SB Nation User Blog: SamCupitt

Educating the Uneducated With a Limited Fight Library

SamCupitt — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:30:01 -0000

Tonight, I sat down to watch some select fights from PRIDE: Bushido 13. After moving out earlier this year and away from my brothers extensive MMA DVD library (UFCs 1-104 and every PRIDE barring "The Best Ofs" and Shockwave 2002) I have left the majority of my MMA video viewing to the Internet.

I had recently been lent Bushido 13 by my brother so that I could see some fights I had not seen such as the welterweight grand prix finals, Gomi vs. Aurelio 2, and Mousasi vs. Lombard.

Once I put the DVD in, my roommate came out to see what I was watching. Although he had a small knowledge of jiu-jitsu due to my routine drunken displays he was still very much an MMA-neophyte and had absolutely no idea what was going on.

As I was aware of all the fight results, I decided to try and do my best to educate him using the fights.

Quickly my thoughts turned to how best approach the situation.

I had one card, which featured eleven fights.

Do I show him the semi-finals and then the final of the tournament so he can connect with a fighter (aka the YAMMA Pit Fighting method)?

Do I attempt to find a stand-up war to lure him in? Or perhaps the opposite and show him some Aoki?

I decided to just skip to the final and put on Denis Kang vs. Kazuo Misaki and try and walk him through the fight and point out positions and try and let him know what each fighter was trying to do

After some wild exchanges to begin the fight, Kang scored a takedown and landed in MIsaki's soon to be closed guard. Misaki controlled Kang's head while Kang through some very tight hammerfists.

"Can you explain this homosexual activity?" My roommate asks.

It's cool, I think. This is how I started out, gay jokes. Then something cool happens and you start getting interested.

Kang stands up in Misaki's guard and tries to throw down some hard punches. He falls back into a Misaki triangle and postures up to avoid danger. Misaki clumsily works to lock it in while Kang lifts him up and slams him down.

"Woah." says, roommate.

That's better, I think.

Kang moves to side control and shortly after the fight returns to the feet. Some wild striking and some takedowns follow that receive no reaction. The round ends. The second round picks up where the first leaves off and in the last minute of the round, Kang and Misaki start trading heavily which peaks my roommates interest a little.

However, the fight ends and my roommate looks pretty non-plussed about the whole thing.

I need a new attack. I think back to how people got interested in the first place. The smaller man, defeating the larger man with technique. Gracie vs. Shamrock, Gracie vs. Severn, that kind of thing. But alas, all I have is the Japanese equivalent. I select Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Mike Plotcheck.

For those who have not seen the fight, I envy you. The purpose of this fight was to illustrate technique over size as I expected a quick Minowaman leg lock victory, what I got though was an example of energy over incompetence.

Plotcheck looked to fight in slow motion while Minowaman scored takedowns and got battered looking for submission attempts. My roommate was amused by a kick/takedown attempt from Minowa but was ultimately left disturbed and disillusioned when round two opened up with an over muscled, gassed man with his hands down staring at a man in black underpants with a battered face for the majority of the five minutes with only some of the slowest strikes and counters you've ever seen seperating the lack of action.

Needless to say this was the last fight I showed, before I slinked off to my room.

My little experiment takes me back to the questions I have surrounding promotions outside of ZUFFA and the task they have in promoting ex-UFC and PRIDE fighters they have without access to their highlight clips. Hypothetically speaking, if Strikeforce actually signed Dan Henderson how could they warrant the money they'd spend on him compared to how much he'd bring in when they have absolutely no footage of him to advertise.

You can tell everyone Fedor Emelianenko is the best heavyweight on the planet but if you can only show him beating up and choking out a tall and goofy looking Tim Sylvia (who also has no footage available that could make him seen important) then you end up just relying on words to get people interested.

I can try and explain to my roommate that MMA is extremely technical and exciting, that MMA was founded on technique overcoming strength and that jiu-jitsu isn't you know...gay but if all I have to fall back on is my word and the lacklustre fights of PRIDE: Bushido 13, I'm always going to end up slinking off to my room.

In closing I'd just like to ask a few questions:

Is there a science to educating newer fans?
Do fighters like Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko have an appropriate level of value to an organization like Strikeforce considering they have no footage that is available to advertise?
What would you have done differently in my situation re: roomate?
If you had a single card to show a newby, what would it be?

Elvis Sinosic Discusses his Desire to Fight on "UFC Australia" and the Australian MMA Scene

SamCupitt — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:59:15 -0000

Former UFC light heavyweight title contender, Elvis Sinosic has been in the MMA news lately for his well published desire to fight on the UFC's first ever Australian event in February, 2009 and his letter to the Sydney Morning Herald regarding their grossly misinformed "Cage Rage Coming Here" article.

I recently conducted an email based interview with Elvis regarding all of the above, as well as some potential Australian names you may see in early 2009.

Sam: You have come out recently imploring for a spot on the almost 100% confirmed UFC Australia card this upcoming February. Can you talk a little about your desire to fight on the card and what it would mean to you?

Elvis: I am a big fan of the sport as much as I am a participant. I’ve been involved in the sport of MMA since it’s inception here in Australia in 1997. I was the first Australian to be on a UFC card and I’ve done a lot since then. With the UFC coming to Australia it’s just something I want to do. I want to be part of this history in the making. This would mean a lot to me.

Sam: Some people might look at your 8-11-2 record and say you aren't deserving of a spot on an UFC card at this stage of your career. How do you respond to that?

Elvis: To me it’s just numbers. But you need to look behind those numbers. Have a look at the quality of fighters I have faced. I have faced numerous World Champions. Though I would have preferred to have won those matches, I would rather have my record than a padded out record against nobodies. At least I know I have stepped up to the plate and faced the best guys out there. I have challenged myself when I fought. I been forced to push myself to the limit. Everyone knows that I come to fight. I don’t come not too lose I come to win. I put it on the line, I take risks, I make fights exciting. That’s what my record reflects.

Sam: If everything falls into place and you were to get a spot, is there anyone you would especially like to face? Or anyone you think you'd have a great fight with?

Elvis: I always want to face the best. I don’t have anyone in particular but I’d love to face the top guys. Guys like Chuck, Rampage, Shogun, fighters who are legends of the sport. Fighters who are going to push me to bring out the best I have. For me the importance is fighting on the card rather than who I am fighting.

Sam: You haven't fought since your loss to Paul Cahoon in 2007, what have you been doing since then and how do you feel about how your skills compare to the rest of your division?

Elvis: When it comes to skills I believe I am as competitive as anyone in the division. I am a well rounded fighter. I can strike, I can grapple. I win matches by submission, TKO and KO. I am dangerous anywhere in the fight.

Sam: Changing subject a bit, this will be the first UFC card in Australia how will this help MMA in Australia and how successful do you think it will be?

Elvis: I think this is a great step forward for the sport of MMA. The sport here is growing. We’re slowly gaining recognition and acceptance. Though there are still the uneducated and un-accepting out there overall things are moving forward in a positive manner. What the UFC brings is Big Time Mainstream exposure. Everyone will be talking about the UFC soon. This will give the Australian MMA market a much needed boost.

Sam: You've also been in the MMA news recently because of your letter in response to the Sydney Morning Herald's announcement of the UFC plans, do you think the media situation will get better in the lead up to the event, or is this just a taste?

Elvis: I think it will. It is pretty much standard for the un-educated press to take this course of action. I just wanted to step up and let them know that they were accountable for what they wrote. I wanted to let them know that there are facts involved and they’re not negative like the paper would like. The reality is that it doesn’t matter whether the press says good things or bad things the important thing is that they’re talking about it. The worst thing would be for them to not do anything. People will read the articles. Most people are smart enough to look further if the article catches their attention. The internet is at everyone’s finger tips. Though I hope to see more press soon and hopefully be more positive. Men’s Fitness recently did a great job on an article on MMA here in Australia. So I think it’s just a matter of time.

Sam: In regards to Australian talent at the event, it's almost a lock that George Sotiropoulos will be on the card are there any other Australian fighters that MMA fans should know about that are a possibility for this card?

Elvis: I really don’t know for sure. We do have lots of great talent that should be on the card. Anthony Perosh one of Australia’s top LHW’s for sure and he’s an ex-UFC veteran as well. There are other guys worth mentioning as well, Adrian Pang, Justin Murray, Kyle Noke, and more. We have some good talent in this country.

Sam: Anything you would like to say to the fans in closing?

Elvis: I would like to thank all my fans, family, friends and students for their continued support. I want to thank my sponsors for continuing to believe in me. I would like to thank my friend and training partner Anthony Perosh. If I fight in the UFC Australia it will be thanks to all their support and encouragement. Keep cheering. It’s good to be the King!

If you want to see Elvis in the octagon in February, 2009 help raise awareness by joining his Facebook fanpage and letting Dana White and the UFC know via twitter by tweeting "Put Elvis Sinosic on the UFC Australia card" or something of that effect to @danawhiteufc.

Silva Won't Fight Machida, but Nogueira Will

SamCupitt — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:06:56 -0000

Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida's manager, Ed Soares has once again reiterated to Sherdog.com that no matter how much Dana White wants it, the middleweight champion and the light heavyweight champion will never meet in the cage.

However, he also says the following on a potential Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Machida match-up that should make all those that were worrying about it possibly not happening feel a little better.

"That (Machida vs. Silva) won't happen," said Soares. "Anderson is most likely going to be cornering Lyoto this fight."

However, that doesn't mean Soares has ruled out every fight between his clients and teammates.

"I'll tell you one fight that's going to be a difficult one to go, Rogerio (Nogueira) is coming to the UFC, and I think if Rogerio puts on some good performances and Lyoto keeps on defending his title, that's going to be a fight that, unfortunately for us, is two of our guys fighting each other."

Little Nog is scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 106 against Luiz "Banha" Cane and with a victory there I wouldn't be surprised to see Nogueira pushed into the No.1 contenders position considering the lack of contenders after the title clash at UFC 104.

Yikes. UFC Fantasy Poll on Machida vs. Shogun. It'd be hilarious if the fighter's faces...

SamCupitt — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:09:00 -0000

Yikes.

UFC Fantasy Poll on Machida vs. Shogun.

It'd be hilarious if the fighter's faces changed depending on how many votes they get. Kinda looks that way now.

What a difference a bit over a year makes... via Sherdog.

SamCupitt — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:54:12 -0000

What a difference a bit over a year makes...

via Sherdog.

Who has the Best Chance of Knocking Off BJ?

SamCupitt — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:02:43 -0000

Sherdog has their monthly "10 Tussles Worth Watching" article up for September, and as usual it provides some nice insight on some the lesser known battles happening in the mixed martial arts world. However, it was this bit of insight from the article's author, Tim Leidecker, on the Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin fight (ranked No. 2 by the by) that raised my eyebrow:

In a fight that should serve as a title eliminator, Tyson Griffin (4-0 against opponents from Brazil) will face one of his toughest hurdles to date in former lightweight championship challenger Hermes Franca. Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard and Diego Sanchez are likely on the fast track to a title shot right now. However, the winner of this battle between Griffin, the inexhaustible power plug, and Franca, the heavy-handed black belt, deserves to challenge champion B.J. Penn, as well, and probably has a better chance at upsetting the reigning 155-pound king than the aforementioned trio.

I for one think the emphasised statement is completely nutty, but what say you people? Who out of the top five contenders in the UFC right now has the best chance at derailing BJ?

Poll

Who has the best shot at derailing BJ?

Diego Sanchez

157 votes

Gray Maynard

146 votes

Frankie Edgar

43 votes

Tyson Griffin

22 votes

Hermes Franca

13 votes

381 votes | Poll has closed

New Ultimate Chaos Poster. I could only think that after the MMA world collectively tore them a...

SamCupitt — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:53:46 -0000

New Ultimate Chaos Poster.

I could only think that after the MMA world collectively tore them a new asshole over their last poster they decided to look into putting in a little effort this time around.

They've done away with most of the Word Art and it looks like all of the PRIDE photos.

What say you?

UFC 100 just got sexified. Kudos: Cage Potato Forums

SamCupitt — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:31:09 -0000

UFC 100 just got sexified.

Kudos: Cage Potato Forums

"IWAZU and well known, in the late 80's MLB (MEJARIGUBESUBORU) represent one of the Batman. 85...

SamCupitt — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:08:30 -0000

"IWAZU and well known, in the late 80's MLB (MEJARIGUBESUBORU) represent one of the Batman. 85 years with major debut, the glitter in the following year to 33 American League Rookie of hitting a home run. Athletics 3 in 87 years sitting at number 49 hitting a home run, and Mark McGuire at "Brothers BASSHU" called popular. 88 years "40 home runs and 40 stolen bases targeting" claim. At the time, it was the achievement of this record, there were just as lip service, the first major magnificent "40-40" to be achieved at the same time, was elected to the American League MVP. 1991 a record 44 home runs, are shining for the first time home run king. RENJASU and 92 years to be traded to Red Sox, Athletics, Blue Jays, Devil Rays and渡RI歩KI, 01 years after retirement. Since then, many former boxing高JI heat, which was his hobby of boxing tournament. Muay Thai training from age and a major, its history, it in 1920. And a rare physical ability to dominate such a major, overwhelming power is still alive and well. DREAM叩KI込MU tremendous punch in full swing on the moon shot!"

- Google translator on Jose Canseco's DREAM profile

My Drunken Predictions for UFC 97.

SamCupitt — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:10:39 -0000

Right, hello, here are my predictions for Sunday's... well Sunday here... UFC 97 card. On a related note, apparently Australian's may be getting UFC 100 on delay because Vic Darchynian decided he wanted to fight on that day... I will have words with this PPV provider. They actually put Andre Rieu on instead of UFC 91! But anyhoo... predictions!

Lettuce work from the bottom up starting with fight numero uno.

Matt Wiman vs. Sam Stout

Good fight, if all goes according to plan I think we have Fight of the Night right here. Looking closer at the fighters, Wiman was looking better than anyone had ever expected him to look ever as he knocked Thiago Tavares up a notch...bam, but he ran into a road block in a superior grappler in Jim Miller. It didn't really help that Wiman got caught in a guillotine choke in the first few seconds that would have a made a lesser man tap. Stout on the other hand hasn't looked so hot recently as he was sort of robbed at UFC 83 and then decisioned by that cat I can't understand, Terry Etim at UFC 89. Stout's jiu jitsu has never really been tip top but I think Wiman's JJ works better when he's under fire, so I predict Wiman to continously score takedowns on Stout but not being able to secure anything worth breaking or choking for three rounds. Wiman via decision.

Ryo Chonan vs. TJ Grant

Grant's a purple belt under Jorge Gurgel and has submitted 12 out of 15 opponents but I'm not sure he'll be able to handle the resilience of Ryo Chonan. Chonan is far from the model of consistency but he's got enough to stifle people who aren't used to being stifled by veteran opponents. I have Chonan via decision after he frustrates the crap out of the UFC virgin.

Mark Bocek vs. David Bielkheden.

Bocek went ahead and did something I didn't think he was going to do at UFC 91... impress me. After hearing about his vaunted grappling skills he looked pretty close to impotent in the majority of his fights in the UFC. He was good in patches against Danzig and sure he defeated Doug Evans but this highly regarded Canadian black belt of his wasn't really setting off fireworks in my brain. His fight against Robinson saw him a lot more active though and he looked tight in submitting the BJJ black belt. Bielkheden on the other foot is good at stifling people with less than adequate wrestling and bottom games but against anyone else. Bocek via arm triangle choke in the 2nd round.

Eliot Marshall vs. Vinny Magalhaes

Dude, TUF just follows some guys like a bad smell. Surely there was another fight that could have been set up for either guys. Mike Ciesnolevi...wisz was a great opponent for Marshall but now we have Magalhaes. Provided Magalhaes has moved away from the origami teachings and no longer folds under pressure I think he control Marshall on his ground with his crazy high guard and possibly finish him. But this I doubt as I see Marshall's superior stand-up do naughty things to Magalhaes before Marshall finally finishes Vinny from half guard with punches in the second round. Marshall via TKO.

Ed Herman vs. David Loiseau

Welcome back David. Loiseau's fight with Charles MacCarthy was my introduction to MMA and so he will always have a place in one of my ventricles. However, I think Loiseau is still suffering from the immense beatdown Franklin gave him and even though he has looked good in patches recently it doesn't take much offense from the opposition to make him sad. Herman is in a do or die situation with the UFC axe looming above his head. Herman can win this if his takedowns are on song but otherwise his stand-up shouldn't be a match for Loiseau's sharp muay thai. Loiseau via decision.

Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry

If MacDonald can;t get this fight to the ground, with him on top, then he's going to be in for a long night... or one he potentially can't remember. Quarry will have his dirty dirty way with him on the feet and MacDonald clearly does not respond well to being hit. I'm not sure how good MacDonald's wrestling actually is so I will take Quarry via TKO in round 2.

Denis Kang vs. Xavier Foupa Pokam

Yes well I've told myself I will never pick Kang to win a fight again as long as I live so I'm just going to go ahead and assume that he will find some way to lose this fight. Besides, Professor X is one of the coolest nickanmes ever... next to Girlfight monster. Professor X via KO in round 1.

MAIN CARD

Steve Cantwell vs. Luiz Cane

I think this fight is the best match-up on the whole card. It's a very even bout and I have absolutely no clue as to what's going to happen. Cantwell is as well rounded as they come, his striking is as good as his wrestling which is as good as his jiu jitsu. Cane has some violent striking and I'm just going to go ahead and assume he has serviceable jiu jitsu and some lacklustre wrestling that mainly just includes an inside leg trip. I'm still not sure if Cane's strategy against Sokoudjou was to play the waiting game or if he was simply getting overwhelmed but if I assume the former then I think Cantwell can keep Cane backpedalling for the majority of the fight if he keeps pressing forward. But if you play with Brazilian matches you can get bitchslapped or something so I believe Cantwell's best chance would be to test out Cane's ground skills. I'll take Cantwell via decision but I am none too confident

Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk

Leland Rolling had an interesting piece on Hardonk yesterday which highlighted Hardonk's focus on getting the other parts of his game up to snuff and how far he has come. Which is true to a degree as I no longer question his place in the UFC heavyweight division as I once did which is a sign he has evolved. However, the way I see this fight is that they are both similar fighters style wise and then I imagine how Kongo would have gone against Mike Wessel compared to Hardonk and all I can imagine is Wessel's mother not being able to recognize him after Kongo fought him where as Hardonk was struggling to stay ahead of the curve. I know that is probably MMAth or some sort of MMAth tangent butI just think Kongo is a superior fighter in every way and barring some serious mistakes on his part he should take this fight handidly. Kongo via TKO in round 1.

Brian Stann vs. K-Sos

Yeah I've spelt K-Sos' name so many times and every time I've needed to check the spelling so he will now forever be known as K-Sos. For this fight I simply see K-Sos's variety of attack on the feet being superior to the one combination we saw from Stann in his third fight with Cantwell. Provided K-Sos doesn't get clipped with something I see him dropping Stann with an accumulation of blows midfight. K-Sos via TKO in round 2.

Chuck Liddell vs. Shogun Rua

My argument favors Mike Rome's argument that he posed yesterday. Liddell's superior hands and wrestling will cancel out all of the weapon's Shogun needs to win this fight. I also remember saying this before the Liddell/Evans fight but that was different in that Evans had not ever really showed us anything beforehand so there was that unknown, but with Shogun we know that his hands aren't that good its mainly the pace he keeps and clinch and kicks he uses to wreck bitches. Getting to the clinch has always been difficult with Chuck and the pace Shogun used to fight at just hasn't been there of late due to his balsa wood knees. A tired Shogun gets put away violently by Liddell I think. Liddell via KO early round 2.

Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites

I have a funny feeling about this fight, but I'm pretty sure its the easter eggs I had with the beer. Terrible combo. There's been much said about Leites' ground game but even if he does score a takedown its not like Silva is McFedries level jiu jitsu. Silva's jiu jitsu is about as serviceable as Martin Kampmann's and Leites had issues with that. Besides, the ground game won't even come into it as I think Silva has already decided that this fight will end early as a sign that the Cote fight was just him having a laugh. Silva via Leben like KO in like 40 seconds.

I'm going to bed.

Leites.