Approaching BLACKOUT......

SIX PACK OF QUESTIONS

Is Elite XC going under good or bad for MMA?

Luke: Competition is good for the sport when it is legitimate, but I don't believe Elite XC ran a tight ship and thus never really competed with the UFC for fans. They overspent on overhyped talent and cheated their fans out of some great fights. I think that there are some outstanding fighters that will leave Elite XC and go on to make big names for themselves in other organizations, most notably Jake Shields, but for the most part Elite had a roster of has beens, could have beens and should have beens; please step forward Ken Shamrock, Phil Baroni, and Ricco Rodriguez. Kimbo Slice, whether he deserves the blame or not, symbolizes everything that was wrong with the company and why it is not here today. Is he entertaining? Yes, but he is not an MMA fighter and the company was built around him, so that says it all. Losing Elite XC is a net plus for the sport. All the good fighters will find themselves in organizations like the UFC, Affliction or Strikeforce and do much better for themselves as a result.

Butch: Tough question because the more organizations putting on shows usually results in better fights, shows, and overall is good for the sport. EliteXC had a lot of good talent, but never put together the right match ups or properly promoted their fighters. Most of their fighters will sign with Affliction to have non-exclusive contracts. A couple of guys will head to the UFC and some will be forced to sign with a regional promotion and fight their way up. Overall, this is not good for the sport because their is less competition for the UFC and will discourage other investors from creating new promotions.

Does Women's MMA have a future?

Luke: As long as they can pump out fighters that look like Gina Carano there will be money to be made. Unfortunately, women who fight for a living are usually not attractive, sorry ladies but it is true. I think Gina Carano or Kyra Gracie can probably find themselves slotted on a card in any organization, but as far as a belt system and consistent matches, I don't think there is a future.

Butch: Right now there are not enough fighters to create distinct weight classes. I think whoever signs Gina Carano will lock her up long term and sign her opponents to 1 fight deals. She will be featured on undercards because she is cheap and attracts fans. Dana White said he has no interest in women's MMA, I think Affliction or a Japanese promotion will pick up Carano.

Bisping wants to fight Anderson Silva before he retires, how long until he is ready to get a title shot?

Luke: Certainly his win over Leben bodes will for his future in that division, but I didn't like his comments that he fought for a decision victory. As a fan or a fight promoter, that is the worst thing you want to hear come out of a fighters mouth, especially one who wants a title shot. I think 185 is the right division for him, but it remains to be seen how well he can do against the likes of Travis Lutter, Nate Marquardt, Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson. Based on his performance against Leben he is not on their level. If he beat Rich or Dan in the next six months I'd say give him a title shot right away, but I'd rather throw him our against Lutter or Marquardt first and then see how he does, so the timeline is at least a year.

Butch: Bisping has a couple of fights to go before he gets Anderson Silva. He is scheduled to be the next coach of TUF and will face either Rich Franklin or Hendo. He has to win that fight and possibly face both of them at 185 before facing Silva. In the meantime Silva will move up to 205 and work his way towards a title shot and go back to 185 for Bisping in a year or so.

Do you believe Luke Cummo?

Luke: I think the fact that 10 cent wings were involved says it all.

Butch: I am more concerned with Luke's past couple of losses. He needs to bounce back ASAP or look for a new promotion.

Best MMA Nickname?

Luke: Gotta go with Dwayne "Bang" Ludwig, guaranteed to sell tickets anywhere.

Butch: I'll go with Matt “The Law” Lindland especially since he is running for office.

Is Patrick Cote ready to pull off the upset of the century?

Luke: I think he has some heavy bombs, but the guys who have given Spider the most trouble are guys like Travis Lutter and Dan Henderson. Stand up bangers like Franklin, Irvin and Leben tend to get worked, so no I don't see the upset happening.

Butch: I think it is highly unlikely that Cote will follow in the footsteps of Matt Serra and "shock the world". Silva hasn't lost since New Year's 2004 (not counting the Okami DQ) and that was via submission. Cote will try to stand and bang with Silva and that has never worked.

Weekend Six Pack of Questions

1. Affliction/Golden Boy/Elite XC trio, is it as good a tio the Italian BMT meat trio at Subway or does it taste like day old tuna fish to you?

Luke: Definitely sounds like a quality sub, but probably not as good as the Club Supreme at Jersey Mike's, but that is neither here nor there. Affliction has the biggest names, Golden Boy knows how to promote, and Elite XC can fill out the weight classes. If they can somehow put it together under one banner than they have a legit shot at making a great promotion. the only thing I see getting in the way is money and I don't mean a lack of it. I think it will be hard to make a business deal that will make all parties happy. Maybe things work for the Oct. 4th show, but who knows how things will work in the future.

2. Will the UFC make the move from PPV,Versus and Spike to a mainstream network like ABC, FOX, HBO or NBC?

Luke: Unless, one of those networks gives all the production and direction over to the UFC I don't think it will happen. I think it is highly unlikely that any of those networks would pay for the rights and not have a say in production, so it isn't going to happen anytime soon. Should the trio of competitors put together a few more solid shows on CBS and up the dollar value of a UFC show then maybe Dana would give in, but until the money is right I think they will keep it PPV

3. Wheat Beer or Stout?

Luke: Wheat Beer in the summer and early fall. Oatmeal Stout in the winter.

4. If you could ask Dana White one question what would it be?

Luke: Why do you cuss so much? JK When are you signing Fedor?

5. Kimbo versus Ken, who you got?

Luke: Kimbo hands down, he may actually "Punish" him into retirement ala Tito Ortiz.

6. Should the UFC bring on women fighters?

Luke: Definitely, Kyra Gracie would be my number one pick up right now and I bet she could take Carano down...

Weekend Edition: Six Pack of Questions

Is Houston Alexander done in the UFC?

Luke: Unless he develops a ground game over night, the days of one dimensional fighters ended years ago. My feeling on Houston is that the UFC brought him in to prop up Jardine and he KO'd the guy so he had to get another short and when he blasted Alessio Sakara, he became a nice sideshow. Unfortunately, after three straight losses it is pretty apparent that he can't fight off his back and he hasn't done anything to show improvement in that respect. Secondly, he lost to a guy who probably doesn't deserve to be in the UFC either, because Eric Schafer is just as one dimensional only he can't fight standing up. Houston we enjoyed the KO's but your time on the big show is over.

Butch: Alexander's ground defense and BJJ is terrible. He needs to get a notable BJJ coach and hit the gym. He was clearly uncomfortable on the ground during the fight and Schafer easily mounted him before finishing him. I think the best thing for his career would be for the UFC to drop him and have him fight in some smaller shows. That way he can improve his ground game and become more well rounded. Highlight reel knockouts will get you fans, but being one dimensional will lead to many loses. Everyone knows Alexander's game plan and his greatest weakness.


Was the Nate Diaz fight as close as the Judges called it?


Luke: I was shocked that Neer actually took one judge for 29-28. I don't know what fight he was watching, but Diaz could do pretty much anything he wanted and went for a number of submissions. Was it a pretty fight? No, but I am pretty sure it was one that should have been scored 29-28 all around.


Butch: I have to agree with Luke on this one completely. I thought Neer had no business winning a round. Diaz showed that his BJJ is top quality even though he is a brown belt. I thought the fight would be a unanimous decision and think Neer agrees with me from his reaction when the score cards were announced.


TUF 9 "USA vs. England" good idea or bad idea?


Luke: It definitely has some potential, but I probably would have gone with a USA versus Japan or Brazil. I understand that are really trying to dominate the UK market, but I am not sure how good the fighters are going to be and you never want the show to be too lopsided. However, I reserve my judgment for later.


Butch:Dana White needs more fighters from the UK to expand their impact and make that market profitable. This is a great way to acquire new talent on the cheap and their hope is to find some characters in the process.



What would you change about the current TUF format?


Luke: I like that the fighters have to fight their way on, because the fights tend to be much more exiting. I wish that they could take the match up decisions out of the coaches hands and give Joe Silva a say in the matter, because I think it would make for better matches at the end of the show. Also, I like the tournament format better and I think if guys didn't know when they were fighting it would cut out the idiocy in the house, which I think takes away from the quality of the show at this point. Educate the audience on the MMA lifestyle and entertain with good fights, leave the drunks at home.


Butch: I think bringing back Willa Ford is great idea. I see enough of Dana White's mug and would like some eye candy. Another idea that I know Luke will disagree with is bringing back some challenges. I think the challenges add another element to fill the gap of the drinking shenanigans they are trying to eradicate from the show.



Brock Lesnar vs. The Natural and Big Nog vs. Mir, who you picking?


Luke: Brock is definitely a powerful dude, but a focused Couture is sure to beat is inexperience. Mir is a strong fighter, but if the division wasn't so weak I doubt he would be a coach this season. I see Couture vs. Big Nog for the title, winner gets Fedor.


Butch: This isn't as easy of a decision as one might think. Who knows what Randy will look like after a year of not fighting? Where is his head at and will he overlook Brock? I think Randy has always performed well as an underdog and many will predict Brock will overwhelm Randy. I however, think Randy will submit Brock and show his inexperience in the ring. In the other fight, Nog has the best BJJ in the heavyweight division and will be able to neutralize Mir's skills. I think Nog's size advantage will take him to victory.

Is Chuck Liddell done?

Luke: Physically he is there, but I really question his mental focus and attitude. His game plan and execution over his last four fights has been poor. If he shows up and executes a solid game plan like he did versus Wanderlei, he can beat anyone, so no I think he can still fight.


Butch: Chuck is at an interesting point in his career. He has had a couple of devastating knockouts and is looking more and more like a one dimensional fighter. Chuck needs to focus on utilizing his wrestling and kickboxing skills that he featured early in his career. He has lost focus recently by looking for highlight reel knockouts that the fans expect. I think Chuck has a couple of more fights in him, but a loss in his next fight will surely mean retirement. He needs to put together a string of a couple of victories to become relevant again.