He's only a good fighter when he doesn't face Anderson Silva.

:End of discussion:

Well put, Will. I would've also added the WBC Continental America's title, too.

As much as I dislike the UFC and it's restrictions it gives it's fighters, they truly are the biggest MMA promotion in the world right now. But which among it's competitors have a legitimate shot at competing with the UFC for the long-term?

Amongst all the OTHER MMA promotions out there, only 3 have a chance IMO;

EliteXC: Thanks to their TV deal with CBS, they became the 1st MMA promotion to broadcast fights on National Television. With their acquisitions of smaller promotions King of the Cage, ICON Sport and Cage Rage, their roster of fighters continue to grow. Their cable tv deal with SHOWTIME cable doesn't hurt, either. Not to mention, Ms. Gina Carano, they wish to showcase Women's MMA. However, in spending all that money, their 2nd TV broadcast being a ratings dud and being almost $50million in the red, they're hoping to put on their first PPV event in early '09, which is the true cornerstone of success for any promotion.

DREAM: The partnership of K-1 and the former employees of Pride Fighting Championships have proven to be a success for this upstart Japanese promotion that looks to pick up where PRIDE left off. No other promotion in the world can sell-out an arena with over 60,000 fans right now. But just like PRIDE in it's early days, they're hesitant to test the U.S. market as they have only put on shows in Japan only. Expect a year or two to go by until they cross the ocean to put on a show in the States. But with a deal to broadcast cards on HDNet, it may help boost U.S. interest in the fledging Japanese promotion. That is if you don't have HD TV. :(

Affliction: Those "T-Shirt Guys" whom Dana White refers to proved that they might have what it takes to compete after their 1st PPV was considered by majority a success. Apparentley, the UFC felt so threatened by Affliction's 1st show that they felt the need to broadcast a UFC Fight Night on Spike(for free) the same evening, headlined by Anderson Silva's stepping up to 205lb. Affliction may have the best roster of Heavyweights of all promotions, not to mention a certain Russian by the name of Fedor Emelianenko(2 fights left on his contract). With their willingness to co-promote with other promotions, the backing of WAMMA(World Aliance of Mixed Martial-Arts) and having an equity partner in Donald Trump, possibilities are endless. However, Affliction's initial plan was to run 3 shows and see where to go from there. Their upcoming PPV in October will see if they can continue to put on more shows.

Discuss, kids.

Most Boxing enthusiasts are so bitter over the success that MMA is recieving and rightfully so, I mean I don't recall a sport that at one point WAS the biggest money-draw for so long that now it has been relegated to 2 maybe 3 good ppv's a year. Whereas in MMA is putting out great tv/ppv cards EVERY MONTH you 4sure get your money's worth.

At least when you watch a UFC/EliteXC/DREAM/Affliction card, there is going to be atleast 4 or 5 fights on that card with fighters you've atleast heard of. And since most MMA Promotions purchase 3hours of ppv time, they will see to it that they fill those 3 hours with fights. I can recall so many times my father bought a Tyson fight that didn't go past the 1st round that he boycotted purchasing a ppv with him in it, wasn't worth it.

You go and buy the upcoming De La Hoya Vs. Pacman ppv, who's going to be on that undercard? Is that really worth $49.95?

Hey Brandon... you really consider Trevor Berbick TYRELL Biggs and Carl "The TOOTH" Williams worthy heavyweights that Tyson beat? Berbick beat Ali when Ali should've retired before they fought. And Carl "The TOOTH" Williams? LMAO!!! That's for another post to discuss, bro.

Gay.

I was watching Fight Club the other day and thought this would make for a good post... Who would you fight, whether they be living/dead, celebrity, politician, athlete or your boss even, who would love to get a shot at and why?

Begin discussion, kids.

As a kid, boxing was the most exciting sport for me. But as time has gone on, politics have come into play and fighters duck each other more than ever.

I couldn't even tell you who the Heavyweight champion of the world is in boxing. Unless you're a big name fighter like De La Hoya, Cotto or Mayweather, people don't care and it's a shame for a sport that has so much history.

It's sad cuz boxing used to be king.

I read that too. I wish HD-Net wasn't an HD only channel. I'm missing out on their broadcasts of all the DREAM fights and Inside-MMA with El Guapo, Bas Rutten.

I love Dana White's argument for putting Couture Vs. Lesnar is because it's the fight "fans" want to see.

If you think about it, it's pretty much a slap in the face to any and all Heavyweights in the UFC for this fight to happen. How does a fighter with a record of 2-1 get a shot at a living legend and Heavyweight title? Because Dana wants to buy another yacht.

The match-up makes no sense; If/When Couture wins, it'll be because he fought an inexperienced figher with ONLY 3 FIGHTS under his belt. IF Lesnar wins, it'll be because he fought an aging fighter who is 45 years old. This fight only diminishes the credibility of the UFC Heavyweight title, which SHOULD be the crown jewel for Heavyweights after PRIDE was bought out.

I'm just hoping Couture finishes him off and Nogiuera takes care of business against Mir in December to set up Couture Vs. Nogiuera, next year. That's the only real Heavyweight SUPER-FIGHT worth looking forward to until Mr. Emelienenko's contract with Affliction is up.

Oh, K.J. Noons is a *****!

Hopefully the July 19th ppv is a success, for Affliction's sake. Can't have your debut show be a bust and still expect to be a major player among all the MMA promotions, e.g. IFL.

I think EliteXC is going to stick around for awhile. With the success of their Network show(albeit that it was lame) and to have Showtime & CBS having the deep pockets, they could be a likely Number 2 to the UFC, if not already. Plus, they're willing to Co-Promote with other promotions whereas the UFC refuses to have anyone associated with them.

I don't know what to think of Affliction... as of yet. Sure, they got Donald Trump as an equity partner, of sorts, but that's not going to guarantee they'll be a major player in MMA. For all we know, the July 19th ppv is going to be really good or is going to really suck.

I'm just stoaked to see Fedor and Arlovski on the same card.

Wrong: DANA WHITE.

This guy is truly an egotistical control freak and anybody who says otherwise... I'd like to know your reasoning. Honestly, when you think of the NFL/NBA/NHL, your first thought may be a team or a certain player that is basically the face of a league. Tom Brady, LeBron James, Sydney Crosby, etc. But for the UFC, it's Dana White. MMA is and should be about the Fighters. But Dana White would prefer you think of him first, then the fighters. What President/Commisioner of a league that you know of curses and swears during press conferences? You wouldn't dare see NFL Commisioner Roger Godell talking about a certain player saying he is a "piece of sh*#" because he signed with another league/promotion. Honestly, Dana White is whats holding the UFC back from being bigger than what it could be. Big name sponsors, advertisers and networks are not going to want to do anything with the UFC while he's swearing up and down like a sailor. However...

Right: Dana White

As much as I'd like to bury him in this post, he has done a hell of a lot for MMA, at least in the States. He and the Fertitta Bros took what was essentially a NHB(No-Holds-Barred) fight promotion in 2001 and legitimized it to where State Athletic Commissions now recognize MMA as a true sport and have turned fighters into house-hold names. Hell, even ESPN broadcasts official fight weigh-ins the day before a UFC ppv whereas a couple years ago, ESPN wouldn't dare mention the term "MMA."

I'd write more, but lets get you fools talkin' now.

Thoughts?

I agree. The UFC has been around longer and they know what they're doing when putting on an MMA show.

But it'll be interesting to see how Affliction is going to attempt to compete. Just because they have a solid card doesn't exactly mean it's going to be a solid show.

Oh... Fedor over Sylvia via arm-bar submission, 1st Round.