MMA Hot Stuff

ESPN MMA Live's Major Milestones and Fancy Ties

For those that have read my previous posts you know my dad brought me up to be a sports enthusiast. My sports closet is probably better stocked than most guys', and heck I can even throw a decent spiral (for a girl). My dad and I had a tradition of watching ESPN SportsCenter as often as we could. SportsCenter seemed to spark situations, controversies or just conversations for my dad to explain to me and therefor I learned the sport(s). Nothing says main stream sport more than ESPN. They're the Worldwide Leader in Sports! To me, the brand signifies reputable and official reporting. And it's always a good day anytime I can throw in a Chris Berman rendition of "He...could...go...all...the...way!"

As a MMA fan (sometimes blogger-and-all the time supporter) imagine my delight when I found ESPN MMA Live on the internet. MMA Live debuted on ESPN.com and ESPN Mobile TV in May of 2008 and airs every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. It consists of Jon Anik as the host, Kenny Florian, Franklin McNeil and Molly Qerim. They also pull in special guests now and then that are so big even my mom knows who they are. Again, like SportsCenter the topics they discuss on MMA Live make me think about things and form my own opinion or look up the information to make my opinion. To see ESPN 'embrace' the sport of MMA and give it a dedicated team to produce the webisodes every week made me think the sport was definitely taking steps in the right direction. 

Those steps continued when MMA Live made their first live appearance at UFC 91 and covered the weigh-ins as well as had pre and post fight specials.

Tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read this) marks yet another milestone for the MMA Live team as they film their 100th episode. And,it's great to see the progress the show has made. Now, they wear shoes and ties (I'm kidding about the shoes, although we never see their feet so who really knows). Oh and the ties themselves have gotten better. I like to think my feedback had a direct impact on that. Anik gets smoother with every show. He has a way of maintaining control, giving direction and yet being likable all at the same time. That's hard to do in real life never mind in front of a camera. Just when you think Ken-Flo is at the height of his game, whether it be behind the MMA Live desk or in the cage, he proves us wrong. To say he's top notch is an understatement and I think he's great face for the sport. Mcneil has shown the most growth. For someone who at first seemed a little squeamish in front of the camera, now thrives. He clearly enjoys it. He's articulate and very knowledgeable. He's someone who is highly respected in the sport. Qerim's reports and features have included in field reports from Kenny's gym as well as interviewing some of the big names in MMA. Her class, poise and knowledge makes every woman want to be her. 

The news started to leak a couple weeks ago about ESPN MMA Live going to tv but details were sparse. I was able to get a few minutes of Anik's time to gather more information...

ESPN MMA Live will debut on ESPN2 on Thursday night May 6th 10pm/1amET. The show will air Thursday nights in May (actually Friday morning east coast time) on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. They will also do several shows on location from UFC 113 and UFC 114. The preview show for UFC 113 will be live from Montreal and will air Saturday May 8th from 9-10pm ET. They will also do a one hour post-fight show for ESPN2 from UFC114 in Las Vegas and will air 1am-2am ET on Sunday May 30th. The show will be shorter than the webisodes due to commercials but they expect to have longer versions for ESPNUK, ESPN PacRim and ESPN.com.

Their relationship with the UFC has never been stronger, and they look forward to continuing to build upon it. Expect to see them at more and more live events.

When I asked Jon Anik what this means to him he said "Well, after two years at this thing, it's just so gratifying that our hard work and dedication has led to an opportunity on ESPN2. It was always a personal goal of mine to get MMA Live to the network(s), and I feel blessed to be a part of a great team. We definitely feel a sense of responsibility to expose the masses to MMA, which we believe to be the greatest sport in the world. Even though there is a sense of accomplishment, there is plenty of work to be done. I am hopefully that this i just the beginning, and that MMA Live becomes a bigger part of the ESPN line-up going forward. The sport is certainly worthy of the coverage, and we just hope we are doing right by the sport and it's great fans."

As exciting as all of this is, and I can't wait to see the crew in HD, I still want more. No offense, but I want it on ESPN. I want a permanent slot and especially one that isn't past my bed time. And while we're at it I want MMA Live more than once a week. It's up to us to continue the momentum. For ourselves, for the fighters, and the future fans. Please do you part in supporting the great work the MMA Live team has done by tuning into the show on ESPN2, watch the extended show on ESPN.com, send in your questions, follow them on Twitter and join Jon's weekly chat.

The MMA Live crew on Twitter:

Jon Anik Molly Qerim

Kenny Florian Franklin McNeil

 
 

Strikeforce: Fedor VS Rogers Predictions

Here we are, only a few days until MMA returns to primetime television on CBS and Fedor makes his debut with Strikeforce! We're also treated to a title fight for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship, vacated by Cung Le, between Jake Shields and the always colorful Jason "Mayhem" Miller. We also get to see Gegard Mousasi and Fabricio Werdum return to the cage in action against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva respectively.

So you know the drill... my predicted winners in GREEN! 

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

Does Rogers have a chance? Yes, just like all 31 of Fedor's previous opponents had a chance, and only one of them came away with a win (by TKO / Cut, hardly a win). You don't pick against a 97% winning percentage, and I'm not picking against Fedor.

Fedor is technically superior everywhere. Even though some say his striking isn't very technical (which it may not be by boxing or muay thai standards), he puts it all together so well that for MMA it is technical when you give consideration to takedown defense and set up. Rogers has power, and in a sport of 4 ounce gloves and multiple ways to finish a fight he certainly has a shot. As Mark DellaGrotte said in Kevin Iole's article on Yahoo! Sports "A perfectly placed punch can knock anyone out. Anyone". The problem is that Rogers has to land a perfect or near perfectly placed punch, which will be tough to do on Fedor given his footwork and agility. Ultimately I think this fight will go to the ground where the experience gap will shine through. Fedor wins by TKO / Referee Stoppage on the ground.

Disclaimer: Now if we're talking about betting the spread with my new shoe money, I'd bet on Rogers. I like the long-shots for the big payout! According to betus.com the current spread is Fedor -550 and Rogers +375! OH and because I AM a girl, I count my chickens before they're hatched/shoes before they're purchased: Here's what I want to get. Aren't they gor(geous)?LOVE!

Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Jake Shields (for vacant Strikeforce middleweight title)

Miller is a funny guy, the problem is Shields isn't laughing. Miller has proven that he can go the distance avoiding submissions against some of the best (see Jacare fight in DREAM), but Shields' isn't your typical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He's all about pressure, passing guard, and making your life miserable if you're under him. The knock on Shields has always been his lack of ability on his feet, but in his fight against Robbie Lawler he showed he's not afraid to be there. Miller could use his reach and striking to avoid the takedown, but he will only be able to keep Shields at bay for so long. Look for Shields to secure the takedown, pass the guard, and finish Miller via submission.

Champ Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (non-title match)

Mousasi will dominate. Did you see Babalu? Out cold. Mousasi is a stud (at multiple weight classes). Technically sound. I see this one ending by TKO. Look for Mousasi to hurt Sokoudjou on his feet and finish him on the mat.

Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum

Even though Silva has a chin the size of a Rhode Island, look for Werdum to finish this one on the ground. His Jiu Jitsu is just too good. 

So gents, there's no need to leave your girls at home to hit the bar to watch this event on PayPerView. Since it's on CBS, throw a Strikeforce party at your house and get your girl engaged. Show her the shoes above and I promise she'll be hooked. On my site and the sport. Tell her more shoes with next week's predictions for UFC 105. 

While Roger's win against Fedor would allow those shoes to come home with me, I also have a bet consisting of bragging rights with Franklin McNeil! If you're not following him on twitter you should be. Did you see who he picked to win this weekend? If not, check out his picks on today's ESPN MMALive!

Friendly reminder, follow me on Twitter!