UWC 6: Capital Punishment Wrap-Up

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 12:15 PM EDT in News Comment 26 comments

All in all a very fun weekend, so I don't really have much to add. The full results are after the jump. But for those that may have missed it I spoke with Tito Ortiz here (not sure what's up with the cloudy audio), I tried to Twitter a little from the event, you can watch all of the fights here, photos (like the one above) can be viewed here (more of this photographer's work here) and War Machine expresses his disdain for my commentary here.

I will confess that the more I do it, the more I realize just how difficult commentary actually is. It's not just that you have no real opportunity to correct error beyond a moving five second window or that trying to research up-and-coming local fighters often produces very little results, but clearly one's perspective on matters and the attempt to candidly convey those attiudes and beliefs is not going to be greeted with flowers and cheering crowds. Being precise and being honest is precarious enough (as well as being influence free), but doing so while offering clean broadcasting technique that doesn't sway one iota from the documented truth is a very delicate balancing act I am incredibly far from mastering.

I have a very healthy and much renewed respect for Joe Rogan and other MMA commentators. The premium placed on flawless delivery of precise details with honest perspective is paramount and the talent required to deliver on those expectations is one very few have. Humbly, I say it's also one I can only hope to develop.

Photos by Melanie LeGoullon.

Results from a press release:

Results from UWC - Capital Punishment at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA:

Kris "Savage" McCray (3-0) def. Ronnie Wuest (3-3) :39 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis (3-0) def. Terry "T-Rex" Cohens (5-3) 4:29 TKO (Strikes)
Frank "The Crank" Camacho (4-2) def. Binky "Baltimore Submission Machine" Jones (7-8) 1:56 2nd Rd KO (Punch)
Mikey "The Burque Bulldog" Lovato (5-2) def. Jose "The Pistol" Villarisco (0-2) UD (29-28)
Damian "The Reach" Dantibo (5-0-1) def. Ron "Choir Boy" Stallings (7-3-1) :13 KO (Kick)
Joey Kirwan (3-1) def. Marcus Foran (6-3-1) 2:18 Submission (Guillotine Choke)
War Machine (7-3) def. Reshad Woods (4-2) 4:15 2nd Rd Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
UWC Bantamweight Championship: Mike "The Hulk" Easton (8-1) retains/def. Josh "Taz" Ferguson (6-2) 4:06 Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Notes:

Attendance: 4,528

Celebrity Sightings:
MMA legend Tito Ortiz
WEC star "Cowboy" Donald Cerrone
Former Washington Redskins WR Gary Clark
Washington Redskins QB Colt Brennan and DB Kareem Moore
Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Farrior
Baltimore Ravens DB Domonique Foxworth
JP Flaim from 106.7 FM WJFK "Junkies in the Morning"
Chad and Oscar from 106.7 WJFK's "Big O and Dukes"

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Comments

I appreciated the remarks on the task of commentating. I often fancy myself as a good commentator but there’s no question it’s a difficult task to achieve in real-time!

by klown on Apr 27, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

The pressure to get things right is astronomical. I can only imagine how Rogan handles the responsibility.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure you have done commentating, btu have you done commentating on weed? Rogan often looks pretty high. He also operates with a wealth of info and background on each fighter.

by szucconi on Apr 27, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea if Rogan commentates high

But man, if he does, I want whatever he’s on.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t lie Luke we all know you smoke trashbags of weed on a daily basis.

I’ve heard Rogan say he doesn’t commentate while high, but I don’t believe him for a second. I’ve seen him staring into the camera with bloodshot eyes and a blank expression that can only come from smoking weed or spending too much time in the Diaz locker room.

by Lyrias on Apr 27, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve heard him say as much as well, but if he is smoking something it’s probably the Sativa line of weed. Rogan has access to and can afford marijuana that’s basically designed to promote creativity and doesn’t cause fatigue. But I also get the sense he’s too much of a professional to not do his job sober.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing you can assist Joe on? His wardrobe! :D

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 27, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm in no position to tell Joe ANYTHING

But I will always and forever wear a suit and tie when I commentate. Preferably Thomas Pink slim cut shirts with french cuff and ties as well.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Snazzy…

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 27, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also get the sense he’s too much of a professional to not do his job sober

If he thinks it will help him focus then how would that make sense? His rational would be that he needs weed to do a good job.

by szucconi on Apr 27, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Creative =/= focused.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has said it makes him more focused while rolling.

by szucconi on Apr 27, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then he has to speak for himself. I don’t have enough knowledge of the type of weed he’s using nor what sort of specific effects they have on him. I would be surprised, though, from a professional standpoint given that employers likely expect you to perform your job without the assistance of illegal narcotics, but maybe the UFC doesn’t give a shit.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m guessing Rogan has the key to the city or whatever. Untouchable.

by subo on Apr 27, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could always pull a Bas and just start drinking at the start of the broadcast and as the night goes on your jokes will get funnier and your accent will become even more pronounced and slurred.

by Lyrias on Apr 27, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I can only imagine how Rogan handles the responsibility."

Marijuana.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, it’s not too hard to sound good next to Mike Goldberg.

by subo on Apr 27, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ive seen a couple of videos from Sat

I’d say you did a pretty bang up job. Great interview with Tito too. I liked that you were asking questions other than, “when are you getting back?” Right now he sounds like he has his mind made up and is going to Strikeforce.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 27, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was a good show. Also, thumbs up on the coverage. Even without your special relationship, stuff like the UWC, PFC, MFC, etc. really deserve it.

"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 Apr 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great show. This promotion is really putting out a great product. I thought the commentary was very good. If you ever need help with the researching prospects part, let me know.

by SlickRick00 on Apr 27, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Some fun quotes from the UG:

My buddy trains at Lloyd Irvin and said Dantibo took the fight on 2 weeks notice and was about to be on the business end of a HL reel KO….

Oops.

Damn, this announcer is a dick, they obviously love all the hometown boys.

First thing he says to WM post fight: “It was a back and forth fight, a seesaw battle. Would you like to give props to your opponent?”

We get it.

Agreed this event is like watching an informercial..

The announcers can’t get off Easton’s jock.. it’s just awful.

Incase anyone is wondering, Easton is the incarnation of Fedor Emeliananko and Jesus Christ, mixed with a dash of Tom Cruise for awesomeness. This commentary makes Torres vs. Mizugaki seem fair.

I would have to agree with these sentiments… the fights were pretty exciting for the most part, but it seemed like every fight was in the template of “Lloyd Irvin prospect vs. unheralded out-of-towner” and the commentary really, really skewed that way. When the hometown favorites lost, their opponents were practically made to apologize in the cage during the post-fight interview.

by smoogy on Apr 27, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no doubts I have to work on being more objective about hometown fighters and more specifically, Lloyd Irvin fighters. But of 8 fights, 6 were Lloyd Irvin fighters. It’s extremely hard to not make it an issue when 75% of the fights feature a member from the same team with the same coaches. It’s impossible NOT to talk about it. The issue is getting the balance right. The point is fair and I completely recognize it’s something I need to work on, though.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 27, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because I think everyone in the building thought Lovato’s corner threw in the towel. Villarisco was giving him a beating there at the end and he looked out of it.

The clock did seem off in some of the other fights though.

by pmpott on Apr 28, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs