Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Notes from Strikeforce Conference Call

Yesterday's Strikeforce media conference call featured promoter Scott Coker, Showtime programming executive Ken Hershman and fighter Frank Shamrock discussing their new broadcasting arrangement and hyping the Shamrock/Nick Diaz bout for their April 11th Strikeforce/Showtime event. Here are some highlights from that call courtesy of MMA Journalist:
  • Scott Coker: "Is this thing on? Is this thing on? What does this blinking light mean? God, why did I ever buy an iPhone..."
  • Frank Shamrock: "Hello? Hello? Hello?"
  • Ken Hershman: "Yes, Showtime is very happy to have this arrangement with the International Fight League. We believe mixed martial arts is the sport of the future..."
  • Frank Shamrock: "Hello? Hello? Hello?"
  • Ken Hershman: "...Excuse me. BodogFIGHT. Showtime is very happy to have this arrangement with BodogFIGHT..."
  • Scott Coker: "I mean, everyone was saying how cool an iPhone is, but I can't get this damn thing to work at all. It's a piece of junk!"
  • Frank Shamrock: "Hello? Hello? Hello? Is there anybody on the line?"
  • Ken Hershman: "No? The AFL? World Combat Championship? Battleship? Am I close?"
  • Scott Coker: "Seriously. It sucks. The only cool thing it does is this application where I can make it sound like a lightsaber. Hehe. That is pretty cool, though."
  • Frank Shamrock: "Hellllllooooooo? Hello out there."
  • Ken Hershman: "Give me a hint. I know it's not that turd EliteXC."
  • Scott Coker: "But other than that, it's nothing more than a damn paperweight. And I'm stuck with it! They talked me into a lifetime contract!"
  • Frank Shamrock: "..."
  • Ken Hershman: "It's called what? Strikeforce? Okay then. Showtime is very happy to have this arrangement with Strikeforce, and, uh... yeah."
  • Scott Coker: "Screw it. *Lightsaber sounds* Tehehe! *More lightsaber sounds* Luke, I am your father!"
  • Frank Shamrock: "Honey, can you show me which end I'm supposed to talk into? I forgot."

New Corner Rules For UFC; Fighters No Longer Allowed to Cheat

The UFC, working in conjunction with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, has adopted new rules in regards to fighters and their corners and what goes on between rounds. Stemming from the UFC 94 debacle involving champ Georges St. Pierre's erotic use of K-Y Jelly against challenger BJ Penn and Joe Lauzon's use of gasoline at UFN 17, fighters and their corners will no longer be allowed to cheat. "No more illegal substances, no more banned substances, no more unfair advantages and no more 'shockers'," said UFC Vice President of Being Old and Respected Marc Ratner. "We're cracking down." When asked what a "shocker" was, Ratner held out his fist, then extended his index finger and pointer. "This. And it hurts."