Mail Bagged
Mail Bagged
Jake Rossen Nov 28, 2006
What could be better after a bountiful holiday meal than exchanging
ideas with the loyal patrons of Sherdog.com?
A recent opinion piece on 10 things that need to change in mixed martial arts prompted a healthy amount of feedback; some letters initiated indigestion, but most were sensible and low in trans fats. Here’s a sampling of what you had to say.
Garcia Replies to the Ebersole-Ritch
Controversy
Did you know that Sherdog had a reporter at the event? Did you know that he was one of the first people to tell me that this fight was highly questionable, in fact more than likely worked?
Sir, I do know what a cartwheel guard pass is. Yes, both a real one and one done for show. No, they were not suspended for this move. Did you see the fight? Reviewed it carefully?
In California we want licensees to fight, not 'entertain.’ Entertainment is for professional wrestlers. 'Carrying' people, 'entertaining', etc. has no place here. We are the busiest commission in the world with 171 events this year. Last year Nevada had 43, Florida 51, and Texas 50. Combine them and do the math.
Are we perfect? No. Are we the best? Absolutely! No one in the world does the quality of work we do with the number of events and the small staff. Please verify your facts first. Then if you are compelled to nail us, do it, but do it with facts and after speaking with me.
Regarding Gracie, Josh Gross was there. He knows what I went through. First show; indoor attendance record; a multitude of promotional problems; new sport, etc.
Respectfully,
Armando Garcia
Commissioner, California State Athletic Commission
(Note: Garcia is commenting on his suspension of Brian Ebersole (Pictures) and Shannon Ritch (Pictures) after he viewed their lackadaisical performances at a recent event.)
Brian Ebersole (Pictures) maintains that he did nothing aside from let Ritch coast in an effort to give fans what they wanted, which — while a rather ignoble pursuit — isn’t outright choreography. Plenty of fighters “take rounds off,” measure their opponents, and operate at less than full drive. Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) made a career on his in-ring theatrics, and dozens more value entertaining a crowd over winning. By California’s measure, Genki Sudo (Pictures) wouldn’t even be granted a license.
I’m wary of ringside officials making proclamations that such activity is tantamount to choreography. If Ritch and Ebersole admitted to further wrongdoing in private, that’s another story.
On a positive note, rare is the letter that addresses me as “Sir.” Sherdoggers tend to preface their comments with “Dear Assface.” I’m good either way.
Rankings and Layoffs
Another idea (to include) is true fighter rankings. That would help people like me who have to rate things all the time add up who needs the next title fight.
One thing you didn't mention is the six-month layoff some titleholders and big names take. Fighters in their prime should be fighting four to six fights a year. I don't know what was up with Liddell’s 2005. Two fights is murder for real fans. You can feel free to tell me where my thinking is wrong on this. – Elijah J.
Rankings are an absolute nightmare to deal with in the current climate of fractured talent groups, which is why I haven’t bothered voting in a poll in years. Until the best from each faction can meet in the ring, it’s pointless to try and debate the issue.
This wouldn’t preclude the UFC (and other promotions) from issuing its own proprietary rankings, but it’s still largely an arbitrary exercise. It also hurts business if a No. 1 contender like Brandon Vera (Pictures) decides he’s not yet ready for Tim Sylvia (Pictures).
Re: fighter schedules, I’d love to see popular attractions become more active, but it’s not always about being physically able to compete. Athletes need time to recover from bouts and “peak” for the next one. A layoff of 6-8 weeks may not allow for that, especially when the level of competition at the top is so demanding. I still maintain a few more months off would’ve done Matt Hughes (Pictures) a lot of good.
Tournaments
In light of the PRIDE Grand Prix Finals in Bushido 13, I think the one-round-per-event needs to be considered. This is beneficial to all three involved parties of MMA events (promoters, fans, and fighters). The fans want to see a decisive fight between the fully healthy fighters who have earned the right to fight in a given round. The promoters want to produce this fight that would attract the fans more effectively. The fighters want an opportunity to fight at full strength and to show their best stuff. It's frustrating for the fans that have been following the tournaments for months. The fighters are even more disappointed after all the training they've put in. Paulo Filho (Pictures) certainly spoke in favor of this change in an interview on your site. – David R.
Tournaments are the great guilty pleasure of the sport — nothing is more expedient and economical in “building” rivalries and personalities than having athletes make multiple appearances in one evening. Unfortunately, results are at the whim of who happens to be less weathered going into the finals. They ultimately prove little.
I’m sure I’ll get heat for the idea, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some enterprising promotion attempt a RINGS or Pancrase-rules tourney in the States. Disallowing strikes on the ground and/or open-palm attacks is obnoxious, but it would allow for a tournament to run its course in relative harmony. The promise of less damage would probably entice some bigger free agents to participate.
Poor proposal? Maybe, but simply trying to copy the UFC’s template clearly isn’t working. New promotions need to start thinking outside the box. (Or cage.)
Company Crossovers
The various organizations need to develop a better framework for inter-organization competition. This will do wonders to advance the sport and truly provide for some excellent match ups, which are simply not possible in the current structure. As you point out in your article, there is a lack of talent in this sport and the organizations could find better ways to use the pool of talent that currently exists
Also: the sport still perpetuates the "thug" culture. It’s inherent in the branding around the sport and consistent with some of the ways that the large organizations still present themselves. It doesn’t need to be this way and I believe can mature accordingly. – Geoff B.
The sport’s management deities have no interest in mixing talent. The Silva-Liddell fight fell through in large part because Zuffa was unwilling to agree to a one-and-done deal for Silva. If he happened to beat Liddell, they wanted to retain him for defenses. (Never mind that PRIDE would be taking exactly the same risk if Liddell happened to beat Silva.)
I think the current crop of talent in the UFC — and across the board — is very eclectic. Guys like Rich Franklin (Pictures) and GSP personify the respectful, polite veneer; Ortiz and Chris Leben (Pictures) are an appropriate counterbalance. One reason the sport is resonating now is because every demographic seems to have someone to root for.
Lindland
Matt Lindland (Pictures) should fight for the UFC 185lb title. The champions should fight the #1 contender, not just the best of the guys that Dana White likes, and Chuck should fight Rampage. – Matthew Swanson
Lindland’s marked absence from the UFC ranks as an entry that I regret not including. No other 185-pound athlete in the world boasts his record and quality of opposition. That Travis Lutter (Pictures) is challenging for the title and Lindland is out in the abyss is just plain goofy.
With the WFA quickly becoming vaporware, I’d love to see Jackson in the UFC. While Liddell is a sensation, he’s not getting any younger, and the UFC shouldn’t drag its feet in trying to push the next star in line.
A recent opinion piece on 10 things that need to change in mixed martial arts prompted a healthy amount of feedback; some letters initiated indigestion, but most were sensible and low in trans fats. Here’s a sampling of what you had to say.
Advertisement
Did you know that Sherdog had a reporter at the event? Did you know that he was one of the first people to tell me that this fight was highly questionable, in fact more than likely worked?
Sir, these types of comments brought disrespect to the commission
and myself and we didn't deserve it. I wish I could share with you
the comments made to me by Mr. Ebersole and Mr. Ritch when I spoke
with them weeks after the fight.
Sir, I do know what a cartwheel guard pass is. Yes, both a real one and one done for show. No, they were not suspended for this move. Did you see the fight? Reviewed it carefully?
In California we want licensees to fight, not 'entertain.’ Entertainment is for professional wrestlers. 'Carrying' people, 'entertaining', etc. has no place here. We are the busiest commission in the world with 171 events this year. Last year Nevada had 43, Florida 51, and Texas 50. Combine them and do the math.
Are we perfect? No. Are we the best? Absolutely! No one in the world does the quality of work we do with the number of events and the small staff. Please verify your facts first. Then if you are compelled to nail us, do it, but do it with facts and after speaking with me.
Regarding Gracie, Josh Gross was there. He knows what I went through. First show; indoor attendance record; a multitude of promotional problems; new sport, etc.
Respectfully,
Armando Garcia
Commissioner, California State Athletic Commission
(Note: Garcia is commenting on his suspension of Brian Ebersole (Pictures) and Shannon Ritch (Pictures) after he viewed their lackadaisical performances at a recent event.)
Brian Ebersole (Pictures) maintains that he did nothing aside from let Ritch coast in an effort to give fans what they wanted, which — while a rather ignoble pursuit — isn’t outright choreography. Plenty of fighters “take rounds off,” measure their opponents, and operate at less than full drive. Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) made a career on his in-ring theatrics, and dozens more value entertaining a crowd over winning. By California’s measure, Genki Sudo (Pictures) wouldn’t even be granted a license.
I’m wary of ringside officials making proclamations that such activity is tantamount to choreography. If Ritch and Ebersole admitted to further wrongdoing in private, that’s another story.
On a positive note, rare is the letter that addresses me as “Sir.” Sherdoggers tend to preface their comments with “Dear Assface.” I’m good either way.
Rankings and Layoffs
Another idea (to include) is true fighter rankings. That would help people like me who have to rate things all the time add up who needs the next title fight.
One thing you didn't mention is the six-month layoff some titleholders and big names take. Fighters in their prime should be fighting four to six fights a year. I don't know what was up with Liddell’s 2005. Two fights is murder for real fans. You can feel free to tell me where my thinking is wrong on this. – Elijah J.
Rankings are an absolute nightmare to deal with in the current climate of fractured talent groups, which is why I haven’t bothered voting in a poll in years. Until the best from each faction can meet in the ring, it’s pointless to try and debate the issue.
This wouldn’t preclude the UFC (and other promotions) from issuing its own proprietary rankings, but it’s still largely an arbitrary exercise. It also hurts business if a No. 1 contender like Brandon Vera (Pictures) decides he’s not yet ready for Tim Sylvia (Pictures).
Re: fighter schedules, I’d love to see popular attractions become more active, but it’s not always about being physically able to compete. Athletes need time to recover from bouts and “peak” for the next one. A layoff of 6-8 weeks may not allow for that, especially when the level of competition at the top is so demanding. I still maintain a few more months off would’ve done Matt Hughes (Pictures) a lot of good.
Tournaments
In light of the PRIDE Grand Prix Finals in Bushido 13, I think the one-round-per-event needs to be considered. This is beneficial to all three involved parties of MMA events (promoters, fans, and fighters). The fans want to see a decisive fight between the fully healthy fighters who have earned the right to fight in a given round. The promoters want to produce this fight that would attract the fans more effectively. The fighters want an opportunity to fight at full strength and to show their best stuff. It's frustrating for the fans that have been following the tournaments for months. The fighters are even more disappointed after all the training they've put in. Paulo Filho (Pictures) certainly spoke in favor of this change in an interview on your site. – David R.
Tournaments are the great guilty pleasure of the sport — nothing is more expedient and economical in “building” rivalries and personalities than having athletes make multiple appearances in one evening. Unfortunately, results are at the whim of who happens to be less weathered going into the finals. They ultimately prove little.
I’m sure I’ll get heat for the idea, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some enterprising promotion attempt a RINGS or Pancrase-rules tourney in the States. Disallowing strikes on the ground and/or open-palm attacks is obnoxious, but it would allow for a tournament to run its course in relative harmony. The promise of less damage would probably entice some bigger free agents to participate.
Poor proposal? Maybe, but simply trying to copy the UFC’s template clearly isn’t working. New promotions need to start thinking outside the box. (Or cage.)
Company Crossovers
The various organizations need to develop a better framework for inter-organization competition. This will do wonders to advance the sport and truly provide for some excellent match ups, which are simply not possible in the current structure. As you point out in your article, there is a lack of talent in this sport and the organizations could find better ways to use the pool of talent that currently exists
Also: the sport still perpetuates the "thug" culture. It’s inherent in the branding around the sport and consistent with some of the ways that the large organizations still present themselves. It doesn’t need to be this way and I believe can mature accordingly. – Geoff B.
The sport’s management deities have no interest in mixing talent. The Silva-Liddell fight fell through in large part because Zuffa was unwilling to agree to a one-and-done deal for Silva. If he happened to beat Liddell, they wanted to retain him for defenses. (Never mind that PRIDE would be taking exactly the same risk if Liddell happened to beat Silva.)
I think the current crop of talent in the UFC — and across the board — is very eclectic. Guys like Rich Franklin (Pictures) and GSP personify the respectful, polite veneer; Ortiz and Chris Leben (Pictures) are an appropriate counterbalance. One reason the sport is resonating now is because every demographic seems to have someone to root for.
Lindland
Matt Lindland (Pictures) should fight for the UFC 185lb title. The champions should fight the #1 contender, not just the best of the guys that Dana White likes, and Chuck should fight Rampage. – Matthew Swanson
Lindland’s marked absence from the UFC ranks as an entry that I regret not including. No other 185-pound athlete in the world boasts his record and quality of opposition. That Travis Lutter (Pictures) is challenging for the title and Lindland is out in the abyss is just plain goofy.
With the WFA quickly becoming vaporware, I’d love to see Jackson in the UFC. While Liddell is a sensation, he’s not getting any younger, and the UFC shouldn’t drag its feet in trying to push the next star in line.
