The MMA Journalist

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Transcript from Takanori Gomi/Kenny Florian Media Conference Call

The following is a transcript from yesterday's Takanori Gomi/Kenny Florian media conference call, held and moderated by SpikeTV. The two lightweights are scheduled to meet at an upcoming UFC Fight Night on March 31st.

Moderator: "Okay, thank you to everyone for calling in. If you have a question, just press '1' and then the pound sign. First question is from Mark Champers from MMAEverything.com.

Mark Champers: "Yeah, this is a question for both Kenny and Gomi. How have you guys been preparing for your fight?"

Kenny Florian: "I've been working my Muay Thai a lot, been doing a lot of strength and conditioning, and I'm making sure my jiu-jitsu is very polished. Gomi is a tough opponent, so I want to be ready."

Takanori Gomi: "巨大なトカゲは都市を攻撃しています!"

(Silence.)

Mark Champers: "Uh, what did he say?"

Moderator: "I-I'm not entirely sure..."

Takanori Gomi: "Zentradiにアプローチする予定です。私たちは Macrossを防御しなければなりません!"

Mark Champers: "I can't understand what he's saying. Is that Japanese?"

Kenny Florian: "Is he talking about Robotech?"

Moderator: "Um, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I was told Mr. Gomi spoke English."

Takanori Gomi: "Daniel-san! 集中してください。パワーの焦点を合わせてください。."

Kenny Florian: "Wow. Karate Kid. Nice."

Moderator: "Okay, does anyone on the line speak Japanese?"

(A chorus of "no".)

Takanori Gomi: "私は、マグロの寿司、エビの天ぷら、およびみそ汁の注文が欲しいと思います。. American dog!"

Moderator: "Alright, well I think that concludes this conference call. Thank you to Mr. Florian and Mr. Gomi, and thanks to everyone who called in."

Kenny Florian: "You're, uh, welcome."

Takanori Gomi: "Hattori Hanzo刀は最も良いです!"

Monday, March 22, 2010

A Ray of Hope in New York State

And through the clouds, a ray of hope... The New York State Senate adopted a resolution today approving a sizable portion of Governor David Paterson's 2010-2011 budget proposal. Specifically, they've given MMA the thumbs up. The relevant part of the resolution reads, "The Senate modifies the Executive's budget proposal to authorize the Department of State to regulate the conduct of professional mixed martial arts by providing for stricter controls and regulations of the sport." What does this mean? It means that now all we need is for the State Assembly - the other half of New York's legislative body - to give their approval, then it's on like Donkey Kong! Of course, things to keep in mind include the fact that the Assembly could sit on their hands and do nothing (possible), the fact that the Assembly could not approve of the MMA part of Governor Paterson's budget proposal (not likely), the fact that the Assembly could radically transform the MMA bill into something else (probably not likely), or the fact that the Assembly could just suddenly go bonkers and beat each other to death with hammers (hey, it's New York. That's a real possibility with politics here). So yes, we're closer. But not quite there yet.

Observations from My Couch: UFC on Versus 1 "Smashing Asteroids"

Who looks worse: James Irvin at 185 pounds or Stephen Quadros? Of course, that’s like comparing a skeleton with a zombie. Sure, both are undead, but you don’t really want to look at either for too long if you have to go to bed that night.
I remember when Paul Buentello first fought in the UFC. He had just knocked out Justin Eilers in highlight-reel fashion, and at the post-fight presser he was teary-eyed and thankful for being able to live his dream. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
That high-kick Gabriel Gonzago used to knockout Mirko CroCop was totally awesome, wasn’t it?
When Brandon Vera debuted in the Octagon and was kicking ass he challenged Chuck Liddell. Sadly, he could probably beat Liddell now.
That was an impressive KO for John Howard, made all the more impressive because he had to overcome that awful haircut.
Jon Jones is to regular fighters what Superman is to 1940s costumed crime fighters. In other words, while Stephan Bonnar and Thales Leites are busting up a Nazi spy ring or thwarting bank robbers, Jones is in outer space, smashing through an asteroid that was about to collide with Earth.

UCC "Merciless" Postscript

Solid show with some solid fights. Dave Branch, Jimmie Rivera and Kenny Foster all delivered the goods, and though the UCC had a few kinks that needed to be worked out, any promotion that gives these guys an opportunity to fight is a promotion worth checking out.