Can The Count Handle A Little Mayhem?

Spike TV’s swan song to The Ultimate Fighter has produced one of the most exciting seasons in years. The coach’s battle between Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Michael “The Count” Bisping is an evenly matched fight that should produce a lot of action. This will be Mayhem’s first fight since September 25, 2010, when he submitted a past his prime and first ballot hall of famer, Kazushi Sakuraba. This will also be Mayhem’s first fight back in the UFC since he lost a unanimous decision to Georges St. Pierre in 2005.

Miller was a dormant member of the Strikeforce roster despite CBS denying him entry on shows because he caused a post-fight brawl with the Diaz Brothers on live television. On the other hand, Dana White had no reservations about bringing the Bully Beatdown host into the promotion for a second go-around.

The Ultimate Fighter season III winner, Michael Bisping, finds himself coaching his second squad of UFC prospects. He has remained a staple in the middleweight division for quite some time, and now, the Englishmen look to shut up the loud-mouthed Mayhem and be next in line to fight Chael Sonnen.

Bisping is riding a three-fight winning streak with his last victory against middleweight journeyman Jorge Rivera. His second-round TKO finish of the Massachusetts native made him no friends when he spit on Rivera immediately after the fight was called to a halt.

Yes, Rivera taunted him with a plethora of slanderous YouTube videos leading up to the fight. Still, fans thought they were funny. “The Count” is a fighter people love to hate. He is booed more than most and has never been able to embrace the villain role.

Their styles will surely make for an exciting fight, but the most likely scenario for a finish is if Mayhem can control Bisping in his guard long enough for a submission off his back. Bisping will look for the knockout with his technical acumen, but his lack of punching power will make this an impractical task. Miller’s striking is elementary at best, and he needs to take the fight to the ground if he wants to win.

Bisping will look to stay off the ground but has been known to jump into someone’s guard to apply a little ground and pound. Miller’s takedowns are seldom clean, and he has to work from the clinch to achieve his objective. Bisping’s experience with high-caliber wrestlers will pay off for him, and thus, he will control the majority of the fight.

The Pick: Michael Bisping by unanimous decision.

Wolverine #19 Review

I almost can’t put into words how good this issue was and how much I enjoyed reading it. I’m not going to say too much because you should just take my word for it and buy this book.

It was just one big adventure that has everything a comic book fan loves. Wolverine, Fat Cobra, and Gorilla-Man are hiding inside the stomach of three dragons, using them as a disguise to break into Jade Claw’s secret hideout.

If that doesn’t hook you, then I don’t know what will. The art and colors are wonderful, and one of the panels on the last page is a bar scene where one of the dragons poke their head in the window and takes a sip of Fat Cobra’s 24-ounce beer mug.

The conclusion shows an unknown group of people looking at various targets, and they get the word they have to take out our adamantium-clawed Canadian. These last few pages really put over how much of a badass Wolverine is. I’m done typing, please; just buy it right away. It is the must-read Wolverine book of the year!

Why No Love For Jr. Pac-Man???

Santa Claus was extremely generous in 1987 when he left the Atari 2600 and my first video game, Jr. Pac-Man, under my tree. While my friends were accustomed to playing with Junior’s parents, I enjoyed the prospect of riding around a maze in a tricycle. What I want to know, though, is how come we can’t get any love for the little guy? Continue reading “Why No Love For Jr. Pac-Man???” →

The War of Attrition: Henderson vs. Shogun

Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was one of the greatest fights in the 22-year organized history of mixed martial arts. Years from now, historians will chronicle this epic encounter as one of the sports’ legendary nights. This fight had everything you could ask for. It was a brutal symphony of action, excitement, suspense, and drama between two veteran warriors with an undeniable will to win. Hendo was awarded the unanimous decision victory as all three judges scored the bout 48-47.

Continue reading “The War of Attrition: Henderson vs. Shogun” →

Cung Le vs. Wanderlei Silva Preview

– Cung Le vs. Wanderlei Silva preview

(posted on gerweck.net)

The H.P. Pavilion will be jam packed to the rafters tonight as Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le will engage in a middleweight slug fest in the co main event of UFC 139. Cung Le’s reputation as an undefeated San Shou fighter had hardcore fans salivating over the prospect of his participation in mixed martial arts. Le made the move to the cage in 2006 and won by knockout in the first round. He won his first six fights and suffered his first defeat via knockout against Scott Smith. That was loss avenged in June of 2010 by dominating Smith with a barrage of body shots. This also marks the last time he has fought as he comes into the fight on Saturday after a 15 month layoff. The time away was due to an expanding list of Hollywood commitments. The 39 year old star will have a large contingent of fans cheering for him on fight night due to the Vietnamese population in San Jose.

Continue reading “Cung Le vs. Wanderlei Silva Preview” →

Strikeforce Challengers results Las Vegas, Nevada

Strikeforce Challengers results (coverage I provided on gerweck.net)

The Pearl at the Palm in Las Vegas, Nevada

Commentators: Stephen Quadros, Pat Miletich and Mauro Ranallo

Prelim results:

– Andreas Spang defeated Willie Parks via 1^st round TKO

– Quinn Mulhern defeated David Hulett by unanimous decision

– Bobby Green defeated J.P. Reese via Rear Naked Choke in the 3rd round

– Matt Ricehouse defeated Bill Cooper via unanimous decision

Main Card:

Middleweight- Referee Kim Winslow

Derek Bunson defeated Nate James via unanimous decision 30-27 across the board: Derek Bunson was the more aggressive fighter and took James downs at will even though he could not keep him down for long. James was poked in the eye with one minute in the first round. No point was taken away from Bunson. Same story in the second round until Bunson landed a belly to back suplex and James rolled through with a knee bar but Bunson escaped. Bunson had difficulty taking down James in the third round until he dropped him with a straight left hand and controlled him against the fence and on the ground for the remainder of the fight.

Light Heavyweight- Referee Steve Mazzagatti

Trevor Smith defeated T.J. Cook via guillotine choke from top position at 4:28 of the 1st round: Smith was just too strong for Cook as he took him down right away and kept working for side control until Cook escaped from the bottom position. Smith applied a sloppy arm bar and Cook got out of it and Smith caught him with the guillotine in the scramble.

Middleweight- Referee Chris Tognoni

Adlan Amagov defeated Anthony Smith via KO at 2:32 of the 1st Round: Amagov worked for the single leg takedown and planted him on the mat and worked from top position until Smtih got up. They traded punches until Amagov lands a hard right cross that Smith could not recover from.

Womens Featherweight – Referee Kim Winslow

Ronda Rousey defeated Julia Budd via submission by arm bar at 39 seconds of the 1st round: Rousey took Budd down right away and applied the arm bar. It was tight, and Budd had to tap out. This makes four straight first round wins by arm bar forRousey. “Judo” Gene Lebell was in her corner. Rousey called out Miesha Tate and Sarah Kaufman in the post fight interview.

Middleweight – Referee Steve Mazzagatti

Lumumba Sayres defeated Antwain Britt via KO at 28 seconds of the 1st round: Britt throws a right hand, Sayers ducks and attempts the takedown but it’s blocked by Britt. Sayres and Britt clinch against the fence and Sayres connects with a short right hook and an uppercut as Britt sinks to the canvas.

Interview with SIX AM Comics

If you like old school video games, horror films, comics, humor and really cool artwork, then prepare to get AM-inated by the crew at Six AM Comics. Mark Marianelli, Kevin Letourneau and Daniel Griswold are the creatively talented trio that make up the company.

Q: Tell me a little bit about you and your role at Six AM Comics?

Mark: I do a lot of odd-jobs within the site, more specifically though, my role within the group is the head illustrator. I’m responsible for illustrating our featured webcomic, “Scholars”, as well as creating the majority of imagery around the website. For example, the page headers and any basic web design. On our Facebook page, we select people weekly (through various contests) to be “AM-inated”, in which we draw caricatures for them to use as Avatars. If you’ve had yourself drawn, it was me who did it.

Kevin: I serve as the Marketing Manager for Six AM Comics and help develop overall brand identity and strategy. I also contribute scripts and ideas for the development of new comics and games. I do a lot of social media strategy and creative consulting for clients as a freelance contractor, but my long-term goal has always been to get into the arena of developing intellectual property and franchises through interactive storytelling.

Daniel: I do a bit of everything from writing with Kevin on Scholars to making my own web-comic Honestly, which has a more random humor to it. Mark, Kevin and I go back quite a bit, and in High School we made a lot of video shorts based on my stupid ideas. We did obscure classics (to us) like “The French Director”, “The Mystical Green Face”, “Baby Demons”, and “Kung Fu-tage”. We all collaborated to make our longest running character “Refrigerator Man” – a man who sold his soul for the ability to move between any household appliance due to a need to escape from his tortured childhood. I like to think of myself as an idea guy, and when I have a cup of coffee and something to write or type on, I enjoy creating, drawing, laughing and hanging out to make stuff. That’s probably why we all get along so well – we’re all that way. That was a long answer, but to be a bit more professional, right now my role is Creative Support, making Honestly happen every Thursday, shooting game and Scholars ideas/scripts to support Mark and Kevin, and thinking up new ways to get people excited about Six AM like we are. Continue reading “Interview with SIX AM Comics” →

‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier 1944 – 2011

Who Says Fighting Solves Nothing?

My parents hadn’t met each other yet when Joe Frazier was the heavyweight champion of the world. Still, I felt a lot of sadness when news of his passing broke. I’m a casual boxing fan at best who enjoys the big mega fight on occasion. Watching Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali, via VHS, was a moment for me that validated the notion that ethnicity is not defined by public perception or stereotypes. In the days leading up to their encounter at the Garden, Ali hurled a plethora of racial insults that questioned how “black” Frazier really was. Ali was loud and flamboyant while Frazier was reserved but fierce. Fight night arrived on March 8, 1971 and ‘Smokin’ Joe did his talking in the ring.

Continue reading “‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier 1944 – 2011” →

UFC 137 Penn vs. Diaz results

(Live coverage I provided on gerweck.net)

UFC 137 Penn vs. Diaz live coverage 10/29/11

Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada

The first fight of the night will be in the Featherweight division

George Roop vs. Hatsu Hioki – Josh Rosenthal is the referee

Round 1: Roop comes out of the gate throwing high kicks and tagged Hioki with a right hand. Roop throws an inside leg kick and hits Hioki below the belt. Hioki tells the ref he is ok. Roop throws a couple of teep kicks and Hioki rushes in and pins him against the fence. Both are fighting in the clinch while trying to push each other off. Roop is blocking Hioki’s take down attempts. Hioki almost had his back but Roop was able to stand straight against the fence. Hioki switches position and takes Roop down. He works in Roop’s guard with some punches and Roop scrambles back up as they fight against the fence until the close of the round.

Round 2: Roop is using his reach and landing with leg kicks and high kicks until Hioki takes him down and moves into side control. Hioki goes for a americana but Roop got his arm out. Hioki transitions to full mount but can’t do any real damage. Roop position defense from the bottom is preventing Hioki from doing anything at all. Roop lands an up kick which gives him the opening to get up with ten seconds left seconds left. Charges after Hioki with punches and kicks to end the round.

Round 3: Hioki takes him down at the start of the round but Roop gets right up. Hioki goes for another takedown but Roop sprawls to avoid it. They engage in the clinch and are fighting against the cage with Roop pinning Hioki against the cage. Roop lands several foot stomps while Hioki is holding Roops left arm but the ref restarts the fight with two mins left. Roop shoots in for the takedown is in Hioki’s guard. Hioki attempts a triangle choke but Roop gets out before its locked in. Hioki has underhooked both of Roop’s arms while Roop slams Hioki while in his guard to end the round.

Winner by split decision for Hatsu Hioki 29-28 across the board.

Bad decision for sure and the fans are booing Hioki. Joe Rogan asked him in the post-fight interview if he was surprised he won and Hioki replied “Japanese MMA is not dead. Please, check out our fights”

Jeff Curran vs. Scott Jorgensen – Kim Winslow is the referee

Round 1: Curran opens the round with some inside leg kicks and throws some right-left combination but Jorgensen lands a stiff left hand but Curran keeps fighting. Jorgensen lands another punch that spins Curran around and Jorgensen follows up with a single leg takedown. Jorgensen is in the guard and throwing lots of short punches to the body. Curran sweeps but Jorgensen’s base and balance prevented Curran from getting back up and Jorgensen is back in Curran’s guard. The ref stands them both up with 30 seconds left and Curran lands an overhand right and follows with a knee but Jorgensen takes him down to end the round.

Round 2: They meet in the center right away and Curran throws a couple of haymakers until Jorgensen hits him with a stiff jab . Curran tries to take him down but Jorgensen blocks and wraps him up in the clinch and pins him against the fence. Curran takes down Jorgensen and lands a guillotine choke but Jorgensen spins out of it and wraps Curran in the clinch again and lands some knees to the head but Curran puts his hand on the mat do Jorgensen can’t throw any knees. Jorgensen takes him down but Curran sweeps and prevents Jorgensen from getting back up for the last 30 seconds of the round.

Round 3: Curran lands a stiff jab and Jorgensen follows up with one of his own. Jorgensen is not opening up as much because Curran is landing first. Curran lands a good body kick to Jorgensen. Curran missed a hail mary uppercut and Jorgensen finds his opening to rush in and pin Curran against the fence. There is blood coming out of the nose of Curran and he is getting hit with knees to the body. Curran pushes off and they are both fighting in the center again. Jorgensen lands an inside leg kick and Curran follows up with one of his own and Curran shoots in for the takedown but Jorgensen sprawls and gains side control and holds Curran in position to end the round.

Winner: Scott Jorgensen: unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson- Steve Mazzagatti is the referee

Round 1: Nelson is in the best shape of his career as his belly is a lot smaller. Nelson takes him down and Cro Cop gets his guard. Nelson lands a couple of punches in top position while pressing his weight on Cro Cop. Nelson throws a few more punches that do not land and Cro Cop kicks him off and gets back to his feet and lands a left hand under the eye of Nelson. Cro Cop lands a body kick and a straight left and Nelson lands an overhand right that rocks Cro Cop for a moment and Cro Cop lands a left uppercut that backs off Nelson. Nelson is constantly closing the distance but Mirko throws a left hand as he is looking for that one punch to end the fight.

Round 2: Nelson lands a looping right hand and rushes in but Cro Cop lands another uppercut and Roy turns around but Cro Cop follows and lands a flurry of uppercuts and left hands to the body. Nelson gets away from the fence and his face is bloodied up. Cro Cop lands a high kick to the head but Nelson shakes it off. They engage in the clinch and Nelson takes him down and moves to side control. Nelson is trying to pin down Cro Cop’s left arm. He is using his weight on Mirko’s chest to pin him down. Nelson traps Cro Cop’s left arm in the crucifix position and lands a barrage of punches to the face with Cro Cop unable to defend but he survives the round.

Round 3: Straight left from Cro Cop and Nelson follows up with a looping overhand right and a straight hand that rocks Cro Cop as he backs up against the fence. Nelson lands a straight left that hurt Mirko as he falls to the ground and Nelson jumps on his back and lands punch after punch to Cro Cop’s face until the ref jumps in to stop the fight.

Winner: Roy Nelson by TKO at 1:30 of the 2nd round.

In the post-fight interview Cro Cop said this was his farewell fight and wanted to go out on a win. Says he was treated like a king by the “UFC Headquarters” and he apologized to the fans for not winning his final fight. The live crowd applauded him as he left the ring.

Matt Mitrione vs. Cheick Kongo – Herb Dean is the referee

Round 1: Both fighters are circling each other and with neither one throwing any punches with the fans starting to boo. Mitrione rushes in with an overhand right and Kongo wraps him up and pins him against the fence. Mitrione underhooks both of Kongo’s arms so he can’t do anything. The breaks them up and they restart in the center. Mitrione’s hands are really low and but he is the aggressor. Kongo throws a body kick but Mitrione catches it and kicks his legs from out underneath him but Kongo gets back up as the round closes and the fans boo.

Round 2: Mitrione connects with a left hand to open the round. Kongo lands three inside leg kicks and follows up with a straight right that Mitrione slips and avoids it. Mitrione is fainting a lot before he throws a punch as he is backing up Kongo throughout this round but no one has connected with a big shot. Mitrione lands an uppercut and Kongo moves out of the way to relax for a moment and Mitrione doesn’t follow up. Mitrione lands two leg kicks and leaping straight hand followed with an uppercut to close the round.

Round 3: Mitrione rushes in but Kongo lands an uppercut and pins him against seconds until he lands a big takedown with ease. They get to their feet but Kongo is control Mitrione by his waist and is landing knees to the back of the thigh and takes him down again. Kongo has side control and mixing elbows to the body and punches to the face. The ref is telling them to work as Kongo is having more difficulty landing anything of significance. Mitrione attempts to explode to get back up but Kongo uses his weight and hits him with shots to the body to end the round. By far the most action and most damage of the fight. Kongo won this round for sure by out wrestling Mitrione.

Winner: Cheick Kongo by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28

BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz – Josh Rosenthal is the referee

Round 1: Diaz pushes Penn against the fence and lands some shots with no real power behind them. He keeps his weight on him until BJ gets away and lands a stiff left hand to the jaw. BJ takes Diaz down and Diaz rolls out of it and BJ follows and it looks like they are wrapped in a small package. They get back up and Diaz lands some straight punches and BJ follows up with a left uppercut to the eye that hurts Diaz. Diaz’s hands are wide and low and connects a nicely timed right hand and BJ follows up with one of his own to end the round and Diaz shoulder checks BJ as he walks back to his corner.

Round 2: Diaz is talking trash to start the round and BJ answers with a right hand. Diaz pins BJ against the fence as they are both trading punches to the body as the crowd chants for BJ. Diaz has some damage on his right eye. Diaz tries to take him down and BJ sprawls and Diaz follows up with a knee to the body. Diaz landing a lot of short punches and follows up with a left hook to the body that hurt BJ. Diaz attempts a double leg takedown but BJ blocks and Diaz follows it up with a three-punch combo and Penn is hurt and backing away. Diaz is stalking Penn while landing at will. Diaz puts his hands up saying“What” as he continues to land at will to the body and head. BJ Penn’s face is busted up and he is tired. Diaz looks like he can go all day.

Round 3: Diaz starts the round with three straight left hands that land flush on BJ. Straight jab, right hook is the story of this round for Nick Diaz. BJ is trying to throw but Diaz keeps landing first. BJ lands a right hook to Diaz’s jaw but Diaz continues to stalk him and holds him against the fence. BJ keeps looking at the clock. BJ attempts a takedown but changes his mind and tries to land that one right-hand punch to end the fight. Both fighters and trading lefts and rights in the center of the cage and BJ lands a right hand but Diaz follows up with a straight left and head kick and Diaz grabs his BJ’s head with both arms in a clinch and lands knees to the body to end the round.

Winner: Nick Diaz by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-27, 29-28

Diaz was yelling in the camera, “I won that shit” repeatedly and during the post-fight interview, he called out Georges St. Pierre and said he doesn’t believe he is hurt. BJ Penn said this was probably the last time you will see him fight because he wants to perform at the top level and he has a daughter at home and another one on the way and he can’t go home to them “Looking like this” referring to the condition his face is in and his right eye being black and blue and closed shut.

Preliminary results:

Clifford Starks defeated Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision

– Francis Carmont defeated Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision

Ramsey Nijem defeated Danny Downs via unanimous decision
Brandon Vera defeated Elliot Marshall via unanimous decision 29-29 across the board
Bart Palaszewski knockouts Tyson Griffin at 2:44 in the 1st round
Donald Cerrone submits Dennis Siver with a rear-naked choke at 2:22 of the 1st round

UFC 137 Bonuses:

– Nick Diaz and BJ Penn won Fight of the Night

– Donald Cerrone won Submission of the Night

– Bart Palaszewski won Knockout of the Night

All four fighters will receive $75,000 each

UFC 137 Preview and Predictions

The bright lights of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will play host to a UFC event where the injury curse has come in waves as the main event has been changed for the third time as BJ Penn and Nick Diaz will battle for welterweight supremacy.

Continue reading “UFC 137 Preview and Predictions” →