- EA MMA Adds Lashley, Diaz, Zaromskis, Riggs, Manhoef and Possibly Joachim Hansen
- Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. to Produce Logistics at Strikeforce: Miami
- Aiona proposes creation of Hawaii Sports Commission
- Bud Light Takes Over South Beach Hotel for Football’s Big Week
- Herschel Talks up MMA on ‘Pardon the Interruption’
- Women’s MMA rests on Santos’ shoulders
EA Sports MMA Adds Lashley, Diaz, Zaromskis, Riggs, Manhoef and Possibly Joachim Hansen
Shortly after Bobby Lashley was announced on today’s edition of ESPN.com’s “MMA Live” as the latest addition to “EA Sports MMA,” four more fighters involved in this weekend’s “Strikeforce: Miami” event were also confirmed for the game.
Nick Diaz (20-7 MMA, 2-0 SF), Marius Zaromskis (13-3 MMA, 0-0 SF), Joe Riggs (32-10 MMA, 3-2 SF) and Melvin Manhoef (24-6-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) will all appear in the upcoming rival to THQ’s “UFC Undisputed” franchise.
The latest additions to the forthcoming video game’s roster were announced in an ESPN.com interview with Lashley.
Diaz and Zaromskis will be featured in the main event of Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Miami” event in Sunrise, Fla., when the pair contests the promotion’s vacant welterweight title. (MMAJunkie) … [MMAPayout’s Perspective]
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Former Dream lightweight champion Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen is the latest fighter expected to take part in the upcoming “EA Sports MMA” video game.
The title is expected to be released late this summer on the Playstation 3 and XBox 360 consoles.
A native of Oslo, Norway, Hansen is widely respected as one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport with notable victories over the likes of Shinya Aoki, Caol Uno, Yves Edwards and Takanori Gomi to his credit. (5OzsOfPain)
Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. to Produce Logistics at Strikeforce: Miami
Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. (OTCBB: SEWE) to coordinate logistics at Strikeforce: Miami, a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida on Saturday, January 30.
“Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. is proud to be coordinating and aiding in the production and operations of Strikeforce: Miami. The Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. team offers top experience in event planning and equipment manufacturing, so the quality in the products and services we bring to Strikeforce is second to none,” said Eddie Wenrick, CEO of Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd.
Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. has cultivated an unparalleled client base consisting of the top MMA brands. With the MMA culture quickly becoming a standard in sports excellence, Truesport Alliances & Entertainment, Ltd. provides graphic and printing services for the cage canvas, as well as coordinates all equipment and manufacturing for Strikeforce. (CNN Money)
Aiona proposes creation of Hawaii Sports Commission
At a press conference yesterday at the State Capitol, Aiona discussed a joint legislative proposal that would establish the 13-member Hawaii Sports Commission. The entity’s mission would be “to attract, develop and promote sports and sporting events throughout the state, and generate revenues for Hawaii’s economy,” Aiona said.
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If enacted by the state legislature, the HSC would not require any general funds but it would have a $100,000 appropriation from a special fund for this fiscal year. The commission would be established this July and expected to be up and running by next legislative session.
Of the 13 members, eight would be appointed by the governor with the remaining five representing the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the mayors of the state’s four counties. The only paid member would be the executive director.
Although there was emphasis on the high-profile sports such as pro football and golf, the commission would also be looking at international and domestic competitions in youth sports, such as regional volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball tournaments. Among those attending yesterday’s press conference were representatives of AYSO, LIttle League, the Hawaii Golf Alliance, the Hawaii Stadium Authority and Mixed Martial Arts Hawaii. (Star Bulletin)
Bud Light Takes Over South Beach Hotel for Football’s Big Week
For eleven days this winter the world’s best-selling light beer is heating up South Beach and creating an exclusive football fan experience when it transforms Miami’s Surfcomber Hotel into the Bud Light Hotel.
From Jan. 29 to Feb. 8, Bud Light is re-branding the entire Surfcomber property – everything from the towels and mints to the marquee atop the property – and has planned a full lineup of exclusive events, star-studded live concert performances and sports exhibitions making the Bud Light Hotel the place to be on South Beach.
“Pro football’s culminating event is one of the biggest events on the American sports calendar,” said Mike Sundet, senior director of Bud Light brands. “As the beer of good times, Bud Light saw an opportunity to offer adult football fans everywhere a VIP experience to the celebration, social scene and special events leading up to kickoff.”
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Wave Two (Feb 1 – 4)
The second wave of guests check-in Monday night to relax poolside and enjoy cold Bud Light with new friends. On Tuesday, UFC’s own Mike Goldberg hosts UFC stars like former World Champions Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes, The Ultimate Fighter Season Eight Champion Efrain Escudero and other rising superstars as they demonstrate training techniques and fighting styles in a mixed martial arts exhibition in the Octagon placed over the Bud Light Hotel pool. The following night, musical acts Uncle Kracker and DJ Skribble perform live at the Super Pool Party. Wave Two wraps up Thursday night with an invite-only event hosted by GQ Magazine. (PR Newswire)
Herschel Talks up MMA on ‘Pardon the Interruption’
Mixed martial arts has many opponents in the mainstream media, but few are as vocal or high-profile as Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, the hosts of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption.
So Herschel Walker accomplished something extraordinary in an appearance on PTI Wednesday by convincing both Kornheiser and Wilbon that they should check out his fight on Saturday night at Strikeforce Miami.
Knowing that Kornheiser and Wilbon were skeptical about MMA, Walker patiently explained to them why they shouldn’t view MMA as a brutal endeavor.
“This sport has been cleaned up,” Walker said. “I think football and boxing is worse. In boxing you get knocked down, they give you a standing eight count, you’re still woozy and then you get back in there and fight. In football you’ve got all the concussions. Years ago this was a brutal sport, years ago there’s no way I would have gotten involved in it, but it has become a sport, it has become an art.”
Both Kornheiser and Wilbon have a long history of saying they find MMA abhorrent, but they obviously respect Walker.
“Herschel, what you’re doing sounds insane to me, but I know you’re very serious about it,” Kornheiser said, adding that Walker seems like too sweet a person to hurt anyone,
Walker responded, “I don’t know that I’m stepping in the cage to hurt anyone. I’m stepping in the cage to compete.”
Strikeforce signed Walker for exactly the kind of publicity that he got in his Pardon the Interruption appearance, during which he was sure to promote Strikeforce and Showtime and to note that there are better fighters than him on Saturday night’s card. (MMAFighting)
Women’s MMA rests on Santos’ shoulders
Inside the cage, the Brazilian faces the most experienced top fighter she has ever faced in Marloes Coenen (17-3) of Holland in her first championship defense. The fight is the semifinal, under Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis, at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., on the Strikeforce event that airs live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.
More important in the long run, no matter who wins, is the question of how the public will react to women in a top position on a major show without the obvious public appeal Carano brought to the table.
Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker, with UFC not promoting women as fighters, has become the builder of women’s MMA. And no matter what happens Saturday, he’s got ideas spinning in his head to feature women prominently on shows for the next several months, with new matches and attempts to create new stars.
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“If Marloes wins, we can do Gina vs. Marloes [for the title],” said Coker. “If Cyborg wins, we’ll come back with Cyborg vs. Erin Toughill (10-2-1).”
Toughill’s career dates back to the same Japanese tournament where Coenen made her name. She’s also the only woman ever to have stopped Coenen, by knockout, in a 2004 match in Japan. Of Toughill’s two losses, one was via disqualification and the other was against a 320-pound Russian Olympic judo star.
Carano, who has the lead role in a Steven Soderbergh film, “Knockout,” which is currently filming, is expected to return over the summer.
“I don’t think she wants to go out the way she did in her last fight,” said Coker. “Cyborg has already fought Gina so we want to put her against someone else. She can fight Marloes, or three or four other girls out there, like maybe Kerry Vera (the wife of UFC star Brandon Vera, whose fight with Kim Couture drew the highest rating of any “B” level Challengers fight show on Showtime).” (Yahoo! Sports)
QUICK HITS
- UFC To Offer Spanish-Language Feed For March PPV Event (Multichannel)
- Breaking down the Strikeforce card (ESPN)
- Bobby Lashley Interview (ESPN)
- Couture Has No Issues With Walker Doing MMA (MMAFighting)
- With planned retirement at 30, Gegard Mousasi searching for best career options (MMAJunkie)
- Fernandes Will Defend Title at Dream.13 (MMAFighting)
- Jay Hieron Looking to Cement His Status as Strikeforce’s Top Welterweight Contender (MMAFighting)
- Banderas, Paxton Join Carano Film (Sherdog)
- Gunshot Survivor Johnson, Others Added to March Strikeforce Challengers (Sherdog)
- 12 Questions for Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos (Sherdog)
- Patrick Barry vs. Gilbert Yvel targeted for UFC 115 main card (MMAJunkie)
- Source: Despite threats, no one yet fired from Brock Lesnar’s camp (MMAJunkie)
- Drwal vs. Palhares, Camoes vs. Pellegrino official for UFC 111 prelims in March (MMAJunkie)
- Liddell, 40, has plenty of fight left in him (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- DREAM Roughs Out 2010 Plans, Korea Possible (MMAWeekly)
- King Of The Cage Japan: “Toryumon” Preview (MMARising)
VIDEO OF THE DAY
- MMA Live: 1-28-10: MMA live offers up a full preview of Strikeforce: Miami, including the MMA debut of Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker. Also, the crew debate Chuck Liddel’s fighting future. Bobby Lashley, Nick Diaz, Marius Zaromskis, Joe Riggs, Jay Hieron and Melvin Manhoef are also announced as the latest roster additions to EA Sports MMA.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
TV LISTINGS
- HDNet Fights Presents K-1 Classics (Musashi Tribute) at 8 PM ET on HDNet (01/29/10)
- InsideMMA (Gegard Mousasi, Gilbert Melendez, & Tony Lopez) at 9 PM ET on HDNet (01/29/10)
- HDNet Fights Presents Best of DREAM Super Hulk GP at 10 PM ET on HDNet (01/29/10)
- Best of Pride FC at 10 PM ET/PT on Spike (01/29/10)
- Strikeforce Miami: Diaz vs Zaromskis at 10 PM ET/PT on Showtime (01/30/10)
- Countdown to UFC 109 at 12:30 AM ET/PT on Spike (01/30/10)
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen (5OzsOfPain) and Mariusz Pudzianowski (MiddleEasy) are also rumored to appear in EA Sports MMA.
* Heard a BIG announcement will be made on InsideMMA regarding KOTC.