tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post2761736884076765575..comments2023-09-25T10:35:16.856-05:00Comments on Beyond the Balcony: UFC 121: Brocked!Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-18102063978942066132010-10-25T15:33:43.152-05:002010-10-25T15:33:43.152-05:00You're right. It is smart to try cross promot...You're right. It is smart to try cross promotion because UFC is so hot, and so why not try to at least appeal to the casual UFC fan. Brock is the smartest guy to use because 1) some casual WWE fans that only watch for Wrestlemania's will already know Brock thus be interested, 2) It might draw back in people who have left WWE because they'll fondly remember Brock from a 'better time' 3) might draw in some UFC fans (except for the hardcores and purists), and 4) Brock used to be a pro wrestler so he won't need as much training to put on a good match and more importantly, he'll know how to pull punches or do moves to prevent a mass injury.<br /><br />There really is only one show I'd ever consider paying money for in WWE nowadays anyway. And this would pull me even closer to being interested.Christopher Spicerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-63007620877236847922010-10-25T14:58:37.516-05:002010-10-25T14:58:37.516-05:00If they get the fight, it was smart having Underta...If they get the fight, it was smart having Undertaker there... Vince could do some good stuff from that. And, this would actually get my geek back on for Wrestlemania. Call me a sheep, call me whatever. It would definately spark some interest in me, and I would get some excite on for that. It would easily be the safest sort of cross-promotion that Dana could be involved in. If his fighter loses, it is what it is and that's all. The hardcores of MMA would hate it, but I would appreciate such a thing. The man was entertaining in the squared circle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-54413881507530300842010-10-25T14:42:36.484-05:002010-10-25T14:42:36.484-05:00I just heard the same thing, that WWE wants to do ...I just heard the same thing, that WWE wants to do Brock vs. Undertaker for Wrestlemania. I have no idea if anything is signed or official. I'd assume they would need the okay from Dana, and this would also mean Brock probably wouldn't be training for a fight, which would put Mir v. Brock off the books for April. But again, I think it is more just a wish by WWE, but I did hear that the 'confrontation' was designed to build up something for 'Mania.Christopher Spicerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-36630142953867617752010-10-25T14:33:39.164-05:002010-10-25T14:33:39.164-05:00Haha... latest news. Undertaker was there, which ...Haha... latest news. Undertaker was there, which was saw, and aparently got into it with Brock after the main event. It seems as though there was an angle for it. The WWE wants Brock to face the Undertaker in a one time pro-wrestling match at Mania. I just heard that on a radio show, and was wondering if any of the sites you check out are saying anything from the WWE side of things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-7501075706719680242010-10-25T13:59:16.560-05:002010-10-25T13:59:16.560-05:00I totally agree with Shields getting the next titl...I totally agree with Shields getting the next title shot being a poor business decision especially if St. Pierre ends up still being the champ (which is not only likely, but what I am sure UFC hopes for too). Because like you said, they want to break an attendance record in Toronto and there is absolutely no argument that St. Pierre is the most popular and biggest UFC star in Canada (even bigger than Brock, I'd think). If you want a record then you put that country's biggest draw in the main event. But the issue is, Shields put on a horrible fight, and I'd bet a huge number of people are UFC fans rather than MMA fans. Which I mean is, they watch UFC and follow UFC but don't care for any other promotions. Just like how WWE was huge in 2000, but nobody cared about WCW or knew what was happening there. <br /><br />What this means is, that I think a large portion of people know very little about Shields. They only know what UFC and Dana tells them, and of course, what they now saw on Saturday. The big problem about Saturday, is I am guessing that show did a monster buy rate, which means lots of people saw Shields make a shit sandwich. All those fans only have that one fight to know him, and UFC doesn't have any footage to prove otherwise about their opinion that Shields kind of sucks a piss popsicle. All that to say, I can't see St. Pierre vs. Shields doing anything special in attendance or buy rate unless I'm either underestimating how much of a draw St. Pierre is, or if they really load up the under card with something amazing. I just don't know if UFC can do that since they're spreading themselves so thin right now (maybe they try to do a Mir v. Lesnar match underneath? Or when is Forrest Griffin due back?)<br /><br />I like Court; he really impressed me. I say they try to give him a few more 'build up' fights and hope it goes in a positive direction. He seems he is improving his game. I agree with you, that TUF is going to start produciung less and less standouts just based off the fact you're destined to run out of available talent. The only advantage at this point is UFC is trendy, and so it may attract potential athletes that would normally go elsewhere. But a good amateur wrestler or kick boxer or football player or chess genius may have great potential to be a MMA star, but there is a big difference between potential and the now. In UFC, you can't last long on potential since it is so deep in talent, and those guys may be better suited to start out in Strikeforce (rather than fizzle in UFC for a few years). <br /><br />Anyway, some interesting points you brought up, and I enjoy the discussion, especially since you are far more knowledgeable than I -- so I learn stuff. <br /><br />Oh yeah, potatoes.Christopher Spicerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-23854455636687705842010-10-25T13:34:55.194-05:002010-10-25T13:34:55.194-05:00It definately is a huge question. Dana really wan...It definately is a huge question. Dana really wants him at 170, and is still stating that he will be getting a title shot next. I really have a hard time seeing that from a business perspective. The only footage that the UFC owns to cut promos for Shields is highlights from Saturday's fight. Selling this would be insanely tough. They are saying that they want to set a new attendance record, and they want to do it in Toronto in the spring of 2011. The best way to do this is a fight with St Pierre, but not with Shields. Maybe a fight between Jake Shields and Jon Fitch would be great if Shields could come out on top. Perhaps that way there could be some serious momentum put behind him to make people see him as a challenge.<br /><br />I think my two biggest curiosities coming out of Saturday are Court McGee and Diego Sanchez. Court seemed to improve his striking a lot, so I am really wanting to see just how much he will keep progressing. I think that with the number of promotions out there it is less likely for standouts to be farmed from the Ultimate Fighter and I am interested to see if perhaps Court can make it.<br /><br />With Diego, I have always cheered against him. I felt that we were robbed of two things on Saturday; an anime style stare-down from Diego, and a more-epic-than-epic mustache from Filthy. That aside, I was a fan of how Diego fought. He made a change in his camp for this fight, and the big question was just how much of a difference training with Greg Jackson would make, especially after an incredibly unmotivated performance at his return to welter weight. I think the question was answered as Sanchez really took it to an amazing fighter and looked legit at 170. I am quite looking forward to see his next fight and follow this progression.<br /><br />We definately need to get together again for another good card. It was just too much fun. And the potatos...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-63886790664880746942010-10-25T12:53:23.468-05:002010-10-25T12:53:23.468-05:00You make a really good point, I don't understa...You make a really good point, I don't understand why Kampman didn't try to keep it standing in the 3rd round when Shields was obviously gassed. He had the obvious advantage in striking to begin with, and it doesn't make sense to use a strategy that would help Shield to just drag the round to the time limit. If he kept it standing, he had a good chance of knocking Shields into next year, and essentially turn this into a career making fight.<br /><br />The weight cut excuse is one of the most pathetic ever, because did Shields just learn on Friday what weight limits of that division were? We knew about that fight for a few months now, and he had tons of time to voice his concerns about weight cutting. And if that is the issue, he is in the wrong division (which then kills the whole reason he was brought into UFC). <br /><br />If he uses that excuse long enough, then you just need to sign him for a fight in the higher weight division, and see if he can go up there (if he can't, maybe UFC cuts their losses).Christopher Spicerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-15953932182494789072010-10-25T11:56:39.416-05:002010-10-25T11:56:39.416-05:00What a night, what a night. Shields did nothing b...What a night, what a night. Shields did nothing but absolutely tick me off. When the fight ended I just loved the fact that, not only was the crowd booing almost as loud as they ended up cheering during the main event, but that they did not even give Jake an in-octagon interview. <br /><br />What do they do with this? A title shot is credible based off of his career, but not off of his performance. He does claim that a lot of it was that he had to cut 20 pounds in one day to make weight. This could definately impact his performance, but is really inexcusable. Sure, he had fought a few times at 185, but he also wasn't told last minute that this fight would be at 170. If he is a professional (and also an elite fighter) he should be planning on a healthier and effective weight cut, using the months that he had to prep for this fight.<br /><br />Sigh... seriously, this fight really took away more than it gave. How can someone who claims to be great, and who is considered a pound-for pound best fighter in the world, fight for 15 minutes and land only 53 strikes? Not only that, but those strikes were getting weaker and weaker to the point that I knew for sure that even I could shrug them off. He was litterally tapping Kampman.<br /><br />It does take two to tango, but it takes only one fighter with superior skills to make a crappy fight. Kampman definately could have been a bit more agressive at times, but his real downfall was trying to wrestle Shields in the third round instead of keeping the fight on the feet. That said, Kampmam is indeed good, Shields is indeed better, and Shields needs to return at least five dollars to me and my friends for wasting some of our money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com