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Looks the Video Game World of Mixed Martial Arts (PC) Newest Version is going to include ProElite! Looks like it will be great promotion to me! And it looks the world is starting take notice! Big Notice! I kinda like the Profile Section show on the Screen Shot!
http://www.greydogsoftware.com/wmma3/index.php?page=screens
Definitely! I also like "In the near-term, GME intends to launch a publishing initiative consisting of comic books and a novel in addition to the expansion of Guardian Project branded merchandise currently available for sale at retail, online and in-arena. The Guardian Project brand will be extended through social and mobile gaming platforms in the first quarter of 2012."
Which we know things are well under way as we have seen merchandise both in some of the biggest Retail and Online Stores including Walmart and Amazon and people can bet they are pumped and ready for new products for distribution and sales!
Go POW!
GUARDIAN MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT FORGES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH NBCUNIVERSAL TO MARKET AND PROMOTE THE GUARDIAN PROJECT SUPERHERO FRANCHISE
Guardian Media Entertainment, LLC (GME) – a company formed by SLG Entertainment (SLGE), LLC,led by Stan Lee of POW! Entertainment, LLC and NHL Enterprises (NHLE), LP – today announced its unprecedented equity partnership with NBCUniversal(NBCU). NBCU’s equity resulted from an in-kind partnership where it will provide cross-platform media support of ongoing content and product launches for The Guardian Project, which is a Stan Lee superhero franchise that includes 30 superheroes representing each NHL® Club. This robust media inventory, which supplements marketing and promotion from the NHL and its member clubs, will provide a multi-million dollar commitment for TheGuardian Project.
The Guardian Project has been developed for transmedia storytelling and GME will continually roll out plotlines for all 30 original superheroes across multiple platforms over a number of years. In the near-term, GME intends to launch a publishing initiative consisting of comic books and a novel in addition to the expansion of Guardian Project branded merchandise currently available for sale at retail, online and in-arena. The Guardian Project brand will be extended through social and mobile gaming platforms in the first quarter of 2012. GME is also in early stages of discussions for development of a television series and long-term plans include the creation of films, games, theme park presence and global extensions.
Howard Baldwin, former part-owner of the two-time Stanley Cup® Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the Hartford Whalers, producer of the Academy Award-winning motionpicture “Ray” and Chairman of the Board of GME played a primary role in brokering the deal with Comcast-NBCU. “This groundbreaking transaction with NBCU represents a vote of confidence in our management team and our unprecedented business model that combines the branding power and extensive fan base of one of the largest sports leagues with new intellectual property,” said Baldwin. “The promotion and marketing provided by NBCU in support of The Guardian Project will allow my colleagues Adam Baratta, Chief Creative Officer and Mark Terry, Chief Operating Officer,and me to forge new territory in development, production and worldwide distribution deals for television, film,gaming, sponsorship and other brand extensions.”
“Since the inception of GME, our goal has been to partner with a major media company that has broadly distributed consumer platforms to exponentially increase the awareness and scope of The Guardian Project,” states Mark Terry, Chief Operating Officer of GME. “With NBCUniversal as our partner, our management team has the opportunity to hastenthe development of our business, and our colleague, Aldo LaPietra, Co-Founder and EVP of Business Development, will be on the forefront of seeking out these opportunities.”
It is the story that will expand The Guardian Project into a worldwide entertainment franchise. Stan Lee, his producing partner Gill Champion and POW! will oversee all creative direction and story development. “Partnering with NBCU is a welcomed addition to GME and provides unique opportunities that are unparalleled when combined with an original Stan Lee franchise,” states Champion, CEO of POW!
"Just as we are excited to be partners with the NHL for the next 10 years, we are also excited to enter into this new venture with GME that engages young fans in new, unique ways through the magic of Stan Lee," said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer,
NBCUniversal Television Group.
The establishment of GME and The Guardian Project, by SLGE and NHLE, was announced last October at New York Comic-Con. In January of this year, a month-long social media campaign enabled fans to vote to determine the daily reveal of each Guardian. All 30 Guardians were unveiled in a theatrical style presentation during the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, which boasted the highest ratings ever for an NHL All-Star Game telecast on Versus. The debut of The Guardian Project produced more than 2 million visitors and over 13 million page views on guardianproject30.com and was number one Google Trends immediately following the NHL All-Star Game broadcast.
“The Guardian Project is a great way for us to engage with casual fans and a broader audience,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Executive Vice President of Marketing. “We’re starting a conversation with the next generation of NHL fans and NBCUniversal’s strength as a global media company, its commitment to hockey and its proven track record of leveraging sports and entertainment will elevate The Guardian Project within the NHL fan base and beyond,” said Jennings.
http://www.powentertainment.com/overview_files/GME_NBCU_Pow!_re-release_6-16.pdf
Here is my theory on the Press Conference Tomorrow night, aside from come Monday it being the new month and aligning it with Upcoming Event on August 27!
IMO they will use InsideMMA on HDNight Fights to feature the New ProElite with mention of the ProElite Press Conference of the New Event on August 27 / 2011.
If this happens they will get huge exposure as featured from InsideMMA with hundreds of thousands of viewers across North America and the world! This my thought anyway!
Go ProElite!
Muscle Pharm - Michael Vick Signing For any who might have missed it or wondered which company he signed with! Here it is and Muscle Pharm is the name of the company!
MusclePharm Confirms Mike Vick Endorsement
MusclePharm Corporation confirms their three-year, $1.55 million endorsement deal with Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback and NFL superstar Mike Vick. The standout quarterback who returned to the NFL in 2009 has now officially become a major face of the growing MusclePharm brand.
http://brnd1.blogspot.com/2011/07/musclepharm-confirms-mike-vick.html
For sure and Rampage Jackson also Posts his Tweets on his Web Site which whould add alot more eyes and traffic as well!
TWEETS
Rampage4real Quinton Jackson
Vote for my boys at MusclePharm for Brand Of the Year
http://t.co/oLrFBAA @MusclepharmPres
1 day ago
http://www.rampage-jackson.com/
MMA Legend Quinton "Rampage" Jackson on Twitter
Rampage4real Quinton Jackson
Vote for my boys at MusclePharm for Brand Of the Year bit.ly/pXIgdL @MusclepharmPres
26 Jul
http://twitter.com/#!/Rampage4real
I had heard that as well and agree Sara McMann should take it but also agree you never know as Tonya is very good as well. Tonya Evinger is quite a character and a pretty damn good well seasoned fighter as well so it should make for an interesting fight.
But you can bet Sara will be using that event to look for another Win, the paycheck and the Promotion of her upcoming fight with ProElite in August!
Your comment about a Sara McMann vs. Ronda Rousey fight would make for a great fight but again not the only fight I think Fans might want see.
It's interesting to hear Strikeforce talking like that with Ronda while she's pretty good fighter she only began her professional career in June of this year and they do have a range of other fighters who are both Great seasoned Fighters and good foundations for presentation purposes.
They do seem to be looking for certain image types for and Ronda definitely fits the bill in that regards but losses will affect her value as it did with Gina.
In any regards as the whole MMA world is quickly learning and IMO will learn more of the fact that there is a new player in town by the name of ProElite and they have signed Sara McMann and will be looking to sign others!
Go ProElite!
Andrei Arlovski to Face Ray Lopez in ProElite Debut
Former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski will face Ray Lopez in his ProElite debut on August 27 in Hawaii, MMA Fighting has learned.
Two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup, which will be officially announced in a Friday press conference.
The 15-9 Arlovski will be hoping to bounce back after a four-fight losing streak. He has not won since an October 2008 KO win over Roy Nelson. Since then, he's lost fights to Fedor Emelianenko, Brett Rogers, Antonio Silva and Sergei Kharitonov. Three of the four have come by way of KO or TKO, leading some critics to call for Arlovski to consider retirement.
Instead, he'll attempt to walk the comeback trail against Lopez, a Michigan-based fighter with a 5-2 record who is coming off a 75-second TKO win at a recent King of the Cage event. Lopez has won four of his last five overall. The 24-year-old also has experience in pro boxing, with a 3-4 record in seven fights.
He's fought primarily as a light-heavyweight in MMA but has weighed as much as 226.5 pounds during his boxing career. Arlovski, who entertained boxing aspirations before settling back into MMA, usually weighs around 240 pounds.
The August 27 ProElite show takes place at the Neil Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, and also features a middleweight bout pitting Kendall Grove against Joe Riggs, as well as the MMA debut of BJ Penn's younger brother, Reagan Penn.
http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/07/27/andrei-arlovski-to-face-ray-lopez-in-proelite-debut/
Strikeforce's future looks kinda effed up
Mike Chia Pet from MMA Fighting lays out how messed up the current situation is with Strikeforce:
o. Welterweight champion Nick Diaz recently defected to the UFC
o. Heavyweight champion Overeem is on the last fight of his current deal
o. Light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson is on the last fight of his current deal
o. Women's middleweight champ Cris Cyborg remains an unsigned free agent
o. Gina Carano's comeback fight was mysteriously canceled, and there's been no talk of a return
o. Popular middleweight Cung Le, who hasn't fought in over one year, recently said if he does fight again, it will be in the UFC and not Strikeforce.
o. Jason "Mayhem" Miller recently left Strikeforce to sign with UFC
That's four of their seven champions who are either gone from the promotion or in contract limbo, and three of their most popular fighters in various states of unavailability.
But hey, at least they have ... uh. The Heavyweight Grand Prix ... well, it's not so grand any more. An exciting middleweight divi ... eh, that's pretty much stalled out too. Hmm.
http://www.fightlinker.com/strikeforces-future-looks-kinda-effed-up
I agree on the price for Cyborg and your right on the value as is still yet to determined as well she's winning she is definitely worth more than with a loss of any kind and a loss will eventually come either way and that is why I think other fighters may actually have more value long term and I only think it's a good deal and idea for the right price.
With Carano as much I hate to say it and few would admit it she had looks and a personality that had an additional market value in helping to sell to the general public and with Cyborg although she has attempted to work on that and has improved in that area she has and will have a bit of a battle with that.
I think for the buying public as especially with the early days of MMA and the Men who were the focus, although the hardcore fans continued to watch the public at largely didn't for a variety of reasons. They had trouble getting access for the most part and there was still some debate on the legitimacy of the sport were some of the issues. Although there is still some ways to go it has improved vastly and is now growing by leaps and bounds and along with a number of other changes including improving Rules, Judging and Standards as well as skill sets of more fighters, it also did take building in some personalities that could draw and keep the public's attention in addition to their ability to fight with that skill and those other changes.
I think that ProElite is on the right Track in this regard and it is definitely interesting to see how many Fighters currently or have been under the Zuffa Banner also have been under the ProElite Banner. I would argue that if there are any it is very few organizations in the world that have had so many.
Look at the current Card for the Aug 27 / 2011 Event and show me any other current organization other than Zuffa that is even close to a comparable with a Card! I would challenge there are none from top to bottom!
ProElite is the Real Deal!
I too appreciate and enjoy these exchanges and think your on the right track in saying people may come here for both and that's fine in my opinion in as the knowledge base grows so will the interest and understanding on where this industry is and more importantly where this company and stock are going! It's not hard to see and if they don't now they definitely will for sure latter!
Go ProElite! Symbol PELE
Much agreed! Hopefully it all does happen before then! As we all know it is an any day thing! So lets all hope for sure as the weeks following are going to big much less beyond that!
Go ProElite!
Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment Launches Film Financing Partnership
The company joins with Ricco Capital and Panda Media Partners to form Magic Storm Entertainment.
Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment has launched a new film financing partnership with Ricco Capital and Panda Media Partners. Their new venture is called Magic Storm Entertainment.
It will be based in Los Angeles. Fidelis Entertainment’s Eric Mika has been appointed CEO.
Gill Champion, CEO of POW!, said in a statement, “We are delighted with this partnership that Fidelis has brought to Pow! from China. Together we will seek to produce universally appealing films and franchises that provide a powerful platform for our brands to reach a growing consumer audience throughout China and Asia, as well as the rest of the world. Our first project will be announced in the very near future.”
“Stan Lee is a global icon whose characters and brands have generated more than $6 billion US at the global box office and sparked vast international toy, video game and merchandise sales,” said Wu Siu Chung, chairman of Ricco Capital Holdings. “Magic Storm Entertainment will leverage that appeal with Ricco Capital’s development fund.”
“We are delighted that Ricco Capital emerged as partners who fully understand the business value of Stan Lee’s comic book characters and his larger brand, specific to China” said Eric Mika, chief executive officer of Fidelis Entertainment. “Stan Lee’s work has always been ground-breaking, and his new characters and stories will be even more relevant to film audiences in China and beyond. Magic Storm Entertainment will not only enable these stories to reach Stan’s global fan base, but also provide a market entry platform for global brands into China and Chinese brands to the West.”
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stan-lees-pow-entertainment-launches-206221
Cristiane Cyborg Santos is definitely a great female fighter but personally believe their are number of Fighters who would give her a run for her money if not beat her and they would include Erin Toughill, Cindy Dandois, Milana Dudieva and Tara LaRosa.
Another Fighter I would like to see who has big potential is Rin Nakai who I think also could beat Cristiane Cyborg Santos.
Keep in mind Cristiane Cyborg Santos biggest claim to fame at this point is she is currently in the biggest organization currently promoting WMMA and that she beat Gina Carano. Both who were previously promoted and put in the spotlight by Proelite originally.
I do agree she would be a good re-signing for Pro but she is by far not the only good fighter and maybe not even the best.
Zuffa has no intention on dividing it's interests or effectively competing with itself and WMMA is not on even on there current road map. I think they may eventually promote the very odd event for shock value and market interest.
But Strikeforce is done! Probably not tomorrow, next month or maybe not even next year( although I see it happening it the not too distant future). I think they will do less shows as time goes on and as Contracts run out and as they do that WMMA will fall off the map entirely.
If they keep Strikeforce in any way, shape or form it will be purely as a Farm System for the UFC and as a second tier product to push and pressure the competition such as ProElite as well as to make the buying public believe they are giving them options in their product lines and purchases. But make no mistake about it they will never promote anything as a direct competitor to their own main product which does not currently include WMMA.
Eventually it is my believe Cristiane Cyborg will want to fight where the biggest and best Fighters are and that will be ProElite!
Go ProElite
While I agree that Women's MMA has a little ways to go in it's development and I also agree that this is a big opportunity for ProElite, I disagree with any suggestion that the UFC and/or Strikeforce have it wrapped up in any way or any real control of it.
I would go on to suggest that their Womens Roster is actually quite thin. While I recognize they do have a some Fighters who can more than hold their own in a particular weight class, they only have 10 fighters in total at curent in all weight classes.
ProElite would be prime to take over WMMA as in addition to Sara McMann who is as you have stated are already under Contract with ProElite along with Raquel Pa'aluhi, there are a ton of great Women's Fighters not under Contract with Zuffa in any way including Michelle Waterson, Cindy Dandois, Carina Damm, Erin Toughill, Jan Finney, Milana Dudieva, Debi Purcell, Cat Zingano, Rosi Sexton, Kaitlin Young, Heather Clark, Kelly Kobold, Hiroko Yamanaka, Tonya Evinger, Megumi Fujii, Alexis Davis, Jessica Eye, Ginele Marquez, Nichole Long, Roxanne Modafferi and last but definitely not least Tara LaRosa just to name a few and all of which I think are very marketable and top level Fighters, some the best in their class and maybe even any class.
While I think Men's MMA is still and will always be king, I still believe Women's MMA is here to stay and has earned a place along with side of Mens MMA as a natural fit with a certain fascination for both for the MMA Buying public which is growing by leaps and bounds.
Go ProElite!
LOL! Me! I'm gonna be smart and I think I'm gonna need a Stage Coach to hold all the cash on this trip! LOL! And lots of Guards of course because anybody who thinks they are going to get my Shares for any less than a $1 and probably a hell of alot more shortly, surely are only robbers because that's the only way it's gonna happen otherwise! LOL! IMO This baby is going up! Way up!
Go ProElite!
Great article! But as LL Cool J would say "Don't Call It A Comeback, We have been here for years!" Some of us knew all along! I guess as far as the Stock price it has has some low points like any but it is definitely a New Day and it is on the Rise! Those wondering when to get in or buy bigger can Pay Now or Pay Alot MORE Latter! It makes no difference to any of us!
As the man goes on to say in the song "Gonna Take This Itty Bitty World By Storm And I'm Just Gettin Warm" Wait till things really get moving but make no mistake we are out of the gates and this race is on! This company and Stock are on the Move! IMO The company and Stock are going to hit to new heights like none of us have ever seen!
Go ProElite!
Reagan Penn To Make MMA Debut At August Pro Elite Card
Hawaii has another MMA Fighter making Waves in the MMA World and with a last name like Penn you know that this is a Fighter to watch. That's right there's another Penn fighting and it's BJ's younger bother Reagan. He will be making his Professional Debut on August 27 at the Pro Elite return Event at the Blaisdell Arena on the Oahu,Hawaii. As of yet there has not been any word as to who he will be facing,but one thing is for certain who ever it is they better come prepared.
Reagan who has no Amateur,or Professional experience,holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and has been with BJ through his training Champ's, and Jiu-jitsu Competition, not to mention his own experience in Jiu-jitsu tournaments. Before you start to think that this is a bad idea, keep in mind not only does he hold a Black Belt but he has been BJ's primary Sparing partner for a long time. Rumor has it that he will be fighting at 170lbs but nothing is official yet but as soon as it becomes known MMAABSOLUTE.COM will post that information for you.
http://mmaabsolute.com/profiles/blogs/reagan-penn-to-make-mma-debut
Got To Love The Facts! Who's Shirt is The Man Wearing? Let's All Say It Together! M U S C L E P H A R M!
Go MSLP!
Well I have no disrespect for the other company and hope them all to do well, as it stands I do believe that Muscle Pharm is strongly positioned and will continue to stand with and by it's Contract with Michael Vick and currently have no reason to believe otherwise.
I think your assessment is a fair and good one!
I think these product lines are different with very different focused use and although there seems to be some similarities there are distinct differences to which I think you have highlighted fairly well.
I think the deal timing did not help in terms of public consumption of the Deals, there individual merit and promotion of the Products as well did create some confusion around any similarities of the company's or products that may or may not exist.
But I am sure this will all be worked out and to be honest I am sure things would have been worked out better in a perfect world but unfortunately that is not the world we live in and things happen. I personally see no issue.
Thanks and Good luck!
Go MSLP!
MikeVick I am very excited about working with @MusclePharm one of the hottest supplement companies on the market, and to b part of a strong roster
4 hours ago
MikeVick
Photoshoot with @MusclePharm behind the scenes pic coming soon!!!!
4 hours ago
http://twitter.com/#!/mikevick
Comic-Con 2011: Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Keeps Busy at San Diego Convention
Stan Lee will make key video game appearances during the convention
Article | 07.17.11 | By John Gaudiosi
Stan Lee is like the Energizer bunny. He keeps going and going. The man who created such iconic superheroes as Spider-Man, Captain America , and Thor will be all over San Diego for the annual convention. Lee will kick off the Con at a private press event with Activision, where X-Men Destiny and Spider-Man: Edge of Time will be featured. The rest of his schedule is below the exclusive video interview with the man, himself.
Thursday, July 21
1:00-2:00 Stan Lee, Yoshiki, and Todd McFarlane — The worlds of music and comics collide, as legendary creators Stan Lee (POW! Entertainment) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn) join forces with rock superstar, Yoshiki (X Japan ) to create a bold new hero, Blood Red Dragon. Lee, Yoshiki, and McFarlane are joined by renowned writer Jon Goff (Halo Evolutions) for a captivating panel and Q&A session. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Saturday, July 23
10:00-11:30 Activision— Legends from across the Marvel landscape and the entertainment industry come together in one epic panel to discuss their roles in upcoming Activision Marvel video games X-Men Destiny and Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Comic book legend Stan Lee reflects upon the latest adventures of his creations with famed Marvel writer Peter David (creator of Spider-Man 2099 ) and Marvel VP of Games TQ Jefferson. Dee Brown, studio head of Beenox, and Jullian Spillane, project director of Silicon Knights, give everyone an inside look into how they balance staying true to the Marvel universe while bringing something original and exciting to fans in a video game. A talented voice cast of known celebrities rounds out the legends to discuss bringing Marvel characters to life in the games (check Facebook.com/HeroHQ for announcements). Finally, see an exclusive preview of never-before-seen footage for the upcoming games, and enter a chance to win a one-of-a-kind poster signed by Stan Lee himself at the panel! Moderated by Ryan Penagos, editorial director of Marvel.com. Room 5AB
11:00-12:00 MTV Comics— Join executive editor Tom Akel to hear about new and ongoing titles with MTV creators. Marc Silvestri will discuss the new MTV/Top Cow collaboration September Mourning, a multiplatform project blending comics and music through video, comic books, and live events. And the legendary Stan Lee will reveal the story behind MTV Comics' upcoming digital book The Seekers and let artists and writers know when to start sending submissions to collaborate with Stan on the comic! Room 7AB
12:30-1:30 Marvel Interactive: Marvel Video Games— Learn all about Spider-Man: Edge of Time, X-Men Destiny, Captain America: Super Soldier, Super Hero Squad Online, Super Hero Squad 3DS and uDraw, Marvel Pinball, and the Marvel Universe MMO. Also, find out some exciting new details about the future of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and other Marvel games via exclusive trailers, surprise reveals, and Q&A with the game creators from some of the industry's top publishers. Room 6A
http://www.gamerlive.tv/article/comic-con-2011-comic-book-legend-stan-lee-keeps-busy-san-diego-convention
UFC seemingly does a u-turn over Brittney Palmer, reinstates her as an Octagon Girl
July 20, 2011All MMA News, UFC2 Comments
It appears today’s public out-crying from mainly male fans of the mixed martial arts community may have persuaded bosses at Zuffa headquarters to give Brittney Palmer her job back as a UFC Octagon Girl after she was reinstated on the official website earlier today.
Posting via her Twitter page, Palmer said just days ago:
“Thanks for all the good luck wishes! I’m figuring it all out. Life is full of surprises. This will definitely keep me grounded. Over and out.”
Soon followed by…
“Here is an idea let’s start talking about my calendar I’m shooting today! Sooo excited.”
UFC President, Dana White has since indicated via his own Twitter page that the promotion never dumped the former WEC beauty and that she remains part of the promotions glamour’s Octagon Girls. Time will tell how long that remains the case but at least for now I have a smile back on my face…
http://www.mmabay.co.uk/2011/07/20/ufc-seemingly-does-a-u-turn-over-brittney-palmer-reinstates-her-as-an-octagon-girl/
Strikeforce Tournament Goes From Major Success to Major Disappointment
By Michael David Smith
Antonio Silva ground and pounds Fedor Emelianenko.Think back to how you felt about Strikeforce five months ago. If you're anything like me, you had just been thrilled by the first two fights of the opening round of the promotion's Heavyweight Grand Prix, you were in a lather for the next two fights of the Grand Prix's first round, and you were excited about the potential for this tournament to play out in such a way that it would crown a winner worthy of being called a heavyweight champion.
Fast forward to Monday's news that Alistair Overeem has dropped out of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, and what we're left with is a major disappointment as MMA fans: Strikeforce sold us on a heavyweight tournament it won't be able to deliver.
So much has changed since those first two tournament fights, when Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva upset Fedor Emelianenko and Sergei Kharitonov knocked out Andrei Arlovski. For starters, the next two tournament fights were delayed, killing a lot of the momentum that Strikeforce had built up. We were promised Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum and Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers in April, and we ended up having to wait until June.
Then UFC parent company Zuffa bought Strikeforce, and that changed the dynamic around the Heavyweight Grand Prix: The tournament now felt less like an opportunity for Strikeforce's champion to stake his claim as the No.1 heavyweight in the world, and more like an opportunity for Strikeforce's champion to get a shot at the UFC champion. A heavyweight champion vs. heavyweight champion fight would still be great, of course, and I still hope it happens some time in 2012. But the Strikeforce Grand Prix doesn't feel as special when the final will be more like a No. 1 contender fight than a title fight.
Then, when Overeem-Werdum and Barnett-Rogers finally happened, two months too late, both fights were disappointing. Overeem won a unanimous decision in a fight without much action: Overeem didn't look like the devastating fighter we had come to expect, and Werdum didn't look like any kind of fighter at all. Barnett vs. Rogers was even worse: Rogers looked like a white belt and Barnett submitted him while barely breaking a sweat.
And finally, on Monday, Overeem appeared on The MMA Hour and said he wasn't happy with Zuffa and wouldn't agree to their demand that he fight Bigfoot on September 10. Shortly after that, Zuffa said the tournament would move on without Overeem.
I'm not interested in taking sides in what appears to be a dispute between the Zuffa brass and Overeem, but it's hard not to be disappointed in Overeem for declining to fight. One of the reasons I've always liked Overeem as a fighter is he has seemed so willing to fight anyone, at any time, in any place: In 2009 he had four kickboxing fights and three MMA fights, and in 2010 he had five kickboxing fights and two MMA fights. But so far in 2011 he's had zero kickboxing fights and one MMA fight, and now he says he can't be ready to fight Bigfoot by September. What happened to the Overeem who was willing to take seven fights a year?
I hope what has happened to the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix doesn't turn MMA fans off to tournaments entirely. When done right, tournaments can still be a lot of fun. Bellator routinely puts together tournaments that work out well. But Bellator uses hungry young fighters who aren't going to drop out if they don't absolutely have to, and when fighters do drop out, Bellator acts fast to replace them and keep the tournament going. What the problems with the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix should teach us is that tournaments need to be run with precision, not that tournaments can't work.
This week's problems are largely a result of that stupid decision of the pre-Zuffa Strikeforce to move the Overeem-Werdum and Barnett-Rogers fights from April to June. That decision was incredibly unfair to Bigfoot and Kharitonov, as it would force them to wait far too long for the tournament semifinals. (Kharitonov has actually participated in boxing and kickboxing fights overseas while he waits for Barnett, which you can't blame him for, although if he had suffered an injury in one of those fights it would have opened up another can of worms.)
Bigfoot now draws Daniel Cormier in the semifinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. With all due respect to Cormier, who's an excellent wrestler and is becoming a good MMA fighter, he's not in Overeem's league. Bigfoot-Overeem would have been the second-best heavyweight fight of the rest of the year, behind only Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos. Bigfoot-Cormier is an interesting fight, but nothing special.
In fact, there's really nothing special about any of the remaining tournament fights. No matter who wins -- Silva, Cormier, Kharitonov, Barnett or some other replacement fighter who has to fill in when one of those four drops out -- the tournament champion is going to have a major asterisk next to his name.
That's because Overeem was the real marquee star in this tournament, the Strikeforce heavyweight champion and the guy who had the best chance to make a real claim that he's the best heavyweight in all of MMA. Now Overeem is out, and the rest of the tournament feels like a letdown.
http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/07/19/strikeforce-tournament-goes-from-major-success-to-major-disappoi/
Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer No Longer With the UFC
UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer has parted ways with the organization. Fighters Only Magazine has the scoop:
Brittney Palmer is no longer with the UFC.
Following a fortnight of behind the scenes rumblings, her departure from the company has been confirmed and her profile has been removed from UFC.com
Fighters Only has been able to confirm her departure but has not been able to unearth any concrete reasons for it.
As Fighters Only states, there's no confirmation yet on exactly why she left. She posted this message on twitter this weekend, which seems to indicate the split was a surprise for her:
Thanks for all the good luck wishes! I'm figuring it all out. Life is full of surprises. This will definitely keep me grounded. Over and out
As for Brittney's future, she has a calendar coming out later this year, and her website indicates she will be going to art school in Los Angeles this summer. If you're interested in checking out her artwork (which is, in all honesty, pretty cool stuff) check out her online gallery here.
With Brittney's departure, the UFC's remaining Octagon Girls are Arianny Celeste, Rachelle Leah, and Chandella Powell.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/7/19/2282698/ufc-octagon-girl-brittney-palmer