Fans of MMA typically enjoy a few similar things: cards that are worth the money, frosty brewed beverages, and even beef jerky. There are few things as manly as beef jerky and so it seemed like a natural fit when jerky.com asked if I would review one of their new products, the Synergy Beef Stick.
I agreed and was quickly shipped a few samples. I found the Synergy Beef Stick, infused with Guarana and Ginseng, to be quite tasty. Upon opening the package, I immediately noticed that classic jerky smell I have come to enjoy. Once I bit into the jerky, I found that it was quite tender, not much like the other chewy jerky I have had before.
All in all, well worth the purchase (had I actually made the purchase). I'm looking forward to trying additional products from the Jerky.com family, including my favorite, Turkey Jerky.
Now, back to the MMA!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Product Review: Synergy Beef Stick
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Fedor Emelianenko To Spar With Shinya Aoki
From CombatSportsMedia.net:
Fedor will end his hiatus from active competition in Japan on Wednesday, April 29 at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo during the third edition of the 2009 "M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction." Fans in attendance will be treated to a special five-minute sparring exhibition between Fedor when he returns to the ring for a five-minute special sparring exhibition against WAMMA lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.This should be incredible. I hope that the rules allow for some real striking and grappling. Can Aoki submit Fedor?
Complete rules of the Fedor vs. Aoki sparring exhibition are still being negotiated, but it will be presented as a special attraction during a 19-bout event scheduled to feature head-to-head M-1 Challenge matchups between host country Japan vs. England, Team USA West vs. South Korea, and Spain vs. France.
Read More...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
UFC 97 Results
UFC 97 marked one of the worst pay per views in recent history, including a title fight so bad that Dana White admitted that it "embarrassed him."
The main event featured young and talented, although fairly unknown, fighters that have not received much exposure. The result, unfortunately, was that many fans felt they did not get their moneys worth.
The show culminated in two main events. First up was Chuck Liddell who, like the Rashad fight, looked strong in the beginning but was ultimately done in by a big punch. I'm a huge Liddell fan so seeing this loss was certainly tough. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a fan who doesn't believe Liddell should retire.
The final bout was a bizarre battle of strategy between Anderson Silva and Thales Leites. Leites was not content to stand with Silva, repeatedly falling to his back, inviting the fellow Brazilian to join him. Meanwhile, Silva toyed with Leites for a good portion of the fight, not trying to finish the challenger but certainly eager to embarrass him.
With Evans/Machida on the horizon and UFC 100 in the distance, the UFC should have multiple opportunities to redeem itself. Read More...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bellator Fighting Championships - Hit or Miss?
Since you are here, and reading this article, I'll take a leap of faith and guess that you are a fan of MMA! As a fan, the more MMA fights available to us the better.....right? Right, most of the time!
One such new promotion is The Bellator Fighting Championships (www.bellator.com). It would take more space here than I care to use, to explain the differences between Bellator, and most other new promotions. Let's just say that, the differences are many, noteworthy, good for the fighters, and good for the fans (I think!)! Please mosey over to their site when you have some time and see what they are all about.
I will also tell you that I had the good fortune to attend Bellator II, on Friday, April 10, 2009, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Here are the results...
Jimmie Rivera def. Willie Gates (Rd. 3, Submission/Triangle Choke)
Matt Makowski def. Aaron Tregear (Unanimous Decision)
Jesse Juarez def. Mikey Gomez (Rd. 1, TKO)
Josh Laberge def. Chris Simmons (Unanimous Decision)
Omar De La Cruz def. Victor Meza (Unanimous Decision)
Eric Reynolds def. Thomas Schulte (Rd. 1, TKO)
Jorge Ortiz def. Aaron Romero (Unanimous Decision)
Lyman Good def. Hector Urbina (Rd. 2, Submission/Rear Naked Choke)
Wilson Reis def. Henry Martinez (Unanimous Decision)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Nick Diaz Smokes Frank Shamrock
Nick Diaz wasn't the most impressive I've seen him, but it was more than enough to beat the lethargic and confused Frank Shamrock in under two rounds Wednesday night. Diaz predictably jabbed, threw a few high kicks, and did not much else during the convincing win. For most of the second round, Shamrock remained pinned against the cage, hands up, as Diaz pounded away. Shamrock could not, or would not, return any of Diaz's firepower with his own. With the win, Nick Diaz makes his debut as one of the top 10 welterweights in the world.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Breaking Down Diaz/Shamrock
Stephen Quadros breaks down Diaz/Shamrock:
I feel this will be a long grueling battle of wills. To beat Frank Shamrock, Nick Diaz has to stay busy with his hands and keep the fight at long range by using his jab. Behind the mirage of his boxing Diaz should wait patiently for Shamrock to close the distance to get into striking range and use that opportunity to take Frank down and work for a submission. If he simply dove in for a takedown, Diaz will have problems as opposed to setting things up with punches.Read More...
Frank needs to do what no other fighter has yet to do to Nick Diaz, hurt him. To achieve this Shamrock needs to stand in the pocket, stay low and land the right hand. A straight right or an overhand right will be the keys for Frank. Accuracy will be crucial; a fist to the cheek or the hairline will not suffice, it must connect with the tip of the chin or the jaw to do the deed.
I honestly don’t think there will be much groundfighting in this match. But if it go to the floor, and stays there, Nick will definitely have the edge. If Frank can get inside Nick’s reach and land quickly he will be the better on his feet because I perceive him to be the stronger of the two.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monson Wants Fedor
FightersOnly magazine is reporting that Jeff Monson, resident anarchist and submission wiz, is calling out consensus #1 heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Fedor is expected to fight at Affliction 3, but it's unlikely that the bout would come against Monson, the PRIDE fighter.
From a booking standpoint, the bout makes sense. Monson is one of the few top 20 non-UFC fighters that Fedor has not fought. However, Fedor's ground game is stronger than Monson's. Since this is The Snowman's strength, it's doubtful that the end result would be very different than any other past Fedor fights.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Around The Horn: Dream 8, Fight Night Results
DREAM 8 was held last night, with Hayato Sakurai defeating Shinya Aoki with a huge KO in the first round. While this does not bode well for Aoki's placement among the top 3 lightweights, there is no denying that he fights the best in the world, event after event. Look at three of his last five fights: Sakurai, Alvarez, Hansen. Check out full results here.
Meanwhile, Martin Kampmann showed that he belongs in the UFC (as a top welterweight) with a convincing decision over former WEC champion Carlos Condit. Check out full results here.
