, adibidez, baduzu lantzen ari naizen ikerketa-txosten baten gai bihurtu, edo auzitara nazazu $25 milioi. Batzuetan horrelako gauzak hartuko ditut agian ez duzula nahi benetan nor zaren eta ate itxien atzean zer egiten duzun jakitea, langile gogorrak izorratzeko.
Aste honetan, Twitter-en jarraitzen utzi ere egiten ez didan banako jakin bat (https://twitter.com/danawhite) haserretu ninduen gauza bakarra bururatu zitzaidan punturaino. Ofizialki zerrenda beltzean sartuta nagoelako modu guztietan UFC letoiak, eta Fertittas-ekin eta UFCko edozein borrokalarirekin zuzenean harremanetan jartzearen aurkako urruntze-aginduak ere jaso ditut., Nire aukerarik onena diatriba zorrotz bat argitaratzea da hemen nire deituko naiz “IREKI FU” hau Dana da “Effing” White.
Ziur nago Mr. Whitek ez ditu nire deiak hartuko edo nirekin elkarrizketa bakarrean jarriko. Beraz, Idatzizko FU batekin konformatu beharko naiz…eta maila anitzeko eta erabilera anitzeko FU bat.
FU, Dana “Effing” White… askorentzat, arrazoi asko…gehiegirentzat blogeko argitalpen txiki bat justizia egiteko, baina esan dezagun gehien bat FU….
Holly Holm-i buruz dakizunagatik…
Hey, Dana, zure buruz hitz egin nahi duzu “eragiten” reality show “Borroka baten bila????” Izan nintzen borrokaren bila hori ikusi nuenean errealitate zaharra “kaka ikuskizuna” Tito Ortiz kutxatu behar zenuenean, baina BERAK magikoki atzera egin zuen azken momentuan.
Orain, zuek, DANA “ERAGIN” ZURIA, Holly Holm-i erabaki baten berri ematen ari dira ZUEK uste duzu ez zuela nahikoa pentsatu??? Eta orain zure Wheaties-en haserre dagoen norbait bezala jokatzen duzu, UFC-n bi garaipen atsekabetu dituzulako 196 landu eta nolabait zentzua nola eman asmatzeko.
Boo “eragiten” au, laguna.
Ongi etorri, batzuetan, borroka negozioan gauzak ez diren bezala ateratzen, Esker txarreko zuloa.
Izan nahi al duzu “eragiten” Sustatzailea, Dana “eragiten” White???
Holly Holm UFCko pisu bantam txapelduna izan zen HER Manager baimendu zuenean (ez Dana “eragiten” White) Tate borroka bere izenean negoziatzeko, eta bazekien (eta bere aspaldiko zuzendariak bazekien, gehiegi) zer egiten zuen eta zer nahi zuen. Eta asmatu “eragiten” zer, Dana? Borrokatu nahi zuen.
Sentitzen dugu, Dana “Effing” White, baina Hollyk ez zuen batean eseri nahi “eragiten” alboan Ronda Rouseyk bukatzeko zain “eragiten” ROADHOUSE ERREMAKE!
Hollyk lanera joan nahi zuen… baina, zoritxarrez, BERE bulegora sartzea eta BERE eguneroko lan zama hain irmotasunez kudeatzea zer den ideiarik ez duen nagusi batengan lan egin behar du., class, duintasuna eta grazia.
Eta uste dut agian atzera begiratzen duela zuk baino apur bat ezberdinean, Dana, zk “eragiten” inolaz ere damutzen da erabateko borroka horretan jarri izana eta bere ahultasun eremu batean harrapatu izana ziurrenik hiru txandako borroka irabaziko zuen borroka batean.. Agian borrokalaria bazina, Dana, baliteke kontzeptu hori guztia eskuratzea. Agian kasu honetan galtzeak hobera egiten du, indartsuagoa, eta iraunkorragoa karrerako borroka-artista misto gisa. Nork ematen dio zure begietan gutxiago merkaturatzen badu? Zer dakizu benetan, hala ere?
ZU EZ BEZALA, Dana “Effing” White, Hollyk Miesha Tate errespetatzen du eta bere aurka borrokatzea erronka bat izango zela pentsatu zuen. Yeah, galdu zuen, baina madarikatua, erabat zuzena zen erronka bat zela esanez. Uste dut borroka emakumezkoen MMAren historiako borroka handienetako bat bezala geratuko dela.
Orain, zergatik ez duzu zurea irekitzen “eragiten” begiak, Dana, ikusi borroka berriro, eta utzi zeure buruari inoiz borrokatu ez zenuen kaiola horretan gertatu behar zenari buruz.
Esker ona izan ordaindu berri duzun txapeldun bat duzula $92,000 borroka ordainetan (hobariak baino lehen) zure erakundearen gerrikoa IRABAZI NAHI ZUEN neskari hartzeko (eta ordaindu $500,000 han egoteko besterik ez). Agian ez da espero zenuena izango, baina horretaz sentitzen duzun antsietatea da UFC eraiki zuten borrokalarientzat hain txarto izateagatik sentitzea MEREZI duzuna..
Danari gai honi buruz ditudan galderarik handienak dira: Zergatik zara hain alboratzailea, Mieshari bere lan GOGOR GUZTIARENGATIK eguneko ordua emateaz arduratu ezin den ipurdia? Zergatik ezin duzu krediturik eman behar den lekuan…borroka horren bi aldeetan? Zergatik ezin duzu itxi “eff” Hollyk edo bere zuzendaritzak itxaron beharko lukeen edo itxaron zezakeenari buruz?
Ez da zure lekua atzera begiratzeko 20/20 Atzera begiratu eta jokatu Hollyk eta bere zuzendariak borroka honetan Nostradamus guztia joan beharko lukete, jakina, kaka hau zetorrela ikusi ez zenuenean, bai, kupula-buru-dimwit zu.
Fighters “eragiten” borroka, Dana. Horixe da “eragiten” egin, jakin beharko zenukeena, bat izan zinela ziur nagoenez “eragiten” MMA borrokalarien kudeatzailea zuk zeuk. Bai, hori duela ilargi asko izan zen, baina nola ahaztu?
Borrokalariak ez dira ipurdian esertzen hegazkin korporatiboetan eta prentsaren aurrean podiumetan jartzen dira egun osoan “eragiten” zure erakundeak horietako gehienei ordaintzen dizkien soldata txikiak. Borrokalari gehienek ezin dute kaka gertatu arte edo norbaitek itxaron “duina” nahikoa zure begietan aurrera egiteko eta haiekin borrokatzeko.
Borrokalari batzuek seme-alabei jaten eman behar diete. Horiek guztiek ordaindu behar dituzte beren fakturak eta entrenamenduekin zerikusia duten gainerako guztia, eguneroko bizitzako gastuak, bidaiak eta aseguru medikoak estaltzen ez dituen kostuak zauri larriei aurre egin behar dietenean. Zure Reebok-eko akordio kakagarria ia ezinezkoa izan zen kanpoko beste babesle batzuk borrokalari askorentzat horrelako gauzak ordaintzen laguntzea, Dana.
Ongi etorri saltzera eta nongoa zaren ahaztera, Dana. Borrokalariez gehiago arduratzen zinen. Orain kaiola batean borrokatzea beste edozein egitea bezalakoa balitz bezala jokatzen duzu 9-5 Lana. Ez da. Da “eragiten” lan gogorra.
Beraz, yeah, Hollyk borroka egitea aukeratu zuen Rousey errebantxarako prest egon zela itxaron beharrean. Eta uste duzu zure iritzia behar duela orain, dena ez baitzuen aurreikusitako moduan atera bientzat?
FU, Dana.
Zuk baino askoz ere min handiagoa egiten du, eta hori bermatu dezaket.
Oh…eta…bide batez…Borrokalariak UFC/Zuffa erakundearen hazkuntzaren eta arrakastaren erantzuleagoak dira inoiz izan baino. Eta hori benetako hitza da, puta aberatsa makila ipurdian duzulako inoiz ez zinelako nahiko ona zure bizitzan zure borroka ofiziala izateko.
Beraz, gainditu Jainkoaren konplexua eta ikasi zure borrokalari GUZTIAK errespetatzen, ez bakarrik irabazten ikusi nahi dituzunak, haiekin hobeto lan egin dezakezula uste duzulako edo erakundea norabide hobean eramango dutela uste duzulako.. Errespetatu ahalegina, sakrifizioa eta mina zure borrokalari GUZTIAK egunero pasatzen dute iristen diren lekura iristeko. Miesharen gerrian jarri duzun gerriko hori IRABAZI zen, eta ez al duzu inoiz uste hori denik “eragiten” Holly Holmek Miesha Tateri aurre egiteko gogoa izan zuela deitzea polita “akats bat.”
Hutsik jotzen du, batez ere, MMAri buruz hitz egiteko mikrofono bat ematea kirolak inoiz egin duen akatsik handiena izan zela kontuan hartuko nuke., aldian! Bere erakundean txapeldun ohi bat erailtzen saiatuko litzatekeen edonork ez du merezi erakunde horretako presidente gisa aitortzea..
Ez dakizu zer den benetan borrokatzea, eta Holly Holm-i egin diozun kritikak esaten dit inoiz ezin duzula ulertu Tateren borroka hartzera eta Rondarako urte alferrik ez itxarotera eraman zuen pentsamoldea. “eragiten” Rousey zure ikuskizun preziatuetako batean agertzeko prest egoteko.
Beraz, FU Dana White zure txapeldun ohia bere karrera kontrolatzen ez dakien idiota bat balitz bezala tratatzeagatik zure ergelkeriari igurtzi gabe, burusoila bertan sartu. Holly ondo dago zure aholkurik gabe, eta bere managerra fidatzen da, ezagutzen ez duzun zerbait izan daitekeena, baina beste pertsonentzat benetan pertsona legitimoekin negozioak egitea da errealitatea.
FU, Dana kirolaren pixa-gaixo enbaxadore izateagatik, odoljarioa duten borrokalariei errespetua ez egitea (eta batzuetan bizitza osorako lesioak jasaten dituzte) zuretzat eta kirolarentzat, eta guztiz gutxietsi eta ez ulertzea benetan borrokalari profesional bat izateko benetan beste borrokalarien aurka lehiatzen dena.…
Gogoratzen al dituzu boxeo-irakasle xume bat izatearekin konformatu behar izan zinen egunak, zure boxeo-entrenatzaileak Bostonek belarrian gogorregi kolpatu zizunelako behin?? Inoiz ez zenuen borroka lehiakor bakar bat izan zure bizitzan, Dana “eragiten” White, eta hori DOKUMENTATUTAKO EGITEA da!
Inoiz begiratu al diezu egun horiei zilarrezko koilaraz elikatzen den Fertittak zure zikoizkeriari atzaparra lagundu baino lehen, berekoia, egotista ipurdia UFC OFIZIAL AHOZKO posizioan sartu?
Gogoratzen al dituzu horiek “iletsua” putz egin zenuen egunak $40 milioi Fertitta funtsak gauzatzeko “Zuffa Mitoa” UFC txarangaren kreditua aldarrikatzen zuen bitartean kirola legeztatu eta arautu zuen dena zure aldetik “eragiten” norberak? MMA aitzindari izan zen BORROKALE bakar batek edo industriako beste edozein profesionalek ez balu bezala zerikusirik izango zuen hanka txiki zikoizuak bertan sartu aurretik.?
Zure amak gogoratzen ditu horiek “lehiakide izan zitekeen” egunak, Dana..beste gizaki batekin benetako borroka bat izan zitekeela uste zenuenean. Zure amak gogoratzen du zu eta zure lagun zital bat isilarazten saiatu zineten arren, BASH HER ONLINE, eta baita bere zerrenda beltza ere LIBURUA, gehiegi.
Gogoratzen al dituzu Floyd Mayweather-ek ere, Jr.. polita zinela pentsatu, zure eguneroko gidaria bat zenean “eragiten” Honda, Dana? Floyd Gogoratzen du. Aspaldi ezagutzen zintuzten pertsona normal baten urteko ordainsaria poker esku bakarrean bota dezakezu.
Beste leku batean zaude orain, Dana “eragiten” White, eta eldarniozko lekua da. Bizi zaren urrutiko planetan bezala, jendeak benetan sinesten ZU, zintzotasunez, benetan “eragiten” jakin zer den BENETAN bat izatea “eragiten” borrokalaria? Benetan sinesten al duzu nolabait sentimendu hori benetan ezagutuko zenuela?
BENETAN?
Badakizu BORROKALARIA zer den, ez duzu, Dana? Borrokalari bat beste gizaki edo emakume baten aurka borrokan armagabeko borrokan gogoz sartzeko ausardia duen gizon edo emakumea da, beste gizaki batengandik urrun egoteko ausardia duten mutil eta neskak gora eta behera kritikatu beharrean, onartutako helburua elkar suntsitzea dela jakin eta barneratuz..
Borrokalari bat, termino sinpleagoetan, da “borrokatzen duena.” Eta argi izan dezagun bat “eragiten” gauza, Dana “eragiten” White, Borrolariak ezagutzen ditut, eta ZUEK ez dira borrokalariak.
Ez zara borrokalari baten antzekorik, Dana “eragiten” White, eta zu inoiz “eragiten” izango da. Ahulegia zara, bai fisikoki bai mentalki. Sei asteko entrenamendu-kanpamentu bat igaro eta gero norbaiten aurka kaiolan sartu eta ipurdian ostikoka ematen ikusten zaituen arte, ez genuke madarikatu bat entzun behar “liteke,” “beharko luke,” edo “litzateke” edozein borrokalari jakin baten errendimenduaz edo erabakiak hartzeko prozesuaz pentsatzen duzunari buruz arto-ahotik. Pertsona horiek zuek INOIZ egingo ez duzuna egiteko ausardia dute, eta hori errespetatu beharko zenuke.
FU Dana White…Miesha Tate eta Nate Diaz bezalako benetako borrokalariak ez aitortzeagatik berdin jarraitzen dutenak eta INOIZ INOIZ zure AZKEN ERRESPETUA irabazten dutela dirudi.….
Nate Diazek Conor McGregorren aurka borrokatzeko urratsa eman zuen arrazoi bategatik. Ez zuen ezer galtzeko, eta ez zen batere beldurtu. Telebistan ibili zen Fox Sports-ekin 1 Conor-ekin pantaila zatitu batean welter-pisu-borroka horren aurretik eta bere etsai aurretik itota zegoela esan zuen., “bi herrenek.” McGregorren galerak gertatu zirela umorez gaineratzeko sen ezin hobea zuen Diazek, “duela aste bat bezala.”
Diazek Conor irabazi zion kaka-hitz jokoan inoiz zaplazteko eta kaiolan lepoan sartu baino askoz lehenago.. Freakshow borroka hark sortutako hedabideek baliteke zure handiaren gorakada mugagabea gelditu izana, lodia, sei buruko dragoi txapelduna, baina munstro berri bat sortu zuen aldi berean. Eta Reebok-en gorrotoa da, zorroztuta, zin eginez, Stockton-a zaplazteko Ama-F$#erregea BEAST, ez zaio axola beste inork zer pentsatzen duen egiten edo esaten duenari buruz.
Diaz eta bere jarrera direla pentsa liteke “negoziorako txarra,” baina uste dut bere garaipena UFC exekutatzen ari zaren punk burugabe guztiei gerta ziezaiekeen gauzarik onena izan zela. Behingoz frogatzen du ez duzula MMA unibertsoa kontrolatzen.
Nate Diaz errespetu eta meriturik gabe joan zen MMA aitzindari eta UFCko soldadu ona izateagatik denbora gehiegiz. Mingostasuna sortu eta irakiten zen bere baitan, eta borroka osteko elkarrizketetan isurtzen uztea gustatu zitzaidan segundo bakoitza Conori kaka ito zuenean irlandar mutilak kolpea eman zuen arte. “eff” atera eta Dana White-k zur eta lur utzi zuen zur eta lur utzi zuen gizon bat zoriondu behar izanaren pentsamenduarekin “taldea.”
Botere gehiago Nateri eta zoro guztiei, urratzailea, zure aurpegian Diaz anaia Danaren aurka borrokatuko den UFC-n dago “eragiten” Zuriaren su distiratsua, are ausardia eta hizkera ausartagoekin. Beti esan dezakete, “Zu ikusita ikasi dut, Burusoila!”
Eta Miesha Taterentzat, Benetako errespetua eta mirespena merezi ditu orain txapeldun izateagatik, Rouseyren aurkako galera latzenen aurrean bi aldiz kendu ostean.. Zorionak Tate-ri bere karrera jarraitzeagatik eta behingoz Rousey besoa hori gainditzen bideratu izanagatik.
Nahiz eta Mieshak ez zuen inoiz konpondu Rouseyren bidalketa dilema hura, kosta ahala kosta gerrikoan beste pitzadura bat lortzen ahalegintzeak dibidenduak ordaindu zituen UFCn 196. Inoiz utzi ez zuen jarrerak bizitza osoko aukera batera eraman zuen, eta kapitalizatu zuen. Orain, Dana, benetan ordaindu behar diozu andereño honi aspaldian bere zale gehienek balio zuela esango zutena.
Eta orain Tate begirunez eta estimu pixka batekin tratatu behar duzu behingoz zure eskergabeko bizitzan, Dana “eragiten” White. Badakit hainbeste min hartu behar zaituela andereño honi izugarri lan egin duen kreditua emateak, izan ere, agian nerbio bat ukitu zuen iraganean dei egin zintudanean benetan zaren desbideratzerik gabeko eta errespetu falta zarelako.. Arrazoia zuen, eta oker zeunden zeinen bikaina den borrokan. Gero berriro, ez al zinen GAIZKI emakumeak kaiolan borrokan, aldian?
Beraz, EZ duzu borrokalaria izan nahi, Mr. White? Ondoren, alde batera utzi eta borrokalari izan nahi duten pertsonak zure alde borrokatzera joan zaitezen, zure jetarekin munduan zehar ibil zaitezke eta zer den badakizu “eff” Mikrofono baten aurrean jartzen zarenean hitz egiten ari zara kirolaren benetako kirolariak eta borroka-arte mistoetan bizitzeko egiten dutena deskribatzeko..
Dana-ren ildoa hondamendi guzti honetan comblete BS bezala nabarmentzen zaidana hau da:
«Boxeo-tipo zaharra da, burutsua dela uste duena eta ez,” zioen Whitek Fresquez-i buruz [Holm-en kudeatzailea]. "Hollygatik gaizki sentitzen naiz, ez baitakit benetan dakien zer galdu duen".
Beste bi baino ez ditut “eragiten” galderak zuretzat Dana “eragiten” White…
1.) Benetan edozeinetan zaudela pentsarazten dizuna “eragiten” Holly Holmek beste gauean galdu zuena EZ jakiteko edo ulertzeko posizioa? Alde batera utzita, poker esku txar batzuk eta errespetu handia, galdu duzun gauza bakarra zure burua da.
2.) Holm-en kudeatzaileari buruzko zure aipamenak ez al du zure pertsonaia kakarrarena jaunarena baino askoz hobeto deskribatzen?. Fresquez?
ETA…badaezpada hau guztia irakurri ondoren edonork oraindik beste arrazoi bat behar du Baldfatherrekin txahala hartzeko:
By: Rich Bergeron
Boxing is a unique sport, to say the least. It’s often referred to as “The Sweet Science” with terms from the sport frequently invoked to describe intense rivalries and matchups in a myriad of other sports. Boxing is also often referenced in metaphors about politics. Though the popularity of boxing is not where it used to be these days, it is still one of the most challenging and daunting sporting activities a person can legally participate in all over the world.
If you are interested in either pursuing a career in boxing or just looking to learn the basics, the benefits of mastering the craft of pugilism can be very rewarding. Aldi berean, there is a big difference between “going through the motions” and devoting the time it would take to be a successful professional. Batera zein bestera, if you work hard and maintain your dedication to learning, your training will surely result in both increased confidence and enhanced physical fitness.
If you plan to take your lessons to the level where you are ready to compete at some point, you will need a serious training regimen of at least two to three hours per day. You will also need to find a reputable boxing gym. Online searches should lead you to a facility in your area, but you can also seek out a competent trainer who might be able to work with you from home if there are no boxing gyms near you. Here is a detailed article on how to find the best gym for your needs.
If you simply want to know how to move around, throw punches and defend yourself, there are specific facilities that specialize in the basics that can accommodate your needs. One of the most well-known and nationwide operations for basic boxing and kickboxing lessons is Title Boxing Club. They offer comprehensive workout sessions and group classes overseen by professional trainers that promise “to help you feel more confident, burn more calories and lose weight.” It is important to remember that facilities like Title Boxing Club are not really designed for competitive boxing training, as their offerings are primarily geared toward teaching boxing for self-defense, exercise, weight loss and stress release purposes.
It does not take much devotion or sacrifice to take up boxing purely for the fitness benefits. It is actually a part of the sport that is becoming wildly popular due to the fact that the training workouts provide benefits to nearly all the muscles in your body. Hollywood stars, models, and even reality television stars swear by boxing workouts as a way to maintain their attractive figures and their youthful appearances.
Time Magazine published a story maiatzean, 2015 that described boxing as one of the hottest fitness trends of the year.
Still, boxing training for non-competitive purposes can be intense and agonizing for someone who never put on a pair of boxing gloves before. In addition to punching, footwork and defensive drills, there will be sit-ups, push-ups, jump-roping and most likely a great deal of running that will benefit your training and workout routine. You may not need the same kind of time commitment if you are not competing, but many of the workouts will be very similar to what pro boxers do in the gym each day when they are not sparring.
Sparring and fighting another boxer in competition brings your training to a whole new level. Boxing is a very high-risk activity, though headgear, mouthpieces and organized rules and regulations make it much safer today than it was when the first gloved boxing contest took place. People do still die in boxing matches, and some end up facing lifelong complications from single matches or long careers of taking too many punches.
For these reasons, the decision to box competitively should not be impulsive or taken lightly. You have to be willing to accept the risks of serious injury if you would like to make boxing a career. You have to be well versed in defensive techniques and be aware of the signs of a concussion or brain injury. Full contact sparring sessions should take place only under the supervision of trained professionals, and both fighters should be instructed to use about half as much power in their punches as they would in a real competition. Still, if you plan to box as an amateur or a professional, some type of injury is almost inevitable. At some point you will suffer a split lip, bloody nose, black eye and/or a nasty cut. Beraz, if you do really want to be a competitive boxer, be sure to have adequate health insurance in the event you need medical attention stemming from your participation in the sport.
More so than the risks you face, it is extremely important that you know going into training that boxing is one of the most difficult sports on the planet. There is no team to carry you in competition if you have a bad day at the office. There are just two competitors in each match: you and your opponent. Anyone with courage and tenacity can step into a boxing ring and fight, but it takes a special kind of devotion and willingness to put in the time and work to win trophies, medals and/or money through your exploits in the ring.
Most boxers go through years of amateur boxing before their first professional match. It is not mandatory for a boxer to fight in the amateurs before going pro, but it is certainly recommended. Some boxers may never go into the professional ranks, even if they do excel in the amateurs. There is even a “Masters” division for folks 35 eta zaharragoa.
Hala ere, even amateur boxing involves a great deal of hard work. The main differences between amateur and pro matches are that most amateur matches are shorter in duration than pro fights and feature competitors wearing headgear that offers protection to the side of the head and some areas of the face. Still, the punches that land on that headgear can be just as hard to take as hits that connect on your bare skull.
Whether you plan to take your talents to the professional ranks or not, amateur boxing can be an excellent starting point. Here are a couple great articles that describe how to pursue amateur boxing opportunities:
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/11/18/amateur-boxing-for-beginners-a-how-to-guide-part-i/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/420913-how-to-get-started-in-amateur-boxing/
Some colleges also offer boxing, with the US military academies fielding the most dominant teams over the years. Though it is not offered at nearly as many colleges as traditional sports like football and baseball, the competition can be just as fierce as it is in those other sports, if not much more so.
No matter how you choose to start out your foray into boxing for fitness or competition, sticking to it will require a strong will and a healthy supply of both mental and physical toughness. Truly mastering the sport can take years, if not decades. Whether you box for money or for glory, it can be well worth the risks you take to participate. You will always remember that first time you had your hand raised at the end of a fight. Becoming a world champion may not be in the cards for you, but just stepping in the ring to fight an opponent will put you in a class of people that you will always be proud to be associated with.
Our latest interview with a true class act. Jeff Daniels took to the task of telling his older brother Terry Daniels’ amazing story with a passion for posterity and a supreme sense of attention to detail. Despite having no book-writing experience, Daniels created what he considered to be as classic as a Beatles album when he finished crafting his masterpiece about a bygone era in the sport of boxing and his brother’s battles with some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division. You can buy the book here: http://amzn.to/1WQMNFO, access Jeff’s site here: http://jeffdanielscompany.com/index.php/about-the-author and watch a short YouTube video promoting the book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PDH_Laa6lY. Jeff shares some insights into the writing process during our interview here and takes us back in time in this amazing episode.
Kevin MacDonald is one of the most knowledgeable and professional referees in Mixed Martial Arts. Just last Sunday he was the third man in the cage for three fights on the UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz card. Our interview covers a wide range of topics, from rule and weight class changes on the horizon to a few behind-the-scenes glimpses into the UFC’s operations. Psychic Tom Padgett and Rabble Rousin’ Rich Bergeron also recap the past week’s combat sports events (including Szpilka vs. Wilder and Cruz vs. Dillashaw) and preview the next UFC event headlined by Anthony Johnson vs. Ryan Bader.
By: Rich Bergeron
You know the Reebok battle is getting heated when people are trashing the terms of the deal both figuratively and LITERALLY:
What was more telling about the incident, arren, zen “Uncle Dana” not stepping in to punish the frustrated fighter for his blatant disrespect of a major UFC business partner. This was a watershed moment for the “Reebok Rebellion.”
What could Dana do, azken finean? Myles was actually pulling a page right out of the UFC President’s own marketing handbook. Jury was being in-your-face offensive to sell his argument. Dana does that every day.
Higher-profile fighters are consistently rubbing Mr. White the wrong way these days when it comes to the Reebok deal, and though he gave Jury and Donald “Txo” Cerrone a pass for their recent criticism, he bit back against the likes of Brandon Schaub.
There may be a different kind of fireworks in July when this raw deal officially takes effect and all the fighters who don’t agree with Schaub and Jury start to realize their shortsightedness. Some of those UFC fighters might even regret not joining their peers on the unofficial public picket line when it might have actually mattered.
The worst part about this whole fiasco is the timing. The Federal Trade Commission is once again reportedly investigating the UFC in the wake of a series of high-profile Class-Action Anti-Trust complaints winding their way through the civil courts.
It’s hard not to question whether the world’s most powerful mixed martial arts promotion is overstepping its bounds in the way they are trying to control every aspect of a fighter’s career. It seems like a really bad deal to exchange a little bit of money and the right to fight under the UFC banner for the blood, sweat and tears it takes to stay at the top of the MMA game these days. Even to be at the middle of the pack in the UFC is a heck of a challenge. Fighters have to be starting to ask themselves when the accumulated bumps bruises, dislocations, torn ligaments, broken bones and concussions become so bad that the money doesn’t matter anymore.
What will happen when a tidal wave of former UFC fighters find out that the glory of having fought their hearts out for the fans isn’t paying the bills and/or sending their kids to college? What happens when the cushy medical coverage expires and your legendary fighter status means nothing to the doctors and the hospital billing you outrageous and astronomical fees to keep you healthy enough to live to old age?
Ask Marc Coleman. It’s not pretty.
The more the UFC fight or flight equation turns toward having no freedom to be an entrepreneur and no ability to build your own brand, the more Scott Coker’s phone is going to continue to ring off the hook. At least in Bellator, fighters can still have their own personal sponsors on their shorts.
They don’t throw all their fighters out for losing a few fights in a row, bai. They don’t publicly berate their fighters at post-fight press conferences for not putting on a show. They pay what they can, and they do their best to just be considered a UFC competitor.
Phil Davis may be the first of many UFC defectors that could begin to trickle in if this Reebok deal eliminates as much income and opportunity as it sounds like it will.
I am actually disappointed that Viacom isn’t making a bigger push to acquire more UFC fighters with more lucrative contracts, but no business wants to lose money. It’s harder for Bellator to gain massive revenues in return for their investments in their fighters due to the overhead of doing their own production for free television. Hala ere, aldi berean,, Coker and Bellator’s current management seems to actually care a little more about the people who do battle under their banner. They know better than anyone that your sponsors can really keep you alive.
Fighters who value their freedom and want a little more control over their careers might start to see the only UFC competition as a much greener pasture in the wake of this sneaker giant’s exclusive apparel contract. What is supposed to look like a major step forward for the UFC might actually represent three steps back for this organization that is already struggling with cancelled and postponed fights due primarily to an increasing amount of training injuries to top fighters.
Of course we can’t forget Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones allegedly crashing a rented SUV into a pregnant woman’s car and breaking her arm before fleeing the scene on foot. This is yet another unfortunate example of the UFC not caring enough about their fighters. How could they not recognize this guy had a problem that needed to be addressed a long time before this tragic incident unfolded? How can the UFC justify not having their own random drug testing in place like other professional sports? How are illegal drugs OK for a fighter to do out of competition in the first place? Who made the rules with that gaping loophole in them?
Georges St. Pierre has been one of the UFC’s most vociferous critics on the PED-testing front. The former champion continues to sit on the sidelines after one of the most punishing fights of his career led him to announce his retirement with the door left open only a crack. Only a broad, comprehensive drug testing program can bring him back now, St. Pierre maintains.
Even fighters like Ronda Rousey are getting a little upset with the career control measures being wielded over them by their bigwig bosses. The UFC will not even let Ronda appear in a few scripted WWE events. Just because these skits last longer than some of her actual fights doesn’t mean they are much different than what she does in her movie career. Her UFC bosses are fine with her pursuing action movie roles, so why not a little fake wrestling? Maybe it’s the fact that WWE stole the Tapout brand and took it right out of the cage and into the wrestling ring. Maybe it’s jealousy that WWE has the kind of fan base that makes them a legitimate threat, and it’s the kind of fans the UFC desperately needs. Maybe it’s the fact that the UFC lost their chance at retaining Brock Lesnar’s services again and they are still getting over it.
Whatever the reason, the UFC is clamping down more and more on what fighters can and can’t do inside and outside the cage, and it goes far beyond fake wrestling. Contracts are becoming more and more restrictive in every way.
The UFC also used to foster a climate where no fighter would dare speak a foul word about management or any business deal management put in place. The punishment would be worse than a fine if Dana decided to give you the Brendan Schaub treatment in the press.
Complain, and you’d be called a coward or a bum. You’re not a team player, some ignorant fans will still say when you stick your neck out while under UFC contract. Hala ere, this climate is not enough to stop this new little wave of protest that might grow to a frightening crescendo just before or after this Reebok deal officially becomes reality.
The mindless minions who criticize fighters for speaking out for their own best interests just eat right out of Dana White’s hand, even when he’s passing out rat poison. It is disgusting to hear and see so many people agreeing with a guy who never even fought an official amateur bout of any kind instead of listening to someone who actually put in the effort to compete in even one professional cage fight.
When it comes to matters of what it really means “to be a F#$%ing fighter,” Dana can give all the foul-mouthed speeches he wants, but it’s the actual fighters who bled for years under the UFC banner who gave that speech real meaning and resonance to the fans who now worship the ground Dana walks on. Zati handiena, these fans only like White so much because he talks and cusses just like them. Still, one UFC fighter I interviewed years ago told me there is something wrong with the sport when the most recognizable figure in MMA is Dana White. I couldn’t agree more.
Freedom is not a word to be taken lightly, and free speech is not as free as it used to be. You sign on the dotted line to step in the UFC cage, and you have to play by their rules, even the ones you don’t like or don’t agree with. That was bad enough when that was the only problem fighters faced. Orain, it’s much worse because of the Reebok deal and the ramifications and ripple effects it will cause.
Some people forget this deal also alienates other long time sponsors of the UFC and its fighters. Think of all those apparel companies who will not be able to sell their products now in association with any official UFC event. The upcoming UFC Fan Expo situation is a prime example of how the UFC just doesn’t seem to care about the businesses and backers that helped put them on the map in the first place.
The people behind this powerhouse MMA league will alienate anyone or any group of people to make a buck off the backs of better men than themselves. This Reebok deal is living proof of that. Even if all the money from the Reebok partnership does go to the fighters, all those businesses that end up locked out of fighter sponsorship deals will have to line up to sign exclusive contracts with the organization itself. Either that, or they will convert to Bellator supporters and follow burned UFC fighters to that organization.
Suddenly that second fiddle is sounding like it could steal the show, and my prediction that Bellator could fail looks premature and presumptuous now.
“So you want to be a f$%^ing fighter?”
Let me give you Scott Coker’s number.
