Ultimate Fight Night on Spike...

[nimda]

Thanks for the date. I also hope Karo wins. I love watching him fight. He has come such a long way. I used to train in Judo with him at Gokor's when we were 12 or 13. I quit but look at him go. He's in the UFC now!

The only thing Matt Hughes has going for him, is his sheer animal strength. Otherwise, he has shown that he is vulnerable to submission guys, such as B.J. Penn. I do hope Karo pulls out the victory, especially since after Matt has talked crap about Judo.

Yeah..it's gonna be an exciting fight. I'm sure Gokor will be in his corner. You can always hear Gokor in the background yelling "tsavt tanem Karo ..." during the UFC fights. Considering that Gokor was involved in UFC since the early days (since Taktarov fights), I wonder why he himself never seriously got involved in MMA (i think he only fought once in 1997 and won).

This is such a landmark fight for Karo. Matt is such a huge star nowadays, beating him would make Karo a big time star (and maybe even a coaching spot in the Ultimate Fighter 3?)

[Anonymouse]

Yeah..it's gonna be an exciting fight. I'm sure Gokor will be in his corner. You can always hear Gokor in the background yelling "tsavt tanem Karo ..." during the UFC fights. Considering that Gokor was involved in UFC since the early days (since Tartarov fights), I wonder why he himself never seriously got involved in MMA (i think he only fought once in 1997 and won).

This is such a landmark fight for Karo. Matt is such a huge star nowadays, beating him would make Karo a big time star (and maybe even a coaching spot in the Ultimate Fighter 3?)

Yea, Gokor is indeed going to be in his corner I imagine. Last time Gokor wasn't available and Randy Couture was in Karo's corner. Actually, I believe that Randy would perhaps be a bit more helpful as a training partner for Karo, seeing as to how he has been a champ and is familiar with the octagon. And you sort of saw Randy's tips working for Karo in the Serra fight. But Gokor will do good on his side, and Manvel was there too a few fights back. I remember listening in Armenian yelling "Haktsera mi hat" and then Karo threw a punch, as he was in top position. And youre right, Gokor fought this guy Maeda in Japan and beat him.

I know, I hope Karo realizes its one of his biggest fights. You know, those people who say "every fight is a big fight, so I give all I got for every fight". Bullshyt! Not every fight is a big fight, nor is every fighter a big fighter. Matt Hughes is the cream of the crop. The one thing that I was disappointed with Karo is that he did not incorporate enough striking as much and as fast as possible in his game, but which has improved alot (ex: Matt Serra fight). Also, another thing I really wish Karo had done by now is some strength training. He has all the agility, skills and technique that a submission grappler acquires, but he is lacking that power that wrestlers have. If he can do some strength training I think he would be even better. Matt Hughes fights in the welterweight division but you know what? His natural weight is a middleweight. He walks in his daily life as a middleweight. The only thing he does is get down to the bare minimum of the welterweight division during weigh-ins the day before the fight and he's in. Then, he can just eat his way back to his natural weight. That's one of his advantages. Not only is he powerful, but he is naturally heavier.

In any event, I wish the best of luck to Karo and I hope he pulls the win since I along with every other Armo would love to see that.

[nimda]

yes sir, i agree with you.

[Lamb Boy]

Okay okay I've been trying to play catch up on the whole K-1 and Pride fights. It was cool watching the Gracie vs. Sakuraba match and watching Gracie get served. I'm diggin' on Gilbert Yvel, Victor Belfort, Fedor Emelianenko, and Igor Vovchanchin. I'm looking at some friends highlight DVDs so I suppose they are just that, highlights. Any fighters or bouts you think I should check out?

Anyway I have a few questions that I think you guys could answer as I am having a hard time finding the answers on the web. In the Pride, I think, fight b/w Ken/Frank Shamrock and Don Frye, Don Accuses Shamrock of purposely crippling several fighters just because he's a jerk. Is that true? If so which fighters did he do that to? If it's true then I think he's a very bad man to put in the P.C. realm.

Also when I was working at Rocky's Brick Oven Pizzeria we had ppl from every part of the world including Russia. Ivan was a waiter and when he heard that I was Armenian he was impressed and told me that some of the best fighters and wrestlers in Russia came from Armenia ... any truth to that?

Lastly I don't see why you feel boxing is more pure than MMA. That's like saying that the way we used to conduct war where ppl would all line up and march on to a position in a straight line is more pure than gorilla tactics. What I mean by that analogy is that one is very formal with lots of formal rules everybody abides by where guerrilla tactics are more fluid and realistic.

MMA is more pure imo because there are less formalities/rules. Besides as I pointed out earlier boxers employ wack tactics like using a glancing jab to attempt to create a cut on the brow using the "O" rings where the gloves lace up. That and not really having the stamina to go the distance hence the constant hugging (as well as during that time trying to use the head to create or worsen a brow cut) that is as much of a tactic as anything else in boxing. When Roy Jones FIRST came out it was a breath of fresh air in a sport that had become more about the bending of rules (constant hugging, "O" ring techniques) then straight ahead boxing trading blows. So at least with MMA what you see is what you get, and it's not like they are completely devoid of rules they actually have a lot more than I thought they would.

[Anonymouse]

Okay okay I've been trying to play catch up on the whole K-1 and Pride fights. It was cool watching the Gracie vs. Sakuraba match and watching Gracie get served. I'm diggin' on Gilbert Yvel, Victor Belfort, Fedor Emelianenko, and Igor Vovchanchin. I'm looking at some friends highlight DVDs so I suppose they are just that, highlights. Any fighters or bouts you think I should check out?

Fedor Emelianenko is the shyt right now. I recommend you watch his fights with Rodrigo Nogueira, as well as Rodrigo Nogueira's fight with Bob Sapp during Pride Shockwave two years ago. I recommend watching Vanderlei Silva who was up until recently undefeated in Pride in his weight class for a good three years or something to that effect.

EDIT: I also suggest you watch the fight between Carlos Newton and Pele in one of the Pride's as it was awesome.

Also the fight with Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg (both the 1st and 2nd fight).

As well, you should watch Don Frye vs Takayama. There's so many more great fights I just don't remember them now.

Anyway I have a few questions that I think you guys could answer as I am having a hard time finding the answers on the web. In the Pride, I think, fight b/w Ken/Frank Shamrock and Don Frye, Don Accuses Shamrock of purposely crippling several fighters just because he's a jerk. Is that true? If so which fighters did he do that to? If it's true then I think he's a very bad man to put in the P.C. realm.

That is untrue. That fight particularly was hyped up. The reason I say that is because Don Frye had done pro wrestling in Japan and PrideFC has a tendency to bring in some of that pro wrestling hype and awe. And Ken Shamrock (not Frank Shamrock), was a well known figure in Japan since he fought alot there and was King of Pancrase.

There was so much shyt talking between those two, it was unbelievable and all for the hype. That fight was during Pride 19 and I suggest you get it it was a good Pride. Before this fight, Ken Shamrock and Don Frye held a promotional event and signings at the Tower Records on Sunset which I went to. The fight was very well hyped up.

Also when I was working at Rocky's Brick Oven Pizzeria we had ppl from every part of the world including Russia. Ivan was a waiter and when he heard that I was Armenian he was impressed and told me that some of the best fighters and wrestlers in Russia came from Armenia ... any truth to that?

There is truth to that. There are many Armenian wrestlers in Russia, and a few fighters with Armenian names I have seen (I can't remember them off hand). Let it suffice that one of Fedor Emelianenko's training partners in his fighting camp is this Armenian guy who I forget. I think this may be him. He does have my first name.

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=2948

EDIT: I found two more Armenians who train with Fedor's fight club.

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=2939

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=1998

Lastly I don't see why you feel boxing is more pure than MMA. That's like saying that the way we used to conduct war where ppl would all line up and march on to a position in a straight line is more pure than gorilla tactics. What I mean by that analogy is that one is very formal with lots of formal rules everybody abides by where guerrilla tactics are more fluid and realistic.

MMA is more pure imo because there are less formalities/rules. Besides as I pointed out earlier boxers employ wack tactics like using a glancing jab to attempt to create a cut on the brow using the "O" rings where the gloves lace up. That and not really having the stamina to go the distance hence the constant hugging (as well as during that time trying to use the head to create or worsen a brow cut) that is as much of a tactic as anything else in boxing. When Roy Jones FIRST came out it was a breath of fresh air in a sport that had become more about the bending of rules (constant hugging, "O" ring techniques) then straight ahead boxing trading blows. So at least with MMA what you see is what you get, and it's not like they are completely devoid of rules they actually have a lot more than I thought they would.

Well if you put it that way, yes MMA is more pure than boxing. I suppose I was confused and I thought we were simply testing purity of an art in an of itself in terms of how specified it is. But with your clarification, as far as fighting purity, MMA is the purest sport there is hands down.

The thing with MMA is that you cannot be simply versed in one style, you have to be a hybrid fighter. If you watch the early days of UFC, it was all about style vs style with pretty much no rules except for maybe no biting. There were many other no holds barred competitions held across America and the world that were more brutal and had no rules and received less attention. So it was really interesting to see the evolution of the sport from style-vs-style, to having it now that you have to be mixed in different martial arts, versed in many styles.

As far as conditioning, and as someone who regularly has sparring matches I can tell you that it is very draining, because you use every muscle in your body and exert energy in many different ways. It is very hard to state that boxing has inferior conditioning. You cannot really deduce that since each sport has its uniqueness.

Boxers have good conditioning otherwise they wouldn't be up there. The thing is that boxers have learned when to breath, when to conserve, when to exert energy. The same is with MMA/grappling. You eventually learn not to use too much energy, whento breath and when to relax and conserve your gas. It's a subjective arena which cannot be quantified.

I'm sure if you get a boxer with a double leg takedown, and take him to the ground and mount him, he will panic, be frustrated and use alot of unncessary energy and breath hard, and will thus tire out fast. However,someone who is well versed in ground fighting will know what to do, thus he will remain calm, avoid anxiety and hard breathing, thus not getting tired. So it's really hard to say which has better conditioning. They are different sports and have different demands out of you, but no doubt you do need to have supreme conditioning (the more the better) if you want to dominate.

[Lamb Boy]

Fedor Emelianenko is the shyt right now.

Also the fight with Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg (both the 1st and 2nd fight).

That is untrue. He fought alot there and was King of Pancrase.

There was so much shyt talking between those two, it was unbelievable and all for the hype. That fight was during Pride 19 and I suggest you get it it was a good Pride. Before this fight, Ken Shamrock and Don Frye held a promotional event and signings at the Tower Records on Sunset which I went to. The fight was very well hyped up.

There is truth to that. There are many Armenian wrestlers in Russia, and a few fighters with Armenian names I have seen (I can't remember them off hand). Let it suffice that one of Fedor Emelianenko's training partners in his fighting camp is this Armenian guy who I forget. I think this may be him. He does have my first name.

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=2948

EDIT: I found two more Armenians who train with Fedor's fight club.

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=2939

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=1998

As far as conditioning, and as someone who regularly has sparring matches I can tell you that it is very draining, because you use every muscle in your body and exert energy in many different ways. It is very hard to state that boxing has inferior conditioning. You cannot really deduce that since each sport has its uniqueness.

They are different sports and have different demands out of you, but no doubt you do need to have supreme conditioning (the more the better) if you want to dominate.

Thanks for all the information Anon, and the links to the Armenian fighters. Cool stuff. That last guy has pretty nice record. Saw the Hughes v Trigg 2 and that was quite a bout. Both are really good and energetic.

You know that Hughes and Rich Franklin are the coaches for Ultimate Fighter 2 on Spike, right? More semi-finals coming up next week on Monday @ 10pm or, the same episode on Thursdays @ 11pm. Also finals in each weight class on Friday @ 9pm. I've been watching the hell out of it so I'm pretty hooked. lol I know they aren't the best fighters but it's still pretty interesting ...

I agree with you about the training and conditioning and the fact that (9 out of 10 times) I'm merely just stating my opinion ...

So you spar huh? In mma, boxing, or single discipline? Any advice for someone interested in getting involved for primarily exercise reasons (i.e. me ) I personally would like to learn some Kickboxing and some Jiu-Jitsu. I also like Judo and Tai Kwan Do. I am unfamiliar with Muay Thai although it seems to be popular. Recommend any styles? How about for submissions which styles use submissions, and/or breaks? Is it expensive ... I imagine it is.

Also if you're building towards a mma background how do you know when you've learned enough of any particular style and could/should move on? It seems that each style could become a lifetime commitment within its own right. I know that even if you left a particular style you would need to continue practicing, obviously. Any how just wondering if it's something I should consider instead of joining some gym. Maybe I should just run around the block a few times!

Also it's not like I just got mma. I just lost interest once UFC became more regulated. I remember when it was strictly style vs. style and Shaolin guys would step up and get beat down, although I thought they would fare the best. Anyway just reinvigorated in the sport which I think is a good thing although my girlfriend is like ya know?

Oh and did you see Shamrock on Larry King when they were talking about Boxing vs. MMA and which one is more dangerous. I read an article about MMA recently and it was saying how ppl die every year in boxing, in part due to the ropes and hyper extending someones neck which chain link fence does not allow ... food for thought.

[nimda]

What the hell,

Karo is not fighting.

http://www.ufc.tv/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.fightCard&eid=116

This is extremely disappointing!!!!


read this :

http://www.ufc.tv/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=1803

There goes his shot. He should be praying that Riggs wins this.

[Anonymouse]

Yea, I heard about his injury a few weeks back, but Karo stated that his injury would not deter him from fighting. It is disappointing, but eh, what can you do? Such is the nature of the sport, where fighters are prone to alot of injuries during training. He will be back though nimda, mark my words. And he isn't the first fighter to pull out due to injury. I'm sure he felt that it would have prevented from allowing him to compete at 100%. I'd rather him wait and come back when he is ready. But now I don't know what will happen as this will certainly shake up the rankings. And if George St. Pierre wins he will be fighting Hughes. I have no doubts that Hughes will defeat Joe Riggs, but eh, I am disappointed I won't see the fight I was hoping to see.

[nimda]

I'm bitter cuz I bought nice seats. But its too late to cancel the trip.

[Anonymouse]

I'm bitter cuz I bought nice seats. But its too late to cancel the trip.

Oh crap you actually bought tickets. Well at this point I am not in the financial straits to afford any trips to Vegas, but I will go again in the future. Who are you going with, friends? You'll end up having a good time.

It sucks that this happened. You can't refund it can you? I remember when I bought my UFC tickets to previous shows it said that I couldn't so I don't know the policy. But in any event it will be an interesting evening. George St. Pierre and Sean Sherk will be a good fight so will Diego Dirty Sanchez and Nick Diaz.

You'll have fun, just try not to lose gambling.