Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Sport Crack/Armchair GM Collaborative Tri-Season MLB Awards Presentation
After much debate, discussion and witty comments in the presentation portion of the article, I finally had enough information to pick a victor. For a full list of the awards and nominees click here.
If your too lazy to go and read part one, these are awards for the first third of the season. Why, you ask? Well, why not?
The better off without them award goes to...Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants! Along with this prestigious award, Barry is also being heard in conversations about the worst contract signings ever made. Hey, at least the Giants have Tim Lincecum.
The flashback to draft day hitting award goes to...Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves! Chipper is on base pace to finish the season with a batting average roughly two and a half times his own weight! Nicely done!
The flashback to draft day pitching award goes to...Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Luckily for me, I originally drafted the last two people on my team. Unluckily for me, I traded both of them and have since been frustratingly mediocre.
The failure to live up to expectations team award goes to...The Detroit Tigers! Detroit’s hitting has lived up to expectations, but it’s pitching hasn’t even lived up to AAA expectations.
The speculative, steroid blues award goes to...Eric Gagne of the Milwaukee Brewers! Eric might be better off actually trying to sing blues for a living with the way things have been going.
The MVP award goes to...Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies! He’s been playing out of his mind, that’s all that needs to be said.
The ace award goes to...Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds! Edinson could have also won the “Who is this guy, exactly?” award, had it existed.
The shutdown award goes to...Francisco Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Yes, I’m aware I left Brad Lidge of the nominee list. My fault. If there were a silver and bronze medal, he would have gotten the bronze. But there isn’t, so…
The fantasy team killer award goes to...Erik Bedard of the Seattle Mariners! Not only has Erik killed many fantasy teams, but he’s also helped killed the hopes and dreams of Seattle fans.
The packed bandwagon award goes to...The Tampa Bay Rays! The Rays also would have received the “Team with the most players willing to throw down (and win)” award, had it existed.
The soon to be a sporting household name award goes to...Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds! Is it too early to assume he’s going to be great? I mean, we’ve seen enough, right?
With that, the awards ceremony must now come to a close. Thank you to all who participated and apologies to all those who didn’t get an award. They’re not even real, so your good!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Fantasy Sports Quiz: How Addicted Are You?
In this day in age, in which you can be addicted to pretty much anything, one of the most obsessive past times has failed to get much attention. It’s likely you know at least one person who is way too into their fantasy teams and would do well by locking themselves in a room with no television or internet for a couple of days. But then you would have no one to randomly spit out statistics at the bar whenever you need them.
Because everyone likes to take quizzes that tell us what we already know about ourselves but refuse to admit, I’ve devised a quiz to gauge just how obsessed you are with your imaginary sporting teams. Are you a fair weather player who plays because it makes random games exciting? Or maybe you are one of the 24 people in the U.S. who have still not participated in a fantasy sports league. Regardless, you need to take this quiz and find out -- because your brain won’t give you an honest answer.
1. In the weeks leading up to the draft, on average, how many draft preview magazines do you have around your house?
A. None
B. One
C. Several
D. All of them
2. It is the final home stretch of your fantasy baseball season and last night’s results were key in deciding whether or not you will finish in the money. You wake up and realize your running a little late for work. What do you do?
A. Hop in the shower and hightail it to work
B. Check your league real quick, skip a shower and book it to work
C. Check your league with the intentions of it being quick, but it turns into a lengthier session and you end up being late for work
D. Call in sick, you weren’t feeling too good anyway
3. Your watching a game with your girlfriends father and the running back who is starting ahead of your young sleeper dislocates his knee and is carted off the field. How do you react?
A. You had forgotten you even had the sleeper on your team still and just shake your head as the players carted off
B. Pretend to be saddened by the news and remark that you hope he’ll be okay while celebrating on the inside
C. Grin, pump your fist and remark to your girlfriend’s father that that injury likely just netted you $250
D. Rocket off the couch, screaming in celebration and then immediately head to the fridge to snag a celebratory beer
4. Who is Colby Rasmus?
A. Who?
B. That British chef who’s always flipping out on people
C. A minor league prospect
D. Someone who'll play a major role in you winning your 2009 championship
5. How much time do you spend picking your fantasy team name?
A. Instantaneously upon sign up
B. Five to ten minutes
C. Several hours
D. You’ve already begun brainstorming for next years teams
6. It is an ordinary Sunday morning in October. What are you doing?
A. Sleeping, what else?
B. Getting ready to head to the bar with some buddies
C. Getting some food ready and watching a pre-game show
D. Sitting on the couch, surrounded by printouts of your opponents roster, obsessively trying to get an injury update on Brian Westbrook
7. On average, how many fantasy teams do you have per year in any given sport?
A. None
B. One
C. Three
D. You can’t remember exactly, but it was more than seven
8. Could you accurately describe to someone what O.P.S. is?
A. How about you explain it to me
B. I think so..
C. Of course!
D. Forget O.P.S., let me tell you about this stat I just invented
9. What are your opinion on waiver wire whores?
A. Aren’t they illegal?
B. They don’t bother me too much
C. Opinion? I am one!
D. They should be killed and thrown in the ocean
10. Your in earshot of many people on a quiet bus and your buddies calling you with a trade proposal. What do you do?
A. You don’t know why he’s calling you, you haven’t checked your team in months
B. Forward the call to your voicemail. You don’t want these people thinking you’re a fruit cake
C. Pay no attention to those around you and casually humor his offer
D. Answer and immediately start screaming at him for even considering offering you Michael Bourn and Curtis Granderson for Brandon Webb
All done. Now, add up your totals like so: A’s are worth one point, B’s are worth two, C’s three and D’s are you guessed it, five. Just kidding, D’s are four. Add up your total and get ready to take a look in the cruel mirror known as reality.
10 points - 15 points
You have failed to be humored by this fantasy game that has swept the nation. You generally regard those who do play as strange and not the kind of people you want to hang out and/or be seen in public with.
Addiction level: None, you get high on life. In particular, things that aren’t pretend.
16 points - 24 points
You were likely introduced to fantasy sports through some friends and have kept playing because it is fun and expands upon your sporting knowledge. While your not the type to commission your own league, you are the guy that people always call to fill the last spot in their own league, knowing you’re a sure thing.
Addiction level: It’s just a fling. Sort of like those who only smoke cigarettes when they’re bombed, you only play fantasy sports if your in the mood and want to have some fun. You have little to no chance of becoming seriously addicted.
25 points - 33 points
Congratulations! You are in the same boat with about 75% of the people who play fantasy sports. Your not crazily addicted, but your also not about to let the chance at some prize money slip by. You monitor your teams consistently and watch a variety of games because your both legitimately interested in the sport and because you want to monitor as many of your players as you can.Addiction level: A regular user. Your at risk to eventually become fanatically addicted but your grounded enough to know that such a thing would not be good for your reputation.
34 points - 39 points
Your participation in fantasy leagues has officially become an obsession. You spend more time thinking about stolen base totals and interceptions than you do your own family. If you had to choose between acquiring Peyton Manning on your keeper league team or a limo full of strippers and booze, you would probably take Peyton Manning. This proves that you indeed have a serious problem.
Addiction level: It’s become a problem. Fantasy sports has touched all areas of your life, whether it be the bathroom, at work or in an airplane. The only good thing to come out of this is that you probably consistently finish in the money in all your leagues.
40 points
You are an enigma. A fantasy sports legend. You have won so many titles that you actually stopped making plaques for your living room wall. Most people don’t want to be around you because they think there is a strong chance your are legitimately insane. In fact, this is probably the case.
Addiction level: Off the charts. You are a mortal lock to be involved one way or another in the world’s first fantasy sports related homicide.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
MLB Powerless Rankings: Rockies rocking the basement...
Well, here we are, three days into June. The baseball season is a third of the way over and we’re beginning to get a grasp on who the contenders are, who the pretenders are and which teams just plain suck ass (See: The Seattle Mariners). None-the-less I feel the burden to continue and document the worst teams in the league each week. You have to admit, the advice is sure to come in handy at some point in time. Knowledge is power! Even knowledge about the teams the national media no longer cares about!
Author’s note: These rankings are pre-Tuesday night ones since I didn’t feel like staying up until 1 o clock eastern time in order to make sure everything was evenly updated. So even though the Red Sox are handling the Rays 7-4 as we speak, I’m just going to pretend that it hasn’t happened yet. I’m very nice like that. Also, I’ve added one final feature. That is subject to change, however. In it I will pick the best player on one of the bottom five teams and vice versa, with a bad player on one of the top five teams.
As always, feel free to disagree vehemently in the comments and if you have a good idea to add to the series, feel free to throw that out as well. As much as I like to think I’m witty, I know that’s not really the case... so suggestions are/will be greatly appreciated. Enjoy.
Powerless Rankings
26. Detroit Tigers (24-33, LW: MM)
Okay, just as I said last week about how we shouldn’t be surprised about the Rays since it was almost June… that same philosophy has to apply here as well. While the Tigers could still technically turn it around in what has been a pretty weak AL Central, it’s still not a good omen that they haven’t hit their stride yet. I mean, what are they waiting for?
Prognosis: They’re offense has been living up to the billing and is a Top 10 unit. The pitching however, has been one of the worst in the league overall. When your team leader in ERA (Jeremy Bonderman) has it chalked up at 4.29, well… there you go.
Team LVP: Nate Robertson whose 3-5 record and 5.92 ERA is the worst on an abysmal pitching staff.
27. San Diego Padres (23-36, LW: 29)
The Padres have been doing the best they can treading water until their ace Jake Peavy comes back from his injury. Their offense is a big part of why they were able to stay at an even .500 over their last 10 games.
Prognosis: With Peavy’s recovery going well, if they can keep their .500 record until he returns and keep hitting the ball well, all may not be lost for them.
Team LVP: Closer Trevor Hoffman who has blown one out of every four attempted saves.
28. Seattle Mariners (21-37, LW: 30)
Just as I was amazed by the Mariners six game skid last week, the Royals just went and absolutely blew it out of the water. To the Mariners credit however, they did manage to take two out of three from the Red Sox. Although, to be fair -- if Daisuke Matsuzaka didn’t get injured, they likely would have only taken one. Hey at least it seems that Erik Bedard’s finally realized it’s baseball season.
Prognosis: The Bedard/Hernandez duo could win a lot of games for Seattle if they’re on. Unfortunately, this season that is a rare thing. Not to mention the offense doesn’t seem to like being up at bat. I know Felix Hernandez has got good stuff, but you gotta give the kid some runs before he bolts for another team who’ll give him some.
Team LVP: Richie Sexson, whose 9 HR’s and 21 ribbies prove he needs to start hitting those bombs when people are on base. Oh wait a second, that’s a rarity, sorry Richie. You win this award based just on your .204 average then.
29. Kansas City Royals (23-34, LW: 27)
After losing an amazing twelve straight games the Royals are currently on a two game winning streak. Although it’s absolutely impossible to defend a twelve game losing streak, they did play some pretty good teams over that span (Florida, Boston).
Prognosis: Maybe Jose Guillen’s radio tirade may have done some good. Even so, I don’t believe many teams have made the playoffs with a twelve game skid on their record for that year. There still a couple years away.
Team LVP: Brett Tomko who is surprising no one with his 6.32 ERA. Although, it is a bit higher than his career average.
And the ‘loser’ is…
30. Colorado Rockies (20-38, LW: 26)
I don’t know if I jinxed these past three teams or what but they’ve all gone on pathetic, cringe inducing losing streaks this past week in a half. The Mariners had 6, which is respectable when put next to the Royals 12 and the Rockies 8 (and counting). I know the Rockies are decimated by injuries, but that still doesn’t make the team their fielding right now very good. They need some of those stars back real quick, because if they don’t go on a couple of winning streaks than last season will just be a fond mirage for Rockies fans.
Prognosis: They’ve got big name injuries on both sides of the baseball, but if those players can rehab quickly and they all rally together… maybe they can make a push for the wild card. Hey, I told you I was nice.
Team LVP: It’s still Manny Corpas, whose sorry amount of saves (4) stands next to an even sorrier stat: He has 5 blown saves.
Mediocre Mentions: Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants
Diamond in the Rough Award: Giants starting pitcherTim Lincecum, who is pitching out of his freaking mind and single handedly trying to keep the Giants afloat by dominating in every game he pitches. He leads the Giants in every conceivable pitching category except saves, which if you left it up to him -- he’d surely be leading in them, too.
Power Rankings
5. Boston Red Sox (35-25, LW: 4)
Yes, they lost twice to the Mariners. But one of those losses came during a Dice-K injury and the other was a 1-0 loss in which the Red Sox offense may or may not have been aware that there was a baseball game that day. Still, dropping two out of three to a powerless team nearly knocked them out of the Top 5. We’ll see how they do with the Rays this week.
Team MVP: Manny Ramirez, who after hitting number 500 appears to be out of his slump and back to his old ways.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (34-25, LW: NR)
Remember that team who snatched the NL East crown out of the Mets clutches last year? Whatever happened to them -- oh, there they are! The Phillies have finally arrived, going 8-2 in their last 10. Getting reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins certainly hasn’t hurt, either.
Team MVP: Chase Utley. Nuff’said. He’s a front runner for NL MVP.
3. Los Angeles Angels (35-24, LW: HM)
L.A. is 5-2 in their last seven and while the majority of those wins came against inferior opponents, they have shown they can beat superior teams as well. Two three game sets against the Athletics and Rays, respectively, should give us a better gauge of just where they are at this point in time.
Team MVP: Ervin Santana, who will likely be the best Santana come seasons end. He’s 8-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 67 strikeouts -- all of which are much better than his brother from another mother Johan. Seriously though, are they related at all? Does anyone know? Could this become a fierce family rivalry?
2. Tampa Bay Rays (35-22, LW: 1)
The Rays haven’t lost consecutive games since the beginning of May and it appears they might keep it that way for quite a bit. They’re entire team is on. The pitching, the hitting, the fielding. Even the ball boy is getting in on the action and getting his work in. It seems that every part of this team so far this year has been golden. By all accounts, that isn’t going to change either.
Team MVP: Scott Kazmir who is the owner of an impressive 5-1 record and an even more impressive 1.22 ERA. Miniscule!
And the ‘winner’ is…
1. Chicago Cubs (37-21, LW: 5)
I’m sure you’ve heard it but it has to be said… the last time the Chicago Cubs had the best record going into June first was 1908. That’s right, the last time they won a World Series. While I would agree that stat is pretty random and doesn’t mean much, it is pretty crazy if you think about it. The Cubs are on an 8 game winning streak and you can already begin to hear serious rumblings emanating from Chicago -- this might just be the year.
Team MVP: Carlos Zambrano who holds host to an 8-1 record with 57 strikeouts and a 2.51 ERA. Very nice.
Honorable mentions: Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins
Rock in the Diamonds Award: Cardinals 2B Adam Kennedy who in 136 at bats is batting .243 with 0 home runs and just 15 ribbies.
By Josh Galligan
Monday, May 26, 2008
MLB Powerless Rankings: Memorial Day Edition
First off, happy Memorial Day to everyone and a special thanks to everyone in our military. God bless America.
Moving on, this weeks Powerless Rankings see little mix up in regards to who made the cut (that applies to the Power Rankings as well). However there was a shakeup in the actual ranking of the teams. We’re beginning to see the same faces (or logos if you will) on either side of the rankings, so it appears we’ve finally moved past the ‘season is still early’ defense. We're almost a third of the way through the season for goodness sake!
Powerless Rankings
26. Colorado Rockies (20-30, LW: MM)
The Colorado Rockies have been struggling to stay afloat but they keep on being hit by the injury bug. The biggest of which, Troy Tulowitzki, is out until at least the All Star break. Other key injuries to their roster include (but are not limited to) Clint Barmes, Luis Vizcaino, Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday. Considering all their injuries, it’s actually a testament to the overall skill level of the team that they have the record that they do.
Prognosis: Once they have everyone healthy, they should be back on track. The only problem is, when will that be?
Team LVP: Manny Corpas, who has a 6.20 ERA and a mere 4 saves, an extreme turnaround from last year.
27. Kansas City Royals (21-29, LW: NR )
The Royals finally did what they’ve been threatening to do all year: go on a ridiculously long losing streak. At the moment, K.C. is sitting on 7 losses in a row. If they keep it up, they will surely be a perfect example of why April and early May performances don’t mean much in regards to how a team will do for the whole season.
Prognosis: The team has talent, they’re just a few years away from being a contender.
Team LVP: Tony Pena Jr. who is hitting .165 with 7 ribbies (in 139 at bats). Yes, that’s it.
28. San Francisco Giants (20-31, LW: 30)
Just when the Giants go on a losing streak (3 games), their next game gets postponed and they drop both games in a double header. This team just can’t catch a break. The team’s pitching (save for Tim Lincecum and a couple of players in the bullpen) is starting to play like the offense. A la, horrible.
Prognosis: Now that pitching is starting to play on par with the offense -- barring an unlikely turnaround, this team is done.
Team LVP: Barry Zito, who finally got his first win on Friday night. Even so, he’s 1-8 and it’s going to take a lot more wins to pardon him from this award.
29. San Diego Padres (19-33, LW: 29)
The Padres have the second worst team in the MLB in runs scored. There pitching is a bit worse than middle of the road, ranking 18th in the league in ERA. I know I don’t have to tell you this, but if you have one of the two worst offenses in the league and a mediocre at best pitching staff, your not going to be good. At all. All season. Like the Giants, barring something crazy happening, the Padres season doesn’t look too good.
Prognosis: To make matters worse, their best pitcher, Jake Peavy, who was almost single handedly keeping the Padres alive is on the disabled list. Not good, not good at all.
Team LVP: Khalil Greene, whose .221 average, 5 home runs and 3 stolen bases would be good if it were April. Unfortunately for him (and us, especially if he’s on your fantasy team like me) it’s not.
And the loser is…
30. Seattle Mariners (18-33, LW: 27)
Both sides of Seattle’s team are ranked in the bottom third of the league, with their pitching staff the second worst in the entire league. The offense isn’t much better, ranking an unimpressive 23rd. The Mariners are on a 6 game losing streak and have Boston coming into town for a 3 game set.
Prognosis: The Mariners will be lucky to win one of their upcoming 3 games against the Red Sox. If they don’t take today’s game against a rehabbing Bartolo Colon (with their ace Felix Hernandez going up against him), don’t expect them to win any at all.
Team LVP: Jarrod Washburn, whose 6.54 ERA and 32 strikeouts help explain why he only has 2 wins in 10 starts.
Mediocre mentions (MM): Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians
Power Rankings
5. Chicago Cubs (29-21, LW: 1)
Just when the Cubs looked at the top of their game, ranking number one in the power rankings, they go 1-4 over their next 5. All of those losses came against two gritty teams in Pittsburgh and Houston, so we’ll chalk the slump up to a bad week.
Team MVP: It’s still Derrek Lee who is playing out of his mind. A .301 average with 11 HR’s, 34 RBI’s and a .364 OBP? Forget being the Cubs MVP, Lee is making a strong case for the league MVP.
4. Boston Red Sox (31-22, LW: 2)
The Red Sox have dropped three straight and given up sole possession of first place to the Rays. With a three game set up ahead against the Mariners however, expect them to right the ship.
Team MVP: Kevin Youkilis who is batting .306 with 9 HR’s and 35 RBI’s.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (30-20, LW: 3)
Even though they’ve taken two of three from the Braves and are tied for the best record in the league, the Diamondbacks were swept by the Marlins in a three game set this past week. Luckily for them, the previous two teams had similar (albeit a bit worse) slumps.
Team MVP: Brandon Webb who is 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 56 strikeouts. He is the front runner in the NL Cy Young race and was the major piece of an early season fantasy trade that has had me lamenting even thinking of trading him. If your wondering I got Michael Bourn, Takashi Saito and Dana Eveland in return. And yes, I know I’m a dumb ass.
2. Florida Marlins (29-20, LW: HM)
The Marlins have been knocking at the Power Ranking door for the past couple of weeks, consistently getting at least an honorable mention. They’ve finally fought their way in. A sweep of the skilled Diamondbacks was the kicker.
Team MVP: Dan Uggla who in my mind is the front runner in the NL MVP race. Out of his 16 home runs, 12 were in May which is tied for fourth best all time.
And the winner is...
1. Tampa Bay Rays (30-20, LW: 5)
Okay, it’s finally happened. We can all officially stop being surprised as the Rays continue to win. They are a good, nay -- great team. They have all the makings of a contender and could be the Cinderella story of the season. So seriously everyone, let’s just come to grips with the fact that they’re a winner. It’s almost June.
Team MVP: Uber-prospect Evan Longoria already has two walk off hits in what is his first full season in the majors. Add to that 7 home runs, 27 ribbies, 3 stolen bases and a .319 OBP and what you’ve got is the makings of a super-duper star.
Honorable mentions (HM): St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics
Again, Happy Memorial Day and please do take a moment to remember all that have died for our rights including the free speech that we so enjoy.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sport Crack’s UFC 84: Ill Will Recap
Even though some of UFC 84’s most hyped matches didn’t quite play out how we may have wanted, it was still a great ticket. Besides, any UFC even is a good event, that much is common knowledge. UFC 84 saw knockouts, submissions, ground technicians and a main event that lived up to all that preceded it.
Warning: Spoilers follow. If you’ve taped it and still haven’t seen it, and somehow got this far -- well, I warned you.
Christian ‘The Hungarian Nightmare’ Wellisch (8-3-0) vs. Shane Carwin (8-0-0)
This fight would finish second for quickest fights to end for the evening. Up and comer Shane Carwin clocked The Hungarian Nightmare, sending him reeling -- without missing a step, Carwin would go on to pound Wellisch until the referee stopped the fight at 0:44 in the 1st round.
Victor: Carwin by 1st round KO
John ‘War Machine’ Copenhaver (5-1-0) vs. Yoshiyuki ‘Zenko’ Yoshida (9-2-0)
In yet another match that failed to get past the minute mark, Yoshiyuki Yoshida maneuvered his way into locking in a lethal anaconda choke on Copenhaver. The referee would stop the fight at 0:56 after it was discovered that Copenhaver had actually been put to sleep. Score one for Zenko.
Victor: Yoshida by 1st round submission (anaconda choke)
Ivan Salaverry (12-6-0) vs. Rousimar ‘Toquinho’ Palhares (7-1-0)
This fight went to the ground in a hurry and Palhares had Salaverry in a potential rear naked choke for what seemed like forever. After appearing to finally escape, Palhares dragged Salaverry back down and as smooth as silk, maneuvered his way around to Salaverry’s arm and locked in the arm bar. It was the submission specialist at his finest. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it -- you need to go and find video of it. It was a beautiful thing to watch.
Victor: Palhares by 1st round submission (arm bar)
Tito ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ Ortiz (15-5-1) vs. Ryoto ‘Lyoto’ Machida (12-0-0)
I hadn’t seen much of Machida up until this fight, but after watching him it’s easy to see why he’s undefeated. He has a unique style all his own, quickly and skillfully dodging incoming attacks.
He had Ortiz exasperated at multiple points in the match, but showed at the end of the first round that although he flees for much of his fights, he is lethal when he sees an opening to attack. It was basically cat and mouse the entire time, with Ortiz stalking Machida the entire fight and failing to land any meaningful strikes on him. He had opportunities in the second and third round, but failed to capitalize on them and Machida would stylistically dominate his way into his 13th victory.
Victor: Machida wins by unanimous decision
Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva (31-8-1) vs. Keith ‘The Dean of Mean’ Jardine (13-3-1)
Even though this would turn out to be the quickest fight of the evening, it was the one I was most looking forward to and it did not fail to live up to my expectations. Although I thought they would go toe to toe for a bit longer, it was common knowledge that this fight was going to be strictly striking.
Unfortunately for Jardine, Silva got the early advantage with a stunning right and in typical Axe Murderer fashion, he finished it off in a hurry. Although many of Silva’s knockouts have been brutal and bloody, it was great to see him attempt to go over multiple times to make sure Jardine was okay. The guy is a class act and shot up my list of favorite fighters by his actions last night.
Victor: Silva by 1st round KO
BJ ‘The Prodigy’ Penn (12-4-1) vs. Sean ‘The Muscle Shark’ Sherk (32-2-1)
The much awaited main event did not fail to live up expectations, surprisingly remaining upright for the entire fight. Penn and Sherk would trade jabs, hooks and strikes for three straight rounds, leading many to wonder why Sherk wasn’t trying to take it to the ground where he had a better chance of winning. After the fight, Sherk would say he thought he was doing fine on his feet and so no reason to change his strategy. While Sherk did land many blows, Penn seemed just a step ahead of him, keeping him at bay with a stiff jab.
In a controversial ending, a flying knee by Penn followed by multiple strikes led Penn to just stand up and claim Sherk “was done”. After much confusion, and a continuing Penn celebration, it was announced that Penn had won by TKO. The referee had stopped the fight. It was also interesting to note that Sherk stopped using his right hand for much of the end of the fight and may have injured it, although he said nothing of it during his post fight interview. After all the bad blood that had brewed, Penn and Sherk hugged and Penn told Sherk he could come and train with him anytime.
Fifteen straight minutes of kicking the shit out of each other and they both showed class and respect at the end, hugging multiple times. One of the many reasons I love the MMA.
Other fight results:
Dong Hyun Kim defeated Jason Tan by KO in the 3rd round
Rich Clementi defeated Terry Etim by unanimous decision
Rameau Sokoudjou defeated Kazuhiro Nakamura by TKO in the 1st round
Thiago Silva defeated Antonio Mendes by submission in the 1st round
Goran Reljic defeated Wilson Gouveia by KO in the 2nd round
