New Podcast! Fighting Words!
Posted by Jonathan Snowden on June 6th, 2009
Alan and I discuss Kimbo, why Lyoyo isn’t leading a revolution, and disagree about the results of the weekend’s two big main events.
Thanks to our friends at angrymarks.com
This is a test run. In the weeks to come look for exclusive interviews, timely commentary, improved production, and more tomfoolery.
June 6th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Honest criticism?
You guys are both likable and knowledgeable enough, but you’re both BLAND. Maybe it’s the way the show is presented, but it’s really hard to listen to. It’s like an even lower-grade Eddie Goldman.
You guys don’t sound like you have any experience at all at this.
No offense intended. That’s how I felt when I listened to this show.
June 6th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I don’t know guys — a lot of that was pretty bizzare. On one hand, you guys admit Machida has a different striking style, but then you claim he’s really a boxer… and then there’s the idea Machida has only beaten one elite fighter…? Huh?
The question is raised about whether Machida will sell PPV’s… and it almost comes off like sour grapes, now that the guy has proved to be more successful than you predicted.
Ah well. Best of luck with the new site, though.
TH
June 6th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Tommy,
No one claimed he was really a boxer. That’s what you took from our discussion? We made the point that some of the techniques he used were simply boxing being gussed up as “karate” to sell people on Machida as something different. There’s no doubt he’s a great fighter: but as a LHW Rashad was his first top 5 opponent. He’s beaten other great fighters, but they were a middleweight and a lightweight when Machida weighed 230 pounds and a washed up former champion. I don’t see how it’s sour grapes. I don’t dislike Machida. Trying to talk to him is fun, with the broken English…and I enjoy his strategy and deadly accuracy. Again, I’m amazed you took our talk as a dismissal of Machida in some way.
As for his ability to draw on PPV: how is that not a legitimate question? Anderson Silva is right in front of us as a dominant champion who’s style and ethnicity prevents him from drawing fans in. He’s far and away the least succesful of all the UFC stars. It will be interesting to see how Machida will do in a new roll: main eventer.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:21 am
The claim was made he had only beaten one elite fighter, with no disclaimer, qualifier, or counter given… sorry, but this is incorrect, and “dismissing” him.
Machida is clearly something different. It’s his stance, his “rock-back” defense, his snappy kicks, his sweeps, his use of all kinds of different combinations. He clearly uses a modified karate for MMA, just like he says. So, what was your point?
He’s been much more successful than Alan expected, who suddenly resorts to asking whether or not Machida will be a draw. Maybe it’s something you were planning on talking about, but it seemed to me to come out of nowhere there.
Honestly, I don’t even really keep up on PPV buys. Actually, if Machida’s style isn’t TapOut friendly then maybe that speaks highly of him. Simply put, I think people ought to go back to boxing or pro wrestling (or whatever) if they can’t stand seeing a karateka do well in MMA. All the complaining about Machida being shown working kata instead of a speed bag won’t change the fact that nobody’s taking his belt.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I’m not getting the hostility here. I think Rashad really is the first elite Lyoto has faced. BJ Penn and Rich Franklin are not elite heavyweights. Tito Ortiz was not an elite fighter when Lyoto fought him. Evans was a real test. We both said Machida looked great and no one dismissed him as unworthy. We acknowledged that he was using some interesting karate techniques, while remaining realistic that his success is grounded in his BJJ/wrestling/thai training as much as it is in karate.
Again, you are assuming that this “karate” is so unique, as if no one else had ever leaned back away from punches before. Are you not familiar with a host of great boxers like Pernell Whitaker or Muhammad Ali? You’re amazing. Do you honestly believe Machida doesn’t borrow from the western arts? Do you think he doesn’t spar or use a bag?
“Nobody’s taking his belt.”
You keep believing that. The invincible fighter! Karate is the invincible art! It’s just that no one has thought to try it before in a real fight!
“He’s been much more successful than Alan expected, who suddenly resorts to asking whether or not Machida will be a draw. Maybe it’s something you were planning on talking about, but it seemed to me to come out of nowhere there. ”
I don’t know what Alan expected. I talked to him before the fight and neither of us knew what to think. for what it’s worth our plans for this podcast were as follows ‘Kimbo/Lyoto/Strikeforce/WEC’
We didn’t have any set talking points and I, for one, think the way they UFC is attempting to market Lyoto is interesting. It will be fun to see if it works.
“Honestly, I don’t even really keep up on PPV buys. Actually, if Machida’s style isn’t TapOut friendly then maybe that speaks highly of him.”
The style with which he decides to bludgeon people in a cage speaks highly of him? Not charity work or a kind heart. The methods he chooses to hurt other people. Sure…
“Simply put, I think people ought to go back to boxing or pro wrestling (or whatever) if they can’t stand seeing a karateka do well in MMA.”
Who are these fictional people? I was as excited for this fight as I’ve been for any fight this year. We both enjoyed it and praised the new overlord/champion. What is it you wanted?