Videodrome Tuesday: Official Mayweather vs Mcgregor Trailer/Promo

Videodrome Tuesday - Justin Gaethje: UFC Origins/Road to the Octagon

Superstar brewing.....add one part great origin story sprinkled with words like "work ethic" "willpower" "knock out or get knocked out" "coal miner father".....add several parts highlight reel finishes, add one part stand n' bang UFC debut over solid ranked opponent....add one part Americana folk background...I liken it to the meteoric rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin in  pro wrestling....it's all the pieces necessary to become a true "needle mover" as the UFC brass is like to say since Conor McGregor showed the kind of money there is to be made.

America loves the rags to riches, pull yourself up by your bootstraps narrative. We worship it. If you don't live in LA, NYC, or Miami, you can easily forget what rural America looks like an in fact represents the vast majority of our landmass.
If the UFC can't turn this guy into a household name in MMA it's simply due to a lack of effort. I find it impossible to believe the guy won't find traction unless it's due to a lack of effort.

Gray Maynard Lays on Ishihara for 3 rounds for the Win, Calls out Artem Lobov, Disses Ryan Hall

Gray Maynard is still bitter about the Ryan Hall fight. (That being Gray Maynard's second such fight as he was a part of the worst fight of all time with Clay Guida). For a guy who abjectly refused to go to the ground with Ryan Hall every time Hall flopped down after a kick or a punch, Maynard happily laid on his most recent opponent for 3 rounds.

Afterward, he called out Artem Lobov who I guess has name recognition b/c of the McGregor association but is coming off a loss. 

Gegard Mousasi Throws up the Deuces to UFC: Heads to Bellator

This Weekend: Bellator Friday, UFC Sunday

I've been singing this tune for awhile, but as of late, for several reasons I find myself plodding thru UFC events and really enjoying Bellator events. This past weeks TUF and 213 were similar.

The TUF Finale ( which lost Dillashaw vs Garbrandt due to injury would have been quite the addition to the card) really only picked up with Taylor vs Lima and Gaethje Vs Johnson. 

UFC 213 had some good scraps with Font, Oleinik, and a thrilling main event, that was fine on its own after Nunes got sick or wussed out depending on who you ask. 

That being said I feel like this weekend's UFC offering other than the Gunnar Nelson bout and Felder vs Stevie Ray. I don't even know the rest of the names on the card. It's a card over in Europe and I guess it's building the brand there, but with two bouts and I guess the ranks of fading stars and names used on that insanely anemic Brazil card that had Holm Vs Correia headlining, it's a lackadaisical effort no matter how you slice it. 

Bellator is giving me Campos, Joe Warren and Kendall Grove and it's on Cable TV. Overall, FightPass is a legitimate bargain for the sheer dearth of combat sports and grappling events on it. I'm curious to see how the UFC and a FOX talk brass tacks when their broadcast deal expires. Does the ownership of the new congomerate make them seem a viable continued commodity? Does Fox continue with the UFC simply so that another network doesn't buy that hunk of sports programming? Bellator is in the rear view mirror with a new deal and backers, and an interesting combo of legit fights, freak show bouts, faded UFC talent, able to put on faded legends.....I'm curious what the next year or two holds for the sport professionally and commercially. 

5Grappling Lightweight Tournament - San Diego, July 15th

5 Grappling Lightweight Card - with some bio's provided HERE. 

The same day as an IBJJF event, and 2 weeks after the American Nationals, The 5 Grappling folks are bringing us a very cool Lightweight pool of competitors along with 3 superfights.

Saggioro is coming off a Worlds appearance in the finals which is by far his biggest profile performance today. His division was full of monsters and threats and the fact he made it to the finals is no small testament to his emergence on the big field in his weight class. He literally lost by the smallest margin possible in professional Gi Jiu-Jitsu....1 single advantage to Cobrinha, the only man on par with Rafa in this division for going on 10 years. It was a true breakout performance for Saggioro and now all eyes are watching him.

Braga is quietly reappearing on the mats to compete, the disputed originator of the Berimbolo is of the old guard but he will have his hands full facing the likes of this squadron of younger competitors.

I saw some clips of Lucas Pinheiro's slickness at the American Nationals on Instagram earlier today. He will be undersized for this bracket but I think he'll win a match or two depending on the draw. Pinheiro made it to the 3rd place round along with Hashimoto while Caio Terra and Bruno Malfacine battled it out yet again. Being 3rd to those guys is quite the accomplishment after nearing a decade of those two resting atop the roosterweight pyramid unequaled by any close or even distant 3rd place figure.

Jamil Hill trains on the team whose name I still refuse to speak (we all gonna just pretend that whole incident didn't take place? or that it led to the discovery of the earlier college incident of a equally barbaric nature?)

Moving on, Gianni Grippo, the hope for American Jiu-Jitsu among others to get a black belt World title continues to have on days and off days whilst competing, most recently taking 3rd at the Worlds in a ridiculously stacked featherweight division.

Sinistro has been winning matches in tough divisions against tough guys for awhile. Never one to be counted out, I always get the feeling it could be his day when he competes. I've seen him win and lose to guys depending on how sharp he is that day but I expect him to get out of the first round depending on the draw. 

July 16th - Gunnar Nelson Returns to Action