Unorthodox

May 18-24, 2008

As I progress into the oblivion that is my obsession with martial arts and physical combat, I have decided to write a weekly article summarizing the different things concerning martial arts that I encounter in each and every excruciating week. While living on this mortal plane has become increasingly unbearable, I will be comforted by the fact that I get to write something about my greatest passion every once in a while.

 

UFC 84 Previews and Predictions

Moving on from the utter despair that is my existence, let us move on to the issues at hand. This Sunday, UTC +8, is UFC 84. Now, I don’t know about the title “Ill Will”, but I’m sure that it would be an absolute joy to watch a wrestler against a jiu-jitsu fighter. BJ Penn’s perceived weakness, which is his stamina, is supposedly Sean Sherk’s greatest strength. While doubt looms over the former champion’s credibility due to the steroid controversy, his physical prowess is still unquestionable. However, his combative competency is to be questioned as his inability to finish his opponents in recent years has tarnished his reputation as a fighter. Finishing opponents is something BJ Penn is definitely known for, even if his four professional losses are due to his inability to do so in what seemed to be a limited time frame due to his lack of physical endurance. Most people would say that if it goes beyond round three, Sherk will take it. If not, then it’s Penn’s fight.

Aside from the main event, there is the fight between the conqueror and the conquered. Keith Jardine, Chuck Liddell’s lord and master, will fight against Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell’s bitch. Most would attribute this matchup as a classic standup war – one between a technical striker and a brawler. While Wanderlei’s reputation as a complete psycho when it comes to dismantling opponents with his fists and knees, with most of his credentials sprawled all over the canvas in a bloody mess (i.e. Quinton Jackson), is well known, he has been in a three-fight losing streak. While his future in the light heavyweight division may be bleak, his advantages over Keith Jardine could carry him to victory, but only if he can actually land a shot at Jardine’s questionable chin, which has proven to be weak against solid shots. Houston Alexander has already proven Jardine to be susceptible to abrupt instances of unconsciousness, Wanderlei should be able to press forward and land blows. However, as the Axe Murderer hasn’t been in his normal vicious persona for years due to the ravages of age, he might fall short and eventually be picked apart by Jardine’s punch-kick combos.

And of course, before I shut it, since I don’t want this article to be TOO long, let’s head on over to Machida versus Ortiz. Before the weaboos start clamoring about Lyoto destroying the hell out of Tito, I do think that Ortiz has a legitimate chance here. At first, I really was convinced that Machida will kick his ass without question, but as I thought more about it, Tito is definitely no slouch. Sure, Jenna Jameson sure has been riding his dick for quite a while now, but Ortiz is a strong wrestler with passable striking and a good drive. His cardio will definitely be up to par in this fight against Decision Machida, whose cardio is also not in doubt. However, Ortiz has been up with top competition already, something Machida hasn’t gone through yet in the UFC. Not to say that his past opponents, including Rich Franklin and a bloated BJ Penn, are not top opponents, but the setting is the UFC this time. That organization definitely has a reputation for pressuring fighters to their limit, which makes a lot of known names flunk out in their UFC debuts. Hopefully, this fight won’t be a borefest with either Machida backing off too much or Ortiz laying-n-praying. Ortiz has a shattered chin thanks to Chuck Liddell, so Machida may want to capitalize on that.

 

 

UFC 85 Matchmaking Dilemma

With all the hype in UFC 84, it’s easy to forget about the next one, which is 85. The fight that was supposed to be Chuck Liddell versus Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Shogun re-injured his knee in training and was replaced by Rashad Evans. Well, it’s still compelling - Chuck versus Rashad. Then, Chuckie had to pull out due to a vicious torn hamstring. He was replaced by James Irvin, the man who made Houston Alexander’s future in the UFC absolutely questionable with a superman punch. Then again, he had to pull out due to a broken foot. Now, Rashad Evans has been pulled out and the whole fight goes to the undercard with Luis Arthur Cane versus Jason Lambert. Craptastic…

 

 

Affliction Fight Card

With the UFC aside, let’s head on over to Affliction. As you may know, a lot of the fighters in the card are former UFC and PRIDE veterans who are known names in the sport. Well, Fedor definitely needs more exposure, but Americans will definitely begin to see the greatness that is the Last Emperor, but that is if he is still in top shape. I’m not doubting here, but I’m not a Fedor nuthugger either. Tim Sylvia has a legitimate chance with his kickboxing and his reach. Hong Man Choi wasn’t a fair test for Fedor in terms of the reach game since he’s less experienced in MMA. With Timmuh gunning for the top spot in the heavyweight rankings, he may actually have a chance. MMA Math is definitely more of a rock-paper-scissors kind of game and not a A > B > C type of thing. But then again, this is Fedor we’re talking about. He can crush Timmy. We’ll just wait and see.

I know that it is too early to talk about Affliction right now, but this was the week when most of the card was announced, so I just can’t help but talk about it. Also on the card is Josh Barnett, fresh from his win against Jeff Monson, going up against his first pro loss, Pedro Rizzo. Also, rumors about Andrei Arlovski versus Ben Rothwell sure will make for a good match. Matt Lindland against someone I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing yet right after his congressional nomination in his district. He is going to become a politician, but not after wrestling the shit out of a few guys before he totally crosses over. There are a lot more fights out there, but not before waiting. Things in the fight card can get cookie since the event is still far away in July 19.

 

 

Deep 35: Mishima Over Imanari… Again

I watched the fight and was pretty entertained by the back-and-forth battle. Mishima is definitely someone who is thought to be washed up and ready for retirement, which is actually was, but he got the upper hand in the end. With that kneebar at the end of the third round, reminiscent of his younger days when he still had black hair, I thought it was going to be over for Imanari, but the kneebar wasn’t exactly that tight. The foot was at chest level, which means that the knee would be below Mishima’s hip, which means that there wouldn’t actually be much hyperextension to begin with. Mishima attributes it to Imanari’s flexibility, so maybe he actually had that knee bar. Leglocks are definitely not something for people with weak abs, hips, and back muscles. Imanari caught him with a few attempts, but Mishima stayed focused and tenacious, pounding Imanari and maintaining aggression. That gave him the decision. It was definitely a good fight and Dokojonosuke Mishima is now the Deep Featherweight Champion and has defeated leglock master Masakazu Imanari for the second time.

 

 

Weekly Reality Show Review

C.B. Dollaway is sick. He is a solid fighter and can do some damage if he ever continues his winning way. I’m sure that they have already finished taping all the episodes of TUF, except for the finale, but damn, he’s tough. Nick Klein’s guard was pretty good, but once I saw him escape that kneebar, my eyes were bugging out. He also escaped some armbar attempts, which kept the ball rolling. By the second round, he already had Klein’s number, and he was able to catch his opponent with a good guillotine choke to seal the deal. He was 6-0 while Klein was 7-0 coming into the fight, but C.B. certainly had more aggressiveness.

As for Iron Ring, all I can say is that they took over 11 episodes to recruit all their fighters for one big tournament. Eleven episodes. BetTV is trying to drag this series for as long as they can, I think. Despite that, I’m rooting for Ludacris’ team, even though this show isn’t something to go nuts about.

 

 

Conclusion

This week was good for anticipation. It is all about UFC 84 right now, and I’ll be sure to catch it live right here in my PC. I’ll have the review shortly after the event for all to see. This was a pretty good first installment of my new series, and I hope that I can keep doing this.

Tags: Entertainment, MMA, Martial Arts //