I'm sorry I strayed boxing

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Honestly, I actually used to really like UFC when it was in its very early days, back in the mid-to-late 90's and was basically the wild west of fighting. I liked it when they had no weight classes and different, distinct fighting styles. Seeing a karate guy go up against a sumo wrestler, difference in weight of >150lbs (at least), some guys using submissions and others being almost pure street-fighters...it was exciting and different. I think the only two rules were no kicks to the head of a downed opponent, and no fish-hooking.

Somewhere along the way, however, the sport got homogenized, and now every guy is basically the same - wrestling background, learns some basic striking, and every fight seems to be either an awkward stand-up affair between to strikers or a ground-fight with two guys laying on top of each other for minutes on end. I have some basic understanding of MMA strategy and maneuvers, and I appreciate what great athletes and competitors these guys are, but I just am not excited about it at all. Gone are the days of Tank Abbott vs Royce Gracie. To each his own, though.

And Money...passing on Dirrell-Abraham live at the Joe Louis Arena???? Tsk, tsk...if I were back in the "D", I so would've been there.

I know. My bad. But I had this UFC party planned for over a month and all my buddies were pretty jazzed up about it. I didn't have the heart to pull the plug.

In regards to the other stuff you stated, I was thinking the same thing. It used to resemble street fighting in the early days.
Dana White cleaned it up because he needed to get sanctioned and chances of getting major TV deals were slim if it remained a form of ****-fighting.

But that's where I wonder if the sport will be able to sustain it's popularity.
The UFC is doing everything in it's power to build a history and a brand. And so far it's been brilliant.
However, hearing boo's during the Fitch fight and even during the GSP bout makes me wonder if a majority of fans are still frothing for street-fight type events?
And with all the fighters becoming so well rounded, if the sport becomes more and more ground matches, will the UFC retain it's popularity and value if only diehard fans remain?

[pk500]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I agree with much of what you had written.

+1. Excellent post, Money.

As a longtime boxing fan, I've tried to keep an open mind about MMA, learn about it and watch it. But it's just so damn tedious every time I watch it, compared to boxing.

But Dana White sure knows how to manage and promote better than King, Arum and De La Hoya combined. The only good promoter in boxing is HBO. Look at the difference in PPV sales between a fight promoted with a "24/7" show and one without.

Pacquiao-Clottey got 650,000 buys without a "24/7." Pacquiao-Cotto had nearly double the buys, and it had a "24/7."

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

+1. Excellent post, Money.

As a longtime boxing fan, I've tried to keep an open mind about MMA, learn about it and watch it. But it's just so damn tedious every time I watch it, compared to boxing.

But Dana White sure knows how to manage and promote better than King, Arum and De La Hoya combined. The only good promoter in boxing is HBO. Look at the difference in PPV sales between a fight promoted with a "24/7" show and one without.

Pacquiao-Clottey got 650,000 buys without a "24/7." Pacquiao-Cotto had nearly double the buys, and it had a "24/7."

Agreed. The 24/7 shows are fantastic.

UFC has the Ultimate Fighter show and I'm very interested in watching the beginning to season 11.
I know boxing had The Contender, but the ultimate goal was for $1M. They need to put contracts on the line.

But you would need big names to help promote. How great would it be to have Mike Tyson be one of the celebrity coaches? And then put Foreman in the other camp?

[pietasterp]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

What's with all the random censoring? OS ***** Fool's joke?

[goh]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Sadly that is in fact the norm for a Fitch fight,he's fine with grinding out a decision. That was mostly the norm for a GSP fight but he's usually a bit more succesful,gets more done and at least tries to finish fights though 3 of the last 5 were by decision.

Hope you watched tonight,seems as if that would've been a lot more to your liking.

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Sadly that is in fact the norm for a Fitch fight,he's fine with grinding out a decision. That was mostly the norm for a GSP fight but he's usually a bit more succesful,gets more done and at least tries to finish fights though 3 of the last 5 were by decision.

Hope you watched tonight,seems as if that would've been a lot more to your liking.

Yes I did! I really liked the card from UFC Live. Roy Nelson is awesome! Dude is hilarious and a serious bomb throwing machine.
And Florian looked really good too. His jab was awesome. He could have landed that all d@y I think.

And the Ultimate Fighter was terrific! I still can't get over that one dude's nose. Unreal.
Both of these programs will definitely have me tuning in for more.

And of course, I'm really stoked for Mosley-Mayweather. Some nice combat cards coming up.

EDIT: Why is the word 'd-a-y' banned? Weird.

[jb12780]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Yes I did! I really liked the card from UFC Live. Roy Nelson is awesome! Dude is hilarious and a serious bomb throwing machine.
And Florian looked really good too. His jab was awesome. He could have landed that all d@y I think.

And the Ultimate Fighter was terrific! I still can't get over that one dude's nose. Unreal.
Both of these programs will definitely have me tuning in for more.

And of course, I'm really stoked for Mosley-Mayweather. Some nice combat cards coming up.

EDIT: Why is the word 'd-a-y' banned? Weird.

A P R I L F O O L S D A Y

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

A P R I L F O O L S D A Y

Ugh! That's so ***.

[aholbert32]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Yes I did! I really liked the card from UFC Live. Roy Nelson is awesome! Dude is hilarious and a serious bomb throwing machine.
And Florian looked really good too. His jab was awesome. He could have landed that all d@y I think.

And the Ultimate Fighter was terrific! I still can't get over that one dude's nose. Unreal.
Both of these programs will definitely have me tuning in for more.

And of course, I'm really stoked for Mosley-Mayweather. Some nice combat cards coming up.

EDIT: Why is the word 'd-a-y' banned? Weird.

See its possible to like both MMA and Boxing. My advice to you would be to hold off on buying UFC PPVs until 114 (Rampage and Rashad). The main event and the co main event are guaranteed stand-up brawls.

[allBthere]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

See its possible to like both MMA and Boxing. My advice to you would be to hold off on buying UFC PPVs until 114 (Rampage and Rashad). The main event and the co main event are guaranteed stand-up brawls.

I think Rashad may try to take rampage down.

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

See its possible to like both MMA and Boxing. My advice to you would be to hold off on buying UFC PPVs until 114 (Rampage and Rashad). The main event and the co main event are guaranteed stand-up brawls.

That's the one I'm very interested in. Isn't Kimbo fighting on that too?

[jb12780]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

That's the one I'm very interested in. Isn't Kimbo fighting on that too?

Yes he's fighting Matt "Meathead" Mitrione.

[aholbert32]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

That's the one I'm very interested in. Isn't Kimbo fighting on that too?

Nope, Kimbo is on 113 (Shogun v Machida). Forrest Griffin is on the 114 card.

[aholbert32]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I think Rashad may try to take rampage down.

Rampage can wrestle so that may not be a good idea. Just look at the Rampage/Henderson fight.

[sva91]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I think the creators of MMA style fighting envisioned a "BLoodsport" type of fighting league, but instead got 2 dudes dry humping for the majority of the fight. I've seen my fair share of boring boxing matches, but UFC fights are just lame IMO. Im not hating on guys that like UFC...just the guys that wear Affliction or Tapout shirts.