Cage Potato Deserves No Pass in Gus Johnson Fiasco
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:14 PM EDT
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In one of my recent posts on SBNation.com I discussed why I feel that there is equal blame to go around in the Cage Potato/Gus Johnson fiasco. Much of the blame should fall on Mike Russell of Cage Potato for his initial e-mail to Scott Coker regarding Johnson's performance:
[Mike Russell's note to Scott Coker] is not a professionally worded e-mail that is looking for a legitimate response from a promotion head. This is a fan-ish attacking e-mail sent with the intention of shit stirring and nothing more.
I know no one of any reputation in the media who would expect to get an honest response to a question from a promotion's CEO with phrasing like that which Russell used. Rather than e-mailing Coker and asking for a statement on concerns held by the MMA community and allowing the answer to come organically Mike changes the game by making it clear that the e-mails intention is to state that Johnson should be fired, not to open up a discussion on Coker's feelings about the job Johnson does. The wording pre-establishes what Coker's responses mean. If he defends Johnson, he is defending a guy who "badmouthed" him and if he expresses concern he has now sided with the idea that Gus must go.
Add to this whole situation the fact that Johnson is a CBS employee and CBS controls the broadcast, not Strikeforce, and it's also set up to potentially put Coker at odds with the network.
It's just unfortunate for Gus that he ended up reacting the way he did and actually rewarding unprofessional media behavior with a "woe is me" story for Russell to tell.
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Mike had better ways to bring across the point
It was kinda trollish and the article itself isn’t professional for a so-called “journalist”, but Gus’ reply wasn’t exactly shining. The photo however where he’s given clown makeup was uncalled for though.
Oh wait…Russell is Canadian. Can’t we give him a handicap in this case? It must be hard to be labeled as such.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
Worth noting is what Russell says himself.
Sure, I may have been baiting Coker into responding, since he has up until this point chosen to remain silent on the issue, but I didn’t write anything in the email that was untrue or that scores of MMA fans and pundits haven’t been thinking, discussing or commentating about on scores of web outlets or message boards since watching the show Saturday night.
My bold.
Mike Russell admitted it was bait. I don’t know if this BE story adds much to what was already said on CagePotato. He was baiting a response by repeating what fans say online and on message boards. Not to mention it’s from CagePotato, which is already pretty telling.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
CagePotato has some cool stuff (like the poster contest)
But the commenters there are garbage.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
I enjoy CagePotato.
It’s less serious and always good for a giggle and the occasional interview. They have carved out their niche, and it’s not hard news or good discussion in comments sections.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
its like we share a brain
I feel the exact same way.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
the potato nation doesnt break news. they break balls son!!
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 2:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
THIS ^
CagePotato may not break news, but it has a loyal fanbase (most of them are morons) including myself (a non-moron) and it brings levity to a sport that some take way too seriously sometimes.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus...
It was dude’s first day on the job… and he IS Canadian.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hell of a way to make a splash on the first day.
When we pull our pants down in front of teacher which way should we stand? I mean do we show her our butts or our weiners?
by Earl Montclair on Apr 21, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
im a huge cagepotato fan
but its been about 5 days since ben fowlkes left and the new guy russell took over and im liking it less and less
I read the articles there...
barely ever read the comments section.
Although there is a loyal group of Forum guys, all of which are knowledgeable and fun. Check out that part of the site and holler at me when you do.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
THIS
some people were acting like MMA was headed for the Dark Ages again after Saturday… people need to relax and understand that MMA sanctioning is now about economics, not politics, especially in this day and age and the way the economy is performing.
"It’s going to be like sex with a grizzly bear, you know, a lot of scratching and growling on both sides." - Don Frye
It will be legalized this year
thanks in no small part to UFC 111 and the money it brought to Newark’s economy, which could have just as easily been put into NY’s economy had the sport been legalised/sanctioned.
It’s getting done, and one brawl isn’t going to stop it, especially since this isn’t an isolated incident. Lawmakers have more than enough ammo, but political pandering will take a back seat to the observance of raw economics on this issue.
"It’s going to be like sex with a grizzly bear, you know, a lot of scratching and growling on both sides." - Don Frye
Not likely in NY
There’s a strong conservative contingent here despite political stereotypes of the Apple, and the liberal opposition doesn’t like the sport either so there’s really no one but Dana fighting for it.
And he sounds like a shyster to more than just the blogosphere.
Both the governor and athletic commission chairman
spoke about how legalizing MMA would happen. Even that fag Bob Reilly has quited down with his human cockfighting rhetoric as of late. It will happen, and if it doesn’t… it’s not because of the SF brawl
"It’s going to be like sex with a grizzly bear, you know, a lot of scratching and growling on both sides." - Don Frye
That’s exactly it. Whatever Russell was looking for Gus gave it to him by responding the way he did.
by iamtheoriginalchris on Apr 21, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem is that he was not acting professionally and now the story on most sites has become Gus’ reaction with no focus on CP’s behavior.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that's the responsibility of the other sites, which is the real story here.
Other MMA media sources are irresponsibly reporting on admittedly poor reporting. The story here is not that Russell did a bad job, he admitted that in so many words. It’s that the rest of the media is so quick to pile on a guy that they are already sick of. Anybody picking up the story without including the little blurb I quoted above is doing a disservice to Gus. As much as I agree that he needs to be replaced, that his commentary is poor, and that his phone call was unprofessional, he deserves to be reported on fairly.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I think the story is both Russell acting like a fool and sites running ONLY the Gus quotes and making it seem like he just lost his mind over nothing.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
But again, he's from CagePotato.
A proud member of a network that brings you gems like Chickipedia and Holy Taco. They are not a serious media source or even a serious blog, and never claim to be (outside of their occasional interview… kinda). Mike Russell was unprofessional from the top of his post (Gus in makeup photoshop), and then posted the unprofessional email in its entirety, then proceeded to admit that he was trolling Coker to get a response. Again, I feel like this better phrased not as “Cage Potato Deserves No Pass in Gus Johnson Fiasco” but “Why does MMA Media Give Cage Potato a Pass in Gus Johnson Fiasco?”
That’s all my take though, and you seem to have have a different stance. When I’m a staff editor on a well respected blog, I’ll frame a story my way. Until then, I’ll just humbly offer my opinion and maybe write a fanpost later.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
It’s fine. And despite claims from certain people here, I’m not treating this like a huge story, just wanted to offer my take.
My problem is…if you’re not a serious media source…why are you contacting the CEO of Strikeforce for statements?
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
jon Stewart has serious topics and delivers them in a funny/entering way.
Cp is the daily show to you CNN.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
errr damn auto correct. entertaining and your not you.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 3:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What provides better comedy than mocking a guy directly?
If they have an original source or inside scoop, then they get first crack at making fun of it. Or maybe they didn’t want to wait around for news to ridicule and decided to create some. Trolling the real world. It’s silly, but so is their site.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
So fans don't get a say?
My problem is…if you’re not a serious media source…why are you contacting the CEO of Strikeforce for statements?
It seems like he felt strongly on the issue and decided to contact the head of a company. People have written letters to corporate presidents for years.
Being a serious media source isn’t the only reason to contact the people who have positive or negative power in a sport you love.
That's exactly the quote I was remembering from the UG.
Always good when a member of the media out-and-out admits to baiting those he covers. That’s TMZ level stuff right there.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Apr 21, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully an adult talks to everyone involved after recess, and there won’t be a repeat of all this hair pulling at lunch time.
That adult will be Kid Nate.
He’ll resolve the issue, but we’ll manage to blame him for something.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
Awesome
I am FAR more interested in drama involving one of the sport’s many mediocre commentators, and also in engaging as many anti-social nerdlingers like myself around the world as possible in cyclical online debate about such frippery, as opposed to analyzing styles and fights themselves. Seriously. Between Maia, Silva, GSP, and “Strikefarce” I don’t know if I can ward off any more needless, arbitrary pseudo-intellectualization from armchair fight fans. For whatever reason, there is too much emphasis on these back-stories, I find.
by Postpubescent on Apr 21, 2010 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
My Bellator preview will be up late tonight or tomorrow. The main thing is that now people are attacking Gus for this on top of everything else.
Also, the reason why it is hard for sites like BE to be taken seriously by all the people that SHOULD take us seriously is that we’re tied to sites like CP and their behavior through the “blog” tag. Their behavior reflects on us
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
People SHOULD attack Gus over this on top of everything else.
Just because some jackass on the intrawebz sends an unprofessional email to your boss doesn’t mean you have to call them up and take them to task.
When a reader contacts my editor, I discuss the issues they raise with my editor, then contact the reader and respectfully and professionally hear out their concerns through a phone or email exchange while continuing to explain the reasons for our editorial/journalistic policies and the value they hold.
This is something bloggers (and Gus, apparently) need to learn: feedback from the consumers of your media is valuable regardless of how amateurishly it’s expressed. Those are your customers and, god help us, the customer is always right.
Every time you tell a reader/viewer with an axe to grind to fuck off, that’s one fewer reader/viewer you have, and with the multitude of media outlets available today, no source can afford one fewer viewer reader.
That doesn’t mean you sell out your ethics to placate them. It just means you treat their feedback and concerns with professionalism and respect.
You can tell Luke has been endeavoring to do this more of late, and BE is the better for it.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Apr 21, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m fine with a well structured, professional criticism of Gus. I mean, the original piece that I linked to had me saying:
I share most people’s problems with Johnson’s ability to call MMA; he’s prone to extreme hyperbole, speaks incorrectly about technical aspects of fighting rather than leaving it to the experts he shares the desk with, and is genuinely annoying in his approach to commentary.
I’d LOVE to see him go, but there’s an appropriate approach and then there’s the “lookatme!” approach where the “media member” attempts to make himself the story. I hate that shit with a passion. Making your opinion the central focus of a piece? Fine. Trying to make yourself the focus of a story? Bad
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
What's with your hate on for CP
I read both this site and CP and have for quite some time. Frankly, this post as well as your comments on here are painfully one sided against CP and reek of bias as opposed to “serious journalism”.
While you may disagree with the tone of Russell’s email, there was nothing unprofessional about attempting to get an answer. He indicated that Coker has repeatedly failed to respond or comment about the Gus Johnson issue and so was trying a new tactic to get a comment. If journalists never went “outside the box” then we would never get anything but pre-planned BS media statements.
Russell wasn’t trying to make himself the centre of the story, he was trying to get a response from Coker. If Coker had responded then I highly doubt that we would ever have seen his email. If Gus Johnson hadn’t acted like an immature child then, again, we never would have seen his email. The context of Gus Johnson’s call would have made no sense whatsoever without the original email being published along with it and in fact it would have been irresponsible to NOT post the email in light of the response by Gus.
Perhaps it is your biased and ill-thought out opinions that are casting a shadow on MMA blogs and not CP’s?
by flyingogoplata on Apr 22, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Well said flyinggogoplata, Where is the blame on Coker for passing this email along to GJ in the 1st place? If he didn’t want to respond to Russell then just delete the damn thing. Coker is the head of Strikeforce & should have to answer some questions when shit hits the fan, instead of just forwarding things along to someone else. IMO, Coker is the person who acted a little unprofessional here. I want Strikeforce to be successful but i’m starting to think Coker is in over his head w/ Showtime/CBS.
I would say that BE is the wrong target for this comment, since most, if not all, of the writers are also good analysts, but I agree with the comment in general. I think that one of the dirty secrets of MMA punditry is that many of them spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the drama around the sport instead of the sport itself, because they don’t actually have the ability to breakdown fights, like say a Jordan Breen or Kid Nate, beyond the superficial “Diego’s going to push the pace” or “Rumble has dynamite in his hands”.
Yes, that’s fine; I’m musing about the genre, I guess, but I’m here for a reason, yeah.
by Postpubescent on Apr 21, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Cagepotato
Remember, it’s cagepotato we’re talking about. Not the Wall St. Journal. I have a feeling that Scott Coker forwarded the email because it expressed some of his own thoughts.
by pwdminotauro on Apr 21, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I was wondering about this as well. Why did Coker even bother acknowledging the e-mail if it was so unprofessional? If Coker bothered to read it and forward it then he took something in it serious. Then Gus really took it serious.
I do think that the initial e-mail could have asked the same questions in a more professional manner though.
Just BE.
Coker probably acknowledged the email because for as light hearted as CP is, they do get alot of interviews and have a a positive rapport with several fighters.
why did he pass it on to Gus, thats the real question. i would imagine it was a way of telling Gus that “people” are mad at him for what he said, without saying he himself was mad at Gus (pure conjecture on my part)
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
Agree with both, Coker did not pass that email along casually.
by pwdminotauro on Apr 21, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
It was probably more like “Hey Gus, get a load of what this asshole is saying about you. Some journalist eh?”
by smoogy2 on Apr 21, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i really dont like saying people should be fired.
But Gus is a clown! Frank is a clown and the other Guy is an idiot. He calls subs by the wrong name and doesn’t seem to understand jits. I don’t care if he “studies it 3 times a week” he is constantly saying what a fighter far beyond his level should do, and his ideas are wrong 9 out o 10 times. The picture was very fitting.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 2:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I can see it now. Jim Nantz will be calling the next Strikeforce event on CBS.
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
"Hello friends it's time for some fighting."
(In quiet voice) “He’s going for the kimura….and he’s got it. A dream come true for the former DREAM star!”
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
Fireside post-fight interviews in the cabin off the 18th green would be kinda pimp.
by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Cagepotato is about as informal as it comes
while still maintaining an almost daily updated site; a site that has just as much humor as it does news. Which should tell you something about the intent and goal of cagepotato (ie they aren’t in the same category as sherdog or as bloodyelbow). I don’t know much about this Russel guy, but he was fishing when he sent coker that letter, and considering his position, I don’t think he can be held to the same level of accountability as a more serious MMA news site.
The ‘fiasco’ is completely attributable to how Gus reacted.
Brent, quit being a girl
Youre such a little friggin crybaby sissy. Quit judging people for not acting like the sky is falling because of the fight. Honestly, youre milking it more than anyone with you’re schoolgirl disgust that people got in a fight. Change your tampon, have a beer and quit being so feminine.
by RickDickulous on Apr 21, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Nice knowing ya buddy.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
i disagree
It was not nice knowing him.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 2:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
I'm a huge fan of "famous last words" before a banning.
This one….kinda floored me.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
…that’s an odd response to me defending Gus Johnson.
Other moderators…leave this up. it’s too odd to hide.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe it's war machine
not content with calling you names on twitter he decided to come here and flip out some more
Luke is gonna ban you for calling yourselves moderators.
by ufc4 on Apr 21, 2010 4:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How the hell...
..did you rec’d yourself??
I'm a lover not a fighter
by spectaa on Apr 21, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
You better check yourself before you rec yourself.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
by SSreporters on Apr 21, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
hmmm
i don’t believe that was warranted. but not my place to argue, i guess.
What? The warning.
Yeah, wishing death upon someone because of bad commentating. Not warranted at all.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Apr 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
ok ok
It was completely a joke but obviously i could see how it could be taken the wrong way and start a very pointless comment war. But i could easily putting that in the realm of hoping for octagon related deaths… not serious. but none the less, point taken and warning heeded.
It’s no problem, just a policy. Happy commenting.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Apr 21, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Cage Potato was ridiculously juvenile
And Gus must have been drunk when he responded.
Pretty pathetic all around.
by bleve_ on Apr 21, 2010 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
CP is probably loving all the attention. i love their site for what it is. and because of what it is, i’m not that concerned with how they acted. they wave their “juvenile” flag daily, and thats what draws people to them. they get several exclusive interviews probably because the fighters enjoy their format. i say good for them.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
by MicahW on Apr 21, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
See…I’m fine with them being juvenile about most things. But this was a step over the line for me.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 21, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
apparently it was a step over the line for Gus Johnson & Coker as well. but the type of reader CP gets (those looking for the humorous spin on what they just read at BE) are more or less going to be entertained by kind of poking the fire. people typically find subtly worded douchyness hilarious when it isn’t directed at them.
will it affect how strikeforce may view EVERY blog from here on out? very likely yes.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
Everybody gets
that they do the sarcastic snarky routine to their audience and that’s completely ok, but when dealing with other professionals in the industry it behooves you to act like an adult.
I don’t get why stations are so eager to bring in their own commentators, granted, Strikeforce doesn’t have great announcers.
But, they always seem to push this on promotions, even if it most definitely will worsen the commentary quality.
nobody will say “CBS” and “How I Met Your Mother” quite like a company man.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
I like the way Goldie
describes that Ninja versus Viking versus Mongols show. It makes it seem like something exciting is going to happen!
(I watch it so often, I can’t even remember what the hell it’s called.)
I sat here thinking
Ultimate Warrior? No, that was a wrestler. Deadliest… Catch? No, that’s a fishing show. Something with ninjas… Ask a Ninja?!
Ninja Warrior
When we pull our pants down in front of teacher which way should we stand? I mean do we show her our butts or our weiners?
by Earl Montclair on Apr 21, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Gus is a horrible (live) interviewer and commentator. If CBS/Strikeforce continues to use him they should stick him doing the pre-taped interviews behind the scenes. That way he doesn’t need to do any on-the-fly analyzing and commentating on shit he clearly is ignorant to.
With that said, Cagepotato = a Fightlinker with a bigger budget. The entire point of their website is to make people laugh by appealing to the drunken 18 year old in all of us. The article was so unbelievable at first I thought it was satire, but it did make me laugh. So mission accomplished.
To me, CagePotato is like a fan site someone created about MMA that got picked up by a big blog company (Break Media).
They are just funny guys who run a website that focuses mainly on MMA. They ask the questions the regular MMA fan is curious about in a way that a fan would ask it. Don’t forget that Coker read the e-mail, went “oh snap!” and then forwarded it to Gus. Upon reading the e-mail, I’m not shocked by it, nor did he go too overboard. He directly quoted Gus from the telecast, and asked the president to comment on those statements. Here it is, in it’s entirety:
Hi Scott,
I hope this email finds you well. It was disappointing to see the otherwise great show marred by the incident Saturday night. I hope it doesn’t affect the CBS deal.
I was hoping you would comment on Gus Johnson’s comments Saturday night that “Strikeforce disrespected Shields” and “continually brought in guys to beat him” and that you “counted him out over and over.”
Also, what do you think of his off the cuff remark that brawling and scuffles break out all the time during MMA events?
Will he be working future Strikeforce events on CBS after badmouthing you and your company, or can we expect to see someone more familiar with MMA and who behaves more professionally?
He didn’t seem to know the difference between an armbar and a kimura.
Thanks in advance.
Mike Russell
Senior Editor
CagePotato.com
The only things I see that are deliberately inflammatory are the badmouthing bit and the armbar-kimura debacle. (Which he did mess up.)
I come to Bloody Elbow for the commentary, editorials, breakdowns and intelligent conversation. I go to MMAJunkie for breaking news. I go to Cage Potato for the “why so serious?”. Their captions, articles, and most of the comments are hilarious. I don’t think they have credentials at any shows, so why would we give them the burden of following these unspoken rules of the media that say they asked the questions incorrectly?
by Amsterdaam on Apr 21, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The previous senior editor (I think his name is Ben) got to cover some events at press row, including UFC 91.
The Seahawks have traded my signature to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round draft pick.
i think
he works for SI and Fight Magazine as well.. Maybe he received his credentials through one of them? I’d be surprised if he went there for CP..
by virginiatech on Apr 21, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Ben Fowlks
He is a great writer and he is Fuckin hilarious.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 21, 2010 3:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
he left CP though and is over at mmafighting with helwani
he was on helwanis radio show too and looked like hes going with a more serious approach at his new job
the new guy at CP i dont like too much so far, the johnson thing was kinda ridiculous as much as i think johnson sucks
The Hairy Arms One...
as opposed to the receding hairline one.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Right
And his SI.com and Fight pieces always have a more, uh, “measured” tone to them than the endless snark.
I’m with the Potato guys on this one. Potato is a blog. BE is a news aggregator. That’s how I differentiate the two.
And Gus Johnson needs to develop a thicker skin and maybe pay attention in his supposed jiu-jitsu classes.
Get rid of the ramp!
Regardless if
the site is a just a blog, why would you want to basically create enemies in the industry and flush a dialogue with CBS down the toilet?
From the way it looks
CBS is about done with MMA and Gus Johnson and Scott Coker aren’t exactly heavy hitters, especially compared to those other ultimate fighting guys. Just my opinion.
Get rid of the ramp!
Anyone site could’ve sent a professional e-mail to Coker. Will it have received a response? Most likely it would’ve been something generic or ignored completely.
How many responsible journalists e-mailed Scott Coker and received a response, you think?
CP is not trying to be anything more than it is.
Here is the real problem
Let’s look at what’s going on in world of MMA. You have WEC making their PPV debut this week which could end up being a turning point for the growth of MMA. Not to mention this fight card features a rematch of the fight of the year from last year (Henderson vs. Cerrone), the first title defense of what could be the next pound for pound king (Aldo) and maybe the last title run for one of the all-time greats (Faber). Also, the biggest rematch of the year is coming up in just over two weeks with Machida vs. Shogun II and Jake Shields could be a landmark free agent signing that could change the landscape of MMA and free agency.
But instead, there are two, not one, but two stories about how a Blog (not a news website, an entertaining blog which is basically the TMZ of MMA) got into it with Gus Johnson. Apparently verbal cat fighting is more important that actual MMA fights.
The defense of reporting it is that is gets more traffic for BE which is great, but then you can’t consider your site as a legitimate news site because it makes you no better than cagepotato for sensationalizing something that shouldn’t even be talked about. Either you are a whore that sells herself for web traffic or a legitimate MMA news website that can choose to avoid reporting on certain stories because they aren’t actual news (it’s gossip not news). I am fine with whatever one you want to be, but you pretend to be one (legit MMA news) when you are actually the other (the web traffic whore) and bitch about another website when you are doing the exact same thing. Come on, your better than that
Matt from MMA Posers, check us out at www.mmaposers.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mmaposers, and friend us on facebook
by MMAposers on Apr 21, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 12 recs
yeah i’ve seen posts on here obviously taking ridiculous viewpoints to enhance traffic. This subject is a bit of a fine line, because you can completely ignore it or choose to share a viewpoint on the fiasco to show your disagreement. Just be sure to not throw too many stones if you’re in a glass house.
This guy...
is just mad that everyone over at the CP forums told him to quit spamming his MMAposers blog.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like
I have a stalker that can’t forget about me
Just trying to make through my long strange longer to the middle
You're right...
I can’t forget how you spammed our forums to get hits for your rinky-dink blog.
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 23, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank you. There seems to have been a deliberate shift around here to purposely inflammatory link bait rather than news/commentary about MMA and current events. We get it, shit like this and a lot of the other articles lately get a ton of hits and comments. But eventually it’s going to get old, and people will shift their RSS feeds to other sites.
You can only read so much righteous indignation condemning MMA orgs, fighters, executives, and now blogs before the holier-than-thou thing gets old.
I know I'm not supposed to do this and I am likely going to killed for this but i have to say it.........
When we pull our pants down in front of teacher which way should we stand? I mean do we show her our butts or our weiners?
Ooooooooooooo, I'm telling!
Time to bury our heads in sand.
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Apr 21, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll go get my lucky shovel!
When we pull our pants down in front of teacher which way should we stand? I mean do we show her our butts or our weiners?
by Earl Montclair on Apr 21, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
BE has my membership but cagepotato is one of the few mma on the lighter more humorous side of mma. The fact that he sent this e-mail just shows how much Gus should not be commentating. They replaced mr. skeleton because he scared the lenses of the camera. They should be pulling out the check book and hiring bas. The world can only handle on Mauro Ranallo to say stupid shit.
For what it's worth
Mike Russell used to write for UFC.com, althought I’m not certain if he was actually considered a “UFC employee”.
My two cents
How ironic is it that you wrote this post accusing CP of “unprofessional media behavior”?? Your entire post reeks of jealousy and “unprofessional media behavior”. While you are worried about holding CP accountable for asking tough questions and expressing fan sentiment to the people in charge of bad shows, you could have sent Coker your own email so he understood just how atrociously bad Johnson was saturday night.
by treyjackson on Apr 21, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
“expressing fan sentiment”
Fans are the ones that visit your website on a daily basis. Fans buying PPVs or watching live broadcasts is what pays the bills. So what if he adressed the email like a fan. Lately BE has been bickering at every little detail.
by Gattsuberserk on Apr 21, 2010 5:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This was CagePotato's editorial defense of Russell on the UG:
Not sure who the actual author was:
There isn’t much I’d like to comment on right now. My main reaction is amusement at the absolute backfire that these threads — because he made two of them! — have become. You have to understand that this is Mike’s second day working for CagePotato. I don’t mean that as an excuse, I just mean like, it’s hilarious that he’s getting this much abuse on day two. He can only go up from here…
When I first read the story, I thought “well, sure, it’s a minor hatchet job, but it’s by far the weirdest thing we’ve ever published, and I’m curious to see how it goes over.” I’m not going to argue with any of the criticism that’s been thrown at him. Google “Mike Russell” and “UFC.com.” You’ll see that he’s a good writer and a good reporter. That’s why we hired him. When Gus Johnson calls you at 11 pm all pissed off about an email you sent to Scott Coker, and you have an outlet to tell people exactly how you’re feeling…I don’t know, people respond differently. If it happened to me, the only thing I know is that my post would be about 5,000 words shorter.
Hilarious? Since when was starting of on the wrong foot a joke?
I dunno…this whole thing is silly. Gus should have been a lot more composed and just released a statement. Not saying his had to put on the sock-em-boppers, but being cool about things works way better than showing everyone how pissed off you are.
"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." - Miyamoto Musashi
by Kaleb Kelchner on Apr 21, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, if Gus didn’t say anything and brushed off the e-mail as somebody trolling, there would be no story. CP fished for something, and got a better response than they had hoped for.
I never even cared about CP before all this, but now I know who they are and their sense of humor, I’ll be visiting their site more often.
I believe that's Ben G (Goldstein, I want to say)
I’m not positive or anything, but he is the only other main contributer for them I know of, and I believe he is also the top-dog so to speak.
Honestly, I was really sad to see Fowlkes go for Russell. I don’t particularly like him, from what I’ve seen of him on the UG, and he’s rubbed me quite wrong with things I’ve read him posting on there that were unbecoming somebody who fancies themselves a journalist.
Just Blog Guy - http://JustBlogGuy.wordpress.com/
Some companion reading:
Mike bragging about the hatchet job he intends to do on Gus prior to publishing his “article”
Mike posting an excerpt from the Canadian Association of Journalists Ethics Guidelines… seriously
I find it pretty astonishing that this guy can send such a slanty email to Scott Coker, then act surprised when he ends up taking some flak from Gus on the phone. Even more astonishing? All the chucklehead fanboys who seem to be faulting Gus because he decided to defend himself. I doubt he realized all of his comments would be compiled in such an unprofessional hackjob.
by smoogy2 on Apr 21, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I think most people fault Gus because is not a good MMA commentator, not because he decided to defend himself.
I will say, Gus has more potential than Shamrock and Mauro…I want to see Gus work with Pat Militetch.
"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." - Miyamoto Musashi
by Kaleb Kelchner on Apr 21, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn Smoogy...
You and Russell go at it on the UG…
"Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep."
- Lord Byron
by MyFightWiffaCheeto on Apr 21, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
When you engage hack jobs this is what you get.
It’s obvious that the blame lies at the source, but at the same time this wouldn’t even be an issue if Gus hadn’t responded. He should have called Scott if he had issue.
This is the equivalent of slapping a handicapped kid that calls you a name on the playground. Just don’t engage ppl like this and they go away.
Ironically, it’s not unlike the brawl that set it into motion. The Cesar Gracie camp doesn’t get in a brawl if Mayhem doesn’t show up and act like Kanye, at the same time, Mayhem doesn’t get jumped for acting like he did around most other camps.
In the same vein, Gus shouldn’t have reacted the way he did, but a more professional writer wouldn’t have put him that position in the first place by not writing a terribly unprofessional e-mail and then handling it as Russell did.
Just Blog Guy - http://JustBlogGuy.wordpress.com/
Dont NFL Columnists constantly write “Open Letter” articles to Roger Goodell asking them to relieve Al Davis of the Raiders? Don’t local columnists frequently demand head coaches of virtually every NFL franchise be fired on a regular basis? Doesn’t one of the editors of this site openly campaign for Mike Goldberg to be fired to the point of obsession?
I just don’t get this sudden moral indignation as if airing issues privately through an email is somehow less of an offense than airing them publicly from the get-go.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
what a surprise that someone from the media acts unprofessionally to bait a public figure into acting just as bad. Is this a journalism course taught nowadays? Its completely unprofessional, and on his second day on the job, its clear he’s just trying to make a big impression. Why single out Johnson though? Shamrock and Ranallo are just as bad. And why stop at just the commentating? It really is a troll job on Johnson and he bit unfortunately. CP needs to toss Russell back on the pile of crap they picked him off.
by Ozone on Apr 21, 2010 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Completely Unprofessional All Around...
… and no one is even bringing up the photoshop picture that Mike put up of Gus to lead the story on their website. I was pretty embarrassed after reading that. It was a glorified Sherdog post.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Apr 21, 2010 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
“glorified Sherdog post”
I don’t always agree with you, but you hit the nail on the head.
"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." - Miyamoto Musashi
by Kaleb Kelchner on Apr 21, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
The overreaction to the post fight shenanigans has created another situation for everyone to over react about. Awesome!!!
This, much like my opinion of the brawl, is just a terrible situation. Cagepotato wrote a snarky/not the most professional email to scott coker. Scott said he would respond (and apparently still hasn’t), and forwarded the email to gus, who then responded in about the worst manner possible.
It’s the same thing as the brawl, just less people involved. All three people here did something stupid, everything could have been avoided if any one person acted differently, but they didn’t.
Everyone involved is to blame, but people are going to spend too much time arguing over petty nonsense and assigning blame to one person to realize that.
by Phildo on Apr 21, 2010 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Now maybe Luke can understand why I type mma “media” when talking about the mma media.
My blah blah blah
My photography site
"expect us to take you seriously or think you’re even remotely intelligent?" - Luke Thomas
Don't feed the trolls
Why Scott Coker forwarded the email to Gus Johnson and why Gus responded is beyond me. But, I bet CP is loving the extra traffic. So, Coker and Johnson can expect many many more trolls emails in the future.
Oh, and CP is not the NYT and nobody cares about their “professionalism”.
by ecost on Apr 21, 2010 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’ll be the first to say that I never visit cage potato, but is it normal for Gus to call a bloggers house at 11pm because the blogger sent an email out to Scott Coker? Not really, but I do think the story got a little childish with the photo shop work. He could of simply put what Gus said, and I think the story could have been 100% better. Gus could of dug his own grave with this one.
I like to visit cagepotato on occasion but stunts like this are the reason why blogs have trouble getting credentialed. To email a head of a promotion with faulty information like thinking Coker has the power to fire Gus and to call for a man’s firing is pretty unprofessional
something to consider...
I always figured that Gus Johnson was appointed as commentator solely by CBS but in his response to Russell he’s pissed off about Russell contacting his “boss”. Maybe Coker actually has some say as to who is ringside at the CBS fights after all in which case this isn’t “faulty information” as you suggest.
by flyingogoplata on Apr 22, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Strikeforce commentators need to be FIRED!!!
Seriously am i the only one who finds the whole crew unbearable?
Leg Choke!
That was hillarious
For Colorado MMA new visit www.mmabuzz.com.
No you're not!
All 3 drive me crazy! Shamrock is a terrible analyst, but he’s not going anywhere b/c of his history w/ Strikeforce. What I can’t figure out is why do they have Ranallo & Johnson? If Johnson is the commentator then what the hell is Ranallo doing there?(or the other way around) If anything they should have 2 analysts instead of 2 commentators. Get rid of Ranallo or Johnson and replace them w/ Miletich. Johnson is a turd who has proven on more than one occasion he has no idea what he’s talking about. i.e. Petruzelli over Kimbo- ‘the greatest victory in MMA history’. How can you possibly take someone serious after making a statement like that? Mauro Ranallo makes my ears bleed, I want to put my head through a window whenever I hear his voice. He’s just an absolute waste of sperm in my book.
Hey Pot...stop calling the Kettle black!
So Brent, here’s my problem with your critique (which was anything but “spot on”, sorry Antonius).
Your primary beef is with the lack of professionalism exhibitied by Russell in his email. Frankly, I don’t see that but we each have our own opinions.
If you are the type of professional which Russell and other MMA media should be looking up to then can you tell me if you contacted Russell to get his views on this story? If not, why not? Would a “professional” journalist not want to at least seek comment from the subject of a story?
Oh, and “shit stirring”…very professional. I often read that term in the NYT.
Don’t get me wrong I have no problem with colloquial writing. But, if you’re going to criticize another writer, look in the mirror first.
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