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ESPN.com is reporting that Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban (who’s HDNet TV station is showcasing a plethora of high quality MMA news and events) is in conversation with boxing’s pound for pound champion Floyd ‘Prettyboy’ Mayweather, about a potential migration from boxing to MMA.

It appears Mayweather is weighing out his options right now. While he is light years ahead of everybody in the striking department, he is miles behind in the rest of the virtues that make up the sport of MMA. In order for him to take this seriously, he will need to learn a whole new game plan, mentality and strategy to fighting. His footwork will have to change, his angles and attacks will be different and of course there are the submissions, kicking, elbows, offence and defence that seperates an MMA bout from a boxing one.

Mayweather’s MMA game will no doubt be to knock people out. Lest we forget that in MMA, fighters use 4 oz gloves so his striking range will need to be shortened by a few inches and his intensity and power may need to be dropped slightly. (If you have ever trained with boxing gloves and MMA gloves, you will know that there is a big difference with range due to the sizing of the gloves and those inches can be crucial in whether you get tagged in your noggin or are able to do the same to your opponent). Mayweather already has a history of bad wrists, knuckles and ongoing pain in his hands. If he starts banging away with MMA gloves the way he does with boxing gloves, he will never make his MMA debut.

There is so much to this story that can be dissected and analysed, but I think it is only fair to wait to see where Mark Cuban takes it. He is very serious about his MMA brand and wants it to be the next big thing rivaling the UFC. History has proven that whatever Cuban touches, Cuban turns to gold. If he can land Floyd Mayweather, he will take his MMA brand from a growing entity to an instant and reputable competitor to the UFC.

 While I am salivating and the mere thought of Mayweather plying his trade in the sport of MMA, I am skeptical on the reality of it actually occurring. Mayweather wants a big payday and there is no doubt that Cuban can give it to him, but the real deal is the who, when, and how will it all unfold. I for one will be watching very closely solely for the fact that if it does happen, the sport of MMA will experience it’s largest growth spurt ever. Mayweather brings a lot to the table and not just boxing fans; he brings a serious mainstream following that is second to none. This angle alone has me hoping it happens but again, buy I’m keeping my mental money in my pocket; I’m not buying it just yet.

Season’s Greeting To You and Yours,

Joe Ferraro

Joe@Showdown.ca

On Friday night, Mark ‘The Machine’ Hominick came out victorious in his TKO bout vs Danny Martinez. True to his word when he was a guest on ‘The Showdown’, Hominick picked Martinez apart at will, using his superior striking arsenal to pound the wrestler into a dominating unanimous judges decision. The result was so lopsided that two of the three judges scored the bout 30-24 while the remaining judge scored the bout 30-27. Congrats to ‘The Machine’.

In Other News

Canadian Chris Horodecki has had another opponent change in his upcoming IFL Lightweight title bout schedule on Dec 29th. Originally slated to fight Shad Lierley, who was replaced by John Gunderson, Horodecki will now be fighting Ryan Schultz, who will be replacing Gunderson after the latter reaggrevated a hand injury.

 Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping has finally confirmed he will be dropping down to middleweight. This is a good decision for Bisping, as the UFC’s middleweight division is by far the weakest in the organization and the English fighter will automatically be considered a threat to whomever he faces in his first bout.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Tito Ortiz is currently a contestant on Donald Trump’s ‘The Apprentice’. The reality show is currently being filmed as we speak and a new video has popped up with Ortiz’s thoughts on his chances of becoming the winner.

For fans of legendary internet street fighter Kimbo Slice, look for the hype to continue to build around the striking machine. His current promoter, Gary Shaw, is calling out Tito Ortiz . Shaw is not happy with Ortiz’s recent comments about Kimbo’s skills and wants Ortiz to fight the up and comer. When it comes to Kimbo Slice and his marketing potential, the UFC is paying close attention. More on this story as it develops.

Rumour has it that Cheick Kongo will be facing Antonio Rodrigo Noquiera in an upcoming UFC. When questioned about the bout, Kongo requested patience as he is waiting for the contract to come back signed, sealed and delivered. Sounds like the fight is about to happen. The real question here is where does this put Tim Sylvia, who does not have an opponent for his next UFC appearance in Februrary? I say put him against Gabriel Gonzaga or Cro Cop.

Randy Couture was at yesterday’s HDNet Fights (results here) and claimed he is willing to wait out his contract with the UFC so that he can face Fedor Emelianenko in his next bout. Whether this fight takes plance in the UFC or not, Couture continues to be adamant that he will only fight Fedor next and nobody else. Here’s hoping the UFC can work with Fedor’s camp to make the bout happen in the Octagon.

On a sad note, Ryan Gracie (brother of Renzo and cousin of Royce) died while sitting in a jail cell in Sao, Paulo, Brazil. Gracie was accused of car theft and died while in police custody on Friday night. Ryan Gracie was 33. RIP to one of the pitbulls of the Gracie lineage.

Showdown Joe Ferraro

Joe@Showdown.ca

It goes without saying that whenever a mainstream channel does a special on MMA, I tighten up, sit back and am generally petrified at how they are going to portray the sport. History has taught me that ignorance is bliss amongst many of these network reporters, producers and writers but this does not seem to be the case over at CNBC.

In fact, most of the mainstream media outlets appear to be shedding off the layers of ignorance they once had and are thankfully conducting ‘real’ research on their projects. Last night’s CNBC’s ‘From Bloodsport to Big Time’ UFC documentary was a breath of fresh air and was chalk full of insightful information that everyone can learn from.

In Other News

• In the same week the NJSAC releases its UFC drug testing results (where all fighters tested clean) from UFC 78, we get the Mitchell Report which suggests otherwise for baseball. I find it amazing how so many people continue to believe that Mixed Martial Arts is chalk full of steroid users when other mainstream sports are obviously much worse off than MMA is.
• TUF 6 fighter Jon ‘War Machine’ Koppenhaver is facing felony charges after being involved in a scuffle outside of a bar last weekend. After all the stuff he said on the show and after finally getting a chance to make a major change in his life, he goes out and does something like this. I have no sympathy for him if he gets the maximum sentence.
• Chuck Liddell is coming out with a new book entitled ‘Iceman: My Life in Fighting’. The book will hit bookstores in early 2008 and will cost buyers about $25. Liddell’s next fight is December 29th at UFC 79: Nemesis as he takes on Vanderlai ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva.
• If you missed last night’s broadcast of ‘The Showdown’, UFC veteran Mark ‘The Machine’ Hominick was my guest. I also went on a little bit of a rant that raised some eyebrows behind the glass. To say I am frustrated with the lack of promotion the UFC is doing for this next event would truely be an understatement. To hear the show, click here.

As always, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.

Joe Ferraro

Joe@Showdown.ca

Last night, the WEC held another star studded card with three champions defending their respective titles. Unlike many of the upsets that have occurred in MMA this year, this time the favourites all pulled through and retained their titles. Here are the results from the show:

• Urijah Faber defeated Jeff Curran via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4.34 of R2 
• Paul Filho defeated Chael Sonnen via Submission (Arm Bar) at 4.55 of R2
• Jens Pulver defeated Cub Swanson via Submission (Anaconda Choke) at 0.35 of R1
• John Alessio defeated Todd Moore via Decision (Unanimous) at 5.00 of R3
• Charles Valencia defeated Ian McCall via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 3.19 of R1
• Brian Bowles defeated Marcos Galvao via TKO(Strikes) at 2.09 of R2
• Ed Ratcliff defeated Alex Karalexis via TKO(Strikes) at 1.26 of R2
• Bryan Baker defeated Eric Schambari via Decision (Split) at 5.00 of R3
• Doug Marshall defeated Ariel Gandulla via Submission (Arm Bar) at 0.55 of R1

It was interesting to note that Zuffa, who owns both the UFC and the WEC had both brands go head to head on TV last night. While the WEC card was airing on Versus, Spike Tv was broadcasting another great episode of UFC Unleashed with notable fights like Anderson Silva vs Nate Marquardt and Tyson Griffen vs Frank Edgar. I guess that’s what happens when you get two of your brands on two different stations who are both trying to win over the every popular 18-34 demographic.

More MMA News

• David Heath vs. Tomasz Drwal has been added to the UFC 81 card which features Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir, Tyson Griffin, Tim Sylvia and the return of Riccardo Almeida
• Fedor vs Choi was officially announced yesterday in Japan. Not sure what’s up with Fedor but he is seriously hurting his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all times. This fight is a joke and I’m not laughing.
• Scott “Hands Of Steel” Smith Joins EliteXC  - another former UFC fighter scooped up by another organization. Truth be told, I believe Smith has reached his peak and may not do much better that what he has already done in the past.
• Canadian Chris ‘The Polish Hammer’ Horodecki has a new opponent for his upcoming IFL lightweight title bout. His original opponent Shad Lierly has had to pull out the bout due to injury and will be replaced by John Gunderson. I’m looking at having Horodecki as a guest on ‘The Showdown’ for the Dec 28th show so make sure you tune in as I’ll ask him all about this bout and his rise to prominence in the the lightweight rankings at such a young age.

‘The Showdown’ MMA Radio Hour

Tonight on ‘The Showdown’, I go ‘One on One’ with former UFC veteran and current 145 lbs WEC featherweight contender, Mark ‘The Machine’ Hominick.

The Canadian phenom talks about the UFC, WEC, his next bout in the TKO organization as well as his thoughts on fighting for the UFC in Canada (scheduled for April 19th, 2008).

It all goes down at 10pm, on Toronto’s Sports Radio, The Fan 590.

If you missed last week show, new ROF LHW Champion Rob ‘Maximus’ MacDonald joined me on the air for the majority of the show. Rob talked TUF Finale and helped address questions and comments from the callers.

Also on last week’s show we heard from Roger Huerta, Clay Guida, Mac Danzig and Tommy Speer.

Here’s a link to the show: December 06th , 2007 - ‘The Showdown’ featuring Rob MacDonald, Huerta, Guida, Danzig and Speers and Open Phone Lines

Ciao for now,

Showdown Joe Ferraro

Joe@showdown.ca 

Once again, the beauty of Mixed Martial Arts was on display last night, as the UFC put together another exciting card for the finale of the sixth season of The Ultimate Fighter Reality series, Team Hughes vs Team Serra. To cap it all off, lightweight contenders Roger ‘El Matador’ Huerta and Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida proved once again why the 155 lbs bracket is the most exciting in the sport today.

Quick Results and Analysis

Roger Huerta def. Clay Guida via submission (rear naked choke), R3
Huerta came back in the third round from being knocked flat on the canvas in the second with a thunderous knee to Guida’s chin, forcing him to change his action plan quick. In the midst of it all, Huerta was able to take his back and sink in a rear naked choke to end the fight. Huerta has officially served notice to all fighters in the division: Bring it, cause he’s here to stay.

Mac Danzig def. Tommy Speer via submission (rear naked choke), R1
It did not take long for Danzig’s superior technical game to get the better of the much stronger Tommy Speer. Before many of us could exhale from the deep breath we all took during the sound of the opening bell, Danzig took Speer down, mounted him and pounded away until Speer gave up his back and neck. Like a cat on a mouse, Danzig pounced quickly and easily, locking in the choke giving Speer no escape route and forcing him to tap out. Danzig wins the Season Six Ultimate Fighter Finale Six Figure Contract and immediately confirmed rumours he will be dropping down to the lightweight division.

Jon Koppenhaver def. Jared Rollins via TKO, R3
While I had originally pegged Jared Rollins to steamroll Koppenhaver in this bout, the man they call the ‘War Machine’ was on a mission to prove why he is the real deal. Koppenhaver fought an incredible bout while bleeding heavily from some exceptionally executed elbows from the guard, courtesy of Rollins. Back and forth they went until Koppenhaver dropped Rollins with a thunderous shot, finishing him off with some surgical ground and pound.

George Sotiropoulos def. Billy Miles via submission (rear naked choke), R1
It didn’t take long for Sotiropoulos to take out Miles proving once again that his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission skills are his bread’n'butter and his meal ticket to victory. While Sotiropoulos finished Miles off rather quickly, it’s important to point out that many an experienced fighter can learn from the youngster. Sotiropoulos used his strikes from all angles and positions to set up the choke, something you do not always see in the elite, more experienced fighters which drives me absolutely nuts.

Ben Saunders def. Dan Barrera via unanimous decision
While this bout was not the most actioned packed one of the night, it was definetly an educatonal piece of guard defence, strategies and techinques. Saunders showcased how a fighter on the bottom can defend his opponents onslaught while setting up submissions, sweeps and escapes. Good on both fighters for giving it their all, even though some of the crowd were not overly impressed.

Matt Arroyo def. John Kolosci via submission (armbar), R1
This was my lock of the night, as I just felt confident that Arroyo was going to make an example of Kolosci. Give credit where credit is due as Kolosci’s submission defence is incredible and no one can ever question is heart. Arroyo is just simply a better fighter and proved why with a nicely setup arm bar to finish the fight.

Troy Mandaloniz def. Richie Hightower via TKO, R1
This was the rock’em, sock’em fight of the night as both these guys came to trade bombs. Back and forth they went until Mandaloniz (a close friend and training partner of UFC Lightweight sensation BJ Penn) was able to get the better of the exchanges dropping Hightower to the ground. Great fight and definetly one that will require some major ice on the knuckles this morning.

Roman Mitichyan def. Dorian Price via submission (ankle lock), R1
This one did not last long as it took Mitichyan 29 seconds to take this fight to the ground and finish off Price with an ankle lock. I pegged Mitichyan to win up until about 3 hours before fight time, when I decided to go with Price, due to over analyzing the bout. I figured Mitichyan’s inactivity vs Price’s busy schedule would be his downfall. I was definetly out to lunch on that prediction.

Jonathan Goulet def. Paul Georgieff via submission (rear naked choke), R1
After being stunned with a left hand from Paul Georgieff, the experience of Jonathan Goulet took over as the Canadian took the fight down to the ground, slapping on a rear naked choke to finish the bout. A close call for the Montreal native but once again he proves why being calm under pressure is often an important key to victory.

Big UFC Announcement

In case you missed it, UFC President Dana White announced that Forrest Griffin would be one of the new coaches for next season’s installment of the popular reality series. The second coach will be announced during tonight’s Spike Tv Video Game awards. Rumour has it  that current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson will be unveiled as coach number two.

More on this story in the following days to come.

Joe Ferraro
Joe@Showdown.ca

The long awaited finale to the UFC’s Sixth Ultimate Fighter Reality Series is upon us, as two fighters from Team (Matt) Hughes will duke it out for the six figure UFC contract in the co-main event while the headlining bout is reserved for 155 lbs contenders Roger ‘El Matador’ Huerta and Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida.

As for opposing Coach Matt Serra and his stable of cast mates, they will be competing in a variety of undercard bouts vs other Team Hughes members, as Serra hopes to increase his final margin of victories over his arch nemesis. The event is taking place at The Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The televised portion of the card will air live beginning at 9pm ET tomorrow on Spike TV.

Main Card

Roger Huerta (155 lbs.) vs. Clay Guida (155 lbs.)
Is this the fight where many critics are proven right when they state that Roger Huerta’s MMA skills are exposed vs the rough and rugged, time tested, octagon proven Clay Guida? Or is this is the bout where Huerta silences his critics and takes a giant step up the UFC lightweight rankings by adding Guida to his growing list of Octagon victims?

My Prediction: Clay Guida by Unanimaous Decision after a three round war that places this bout on the candidate list for ‘2007 Fight of the Year’.

Mac Danzig (168.5) vs. Tommy Speer (170)
This is a case of experience vs heart as the well travelled Mac Danzig takes on the up and coming Tommy Speer, with the latter showcasing breathtaking heart in his bouts throughout the season series. While Danzig breezed through to the finals, Speer’s road to the finals was chalk full of blood, sweat and an iron clad determination that is only seen in championship fighters.

My Prediction: Mac Danzig wins (but with a typical season finale twist whereby the UFC awards both fighters a six figure contract each).  Danzig goes down to the lightweight division after this bout while Speer goes on an impressive run in the welterweight division.

Jared Rollins (169) vs. Jon Koppenhaver (170)
This is basically Jared Rollins’ chance to prove his worth to the UFC brass after being hyped by Hughes as the best BJJ fighter on the team. For Koppenhaver, it looked so much like he was going to be one of the Team Serra fighters to make it to the final but like Rollins, his fight on the show left a lot to be desired.

My Prediction: Jared Rollins by Submission

Billy Miles (170) vs. George Sotiropoulos (169)
I did not see much in Billy Miles’ exposure during the various episodes this season but I did see a plethora of talent in George Sotiropoulos that leads me to believe, under the right tutelage, can make a serious dent in the welterweight division. Provided he is mentally strong going into this bout (and others in the future), Sotiropoulos has the ability and charisma to become a superstar in this sport.

My Prediction: George Sotiropoulos by submission.

Ben Saunders (169) vs. Dan Barrera (170)

It just seems to be that with all the talk of Dan Barrera focusing so much on being in prime physical condition and less on working (and executing) fight strategies, a recipe for disaster waits for him in the name of Ben Saunders. 

I met Saunders a few years ago while working with the APEX Fight Championships and I can attest to what many saw on the reality show: Saunders really enjoys fighting and it shows. His love for MMA will be showcased once again by that sinister smile as he peers across the Octagon at the muscle bound Dan Barrera.

My Prediction: Ben Saunders by TKO

UNDERCARD:

Matt Arroyo (169) vs. John Kolosci (170)
With Matt Arroyo having to unfortunately pull out of his semi-final bout vs Mac Danzig, I look for him to make an example of John Kolosci to prove to himself, MMA fans and the UFC brass that he deserves to be in the big show.

My Prediction: Matt Arroyo by submission.

Troy Mandaloniz (170) vs. Richie Hightower (170)
Unbeknownst to many of the viewers who bought the underlying criticism of Richie Hightower’s appearance on the reality show, I kept my mental money in my pocket. For all the bad press he received, I saw a lot of heart, grit and slick ground and pound skills in Hightower’s game. Whereas for Mandaloniz, I was unpleasantly surprised at the skill level he displayed during training and in his bout on the show.

My Prediction: Richie Hightower by TKO.

Dorian Price (170) vs. Roman Mitichyan (170)
This is a tough fight to call, but I almost feel like taking a risk on this one. While Dorian Price appeared to be, hands down, the best muay thai striker on the show, his ground game was extremely suspect.  Price is now a member of Team Gurgel, the same team as Rich Franklin, so I am wondering how much is ground game has improved since we last saw him fight in the Octagon.

As for Roman Mitichyan, we did not see anything other than a stubborn determination to prove that he belongs in the UFC. After being released during the first episode due to suffering a terrible elbow injury during the initial fighter showcase before the two coaches, I saw a desire and passion in his eyes, words and actions that the UFC’s reality series has been lacking in the huge majority of athletes they have casted onto the show. Mitichyan’s heart and mind are primal in nature and I almost feel like picking him, but he has not fought since August of 2006, while Price has been fairly active in that timeframe.

My Prediction: Dorian Price by KO.

Paul Georgieff (170) vs. Jonathan Goulet (170)

Experience is the key in this fight and Jonathan Goulet has abundance when you compare it to the young up and coming Georgief. Goulet may be too much for Georgieff at this point in Georeiff’s career and may simply steamroll the judo expert into a another loss in the Octagon.

My Prediction: Jonathan Goulet by TKO

Earlier today, the California State Athletic Commission ruled that UFC Lightweight Champion Sean ‘The Muscle Shark’ Sherk’s initial one year suspension has been reduced to a six months, effectively making Sherk available to the UFC as of  January 2008. But there’s more to this story than just the ruling.

Although UFC President Dana White has been fairly vocal in how poorly the CSAC has handled the matter, he did state the UFC would strip Sherk of the title if the suspension was upheld. Although the suspension was reduced, the decision was upheld which in laymen’s terms means that Sherk has been found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs. With that being said, will the UFC now strip Sherk for his illegal use of banned products that may (or may not) have improved his performance in the Octagon?

Whether they do or do not, the UFC has already stated that Sean Sherk will fight the winner of the ‘Lightweight Interm Championship Bout’ between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson, which goes down at UFC 80, January 19th in Newcastle, England. I find this whole scenario a strange one, seeing as Sherk has basically been found guilty by a state regulating body yet will still be fighting for the title when he returns.

I’ve met Sean Sherk; I had the pleasure of calling one of the earlier fights in his career and I have to tell you he is a gentlemen, a stand up guy and very accommodating to all MMA fans. But I do believe Sherk should pay some sort of a penalty to the UFC, even if it means having to fight one of the other top ranked fighters in the division before he gets a shot back at the title. To reward him for doing something illegal when he was found guilty by a commission does not make much sense in my books.

This upcoming Tuesday December 04th, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) will finalize their decision over the appeal regarding the positve steroid test and suspension of UFC Lightweight Champion Sean ‘The Muscle Shark’ Sherk. History has shown that when it comes to the CSAC, there is no firm date with anything they do as is evidenced of their postponement of Sherk’s original November 13th hearing to December 04th.

 The reason for the postponement was that the CSAC wanted more time to review some of the information brought forth by Sherk’s attorney Howard Jacob. Some of Jacob’s findings and presentation to the CSAC is rumoured to showcase that Sherk unknowingly may have taken an over the counter supplement which may potentially have been loaded with a substance deemed illegal by the commission. That substance is ‘Nandrolone’ of which Sherk tested positive for in his successful July UFC title defence vs Hermes Franca. Sherk was subsequently fined $2500 and suspended for one year.

 While this excruciating situation has driven most MMA fans bananas, the UFC has decided that the lightweight title picture needs to be straightened out as soon as possible, thus creating an interm title bout between contenders BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson. This interm title bout will go down January 19th at UFC 80, which is scheduled to take place in Newcastle, England. The winner of this bout would then end up fighting Sherk to unify both titles but their opposite theories regarding the whole ‘interm title’ debate.

Sherk does not believe it is a real title and thus is basically calling the winner of this bout a fake champion. On the other side of the fence, BJ Penn has been really laying a verbal beating Sherk’s way, obviously frustrated and disgusted with the current champion. Penn stated “Sean Sherk can say it’s a fake interim title, but his belt is no more real that Marion Jones’ gold medals”.  Penn also went on to state that he will not fight Sherk if the appeal is upheld and Sherk is in fact found guilty as charged.

Tuesday will be a big day for MMA on a variety of different levels. We will hopefully know whether Sherk’s appeal is approved or denied, whether or not his suspension will be reduced, erased or deemed as ‘time served’ and on a seperate note, whether certain supplement companies that will be listed in the appeal are in fact loading their products with illegal substances.  Here’s hoping that on Tuesday, the CSAC can finally end this incredible saga of events.