Primetime TV Proves It's Not Ready For MMA

Promoter, Gary Shaw and Elite XC were hoping to take the world by storm Saturday night with the first ever MMA broadcast on network television. The results were less than spectacular and raise questions about the viability of Mixed Martial Arts as a mainstream sport.

It seemed that Elite XC was walking on egg shells all night, concerned with showing too much violence . This perhaps led to (some would say) the premature stoppages of the Smith/Lawler and Slice/Thompson fights, as well as two other questionable televised fights.

Kimbo Slice has built is reputation on brutality. If Elite XC and CBS are going to market this brutality to the masses, then they better be prepared to deliver when fight night rolls around. This was not the case on Saturday night.

Why does CBS air shows like CSI , but MMA needs to be toned down? If the world (or more importantly, the network suits) isn't ready to accept MMA as a sport, then so be it. But, please don't water it down for a 9PM time slot.

The overly cautious approach, coupled with very poor time management on the broadcast may have turned more fans away, instead of attracting new ones to the sport. If Elite XC goes forward with a second CBS show (which looks likely) I hope they learn from their mistakes.

Quick Hits: Barkley, Big Brown, Lottery . . . Oh, And Some Fighting

"Sir Charles" announced on TNT last night that he's through with gambling . . . for now. Barkley wouldn't commit to quitting for life, but said he won't gamble for the next 1-2 years. This came after a controversy surrounding an outstanding casino debt. I've always liked Barkley (especially as a TV personality), but his numerous failed diets have demonstrated his lack of will power, and I don't see how this scenario will end with different results.

Big Brown is one win away from the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. While the tragedy at the Derby put a damper on Big Brown's performance in Kentucky, nothing could detract from his dominating performance at the Preakness.

When Jannero Pargo missed a wide open 3 from the corner with about 1 minute remaining, I could feel the 2008 playoffs losing some if their luster. Sure, the Lakers and Celtics are still alive, and this is seemingly the matchup everyone is pining for. But, on the flip side, there's Detroit and San Antonio. Should the Pistons and Spurs win their series', we will get a rematch of the most boring 7 games in playoff history (also known as the 2005 NBA Finals)

The NBA Draft Lottery takes place tonight (followed by game 1 of the Eastern Finals) @ 7:30 on ESPN. I hear Jay-Z's representing the Nets . . . why should we care?

This Saturday it's a battle pitting Hawaiian Pride vs. 'Roid Rage, as BJ Penn takes on Sean Sherk for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The "Ill Will" card also features Wanderlei Silva squaring off aginst Keith Jardine, and Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida.

Also this Saturday, Ricky Hatton (43-1) returns to action against Juan Lazcano (37-4-1). Lazcano should challenge Hatton, but don't expect any upsets. Lazcano would have to KO Ricky to get a win in the UK, and i don't see that happening. Hatton by TKO Rd. 10.

MMA and Overalls

Itomo Ariyama vs. Katsuhiko Kumano


Those crazy Japanese are at it again. This "classic" confrontation comes to you via the DEEP Megaton Grand Prix.

GSP Dazzles, B-Hop Bores

The UFC 83 card was relatively uneventful, aside from the dominating performance put on by Georges St. Pierre. GSP's 3rd consecutive victory was just as impressive as his previous two. While Anderson Silva and Quinton Jackson can both make claim to the top pound for pound spot, it's difficult to argue that GSP is the best in the sport right now. I don't know what else is out there in the welterweight division right now. It appears Jon Fitch will be GSP's first title defense. Fitch is big, strong, and a good wrestler. It'll be a decent test for St. Pierre, but I can't see him walking away with anything less than than a 4th consecutive victory.

In the only other eventful moment of the night, TUF 6 winner Mac Danzig won his UFC debut over Mark Bocek. Danzig caught Bocek with a rear naked choke in round 3.


In other action Saturday night, Joe Calzaghe made his debut on American soil with a split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins, to capture the Light Heavyweight championship. The fight was horrendous, and I feel sorry for others that had to watch it. Hopkins is reaching John Ruiz status, as one of the world's most boring fighters. After 12 rounds of clinching, grappling, and the occasional sloppy flurry, scores were 113-114, 115-112, 116-111.

In usual B-Hop fashion he pretended to be shocked with the decision, and claimed to be the rightful winner. The only way justice will truly be served, is if the "Executioner" drops the axe on his career and calls it quits. Boxing fans should not be subjected to another 12 rounds of wrestling and dirty tactics.

Roy Jones Jr. seems to feel a fight with Calzaghe is a done deal and will happen before the year's end. While Jones is past his prime, Calzaghe vs. Jones will definitely be more aesthetically pleasing.

The Weekend Watch

It's a big sports weekend if you're a fan of fighting and hoops. The NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, and include two very intriguing matchups.

Phoenix @ San Antonio (Sat 3:00 ABC)
The Suns acquired Shaq for this exact scenario. It's the Big Aristotle vs. the Big Fundamental. Can O'Neal turn back the clock and cement his legacy as the most dominant big man of his era? Or, will Tim Duncan lead his team to the 2nd round and put the entire nation to sleep in the process?

Dallas @ New Orleans (Sat 7:00 ESPN)
The home team won in each of the 4 regular season meetings. This is another scenario where a trade decision will be tested. It's Jason Kidd matching up against Chris Paul (my MVP choice). Holding home court will be huge for the Hornets.

Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe (Sat 9:45 HBO)
Calzaghe vs. Hopkins provides us with the best Middleweight of this era and the best Super Middleweight. The catch? The fight's happening at Light Heavyweight. This favors Calzaghe, who is naturally the bigger man. If Hopkins doesn't have the power to hurt Joe, I expect the Welshman to pressure B-Hop all night and score a Unanimous Decision.

Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra (Sat 10:00 PPV)
GSP has looked spectacular in his last two outings, which is no easy feat considering they were against Josh Koscheck and Matt Hughes. Serra caught Pierre in their first fight, but I just can't envision it happening again. GSP will dominate and all US MMA fans will have to endure weeks of gloating and "nut huggery".

Two extremely interesting fights. One is free, one costs $55 (and you could probably find a free download within hours following the event) . . . the decision is yours.

Denver @ Los Angeles (Sun 3:00 ABC)
Sunday is a little weak in the Playoff department. The only intriguing game is the 1 vs 8 matchup out west. Any team with Melo and AI is dangerous, but I don't see them being able to overcome the red hot Lakers. If Denver has upset plans, game one may be their best opportunity to steal one in Los Angeles. If the Nuggets can't pull off a win on the road, at least Melo will have a plethora of drinking spots to choose from. Iverson looks saint-like in Denver . . . who woulda thunk'it?

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Forget Elite 8, It's Elite XC!

While North Carolina was busy becoming the 2nd #1 seed (please God, don't allow all 4 #1's to be in the Final 4) to advance into the Final Four this evening, my eyes were glued to an extremely entertaining MMA contest between Cung Le and the defending Strikeforce middleweight champion, Frank Shamrock. As I suspected Shamrock pulled an excuse out of the bag and quit on his stool following the 3rd round. It's a shame that this fight couldn't have gone on, because things were really heating up in the 3rd. Both men were rocked in the round, with Cung Le finishing the stronger of the two. On his way back to his corner, Shamrock dropped to his knees and the fight was ended early due to a "broken arm".

Shamrock is such an actor, I don't know what to believe from him. While I doubt the legitimacy of his injury, I certainly appreciate the spectacular fight.

Complete Play By Play Results Courtesy of Sherdog