From this weeks Cardio Freak on 411Mania
Giving Thanks for MMA
Today is Thanksgiving. A day for giving thanks. A day to go to your relatives house against your will, spend hours with people who annoy you, know the best moment of the day will be eating turkey because that’s when no one talks, and try to sneak away to watch football games that have no luster this year. Thanksgiving everyone. Luckily for you, I’m here to put a smile on your face as you sneak away from your relatives in search of peace of mind. So sit back, relax, wipe your hands before scrolling down because you don’t want to get your trackpad/mouse all messy from eating turkey, and enjoy as I give thanks to MMA.
*I’m thankful that Randy Couture returned to the UFC. Could you imagine Randy Couture officially hanging it up under another banner? Not only that but with the way he and UFC split, it just wouldn’t feel right. It would be like the Brett Favre/Packers situation. Except the Packers actually got rid of Favre while UFC did everything within their power to prevent Couture from fighting elsewhere. The point remains though, it will be a sad day when Brett Favre retires a Jet and not a Packer and it would have been a sad day if Randy Couture retired on HDNet.
*I’m thankful Gina Carano got exposed. And not just at the weigh ins for EXC: Heat. Say what you will about women’s fighting but you can’t deny that they constantly deliver exciting fights. And say what you will about Gina Carano but you can’t deny that she’s the reason women’s MMA is as popular as it is. Now we just need Gina back in the cage.
*I’m thankful for EliteXC. I wasn’t a fan of EliteXC and how they did business but it lead to some of the greatest promos ever by Dana White. Without EliteXC putting Kimbo Slice in the main event and having the debacle now known as “StandUpGate” we would have never been treated to such classic Dana White promos. Like the following:
That promo will never get old.
*I’m thankful for Affliction. Not because of the Dana White promos. But because they brought Fedor Emelianenko to the US, marketed the hell out of him, and gave him a top 10 opponent. Never mind the fact that they’ll likely be out of business this time next year because one Saturday in July, they were thought to be a legit threat to UFC.
*I’m thankful that God blessed Brock Lesnar. Every single UFC show that featured Brock Lesnar this year did a good buyrate and was a good card, ending with UFC 91 being possibly the best event all year. He blessed Lesnar with many things including looking like a beast, drawing huge buyrates, somehow influencing the rest of the card not too suck, and not making the wisest tattoo decisions.
*I’m thankful UFC finally gave Anderson Silva an All Access special. If you doubted the greatness of Anderson Silva before that show, shame on you. Starring at the Big Macs, playing paintball, dancing, ect… were all great moments in the history of UFC All Access.
*I’m thankful for Georges St. Pierre. I’m not talking about his fighting ability because we know that’s great. I’m talking about GSP the person. I’m not gay but if I were, GSP would be at the top of my list. His accent is sexy, he’s in great shape, he can break dance, and just look at him at the weigh ins. You’ll only notice one thing. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that GSP is desirable to men, both gay and straight.
*I’m thankful BJ Penn seems to be taking MMA seriously. There’s nothing better than watching an in-shape and motivated BJ Penn fight inside the Octagon. Although I’m not a fan of Penn essentially whining his way into a fight against St. Pierre, I think we’ll see the best BJ Penn ever come January.
*I’m thankful ESPN is starting to devote more coverage to MMA. ESPN treated UFC 91 like it was the Stanley Cup Finals. They had the internet crew show up to the event and do live coverage, they had results on the bottom line, and they had interviews with various fighters. The next step is to get MMA Live on an ESPN affiliate and off the internet.
*I’m thankful Ken Shamrock didn’t fight Kimbo Slice. Although I’m sure Shamrock could have thrown a jab with as much power as Seth Petruzelli, I’m thankful that he didn’t get the opportunity. Did we really need to see Shamrock lying lifeless on the mat again? I sure didn’t.
*I’m thankful Tito Ortiz was allowed to speak at UFC 84. Dana White could have easily been a prick and just cut to the next fight after Machida gave his post-fight interview but instead Ortiz was given the mic and allowed to say his piece. And just so everyone knows, he’ll say his piece in the UFC again in 2009.
*I’m thankful for HDNet and the fact that I’m one of the 10 people who get it. HDNet is the best place to get a weekly MMA fix. InsideMMA is a great show hosted by a great man (not Kenny Rice) and they’ve got live events from Strikeforce and DREAM.
*I’m thankful people actually read what I type. God bless you, every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
