UFC WANTS NEW YORK!

BY:CHER WOODIWISS

UFC representatives are looking for a piece of the Empire State. New York state is not within the realm of the mixed martial arts boom, atleast not yet, it will be added to the 44 other states that already are sanctioned, if Zuffa gets its way. Today the UFC execs made a plea at a press conference held at Madison Square Gardens, Thurs,Jan 13,2011 to bring the fastest growing sport to their state. In attendance were: Dana White,Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, a Jersey native and Scott O’Neil, president of Madison Square Gardens sports.

There have been fruitless attempts in the past by president of the UFC, Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta to get mma regulated in the state of New York. White and Fertitta are confident they will find success in 2011, year of the rabbit. Which ironically is described as a “congenial time in which diplomacy and international relations will be given a front seat again. A year where people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force.” Which relates to the UFC’s focus on educating politicians and the general public on the economic benefits of sanctioning mma in their state.


Fertitta said during the press conference that they have talked about the economic impact. He spoke of an independent study that was done by a firm called HR & A, who’ve estimated that they would bring 23 million on an annual basis and create over 200 jobs, just by putting on 2 events a year. Which they promised the Gardens would be a chosen venue.

White and Fertitta have sought support from high ranking Garden personnel and state politicians and are not just relying on financial data to build support for the sanctioning of MMA.

President of Madison Square Gardens Sports, Scott O’Neil and New York State assembly man Dean Murray stood by White and Fertitta. Murray has already begun lobbying for the passing of Mixed Martial Arts legislation in new York. He has begun talks with newly elected Governor Andrew M Cuomo. To which he received positive feedback, he seemed open to the idea. A request has been put in writing to include the MMA legislation in his budget proposal.

While UFC awaits New York States decision on whether to legalize Mixed Martial Arts, the promotion will return to the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey to hold UFC 128,March 19,2011. To which White expects another profitable night and expects New York residents will represent a large percentage of the paying fans.Dana announced that tickets for ufc 128,Evans vs. Rua are on sale today Jan 13,2011. He told us that last event put on at the Prudential Centre in March, 2010 sold 17,000 tickets and took in 4 million at the gate with 30% of those tickets sold, were to New Yorkers.

Here’s to success of getting MMA sanctioned worldwide. One state at a time, one province at a time. Soon this will be a thing we look back at in disbelief. We will be telling our grandkids that we had to travel far and wide to see great fights and that “in my day” we had to fight to make this sport legal and available for everyone, everywhere!

Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida Makes Too Much Sense NOT To Happen

By Elton Hobson

The greatest trilogy in all of MMA - at least in terms of interest generated - has got to be Randy Couture vs. Retirement. And as of now, "The Natural" seems to be an unblemished 3-0.

Knocked out twice by Chuck Liddell? Take a year off, then move up a weight class and kick some ass there. Locked in a court battle with your boss? Just kiss and make up. Who needed that chubby Russian dude anyways when you have the guy who headlined last year’s “Wrestlemania”?

Then a few days ago, Couture dropped the bomb. Again. Again again. Third career dropping of the bomb overall. Just so we’re clear. This time the classy (and cryptic) announcement came on Twitter, of all places. And the latest “retirement” lasted as long as it took Randy’s lawyers to shoot this rumour to sunshine.

So if Couture vs. Retirement really were an MMA trilogy, it would be like Shamrock/Ortiz - each instalment is shorter, each saying less and less about those involved while seeming to be more decisive and final.

But hey, why the hell am I complaining? Randy’s back in the fight game! Over-the-hill, morbidly obese former boxers of the world in need of a payday - beware!

Regardless of what any of us say, Randy is back (or never left, whichever) and as long as he keeps winning, he has every right to fight into his golden years. Are YOU gonna tell someone who carries the name "Captain America" without any scorn or doubt what he can and cannot do?

No, you're not, and neither am I.

There was really only one question regarding Randy continuing an MMA career: do you intend to make another, seemingly improbable title run or do you just want fun, “safe” fights to ride out the twilight of your career?

In light of his recent silver screen success ("The Rock" vs. Randy in a Scorpion King spinoff is coming any day now, mark my words) Couture isn't gonna keep fighting just anyone. Chubby former pugilists need not apply anymore, it would seem. According to Randy's people, "The Natural" only wants two people: "Shogun" Rua, or Lyoto Machida.

Well Rua is definitely out. A fight with #1 contender/wrestling powerhouse (in a good way!)/wrestling powerhouse (ok also in a bad way) Rashad Evans looms. That's assuming the LHW champ is victorious in MMA's second greatest trilogy - "Shogun" Rua vs. Lost Potential and Time Due to Recurring Knee Injuries.

That leaves Machida.

Which, if I do say so myself, is a hell of a fight. When this news broke some fans and media heaped scorn on the idea of Machida vs. Couture. Call me crazy, but I'm going to call YOU crazy right back and say this fight is a perfect next step for either man.

For Machida, its the ultimate rebuild fight. While the Karate Kid remains a viable draw and interest at LHW, his stock has dropped somewhat from the heady, towering days of the "Machida Era" (read: a year ago) following back to back losses. He needs a win - a solid, convincing win over an opponent with a "name" - to launch himself back into the title picture. You couldn't ask for a better offering to fill that role than Randy Couture.

For Randy, this fight is a fitting "last hurrah". It's not a gimme fight, which the UFC doesn't like giving out. It's not some irrelevant dust-up between aged has beens. It is a relevant meeting of two of the most marketable LHW fighters with title implications and then some. It's a PPV worthy main event without tying up a world title. It's a logical next step for either man. It's also, to restate, a hell of a fight.

If Machida wins, he rebuilds his reputation and moves on, while Randy has the dignity of going out on top, against the best, like he deserves. Randy "does it again" and pulls of another upset? Then he gets a title shot for his going away present - not to mention another huge payday.

It's too perfect. It makes too much sense. MMA's great riddle against the sports best game planner. The "on the comeback former champion" against the livest 'dog in all of MMA. Cash registers would ring and everyone - Dana White, Lyoto, Randy, the fans, everyone - would win, no matter who ACTUALLY won.

From a matchmaking perspective, it doesn't get much better then that. Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida makes too much sense not to happen in 2011.