Thanks to Jack's Bar in San Jose, I was able to watch UFC 74: Respect. It worked out really well. I enjoyed being able to watch the show w/o spending PPV prices!
But the one thing we did not get to see was the Prelim fight between Reneto "Babalu" Sobral vs David Heath. Babalu had Heath in a rear-naked Choke, and Heath tapped out (gave up, submitted). But Babalu kept the choke in, ignoring the referee, and Heath passed out. Babalu's explanation: "Heath cursed me (at weigh-ins) and I wanted to teach him respect" admitting he purposely kept the choke in place. The crowd went from cheers to boos. Even his fellow fighters in the crowd showed. Afterwards Nevada State Athletics Commission decided to hold back 1/2 of his pay (~$25,000) and begin an investigation.
But lets also think of this in a different light. What if Babalu choked him and killed him? He didn't realize how long he had it, and Heath dies from being choked? Can you imagine? As Dana White said, on Ultimate Fighter, "they were feeding into the 'stereotype' that I have busted my ass over the years from which I have tried to distance the organization and ultimately the sport." A Death in the octagon would have done just that. Babalu could have single-handedly sunk MMA back 10 years, where they couldn't get PPV, or TV time or sanctions. Babalu would have been a murderer, premeditated to choke his opponent out. Comparisons to Chris Benoit's choking his son to death would have appeared. Things could become severely different.
I hope UFC doesn't bring him back. He hasn't been that good anyways. It will take along time for people to forget this. And hopefully Nevada will take some action as well, more than just his money: a suspension. Take away his livelihood.
It should be noted that the crowd that was there knows what this sport is about. They realize that babalu crossed the line in his choke hold. And they showed it by turning on a once-crowd-favorite. The education of the common fan is coming along, and hopefully they can avoid another incident like this.
UPDATE: At UFC75 Press Conference, Dana White announced that babalu has been dropped from his contract. Dana's no dummy. He's not afraid to drop the hammer on people who are stupid. (ala Ultimate Fighter Noah and Marlon)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
"Quick" vs "Crippler" A fight I wish we could see...
The Ultimate Fighter (season) 1 fighters Mike "Quick" Swick vs Chris "the Crippler" Leban. Swick's first loss was from Leban. And during TUF1, Leban made sure Swick remembered the loss.
"Any Time Any Place"
So the Ultimate Fight Night is coming up. and the major rumor was Swick vs Leban. Its the fight everyone wants to see. It's been brewing since the loss and intensified in TUF1. UFC was ready for it. Swick is ready to avenge his loss. Leban... obviously wasn't ready. he didn't sign, and fans all over are disappointed.
I wanted to see this fight. I think avenge bouts are great. and Leban talked alot of trash, but backing out means he talks the talk, but don't walk the walk.
Swick moves on to fight someone else Goullet, on the card. Then, to put on the insult, Leban decides he's going to fight on the card too.
Well, I sure hope you put these 2 on opposite sides of the arena. I'm sure a whole lot of trash talking will be done between them if they are in the same room. We could have Ultimate fight Locker rooms.
I'm afraid Swick is going to have to move on and realize that he won't be able to avenge his loss, but also know that he's going up, while Leban is going down, and if he loses again, out of UFC.
"Any Time Any Place"
So the Ultimate Fight Night is coming up. and the major rumor was Swick vs Leban. Its the fight everyone wants to see. It's been brewing since the loss and intensified in TUF1. UFC was ready for it. Swick is ready to avenge his loss. Leban... obviously wasn't ready. he didn't sign, and fans all over are disappointed.
I wanted to see this fight. I think avenge bouts are great. and Leban talked alot of trash, but backing out means he talks the talk, but don't walk the walk.
Swick moves on to fight someone else Goullet, on the card. Then, to put on the insult, Leban decides he's going to fight on the card too.
Well, I sure hope you put these 2 on opposite sides of the arena. I'm sure a whole lot of trash talking will be done between them if they are in the same room. We could have Ultimate fight Locker rooms.
I'm afraid Swick is going to have to move on and realize that he won't be able to avenge his loss, but also know that he's going up, while Leban is going down, and if he loses again, out of UFC.
Lastings Millage is ... still a Met
The Non-Waiver Trading Deadline for Baseball has come and gone. And from the A's and Giants, only 1 trade happen. SF's Morris to Pittsburg. What happened to all the rumors? What happened to both teams being Sellers? The A's trading Blanton, Johnson, Piazza? The Giants trading everyone except the starting Rotation? What about Lastings Millage, Billy Beane's Coveted player??? Another Year, another Lastings Millage rumor, another failed trade.
The A's are in a better position than the Giants. But they didn't make the necessary moves to make them better this year, or help next year. Daric Barton is ready to be a Major League Player. For that to happen Johnson has to go. 1 Year Contracts players are probably be gone too. Stewart and Piazza. Kendall is already gone. So the next Generation is moving in.
The Giants are worse, they are going to scrap more than half the team (aging players). But they got this Davis guy and he seems to be good (at least in the first game). The Rotation is set, Cain, Zito, Lincecum, Lowry, and Sanchez. After that, no job is safe. Gone will be Bonds, Durham, Arillia, Visquel, Roberts, Klesko, Sweeny. I'd keep Winn and Molina. But it doesn't look good. They aren't going to be contenders for 3-5 years. Fortunately Zito will still be there. hahaha.
Neither team are going to make the playoffs this year. The A's have too many injuries and the Giants are too Old. So write off this year. and welcome next year with open arms.
Is it hockey season yet?
The A's are in a better position than the Giants. But they didn't make the necessary moves to make them better this year, or help next year. Daric Barton is ready to be a Major League Player. For that to happen Johnson has to go. 1 Year Contracts players are probably be gone too. Stewart and Piazza. Kendall is already gone. So the next Generation is moving in.
The Giants are worse, they are going to scrap more than half the team (aging players). But they got this Davis guy and he seems to be good (at least in the first game). The Rotation is set, Cain, Zito, Lincecum, Lowry, and Sanchez. After that, no job is safe. Gone will be Bonds, Durham, Arillia, Visquel, Roberts, Klesko, Sweeny. I'd keep Winn and Molina. But it doesn't look good. They aren't going to be contenders for 3-5 years. Fortunately Zito will still be there. hahaha.
Neither team are going to make the playoffs this year. The A's have too many injuries and the Giants are too Old. So write off this year. and welcome next year with open arms.
Is it hockey season yet?
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