Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sheik Dana Al-Whitefa Considering Gina Carano for WEC

Reports have surfaced today that Sheik Dana Al-Whitefa may be considering allowing superstar female fighter Gina Carano to compete in the WEC - a move that would be contrary to the devout Muslim teachings Sheik Al-Whitefa has previously espoused. In a recent interview with Yahoo Foreign Minister Kevin Iolaziz, Sheik Al-Whitefa was quoted as saying, "The cage is no place for a woman. Praise be to Allah." Allowing Carano into the WEC would, without question, be a radical shift from that viewpoint, although one that may be warranted given Carano's immense popularity. As of this writing, it's not known when Carano would make her WEC debut, but it is known that as a condition of her participation, the former EliteXC fighter would have to wear a traditional Muslim burqa with a veil concealing her eyes. Any violation would be met with immediate stoning.

ROC 22 Fun Facts

Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat 22 is this Friday at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, and the Garden State promotion will feature three championship contests atop a card full of tough East Coast fighters. But just who are the men competing at ROC 22? MMA Journalist has delved beyond the records and cold statistics and compiled the following list of fun fighter facts:
  • Constantino Phillippou, from Team Serra/Longo, served 11 years in the French Foreign Legion. His nickname was "Constantino Phillippou".
  • Rob Guarino, of the Rhino Fight Team, once shot a man in Reno - just to watch him die.
  • Igor Gracie used to work for his uncle, Dr. Frankenstein Gracie, during summers. He eventually left that laboratory assistant position to pursue jiu-jitsu.
  • Jim Boudourakis, of Redboy BJJ, had his last name legally shortened. It was originally "Boudourakis-Boudourakis-Rah-Rah-Rah, Boudourakis-Boudourakis-Rah-Rah-Rah". His parents met on the professional cheerleading circuit.
  • Joe Abouata, of Alex Wilkie's Martial Arts Academy, defeated Carlton Haselrig at the last BCX. Haselrig's pelt now hangs above his mantelpiece.
  • Team Tiger Schulmann's Nick Pace is actually comprised of the parts of various other lesser Team Tiger Schulmann fighters.
  • Chris Liguori has a twin brother named Emmit Liguori, who favors spending time in libraries reading the classics and talking philosophy. Chris still beats him up regularly.

Strikeforce is the New Black

You can tell when reality has set in when people start aiming lower. If you go over to http://FiveOuncesofPain.com, there's a post up talking about a new East Coast promotion called the World Cagefighting Alliance, which will debut on February 6th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and "will adopt the same business model as Strikeforce". Strikeforce, eh? I guess the days of organizations trying to be the next UFC are gone - which isn't exactly a bad thing, as so many of these wanna-bes have crapped the bed and left disappointed fighters and fans in their wake. But Strikeforce's success as a super-regional West Coast show is definitely a realistic goal for anyone with a competent staff and viable product. Heck, even veteran promoter Monte Cox has claimed he aspires his Adrenaline promotion to be the "Strikeforce of the Midwest". I guess Strikeforce is the new black.