Thursday, January 28, 2010

New Jersey Fun Facts: 2009 Edition

Did you know…?

    • There were 45 sanctioned MMA events in New Jersey in 2009.
    • Of these events, there were 125 professional MMA bouts.
    • There were also 346 amateur MMA bouts.
    • Referee Dan Miragliotta used 671 bottles of tanning lotion.
    • A total of 13 people died eating spoiled food from the staff cafeteria within the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City (which hosts the Ring of Combat events).  No one complained, however, because it was free.
    • The UFC held zero events within the Garden State, which is the same number they held there in 2008.
    • Asylum Fight League promoter Carl Mascarenhas killed a man just because he thought the man looked at him funny.
    • No manatees were harmed at any sanctioned MMA events over the course of the year – which is a new safety record for the State of New Jersey!


Predictions for Strikeforce: "Miami" - Or, "How I Learned To Love Freakshows"

Strikeforce: "Miami" is this weekend, and offering is a mixture of strong and solid and compelling matchmaker with a big dose of "What? What the hell are they smoking?" In the "strong and solid and compelling" column are gems like Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis, Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen and Melvin Manhoef vs. Robbie Lawler - a trio of bouts that would make an true MMA fan want to gnaw on their television. Meanwhile, in the "what the hell are they smoking" column... ex-pro wrestler Bobby Lashley and ex-football great Herschel Walker. Seriously? Lashley and Walker? Clearly someone at Strikeforce owns a huge bong, and the thing has been getting a lot of use lately. Anyhoo, predictions!
  • Zaromskis is a killer Lithuan striker and hot prospect right now, but his crowning achievement is icing Mach Sakurai. It's too soon for him to be facing Diaz.
  • Cyborg is going to get Coenen down, tear open her stomach, and eat the poor Dutchwoman's entrails. No, really. And when the ref gets too close, he's going to get it as well.
  • Manhoef by KO, unless Lawler goes for a takedown. Then Manhoef will flail around like a turtle stuck on his back.
  • Walker via touchdown!
  • Lashley is taking on Wes Sims, who's a last-minute opponent who, though experienced, hasn't trained for this bout. I think I need to take a hit off that bong...