Jim Ross Talks UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen
by Nick Thomas on Aug 11, 2010 9:58 AM EDT
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"UFC 117 was one of the best, if not THE best, MMA PPV that I've ever seen, from start to finish. The live crowd in Oakland was well mic'ed and made plenty of noise thanks to the action that they were seeing in the Octagon."
"Chael Sonnen deserves massive credit for verbally selling this fight either by making himself more of a fan favorite/underdog can survive type of fighter or by turning himself villain for daring to speak negatively of the celebrated, MMA legend and arguably the best pound for pound mixed martial artist in the world, Anderson Silva."
"Without an emotional investment being clearly made by the participants and the promotion, fans on limited discretionary income cannot or will not make the investment to buy a PPV when they may need the cash for groceries, etc instead. Sonnen and UFC created a must see/must buy environment for UFC 117. Silva's lack of English hurts him but Sonnen more than made up for that matter by selling this fight like a maestro directing a symphony."
JR's other UFC 117 thoughts:
"UFC might consider shooting the packed crowd a few more times to show the humanity on hand. Close ups of fans mugging for the camera become predictable and perhaps less is more with those."
"I feel that the use of the old "John Madden telestrator" could be of value for Joe Rogan to utilize from time to time. Showing Sonnen reluctantly tapping last night via a telestrator would have been a nice touch."
"Mike Goldberg should not be voicing over all the 'history packages' or 'fighter features' on the PPV. Your primary PXP voice should be kept more special. A generic, big voice, voice over guy could easily read the copy for the aforementioned packages."
"As a fan I would love to hear more of the dialog with the fighters and their people between rounds. It allows the announcers to lay out and let me up for a moment plus for the fans/consumers to enjoy the unique nuances of the between round activities."
-- Check out the full write-up at jrsbarbq.com.
"I text Chael a couple of messages after the show last night at about 2 a.m. my time in Oklahoma. I said, "I've had three serious bouts of the facial paralysis, Bells palsy. It challenges me daily but I use it to motivate myself. I feel that I am the best @ what I do an refuse to allow the hand dealt me define who I am. My best, @ 58, is yet to come & I tell myself that every day. Losing happens but becoming a loser is a choice. I choose to say "Hell, no." Your press conference was tremendous. Broken hearts, thank God, can be mended. I'm living proof. Rest and reflect. Great days lie ahead for you.""
"I also told Chael "How a man responds when dealt a bad hand determines the type of man that he becomes and then that legacy is ever lasting. Stay proud, stay focused and never change. You created history tonight. Covet what you accomplished. You will build from that experience in all areas of your life.""
"The courageous, outspoken, honest and intelligent Sonnen responded promptly and in a classy manner that I will keep private but suffice to say it was a moving response."
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War JR.
This probably has Luke screaming at his monitor but Ross has a great mind for sports entertainment business, especially live events.
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by Applejack McNeil on Aug 11, 2010 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
Good old JR will send Luke some BBQ sauce, that'll calm him down.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
BBQ FTW
I haven’t watched Pro-wrestling in almost ten years, and one of the only things I miss is JR.
The fastest Grey man alive.
JR Know the Business
Pay heed, Dana.
"You stick a microphone in a guy's face and he calls out anybody but the champion, and Joe Silva should fax him a pink slip right then." -- Chael Sonnen.
I agree with every one of his suggestions in the 2nd block. A telestrator would be useful for Rogan
by GroundNPound561 on Aug 11, 2010 10:12 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jim Ross: UFC consultant?
I wonder if Zuffa ever thought about reaching out to JR, with a confidentiality clause to not expose the contract to anyone, to give general consulting on a one-time basis. He might be one of the few rasslin’ guys that was in the business when it was gritty and then played a huge backstage role when it was huge. Create the agenda with him over email for a month, then bring him out for two weeks in Vegas.
I’m pretty sure his current employer would frown on that arrangement. The WWE might not admit it publicly, but internally they are quite aware that a lot of MMA’s success has come from cannibalizing the pro wrestling fanbase.
I always wondered how Vince feels about Shane McMahon’s supposed behind the scenes work with the UFC. Does anyone know if they’re on talking terms?
I get more rec's than a Toyota!
I have no idea how Shane’s relationship is with his old man.
However, he really hasn’t done any behind the scenes work with the UFC. Zuffa tried to hire him as an employee after he left the WWE, but Shane was not interested unless there was an ownership stake involved and Zuffa was not prepared to sell him a piece of the company. As far as I know, Shane has had no other interactions with the company.
Shane just signed on to be a CEO in a major corporation in China. He went where the future and the money is. Sadly outside of the United States.
"I’m the UFC heavyweight champion and I will be until the day I decide I don’t want to be. And that isn’t anytime soon." - Brock Lesnar
by MMA_PITBULL on Aug 11, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
If he did work with UFC, Vince would Benoit him.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
Didn’t the UFC do the telestrator thing for a while?
JR has surprisingly good analysis of PPVs, both on the entertainment/fight side and especially on the production side. I love his commentaries.
i believe
That was elitexc that used the telestrator. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember them using it for kimbo or something like that.
"Catch Wrestlers don't look for opportunities, we create them" - Josh Barnett
by Submit24 on Aug 11, 2010 10:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
and Bellator
recently used it ONCE, was roundly praised for it, and then haven’t used it again since.
Hey Pete
R.I.P.
Alot of smart minor changes that could go a long way in increasing production value. Maybe JR could talk them into finally getting rid of the Gladiator intro while he’s at it…
"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe."
- Frank Zappa
The Gladiator is an iconic part of the Zuffa brand. Zuffa is about as likely to dump the Gladiator as Everyready is likely to dump the bunny or McDonalds is likely to dump the clown. The Gladiator + Optimus Bellum Domitor are going to be part of the brand for a long, LONG time.
good point, i have no problem with the gladiator. they could however, at least switch up the nu-metal that kicks in right after the gladiator
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Aug 11, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
I think a change to the ‘face the pain’ intro is far more likely than a change to the Gladiator.
That song should be called "Face the Palm"
by SilverNBlackZach! on Aug 11, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
UFC could easily change the song up every PPV similar to how WWE does. They get a new fresh song from a fresh cd either just released or coming out. Its a way to both promote the band and add something new to the intro. Will they do it? i dunno but i don’t see why not. UFC has already used majority of the VKM playbook.
"I’m the UFC heavyweight champion and I will be until the day I decide I don’t want to be. And that isn’t anytime soon." - Brock Lesnar
by MMA_PITBULL on Aug 11, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree the Gladiator should stay but they really need to freshen it up. Re shoot it with better production and lighting. I don’t even think its in true HD. The song definitely needs to go. It cheapens the presentation in a HUGE way, IMO. Its like here’s the #1 MMA org, they got all their shit together, but they have the cheesiest douchiest intro. lol They need to take a couple of pointers from HBO and Showtime. Make it feel like a true sports event. Also, the Gladiator should only be for PPV’s and have a separate unique one for Fight Nights. I’d really like an intro with a big reflective ‘Zuffa Sports’ logo going across teh screen and highlights of both UFC and WEC fighters reflecting off of it while it rotates and then go into a new redone Gladiator intro with new orchestrated epic soundtrack. Yeah, I havent given this much thought…. lol
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Aug 11, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Which song are you talking about ….. Optimus Bellum Domitor or Face the Pain?
I absolutely love the use of the operatic OBD and have a Pavlovian reaction every time I hear it come over my TV speakers. As soon as I hear the first few bars, I know it’s time to settle in and watch some fights.
Face the Pain I could do without, but you have to remember that the UFC’s target demo is braindead Affliction wearing douchebags, not the MMA cognoscenti. I suspect the target demo is far less annoyed by that tune than the internet smarks.
face the pain.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Aug 11, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough
I don’t hate the idea of the gladiator, per se, but updating it would be cool with me. I guess what I really want is for Face the Pain to be relegated to the trash bin like it should be. Why not get a big hard rock/metal band like Rob Zombie or Mastodon to write an original song. Hell, get a guy like Jerry Cantrell to write an instrumental. Anything.
"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe."
- Frank Zappa
by grizzlyatoms on Aug 11, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
would be a great combo
imo
dont get me wrong goldy is all good in my books, i just think jr sets a better pace of commentating for this kind of stuff
"its either going to be genius or its going to f***ing suck. Until I see the first cut I have no idea. But you know what? Neither does anybody else"
Rory 'The Waterboy' Macdonald
Thiago 'The Pitbull' Alves
Yushin 'Thunder' Okami
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
my god this would be awesome. Throw Bas Rutten in for shits and we have the greatest broadcasting team in history.
by Gerrymanderer on Aug 11, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Made me sad to read that last part
He’s obviously talking about how he’s under contract with the WWE, but they won’t allow him to do play-by-play anymore because of his Bells Palsy.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
To be fair, Ross’ health has seriously affected his reliability as the WWE’s go to play-by-play guy. I can’t blame them for planning for the future by moving away from a guy who has had three strokes in the last 10 years.
Strokes and Bell’s Palsy are not he same thing. A stroke can cause the same effects, but the condition – paralysis of the facial nerves – can happen for no known reason, and that’s Bell’s Palsy. A good friend of mine – now a tenured professor of political science at a major Canadian university – got hit by Bell’s Palsy out of the blue at 30 years of age. No prior health problems, no warning signs, nothing. Just woke up one morning and couldn’t move her face.
The difference being, Bell’s Palsy isn’t likely to kill you (not meaning to minimize how brutal it is), while I history of strokes is usually a major health red flag and is often accompanied by a host of other health problems.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Oh yes, please, get Rogan a telestrator! I can almost hear him going bananas about something awesome – complete with diagrams!
You don't like wrestling in MMA? Go watch K-1.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Aug 11, 2010 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
I can dig it.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Twitter Handle = @xFenixKnightx
by xFenixKnightx on Aug 11, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Highlight the humanity?
My favorite piece of humanity was the 10-person brawl over in section 110 during the undercards. People were going apeshit rooting for that.
BOOSH
Oh, the humanity.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
by Blackout612 on Aug 11, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Mine was the fight during the JDS-Dos Santos fight where people in $300 seats were actually standing and straining to see a group of scumbags fight in the stands rather than watch the second round of a great fight.
" Real talk - A gorilla would shit kick Brock." – ElliotMatheny
Inner demons and all that
Tiger Belt in Joe Son Do
by RearNakedSpank on Aug 11, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
He honestly has the best post fight commentary
It’s a shame he’s under contract with the WWE because the UFC schedule would be perfect for him. 3 shows max a month is a lot easier on someone than 8+.
Follow me on twitter @thisredengine
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sum bitch
if i’m him why would you throw out all these killer ideas for free, consultants make tons of cash for ideal exactly like these, makes you wonder if he offered them to zuffa, got shot down, and now he’s showing zuffa the publics reaction to his brilliance.
i can admit when i'm wrong, can you?
I'm not a Pro wrestleing fan, never have been,
but this guy makes alot of sence.
"I ain't got time to breath."
Watch Tosh.O
Pain don't hurt...
He makes a lot of great points. I hope someone over at Zuffa was able to catch some of them.
With that said, I’m really curious to know what Sonnen said back. Before his fight with Silva, he was well-mannered, well-spoken and didn’t crap on his opponents. He was really respectful towards Okami and Marquardt. Granted, there were times he made jokes and snide remarks, but nothing like what was said for UFC 117.
I actually can’t wait for his first real post-fight interview — and no, the post-fight press conference does not count even though I felt for him when he said he was “heartbroken.” He fought with everything.
Before his fight with Silva, he was well-mannered, well-spoken and didn’t crap on his opponents.
LOL
That is not true AT ALL. Sonnen has always been a legendary shit talker. It’s just that no one paid him any attention until he came to the UFC. His trash talk during his season of BodogFIGHT was epic and won him a $50K ‘fan favorite’ award.
You don’t have to wait long
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/8/11/1617630/i-wanna-cry-right-this-second-clip
Going to be a very intriguing interview, can’t wait for Friday.
Sonnen has always talked mad trash his entire career. He couldn’t find a bad thing to say about Nate Marquardt, since they are old friends and training partners, so he just smack talked Anderson in the lead up to that fight.
Sonnen is actually a really nice, classy guy. Everything people see in the lead up to fights is just a sales gimmick. Check out some interviews where he’s not selling a fight and just being himself. He comes off as just a really polite, friendly guy.
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I agree with a lot of it...
This reminds me of something i’ve been thinking. I was watching DREAM 15, and even though they were in Japanese, I was REALLY impressed by the pre-fight reels they ran for each fighter. They had high production value, were set to interesting music and even thought I couldn’t speak the language I felt I was getting a feel for the fighter and their personality. I think something like that could go a long way in the UFC, especially to sell some of the lesser known fighters.
There is a lot of improvement that could be seen everywhere in a UFC broadcast IMHO.
Bellator have a few things that annoy me but they do a great job with limited resources. The WEC does things better than the UFC in my opinion, seems a lot tighter ship and focused visually than the UFC.
Funny how the only major org working with a major broadcaster in the lot is Strikeforce and they are always a tranwreck when it comes to production…
The blue ring in WEC really throws me off
It just makes the whole thing look amateur hour IMO.
I like UFC overall, graphics look good, the commentators are good. I like the idea of having another announcer do the intro packages, and I think spiffing them up a bit to be more like the Countdown/Primetime shows in clip form would be cool. At least for the main carders.
God I don't want Joe Rogan near any telestrator
Drawing dicks and mustaches
/sarcasm
by S.C. Michaelson on Aug 11, 2010 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You wouldn't think it from the picture
but this guy is dam intelligent. Great words of wisdom.
Good point about Goldie
They should get The Voice to do the feature pieces and even voice the Countdown shows/previews.
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