Two Years In: A Bloody Elbow Thank You
by Luke Thomas on Feb 15, 2009 10:53 AM EST
in MMA News
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I want to pay proper reverence to the moment, but I don't want to be weepy or melodramatic. Suffice it to say, though, that I cannot be more pleased and more in awe of what has happened in the last two years. And on the second birthday of BloodyElbow.com, I am amazed on a daily basis what this site has become and where it has taken me as well as the other writers.
A few thanks are obviously in order. Normally I thank the readers above all and, of course, you all make this product much of what it is. Your enthusiasm for community, your knowledgable contributions and your willingness to engage discussion of MMA without resorting to internecine and vicious squabbling has turned this site into a refuge of sorts. I know I speak on behalf of all writers on this site when I say thanks to each and every one of you for helping to make this a success. We are all eternally grateful.
Second, an enormous thanks is due to the writers who make this engine run. One of my biggest concerns over the last two years - mostly because I am a lunatic - is that I couldn't leave the site in anyone else's hands for a prolonged period of time. I always felt the need to micromanage and dictate every move or adjustment. Fortunately, that is definitively no longer the case. The team of writers here are able to work their magic, explore topics of their interest and make the site move without me having to do much of anything. It is both comforting and humbling to know the talent level of Team Bloody Elbow is high enough to keep the river flowing without me having to dote on the site on a daily basis.
Lastly, there is something often overlooked in these "thank you cards" of mine that I write at major intervals in the site's life. Namely, why I and others are here and why we continue to come back. Making MMA successful requires the contributions of every piece of machinery, but what we are all ultimately after is fights. That is in the blood pumping life into this entire operation we call MMA. So, with that in mind, I want to extend the most sizable "thank you" I can muster to the fighters who make this sport possible. Their sacrifice, dedication, athletic feats and grit are an inspiration to us all. And their willingness to share both their saddest losses as well as their marvelous achievements requires an openness most in the press or fan base do not have and do not reciprocate. We honor your work and what you have given us.
As for the future, the train rolls on. We've already signed some deals that are going to fundamentally change this site and coverage of MMA in the media in a noteworthy way, so expect some huge announcements very soon. Until then, I'll just remind myself all I ever wanted was a site people read. Pardon me while I pinch myself.
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My #1 Place for all things MMA....
I know “blogs” catch a lot of hell for copy/paste type of news etc, but BE does a good job at mixing in what everyone else is reporting with their own stuff. When I wanna know something in the world of MMA, I come to BloodlyElbow.com.
(Tshirt plz)
=p haha! Great job guys, keep it up.
February 18th 2007
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218074952/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/
Not many graphics, so it’s hard to get a feel of what the site looked like, but all the front page articles are there. This did give me a giggle:
Fedor Emelianenko is universally ranked at #1 in the world. Sambo champion, judo champion, PRIDE champion.
Dana White vows he’ll have him in the UFC someday.
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.bloodyelbow.com
The opening post!
My friends at SB Nation are justifiably proud of their network of sports blogs, but I’ve been harping on the glaring, gaping bloody hole in their coverage — the fastest growing sport in the land, Mixed Martial Arts.
Well it’s put up or shut up time because they have given me a blog.
It’s an awesome responsibility to cover MMA for SB Nation and I’ll do my best to not let down the sport or the warriors who participate in it.
I’ve been a rabid fan of mixed martial arts since I saw UFC 6 live on pay per view way back in the day.
I lost track a little bit around 2000-2001 — the “dark ages” of the sport — when you couldn’t even see the events on PPV.
But I’ve been as obsessed as ever the last couple of years and want to invite everyone to join in the conversation.
The scoop blogging platform is the most powerful community blogging software in the world, I think fight fans will like it.
War MMA!
I’m not trying to be funny or anything when I say this. But if you’d told me when I first joined up with Nate and Luke back in the day that we would break 1,000,000 page views in a month or that I’d liveblog a show like Wargods and we’d have almost 2,000 comments I’d have called you crazy.
The explosion in growth has been really amazing to watch from the inside. And I can’t express how much I appreciate having the freedom to do my own thing. Everyone on the site brings something real and unique to the table.
As much as I have argued with some of you all in the past I think we all know that it just comes down to a passion for this sport that we love.
Thank you to anyone who has stopped by on this two year ride and Luke means it when he says there are big things on the horizon…so stay tuned.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 15, 2009 11:20 AM EST reply actions
Great Work
As for the future, the train rolls on. We’ve already signed some deals that are going to fundamentally change this site and coverage of MMA in the media in a noteworthy way,
I beg of you to not ruin the format like 5ozpain did. I can’t visit that site anymore.
Great work BE, be proud.
by banter on Feb 15, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Couldn't Agree More
It used to be neck and neck for the best MMA site on the web between Five Ounces and BE. BE has kept getting better and Five Ounces has gone right down the tubes IMO. Here’s to the best MMA site on the web. Happy Bday BE!
This may be a stupid question but how did you come up with the name Bloody Elbow? I think it’s a great name and when I first discovered this site I had just gotten done hitting the heavy bag and had been practicing elbows on it and my elbow was bloody. So I thought it was the greatest name for an MMA site ever.
So I thought it was the greatest name for an MMA site ever.
I I bet it gets them blocked at a lot of corporate offices. I work for a huge company and we subscribe to a service that blocks “inappropriate for work sites” and bloodyelbow is blocked. Its the only MMA site that is blocked at my work. Fightlinker and its unfunny over cussing makes it but BW is blocked ….Sucks.
huge suckitude
it’s blocked at my government job as well (sherdog was recently blocked as well). Luckily I’m only in the office 3 days a week.
owwieelbow
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 15, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Not every writer at Fightlinker curses. This is a time for celebration, not bashing. Shame on you.
by N. Rodriguez on Feb 15, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not bashing, I still read FL everyday. I’m just saying its weird how a site that has a million F-Bombs an make it through but this site doesn’t simply because of the url name.
I do think FL is some of the best MMA commentary you will ever read that gets occasionally derailed by forcing in cursing to make it funny. They do awesome work but they try too hard to maintain the style. Honestly I am sure the kinda feel the same way really. Sometimes it works sometimes its forced.
it was a joke
I work for one of the founders of SBNation at my day job and was talking to him about MMA and explaining how its really not that dangerous even though the elbows often cause ugly cuts…..five minutes later it was BloodyElbow.
I never really thought it would be a serious project or that popular a site so I thought it was more important to have a memorable name than one that was “family friendly”. Luke was right about that one.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
ok ok kids gather round
So I was in a barbrawl in Macao shortly before the handover to communist china and 15 deadly wing chun practitioners were coming at me — and at least one of them must have been a ninja based on him being silent but deadly — and I unleashed a barrage of elbows and finished them all — bloodily. Then I had Bloody tatooed on my right elbow — my smashing arm — and that’s the story.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
congrats luke and be staff
great site! glad i discovered it and look forward to the future. :-)
Thank you, Luke and the BE Writers!
Seriously, this is the only place I can come to as a haven from much of the inane babble that plagues other MMA sites. The articles are often very insightful, short, and to the point. I love this site. Congrats and with Strikeforce set to make a few waves this year, it looks like it’s gonna be another quality year for MMA.
“As for the future, the train rolls on. We’ve already signed some deals that are going to fundamentally change this site and coverage of MMA in the media in a noteworthy way, so expect some huge announcements very soon.”
Now, that sounded a lot lika a certain well-known promotor. Not that there is anything wrong with that…
Also, your work is really appreciated. The thing that strikes me as an outsider of this blog, compared to most other blogs I have read, is how consistently a lot of effort is put into make the community of commentators as well as the community of writer staff to know what is expected of them and when they are doing something good.
50z of pain is mentioned above. It is a really good counter example to BE. When I started to get interested in mma I mainly followed 5Oz, of course due to Sam Caplan’s writing. He has his off-moments, but generally he is a very solid writer. It was at that point in time very refreshing to see someone pouring professional-level writing into a blog.
But somehow the 5Oz couldn’t really grow all the way and realy hasn’t developed well. To me the reasons seem to be: 1) Not be being fully successful in grooming new quality writers and 2) not being able to grow the relationship with the readers. As it happens that mirrors quite well exactly what I find to be great with BE.
What makes this site great
Is the fact that fans can contribute to it. Don’t get me wrong, the staff is great, but I’m more interested in what the fans have to say. And oh yeah, consistency when dealing with troublemakers like myself. =)
I heart Cock Chestnar
You're Welcome!!
lol. Seriously though, thanks for making a great site for all of us. My first mma site was Sherdog, then 5 oz. and junkie, but upon discovering BE, it has become my main site to visit. We can discuss, debate and usually keep it civil and informative. The fans are what makes BE great, imo, and that is because the staff is also fans. While it may be their site, it always feels like they are us and it is our site.
Congrats on the best mma site around!
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
Congrats
Great site, I usually check it everyday….. Keep up the good work and content..
And let’s here it for Mid-Atlantic MMA!!
I love this place. If it wasn’t for Luke Thomas being on the Big O and Dukes show I would have never found BE, my home for all things MMA.
Yeah, who got the final Death Blow? 'Cause I thought that Hawaiian guy had it comin' to him. - C. K.
by monkeyfightclub! on Feb 15, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions
Well done to all!
Well done everyone on creating my favourite MMA site, which i visit first every day!
Gratz and Thank You. We will never know or understand the amount of effort put forth to cover all the MMA that you and your staff do. I enjoy everything from fan posts to meta rankings to our very own BE fanboys.
You have done an incredible job keeping the site (and us) informed and up to date. I applaud the policing of the forums to keep it civil and readable.
Its not often in life we are good at what we enjoy. We are lucky to have talented, educated and passionate fans of our sport, covering our sport.
Thank You
I was told there would be a raffle?
No raffle?
Oh well, I guess saying thanks for providing the readers with timely updates, quality opinions, and whatever else the almighty Wargods deem acceptable, will have to do.
Two more years! Two more years!
Arsenio’s Mexican Restaurant
Yeah, who got the final Death Blow? 'Cause I thought that Hawaiian guy had it comin' to him. - C. K.
by monkeyfightclub! on Feb 15, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
A Toast! To All My Friends!
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 15, 2009 1:44 PM EST reply actions
Wanna get my 2 cents in about 5oz, I think what makes it so hard to visit that site is the format, you can’t tell what’s new or what’s going on without clicking and finding yourself separated from the front page. The large graphic at top that scrolls and has links is poorly executed, if the site had a real good makeover it might be worth visiting again.
by dualdiagnosis on Feb 15, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Also want to add that BE has the best commenting module I have ever seen. Is the “module” or “add-on” available or is it only part of the SB Nation blogging package?
by dualdiagnosis on Feb 15, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
its exclusive for SBN
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
And it’s amazing. The comments would be unreadable otherwise.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 15, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
F5...F5....F5....F5....
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 15, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
That would just be atrocious.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 15, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
Like the early days...
of online chatting. Set the refresh to 60 seconds and ask “wanna cyber?”
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 15, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
It’s really cool that Luke, Nate, Brent and the rest of the team have allowed me the opportunity to write alongside them. The folks commenting here are great. What really got me interested in this site is the ability to construct a post via the FanPosts that’s every bit as professional looking as what the writers on the staff can do. On top of that, the interaction between the staff and the other members is second to nothing I’ve seen. That’s one aspect that I personally believe is important to maintain.
Sometimes I’m able to turn out some decent stuff, and that’s largely because we, as writers, are constricted by a long list of rules and regulations. I thank the editors for that, and I thank everyone for letting me in on the ongoing conversation here at BE. It’s been a hell of a lot of fun thus far.
you mean are NOT constricted by a long list of rules and regulations
unless you’re having secret meetings without me again.
; )
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
How can I proofread shit a couple of times and still miss stuff that obvious? I do mean NOT constricted. I guess that’s why you’re the founding editor and I’m the most retarded of special contributors. Shit.
by Cannon Jacques on Feb 15, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
“I guess that’s why you’re the founding editor and I’m the most retarded of special contributors. Shit.”
I’ll drink to that. ;)
by Mike Fagan on Feb 15, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Since i just read this post by Luke i’ve been sittin here for about 10 minutes tryin to remember how i came upon this site. I’ve been coming here for about a year (give or take) and i think it actually took me a month or so to actually post a comment. I was a little reluctant to ever post considering the first sites i’ve ever checked out we’re sherdog, Junkie etc. The comments on those sites can sometimes get a bit overboard. I guess what i’m tryin to say is, it’s nice to have a site where you can come state your opinions, report your own news and get a good laugh every now and then (some of the guys posting here say some funny shit). Thanks BE for providing us an outlet and thanks to all the other readers.
Awesome, think I’ve been coming here for a year, I don’t really know.
But my fav MMA site, this one and MMAmania are the only ones I check for news.
The Wargods show was the pinnacle of enjoyment for live blogging, don’t think I have laughed that hard at a live stream in a long time. WASABIIIII!!!!
There was a change over in the...
format/mechanics of the site and this makes the dates different.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 15, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Congrats to all you fellaa on your success. This is bar none the best MMA blog on the web.
I found BE in about April/May 07 when I just started getting into the MMA blogosphere. I’ve been to all the usual suspects (Junkie, 5 Oz, Fightlinker, etc) and still go to them from time to time, but BE is by far my most frequent site. And really, that’s a great testament to you the writers, commenters, and the format.
Like many others from what I’ve read above, BE rose to the top and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Keep up the fantastic work, one and all.
I didn’t know it was 2 years. Congratulations.
I found this site/blog on a google search, lol. I was trying to get a way from MMAmania’s user comments, and searched the google machine for a good mma blog..
I then fell in love. =)
I hope this site stays here for a long, long time.
"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." -- George W. Bush, Oct. 18, 2000
new to BE but I love it
I discovered BE last month and I liked the content from the start. Now I visit every day (ok, many times a day).
thanks to all the staff.
Thanks for giving me a place to expose both my staggering ignorance and desire for monolithic rule to the masses.
by Derek Suboticki on Feb 15, 2009 4:22 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, seriously
You guys kick ass! And I mean just about everyone in here, Luke, Nate, Cannon, Brent, Blackout, BJJ Denver, Diagnosis, ilowyn, Subo, MMALogic, Fagan, Machavellian, Cyph, Pud, and all of the other regular posters that I missed,
It’s great to have somewhere to go and have intelligent people to debate and conversate with, who share my love, respect, and passion for this sport.
This is the Cadillac of MMA Blogs, and I’m honored to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone.
And for all of you who come in to the site everyday, reading and not commenting, come say hello already! Waiting a year or two before your first post is unneccessary, since most of the folks in here are mad cool.
So don’t spend the rest of your life lounging by the BE poolside. Jump in! The water’s fine…
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Feb 15, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Group Hug!
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 15, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, one of the best things about this blog is the excellent group of commentators. I gotta add Smoogy, michaelthebox, AJB, who me, Mr. NC-17, Sam Cupitt, and Discman2 to the list of great commentators, and there are still many more.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 15, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
and jemeleddin
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
And George Lucas, Simco, Misterjonez, etc., etc.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 15, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
*cough*
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 15, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yep, definitely you too. And Baudelaire, MMaSuPreMaCy, Skwirrl, Chris Nelson, Nick Thomas. Goddamn, there are too many to list. I can’t remember them all.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 15, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn’t agree more.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Feb 15, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
and a special shoutout to Richard
without whom the metas would have gone to bi-monthly or died and who does some of the best moderating around!
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
The community really is what sets this place apart.
There’s one online community on SBNation that is more developed and locked-in than this one, and that’s over at Lookout Landing, the Seattle Mariners fansite. Any other site that has this type of community is just so much smaller that a comparison isn’t really warranted.
Keep up the good work, BE :)
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
Lookout Landing is an excellent blog.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Feb 15, 2009 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
I read it back when it was called
Leone For Third (maybe it was spelled 3rd?). Jeff is an incredible writer, and a top-notch analyst as well.
That community is really odd, though. It’s got its own memes and inside jokes from as far back as like five years ago, which if you don’t know said jokes/memes, it’s incredibly confusing trying to navigate the subthreads (or even some of the fanposts). That said, it should be the poster-child for blog community growth/evolution/whatever. Needs to be poked and prodded by internet scientists to figure out how it became what it is, lol.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Feb 16, 2009 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
There used to be an MMA blog several years ago by that name – I think it got absorbed by another one, but I don’t remember too well (freshman in college, living on my own, legal age laws are near-irrelevant here, do the math…)
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 15, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
You can get it, too. Push hard, push often and dream smart.
by Luke Thomas on Feb 15, 2009 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
I remember a while back, y’all had a post tracking where the hits to the site originate with a big map and everything. Is there any way you could do it again? Considering how much the site’s grown, it’s be badass to see it.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Feb 16, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks to BloodyElbow for the kickass site and thanks to mmascraps for naming BE as their #1 mma blog in one of their posts a looooooong long time ago. If it wasn’t for them I would have never found this site. :)
I also have to agree with another poster in the fact that the commenting system here is the best EVER! Just wish ALL the other blogs I visit had the exact same system, that’s how great it is.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Mabuhay!
I’d hate to sound like a parrot and repeat what everybody else said but I gotta give props to BE. This site is the premier MMA site, bar none. Happy 2nd birthday BE!
I can vaguely remember how I stumbled upon here, all I know is that the minute I came here, I never have to look for anything else. Well, I do look at others to filter back any missed info or material from other sites to here (cause this is the only one that has fanposts?).
This place has been great and I’m looking forward for more.
Keep rockin’ BE!
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