WHAT'S UP MUTHERFUKERS! The mods want us to try out a live post dedicated to +11's to make sure non-BECW'ers can watch the fights without being disturbed by our inbred nonsense so here we go. JDH promised to put it up but since he's gone AWOL and the fights are scheduled to start in a few minutes, I thought I'd get this thing done before it's too late.

My wonderful scraper is gathering everyone's picks and hopefully I'll have the livescore Google Docs spreadsheet ready ASA fucking P. I'll post the link here and in the comments when it's ready.

The big news is of course that our beloved commish has posted incomplete picks, only getting in 25% in time. Be sure to make fun of him. Don't make fun of mountaineers101 who missed picks, though; he had already told his captain and the commish that he wanted out for personal reasons and he will be replaced after this event.

I just found this documentary on Dan Hardy through a post on Vice magazine's website. It was made by Ian McFarland, who is the bassist for Blood for Blood. Hardy's nickname, "the Outlaw", actually derives from the Blood for Blood album, Outlaw Anthems. It is a little bit of a case of style over substance, but definitely worth a watch. Parts 1 and 2 are posted after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

The Glory World Series from Stockholm, Sweden is underway. Since we don't have an official livepost on the front page yet, I thought I'd start one. If they do get one up I'll probably just delete this one.

From what I've heard it's shown on Fight Network in Canada, and live on Eurosport in most of Europe (I'm watching this right now).

So, join me in the comments for some kickboxing talk!

In cased you missed any or all of it last night (May 25, 2012), here is the first of three episodes of the "all access" behind-the-scenes look at the UFC 146 main event between Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and FX collaborated for the latest "Primetime" series, which follows Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos as he prepares to fight former division kingpin and de facto number one contender, Frank Mir, in the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 26, 2012.

Unsurprisingly, the first episode focuses on the triangular relationship between dos Santos, Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who is "Cigano's" mentor and idle as he came up through mixed martial arts (MMA). Of course, in his last fight, Mir submitted "Big Nog" with an arm-breaking kimura.

Backstory, baby.

Surprisingly, no real mention of Alistair Overeem and his removal from the main event because of elevated testosterone levels detected in a surprise drug test. On the contrary, the production -- for now -- frames Mir as the undisputed, first choice contender who earned the distinction outright.

Not really sure it matters, just an observation.

Episodes two and three of UFC 146 "Primetime" will air on May 18 and May 25, respectively, also on FX. Get up to speed on the reaction to episode one of UFC 146 "Primetime" click here.

For more on UFC 146: "Dos Santos vs. Mir" be sure to hit up our event archive right here. To check out the latest UFC 144: "Dos Santos vs. Mir" fight card and rumors click here.

"And I will STRIKE DOWN upon thee with GREAT vengeance and FURIOUS anger, those who attempt to POISON and DESTROY my brothers, and you will know my name is the LORD when I lay my VENGEANCE upon thee."
- 5/26/2012

I'll go ahead and say it, this isn't a fanpost....it's more of a celebratory eulogy for a fighter I just plain am not a fan of, and have never been. Frank Mir irks me. The way he speaks....some compliment that it's intelligent sounding, but to me, it always sounds like veiled condescension. He has an attitude that seems smug, like he KNOWS he is the hottest sh!t on the planet, but is going to try and structure some type of real analysis to prove his point.

'Oh, Chris Jones, it's just an act!'....well, first off, I don't think it is. But even IF I give in that he is just doing this to stir the pot and get people like me all worked up and interested in watching him win or lose...I still don't like it. I find it annoying. Chael Sonnen's act entertains me, it is completely over the top. Frank Mir seems to actually believe his own gospel. Loving of his own kool aid is Frank Mir, Joe.

I'm not hoping Frank Mir is killed or retires or anything crazy because of this fight...but would I like a knockout in the first round? Absolutely, and not just for my MMA PlayGround score either.

And the chances of it happening are likely. Frank Mir has 5 losses. 100% of those losses are by KO/TKO. Of those 5 KO/TKO losses, 4 have come in the first round.

Junior Dos Santos has 14 wins, 10 are by KO/TKO. 100% of his KO/TKO wins have come in the first round. The Cro Cop finish was technically a verbal submission to strikes/eye injury.

I'm not going to tabulate any kind of % of how likely it is for JDS to win by KO/TKO in the first round...but the answer is a number...a high number.

Yes, if Frank Mir pulls off the upset, I'll be more than upset(upset at the upset, I'm high brow with my wordplay!). It'd be my least favorite heavyweight defeating my favorite(Sorry Reem, but you didn't have to cut me off! piss so hot!) so it would be a lot of anger and a serious let down feeling. But I don't think that's going to happen. The odds are forever in my favor, or some shit like that. I took my younger cousins to The Hunger Games a while ago....and no matter how much I watch The Avengers, the catchphrase of that Battle Royale knock off is still swimming around in my cranium.

But basically, it's the end of Tombstone, and Wyatt Earp isn't fast enough to beat Johnny Ringo...but his good friend Doc Holliday is going to enter the fray and handle the situation like a sir.

via sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net

It Friday night, so that means BELLATOR. There are some good fights tonight, so come join the conversation and watch some beatings commence. Since this has to be 75 words, please remember, no gifs in the live threads. As if anyone here is gonna listen to me, anyways. The main card will start at 8 EST, but the prelims have already begun.

LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS! LETS MUTHERFUKERS

I'm the type of person who cares more about the sport of MMA in general rather than players. Aside from some local dudes who I feel obligated to support, there aren't too many fighters that I will cheer for over others. I just want to see good fights. Good fights make me happy. UFC Championship fights get me amped up more than your average fight, simply because I know that I'm watching two of the very best athletes in the world compete in their discipline. Occasionally however, there's a fight or fighter that really sizzles my bacon.

As you have clearly figured out by the title of this piece, Chan Sung Jung has ascended that pinnacle of my own personal fandom to take his place as my favorite fighter. I hope he's done the same to you, because quite frankly I think he's becoming what every fighter should strive to be: an exciting winner.

When you can combine both of these facets in MMA, you become a very rare individual. There's something commendable about being Jon Fitch or Jacob Volkmann, grinding out wins by being some combination of bigger, stronger, more technical and having a bigger will to win. Being a winner will almost always make you more money than being a loser, Bob Sapp shenanigans aside, and quite frankly, everyone wants to be a winner. If it takes scraping and clawing to cross that finish line first, so be it. The problem with being that style of winner in a business where style matters (don't let anyone tell you differently), is that when you stop winning, you've got no fallback. When you're clinging to that ledge and someone steps on your hand, it's a long, long fall. Just ask Jon or Antonio McKee.

On the flip side, if you're an exciting fighter, but not winning, things do go downhill, just not as fast. It isn't as bad as McKee being bounced from the UFC for the rest of his days after a split-decision loss, in fact, the UFC is still employing the likes of Dan Hardy (loser of four in a row), Yoshihiro Akiyama (four as well), Wanderlei Silva (loser of 5 out of 6 at one point) and Mirko Filipovic had to retire (lost his last three). It's worse for your pride and ego rather than your state of employment, but it'll eventually catch up with you. However, if you are able to combine the two, you can ascend to greatness incredibly quickly in this sport.

Wandy in his prime did it. Chuck Liddell is another good example. Fedor Emelianenko. Anderson Silva (Leites, Maia and Cote fights aside). Jon Jones (personality aside). Dan Henderson post 2008. And now, the Korean Zombie.

Check out the rest of the article over at Gals Guide.

First fanpost here, folks. Wanted to make sure that this was known. For those who were interested in the upcoming K-1 show this weekend, the first in a year, look forward to this weekend's show to now be free of charge. Due to a slower internet connection than they expected, the show will now be streamed for free for all fans to see.

http://www.liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1582:k-1-offering-stream-for-free-on-sunday&catid=36:k-1

Continue reading this post »

WE ARE YOUNG LIVE. Welcome to the 4th edition of the Friday Caption Contest, the competition that brings out the funniest out of the Bloody Elbow community.

Last week's winner was menckenstein for this gem on Mike Goldberg's inner thoughts:

"Don't kiss Joe on live TV. Don't kiss Joe on live TV. Don't kiss Joe on live TV. Don't kiss Joe on live TV." - menckenstein"

_________

The game is very simple. I post an MMA-related picture (although an exception is made this week), and you make a funny. There are some basic rules though:

1.) No GIF editing or PhotoShops. They aren't captions, they don't count.

2.) Nothing too sexually graphic, although honestly if that's your entry then I suggest you go back to the porn you're watching on the other tab.

3.) No racist, homophobic, or sexist slurs. This disqualifies Dana White from ever winning.

Everything else goes. Movie/TV references, music lyrics, Goldbergisms, you name it. Post as many captions as you please.

Rec the funniest comments and the top 5 in rec totals go into the final poll. The deadline is 10 PM ET. Afterwards the poll goes up and you vote from there. Results are posted the following week

_________

Normally I post an MMA picture, but this is a boxing one that I could not pass up. Also, it cockblocks any inkling of a prediction you'd have of me choosing a topical Jon Jones pic.

Manny Pacquiao's face is your domain for hilarity. AND HERE WE GO!

____

ENTRIES ARE CLOSED. VOTE NOW!

Imagine if right now, this moment, you were told you were going to be in a fight.

I know, I know – the internet tough guy immediately comes back with “Bro, dude, I fight all the time! I get in fights every day. I’m like a living legend on these streets. JUMP IN MY GUARD, BRO!”

Ok, so now that the knee-jerk reaction has been taken care of for you and the whole internet knows what a bad man you really are – if you could, think a bit harder for me.

Think about the times you knew you were going to be in a fight.

If your experiences are anything like mine, your mindset didn’t resemble the UFC’s version of what a “fighter” thinks about before a fight. You weren’t getting ready to “bear witness to the fitness of the modern warrior”. You weren’t amped to “face the pain”. You certainly weren’t looking forward to your noggin being in the way as “BOOM another hit is landed.”

Chances are you were feeling pretty damn apprehensive. Not scared per se, not afraid – but damn, damn nervous.

See, fighting is the most naked activity a human being can participate in. Wait, that sounded wrong. Let’s try again: Fighting is the frothy lubricant for our emotional…ah damnit! One more time: the act of combat causes us to grope uncomfortably into the darkest deepest cracks of…oh forget it!

Simply put: fighting is definitive in a way other sports simply aren’t.

I bet you can’t remember every game of basketball, or golf, or rugby, or whatever that you’ve ever played. Even the “big” games – championships, rivalry games, that sort of thing – fade in time.

But I’m willing to bet that you remember, with picture-perfect clarity, every single fight you’ve ever been in.

To use the example of Brett Favre, his interception against the Saints in the NFC championship game made him one of the most despised guys in sports – for a brief time. Oh, and he also took pictures of his junk and sent them to people. That was kind of a smear as well.

But it doesn’t matter. He’s retired now, and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. And as many times as he screwed up (and he did) he always had another season to redeem himself.

Each season, the slate was wiped clean – for the team, and for the players on it. No New Orleans Saints fan still claims their team is the best because they won the Superbowl almost three years ago.

Forrest Griffin is a former world champion, a PPV headliner, and an all-time great with 14 UFC fights to his name. How much you want to bet that every time his name is brought up with fans, in the media, wherever – the first thing that comes to mind is Anderson Silva. That fight was in 2009, the same year/season the Saints went all the way to the Superbowl, yet in one sport the slate is completely wiped clean.

In the other sport, our sport, the stigma of defeat will hang around Forrest’s neck forever.

He’ll never get another season to rectify that. There isn’t a tour coming up where they’ll meet again. They won’t meet every 2 months, like tennis stars. His only chance for redemption is a rematch. And with Forrest’s career winding down and Anderson newly busy at middleweight, that’s not likely to happen.

All the respect Forrest earned before the Silva fight – like winning a world championship, or being in the most important fight in MMA history – was all but erased in the minds of many fans with that one, smashing defeat.

It’s not right, it’s not fair, but it’s the cold, hard truth about MMA. About combat sports. About fighting.

I could blame mentality. I could blame the “winning is everything” mindset of the American fan. I could blame Vince Lombardi. I could blame “Mortal Kombat” or “Bloodsport” or “Highlander” for inspiring this “victor vanquishes the defeated” mindset in combat sports. I could blame Obama – that seems to be in style with you Yanks right now.

But the simple truth is: it’s human nature. Being better at a silly children’s game is fleeting, trivial, and next to meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

But being better at a fight? That goes right back to our most primal instincts. That’s some “law of the jungle” sh*t. When one person beats another person in a direct, violent physical confrontation, it’s akin to an evolutionary statement that says to everyone watching “I am better. My genes are superior. I am a better mate, provider, and specimen of human being.”

Are there exceptions? Of course. We’ve all seen those fights that were all out wars, where the announcers proclaim that “neither man really lost this fight,” or something similar. The Gatti vs. Ward trilogy in boxing is a great example of that rare instance where the winner of the fight isn’t as important as the fight itself.

But these are the exceptions, rather than the rule. 90% of the time, in life as in combat sports, one guy beats the other, and now the winner>the loser. Case closed, let’s move on.

Now I ask you again: imagine you were told, right now, that you were going to be in a fight. And your friends, family, and everyone you ever knew would all be watching this fight. Imagine 20,000 people were gathered ‘round to watch this fight. Imagine there were whole blogs, news sites, and articles devoted to looking at whether or not you were going to get your ass kicked. Can you possibly imagine the total vulnerability – emotional, mental, physical – such a situation would force in you?

That’s what a fighter faces every time he gets in the cage. And he faces something else, too – the possibility of complete humiliation and defeat, that unless he is a big name in a big money fight, he’ll likely never get the chance to avenge.

In every action you take as a fan, in every critical word you write, in every insult you drunkenly hurl at a boring fight, in every dismissive, critical notion that a fighter is “done”, “overrated” “exposed” or anything else – never, ever forget this.

It’s pretty much the least we can do, don’t you think?

By Elton Hobson, who's decision to go all sentimental with this post and wax poetic about the unfair nature of combat sports hopefully makes him sound humble and insightful, instead of shallow and whinny. Worst-case scenario, talking about himself in the 3rd person ought to bring back all the tough guy MMA fans he just turned off with this little "3 hanky surprise".