Archive for the 'Jonathan Snowden' Category

Tomorrow night, Kazushi Sakuraba makes his return to the ring for DREAM in Japan.  It’s a return to action that literally no one has been awaiting with baited breath.  As I point out at Heavy.com, Sakuraba is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Now the hall of famer is firmly in the Ali-Holmes stage of his career. He’s clearly no longer the man he once was, and just as clearly needs to stop fighting to protect his long term health. Yet, promoters keep dragging him back to the ring. And he goes willingly. And audiences still want to watch him fight and in an ugly business that trumps all. Everyone is responsible for the tragedies, yet no one is.

I run down Sakuraba’s back story in the piece.  He’s clearly one of the most important figures in MMA history.  It’s a shame to see him come to this.  Remember this up and coming fighters:  save your money so you can save your brain. 

From the office of the Independent World MMA Rankings

August 21, 2009: The August 2009 Independent World MMA Rankings have been released. These rankings are independent of any single MMA media outlet or sanctioning body, and are published on multiple web sites.

Some of the best and most knowledgeable MMA writers from across the MMA media landscape have come together to form one independent voting panel.

These voting panel members are, in alphabetical order: Zach Arnold (FightOpinion); Nicholas Bailey (MMA Ratings); Jared Barnes (Houston Chronicle); Jordan Breen (Sherdog); Jim Genia (Full Contact Fighter, MMA Memories, and MMA Journalist Blog); Jesse Holland (MMA Mania); Robert Joyner (Freelance); Todd Martin (CBS Sportsline); Zac Robinson (Sports by the Numbers MMA); Leland Roling (Bloody Elbow); Michael David Smith (AOL Fanhouse); Jonathan Snowden (Author of “Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting”); Joshua Stein (MMA Opinion), Ivan Trembow (Freelance); and Dave Walsh (Total MMA).

Joachim Hansen is not currently eligible to be ranked due to the fact that he has been inactive for 12 months; and Josh Barnett is not currently eligible to be ranked due to his recent positive drug test.

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From the office of the Independent World MMA Rankings

July 17, 2009: The July 2009 Independent World MMA Rankings have been released. These rankings are independent of any single MMA media outlet or sanctioning body, and are published on multiple web sites. Some of the best and most knowledgeable MMA writers from across the MMA media landscape have come together to form one independent voting panel.

These voting panel members are, in alphabetical order: Zach Arnold (FightOpinion); Nicholas Bailey (MMA Ratings); Jared Barnes (Houston Chronicle); Jordan Breen (Sherdog); Jim Genia (Full Contact Fighter, MMA Memories, and MMA Journalist Blog); Jesse Holland (MMA Mania); Robert Joyner (MMA Payout); Todd Martin (CBS Sportsline); Zac Robinson (Sports by the Numbers MMA); Leland Roling (Bloody Elbow); Michael David Smith (AOL Fanhouse); Jonathan Snowden (Author of “Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting”); Joshua Stein (MMA Opinion), Ivan Trembow (Freelance); and Dave Walsh (Total MMA).

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Alan and I discuss Ultimate Chaos, the UFC’s shady business, a boxing slugfest, and much more

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June 19, 2009: We are proud to announce the launch of the Independent World MMA Rankings. Some of the best and most knowledgeable MMA writers from across the MMA media landscape have come together to form one independent voting panel.

These voting panel members are, in alphabetical order: Zach Arnold (FightOpinion); Nicholas Bailey (MMA Ratings); Jared Barnes (Houston Chronicle); Jordan Breen (Sherdog); Jim Genia (Full Contact Fighter, MMA Memories, and MMA Journalist Blog); Jesse Holland (MMA Mania); Robert Joyner (MMA Payout); Todd Martin (CBS Sportsline); Zac Robinson (Sports by the Numbers MMA; Michael David Smith (AOL Fanhouse); Jonathan Snowden (Author of “Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting”); Joshua Stein (MMA Opinion), Ivan Trembow (Freelance); and Dave Walsh (Total MMA).

These rankings are independent of any single MMA media outlet or sanctioning body, and are published on multiple web sites.

The rankings are tabulated on a monthly basis in each of the top seven weight classes of MMA, from heavyweight to bantamweight, with fighters receiving ten points for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, and so on.

The rankings are based purely on the votes of the members of the voting panel, with nobody’s vote counting more than anybody else’s vote, and no computerized voting.

The voters are instructed to vote primarily based on fighters’ actual accomplishments in the cage/ring (the quality of opposition that they’ve actually beaten), not based on a broad, subjective perception of which fighters would theoretically win fantasy match-ups.

Special thanks to Eric Kamander, Zach Arnold, and Joshua Stein for their invaluable help with this project, and special thanks to Garrett Bailey for designing our logo.

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Alan Conceicao and I discuss UFC 99 and how the biggest winner of all might have been Mirko Cro Cop.

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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.

Fighting Words Podcast

Critics continue to rave about Total MMA. See for yourself at your local bookstore or buy online.

MMA Payout

“Total MMA. The title itself comes off with a touch of hubris at first glance. The depth and breath of MMA is held with this book’s 400 odd pages, eh? But shortly into the book, it is clear that author Jonathan Snowden has presented probably the most complete look at the sport offered so far, something that is made even more enjoyable by the infinitely readable way the book is presented. The book gives depth and context to the watershed moments in MMA, but without going to the point of minutiae. While his tome is packed with information, Snowden is able to present his information in a matter of fact but reader friendly narrative that makes the thick-ish book a surprisingly quick read.”

411Mania

“Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting, written by Jonathan Snowden, accomplishes its goal of telling the history of the sport in an easy-to-read and entertaining manner. Most important of all, the book is informative and detailed with pages of references that provide Snowden a factual basis so you can be sure he is not writing fiction out of thin air.”

AngryMarks.com

“Snowden covers all aspects of MMA’s development with equal care, from the rise of vale tudo in Brazil and worked shoots in Japan to the refinement of a pankration style of fighting in the US as Olympic wrestlers sought other means of making a living when their Olympic dreams ended or faded away. The U.S. story is much better known and told than the other stories in this book but that doesn’t make Snowden’s coverage any less exhaustive or fascinating to read, particularly during UFC’s “dark days” when they weren’t on cable and were barely available via satellite.”

Twoshedsreview.com

“Hand on heart, I really can’t speak too highly of this book. Snowden has done a great job in documenting what is the fastest growing sport in the world today, and it’s a great read. In fact, I have to admit that I felt a little sad when I finished reading it.”

PWIPOP

“This book is easily the definitive piece of work detailing the history of mixed martial arts and should be read by anybody with even the smallest interest in MMA.”

More Reviews after the Break
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Is it sport if you aren’t really trying to win?

As some MMA fans are aware, there’s a PPV show coming up in just a couple days featuring what was a dream matchup about 3 years ago. Its not necessarily the strongest card the UFC has ever put together, but given how many people who read this site will actually be paying $45 to watch, does it matter? Jonathan Snowden (now a regular at Five Ounces) and I go over this weekend’s bouts.

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