Quote of the Day: WEC Matchmaker Sean Shelby Makes Risky Bout in Urijah Faber vs Raphael Assuncao
by Nate Wilcox on Jan 10, 2010 1:50 PM EST
in MMA News
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"I don't want to disrespect fighters at that level by giving them fights that fans can look at and say 'Okay, they are just throwing him another cupcake.' I won't do that to them. I think Urijah appreciates that. Truth be told, Urijah actually asked about Raphael first. I can't take credit for that 100 percent. I have to give credit to Urijah for that. I think that's a testament to what kind of fighter he is.
"My job is to find the best fighters in the world. Not only the best fighter, but the second best and the third best and the fourth best. The chips fall where they fall. That's my job. I'll let marketing and PR worry about the other stuff. It's pure sport."
WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby talks to Heavy.com about the decision to risk superstar Urijah Faber by booking him to fight the very tough Raphael Assuncao when he's coming off two losses in his last three fights.
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Wow..
…all this does is reinforce the notion that they treat Urijah better than anyone else. I agree with Jamie Varner’s assessment that they unfairly give Faber much more attention, marketing, and now, apparently, they let him hand pick his opponents, even though Assuncao is “risky”. This pisses me off.
Mike Brown should be getting this treatment if anyone. Bullshit.
LOL
Yeah, they sure did show him favoritism by putting Assuncao between him and another title shot.
If they were really coddling him, they would have fed him someone he could demolish in impressive fashion in order to set up a title shot versus Aldo.
No the favoritism comes from them asking him if Assuncao was an acceptable opponent and letting him decide. According to Dana White, that kind of thing wouldn’t fly in the UFC. Just look at Silva-Belfort. Silva tried his best to avoid the fight, but Dana made it clear that he is fighting Vitro regardless of his and Ed Soares’ wishes.
Besides a pain-in-the-ass like Silva, almost ALL fights start with ASKING THE FIGHTERS. Even Dana does it: “So who you wanna fucking fight?” We see it a million times every season of TUF.
The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.
by judonerd on Jan 10, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wait... what?
It says Urijah asked Shelby about fighting Assuncao first, implying that he wanted a good tough fight.
And every athlete in MMA offered opponents. Promoters do not tell, they ask. Fighters have the option of turning down any fight they want for any reason they want.
I don’t understand why you’re reacting against Faber on this. It sounds like he talked to Shelby, said he didn’t want to be coddled and should get a top 10 opponent like Assuncao. Shelby thought that was a good fight and booked it. How is it any different from the millions of stories of guys saying they went to Joe Silva and asked for [x opponent]? Do you knock Guida for going directly to Silva about fighting Florian?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Jan 10, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think you have a very clear idea about this whole thing works.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 10, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Of course they treat Faber better than everyone else…he’s the face of the WEC. He’s their biggest marketing tool. I’m a Faber fan, but don’t get me wrong, I’m also a Varner, Pulver, Cerrone, and anyone who’ll put on a good fight fan.
I’d been paying attention to Assuncao for a while, and I thought this was an excellent match by Sean Shelby. Assuncao should give Faber a god fight, but Faber’s pace and skills are hard to overcome.
As far as Brown, I think the “cupcake” comment applies more to his fight tonight, at least at first glance, considering not too mant people know much about Anthiny Morrison, and how good Brown is
Consider that:
1) Farber is top 3 in his weight class
2) Popular
3) Former dominant champ
4) One of the only guys who could match Aldo’s style
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
You make so many hilarious and sarcastic comments that I just assume if I see a spelling error in one of your posts, I’m just and idiot and didn’t get the joke.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 10, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
*an idiot
Unintentionally perfect timing on my end.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 10, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
I actually f-ed that one up
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
I assume this to be even more sarcasm.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 11, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Sean Shelby is the best matchmaker in the business, hands down.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
Agreed.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 10, 2010 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
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