Comments on MMA Ratings: Strikeforce: 10 Things I Learned Last Night

You're right that not mentioning the UFC is a disc...

2009-11-08T17:27:22.303-05:00

You're right that not mentioning the UFC is a discredit to the fans watching.

That being said, mentioning that your MW title contender got smashed all over the cage by GSP (who fans know is a WW) is kinda crappy to me...

While you certainly have to acknowledge their presence and the fights some of these guys have had, you temper everything and keep it to a minimum is my opinion.

Sokoudjou lost to Lyoto Machida explains the defeat just as much as Sokoudjou lost to the rising UFC superstar Lyoto Machida...

9. Here's the thing about production: WEC cards NE...

2009-11-08T16:25:01.741-05:00

9. Here's the thing about production: WEC cards NEVER end on time, but they have a network that allows them a huge overrun. In CBS, they are deathly afraid of running long and raising the ire of local affiliates. Plus, a five-round decision in your semi-main creates a 30-minute glut that the rest of the show has to be booked around. They already skimped on entrances and post-fight interviews.

As for the swing bout getting canceled, that's not a production thing; that's the fault of the arena and the promoter.

10. EA Sports MMA needs to be pushed HARD. They should put together a demo for every show's main event, and use those graphics for their "Keys to Victory" instead of the Meat Puppets. In fact, using Virtual Fedor might help them get around their lack of fight footage.

5. You mean 180. But anyway, I think that Sokoudju...

2009-11-08T16:24:25.404-05:00

5. You mean 180. But anyway, I think that Sokoudju is the new Overeem. Remember when the knock on Overeem was that he was a frontrunner who looked great for the first 2-3 minutes, but then he gassed and died? Yup, now that guy is Sokoudju. However, just like Overeem, Judo Thierry is a young guy, and he still has room to develop...especially in Japan, where he should be the recipient of favorable matchmaking. I'd like to see him get some of that from Strikeforce, perhaps as part of the Strikeforce Challenger series.

6. Yes. And he too is represented by M-1, so he may not get into the UFC either. However, this could work out for Strikeforce, especially if they manage to sign Dan Handerson, arguably a Top 5 light heavyweight, and Ricardo Arona, who is a solid LHW in his own right.

7. This isn't pro wrestling -- ignoring the UFC makes you look disingenuous, and makes you lose credibility in the eyes of fans. MMA fans *should* know who the Top stars in the sport are. Mentioning that Sokoudju had a sub-.500 record in the UFC, including losses to Top 10 LHW fighters Machida and Cane, doesn't hurt anyone except people allergic to the truth.

Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva are guys considered top pound-for-pounders, and Fedor is in that class. To pretend that their fanbase will avoid the UFC because Strikeforce doesn't mention it or their stars is misguided, and won't lead to any growth on their part.

8. I'm not a fan of Frank Shamrock, but where have you been? He always goes into business for himself, and his grudge against Jake Shields was the reason he refused to say Shields was winning the fight. Pat Militech is a better color guy, but Frank's better known, and for CBS's purposes, that helps them. Plus, when it came to calling the ground game, he offered solid insight without coming off as an apologist.

That said, the Sujoku thing was unforgivable.

Ten Things, second take: 1. Fedor showed in his la...

2009-11-08T16:23:29.663-05:00

Ten Things, second take:
1. Fedor showed in his last three fights that if you make a mistake, HE WILL FINISH YOU DECISIVELY. That's what mainstream MMA fans want to see, and that's why he will reign as the Top Heavyweight in the sport, and an emerging superstar, to boot. The fact that he takes damage, but remains unperturbed, just enhances his aura.

2. Ask yourself this question: Would anyone NOT named Fedor have survived Rogers' first round offense? (OK, maybe Big Nog.) Regardless, I think he stops Lesnar, Carwin, Velasquez, Mir, and possibly Kongo. The challenge now for Strikeforce is convincing fans of this fact. I'd say that he should face Tim Sylvia (nothing like a former UFC champ on the resume) next, and then perhaps an Antonio Silva, before building him up for another shot at the big boys, Overeem, Arlovski, and Fedor.

3. Jason Miller came *this close* to becoming a HUGE star for Strikeforce. The fact that Mayhem almost won could be a jumping off point for an eventual second title shot for him; he just needs to put together a winning streak. It'll be tough, because he'd be an underdog against Lawler and Jacare, and possibly Lindland and Kennedy. Where's Mr. Cyborg when you need him?

4. The ground game *is* boring if there's no chance of a finish. Sure, positional dominance is "effective grapping," in the same way that Ball Control that controls the clock, but ends drives with field goals is Effective Football. Once it became obvious that Shields couldn't finish Miller, the audible groans from the home and live crowds were unmistakable. However, when Miller almost finishes Shields, they all perk up. Fans don't want to see defensive grappling and control, they want to see offensive grappling that results in submission attempts.

But look at it this way: If Shields is going to be maligned for being an "American Ju Jitsu" conservative grappler, then fights against bangers like Cung Le, Joey Villasenor, and Robbie Lawler will represent style clashes that will have all the fans rooting for the challengers. And if he really wants that Frank Shamrock fight, then doing it in San Jose would galvanize the local base...especially if announcer Frank Shamrock has a platform to criticize Shields for being boring.