In anticipation of tomorrow's fight I want to look at the all concerning issue of PED's in MMA. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) earlier this year ended its Testosterone Use Exemptions, which was a heavily monitoring of fighters who had low testosterone and wanted to restore their levels. An ESPN article revealed the flaws of the system put in place as it was discovered that any doctor could right a recommendation that said a fighter had low testosterone and they could get a TUE. The process itself divided the sports community, both the Major League Baseball and the National Football League allowed a small number of TUEs in the prior year.

This process divided many fans.  Many considered Testosterone Replacement Therapy as a way to cheat the system and creating an unlevel playing field for fighters coming up and the subsequent generation.  In addition critics argued that TRT would encourage the use and abuse of PEDs.  On the other hand, supporters argued that TRT allowed fighters to prolongue their careers as well as leveling the playing field for aging men whose bodies began to show their age, which would threaten their careers.  Despite your opinion on the pros and cons, the NSAC banned all use of testosterone.  And they have ramped  up random testing.  As one might remember, Alistair Overeem who had been suspected of abusing PEDs for years tested with an abnormal testerone ratio, and then there was Thiago Silva, who administered non-human urine to the Athletic Commission.

Dan Henderson, a legend in both Pride, F.C. and the UFC, criticized this decision by stating that the decision to ban TUEs would drive PED usage underground.  Not to mention those who were on it like Henderson had to take some time off as their bodies had to relearn how to naturally produce testosterone.  Vitor Belfort a user of TRT was tearing through the rankings and was challenging Chris Weidman, told the UFC that he wanted time off to find out if he could fight without the help.  At 36 years old Belfort is beginning to enter the twilight of his career, but he looks even more impressive than he did with his debut in 1997 at 19 years old.

Now both Wanderlei Silva who has tested positive and Chael Sonnen have both been pulled from their July bouts.  Wanderlei for refusing to cooperate with officials, and Sonnen for elevated levels.  The benefits of PEDs are immense in this sport, but when you are payed to legally assault someone who assumes you both trained hard, but secretly you have an advantage is just not fair.  However, what can be done to remedy the problem?  More stringent testing? Promoters complain that these tests can be extremely costly to perform.  The solution would be to perform random drug testing in the course of the year to make sure that fighters are not cycling off, but this dilemma is nothing new as it is human to try and obtain every advantage to win especially when fight purses and bonuses are on the line.

Sponsorship Money and How it will effect fighters.

Over this past week many concerns have arisen over the relationship between sponsors and promoters, especially sponsors affiliated with the UFC.  Unlike other organizations that don't charge sponsors for displaying their brands in the cage.  The UFC has long made companies pay for the right to sponsor fighters. Officially, the UFC has sponsorships with Harley Davidson, Anheiser Bush's Bud Light, Xyience Energy Drink, MetroPCS, Dodge, the U.S. Marines, Ultimate Poker, MusclePharm, Corn Nuts, EA, Tapout, Ubisoft, Ryu, and Edge.  All of these companies pay top dollar to secure a position on a corner or the canvas.  And fighters have been able to court larger companies as well, considering fighters like Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, and Junior Dos Santos have gained the Nike logo.  However most fighters don't have this opportunity, and often they have to look at small companies that are willing to take a chance that exposure will increase these companies profits. The UFC then is hurting fighters by implementing a tax on these sponsors of $100,000 a year.  This in addition to the agreements made between a sponsor and its fighters discourages the investment in future talent that might not be featured on TV.

Having lived the lifestyle of a fighter, I have an insight into what this can do to an athlete.  There is this idea that fighters make a lot of money, but in reality this is a fallacy.  Fighters who are developing receive the lowest wage of around $2000 a fight in in the UFC (possibly lower in other organizations).  This may sound like a significant amount, but a fighter must pay to license himself, pay his coaches, and the gym, and of coarse taxes, while still trying to make a living and provide for their families.  Sponsors thus become crucial income for these athlete.  Not to mention that these fighters use their sponsors in order to market their own brand in achieving their own notoriety in this venue.  Many fighters have launched their own brands and have grown them using these other unrestricted venues.  For example, Dan Henderson grew his brand Clich Gear and Tito Ortiz created Punishment Athletics.

The UFC has also taken a stance into marketing itself to the mainstream audience, controlling which Sponsors allowed in the Octogon.  For example, the UFC dissallowed the Gun Store to sponsor fighters in response to outcry against gun violence in other media.  Another concern is the creation of uniforms this would be great for the UFC because it would add to their growing brand recognition which is a goal for sure, but there is a uniqueness to every fighter and the sponsors that endorse them.  The UFC has made plans to allow a high end athletic company to create these uniforms and that three sponsors will be able to be displayed.  However, what happens when there are conflicting sponsor from competing companies?  We already see that these giant conglomerates are ready to eradicate their competitors (Nike's trademark infringement lawsuit against Venum Fight.)  Will this mean that fighters will choose to fight in smaller leagues or overseas where they can potentially make a larger income from sponsors?  Or will more fighters try to stick it out to gain recognition and more approved sponsors?

UFC Going after illegal streams and its users.

 

Those who watched the PPV UFC 169 illegally, pack your bags.  Jesse Holland from MMAMania reported today that the UFC has successfully shut down the domain cagewatcher.eu and has obtained.information from its website, which include, but are not limited to usernames and IP adresses.  The UFC has been an adamant opponent of copyright infringement even supporting Congress' SOPA bill, that received such a public outcry against the wide sweeping bill that could possibly shut down sites like Facebook and YouTube.  Zuffa LLC., the UFC has policed its copyright and licenses persistently, going after a number of restaurants and bar's for transmitting fights without the express license of the UFC.  The UFC continues to grow, depending on the domestic pay-per-view revenue.  The company spends millions organizing and promoting events in the United States and at the same time their markets have grown internationally as well:  both Brazil, and Canada have become major markets for Zuffa Europe and Asia are developing as well.  As season of the Ultimate Fighter China is set to debut later this year.  The UFC have also outspent other sports providers in pursuing copyright and trademark infringers,outspending the MLB and NBA in its fight against streamers.  On the other side, the UFC has recently increased it cost for PPV events and in an economy where the power to buy is diminishing it seems like a counter-productive measure.  Because as disposable income diminishes, fight fans will pursue other venues for pursuing their passion.  Only time will tell what will come of this. 

Vitor Belfort Is Seeking a Testosterone Use Exemption

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is probably one of the most controversial in the world of Combat Sports.  Athletes are not always going to be putting the same performances they did during their 20s.  The body begins to stop producing essential hormones that are needed to build and retain muscle mass.  Thus older athletes begin to decline.  One way that fighters are mitigating this is by supplementing hormones like testosterone to achieve what would be deemed to be normal levels.

 However, the issue that arises are the causes of this decline of free testosterone in the body.  Is this just a natural price of aging, a history of past abuse, or a consequence of the repeated head trauma a fighter experiences.  The actual abuse of TRT is not really at issue because state athletic commissions are highly monitoring the issue.  Now that Vitor Belfort has declared that he will be looking for a Testosterone Use Exemption in Nevada when he fights Chris Weidman for the title, this comes into question again.  Vitor has tested positive for testosterone in the past.  He was popped for steroids after his fight in 2006 with Dan Henderson, which was the wild wild west of MMA and their was very little regulation.  His past couple fights have been in Brazil and he has won them all in a devastating fashion.  Which can be legitimated by his training and his work with nutritionist Mike Dolce, but can it also be attributed to this Testosterone treatment.  The images about seem to dictate a story of suspicion.  One was taken before his fight with Anderson Silva and the other before his last fight with Luke Ruckhold.  I cannot speak definitively as this is conjecture and opinion.  One thing is certain Vitor has had an amazing career that has almost spanned 17 years since his arrival to the sport when he won the UFC's heavyweight tournament in 1997 and he has endured both several adversities, including personal ones.  Not many fighters can say that they have done that.

I will try to have another post before UFC 169.  So stay tuned.

Obrigado Anderson você será sempre o campeão e obrigado por todas a memórias que você nos deu! Thanks Anderson you will always be our champion and thanks for the Memories.

The End of an Era

Anderson is probably the sole reason I fell in love with this sport.  Everything this man did was worthy of a highlight real.  Even his losses are some of the greatest moments in MMA. I'm talking of coarse about the flying heel hook delivered by Ryo Chonan of coarse.  Anderson just had a flair for entertainment.  Even when he was in pride the way he moon danced his way into the ring meant he just had this aura about him.  He is known for his creativity when he fights.  We say martial arts because it is an art form in itself.  The way guys like Anderson move in itself is art.  He doesn't look like he's fighting.  He looks like he ebbs and flows like water and it was especially appealing to me because I realized how little was wasted in his movements.  I in turn tried to emulate this when I fought in Karate tournaments...successful on several occasions. Every MMA fan probably know about the Tony Frickland knockout, but to see Anderson focus on one movement for months unbeknownst to his trainers and then to pull off that weird upward elbow KO was just fascinating to me.  He is an innovator in the sport too, after Anderson knocked out Vitor Belfort with the front kick the middle of the guard, everyone began to use that technique while fighting.  He resurrected many of the long forgotten traditional martial arts techniques and as a practitioner for over ten years it brought a smile to my face.  He is so amazing that he would jump right into your wheelhouse and beat you with it.  When he submitted Travis Lutter, one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu practitioners at the time.  It shocked the entire world and everyone began to open their eyes.  His foray into the light heavy weight division was mesmerizing knocking out both James Irvin and Forest Griffin in what I would like to call the closest think I have ever seen to NEO.  He stood on the cage and invited Stephan Bonnar to hit him and then put him down with a knee to the solarplexes.  What can be said that hasn't already be said to Anderson Silva.  He was dominant for nearly nine years in his division.  To see this happen to Anderson is devastating not only to fans, but to MMA in general because we will be deprived of witnessing the mastery and creativity that this gentleman was.  He is now 38, if he is to heal correctly it may be a year or two before he is ready to fight again by this time he will be in his forties.  I'm not saying that this can't be done and I'm not counting him out, but only time will tell if we will ever see the greatest martial artist of all time step back into the octagon....

Thank you/Muito Obrigado Anderson

Its been a while since I wrote an entry since I've been so busy studying for finals and all, but now that the semester is over I have some time to look at the state of MMA and boy do we have a good card coming up next weekend.  With the most anticipated rematch of the year taking place this weekend I am going to give my take on the pay-per-view card as well as some of the preliminaries.  Now these are just opinions upon the hours of fight footage that I have witnessed over the 10 years of following this beloved sport.

First on the prelims we have John "Doomsday" Howard v. Siyar "The Great" Bahadurzada.

Both these fighters have an extensive record and a plethora of experience between the two.  Bahadurzada, a Blackzilian fighter may be an unknown to most in the UFC, but this man has great punching power and a superb submission game.  Howard is a well known fighter notorious now among fans for being in one of the most boring fights this year when he faced Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night Sonnen v. Shogun.  However, the monicher doomsday is no euphemism.  Howard has devastating knockout power and can end a fight after a good combination.  However, he usually grinds and breaks down his opponents, usually winning by decision.

My prediction for this fight is Howard by decision.

The next fight on the card is Dennis Siver v. Manny "the anvil" Gamburyan

Dennis Siver is probably one of the most skilled pure strikers in the UFC as evidenced by his ability to confuse and baffle fighters as he sets up spinning back kicks and a flurry of punches.  Over the years the German has also developed a good ground game, but has been blunted by the elite grapplers like Gray Maynard and Donald Cerrone.  Siver is coming off a TKO loss to Cub Swanson look for him to try to keep the fight standing and either win on points or try to stop the fight in later rounds.  On the other hand, there is no secret that Gamburyan is going to try and take the fight to the mat as his accolades in wrestling are numerous.  Not to say that Gamburyan is any slouch in the striking department training on a daily basis with Edmund Tarverdyan, one of the best striking coaches in the world.  Look for him to set up his takedowns with his hands and lots of clinchwork against the cage, landing punches and elbows from within.

My prediction is Gamburyan by decision

Next is Gleison Tibau v. Michael Johnson

Both These fighters are very well matched.  Both have great wrestling, jui-jitsu, and knock-out power.  However, it is baffling how Tibau is able to make 155 at times.  The fact that he cuts so much weight could be a factor in the later rounds and Tibau has slowed down in the later rounds.  This matchup is kind of a toss up.  It is sure to be exciting.

Tibau decision

The final fight on the prelim card:  Uriah Hall v. Chris "the crippler" Leben

The aren't enough words that can describe Chris Leben, the man was on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter which brought the sport to the mainstream. Uriah Hall burst onto the scene also through the TUF competition as an absolute destroyer mowing through his competition on the show.  Chael Sonnen even went on to say that Hall had the potential to beat the likes of Anderson Silva.  However, his performances in his last two outings in the cage did not demonstrate the fighter who viewers became astonished with on the ultimate fighter.  It all depends which fighter shows up in the cage on Saturday night.  If Hall does not put on an impressive performance it may mean the end of his time in the UFC.  However, if he does show up it could be an all-out war.

Because his job is on the line I say Hall by TKO

Now for the main card:  Dustin "Diamond" Poirier v. Diego Brandao

Both these fighters are on the line for title contention.  Both have put on impressive performances in recent fights.  Diego often starts out quick and takes many opponents by surprise.  I think people will remember when he threw a flying knee at Cody McKenzie to advance in tough.  The guys are tough and both have have heart and durability in past fights.  Poirier is coming off a unanimous decision over Erich Koch and with only three losses on his record to fighters who have either had title shots or are on the cusp is an impressive feat.  Both will try to leave their mark on this fight to make their case for a title shot.

Poirier by decision

Jim Miller v. Fabricio Camoes

Jim Miller is as tough as they come.  He is not afraid of anyone, for example he successfully won against Charles Oliveira with his own signature submission, the kneebar.  While Fabricio Camoes has defeated several former UFC fighters like Efrain Escudero and Caol Uno.  That being said he is coming off a loss against Melvin Guillard at UFC 164.  Fabricio is a very skilled grappler, but Miller is no chump either, holding a black belt in BJJ and has submitted numerous black belts over his UFC career.  Look for Miller to try to impose his will on Camoes.

Miller by decision

Josh "The Warmaster" Barnett v. Travis "Happa" Browne

When Travis Browne was taking knees from Alistair Overeem against the cage, no one expected him to get up, but the fighter showed his heart and stood back up and proceeded to knockout Overeem with a front kick.  Travis has shown his striking skills on numerous occasions knocking out Setphan Struve and Gabriel Gonzaga and with only one loss on his record wants to put his name in the title conversation.  Josh Barnett is one of the most experienced fighters on the roster.  This master of catch wrestling has been on a tear since his return to the UFC in January of this year.  He will want to clinch, landing knees and elbows, much like he did to Frank Mir.  Also Josh will try and take Browne to the ground imposing his top game, landing strikes and knees while he transitions to a full mount landing a barrage of punches or taking the back for a rear naked choke.  It is very unlikely that when these two collide that there will be a judge's decision.

Prediction:  Browne via KO

Co-Main Event:  Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey v. Miesha "Cupcake" Tate

The last time we saw these two women it ended with Rousey breaking Tates arm in her signature armbar.  The UFC has created the women's division around Rousey.  But it appears that perception has changed about Ronda after The Ultimate Fighter, evidenced by Tate beating out Rousey in the fan cover of EA UFC.  That being said Ronda's fights have all ended the same way via armbar in the first round.  When she fights it appears that at any moment she can snatch up an arm and tap her opponent.  Miesha Tate on the other hand has shown her cards, having gone to war with the likes of Julie Kedzie and Kat Zingano.  Has Tate prepared for the best Rousey, and whether or not Miesha has prepared for Rousey's takedowns and throws.  On the other hand, we haven't seen Ronda face serious adversity.  What must be asked is whether Rousey can shift strategies when if the armbar fails.  Is Miesha Tate going to the one to test her?  Only Saturday will we get the answer.

Prediction: Rousey via submission

Main Event: Chris "The All American" Weidman v.Anderson "The Spider" Silva

When Chris Weidman knocked out Anderson Silva it felt like the end of an era.  For me it was the passing of the torch.  I  have to admit when I was fighting, I emulated Anderson's style he was my idol. I fought with my hands low and was being constantly admonished for it.  So when he was stopped by Weidman in July after seven years on top of the world using his signature Muhammed Ali flair, it was a sign that a new generation was about to take over.  Putting that aside I will try to look at both fighters objectively.  Chris Weidman is so confident that he can beat Anderson again that he has put his diet, workout, and his entire blueprint of the fight online.  That being said, I think he has kept some things close to the chest.  Weidman is an all American wrestler who is well rounded training with Ray Longo's camp in Long Island  and training under both Matt Serra and John Danaher for Jiu-Jitsu.  Chris Weidman is tough as nails and she shows his depth in the Mark Munoz fight and showed that he would not be distracted by Anderson's antics in the last fight.  Anderson has been in this position before people called him lucky when he pulled off a last minute submission against Chael Sonnen in their first fight.  Definitively proving his dominance in the second.  Anderson was humiliated that day when he died by his own sword, and the entire country of Brazil have uttered their disappointment over what transpired on July 6th. Will this pressure motivate him to take back his title?  Also is Silva going try to redeem the mistake he made in the first fight and take Weidman seriously. I think this fight will definitely change Anderson.  You only grow as a fighter after a loss because it is eye-opening and humbling.  Anderson had to go back to the drawing board.  It will be interesting to see what will come of this fight and I cannot wait to find out on Saturday.

Prediction: Anderson KO

Thank you if you read the entire breakdown it was my first and I hope to be able to do many more.  I will continue to blog about what is going on in MMA and no just UFC, but also up incoming fighters.

Thank you

MMALegal2016

Beware What Is In The Cup

Josh Barnett just got licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission pending WADA standard drug tests sponsored by the UFC.  This story was broken by mmajunkie.com's John Morgan.  The UFC seems to be keeping close tabs on Barnetts' urine, especially after the incident in 2009 when his positive sample led to the scrapping of his heavyweight bout against Fedor Emelianenko.  The entire event collapsed and the organization folded soon after.  Now I don't believe that the UFC will fold. But with the organization looking towards expanding its markets worldwide, it is essential to maintain both its reputation and that of its fighters.  Anyone remember the Overeem fiasco last year?  And I won't even get into the legal headache that is TRT.  All I know is that when it comes to fighters who have tested positive before will receive harsh penalties and may even be cut from the organization i.e. Nate Marquart.