Outside the Ring/Cage: News, ToTM, Pictures, etc.

[Anwin]

In another surprising turn of events that no one saw coming, Uncle Dana said the women's division in UFC is bound to happen.

[LARMORE]

Dana White is so full of fucking shit nowadays. He's reaching creeper status with his infatuation for Ronda Rousey, and is behind the curve big time for Women's MMA. Gina Carano and Cyborg are the reason Ronda Rousey can headline events, but Dana didn't want anything to do with Women's MMA then. The UFC's overall product this year has been, for the most part, the shits. Now, we're going to have yet another division (or two) to keep track of in the UFC. So much for not turning the sport into Boxing! He's a bald headed troll.

[Anwin]

Of course Dana is full of shit.

But I don't see the wrong in having a women's division in the UFC. Granted, it doesn't have a big pool of athletes as other divisions. But it had someone with star power, unlike Flyweight. At least Featherweight and Bantamweight came builded up from WEC. As much as I liked seeing Mighty Mouse win the crown, Flyweight doesn't have that much depth nor a recognized star (unless Uncle Dana have Faber cutting to 125 to finally give him UFC gold) Also, the fact that the Octagon is way too big for the Lightweight and under classes hurts them too.

I don't see it happening until 2013. And a key part of the future women's division will be how Invicta develops in the next year. So far their shows have been remarkable, and they might help to build some contenders that UFC can snatch.

---

Remember we all though DREAM was dead and buried? Well...seems they're coming back one night only.

There will be a New Year's Eve card this year at Saitama, co-promoted between DREAM and GSI, the business arm of Golden Glory.

Even though UFC has pulled stacked cards for NYE shows since a couple of years ago, it's good to see that the tradition of JMMA NYE shows won't die, at least for the time being.

[LARMORE]

It's still dead. They are just using the name for the sake of the NYE card. DREAM has been dead for at least two years.

I'll applaud Uncle Dana's sudden-change-of-heart/Rousey hard-on if it leads to a season of the Ultimate Fighter with all female contestants, and coached by Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. Let's be realistic: we are more likely to get Rousey/Tate II than Rousey/Cyborg. Rousey just likes to talk about fighting Cyborg; she doesn't actually want to fight Cyborg. There's no reason why Rousey/Cyborg couldn't happen at 140 or 145, considering Rousey used to fight at 145 and heavier. Rousey/Tate II is a credible, realistic and easy to promote fight, considering Tate lasted longer in the cage with Rousey than all of Rousey's other pro-MMA opponents combined. I'd watch a season of TUF with Miesha Tate. Then again, I'd watch anything with Miesha Tate in it. As much as Uncle Dana has a public crush on/infatuation with Rousey, the truth is that Tate is 10 times hotter than Rousey. I have a public crush on/infatuation with Miesha Tate.

But, in sad news:

Jeff Blatnick, who became a national hero after winning an Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, has died at age 55.

Television station WNYT in Albany confirmed today that Blatnick has died following complications from heart surgery.

Blatnick earned a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team.

He was a star at Springfield College, and a high school state champion in New York from the Albany area.

He has served as USA Wrestling's state chairman in New York, and has been involved as a wrestling commentator for NBC and ESPN. He also served as a motivational speaker and worked as an ambassador with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

"It is a great tragedy for wrestling in general, and for New York wrestling also. He was our New York state chairman, and has been doing a phenomenal job. I am saddened for his wife and two children. I am feeling the greatest saddness," said Joe DeMeo, the Greco-Roman who coached Blatnick with the ATWA club in Albany and is a close friend.

More information will follow when it becomes available.

Blatnick was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999. Below is his Hall of Fame biography.

Jeff Blatnick said,"If you can win in adversity, you can win anywhere!" This quote exemplifies his achievements in all aspects of life and illustrates his determination in the world of wrestling.

Blatnick began his wrestling career in 1973 at Niskayuna High School in Schenectady, New York. In his three years of varsity wrestling he compiled a record of 62-19-0, and was the NYS Heavyweight champion in 1975.

He continued his list of accomplishments at Springfield College, MA. There he became a two time Division II National champion, and a three time Division II All-American. He also was third in the 1979 NCAA Division I meet as a senior.

It was in Greco-Roman wrestling that Blatnick made his greatest impact. He qualified for the 1980 Olympic Greco-Roman team, but was unable to compete due to the government boycott of the Moscow Games. Four years later, though, he returned to become one of only two U.S. Wrestlers to win the Olympics in Greco-Roman.

He was a three-time national champion in Greco-Roman and won eight Greco-Roman All-American awards. He won two World Cup medals and also won two Freestyle All-American honors.

Blatnick's greatest victory, however, occurred before he ever made it to the 1984 Olympics. On the path to his Olympic Gold Medal, he conquered his greatest opponent, Hodgkin's Disease, a form of cancer.

He has continued to serve the sport of wrestling by serving on USA Wrestling Board of Directors for many years, and through his work as a wrestling broadcaster.

As one of the most well known and respected wrestlers, as well as a hero to many, Jeff Blatnick is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He is still the best commentator that the UFC ever employed. Excellent insight in the commentary booth, sensible judging and tremendous wrestling credentials. He will be missed.

---

On Brock Lesnar:

He's done. He called me a couple days ago. He's never coming back. He just said he can wrestle, but he can't fight. He was contemplating coming back. Neither is Fedor. They're both retired.

At least Lesnar was honest. Can't damn the man for that.

[Anwin]

Fuck TUF. Bring Marloes Coenen back. Unless Overeem is fueling Uncle Dana's vendetta against Golden Glory, I don't see why she shouldn't be brought into the fold.

Also, I think they'll be aiming towards Rousey vs. McMann as a third big fight. Judo Olympic medallist vs. Wrestling Olympic medallist books itself.

R.I.P. Jeff Blatnick. His biggest legacy, aside from being color before Rogan, is that he was play a part in the development of the current MMA ruleset.

[25:17]

what's the problem between Dana and Golden Glory?

[LARMORE]

Its never been explained in great, indisputable detail. But, a lot of it boils down to money and business practices. With Coenen and Kharitonov, there was an alleged dispute over how to pay them. If I recall correctly, and maybe Anwin and/or Pretty Tony can correct me on this one, Dana wanted to pay the fighters directly; Golden Glory wanted the payment, then they would pay the fighters. Overeem also had a public fall out with GG, claiming they tried to screw him out of money and contracts. However, I wouldn't take anything that Overeem says as truthful. On that same token, I don't necessarily take a lot of things that Dana White says nowadays as truthful.

[25:17]

There are rumours saying that Josh Barnett is likely to compete for Pancrase next year to defend the KOP title.

[LARMORE]

Good. The whole world was sitting on the edge of its seat, waiting for another KOP title defense.

Which will instantly be canceled if Uncle Dana comes calling.

[Antonio DAMAN]

Tokyo Sports is reporting that DREAM will return with a New Year's Eve show from Saitama Super Arena, and if the show does well, more shows are in the pipeline.

DREAM's rights/trademarks were bought in FEG's bankruptcy/liquidation by GSI (Glory Sports International), who has brought in former DREAM event coordinator Keiichi Sasahara for the NYE show.

[25:17]

Anwin already said that.

Barnett's manager denied the rumours of a defense of the KOP title.