She Did it to me Again!

I got married on October 12, 1996...the second weekend in October...in the afternoon...during the 4th quarter of the OU/Texas football game...

Totally unbelievable right! How can anybody get married during the Red River Rivalry! Of course I had no real say in the matter, the date was set, and I was thrust on an irreversible course toward separation from the TV during one of the biggest rivalries in college football...some would call this a tragedy, others (surely the vast minority) might wonder what the big deal is about Texas and Oklahoma playing football against each other. I’d call it somewhere in between. I mean my wife turned out to be a pretty damn good one, and now I never forget our anniversary...that is until this week...she did it to me again!

This time during the UFC’s impromptu Ultimate Fight Night, Affliction Banned, DREAM 5, even Elite XC’s second event on CBS Unfinished Business, I will be on vacation! In the technology driven world in which we live, this shouldn’t be such a big deal, but we will be in a small town in France, No way will I be able to watch this action packed week of MMA, and unfortunately internet access will even be limited. I did my best, I screamed, I kicked stuff, I begged, I bribed...all for naught, the vacation stays, despite Fedor vs. Sylvia, despite Irvin vs. Silva, despite Lawler vs. Smith! She did it to me again, first almost 12 years ago, and now, this month in 2008. It cuts deep, but I will train through it and return to watch MMA once again!

So I write this with a heavy heart and profuse apologies to all my fans...all three of you! I know during the build up to each event, and after the fact you click over to my blog and with great anticipation hang on my perspective. I’m sorry; my perspective will remain unrevealed...If you’d like I will report on all the tasty pastries I consume on the trip.

Please note, if you are my wife this is written completely in jest. I’m really not disappointed about missing all of these events, they surely won’t live up to the hype anyway...and you know I love you even more than I love Fedor and Anderson combined!

MMA Live Episode 10

Thankful, Hopeful, Frustrated

These emotions very well could describe the last couple of weeks for Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. It is possible he was thankful for his position of UFC light heavyweight champion. He was hopeful he would defend his title against Forrest Griffin. He was frustrated he did not and with the judges’ decision. Finally his frustration turned to downright anger until he lost it on July 16th, and led police on a short and dangerous chase while disregarding the safety of others.

It is difficult to delve into the mind of Jackson, but not so hard to examine one’s own emotions. Mixed martial arts fans everywhere probably experienced a similar progression: thankful, hopeful, frustrated.

When first hearing of the news, of Jackson’s real life rampage, we were thankful that nobody was seriously injured. People going about their business should not be thrust into a life or death situation because of some maniac. By all accounts Jackson did just that when he swerved onto sidewalks and forced pedestrians to run from his self-adoring truck. Thankfully the incident wasn't a hundred times worse due to an injury or death.

Quinton Jackson may be a little odd. He’s definitely got a unique personality, and by his own admission has had anger issues in the past. But he’s not shown anything that would constitute his actions on July 16th, so hopefully he is okay. There were reports he went to a hospital that were later proved unfounded, then it was reported that he did indeed go to a hospital after the fact. Physically he may be fine, but mentally may be another story. Hopefully Jackson, if he needs it, will get help in order to restore himself mentally. With the details of the incident a little sketchy it is hard to surmise his thought process, but one thing is for sure, he was not thinking clearly.

As the dust settled, thankfulness and hope settled with it, and frustration set in. Yes MMA is here to stay, yes it is the fastest growing sport in the world, yes many have embraced it, but it is still in a battle in the court of public opinion. Quinton Jackson’s actions give fuel to the detractors. They now have a little bit of ammunition to sit back and say, “See, these guys are crazy. It only makes sense that he’d act this way and it’s only a matter of time before more do the same.” Of course we know Jackson’s actions are the exception rather than the norm, but many uppity columnists will point to them as an illustration of where society is headed thanks to these “ultimate fighters.” Fighters know this and they should not act in a manner that bolsters the critics’ arguments.

Thankfully nobody was hurt and hopefully Quinton Jackson is alright. Yes what he did is frustrating, but fighters are nothing more than people with an exceptional skill, and people make mistakes. His actions now, after the fact, will weigh heavily on the opinions of MMA fans and opponents alike.

Quinton Jackson Arrest Courtesy of The Sun

Future UFC Stars? Anthony Johnson and Kevin Burns

This one breaks away from the Momma said knock you out and sick jits format, but...

Two more men who deserve mention will be fighting each other in something of a play off, or play in, when considering who will have the inside track to becoming a next generation UFC star.

Welterweights Anthony Johnson and Kevin Burns are both coming off impressive victories. Johnson improved to 5-1 when he absolutely decimated Tommy Speer, and Kevin Burns shocked Jiu Jitsu black belt Roan Carneiro with a triangle choke on June 7th in London to move to 6-1.

Now the two will square off on the UFC’s impromptu July 19 card and the winner might just be on their way to a big future in the promotion’s welterweight division.

Burns and Johnson conclude our romp through guys who have a chance to grab fame in the UFC. These eleven guys have demonstrated that they just might have what it takes to be the stars of the next generation of the UFC. How many of them will become superstars? Are there others out there ready to join this cycle? How will they go about making their names?

All tough questions most likely answered between now and years down the road. One thing is for sure though, it is going to be fun finding them out!

You can see the original article in its entirety by clicking on the link either here or on the side under "Featured on MMA Madness."

Future UFC Stars? Dustin Hazelett

Now for our final entry in the Sick Jits category...

Dustin Hazelett
Team Jorge Gurgel member Dustin Hazelett is barely old enough to legally buy beer, and yet he’s quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s welterweight division.

Overall, Hazelett is 11-4, and 4-2 in the UFC, but at the age of 22 the sky is the limit for the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner. Recently, at TUF Season 7 Finale, Hazelett hooked up with the formidable Josh Burkman and pulled off one of the best submissions of the year.

With time running out in the second round, Dustin transitioned from a Whizzer and jumped into an amazing armbar. The victory earned Hazelett a chunk of change as he was awarded submission of the night and fight of the night, but more importantly it helped the young Cincinnati, Ohio native gain a lot of fans. Exactly what he needs to become one of the UFC’s new stars.

Here is a video of Dustin looong before his UFC debut, and oddly enough he basically gets a submission and a KO in the same fight...



Please let me know if you have any other up and comers who have "sick Jits" I'd love to profile them too!