J.G.’s “Loaded Friday” Mailbag
Styles, Titles and Tokes
Josh Gross Mar 9, 2007
Styles make fights
Dear Josh, first off, l would like to start off by saying that the "Beatdown" is one quality Radio show/Podcast! I seriously appreciate the fact that both you and TJ obviously have a great enthusiasm for the sport and love sharing it with us, the fans.
I would love to hear your thoughts how some fans can be such huge
fans of MMA and not appreciate Muay Thai, boxing or submission
grappling. Now I realize that not everyone has this bias, but it
would seems that an appreciation of one would lead to an
appreciation of the others, or at least some respect.
Personally I find MMA to be more consistently entertaining, but these other sports can be exciting and are the pure forms of the different parts of MMA. My thoughts are that an awful lot of the "New" fans just want to be entertained and don't really appreciate the nuances of the sport.
Keep up the good work. – Billy in Ketchikan, Alaska (sounds just like Catch-uh-can)
PS- I don't live in an Igloo!! Haha
No Igloo! Billy, we actually answered this one on Monday's Beatdown (thanks for the props, btw), but a glitch with the CD burner erased the whole deal — either that or TJ forgot to hit record.
I've had the great fortune to watch some of the best fighters in the world perform in their specialty. Lennox Lewis in Vegas. Ramon Dekker in Rotterdam. And Marcelo Garcia on multiple occasions. Each sport has its own flavor, and I can understand why someone might prefer one over another.
MMA is destined to become where the world's best fighter is found. It started with the grapplers, who yearned for an outlet to compete. Kickboxers soon followed — today some of the sport's best are strikers first. And I honestly feel as MMA grows — and, more importantly, purses rise — we'll see world-class boxers join the fray.
Mirko "Cro Cop" quickly acclimated himself; no reason an in-his-prime Roy Jones Jr. couldn't as well.
As far as my preferences: 1) Boxing. 2) Submission grappling. 3) Muay Thai/kickboxing.
I could watch Marcelo Garcia all day long, but for the most part, I'd take a boxing bout over a sub grappling match. Muay Thai/kickboxing comes in last, even though I love a good leg kick.
And anything with a gi: no thanks.
Non-Title Nonsense 2
Josh, after reading your email titled ‘non-title nonsense' it got me thinking, is there really a big difference between Pride's non-title bouts and at least half of UFC's "title" bouts. I don't think so. Is Matt Serra (Pictures) truly deserving a shot at Georges St. Pierre (Pictures), especially with the way Diego Sanchez (Pictures) has been fighting? What about Jeff Monsoon, Travis Lutter (Pictures), Jeremy Horn (Pictures), Joe Riggs (Pictures) etc? All these fighters showed up pretty much so UFC could showcase their champions, and while some competed better than expected none where TRUE title contenders.
Now by having non-title bouts you face the Gomi conundrum, which is the fact that he does not train for non-title fights. He looked tired before Diaz even got his first good punch on him. Maybe the solution is when an organization wants to showcase a champ, have a non-title fight but if he loses in a non-title match while carrying the belt the champ gets stripped of the belt (tournaments and jumping up in weight class loses are excluded). Look Diaz is an excellent fighter but he did nothing to earn a shot at a Pride title and even with that win he does not deserve to carry the belt.
Lets say Serra beats St. Pierre on a cut: does he deserve the belt? – Jeff
There are no real contenders in the UFC or PRIDE. Guys sorta work their way up, but not really. So if Serra cuts or subs or decisions or just plain defeats GSP, he would without a doubt deserve the belt.
Isn't that the point you were trying to make?
Attn: UFC
Who would you write to if you wanted to complain about the number of fights shown on pay-per-view for UFC fights? Pride shows them all. UFC I can't remember the amount but I know it wasn't even close to nine fights. I think it was four or five. I don't like it and I want to complain about it. – Michael Scherffius
You've got a soap box here … and so does Ken.
I have one quick question about the Pride PPV and the UFC PPV — where could a fan go to really voice some displeasure at the lack of fights we get in an UFC PPV. I bought my first Pride PPV last month, and boy was I happy to see nothing but fights! They showed the whole card and none of that pre-fight hype. The main thing that I don't like about the UFC is that we don't get to see the undercard, and I think they would do a lot more for the fans if they stopped with the trash talking between fights and just show fights. For my money, I got nine (?) fights on the Pride PPV, but only five on the UFC PPV, and they both cost the same amount. Thanks! – Ken
Clinical diagnosis
Dear Mr. Gross: TSS is Technical Striker's Syndrome, a malady wherein fighters, under the false impression that they are "technical strikers," become pitty-patters unable to let go of their hands. Like yips in a golfer's putting stoke, TSS is cumulative and progressive. Past victims include Forrest Griffin (Pictures) (who used to throw, but now pitty-pats) and Pat Miletich (Pictures), from whom Tim Sylvia (Pictures) likely contracted his case. Rich Franklin (Pictures) is a borderline TSS case. Against strong wrestlers and hard strikers, TSS victims stand little chance. – Scott Romine
AKA Tim Sylvia (Pictures) Syndrome? (Oh, and props for the "yips" reference.)
The eye of the beholder
So what did nick say about the weed smoking? I don't think it's bad to smoke weed. Do you? – No Name given
Diaz wouldn't comment on the record, but he did seem surprised that he was tested for marijuana. Nick's manager, Cesar Gracie (Pictures), also found it interesting that the scrappy welterweight tested positive considering he provided clean samples after previous tests during his UFC tenure.
Do I think it's bad? I'm a bit indifferent. I don't think it's a performance enhancer. And, in all honestly, I don't think it's as bad for you as alcohol.
Having gone to San Diego State I can attest to the fact that it didn't seem to motivate some of the stoners I roomed with in the dorms. (Didn't hurt that I knew I could always rely on them to have some chips or candy around.)
Road trip to Amsterdam
"Yes, it's illegal"
But it isn't illegal everywhere. They could've been smoking it where it is legal and then it stays in your body. Getting punished for that is like getting a speeding ticket forever driving above the current speed limit.
Getting a license to fight in Nevada (or pretty much anywhere in the States) isn't a right, either. You have to meet certain expectations. And I guess not testing positive for weed is one of them.
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never going to keep me down
Pissing the night away
Pissing the night away
Anyone else think Chumbawamba when they heard Nick Diaz (Pictures) had failed his drug test?
OK, so I put it on the Boards before I sent it to you. – Shark Tank, Matt Mako
You know how long it took me to get that damn song out of my head?
Soccer kicks
Hey Josh, as a fan of Major League Soccer and American soccer in general, I have to speak up.
While I agree that many people believe MLS below some standard, most of these people have never watched a MLS game.
I watch soccer more then I watch MMA and I watch a lot of MMA and I have even been to a UEFA Champions League match, I would rank MLS below the English, Italian, German, Spanish and Brazilian Leagues only, everyone else can bring it. So those people are full of shit, kinda like the blind faith some Pride fans show.
Those same people said MLS would not be around more then 5 years and it's been 11 now, so they lose credibility.
I do have to disagree with you on the whole, David Beckham being on downside of his career, first of all this guy plays for one of the most talent rich teams in the world, the point is, he is not playing for some feeder team, so to judge him is not right.
Beckham is 31, still in his prime and just the other week, he was involved in all three of his team's goals in the Champions League, doesn't sound like a player on the downside to me.
He was signed to help make the league more visible but I promise it was also to play the game, If Beckham had wanted to sign with a EPL team, he had many offers, but he turned them down. I honestly think it was more of a lifestyle change, rather then money thing, because he's already filthy rich.
Josh, I know you are not a hater of the sport, but you sounded misinformed and it gives people the wrong impression about the league and the state of soccer in this country. It just fuels soccer's critics.
That last dig, about Man U and the Revs, while true, it was still a low blow.
MLS is only 11 years old.
Loyal Beatdown listener. – Dux Kamikaze
Let me preface by saying I grew up on soccer. Of course I played AYSO. It was pretty serious for a while and I moved on to the club level before high school. In fact, I was lucky enough to go on a soccer tour of Spain with a bunch of 12- and 13-year-old kids. We were trounced, as you might expect. My favorite match of the tour came against the Real Madrid junior squad. Umm. We lost 16-0. But most of those guys had facial hair, and I swear a couple had girlfriends on the sidelines holding babies in their arms.
Anyhow, today I'm a casual fan, which basically means I only care every four years. And then I'm generally disappointed.
I was lucky enough to be in France during the World Cup in '98 and watched the finals with 20,000 out-of-their-heads Frenchmen in a square in Nice. It's a great game. But the sad fact is the vast majority of Americans above the age of 12 simply don't care.
I'm afraid the only soccer kicks American fans my age might learn to love are the kind proliferated in Curitiba.
P.S. Last I heard Beckham was dropped from the English national team. He's not the player he was and, for what it's worth, I always felt he was a bit overrated. Considering he just tore his MCL, seems more focused on an upcoming reality show, and is loaded beyond belief, I wouldn't count on him being much of a force in the MLS.
Dear Josh, first off, l would like to start off by saying that the "Beatdown" is one quality Radio show/Podcast! I seriously appreciate the fact that both you and TJ obviously have a great enthusiasm for the sport and love sharing it with us, the fans.
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Personally I find MMA to be more consistently entertaining, but these other sports can be exciting and are the pure forms of the different parts of MMA. My thoughts are that an awful lot of the "New" fans just want to be entertained and don't really appreciate the nuances of the sport.
Its all a matter of personal tastes I guess, but I would really
like to hear your thoughts on this.
Keep up the good work. – Billy in Ketchikan, Alaska (sounds just like Catch-uh-can)
PS- I don't live in an Igloo!! Haha
No Igloo! Billy, we actually answered this one on Monday's Beatdown (thanks for the props, btw), but a glitch with the CD burner erased the whole deal — either that or TJ forgot to hit record.
I've had the great fortune to watch some of the best fighters in the world perform in their specialty. Lennox Lewis in Vegas. Ramon Dekker in Rotterdam. And Marcelo Garcia on multiple occasions. Each sport has its own flavor, and I can understand why someone might prefer one over another.
MMA is destined to become where the world's best fighter is found. It started with the grapplers, who yearned for an outlet to compete. Kickboxers soon followed — today some of the sport's best are strikers first. And I honestly feel as MMA grows — and, more importantly, purses rise — we'll see world-class boxers join the fray.
Mirko "Cro Cop" quickly acclimated himself; no reason an in-his-prime Roy Jones Jr. couldn't as well.
As far as my preferences: 1) Boxing. 2) Submission grappling. 3) Muay Thai/kickboxing.
I could watch Marcelo Garcia all day long, but for the most part, I'd take a boxing bout over a sub grappling match. Muay Thai/kickboxing comes in last, even though I love a good leg kick.
And anything with a gi: no thanks.
Non-Title Nonsense 2
Josh, after reading your email titled ‘non-title nonsense' it got me thinking, is there really a big difference between Pride's non-title bouts and at least half of UFC's "title" bouts. I don't think so. Is Matt Serra (Pictures) truly deserving a shot at Georges St. Pierre (Pictures), especially with the way Diego Sanchez (Pictures) has been fighting? What about Jeff Monsoon, Travis Lutter (Pictures), Jeremy Horn (Pictures), Joe Riggs (Pictures) etc? All these fighters showed up pretty much so UFC could showcase their champions, and while some competed better than expected none where TRUE title contenders.
Now by having non-title bouts you face the Gomi conundrum, which is the fact that he does not train for non-title fights. He looked tired before Diaz even got his first good punch on him. Maybe the solution is when an organization wants to showcase a champ, have a non-title fight but if he loses in a non-title match while carrying the belt the champ gets stripped of the belt (tournaments and jumping up in weight class loses are excluded). Look Diaz is an excellent fighter but he did nothing to earn a shot at a Pride title and even with that win he does not deserve to carry the belt.
Lets say Serra beats St. Pierre on a cut: does he deserve the belt? – Jeff
There are no real contenders in the UFC or PRIDE. Guys sorta work their way up, but not really. So if Serra cuts or subs or decisions or just plain defeats GSP, he would without a doubt deserve the belt.
Isn't that the point you were trying to make?
Attn: UFC
Who would you write to if you wanted to complain about the number of fights shown on pay-per-view for UFC fights? Pride shows them all. UFC I can't remember the amount but I know it wasn't even close to nine fights. I think it was four or five. I don't like it and I want to complain about it. – Michael Scherffius
You've got a soap box here … and so does Ken.
I have one quick question about the Pride PPV and the UFC PPV — where could a fan go to really voice some displeasure at the lack of fights we get in an UFC PPV. I bought my first Pride PPV last month, and boy was I happy to see nothing but fights! They showed the whole card and none of that pre-fight hype. The main thing that I don't like about the UFC is that we don't get to see the undercard, and I think they would do a lot more for the fans if they stopped with the trash talking between fights and just show fights. For my money, I got nine (?) fights on the Pride PPV, but only five on the UFC PPV, and they both cost the same amount. Thanks! – Ken
Clinical diagnosis
Dear Mr. Gross: TSS is Technical Striker's Syndrome, a malady wherein fighters, under the false impression that they are "technical strikers," become pitty-patters unable to let go of their hands. Like yips in a golfer's putting stoke, TSS is cumulative and progressive. Past victims include Forrest Griffin (Pictures) (who used to throw, but now pitty-pats) and Pat Miletich (Pictures), from whom Tim Sylvia (Pictures) likely contracted his case. Rich Franklin (Pictures) is a borderline TSS case. Against strong wrestlers and hard strikers, TSS victims stand little chance. – Scott Romine
AKA Tim Sylvia (Pictures) Syndrome? (Oh, and props for the "yips" reference.)
The eye of the beholder
So what did nick say about the weed smoking? I don't think it's bad to smoke weed. Do you? – No Name given
Diaz wouldn't comment on the record, but he did seem surprised that he was tested for marijuana. Nick's manager, Cesar Gracie (Pictures), also found it interesting that the scrappy welterweight tested positive considering he provided clean samples after previous tests during his UFC tenure.
Do I think it's bad? I'm a bit indifferent. I don't think it's a performance enhancer. And, in all honestly, I don't think it's as bad for you as alcohol.
Having gone to San Diego State I can attest to the fact that it didn't seem to motivate some of the stoners I roomed with in the dorms. (Didn't hurt that I knew I could always rely on them to have some chips or candy around.)
Road trip to Amsterdam
"Yes, it's illegal"
But it isn't illegal everywhere. They could've been smoking it where it is legal and then it stays in your body. Getting punished for that is like getting a speeding ticket forever driving above the current speed limit.
Getting a license to fight in Nevada (or pretty much anywhere in the States) isn't a right, either. You have to meet certain expectations. And I guess not testing positive for weed is one of them.
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never going to keep me down
Pissing the night away
Pissing the night away
Anyone else think Chumbawamba when they heard Nick Diaz (Pictures) had failed his drug test?
OK, so I put it on the Boards before I sent it to you. – Shark Tank, Matt Mako
You know how long it took me to get that damn song out of my head?
Soccer kicks
Hey Josh, as a fan of Major League Soccer and American soccer in general, I have to speak up.
While I agree that many people believe MLS below some standard, most of these people have never watched a MLS game.
I watch soccer more then I watch MMA and I watch a lot of MMA and I have even been to a UEFA Champions League match, I would rank MLS below the English, Italian, German, Spanish and Brazilian Leagues only, everyone else can bring it. So those people are full of shit, kinda like the blind faith some Pride fans show.
Those same people said MLS would not be around more then 5 years and it's been 11 now, so they lose credibility.
I do have to disagree with you on the whole, David Beckham being on downside of his career, first of all this guy plays for one of the most talent rich teams in the world, the point is, he is not playing for some feeder team, so to judge him is not right.
Beckham is 31, still in his prime and just the other week, he was involved in all three of his team's goals in the Champions League, doesn't sound like a player on the downside to me.
He was signed to help make the league more visible but I promise it was also to play the game, If Beckham had wanted to sign with a EPL team, he had many offers, but he turned them down. I honestly think it was more of a lifestyle change, rather then money thing, because he's already filthy rich.
Josh, I know you are not a hater of the sport, but you sounded misinformed and it gives people the wrong impression about the league and the state of soccer in this country. It just fuels soccer's critics.
That last dig, about Man U and the Revs, while true, it was still a low blow.
MLS is only 11 years old.
Loyal Beatdown listener. – Dux Kamikaze
Let me preface by saying I grew up on soccer. Of course I played AYSO. It was pretty serious for a while and I moved on to the club level before high school. In fact, I was lucky enough to go on a soccer tour of Spain with a bunch of 12- and 13-year-old kids. We were trounced, as you might expect. My favorite match of the tour came against the Real Madrid junior squad. Umm. We lost 16-0. But most of those guys had facial hair, and I swear a couple had girlfriends on the sidelines holding babies in their arms.
Anyhow, today I'm a casual fan, which basically means I only care every four years. And then I'm generally disappointed.
I was lucky enough to be in France during the World Cup in '98 and watched the finals with 20,000 out-of-their-heads Frenchmen in a square in Nice. It's a great game. But the sad fact is the vast majority of Americans above the age of 12 simply don't care.
I'm afraid the only soccer kicks American fans my age might learn to love are the kind proliferated in Curitiba.
P.S. Last I heard Beckham was dropped from the English national team. He's not the player he was and, for what it's worth, I always felt he was a bit overrated. Considering he just tore his MCL, seems more focused on an upcoming reality show, and is loaded beyond belief, I wouldn't count on him being much of a force in the MLS.
