MMA Hot Stuff

Tito Ortiz Back In The Octagon?

Awww man here we go again. Just when I thought Tito was about to sign on the dotted line with Strikeforce and be out of the UFC limelight, the rumor is he's made nice with Dana White and he may be back as early as UFC 103. Sigh. Really?

Here's a blurb of what is being reported he said on TapouT Radio:

“I’m very thankful for Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta from the UFC and I’m glad that me and Dana (White) kind of got to brush each other off. We may not still like each other or whatever but we came to amends — which is awesome. I gotta thank Strikeforce for giving me an opportunity and I want to thank Affliction for giving me an opportunity.”

What do you guys think about this?  Please feel free to either comment here or send me an email with your thoughts. I'll gather the feedback and write another post in the next day or so.

Any Publicity Is Not Good Publicity For The UFC Or MMA

You can probably count on both hands the number of times MMA has been on the front of any major media site/newspaper or mentioned on any mainstream news outlet. And yet, it's been on the front of Yahoo a couple of times within the past two days. But sadly, not for the right reasons.

Yes, UFC 100 included Georges St Pierre defending his title (again) and Dan Henderson showcasing that the 38 year old is still on fire by knocking Mike Bisping out cold, that's not what is making the news. While the biggest weekend for the UFC met many milestones such as the first UFC Fan Expo, fastest sell out for a major UFC event, and UFC 100 it's been overshadowed by one specific incident.

Instead we have to continue to hear about the UFC being a 'circus'. Not exactly the adjective I was hoping would be used as a way of describing this last weekend.

I get so frustrated because I see these guys first hand train their butts off. Multiple times a day for hours at a time. Following strict diets, and mastering not just one sport but MANY.  They don't all act like such a fool. In fact that's the exception. The fighters I know personally are some of these most considerate and kind people I've ever met. Sure there are a few knuckleheads out there but aren't some of your own friends knuckleheads? Brock Lesnar is beyond a knucklehead. 

With Frank Mir's face looking like tenderized meat, he walked away the winner in my opinion. Brock didn't use many moves to gain position. He didn't change his guard or control but rather used his size and sort of laid on Mir to hold him down as he punched his face. Sure, it's legal, sure it worked. But when it was said and done and Brock walked away with the "win" Frank gave some undeserved respect to Brock and said semi nice things about him. He out-classed Brock ten fold. As if that was hard to do.

Brock's behavior after beating Frank was disheartening. At first I was disgusted. Then mad. Disappointed. And now I think I'm mad again. Seeing the words "Lesnar's circus antics" on the front page of Yahoo two days later, makes me feel as if his poor choices have set the sport back a few steps in the eyes of people that don't understand the sport. It's not a joke or a circus. It's nothing like WWE, with the exception of Brock Lesnar (aka Nacho Libre ). I've 'talked' to many of you who have told me I'm too harsh on Brock, but I don't think I am. He can apologize but I don't think he's sorry. He's only sorry that Dana White tore him a new ass hole. Remember his behavior after his fight against Heath Herring? Yeah, not classy. And here we are again. History repeating itself. He can apologize but when sponsors start leaving because of the crap he pulled on Saturday hopefully people will see he really isn't more than a 300 lbs WWE guy. What will it take for people to see what a joke he really is? A mask? A folding chair in the cage perhaps?

As someone that spends A LOT of time educating people on the sport, this makes me mad. He's NOT good for the sport. He's a big guy that wrestled and I'm guessing his size was only a benefit even then. I doubt his success was due to his skills. And even if his skills were as good as his college record, I can't see past his personality so it doesn't even matter.

And it also annoys me that everyone is so amped to see him face Fedor. Hello is this thing on... there are plenty of people left in the UFC he hasn't yet fought. I think Shane Carwin or even Cain Velasquez could put him in his place. Both are undefeated and in my opinion more than capable of taking Brock.

 

For those of you that are going to comment or email me saying I'm a bitch, I accept it. Feel free. But just remember, this behavior only means one thing: less overall acceptance as a sport = less advertising money + fewer fans and that means fewer events/fights.

Karo Parisyan Suspended and Win Overturned

There was controversy the night of UFC 94 surrounding the questionable win Karo Parisyan walked away with. Many people thought that the split decision should have gone to his opponent, the then undefeated, Dong Hyun Kim. However the bigger controversy came 10 days later when it was announced Karo failed his drug test.

Today the commission voted unanimously in favor of the punishment, which included a nine month suspension, and a $32,000 fine. The fine is calculated off of: 40 percent of his UFC 94 fight purse ($40,000 and $40,000 in bonus). Karo will also be required to pass a drug test before he's licensed to return to fight and is subjected to random testing.

Additionally, his questionable split decision victory has been overturned and ruled a no-contest.

I will say this. It's a little disappointing to hear when a fighter that is essentially considered to be a vetern in this sport fails a drug test. He's been fighting with the UFC since 2003. He knows the drill of disclosing any medication you're currently taking in the prefight questionnaire.

Here's to hoping he learns his lesson.
 

Tito Ortiz is Many Things, Including a Daddy!

As being reported (exclusively) at AVN Business, Tito Ortiz is Jenna Jameson are proud parents to two healthy baby boys. The couple welcomed their twins this morning at a Newport hospital.

Congrats.

UFC 94: Karo Parisyan tests positive for prescription painkillers

It's been reported that Karo Parisyan tested positive for multiple prescription painkillers at UFC 94.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed this today stating the banned substances he tested positive for were: hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. We know he's been injured in the past (remember he pulled out of the scheduled fight against Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88 right before weigh-ins. And then there was ALOT of talk about Karo not making it to UFC 94 due to physical and mental troubles... drugs are never the solution Karo!

Parisyan who defeated Dong Hyun Kim via close split decision, will now be subject to a suspension and fine from the NSAC.

All other fighters tested at the event tested negative.

Come on guys, keep the sport clean. This isn't baseball ya know!

No Drug Testing at Strikeforce:Destruction SRSLY!

MMAInsider happened upon something unusual on Monday when it spoke to the California State Athletic Commission to acquire live gate, fighter payout, and drug testing information.

A CSAC representative said no drug testing had been conducted for Strikeforce "Destruction" on Friday, Nov. 21st.

The lack of testing is an unexpected shift for an agency known to have the most comprehensive anti-doping program of any athletic commission in the country, as well as the strictest enforcement of the issue.

The representative gave no reason for the change, though MMAInsider has contacted interim CSAC office director Bill Douglas for comment.

The position of Executive Officer has been vacant at CSAC since the departure of it's former Executive Officer Armando Garcia.

UPDATE: Bill Douglas, now the official CSAC assistant executive officer, returned comment on the testing situation.

"I've cancelled all drug testing across the board while I revamp the entire process from start to finish," Mr. Douglas wrote in an email. "I expect the new and improved program to roll out next week."

Report: Chris Leben tests positive for Stanazolol

As a couple of outlets are starting to report, The UFC fighter Chris Leben tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol on October 18, the day he lost to Michael Bisping at UFC 89.

In the United States, the UFC's drug testing is handled by the state sanctioning bodies. But UFC 89 was in England, and this was a test administered directly by the UFC and not by any athletic commission.

Leben, who lost a unanimous decision to Bisping, will reportedly be suspended for nine months and fined one-third of his purse.

This definitely won't help his already tarnished image.

Antonio Silva tested positive for drugs, laughing all the way to the bank

MMAJunkie.com is reporting that Antonio Silva tested positive for an anabolic steroid Boldenone at "Unfinished Business" show.

But hold it. Wasn't Antonio the highest paid fighter of the night at the EliteXC show? You remember me talking about this a few weeks ago. I was complaining how I was in dismay he was the highest paid and not even the main event. He wasn't even on the CBS card!

He was reportedly paid $200,000 ($100,000 winning bonus). And his fine for testing positive is a measly  $2,500? That's it? And he's suspended for a year. Big deal! He walks away with $197,500! That's still more than THREE times what Nick Diaz (the crowd favorite and local boy) walked away with. Is anyone else scratching their head at this?  Absurd, yet appears to be a genius move because he's laughing all the way to the bank with his money and a year off for vacation.

from MMAJunkie:
Antonio Silva, who was recently crowned EliteXC's first-ever heavyweight champion, has been suspended one year and fined $2,500 for his alleged use of the anabolic steroid Boldenone.

The California State Athletic Commission alerted MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) of the news today via email.

Silva (11-1) scored a second-round TKO of Justin Eilers at EliteXC's July 26 "Unfinished Business" event in Stockton, Calif., but he failed a drug test administered by the CSAC at the event.

Boldenone was developed for veterinary use -- primarily for horses -- but has been used by football players, boxers, mixed martial artists and other athletes in recent years as a performance-enhancing drugs.

Independent tests were conducted by Quest Diagnostics for Silva's "A" sample and Laboratoire De Controle Du Dopage for the "B" sample, according to the CSAC's Bill Douglas.

All other fighters who competed at the event tested clean for drugs of abuse and performance-enhancing drugs.

Silva will have the opportunity to file an appeal with the commission.

Brock Lesnar - the MMA fighter I love to hate.

Some of you emailed me and said I was a little too hard on Brock. And I've been pondering the points made. Also specifically from my fiance who has managed to make me argue both sides.

And I now realize one of the issues that bothers me about Brock is the fact that he made $250,000 for his first fight. While that's not his "fault" it did bother me to see him on the same card as guys that have proven themselves in the UFC and made a fraction of what he made.

Yes, I know there are many guys out there that do silly dances, gestures, and whatnot after a win. But I guess I don't get as agitated by those people (BJ Penn) because they have earned the right to act like a jackass a.k.a gloating.

Whereas, in my opinion Brock has not. Sure he beat Heath, and yes his face was somewhat swollen, but the reality is he had at least 15 pounds on him. He didn't do any fancy JJ or MMA moves. 

And, before you all send me notes saying he is a wrestler and he used those wrestling "moves", I understand your point. But it doesn't make for an exciting fight when his wrestling moves consisted of laying on Heath and nothing else. He didn't take his back when he could have. He didn't choke him out and let his guard slip out of his grip and without even knowing that's what it was. Looking at him right in the face. Even my investment banking friends were yelling at the tv telling the knucklehead to take his back.

I understand Brock is an experienced, powerhouse wrestler. I get it. I get it, I get it, I get it. But that doesn't make him a powerhouse MMA fighter. Does he have the ability to grow and mature into one? absolutely.  But until then I'm still calling him by the nick name of Brock "Nacho Libre" Lesnar.

Do I think MMA fans are going to welcome him with open arms, I sort of doubt it. Not until he proves himself without the cowboy moves. I do think it was a great business decision to allow Brock to fight in the UFC and I know that he will bring in fans meaning ticket sales will go up. But if the UFC is able to pay an unexperienced fighter $250,000 that means they're setting the expectation that it is possible to pay these fighters more than the sad $10,000.00 that Keith Jardine made to fight Wanderlei Silva. While this post is supposed to be about Brock, I do think the UFC needs to have some sort of salary banding to ensure it's somewhat fair.

But getting back to Brock; he has a lot of room for improvement. He needs to work on his MMA skillset and act less like a WWE meathead. I'm not really looking for a post fight entertainer, that's what the hot ring girls are for. And I thank you for that.

The UFC is nothing like WWE and it saddens me to even use MMA/UFC and WWE in the same post. But in my opinion Brock's the man you love to hate, or the man you love to love because everyone else hates him. He's sort of like my new Tito Ortiz. I hate him too.

 

Tito Ortiz headed to PARENTVILLE!

While we announced the news yesterday that Tito has signed with Affliction and is now a part of the Affliction family, he's also starting a lil family of his own.

FoxNEWS.com is reporting that ex-porn star Jenna Jameson and her beau Tito Ortiz are in fact expecting their first child together.

Here's to hoping the kid doesn't have Tito's gigantic head, but then again who are we kidding? I don't think it would really matter in this case. I kid I kid!!

Congrats to the parents to be!