Beast Mode: A Watcher Diary

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Beast Mode: A Watcher Diary

 

Notes: Beast Mode takes place in the same word as my XCC Diary. The difference here is that the XCC diary takes place as I run the promotion, while beast mode will take place as I sit on the sidelines and watch.

 

Shortlist Roster: Li-Kong Ho, Arturo Diaz, James Busfield, and Yoshiro Makamori.

 

Format: Updates on the game world will occur quarterly each year.

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January - March, 1998

 

January 1998 - 5 Promotions have sprung to life in an attempt to capitalize on the increasing public awareness of MMA. Alpha-1 of Japan, Bellator of Northern Mexico, Fight League Brasil of Brasil, XCC of America, and EMMA of Europe. Each promotion is focusing on the lighter weight classes, and all spend the entirety of January 1998 on a signing spree. Each promotion is bent on securing a regional foothold while keeping an eye on the possibility of National and even International relevance.

 

February 1998 - XCC sign James Busfield, Yoshiro Makamori & Arturo Diaz to exclusive contracts in a Coup d'Etat of sorts as the three represent some of the hottest amateur prospects in MMA.

 

March 1998 - XCC sign Li-Kong Ho to record setting Exclusive Fighter Contract in an aggressive move that shakes up the world of MMA. By agreeing to a $15,000 per fight salary, the XCC has quickly and effectively let their competition know that the intend on becoming the worlds foremost MMA organisation. Li-Kong Ho agrees to fight against Truck Gleason in a Lightweight bout immediately following his signing.

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April - June, 1998

 

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April 1998 - Li-Kong Ho (0-0) Vs. Truck Gleason (0-0) - Gleason feints, but Ho doesn't bite. The fighters circle each other, and Ho shoots in for a single-leg takedown and gets it. Ho brilliantly applies a flying heel hook that causes Gleason to fall back and tap out. Ho by Sub (Heel Hook) @ 0:49 of Round 1.

 

May 1998 - The aura of Li-Kong Ho continues to grow, while Busfield, Yoshiro, and Arturo train away from the limelight. XCC CEO admits that the signings of Busfield, Ho, Yoshiro and Arthur has created a slight cash flow problem that makes it difficult to schedule the fighters when a sufficient return on investment is unlikely. Will a poor business decision delay the development of the four hottest prospects in the sport?

 

June 1998 - The XCC continues to schedule events, but delays the debut of Busfield, Makamori, and Diaz. Busfield, ever the loose cannon, speaks out against the XCC and indicates that he desperately wants to get inside the cage.

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July through September, 1998

 

July 1998 - Yoshiro Makamori agrees to fight Dominic "the Smash" Ash.

 

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August 1998 - Makamori Vs. Ash. 1st: Ash feints to draw a strike and sets up an inside leg kick that is easily evaded by Makamori. Makamori is defending Ash's striking attempts well and when the opening presents itself shoots in for the takedown. Ash counters the takedown with a solid left hook that staggers Makamori. With Makamori dazed, Ash fails to capitolize as the fighters settle into a tentative stretch where each combatant tries to feel the other out. Makamori sees an opening and attempts his second strike, only to be blasted by a counter left that rocks him again. Makamori covers well to avoid taking any further damage as the bell sounds indicating the end of round 1. Ash dominates the 1st 10-9. 2nd: 10 seconds into the 2nd, Makamori, seemingly undeterred by his earlier takedown failures, attempts a third. Ash narrowly misses a counter, and Makamori gets the fight to the ground. Ash pulls gaurd, but Makamori is able to easily obtain side control and wastes no time trying to lock in a kimura. With the kimura fully applied, Makamori has Ash in serious jeopardy! Ash, sensing danger, is able to sufficiently scramble and pops his arm free. Amazing recovery from Ash! Makamori blocks an attempt by Ash to pull gaurd, and rains down with some fierce elbows before attempting a second kimura. He gets it again! With the kimura applied, Makamori tweaks Ash's arm into a painful looking angle. Somehow, Ash pops free again! Blocking Ash's attempt to pull guard again, Makamori rains down some bombs on Ash. He is clearly frustrated by Ash's resilience. With a ton of bombs finding their mark, Ash struggles to defend himself and is taking a lot of damage. The ref has no choice but to step in and put an end to the match and the punishment. Makamori wins by TKO (Strikes) @ 3:43 of Round 2! What a fight!

 

September 1998 - James Busfield's ill advised rant against the CEO of the XCC has seemingly backfired as he remains on the bench. Arthur Diaz continues to patiently await his call to the XCC cage. Each were signed with a lot of surrounding hype, and fans of the XCC are starting to grow impatient with the promotions unwillingness to schedule their professional debuts.

 

Late September 1998 - Arturo Diaz agrees to fight Charles "Rogue" Stiles. With his patience finally paying off, Arthur Diaz commented that, "I can now return to heavy training with a renewed purpose. I will not let myself, my team, or the fans of the XCC down". James Busfield, however, remains on the bench . . . it's getting personal.

 

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Li-Kong Ho agrees to fight "the Madman from Michigan" Beau Gorshin for the XCC Lightweight Title. The XCC wastes no time in positioning Ho for the strap. Too much to soon?

 

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Rocktober through December, 1998

 

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Rocktober 1998 - Arturo Diaz (0-0) Vs. Charles Stiles (2-0). Rnd 1 - After a flurry of wayward strikes go nowhere for both fighters they end up in a tight clinch. Stiles takes the opportunity to attempt a takedown but it is easily blocked by Diaz. Diaz struggles to free himself of the grapple, but is held in close by Stiles, who in the early going has shown himself to be the physiclly stronger of the two. From the grapple, Stiles attempts his second takedown of the contest and is succesful. Diaz pulls guard and the fight is on the ground! This is not where Diaz wants to be. Stiles successfully passes guard, then takes Diaz's back and begins to rain down punches on his hapless opponent. Diaz is taking some serious bombs and is unable to protect himself. Sensing his predicament, the referee steps in and calls it a night! Stiles wins by TKO (Strikes) @ 3:38 of Rnd 1.

 

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Li-Kong Ho (1-0) Vs. Beau Gorshin (1-0). Rnd 1 - Gorshin is looking to turn the contest into a wrestling match from the opening bell and is seemingly eager to test his wrestling skills againt Li-Kong Ho. Gorshin manages to force Ho to the cage, and starts to land small flurries to the body. Gorshin, with Ho pinned to the cage, continues to land flurries to Ho's ribs, and then stomps down hard on his foot. Gorshin attempts to land a quick elbow, but Ho takes the opportunity to reverse his fortune and the position to pin Gorshin to the cage. The referee breaks them up as the chorus of boos gets louder and moves the fighters back to the center of the cage. Ho opens up the sequence with a couple of crisp jabs and then follows them up with a takedown attempt. Gorshin sees the takedown and is able to sprawl out of it. Round 1 goes to Gorshin 10-9. Rnd 2 - Gorshin slips past a weak jab from Ho, and fires some big strikes from close range and manages to rock Ho! He's hurt! Regaining his compusure, Ho pulls Gorshin into a grapple, straightens him up, and then shoots for the takedown. Gorshin never saw it coming and for the first time in the fight he finds himself on the ground where Ho's superior submission skills can come into play. Unable to find a submission, Ho is content to control his opponent on the ground occationally landing strikes. Round 2 goes to Ho 10-9. Rnd 3 - After four minutes of exchangng strikes in the 3rd, Ho finally comes in to attept the takedown but his efforts are thwarted by the game Gorshin. Round 3 is difficult to score. This one could go either way, but as the agressor Gorshin gets the tip of the hat from me. Rnd 4 - Early in the 4th Ho steps in for the takedown, but Gorshin sprawls out of it, and brings Ho into a wrestling clinch. Ho easily breaks the grapple. The two fighters separate and each looks for an opening to strike. The fighters are very tentative as each wants to stay away from the others strength. Ho tries, unsuccessfully, to secure the takedown three more times before the round expires. Another close one, but I would give it to Gorshin. He has fought Ho extremely tough tonight! Rnd 5 - After a sloppy grapple, Ho straightens Gorshin and secures a big takedown. As Gorshin gamely scrambles, Ho maintains control from the top and then attempts to set up an armbar. A straight armbar is applied! Gorshin is in danger of having his arm hyper extended! Miraculously, Gorshin snaps his arm free! Fighting fatigue now, Ho manages to barely maintain control before attempting to secure a gogoplata! What?!? Time expires. Judges - Judge 1: 48-47 Ho, Judge 2: 48-47 Gorshin, Judge 3: 48-47 Gorshin. Gorshin wins the XCC Lightweight Title by SD. Ho fought tentatively, and it cost him!

 

November 1998 - After some of the most highly regarded prospects in the XCC took their first loss, The CEO had to make a decision on Ho's expiring contract. With unfinished business in the XCC, most MMA pundits expect Ho to stay with the promotion but so far mum is the word. Insiders are starting to speculate that Ho will honor the last fight on his contract before departing for Brazil where he believes he can grow faster as a Martial Artist. Insiders are also speculating that the failure of the Ho Vs. Gorshin card to produce a solid buy rate has led to the organisation losing their short lived national appeal. That coupled with the fact that the XCC CEO was very vocal about his disappointment in the quality of the fight have left many uncertain about what the future of Ho's relationship with the XCC will actually hold.

 

December 1998 - Still reeling from the financial blows they took after the phenomenally unsuccessful Ho Vs. Gorshin event, the XCC finished off 1998 with a whimper and have yet to schedule a final card for the year. The XCC's CFO said in a statement that the organisation would close out the year on a very tight budget but will go forward as planned with their December event. The event is headlined by Charles Stiles Vs. Manuol Cabral in a Bantamweight Title Fight, and also features Yoshiro Makamori (1-0) on the card in a tilt against Liam O'Donnell (0-0) out of Belfast, Ireland. James Busfield remains in the XCC doghouse as he was yet again left to sit and stew on the bench. Perhaps his habit of complaining about the boss will go by the wayside in 1999 so he can get back in the cage where he belongs.

 

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Yoshiro Makamori (1-0) Vs. Liam O'Donnell (0-0). Rnd 1: After a brief and sloppy exchange of strikes, Makamori gets in close and shoots for the takedown. O'Donnell is forced to pull guard. Makamori lands some clean punches from side control, but is parried effectively by O'Donnell, before forcing Liam to give up his back. Posturing up nicely now, Makamori begins to drop bombs from the top!! O'Donnell is in trouble! The referee is left with no choice but to stop the fight! Makamori wins by TKO (Strikes) @ 2:33 of Round 1. It was a quick fight, but a great showing nonetheless.

 

Arturo Diaz signs a contract extention with XCC for 2 guaranteed matches over 16 months. Yoshiro Makamori signs a 3 match extention for 36 months. Li-Kong Ho enters the new year with his contract situation far from resolved and with only 8 days left to put his name on the dotted line. Could Ho's short-lived run in the XCC be coming to an abrupt ending?

 

1999 should be a big year for the Beast Mode shortlist.

[MrSelfDestruct]

if i can request a few for you to follow, Rafael van der Moot and Jayden Karp

[LoNdOn]

Although I do love that one of the guys you are following is one of my creations (Arturo Diaz), the dude will lose to anyone who has talent.

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if i can request a few for you to follow, Rafael van der Moot and Jayden Karp

 

Van der Moot and Karp aren't active in the universe I am playing. I wanted to focus on Bantam, Feather and Lightweight, so I am watching a database that doesn't include those guys. I plan on watching this through 15-20 years, and will probably base Beast 2 on Light, Welter and Middleweights, before finishing the Trilogy with Middleweight through Heavyweight.

 

Thanks for checking it out!

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Although I do love that one of the guys you are following is one of my creations (Arturo Diaz), the dude will lose to anyone who has talent.

 

If you are digging the diary, keep checking it out . . . this isn't your Father's Arturo Diaz!

 

BTW, Arturo is, for some reason, one of my favorite renders so I edited his stats. Didn't want my favorite render to go to waste!

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January - March, 1999

 

January 1999 - Li-Kong Ho leaves the XCC. While the highly regarded fighter has not signed with a rival promotion, we learned that he will not be returning to the XCC for the time being. MMA pundits blame the failure to sign Li-Kong Ho on XCC management, and many believe that the negative remarks made by the XCC CEO immediately following his defeat to Beau Gorshin didn't sit well with Ho, and ultimately led to an animosity between the two that could not be overcome. Ultimately, the record setting contract Ho signed early in 1998 did not lead to any significant financial gain for the XCC, and ultimately a business decision had to be made. Only time will tell if it was the best move for the fledgling MMA promotion to make.

 

February 1999 - James Busfield, after a year on the bench, has finally agreed to his first fight in the XCC. Busfield will fight Bobby Brubaker on the undercard of the Lightweight Title Bout of Beau Gorshin Vs. Bruce Stevens. In typical Busfield style the smack talk begins before the ink on the contract has even dried. Busfield may have set a record for disrespecting a guys wife with some of the insane insults he sent Brubakers way. Yoshiro Makamori will also appear on the card in a bout against Seiho Nanami. Li-Kong Ho remains unemployed and has returned to his native Yogyakarta, Indonesia to rededicate himself to Martial Artistry. Meanwhile, Arturo Diaz continues to work on his ground game while awaiting the specifics of his next match.

 

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March 1999 – Seiho Nanami (0-1) Vs. Yoshiro Makamori (2-0). Rnd 1: Makamori connects on an inside leg kick early in the round, then follows it up with a feint before shooting in for the takedown. Nanami attempts to step away from the takedown, but Makamori is too quick and is able to secure it. With Nanami pulling guard Makamori begins to go to work and is looking for the leglock. Nanami keeps his guard secure, and Makamori is forced to dig deeper into his bag of tricks as he tries for double underhooks to no avail. Moving to side control, Makamori delivers some vicious knees to the ribs of his opponent. Continuing his onslaught of knees, Makamori forces the Referee to step in a call an end to the shellacking! Makamori wins by TKO (Strikes) @ 2:19 of Round 1. Although it was a short bout, Makamori delivers another great performance!

 

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James Busfield (0-0) Vs. Bobby Brubaker (0-0). Rnd 1 – Busfield fails to sucker Brubaker in with a feint, and then follows it up with a lazy jab that Brubaker shrugs off with a vicious counter that hurts Busfield and knocks him down. Somewhere the XCC CEO is smiling. Busfield gets his wits back quickly and wisely waits for Brubaker to make a move. Brubaker takes the bait and attempts to get some form of ground control. Gaining side control, Brubaker sends in shot after shot, but Busfield handles them well and shows good control from the bottom. Brubaker sees an opening and delivers a fierce knee to Busfields ribs. With Busfields wind gone, Brubaker starts hammering him from the top. Unable to defend himself, the Referee steps in and saves Busfield from the onslaught! Bobby Brubaker wins by TKO (Strikes) @ 2:33 of Round 1.

 

In other news, Beau Gorshin, after losing his Lightweight Title to Bruce Stevens, has announced his retirement.

 

The XCC is off to a great start in 1999, and is bringing the fans better cards while staying within their revamped business plan and more conservative financial model.

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April - June, 1999

 

April 1999 - For a low level MMA Company like the XCC, no news is most definitely not good news. After a quiet April for the XCC, many MMA fans are sounding off on message boards about the lack of consistency that has been shown by the organization and some, taking things a step further, have taken it a bit further by questioning the company’s financial viability.

 

Late April, 1999 – The XCC has announced a May card, putting some of the message board grumbling to rest. The card features a Featherweight Title bout between Brandon Rush and Gregg Grable. Additionally, the card features the fast rising Yoshiro Makamori, who is seemingly being handled with kid gloves in the early part of his career, against the outclassed and most certainly outgunned Duey Rickert. In many circles, this bout is the one that can catapult Makamori into contention for the title and a shot at one of the top five Bantamweights in the XCC.

 

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May 1999: Yoshiro Makamori (3-0) Vs. Duey Rickert (0-1) – Rnd 1: Rickert opens the bout with a leg kick, but fails to maintain his balance during the strike. Makamori instinctually catches the kick and shoots in for the one-legged takedown and secures it. In half guard, Makamori delivers some elbow strikes, but Rickert manages to deal with them comfortably. In guard, Makamori begins to work towards side control and easily secures the position. After delivering a few knees, Makamori takes Rickert’s back and begins to flatten his opponent while trying to apply a rear naked choke. Yoshiro sets the choke, and with it fully applied, Rickert has no option but to tap. Makamori wins by Submission (RNC) @ 3:58 of Round 1. With Yoshiro easily blasting his way through the low level fighters of the XCC, late 1999 may be his time to step it up in terms of the level of competition he is facing.

 

Mid-May 1999: Yoshiro Makamori’s XCC contract is set to expire soon. Rumor is that Makamori and the XCC are already deep into negotiations and a defection to another promotion is highly unlikely.

 

Late-May 1999: Rumors have started to surface regarding the whereabouts of Li-Kong Ho. Previously rumored to be in his native Indonesia, reports have surfaced that suggest Li-Kong Ho is deep in the Chinese Mixed Martial Arts underground developing his submission skills.

 

June 1999: Yoshiro Makamori has signed an extension with XCC, and has wasted no time in scheduling his next bout. In the chance of a lifetime, Yoshiro Makamori will face Charles Stiles for the XCC Bantamweight title. Clearly the XCC is eagerly anticipating this matchup as its announcement has coincided with the companies upgrade from a low level regional to a mid level regional company.

 

Things are starting to heat up in the 2nd half of 1999 for the XCC!