I've got a few days off work while the wife recovers from a hysterectomy, so I figured I'd take a crack at stoking some conversation here on BE. What follows is an ADHD, stream of consciousness, projectile vomit approach to a smattering of topics. Continue reading to get my take on the best promoter aside from Zuffa and Viacom, learn why no one is going to be "the next Strikeforce", and I also share some gripes and kudos.

• Mick Maynard is the man. He thinks like I do. Legacy is without a doubt the best domestic indy show. If you've got HDNet, the next show is this Friday. He puts on a beautiful show (better than Bellator visually) and features fighters that matter in matches that are competitive and relevant to divisional rankings. I'd like to see Pete Spratt get a return invitation, because Pete Spratt is also the man. If you haven't seen his recent walking away spinning backfist KO of Daniel Acacio at 4:59 of the third (a fight he took on two days notice), Youtube that $#!+! Not a great fight, but totally worth it for the ending.
• Many promoters (Mick Maynard included) have said they want to be the next Strikeforce. The problem with that is that Strikeforce benefited immensely from the $55 million that Proelite blew through. SF paid $3 million for Proelite's assets. People talk about the Zuffa Myth, but there is a Strikeforce myth that is just as pervasive. Without EliteXC paving the way, Strikeforce would probably still be running shows exclusively out of the HP Pavilion with marginal talent and airing on HDNet.
• Why has there been zero coverage in the MMA media of Takedown Entertainment? The company will likely fail, but the scope of their ambitions as well as some of their alliances and personnel choices should demand some reporting. The total collapse of the stock price could be a story unto itself.
• What the hell happened to Shark Fights? Were they actually stupid enough to put all their eggs in the Fuel TV basket? Did Oscar Gamboa win his lawsuit and cripple the promotion financially?