Wednesday Mail Call
Jake Rossen Aug 5, 2009
Turns out people are really preoccupied with this whole Fedor
Emelianenko thing. Some select thoughts from readers on
RubleGate:
Obviously, the UFC has nothing to gain from [co-promoting] whereas this deal is perfect for Strikeforce. Could Strikeforce quietly have been doing things the right way where other promotions like EXC and IFL did it all wrong? I hope so. I'd like to see Strikeforce build up their roster, bring in some new talent, and maybe give the UFC good competition. Then hopefully HBO will get in on the mix and we can get UFC on there and on whatever network channel HBO is affiliated with.
-- Ed
Strikeforce has been doing things the right way for a long, long
time: reasonable spending, reasonable tickets, and reasonable
expectations. They found a home base of loyalty in San Jose, which
is not unlike what wrestling promotion ECW did in Philadelphia:
having a house-show cushion guarantees a minimum amount of
business.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker doesn’t appear interested in conquering the world tomorrow. The patience will continue to pay off for him.
-- Harley
I’m not going to join in on the chorus that says Andrei Arlovski is overcooked. He has some of the best hands in MMA and gave Emelianenko a nice, hard time for a few minutes. “Glass jaw syndrome” may be applicable in lighter weight divisions, but Arlovski is getting assaulted by men in excess of 230 pounds -- and I don’t think anyone’s jaw stands up to clean shots. (Even Mark Hunt, patron saint of hard heads, got KOed by a middleweight.)
Rogers is still developing and Overeem has a lot to do in the division, but I stand by the assertion that both are dangerous fights for Emelianenko -- and easily as credible as Brock Lesnar. The fight “everyone” is obsessed with would pit a 30-1 veteran against a 4-1 guy whose sole marquee win was against Frank Mir. Let’s sip the Kool-Aid a little more slowly.
I honestly believe that several of the heavyweights in Emelianenko’s new home can give him plenty to work with. Do I see any of them defeating him? Only if he doesn't come with his “A” game -- but chances of that happening are slim.
Many middle-of-the-road fans are complaining that Emelianenko won't be fighting Brock Lesnar any time soon, but I believe Shane Carwin will be a true test for Lesnar. He’s a big heavyweight with plenty of power and other sound abilities. What do you think about that?
Also, what are your predictions on Emelianenko's first opponent in Strikeforce?
-- Michael
I think you’re absolutely right: Brock Lesnar has at least two years’ worth of opponents to deal with. It’s not like the guy will get lonely.
If Strikeforce insists on keeping Emelianenko away from Alistair Overeem to “build” the fight -- a mistake, in my estimation -- the only other debut that wouldn’t disappoint is against Brett Rogers. If they want to “build” to that, too (sounds like too much construction work to me), then Jeff Monson’s cell is probably ringing as we speak.
I'm not sure if any other fans have complained about this, but after I pay $50 for a UFC, I am offended that the UFC would try and charge me more on their web site to watch what I already paid for. There were six unaired prelim fights from UFC 100, for which UFC.com wants an additional $12. Granted, the UFC listed them as "may not be televised", but they don't have to charge for them, either. How will a fan ever know if he/she will get to see the prelims they want when they read a fight card/ buy the PPV? The card might as well read, “You may only see half the fights we are selling you, and you will have to pay twice for those.” When I decide to purchase, the decision is based on the entire card. The prelims from UFC 100 could have been considered a second fight card in my opinion, and I don't intend to pay for them twice. It's a dishonest practice, and I hope the UFC eventually gets the message.
-- Ricky
What does this have to do with Fedor?
Can’t side with you on this one: the UFC is Windex-clear on the fact that prelim bouts are never guaranteed to air, and yet they wind up broadcasting any number of them if time allows.
You might want to shift your complaint to the fact that the promotion sticks with a three-hour pay per view window when other attractions (like wrasslin’) pony up for four. I wouldn’t necessarily want to see it instituted for all events, but cards as stacked as UFC 100 probably deserve a little more breathing room.
Obviously, the UFC has nothing to gain from [co-promoting] whereas this deal is perfect for Strikeforce. Could Strikeforce quietly have been doing things the right way where other promotions like EXC and IFL did it all wrong? I hope so. I'd like to see Strikeforce build up their roster, bring in some new talent, and maybe give the UFC good competition. Then hopefully HBO will get in on the mix and we can get UFC on there and on whatever network channel HBO is affiliated with.
-- Ed
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Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker doesn’t appear interested in conquering the world tomorrow. The patience will continue to pay off for him.
Your assessment of the UFC was pretty on point with only three
guys being a real threat to Fedor. But I have to say comparing
Brett
Rogers and Alistair
Overeem to the top of the UFC is not even close. Rogers has not
taken on anyone of relevance (Arlovski has been shot) and Overeem
is middle of the pack.
-- Harley
I’m not going to join in on the chorus that says Andrei Arlovski is overcooked. He has some of the best hands in MMA and gave Emelianenko a nice, hard time for a few minutes. “Glass jaw syndrome” may be applicable in lighter weight divisions, but Arlovski is getting assaulted by men in excess of 230 pounds -- and I don’t think anyone’s jaw stands up to clean shots. (Even Mark Hunt, patron saint of hard heads, got KOed by a middleweight.)
Rogers is still developing and Overeem has a lot to do in the division, but I stand by the assertion that both are dangerous fights for Emelianenko -- and easily as credible as Brock Lesnar. The fight “everyone” is obsessed with would pit a 30-1 veteran against a 4-1 guy whose sole marquee win was against Frank Mir. Let’s sip the Kool-Aid a little more slowly.
I honestly believe that several of the heavyweights in Emelianenko’s new home can give him plenty to work with. Do I see any of them defeating him? Only if he doesn't come with his “A” game -- but chances of that happening are slim.
Many middle-of-the-road fans are complaining that Emelianenko won't be fighting Brock Lesnar any time soon, but I believe Shane Carwin will be a true test for Lesnar. He’s a big heavyweight with plenty of power and other sound abilities. What do you think about that?
Also, what are your predictions on Emelianenko's first opponent in Strikeforce?
-- Michael
I think you’re absolutely right: Brock Lesnar has at least two years’ worth of opponents to deal with. It’s not like the guy will get lonely.
If Strikeforce insists on keeping Emelianenko away from Alistair Overeem to “build” the fight -- a mistake, in my estimation -- the only other debut that wouldn’t disappoint is against Brett Rogers. If they want to “build” to that, too (sounds like too much construction work to me), then Jeff Monson’s cell is probably ringing as we speak.
I'm not sure if any other fans have complained about this, but after I pay $50 for a UFC, I am offended that the UFC would try and charge me more on their web site to watch what I already paid for. There were six unaired prelim fights from UFC 100, for which UFC.com wants an additional $12. Granted, the UFC listed them as "may not be televised", but they don't have to charge for them, either. How will a fan ever know if he/she will get to see the prelims they want when they read a fight card/ buy the PPV? The card might as well read, “You may only see half the fights we are selling you, and you will have to pay twice for those.” When I decide to purchase, the decision is based on the entire card. The prelims from UFC 100 could have been considered a second fight card in my opinion, and I don't intend to pay for them twice. It's a dishonest practice, and I hope the UFC eventually gets the message.
-- Ricky
What does this have to do with Fedor?
Can’t side with you on this one: the UFC is Windex-clear on the fact that prelim bouts are never guaranteed to air, and yet they wind up broadcasting any number of them if time allows.
You might want to shift your complaint to the fact that the promotion sticks with a three-hour pay per view window when other attractions (like wrasslin’) pony up for four. I wouldn’t necessarily want to see it instituted for all events, but cards as stacked as UFC 100 probably deserve a little more breathing room.
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