Welcome back to another edition of The MMA Weekly Wrap Up where we bring you all of the Internet news and highlights from the world of Combat Sports.New Website Hopes to Legalize MMA in New York State
After being banned in the state of New York, The UFC holding company, Zuffa, hopes to lure legislatures into legalizing Combat Sport competition through the use of campain donations, lobbyists, media relations and a new website.
As CagePotato.com reports, Zuffa has "hired a political consulting firm used by current New York governor, Eliot Spitzer for media relations." In their campaign for legitimacy, the UFC has started a new website called MMAFacts.com.
The site is actually well done and attempts to dispel myths such as: "MMA is a steel cage death match," "Mixed martial artists are nothing more than street fighters," and "MMA has only one rule, prohibiting eye gouging." The site also goes on to show the changing demographic of it's fans (nearly 30% women and a variety of social classes), discuss MMA history, and provide mainstream news articles that promote the sport.
I'm glad to see the UFC taking steps to promote MMA as a legitimate sport. It seems that the idea is catching that you can make a lot of money by promoting a spectacle... but you can make even more by promoting a real sport.
Unfortunately, not all organizations have caught on to this concept yet. Check out the website for YAMMA's Upcoming April 11th event at the Trump Taj Mahal at YAMMAPitFighting.com. (Is their slogan really "On the Streets, It's Against the Law - In the Pit It IS the Law?!?" C'mon!
The only way for MMA to survive, the only way fighters will be paid for their true worth, the only way to guarantee top quality competition, is for everyone involved with Combat Sport to begin treating it like a real sport and not some back-room street brawl.
I'm glad the UFC is making the effort. Unfortunately, it seems Eliot Spitzer is going to be tied up with his own legal problems for awhile... I wouldn't be looking to him for help anymore as his days in office seem a bit numbered. Whoops.
Kim Couture Makes Her First Entrance into the Ring
The wife of UFC HeavyWeight Champion Randy Couture, Kim Couture, made her first fight debut at Xtreme Couture. The "Smoker" fight against a Canadian fighter Allison Clarkson, was televised on HDNet fight.
Usually fighters start out by participating in a couple of "smoker" exhibition fights to get used to the adrenaline and the stress of an actual fight before they begin their career. It's usually a very low key kind of thing.
But when you happen to be married to a MMA Legend, nothing done in the ring is low key anymore. It wasn't the greatest first fight, but I think Kim handled herself very well. I look forward to seeing her fight again.
Here's the http://www.rawvegas.tv/ take on the exhibition match.
Ken Shamrock, The End of an Era
Finally, this last Saturday at Cage Rage 25 in London, England, Ken Shamrock took on a very tough, and much younger, Robert “Buzz” Berry, only to be knocked out 3 minutes and 26 seconds into the first round.
I'd love to say Shamrock put up a good fight or that it was a lucky punch, but sadly no.
There comes a time when every fighter must learn that it's time to hang up the gloves. For Ken Shamrock, this was about 5 fights ago. Ken was a pioneer and a legend from the very beginning of the UFC. He will always be fondly remembered for his aggressive and powerful style.
Now it's time to give the fighting a rest. A match against his adoptive brother Frank Shamrock would certainly have lots of interest and bring in lots of money, but is it really worth it.
Do we want to see Ken get seriously hurt inside the ring by someone who was so close to him?
Here's a highlight video of "The World's Most Dangerous Man."
Well, that's going to do it for this week, check in again next week when we again bring you the "Best of the Web" in Combat Sports
Respectfully,
Rick
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