Dana White: Herschel Walker in the UFC would be the first death in MMA
by Jesse Holland on Feb 15, 2010 3:12 PM EST
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Props: ESPN 1100 (via SportsRadioInterviews.com)
Quoteworthy:
"The whole Herschel Walker thing, listen I give the guy the props, he is almost 50 years old. He is still in great shape and he went out trained in mixed martial arts and he beat a guy who had no athletic ability, no stand up and no ground. You know what makes me crazy is the media attention it got. ESPN will cover Herschel Walker fighting when you got guys like George St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, Brock Lesnar and BJ Penn. All these great athletes that have been training for years and are the best in the sport and you are talking about Herschel Walker? You know what would happen to Herschel Walker over here? It would be the first death in MMA."
UFC President Dana White has a less-than-optimistic view on the chances of former football great Herschel Walker surviving in the UFC heavyweight division. The Heisman Trophy winner made a successful MMA debut for the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion back on Jan. 30 by stopping "Dangerous" Greg Nagy via third round TKO. Walker doesn't claim to be anything more than an aspiring fighter with a long way to go to be competitive but still gets under the skin of White due to the media exposure he received from ESPN and other major media outlets. Does the UFC boss have a legitimate gripe?
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He’d beat Rolles Gracie…
"Matt Hughes and his brother used to pound each other out behind the barn."
-The legendary Mike Goldberg
by frosnt1 on Feb 15, 2010 3:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Lol!
True that!
He had quite possibly the most disgraceful debut in the history of the sport.
Gracie that is… not Walker.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
no he wouldn't
guy had a broken foot and the pressure of the Gracie name, something non of us have anything to compare to! I give Walker his props, but come on, lets be realistic. ANY and EVERY UFC HW beats him…almost all strikeforce HW’s beat him too…unless they bring someone in just to fight him!
Kimbo beats Walker too
it pissed me off that ESPN was talking about Walker all the time, and now they are talking about Canseco… these guys are bad for the sport
by PHISH NATION on Feb 15, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
I agree
I don’t fault Walker at all for it though. He seems to have good intensions and is doing this for the right reasons, but that doesn’t make it any better for the sport. What uneducated people see is a 47 year old Walker looking like (and being billed as) the class of the sport. Walker is doing this because he likes MMA and he is an athlete, but seems unaware of the implications of his actions. If he loves MMA he should stay away from the cage, but who am I to tell the guy he can’t compete.
"I like being punched... I like... punchin'" ~Gray Maynard
"A black belt only covers two inches of your ass, you have to cover the rest" ~Royce Gracie
Walker’s presence does nothing but set the sport back 15 years. If ESPN viewers see a 47-year-old man getting into the cage for the first time, then all they can assume is that MMA is easy and that any idiot can just hop off his barstool and decide to do it.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
here we go again........
cansesco i agree with, but walker is a victim of his own success, he has had one fight, and people on here are slating him for it, and to compare walker to some idiot like (not that he’s an idiot) tank abbot that just got off his bar stool and went into mma is wrong, wrong , wrong. the first thing you learn in martial arts is that it is for everyone, no matter how young or how old, and that technical ability and skill will overpower brute strength and force, the sport is ever evolving, and of course the younger guys will get stronger etc etc, but walker has not just DECIDED to follow martial arts, he is a 6th degree tae kwondo blackbelt, which if you know anything about martial arts, takes alot to get to and accomplish. he has had one pro fight, and won…..and that is all there is to it, he may be 47, 57, or 67, it doesn’t matter…………..will he be a champion? we all know the answer to that, but should he be slagged off for competing, definately not, dana white saying what his egotistical mind says will put the sport back a hell of alot more years than walker competing will, isn’t that right kevin…
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
To you, me and people on this blog that follow MMA, you’re right. I know he’s been doing TKD a long time and isn’t looking to MMA as a career or a publicity stunt. But to idiots like Tony Kornheiser, who will first admit to never having watched MMA but then turn around and say it’s stupid, barbaric, etc., Walker makes it seem as though any meathead can get up and be a fighter and spout this bullshit off to an equally uneducated audience. He does not now, nor will he ever, have the understanding of the sport that true fans do. That’s why I think Walker is bad for MMA.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
i disagree dubbers....
the idiot main stream audience need someone like walker to prove that we are not a barbaric sport, and in retrospect we need people like sonnen and matt lindland, to run for office, and also people like forrest and rich franklin who have held public office jobs to promote the sport, and to prove that it is a healthy past time………. but on the other hand we have the brownings and war machine…….we are fucked….lol…
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
isn't that right kevin....
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
But should a first timer really be fighting on the big stage?
Only if he’s not fighting cans. You want to fight cans for your whole career than do it in local shows like everyone else. The way he is promoted and tossed on the main card is really what I take issue with and I don’t fault Walker for that. I do however share the same feelings as dubs
"I like being punched... I like... punchin'" ~Gray Maynard
"A black belt only covers two inches of your ass, you have to cover the rest" ~Royce Gracie
Strikeforce at is best
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlOESywAotY just made me laugh and im not sure but this could be what started james irvins injury problems with his knee
Great points made by all posters ^^^.
Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
Isn't that right Kevin...
"Wanderlei Silva; hallowed be thy name." - Genesis 50:27
by O damn he got caught on Feb 16, 2010 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
P-Dub
You think the average Joe on the street knows what we know about Brock’s amateur wrestling credentials? If you think having a legendary NFLer and Olympian like Walker on the undercard makes us look bad to outsiders, what does having a former WWE star as our WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION look like to them? Nothing could hurt MMA’s credibility in the sports world more than it’s highest title being held by a soap-opera star like Lesnar, yet he is the hands down the biggest PPV draw in the sport (which probably hurts our credibility even more). What I’m saying is, Walker deserves a shot. He’s not being touted as a contender or the main event, not by SF or himself. So how is it a joke to have a 6th degree blackbelt and world-class athelete fighting on your undercard when the UFC just gave a headlining title shot to a WWE star with a record of 1-1 and signed a street fighter who couldn’t hang in EliteXC???
correct
I don’t think any sports fan on ESPN thinks Walker is the class of MMA either. Now the way ZUFFA pushes Brock and his 4-1 record is wayyyyyyy more embarrassing for MMA.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
I Agree with P-Dub on this one
The main difference between the two is, that Walker regardless of good intentions and humbleness, is not good for the sport – period. If he wants to fight just to fight, why not go fight in a small promotion against people with his own skill level and without all the media hype surrounding it? No – he had to fight on National television in one of the “Big Shows”. His good intentions can be touted over and over again, but the truth is – he wanted to be in the spotlight. Did mega-star Bobby Lashley fight in a big show in his first fight? Hell no! He fought on such a small bill that you had to know your shit to even find a video of it the day after.
What Herschel Walker fighting in Strikeforce (and winning) does for the sport now, is that every washed up athlete TOO OLD to fight in their OWN sport are going to come forth and try to be an MMA fighter now. This completely diminishes the image MMA has fought for so long to prove that it was a respectable sport. Organizations other than the UFC will put these bastards on their main cards and broadcast them instead of other deserving fighters (think Hieron and Riggs) because people will tune into the freakshow.
What’s next? Ralph Macchio vs Jim Belushi? “I used to be the Karate Kid, I’m gonna kick some ass for Strikeforce” um NO!
Walker is a way more credible martial artist than Kimbo
and would kick Kimbo’s ass. C’mon guys, lets be real here. Dispite his age, (he still LOOKS younger than Kimbo) Walker is a world class athlete with a 6th degree black belt in martial arts…a REAL martial art, not some made-up crap like JoeSunDo or JimBobJitsu. Kimbo is an average chump off the street. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a humble and respectful guy with a realistic view of where he stands in the sport. But Walker is a legit athelete with legit Martial Arts credentials and a much more reasonable hire. If you’re gonna pad your undercard with irrelevant names that draw viewers, Walker is a much more respectable choice than Kimbo. Dana is a total hypocrit, acting like he’s all “purity of the sport” when he’s got Kimbo Slice on his roster.
Kimbo will be on the main card of a PPV too
A PPV. Not showtime. A PPV. ZUFFA is charging you 44.95-54.95 to watch Kimbo. Because they would never stoop to showing a guy like Walker on a main card. Because Matt Mitrione at 1-0 is SOOOOO much better LOL
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
Totally right
Kimbo, Mitrione, and all those (former) NFL players on TUF is no different than the Herschel Walker thing.
Dana can say what he wants about Herschel now, but if Herschel approached Dana about being on TUF 12 – IT WOULD HAPPEN!!!! And then you’d see him on the main card of UFC 119 fighting against Renato NoOneKnowsMyfFuckingName and winning.
lol pressure of being a gracie
but none from being 50 and trying a new sport and not wanting to embarrass yourself.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 15, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
you can't embarrass yourself
when they pick a guy out of the stands to fight.
that whole strikeforce card was a joke, how many opponents did Lashley go through before they found one that could get licensed?
you ever had a huge burst of adrenaline? imagine that of ur first UFC fight and the name Gracie! I respect him more fighting with a broken foot and getting his paycheck than plling out and complaining he didn’t get paid enough!
I give Walker credit and respect his abilities
i think anyones first fight is gonna be just as scary
regardless if you’re a gracie or a smith.
thats why he is already dropped too.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 15, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
worby you have to give the guy a pass if his foot was broke
i watched that fight and it was still more competitive then the walker fight.
Bas Rutten: He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Stephen Quadros: Yes, well many of the fighters
have a black belt.
Bas Rutten: Yes, but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you cant
buy your belt like in say, Tae Kwon Do.
Stephen Quadros: Do you have any belts?
Bas Rutten: I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
by DrewMoney$$$ on Feb 15, 2010 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha! Too much partyin' nowadays eh? Hehehe!
How’d the SIxer game go? I think you guys won’t make it to the playoffs. Hopefully you do, so I can see AI back in playoff action….
Think about how dumb the average person is, then realize that half of them are even dumber than that.
- P-Dub
by The Negation on Feb 16, 2010 4:21 AM EST up reply actions
if that was rolles that fought him he would of put him in a heel hook quick
nagy almost did it ……a gracie would take the limb home with him
SOOO ANNOYING!
Dana makes a great point.
All my friends who are casual fans know these terrible strikeforce fighters and don’t know the best mma guys from the UFC. It’s like if minor league baseball players were more famous than the guys in the major leagues.
Just Do It
-Nike
who's fault is that
that’s because Dana still hasn’t gotten UFC on a major network. Most people I know still think the UFC is either No Holds Barred bloodsport matches, or a competing pro-wrestling-entertainment org, a wannabe WWE.
Dana sounds so bitter
Like a high school girl not getting attention.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
cos herchel isn't his, like he was when kimbo wasn't his, we all know the way it works....
isn’t that right kevin……
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
What's up with calling to Kevin in all of your posts?
Crushin’?
OD is incredibly handsome, coureagous and self sacrificing in his endeavour to educate me on MMA and evolve my primitive understanding of the sport; I salute you sir.
Doubtful Dana
Because you would market the sh$& out of him knowing that he could be a huge attraction…So most likely he would go the Kimbo route and fight guys he would match up well against or bring in guys for 1 fight like the one he just beat in SF…
Stay thirsty my friends
yeah, Dana is calling the kettle black
to find someone Kimbo would have a prayer against, he had to dig up a guy that he’d already cut and bring him back for one pathetic demonstration of amateurism.
I get what Dana is saying...
Shocks me to even type that.
But yeah, Penn, GSP, and Anderson all deserve more attention then Herschel got. Herschel , Kimbo, and Canseco do make it into a bit of a side show. Next up celebrity MMA. Get ready for Sharon Osbourne to fight Bret Michaels right after they are on Celebrity Apprentice. Then Mini Me vs Gary Coleman. Then Paris Hilton vs Lindsey Lohan. MMA is on the clock for some promotion to rub two coins together to make some travesty like this happen.
I guess Brock has been training for MMA for years ( 2 does make it plural) I know, I know, freestyle wrestling for many years but that’s not MMA.
www.colossaldouchebag.com
Fact is I don't know why Dana doesn't know this but mainstream stars
Bring in mainstream attention. Yes I agree GSP, Fedor, Silva etc should get more attention for what they do in MMA but fact remains stars = views as he should realize with Kimbo’s draws. Having a two sub par fighting each other I have no problems with. I wouldn’t watch it if there were no other good fights on the card but if it was on a decent card I would have no problem watching it. Kimbo fight anybody? If Walker and Cansenco happen it will be a huge draw. The only issue though is the opinions peaple may get on MMA by watching this fight that never seen the good fighters fight.
"He broke tim sylvia’s arm…...So what?" – Brock Lesnar
this is why HH was right about bitching about ufc's payscale.
If the sport needs stars then pay your fighters so guys like lesnar dont wait until there rich to try mma, and guys like walker dont wait until there 47. We need mma to atract the best athletes, not the athletes like canseco that are bankrupt and want a quick buck.
Bas Rutten: He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Stephen Quadros: Yes, well many of the fighters
have a black belt.
Bas Rutten: Yes, but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you cant
buy your belt like in say, Tae Kwon Do.
Stephen Quadros: Do you have any belts?
Bas Rutten: I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
by DrewMoney$$$ on Feb 15, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
Brock had been training for about a year
before his K-1 LA bout. He had been training for about 2 before he debuted against Mir. He’s been training almost 4 years now
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Hey not a bad idea
Can Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan fight naked in a tub full of green Jello? I’m up for that one!
As usual with Dana
Yes, there is some truth to what he said. GSP, Silva etc do deserve more attention. But, as usual, Dana said it in a buffoonish duchebag way. Here is an idea, stop worrying about Herschel Walker, he does not fight under your org…therefor there is no need to talk about him. When a reporter asks you about him, say no comment instead of acting like a prick.
Also, get a network deal. Thats one of the main reasons Kimbo got so much attention, and its a big reason Herschel got attention. If this is what is bothering you, change what you are doing and put about 4 shows a year on FOX
"4 shows a year on Fox"
I like this! I think the UFC needs more mainstream exposure and fewer cards. They are stretched too thin these days. 6-8 big cards a year is much more manageable and means the fans get way more bang for their buck. If they did 4 a year on FOX and another 4 on PPV their numbers would skyrocket and the cards would be a lot more stacked.
he is just mad cuz Walker worked better then Kimbo for ESPN etc
and he missed it. so now he’s mad. he says gsp penn andy etc are the names. of course they are. if thats all he’s mad about, dont you think Coker has the same argument? who knows mousassi and fedor? way less ppl then Brock GSP etc. so he’s just talking shit like usual.
worbanizer
As far as being an ambassador of MMA, Walker has honestly been great in that he doesn’t treat MMA like a joke, takes it very seriously, and is well-spoken when asked about it. As far as being an MMA fighter, he is nothing more than a sideshow attraction. I commend him for getting in there and doing what he loves and taking it seriously though.
Dana has a point, but at the same time, came across as clueless and unrealistic. A celebrity like Walker will garner more media attention, and it really is what it is.
Walker is a helluva better spokesperson for MMA than Dana
Dana’s mouth is the biggest reason MMA isn’t taken seriously by most sportscasters, TV execs, and mainstream media. When the CEO of the flagship org of a sport is has all the eloquence and tact of a drunken viking how is anybody supposed to think the sport is anything but barbaric knuckledragging!
He has a point
about the media Ignoring MMA.
But at the end of the day he is just mad he didn’t think of it himself. It’s good “free” publicity for the sport and brings in casual fans.
"One should always be cold minded and remember that a ridiculous incident may occur any time."
by At Least On Paper on Feb 15, 2010 4:17 PM EST reply actions
Whateva, Dana
You used to bash Kimbo just like you’re now bashing Herschel and then Dana invited Kimbo to TUF, marketing him all over.
Pay Attention!
He said from the begining that Kimbo would only go to the UFC if it was through TUF. He kept his word to exactly what he said. And who says Dana “invited” Kimbo to TUF? I read Kimbo showed up at the tryouts.
Whateva? Speak english! No one respects you or takes you seriously if you talk like that in real life so it’s unlikely they will feel different having to read it.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
haha
The entire show was based around him. I really doubt he “just showed up”. I’m sure they talked beforehand. In fact, I would venture enough to say Dana did a heavyweight season just for Kimbo. The entire show was based on Kimbo. At the end of every episode, they kept you tuned in next week with a kimbo promo.
I believe Dana said Kimbo would need to win TUF, correct? Anyone can just attend and lose.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Doubt....
Everyhting you say is based on doubt and speculation. To talk about it like “you know” is just stupid.
And I think his exact words were “Kimbo has to go through the Ultimate Fighter” not win, and you know as well as anyone, assuming yuou watch MMA, that more than just winners get contracts.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
Now I went and looked it up
I read that it was all together. Dana made the comment that if Kimbo wanted to come to the UFC he would have to go through the Ultimate Fighter and he would be willing to make a Heavyweight Season to do so. So he never changed his stance from the get go, Kimbo simply took him up on it.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
i went to look it up too
i coulda sworn he said Kimbo had to win it. Regardless…
He talked all kinds of shit about Kimbo sucking…and then he creates an entire season just for Kimbo. Just like I said, not speculation. The entire show was edited around Kimbo.
So, he gets through the taping of a tv show, wow. He never won a fight on the show. In fact, he backs out of a fight – he was injured, yes, but still. What does “getting through” the season mean? How was he any different on TUF than before? He didn’t win any fights after Petruzelli until Houston. How did he all of a sudden become worthy of enterring a UFC Octagon?
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Dana knows exactly what he is doing
he knows the value of these “late to MMA athletes” from a marketing perspective better than anyone. he’s going to continually provoke Walker and belittle his skills so that if and when he leaves Strikeforce, he’ll feel a need to shut Dana up and prove himself in the UFC. he did it with Kimbo, he’ll do it with Walker, and anyone else who shows up.
the only way mma will be free of the white/fertitta curse, is if they make it an olympic sport
they do a good job, don’t get me wrong, but, we are all at the mercy of their ego’s – as per the fedor situation, and the way pro boxing and the paq mayweather situation is, unless the sport is under one umbrella then this will allways happen, co promoters thinking they are bigger than the fighters themselves,:- dana white, m1 global, scott coker, don king, bob arum, frank warren, golden boy- the list is endless, and its only going to get worse once the sport explodes properly, boxers recieve up to 20 million for a fight whereas the top mma guys get 250k, how long will that last in the fastest growing sport in the world, how long before the likes of don king start their own mma promotions and start offerin huge paydays, not long i think……isn’t that right kevin….
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 4:35 PM EST reply actions
If MMA turned into boxing it would be destroyed
I’m a huge fan but sorry I aint watching BS. I wouldn’t hold my breathe about this being a olympic sport in boxing you don’t see pro’s fighting only amateurs with head gear on. Do you really want to watch to multi millionares go at it. Sorry I don’t look at these rich boxers they control who they fight and when they fight. With no structure like boxing you will see many BS fights and a bunch of BS hype. I’m willing to pay as a fan for organized competitive sports that have ONE belt. How many boxers make 20million? 2 or 3 and the rest make? I think F all.
"He broke tim sylvia’s arm…...So what?" – Brock Lesnar
MMA has always been the same model as boxing
Each promotion is a just a different promoter – UFC = Don King Strikeforce = Bob Arum EliteXC = Gary Shaw (obviously)
You know what killed boxing in the 90s? Every big fight was put on PPV by Don King till it diluted the market and fans didn’t care enough to buy them anymore. ZUFFA has a PPV or 2 A MONTH. That’s more than boxing ever did. Oversaturation will happen and the Fertittas and Dana will bail and leave the sport to fend for itself while they count their money.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
sorry, disagree.......
the average boxers fight salary is way more than the average mma fighters purse, if, for example, you take a top mma earner such as randy, chuck, brock, tito, or whoever, they earn about 250k per fight, wheras the top boxers earn millions, and boxers only pay for one coach, i.e. freddy roach, rodger mayweather, or flloyd, billy graham, enzo or whoever. while unless you have your own gym in mma, and even if you do, you have to travel and pay a lot of money to train with the best coaches, ask florian and st pierre, that travel all over the world to train, dan hardy trains in england but goes to train with bravo in the us, not cheap….
love, don't hate - freedom
freedom is not a nasty person, speak sense to him and he's fine - elvis presley
by freedomthrtyfve on Feb 15, 2010 5:17 PM EST reply actions
Actually, you are pretty wrong
If you started by saying the ABSOLUTE ELITE boxers fight salary is more than a MMA fighter you are right, but those guys making millions are VERY few and far between. Most undercard on boxing makes less than undercard on UFC. The only boxers making more are the big name like Jones Jr compared to Couture.
Average MMA fighter makes way more cash than a Average Boxer.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
the average person makes more money than both
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Not in the US
I recently read making over $35,000 in the USA puts you in the top 50%.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
you think the average mma fighter makes that much? no.
im not talkin about the guys on the main cards in the UFC. the average mma fighter fights in KOTC, ROTR, Shark Fights, etc.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Being one of those guys
money isnt that good as people assume. KOTC ROTR etc dont get paid well. Most my money is from teaching classes and sponsorships. Even the bottom of the list UFCers dont get paid well
by AintNoSunshine on Feb 15, 2010 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
Whens the next big boxing match? When is the next boxing event? How many champions are in one division?
Why don’t the two best simply fight each other? Are you not happy as a fan with 30+ MMA events ayear from one org are what? The uFC has legalized MMA in how many states and givin us fans the most and the best MMA action. What kind of fan are you I ask? They make more money in one fight than most make the entire year boo f’n whoo and the best make more in one fight than most do in their lifetime?! These fighters are not poor what’s your deal are you trying to be like Don King #2? If it wasn’t for the UFC us fans would probally have to go overseas to watch MMA .
"He broke tim sylvia’s arm…...So what?" – Brock Lesnar
There is 1 champion in each division. Sometimes there is none
There are occasionally various title holders. Noobs get confused about this people that know boxing don’t.
In 1 division there is the legit claim to be made by 3 people of being “champion” 147. Pacquiao would be the lineal champion. Floyd the champion emeritus and Shane Mosley beat the cheat that beat Cotto which gives him a claim also.
No division in MMA is anywhere close to as stacked with top talent as 147 in boxing though.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
If he would get Walker into the UFC he would would say the exact opposite
by Lester The Pimp on Feb 15, 2010 5:21 PM EST reply actions
Remember how he trashed Kimbo when he wasnt in the UFC
But as soon as he signed….
by Lester The Pimp on Feb 15, 2010 5:22 PM EST reply actions
He has Never not trashed Kimbo
even in TUF he just said lets see if this guy can fight. He has never hyped him
by AintNoSunshine on Feb 15, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
He has never hyped him?
What do you call basing an entire season of your marquee show around the guy?
"You can observe a lot just by watching."-Yogi Berra
That isn't the same as hyping him, Dice.
He has never said “Kimbo is a good fighter”. He just used him to make money, that is what promotors do. He has never hyped him as much as he has used him.
OD is incredibly handsome, coureagous and self sacrificing in his endeavour to educate me on MMA and evolve my primitive understanding of the sport; I salute you sir.
Thought creating hype was promoting someone
You can’t promote and not hype someone at the same time. No, he never said he was a great fighter, but he most certainly built a show around him. SF hasn’t even used Walker to that extent.
"If Tito would just use his head as a battering ram, he never lose"-Rampage
Stop whining Dana
More of the same old ranting from Dana. Looks like someone is a tad jealous of getting media coverage but baldy knows how to put up a good show.
Well.....
hes pretty much right. Herschel wouldnt last in the UFC. And i do not thinks its Jealousy that Dana has about Herschel getting media attention, its more frustration. Listen Herschel is one of the great football players ever, so when he does soemthing of course he is gonna get coverage on espn. The problem that i think Dana has, is not jealousy, it is because Herschel is getting media crazy coverage as a mixed martial artist, when TRUE Mixed martial artists legends like GSP and Penn and Anderson are not. getting the coverage they deserve on ESPN…… I would be upset too. The thing is, Herschel is not getting all the media cuz he is a great mixed martial artist or a legend in MMA, he is getting coverage becasue he is Herschel Walker, ex NFL great, and thats that. He woudl get that same coverage if he tried out for the ping pong olympics or bowling.
Dana did the same thing with Kimbo!
Dana’s just mad because Walker’s NOT in the UFC and that another promotion is getting a lot of media attention! I think the media coverage of an American football legend making a debut in MMA at age 47 is news! It’s something I want to know about! And besides, Walker may have beat a “nobody,” but he certainly showed awesome composure and the ability to think in the cage! Although he’s no master tactician, at least not yet, he desrves respect for the performance he put on! And it’s stupid and childish for fans to complain about his competition in his FIRST ever MMA fight! Only a frigging moron would expect a newbie to fight a top 20 guy their first time out!
by Dana's a Crossdresser on Feb 15, 2010 6:27 PM EST reply actions
HERSCHEL WALKER WON THE HEISMAN TROPHY!!!
He deserves the attention he’s getting, all its doing is helping MMA’s popularity and legitamecy… Most people in America dont even consider MMA a Sport… This is a wonderful thing because now you have a Mainstream sport (football) showing major support for a sport still in its infancy….
No other sport has helped MMA in this regard. Look at Boxing. MMA and Boxing are damn near cousins BUT Boxing is doing everything in its power to SHIT on MMA…
Now look at Football, Football players love MMA! Its great that so many football players speak of MMA in such a high regard. there are even some teams that are starting to implement MMA into their training.
Now I’m not saying that Herschel Walker deserves more attention than guys like GSP, BJ, Fedor, Silva etc etc… BUT anytime you MIX football with MMA in the Media, its great for MMA
by Drew Nikel on Feb 15, 2010 6:51 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed!
I hate football, but I say Hershel Walker is good for MMA and Dana dropped the ball. Walker isn’t Marcus Jones or Matt Mitrione, he’s a sports legend and a household name. I’ve never liked football, never watched a superbowl, and probably couldn’t name 5 quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. But I damn sure know who Hershel Walker was. I don’t know what team he played for or what position, but I know his name is synonymous with superhuman athleticism and athletes at my college tried to prove their athleticism by doing “Hershel Walker Pushups”. Add to that the fact that this guy is an Olympian, a legit martial artist, AND a soft-spoken gentleman and you have a man who’s a more widely respected competitor than anyone in MMA has ever been. How can it be bad for the sport that he chooses to not only endorse it, but compete on the undercard. Walker is doing MMA a HUGE favor by throwing his hat in our ring and humbly bringing all this media coverage our way and adding his legendary reputation to our credibility. Average people and NFL fans are thinking, “Dang, if Hershel Walker considers this a real sport, maybe I was wrong about it.” Dana is just pissed that all that attention is going to his competitors.
Dana's a pretty bright guy but sometimes.....
He makes no sense to me. His guys (GSP, Silva and BJ) get plenty of coverage. If he wants more then do a deal with network television. Herschel got a very late start in the sport and who knows how long he’ll compete. Yes, his 1st opponent was pretty lame but given it was his first fight, not too surprising. I still say Herschel fairs better than half the HW’s on the last TUF. At least with Herschel, you know the guy comes in some kinda shape. Shape can be deceiving with a guy like Herschel because he’s always had a tremendous physique. But even still, I’ve got to believe because of his dedication to body weight exercises, he’s probably got decent cardio. A far as Herschel being the first death in the UFC…..Dana pulllllllease. With guys like Steve “quick stoppage” Mazzegati, we’ve got nothing to worry about. Seriously, I’d never want to see someone hurt bad but I do think the officiating in a lot of the MMA fights errs on the side of caution. To me, there are more early stoppages then late.
mma is gate keeper of sports
espn dogs mma because it is a threat, not a major threat but a threat to them. Espn has no piece of the pie with mma. CBS does and Spike does but espn does not so they clown it. MMA is not football or baseball or even basketball but it is bigger than boxing, hockey or tennis for males 18-34. That’s pretty big. MMA is not like surfing or snowboarding or volleyball, it is up there with the big time sports, almost like the gate keeper of sports when it comes to viewers and followers in USA anyway.
Are you sure
Espn has showed coverage of mma as a whole but Dana wants it to be just the UFC. I know someone who has a brother at ESPN. I heard the only reason MMA (UFC)does not get more coverage is because it is not run like a legit sport and it has not evloved enough. Yes it evolved from the early day and it has grown hugely but there stil has no sanctioning boby or no commission or not even a unbias ranking system. The different promotions are run buy a single person who says you fight here and you get a title shot. Maybe now if Dana wans more coverage and since he has made as much money as he will ever need then maybe he will turn it into a sport instead of a real WWE or a business promotion. The money will still stay the same if not grow. If it had ESPN’s full backing then it would grow hugely
a little two sided, Dana...
I don’t think it bad for the sport at all. Everyone thought Kimbo was bad for the sport (including Dana) & then he went on Ultimate Fighter & has brought nothing but record ratings, despite his mediocrity.
I have a feeling we’re gonna see Walker in the Ultimate Fighter eventually. He respects the sport, trains hard, is strong as an ox, has incredible cardio, is humble, & just needs experience.
Dana isn't blaming this on Herschel Walker....
…. he’s blaming CBS and Strikeforce for this. How Herschel got on the main card but Jay Heiron vs. Joe Riggs didn’t is beyond me.
Yea not agreeing with Dana on this one....
Herschel is doing this for the competition, I believe that. He even said he doesn’t know if he is going to fight again and doesn’t want a title shot. He recognizes how old is. No I don’t think he is an elite mma fighter but he never said he was. Dana is getting angry cause he is getting so much attention. I think sports networks like ESPN should pay attention to guys like this cause they are about the competition. I don’t believe for a minute that Walker would be the beat as bad as Dana thinks in the UFC either…. I think Walker could fair well against UFC’s Ben Rothwell. I think he could do well against Kimbo. I think there a few he would fair well against.
Dana is angry
when anybody gets attention without him. You can hardly find a picture of a UFC guy at a press conference or anything without Dana standing over his shoulder. Dana will actually make more money because of Walker, b/c people who wouldn’t otherwise give MMA a chance will tune in to see Walker, like it and want to see more. Then they’ll rent a UFC dvd on Netflix and then start buying PPVs from Dana. So it’s not about the money, it’s all about the attention. The only way Dana can get any attention off this thing is by bashing Walker in the media.
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