The MMA thread

[darksensei]

So apparently Mayweather is considering jumping into MMA. ESPN - Mayweather mulling move to MMA in deal with Cuban - Boxing

I haven't seen too many MMA fights, what do you guys think about this?

[Yutnopash]

And you fuckers in the Hatton/Mayweather thread were giving me shit about even suggesting it.

He'll get his ass beat unless he spends a large amount of time learning the nuances before stepping into a ring. A large amount. Totally different beast from Boxing, but like I said in the Hatton/Mayweather thread I'd pay to see it just to see if he can handle it.

[Grimmlokk]

I dunno man, 99% of boxers I'd say would be pretty fucked without a lot of training. Mayweather however is pretty much the best boxer in the world. He is in another league from everyone else out there. If he just learned some good takedown and sub defense he'd stand a fighting chance against most guys at 145/155. The elite people would still end his ass, barring a freak KO, but of anyone in boxing he'd probably have the best shot of being legit. The lighter gloves could make him scary.

[huh]

I can just see it now.

Urijah Faber ($60,000) def. Floyd Mayweather ($30,000,000)


I'd love to see it happen. But it seems more like a publicity stunt than anything. Mayweather would get destroyed, why would he risk it? He's a great boxer, but what good will his footwork and punching defense be in a MMA fight? His greatest strengths don't really seem to transfer over to MMA that well.

Cuban has the money, and I think it would be a great way to get his upstart MMA org on the map, so maybe it could happen.

[Kalm]

I would love to see this happen just for the fact that I could finally see him get the ass beating Ive been waiting for.

[Grumath]

It would be very hard to unlearn the boxing stance and move to a more MMA friendly stance IMO. Especially if its second nature and something you have ingrained so deeply in you like Mayweather must... The second he reverted to his normal body sideways boxing stance, anyone with takedowns would be licking his chops seeing that he can no longer effectively sprawl like that and would drop him like a sack of potatoes. That and being so used to having pillows on your hands to block with and getting cracked right down the pipe between your two 4 oz gloves when you were certain your defenses were up would be funny.

[Jimmy Carter wuwu]

lol it can be done. Watch the first UFC ever, worth watching just for the comedy it self. The boxer they had come in had his right arm bandaged and the left a full on boxing glove. That shit looked way retarded. Im just hoping Mayweather does the same thing, I would pay for the PPV.

[Celebrindal]

Gary Shaw from Elite XC interviewed:

With EliteXC's next show not planned until January 25's ShoXC event in Atlantic City, news pertaining to the promotion has been very limited. However, EliteXC live events president Gary Shaw drew a few headlines after he issued a challenge to Tito Ortiz for a match against Kimbo Slice following Ortiz's comments during an E:60 story on ESPN last week in which Ortiz was less than complementary towards Slice.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Shaw about his thoughts on a Slice vs. Ortiz matchup, Gina Carano's involvement on American Gladiators, whether EliteXC is in talks to promote a match between Ken Shamrock vs. Frank Shamrock, and much more.

Sam Caplan: Tito Ortiz made some interesting comments regarding Kimbo Slice during last week's ESPN feature. Since then you've been quoted about expressing an interest in making a match between Tito and Kimbo. Is that correct?

Gary Shaw: Yes, absolutely. Any time someone talks either on TV or to a reporter and either demeans a fighter or says "let's bring it on," I'm willing to do the fight. And Kimbo Slice would get into the cage with Tito Ortiz any day.

Sam Caplan: How do you think that fight would play out?

Gary Shaw: I think Kimbo Slice would probably knock him out. I think Tito would try to submit him, try to bring him down. I believe he'd get knocked out; he's got a suspect chin. But I'm confident with Bas behind Kimbo that he's fine on the ground.

Sam Caplan: There's been a lot of talk that Kimbo's next fight for EliteXC will be in February. Is that true? And if so, has an opponent been signed for that bout?

Gary Shaw: Yes. February 16. And we're working right now (on an opponent).

Sam Caplan: There was a report in the print edition of The Wrestling Observer last week and another report on 411Mania.com that EliteXC is considering a super heavyweight/heavyweight four-man eliminator that would feature Kimbo, Tank Abbott, Bob Sapp, and Butterbean. Is there any truth to those rumors?

Gary Shaw: No, but I like the rumor. I'll start thinking about it. It's just a rumor. It's nothing that we've discussed in the office or anywhere else.

Sam Caplan: Gina Carano is going to appear in the upcoming revival of American Gladiators on NBC under the name "Crush." Did she consult with EliteXC before signing on to do the show?

Gary Shaw: Well, that's a legal question. I don't want to discuss that specific question. But if we can work out everything then I think it could be great for Gina. I'm a big, big fan of hers; a big fan of her family's. I think it would help in her career both on television and in mixed martial arts. I know she wants to get back into the cage, she's told me that on several occasions. It will just give her a lot more visibility (and) I hope we can work out everything in front of us.

Sam Caplan: What things need to be worked out?

Gary Shaw: I never discuss legal issues or money issues in the press.

Sam Caplan: You mentioned that Gina has told you she wants to get back in the cage. Is there a specific date where you think she might appear again?

Gary Shaw: I think somewhere between February and April.

Sam Caplan: Is EliteXC doing anything right now to bring in additional female fighters?

Gary Shaw: Yes, absolutely. January 25 in Atlantic City we're going to (promote) Tonya Evinger again. We have Shayna Baszler and we're looking for more great female fighters.

Sam Caplan: A fighter I believe you might be speaking with is Tara LaRosa. I spoke to a representative of hers who confirmed that she had received an offer from EliteXC. Is that correct?

Gary Shaw: Yeah, I did want to sign her but I think there were some problems and that she was not ready to fight at this time. Or, so I was told.

Sam Caplan: If LaRosa did sign with EliteXC, what weight class do you have in mind?

Gary Shaw: I never have a weight class in mind for a fighter. The fighter tells me where they're comfortable. I don't force anyone into a specific weight class.

Sam Caplan: In regard to next ShoXC event on January 25, has a main event been determined?

Gary Shaw: I'm working right now on Mike Aina vs. Paul Daley.

Sam Caplan: Ken Shamrock was at an HDNet Fights card in Dallas, Texas over the weekend and was quoted as saying a match between him and his brother Frank Shamrock is in the works. Does EliteXC have any involvement in a potential Shamrock vs. Shamrock fight?

Gary Shaw: Absolutely.

Sam Caplan: Are talks ongoing right now involving EliteXC?

Gary Shaw: Talks are always ongoing with big fights.

Sam Caplan: But specifically that one, can you comment on that?

Gary Shaw: I've been looking at that fight since I met Frank Shamrock and I'm continuing to look at it and trying to get it done.

Sam Caplan: Is there any concern that the brother vs. brother nature of the fight could create a negative image for the sport?

Gary Shaw: I don't think it's a negative image. I think that what's great about mixed martial arts is the different disciplines. So to me, this is a fight that I think both Shamrocks would like and I think it's a fight that would serve the public. You're not asking a man to go in against his mother. This is two brothers, both professionals. It's not an amateur against a professional. To me, blood brothers -- nothing better.

--

Sam Caplan

Lead Writer/Editor - ProElite.com

[Grimmlokk]

Nice article on what it might take for Mayweather to make the switch.

Good blurb.

Whether Mayweather realizes it or not -- and his handlers will inevitably clue him in -- walking into a mixed-style arena with his only current abilities is a dangerous arrogance. His vaunted defensive style assumes his oversized gloves will help block attacks; in MMA, the thin membrane of leather and stuffing will leave him exposed. His boxing stance doesn't need to concern itself with kicks or flying knees; in MMA, strikes will come from impossible angles courtesy of appendages he didn't even know existed. Worse, punches that begin at his feet and use his entire body for support and power will only leave him planted and ripe for takedowns.

In short, the Floyd Mayweather we see now has no practical application in MMA. If he's serious, he'll need to begin shaping Floyd 2.0: a striker with quick, devastating hands who has jet fuel in his gloves and the agility and reflexes to defend shots and kicks.

The thing that gets me is the money. He's used to 10m(low end) to 30m paydays. Unless Cuban is willing to shell it out(and he might be), it just doesn't make sense. Mayweather doesn't strike me as the type who would go into it just to prove he's the best.

Some of another take on it.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

When news broke late last week about Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s possible move from boxing to mixed martial arts, I thought he was just blowing smoke.

I figured he was just spreading some good old-fashioned jive around these parts and that the words he spoke were mere palaver. I felt that "Pretty Boy" Floyd was not serious at all about trying to defend not only punches but also kicks, knees, takedowns and submissions.

And quite frankly, I still feel the same way.

If Mayweather -- the greatest boxer that I have ever seen (studying film of Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Benny Leonard, Henry Armstrong, etc. doesn't count because I never saw those fights live) -- ever steps foot into a cage or MMA ring, expect the devil to scrape ice off his car, pigs to sprout wings and Tim Allen not to make a Christmas movie.

Mayweather has nothing to gain by competing in MMA unless it's as some sort of promoter. There is absolutely no way he'll be able to pocket the sort of money in MMA that he's finally capable of earning in boxing. He's taken home well over $20 million apiece for his fights with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Unless Mark Cuban and his fledgling HDNet Fights shell out an absurdly similar purse, Mayweather will never fight in the sport.

Remember: Mayweather is not only this generation's finest pugilist, he's also one of boxing's shrewdest businessmen.

Like him or not, Mayweather has that sort of money-driven acumen that forces people to watch him fight. It took him years of stubbornness to finally figure that out, but the numbers he's generated this year alone (along with the help of HBO and his two most recent opponents) is enough proof.
.
.
.
.
Anybody who closely follows both sports will know immediately that the striking and footwork in boxing is a world of difference compared to MMA. The angles are different, the movement is skewed and the defense is much more difficult.

There's a reason why it took Chuck Liddell (Pictures) a few years to become such a dominant striker in MMA after a lengthy kickboxing career -- the striking is different. And if it took Liddell that long, when kickboxing is much more closely related to MMA than boxing, just imagine how long it would take Mayweather to be even a remotely decent novice.

I tend to lean towards the latter more than the former.

[jayrebb]

mayweathers injured hands in 4oz gloves would also be a problem

[hamrlik]

What weight would he fight at? 145?

[Celebrindal]

Mayweather walks around at 145.

[Grimmlokk]

So I saw a link to this site on mma weekly today.

.: Fightmetric.com :: Every Bit of Every Bout :.

It tries to objectively measure striking and grappling and give scores. I hope they do more and more fights as it goes on. As it is, some really good breakdowns there already. Lot of controversial fights(Ortiz-Griffin, Hamill-Bisping etc) there already. And make sure to go back through the blog to see some of them that aren't held seperately on the site.

[Grimmlokk]

Just to reiterate for everyone, the Yarenoka show will be on HDNet live, monday morning at 6am EST.

Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Hidehiko Hasegawa
Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Gilbert Melendez
Luiz Azeredo vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hong-Man Choi
Kazuo Misaki vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Makoto Takimoto vs. Murilo Bustamante
Shinya Aoki vs. Jung Bukyung
Roman Zentsov vs. Michael Russow

Too bad GZ had to pull out, But Melendez, Aoki, Mach, Zentsov, Misaki vs. Akiyama, and of course Fedor(in a freak show fight=/). This card is a monster, and it's free here. Kinda.

UFC card tomorrow night is

Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre
GSP has actual really good wrestling/takedown defense. I just don't think Hughes has anything for him now. Wouldn't mind being proven wrong, I like Hughes in the ring.

Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
I'd actually rather have Silva win, but unless he can stick to a gameplan for once his straight-ahead-always-attacking style is tailor-made for Liddell's counterpunching. Of course there's always the chance Silva will land that one shot.

Manny Gamburyan vs. Nate Mohr
Undercard fight, wish it wasn't. I just hope Manny's arm and shoulder stay where they belong.

Doug Evans vs. Mark Bocek
Red hair and a beard.

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Lyoto Machida
Wishful thinking. I'm over Machida. I thought his karate style defense stuff was interesting at first, but much like Chris Byrd the novelty wore off and now I'd just rather see Soko keep plowing people under.

Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard
Guillard is an undisciplined, stupid, asshole. But he puts on entertaining bouts.

Soa Palelei vs. Eddie Sanchez
Never heard of him before, but Sanchez is goofy looking and likes to stand. Apparently this ig samoan motherfucker is a better striker, and willing to take people down.

Luis Cane vs. James Irvin
Another wild striker, should lose but I have a feeling he'll catch Cane with one of those wild punches.

Jordan Radev vs. Dean Lister
Lister will catch him with a sub in the second round.

Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
One of my favorite pure grappler types. He's got crazy sub skills, if he doesn't get caught with a big shot(which he has a tendancy to do=/) he's a machine.

I loved on the one TUF season where DeSouza was helping someone coach. One of the guys was cracking jokes about him looking like a caveman. So in the next training session Tony took him to fuckin' school. Was just subbing this "professional" fighter left and right like it was nothing. Dude started out laughing and by the end was near tears.

Anyone remember more details?

[huh]

IFL World GP 2007 Finals are on Saturday at 4pm too. Then K-1: Dynamite on Sunday.

IFL World GP 2007 Finals --Saturday @ 4pm PST
UFC: 79: Nemesis --Saturday @ 7pm PST
K-1: Dynamite!! --Sunday @ 9pm PST
Yarennoka! 2007 --Monday @ 3am PST

Busy weekend.