Posted by Alan Conceicao on 21st October 2008
The fallout from EXC’s demise has struck an un-nerving tone for many:
As a writer, if you have information that not only can advance a story in the media with new details but also impact a current, on-going investigation, then start talking. By admitting this news item in the manner in which it was stated, it comes off as if you’re saying, “Well, if Elite XC hadn’t closed its doors, I might have not said anything about this.”
This is not the first time in the week that Zach Arnold has said something to this extent. Included along in his editorial was this post by Fightlinker, citing similar issues with the fashion in which MMA’s best journalists are conducting business. Alternately, he makes sure to give high fives to opinion/link based websites who made sure to “put the heat on” for an investigation that ultimately lead to EXC’s deal with Showtime Networks collapsing. Its an interesting dichotomy: Sources and Journalists bad, those republishing aspects of their stories for opinions good.
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Posted in Alan Conceicao, MMA, Total MMA | 22 Comments »
Posted by Alan Conceicao on 20th October 2008
As Josh Gross details in his SI news piece , EXC is apparently all done. From a personal perspective, I’m somewhat surprised that the talk with Showtime Sports proved fruitless given the talk in the last week or so. The combination of the lack of brand awareness (thus justifying the continued existence of EXC in particular) with the poor financial states of both the company and the markets were enough to ultimately bury it, however. It doesn’t necessarily prove that MMA on CBS or Showtime are dead, but it seems likely that its definitely hit a speed bump. If there any consolation to the independent fighters in the sport, EXC was never able to relate itself as a strong brand (in part, because of the style of promotion it chose), which would seem to make any resulting replacement startup from Showtime or CBS fairly painless when it comes to replacing it should they choose to soldier on.
Another interesting aspect to think about is the talk of Strikeforce getting live fights on NBC. As far as replacements go, its tough to think of a better promoter that could come along to snatch up some of the mid and high level talents once promoted by the organization. Time will only tell.
Posted in Elite XC | No Comments »
Posted by Andrew Rosebrock on 18th October 2008
Live from (a dude in California blogging a show in) Newcastle Birmingham!
Joe Rogan has a mightily impressive beard, almost a tribute to Evan Tanner. Let’s proceed with the proceedings.
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Posted in Andrew Rosebrock, Chris Leben, MMA, Michael Bisping, UFC | 2 Comments »
Posted by Dave Walsh on 18th October 2008
Michael Bisping is an interesting fighter for a few reasons, partially as he is a home grown star, and more or less the anchor for UFC’s future in the UK. Bisping is, most likely admittedly, not the most experienced or accomplished fighter in the world. Granted, Bisping is on a skill level of being a UFC fighter and all that it stands for, when he first arrived all of the hype that they put on him seemed unwarranted.
Posted in Dave Walsh, Michael Bisping, TUF, UFC | No Comments »
Posted by Jonathan Snowden on 17th October 2008
Legitimate main event? Or a new low? Our experts argue it out.
Posted in Chris Leben, Michael Bisping | No Comments »
Posted by Kendall Shields on 16th October 2008
The Junie Browning show can’t stop, won’t stop.
Posted in TUF, UFC | No Comments »
Posted by Tommy Hackett on 12th October 2008
Hawaii has been an MMA hotbed for years, before the name “MMA” even existed, and it’s not hard to imagine why. The Aloha State has its share of tough guys from the wrong side of the tracks, and it boasts a predominantly Asian/Pacific Islander population with a rich heritage in the martial arts. In fact, it’s probably the only state in the union where your local newspaper features high school judo results.
But the genesis of Hawaii’s first MMA fight team is a less likely story, and a story that continues to this day, as Team Jesus Is Lord continues their unique fighting fellowship under it current leaders, David Padilla and Bob Ostovich.
To understand it, you have to go back almost twelve years ago, long before MMA was profitable or popular, when a band of friends from an Oahu church began entering Hawaii’s seminal promotions. Ostovich, who returns to competition at NAGA Hawaii today, remembers those days well.
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Posted in History, Interviews, Tommy Hackett | 5 Comments »
Posted by Kendall Shields on 9th October 2008
Another week of thrilling TUF action is recapped HERE for your convenience and pleasure.
Posted in TUF, UFC | No Comments »
Posted by Alan Conceicao on 8th October 2008
After a few days of shock, surprise, and then apparent rage, it seems that to review the event virtually everyone on the internet who would read this has already watched would seem to be senseless. However, the reaction to the event and the aftermath are clearly very strong and omnipresent. Maybe that will change after yet another “world changing” episode of TUF tonight, who knows? But for now, its worth noting what’s happened in the aftermath.
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Posted in Alan Conceicao, Elite XC | No Comments »
Posted by Dave Walsh on 4th October 2008
Posted in Elite XC, Kimbo Slice | 4 Comments »
