SB Nation User Blog: Zak Woods

Dana White Talks Rampage, Houston Alexander and Gracie vs. Hughes

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:21:36 -0000

I am calling it an early night here as I have to go watch the Steelers ~~lose~~ rip defeat from the jaws of victory. Before I go here is the latest update from Memphis, Tennessee courtesy of Ariel Helwani.

Dana White Rampage is back in the UFC and if Rashad Evans defeats Thiago Silva at UFC 108 the two rival TUF 10 coaches will meet at a later date. WKR definitely thinks that no matter what happens at 108 these two will fight next. Check that, as long as Rashad doesn't have a repeat of Lyoto Machida they will most likely fight next.

- Not a big surprise here but Houston Alexander has been cut by the UFC. Incidentally we have bought the rights to "Watch Houston Run" so stop riding out coattails!

- Renzo Gracie will fight Matt Hughes in the UFC's AARP division in early 2010.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

MMA Live UFC 107 Preview Show

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:03:34 -0000

MMA Live UFC 107 Preview Show

B.J. Penn, Diego Sanchez and the Peabody Ducks at UFC 107

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:47:23 -0000

Photo vis Esther Lin of All Elbows

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Some fans may have noticed that B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez were both holding canes with gold ducks handles at the UFC 107 pre-fight press conference. While WKR initially thought this was some weird pre-fight psyche out attempt from Diego Sanchez it ends up that these canes appeared as part of a local tradition at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis, Tennessee called The Peabody Marching Ducks.

Twice a day, at 11:00am and 5:00pm, several ducks march to the Peabody fountain (example video below). Sometimes celebrities who are staying at the hotel help escort the ducks for the escort master Jason Sensat (how sweet of a job would that be?). These individuals are presented with the aforementioned canes and both Diego and B.J. carried their canes to the press conference as they attended the march earlier today (Ariel Helwani has a grainy picture of the ceremony).

Speaking of Ariel, he asked the fighters what they thought of the march. Diego remained completely silent while B.J. Penn said, "Quiet, but we are professional so it wasn't bad. Ducks were cute."

So where does this tradition come from anyway? Some drunk hunters of course!

Back in 1933 Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Jack Daniel's Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Soon, five North American Mallard ducks would replace the original ducks.

In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Mr. Pembroke became the Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capacity for 50 years until his retirement in 1991. Today, The Peabody Ducks are led by Duckmaster Jason Sensat.

Updated with video via Fanhouse.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Now if ESPN has taught us anything ducks just want to be free!

Update: Yes, the Peabody Ducks have a twitter account.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Jon Jones and Matt Hamill Try to Out-Nice Each Other

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:47:05 -0000

"We are still buds right?"

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The aftermath of Jon Jones disqualification loss to Matt Hamill both parties have been gracious and humble.

Immediately after the ruling Jones said,

"I've heard so many times that when you lose, you come back a better, stronger person. Everything happens for a reason."

Even after the revelation that Jones was planning on challenging the ruling his camp has still been chivalrous and affable,

"He [Jones] doesn’t want to embarrass anyone but he feels that the fair ruling would be a no contest. After the fight we watched the tapes again and there were a few things that stuck out in our minds that the ref did wrong. We'd like to see the loss removed."

....

"Let's be clear, Jon is not "unhappy" he feels as all things happen for a reason. We are protesting the L because we felt that Matt Hamill could not effectively communicate why he could not continue."

Matt Hamill responds with equal courtesy,

"I know it looked bad Saturday night but it looked a lot worse than it was. Aside from a few stitches in my nose and a sore shoulder I feel fine. I give all the credit to Jon Jones. He caught me by surprise with an awesome trip and I dislocated my shoulder when we hit the ground. I knew it was probably over at that point but I will die before I tap so I did the best I could under the circumstances. We train to wind up in bad positions and it paid off because I felt I was still able to defend even though I knew I couldn’t get up. Jon’s young and full of so much talent. Aside from making a mistake he did his job and he did it well. He definitely didn’t lose this fight and I definitely didn’t win, but I guess the rules are there for a reason. It is what it is ... I wish Jon all the best and I’d like to thank him for the professional and respectful way he has handled himself. I felt bad for him since a simple mistake caused him to loose a win bonus but as I know first hand, Dana, Lorenzo and the rest of the UFC take great care of their fighters. I’m sure Jon received a win bonus and more. As for me, you know I’ll be back. Fighting in the UFC is my job and I’ll be back to work very soon"

After reading these comments from both fighters I just can't help but think of Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon and the scene where the duel goes oh so horribly wrong. Seems to sum up the fight and the aftermath nicely.

SBN coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale

New York Out of Cash: Good News or Bad News for MMA Legislation?

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:58:16 -0000

I think that's my broker too...

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According to Governor Patterson, the State of New York is out of cash.

While New York isn't in Dubai trouble it is still horrible news for the people of New York. But since WKR is always a website for optimistic people; could this be a blessing in disguise for the upcoming fight over MMA legislation?

Well, yes and no.

Quick Side note: Remember the New York Assembly is still out of session until 2010.

Earlier this year Zuffa commissioned a study detailing the economic benefits of legalizing MMA for the state of New York. Part of that study focused on tax revenue that would be generated due to the UFC holding an event in either New York City or Buffalo. One would assume that the opportunity for the state to grab an extra million dollars in tax revenue in these economic times is a no-brainer. But it is exactly because of these bad economic times that it might not be so cut and dry.

The need for extra tax revenue may cause New York legislators to increase the taxes within the MMA bill. The current bill taxes promoters 8.5% of their live gate gross revenue, which is already above the norm. What would happen if that jumped to 9 or 10%? Then there is a 3% tax on gross revenues from broadcasting (pay-per view money) with a cap of $50,000. What if that were to jump to 5% or if the bill removed the $50,000 cap? Could the state of New York's financial trouble result in an MMA bill, which results in promoters steering away from the state due to a heavy tax burden?

It all depends on if the opponents of MMA, within New York, sign onto the bill but demand certain concessions for their votes.

While this is sheer speculation, it is something to look out for during 2010 and the next round of negotiations over MMA legislation.

UFC 107 Odds

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:12:27 -0000

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UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez's odds are now available.

Main Card

Champ B.J. Penn (-275) vs. Diego Sanchez (+215) for lightweight tile
Cheick Kongo (+185) vs. Frank Mir (-225)
Jon Fitch (-500) vs. Mike Pierce (+300)
Kenny Florian (-200) vs. Clay Guida (+160)
Paul Buentello (+115) vs. Stefan Struve (-145)

Odds via MMA Moneyline and Sportsbook

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Preliminary Card

Alan Belcher (-115) vs. Wilson Gouveia (-115)
Shane Nelson (+285) vs. Matt Wiman (-365)
Ricardo Funch (+325) vs. Johny Hendricks (-525)
Lucio Linhares (+260) vs. Rousimar Palhares(-340)
Edgar Garcia (-260) vs. DaMarques Johnson (+200)
Kevin Burns (-115) vs. T.J. Grant (-115)

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Brock Lesnar is Feeling Better

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:24:49 -0000

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It is time for your Brock Lesnar health update courtesy of Heavy.com

Heavy.com has learned from UFC sources that the company is internally targeting July as a potential return date for Lesnar and that the Lesnar/Carwin bout could headline the UFC's initial foray into Massachusetts. A July date has been secured with the TD Garden in Boston for a card that will serve as the centerpiece of the UFC's summer 2010 schedule.

Brock Lesnar in Boston around the Fourth of July certainly sounds promising.

That's about two-to-three months to recover from the diverticulitis and three-to-four months to go through a training camp. Looking at the dates Zuffa must be believe that there will be no future set-backs as they might be cutting it very close for their triumphant debut in Boston.

We will have to wait and see...

Chael Sonnen sells houses, weird...

Zak Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:28:47 -0000

Chael Sonnen sells houses, weird...

UFC 107 Preview: Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

Zak Woods — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:29:56 -0000

Jon Fitch (20-3, 10-1 UFC) vs. Mike Pierce (10-2, 1-0 UFC)

The Story So Far: Jon Fitch's quest to return to title contention continues with a fight against Mike Pierce.

Fitch was suppose to fight former title contender Thiago Alves at UFC 107 but Alves suffered an injury and was force to withdraw from the bout. That is when UFC newcomer, Mike Pierce, stepped in.

Mike Pierce is a former Portland State University wrestlers whose one bout within the UFC was an upset victory over WEC veteran Brock Larson.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Conventional Wisdom: MIke Pierce has no chance. Just look at his odds, he is +325 while Fitch is -500.

WKR Analysis: Mike Pierce's best skill is his wrestling but will his Portland State pedigree be able to overcome Fitch's wrestling? Probably not.

I don't know much about collegiate wrestling but I am pretty sure Purdue > Portland State in NCAA wrestling.

Fun Fact: Jon Fitch went to Purdue University, which is also where my parents met. Purdue is in Lafayette, Indiana, which is named after the American Revolution French officer, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette.

Purdue is also within Tippecanoe County, which is the anglicized version of "Kethtippecanoogi", a Miami term meaning "place of the succor fish people." Tippecanoe is also the site of a famous battle, which helped begin the War of 1812. William Henry Harrison was the U.S. commander at Tippecanoe. He would later become the ninth American president and the first to die in office.

History class is now dismissed.

SBN coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez

Poll

Who will win?

Dustin Hazelett steps in to fight Paul Daley at UFC 108. HT: MMA Weekly

Zak Woods — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:24:31 -0000

Dustin Hazelett steps in to fight Paul Daley at UFC 108.

HT: MMA Weekly