brashleyholland

Damn, last night was heavy/cool. Rolled into my hotel at 1am and Liam from BAMMA (their Dana White) was in the bar. Hung out till 4am and he told me some awesome stuff, none of which can be repeated unfortunately! Shogun was cool, but seemed very distracted. He's very small for a 205'er. Right, gonna sleep off my hangover, will be tweeting results and all that good stuff tonight @MMABayBrad

<p>So I'm gonna be chilling with Ninja, Shogun, Eduardo, Leonardo Santos, Joao Paulo de Souza this afternoon. #JustSayin <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Fun fact - Santos tapped GSP in a minute in competition at ADCC with a jump-guard armbar. </p><p> </p><p> Hopefully going to be seeing a certain Mr Schiavello this evening as well! I'll be attempting to grab an interview with Shogun, so if anyone has any (non-obvious_ questions, let me know and I'll ask if I can <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<p>So Chael is effectively done with MMA for the time being. For anyone that hasn't heard, the CSAC voted 4-1 to uphold a motion to continue an indefinite suspension of his licence. </p><p> </p><p> His licence runs out sometime in June/July. Technically he can re-apply for a new licence in California after that time, but judging by the fact that he got royally...erm...made love to by the entire commission yesterday, nothing is going to happen to change their minds in that time frame. </p><p> </p><p> Again, technically he can apply for licences in other states, but Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio - basically every commission worth it's salt will uphold Cali's decision. Nothing says they have to, but they ALWAYS do. The UFC will not have Sonnen fight in non-commissioned states to get around the ban like the Strikeforce/Barnett situation. </p><p> </p><p> This also means that the UFC won't use him on TUF, which he was offered opposite Michael Bisping. Sad times. He doesn't need a licence to coach on a reality show, but he would need a second's licence to be cageside for any fights. The UFC *could* get around this by having Sonnen sit away from the cage and etc, but in all honesty it would be more trouble than it's worth and a slap in the face of the Nevada commission, who would be present during filming. </p><p> </p><p> Dana White said that an unlicensed Sonnen is effectively done with the UFC. How much of that was leveraging his position for the commission hearing yesterday. If Sonnen decides to gut this out and not retire, I can see the UFC keeping him on as a vocal talent until he can get his issues with the CSAC resolved. </p><p> </p><p> In short....DAMMIT!!!!!</p>

Paul Daley has been offered a fight with Jake Ellenberger. You heard it here first <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

<p><span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press016.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press017.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press014.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press012.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press006.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press009.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press011.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press002.jpg</span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You're 6'1"? Wow. That picture REALLY makes you look short for some reason. But more on point... 6'1", and 160 pounds? You must be a really skinny dude. According to a BMI Calculator, you're Body-Mass-Index is 21.11. Healthy Living?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It's all muscle. And kebabs <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> To be honest, I've not weighed myself for a looong time, probably a bit more than that by now. Not competed in an even longer time, god knows what I'd weigh if I was actually in shape these days :-p And hey, Corey Hill is 6'4 and 155! :-D</p>

<p><span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press019.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> The man who is going to knock Frank Trigg into next week on Saturday...and John 'The White Mike Tyson' Phillips <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press001.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> And me trying to contain my fanboy grin after interviewing Ninja Rua. Well, after interviewing him and throwing professionalism out of the window by asking him to sign my Pride DVD :-p</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>...That picture makes you look kind of small, even if you like you are about the same height he is. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm 6'1 and about 160, he was just about 200 this morning. I'm am kinda small compared to him. Although he did have a MASSIVE hoody on :-p</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Fantabulous" data-cite="Fantabulous" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Can you tell us if we're going to be <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />, <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> or <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> over who is fighting?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Well that could well be down to personal taste :-p </p><p> </p><p> I'd say most people will be very <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> if what they're trying to do comes off. Put it this way, if you think BAMMA 6 is better than BAMMA 5, you'll think BAMMA 7 is better than BAMMA 6 <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Did I mention that Ivan Salaverry is awesome?</p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/bamma6press018.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p> ...or that this picture makes my awesome mohawk look like a less awesome pineapple? :-p</p>

I hate this fight. The UFC have a policy of not doing 'gimmie' fights - You either fight the best, or you don't fight. With that said, I can't see any reason to put this bout on in Rio, other than to annoy the fans who have bought a ticket. Nog's health is a thorny issue with me. Personally I don't think he should be fighting - but who am I to tell the 2nd best heavyweight of all time to hang up his gloves?

Things I learned at the BAMMA 6 Press Conference today: Ninja is awesome. Ivan Salaverry is awesomer. John Phillips might actually kill Trigg on Saturday. Ivan Salavery is awesome, to the point that it needed mentioning twice. Most MMA sites don't have a clue what they're doing with regards to being journalists (and that's from someone who is largely self-taught). Ivan Salaverry is excited about seeing Buckingham Palace. BAMMA 6 will take place in Birmingham on the 10th of September. I know who's fighting, but I can't tell you. The London rooftops are awesome for dramatic photo-ops. Certain MMA fighters get scarred of heights when climbing up to said rooftops. Ivan Salaverry is, in fact, awesome.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Wasn't the management he had was the same as Rashad's, just until recently?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Nope. Well, technically yes, for about 2 and a half months when their managers went into business together, but they've since gone their sepparate ways.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I do have one, but I think you are going to ask it to Ninja Rua.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Care to share? Even my god-like abilities don't stretch to mind-reading, lol <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<p>Gonna be interviewing 'Ninja' Rua, Tom Watson, Frank Trigg, Ivan Salaverry, John Phillips and Matt Ewin next Tuesday, good times. Anybody got any questions they want asking?</p><p> </p><p> Also hoping to hang out with one of my heroes, Michael Schiavello. </p><p> </p><p> #ILoveMyJob</p>

<p>Soooo....we get a special email from Zuffa telling us that there will be a conference call with Dana White in 25 mins for a major announcement. Very unusual. </p><p> </p><p> Obviously that news was that Brock once again has Diverticulitis, and is out of UFC 131. Shane Carwin will now face JDS. Carwin *will* get a shot at the title ahead of the Mir/Nelson winner if he wins. </p><p> </p><p> Brock said that it is not as bad as last time, but he would not have been able to train the way he needed to for a title fight. He has to decide whether he has surgery, potentially ending his career, or deals with the illness for the rest of his life. Says he is NOT retiring. </p><p> </p><p> Jon Olav Einemo does not have a fight as of right now (I'm suggesting Big Rob Broughton). </p><p> </p><p> Crazy.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>BH, I do have one question-do you think certain fighters, especially if they weigh too much to cut to 205, should fight at Heavyweight instead? </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Erm...I don't understand the question...if they're too big to make 205, then they have to fight at HW by default, right? <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Shape" data-cite="The Shape" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah I know. My take on the whole situation with him vs. Chuck was that Len did fight hard, but he fought hard and lost</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think that's probably it, plus the injury thing. There's no point putting a hurt guy in there if he's going to have to pull out later, especially towards the end of the process.</p>

Edited the original...hows that?

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="brashleyholland" data-cite="brashleyholland" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I can see it fine, logged in or not....anyone else?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Argh, I post this, now I can't see it <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="i effin rule" data-cite="i effin rule" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Doesn't appear to show the picture. Looks like there is a lot of excess code. I tried to remove after ".jpg" and just paste it in the browser, but ti didn't work either.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I can see it fine, logged in or not....anyone else?</p>

<p>Here's an awesome picture that really hammers home the whole weight cutting phenomenon. </p><p> </p><p> The pic shows from left to right: Alan Belcher, a middleweight (cuts to 185) Joey Beltran, a heavyweight (doesn't cut, fights around 230), and Stephan Bonnar, a light heavyweight (cuts to 205). Crazy huh? </p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/brashleyholland/296168527.jpg</span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ampulator" data-cite="ampulator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Really? Well, I think he CAN</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Based on what? He's a near-200lb man, and you think he could do 155/145? That's a quarter of his body weight.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Fantabulous" data-cite="Fantabulous" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>After watching Ben Askren fight at Bellator 40, three things come to mind. He's a really good wrestler, with the right training he's a few years away from being dangerous, and he is SMALL for 170lbs.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Agreed. The problem he has is that he has a kind of wiry frame, as opposed to the traditional short, squat frame that most top-class wresters possess. Great for his style of wrestle-grappling, but kinda makes dropping down impossible as there isn't much excess size to get rid off. He was wrestling at 174 in college.</p>

Well there is, and it would, assuming that one of the main reasons for a fighter's union would be to ensure that they get health care. Most fighters I speak to cite health insurance/medical issues as their biggest worry - most are in favour of 'some kind' of union. Now, what you don't see is anyone going out there and activly campaigning for one, because Zuffa are very, very anti-union and if you want to make a living in MMA, you don't go against Zuffa. A guy called Rob Maysey is doing something called the MMAFA (mixed martial arts fighters association) which is fairly union-like in it's aims. Check it out here In my experience, most fighters, especially those starting out, want some security with regards to getting paid. Guys get stiffed all the time, especially in states that don't require an Escrow Bond be put up for fighter's show money by the promoter. They also want to be paid if their fight is cancelled at the last minute, they want healthcare (or at least to have their 'in-cage' injuries taken care of), they want financial and legal advice an assistance...there's no reason I can think of for fighters NOT to want a union. No, boxing is far to sleazy for that! :-p

I guess regular companies give a monthly salary though, whereas UFC guys will get around 3 paydays a year (assuming they stay injury free). The cynical way of looking at it is as an anti-union move. The Fertittas have (and still are) dealing with a ton of union problems and don't want those to migrate into their MMA business as well. Things like this go a long way to bolstering the argument that there is no need for a union. My guess is that a 'minimum payday' will be next, ensuring that all UFC fighters make at least a certain figure win or lose. It also helps with the New York situation, where the lack of insurance for fighters has been used as a weapon against MMA.