The Shoot - Dan Henderson as he gets ready for Babalu! Video by Dan HendersonAlessio Sakara Kazushi Gracie Hunter Sakuraba Hayato Sakurai
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Shoot - Dan Henderson as he gets ready for Babalu! - Dan Henderson
The Shoot - Dan Henderson as he gets ready for Babalu! Video by Dan Henderson
Surf Artist - Leandro Silva
Introducing Brazilian surf artist Leandro Silva. Leandro is a self-taught artist based in Rio de Janeiro. He says; "I have struggled to gain traction in the market for art, often by not being famous, many doors are closed before my work is even considered". Let's help change that! If you like Leandro's work share it with your friends and get Leandro the recognition he deserves…
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/leandro-silva.php
Image below: Kelly Slater with one of Leandro Silva's paintings at the Billabong Pro at Santa Catarina, Brazil…
http://leandrosilva.carbonmade.com
http://leandrosilvaart.blogspot.com
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/leandro-silva.php
Image below: Kelly Slater with one of Leandro Silva's paintings at the Billabong Pro at Santa Catarina, Brazil…
http://leandrosilva.carbonmade.com
http://leandrosilvaart.blogspot.com
Lentz wins a close split decision to kick off UFC 123
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Nick Lentz started out UFC 123 with controversy, beating Tyson Griffin in a split decision, 29-28, 27-30 and 29-28 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit on Saturday.
Griffin and Lentz switched control often in the first round, with Lentz striking first with a takedown, and then Griffin reversing position and driving Lentz in the fence for much of the round. They then exchanged blows during the final minute of the round, with Lentz getting the better of striking. Griffin finished the round with an ineffective slam of Lentz.
Their stand-up drew boos from the crowd in suburban Detroit early in the second round, but that seemed to spur them on. They started to exchange more punches and kicks, until Griffin took down Lentz with about a minute and a half left in the round. Griffin tried for ground and pound but had trouble getting anything going.
Griffin wobbled Lentz to start the third and final round, and followed that up with several unanswered punches. Lentz tried for a takedown to stop the onslaught, but Griffin ended up on top. With a profusely bleeding face, Lentz was able to reverse position with a slam of Griffin. He tried for a chicken wing submission, but Griffin somehow got out of it and remained in control for the rest of the round.
The result elicited loud boos from the crowd, who were surprised that Griffin did not win. His record falls to 14-5 while Lentz's improves to 21-4.
UFC 123: George Sotiropoulos Submits Joe Lauzon
by Michael David SmithGeorge Sotiropoulos showed on
ce again on Saturday night that he's one of the best ground fighters in the lightweight division in mixed martial arts, submitting Joe Lauzon with a second-round kimura at UFC 123.
"I want to face the best, I want to earn what I get, I want to make a case for the belt," Sotiropoulos said after the win, which improved his record to 14-2. "I'm going to keep making that case."
Sotiropoulos is making the case that he deserves a lightweight title shot, and he'll get that shot in 2011 if he keeps winning.
ce again on Saturday night that he's one of the best ground fighters in the lightweight division in mixed martial arts, submitting Joe Lauzon with a second-round kimura at UFC 123."I want to face the best, I want to earn what I get, I want to make a case for the belt," Sotiropoulos said after the win, which improved his record to 14-2. "I'm going to keep making that case."
Sotiropoulos is making the case that he deserves a lightweight title shot, and he'll get that shot in 2011 if he keeps winning.
Heat Blow Out Wizards Behind Balanced Attack From Star Trio
MIAMI -- The game at hand on Monday night at the American Airlines Arena between the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards took a backseat to the drama that's been unfolding behind the scenes in recent days with rumors swirling over head coach Erik Spoelstra's job security. Nevertheless, there were still plenty of fireworks out on the floor as Dwyane Wade led a second-half charge to put the game away over a depleted Wizards team missing several key players, notably rookie sensation John Wall, due to injury.The Heat's superstar trio of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh combined for 76 points as their talent was enough to overcome another sub-.500 team to stop the bleeding temporarily. Spoelstra was happy enough to get the win but is well aware that the team's problems won't be solved after just one victory.
"The storyline was that we came in with a much better focus and energy and we were able to sustain it all the way through," he said after the game. "They didn't play sharp all the time offensively but the ball was moving and the most important thing was (that) you could see it on our effort and energy on the defensive end.
"So we move on. We can't dwell on this. It's a step in the right direction and now we have to continue to build these habits and remember that pain. I won't forget the pain of the other night (against Dallas), the third quarter, and I don't want our guys to forget that, either."
Robert Garrigus, Biggest Winner of All at Children's Miracle Network Classic
Filed under: PGA
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- After Robert Garrigus thrashed the field with a closing-round 8-under 64 Sunday to win the Children's Miracle Network Classic, one last question lingered: just how many winners can one tournament provide?
If you plan on counting, be sure to bring fingers and toes. Being at Disney World for the final event on the PGA Tour's incredibly long schedule means you do not need a tournament title to leave feeling like a champ.
Garrigus won the tournament. Troy Merritt won a $1 million bonus in the Kodak Challenge. Roland Thatcher finished solo second and won the right to return to full-time employment next year. Heath Slocum finished T-45 and won an invitation to next year's Masters.
If there had been any more trophies, it would have been Little League.
State of the Strikeforce Middleweights
Filed under: Strikeforce
In the last three years, the Strikeforce middleweight title has been vacated more times than it's been defended, and 2010 has been another long year for the promotion's 185-pound division. Its champion, Jake Shields, whipped its big free agent acquisition, Dan Henderson -- and then promptly bolted for the UFC. And then a much-discussed middleweight tournament failed to materialize.But there's some hope that Strikeforce will have big fights in the year ahead, even if the middleweight division fizzled in 2010. Below we look at what some of those big fights might be and where the middleweight belt is headed as we survey the state of the Strikeforce middleweight division.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Michael Johnson Reflects on His Win Over Bruce Leroy
by Michael David Smith
Ultimate Fighter cast member Michael Johnson wanted to fight Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres from the beginning, and he finally got to step into the Octagon with his rival on Wednesday night's episode, winning a unanimous decision to advance to the Season 12 semifinals.
In his weekly interview with MMAFighting.com, Johnson discussed the fight, sticking to his game plan and how he felt about being matched up with Nam Phan in the season's semifinals.
The interview is below.
Ultimate Fighter cast member Michael Johnson wanted to fight Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres from the beginning, and he finally got to step into the Octagon with his rival on Wednesday night's episode, winning a unanimous decision to advance to the Season 12 semifinals.In his weekly interview with MMAFighting.com, Johnson discussed the fight, sticking to his game plan and how he felt about being matched up with Nam Phan in the season's semifinals.
The interview is below.
UFC 123: Phil Davis Submits Tim Boetsch
by Michael David SmithPhil Davis showed Saturda
y night at UFC 123 why he's one of the most promising young light heavyweights in mixed martial arts, submitting Tim Boetsch with a very impressive kimura from the top for a second-round victory that improved Davis's record to 8-0.
Davis came out throwing a lot of kicks in the early going, landing some but also throwing a couple of them too slowly and allowing Boetsch to catch them. About halfway through the first round Davis, an NCAA champion wrestler at Penn State, went for a takedown and got on top of Boetsch, completely controlling him. It was a round that very easily could have gone 10-8 for Davis.
y night at UFC 123 why he's one of the most promising young light heavyweights in mixed martial arts, submitting Tim Boetsch with a very impressive kimura from the top for a second-round victory that improved Davis's record to 8-0.Davis came out throwing a lot of kicks in the early going, landing some but also throwing a couple of them too slowly and allowing Boetsch to catch them. About halfway through the first round Davis, an NCAA champion wrestler at Penn State, went for a takedown and got on top of Boetsch, completely controlling him. It was a round that very easily could have gone 10-8 for Davis.
State of the Strikeforce Light Heavyweights
by Michael David Smith
Strikeforce's light heavyweight title has been held by three different fighters this year, and two more fighters will vie for the right to fight for the belt in the main event of the promotion's December 4 show. Although the Strikeforce light heavyweight division doesn't have the depth of the UFC, it does have several good fighters and the potential for a bunch of exciting fights over the next year.
So can Strikeforce make those fights happen? If they can, which fights should they book first? And who will be the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion in a year's time? We answer those questions in our state of the Strikeforce light heavyweight division, below.
Strikeforce's light heavyweight title has been held by three different fighters this year, and two more fighters will vie for the right to fight for the belt in the main event of the promotion's December 4 show. Although the Strikeforce light heavyweight division doesn't have the depth of the UFC, it does have several good fighters and the potential for a bunch of exciting fights over the next year.So can Strikeforce make those fights happen? If they can, which fights should they book first? And who will be the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion in a year's time? We answer those questions in our state of the Strikeforce light heavyweight division, below.
Tiger Woods Lays Up During ESPN Radio's 'Mike and Mike' Interview
Filed under: Sports Business and Media
The true purpose of Tiger Woods' much ballyhooed interview with ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike In The Morning was revealed about five minutes after the interview ended. That's when co-host Mike Greenberg read the first of a number of plugs for Woods' golf event next month.In other words, just like virtually every other interview on Mike and Mike with an active professional athlete, where the celebrity in question answers a couple of questions about the season to date, then touts his commercial sponsor, Woods got the word out about his event without having to get his hands dirty.
In a roughly 25-minute interview over two segments, Woods broke no new ground from the story he has offered the past year. He declined to provide any details about the Thanksgiving Day accident at his home, he said precious little about whom he has taken advice from and he added nothing to speculation that he might have taken human growth hormones. Woods wouldn't even take a shot at Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, who famously chided him before the Masters this year about his behavior. As Greenberg rightly pointed out, Woods' answers, in many cases, sounded like he was parroting a therapist.
In fairness to Greenberg and co-host Mike Golic, they were put in a no-win situation. They were asked to interview a man who has notoriously kept a wall between himself and the public, parceling out just enough of himself to say that he made the attempt. Recognizing that, the pair attempted before the interview started to lower expectations, first by saying that they weren't going to try to make themselves into Barbara Walters or Mike Wallace, and then by declaring that they would not explore the salacious details of last Thanksgiving and its aftermath.
To their credit, the two of them, and particularly Golic, the former defensive lineman, pressed Woods to the degree that they were allowed to, both by the limits of time and by the evasiveness of the interviewee.
HBO's 'Real Sports' Goes Three for Four in New Hour
by Milton Kent
HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel," sports television's most reliably satisfying hour, returns for its monthly airing , premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET and reairing through the remainder of the month, with an edition that bats .750.
This month's strongest piece is a follow-up from correspondent Mary Carillo of a story she first did five years ago on a Massachusetts man, Dick Hoyt, who has become a triathlete as an older man. The hook to the story is that Hoyt races while carrying his disabled son, Rick, who has been unable to speak or to walk since birth, when a coiled umbilical cord cut off oxygen to his brain. Carillo, who won a Sports Emmy five years ago, deftly tells the Hoyts' story without permitting it to wander into mawkishness.
Frank Deford contributes a solid examination into the practice of hazing among marching bands at historically black colleges and universities, with graphic descriptions and even more harrowing pictures of violence toward victims. And anchor Bryant Gumbel travels to Austria for a quirky look at the ancient sport of falconry, zeroing in on a female falconer from Oklahoma.
Filed under: Sports Business and Media
HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel," sports television's most reliably satisfying hour, returns for its monthly airing , premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET and reairing through the remainder of the month, with an edition that bats .750.This month's strongest piece is a follow-up from correspondent Mary Carillo of a story she first did five years ago on a Massachusetts man, Dick Hoyt, who has become a triathlete as an older man. The hook to the story is that Hoyt races while carrying his disabled son, Rick, who has been unable to speak or to walk since birth, when a coiled umbilical cord cut off oxygen to his brain. Carillo, who won a Sports Emmy five years ago, deftly tells the Hoyts' story without permitting it to wander into mawkishness.
Frank Deford contributes a solid examination into the practice of hazing among marching bands at historically black colleges and universities, with graphic descriptions and even more harrowing pictures of violence toward victims. And anchor Bryant Gumbel travels to Austria for a quirky look at the ancient sport of falconry, zeroing in on a female falconer from Oklahoma.
www.rock-climbing-blog.com claimed on Technorati
I’m pleased to claim this blog officially on Technorati so that more people will read it
This link to my Technorati Profile is all it takes.
This link to my Technorati Profile is all it takes.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Scuba Diver Girls dive ?Boomers? La Jolla, California
Scuba Diver Girls head out with SDGs Stephanie and Margo for fun at “Boomers” in La Jolla California. Amazing kelp forest, critters, and lots of fun, with incredible visibility. Copyright information for text and images is provided when available. To the best of our knowledge, no copyrighted material exists on this site without permission or [...]
Irvine Sucks Fresh Tapes
Irvine Sucks has a new Fresh Tapes montage with a nice blend of gnarly and fun skating they do so well.
The new 'Prodigy' McDonald gets a chance to fight his way into the UFC
It's move on or move out time for many of the WEC fighters on the promotion's last two cards. The pressure begins Thursday night at WEC 52 in Las Vegas where some of the fighters are guaranteed spots in the UFC, but the rest of the guys are far from locks. Imagine that kind of pressure when you're only 19 years old? That's what bantamweight Michael McDonald is facing.
Is he mature enough to handle this? Listening to McDonald talk about his short time on Earth, he sounds like a grizzled veteran. From The Canadian Press:
"I feel like I went straight from a kid to an adult," [McDonald] explained. "At 14 years old I started teaching in classes, at 16 years old I had grown men saying I was their hero. And that's not something a normal kid has to deal with. It seems like it's a great big honour but when you're not ready for that kind of stuff, there's side effects of course."
McDonald is 10-1. His only loss came against a pretty accomplished veteran in Cole Escovedo (16-6). The 19-year-old said he'd lost his focus before the fight.
"And when I was growing up in high school, I never got to go to a high school football game. I've only went to one dance which was my prom. I did miss out on a lot of teenage things and I struggled with it for a long time. And it kind of started adding up. In my immaturity I forgot why I was doing it (fighting)." [...]
"Fighting just wasn't what I wanted to do any more. I felt like it was just a burden, that it had cut me off from so many things in my life. . . . That's when I took the Cole Escovedo fight and I just got mopped."
The painful loss got him thinking.
"After that I had to take a little bit of a break and get my head back about myself, and ask myself why am I doing this? Why am I fighting? And it's because I love to do it. As much as I wanted to be liked every normal kid, I knew every normal kid on the planet wanted to be me. I just had to suck it up and say 'You know what, this is the life I chose. It's time for me to stop moping around myself . . . God blessed me with these gifts and I need to use them, not say how much I wish he would have given me other things to be a normal person. He made me special, you know. I've got to go out and I've got to do what I need to do. I've got to stop being a kid, I've got to grow up.'
"And as soon as I did that, I got back on track and started on my winning ways again."
McDonald pulled things together and crushed Escovedo in the rematch.
McDonald is far from a finished product, but he's clearly ahead of the curve as a fighter. He'll get a chance to prove if he's truly a prodigy Thursday against 28-year-old Clint Godfrey on the undercard of WEC 52.
Still-evolving Davis ready for pressure at UFC 123
DETROIT -- Before taking on Tim Boetsch at UFC 123, UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis had to face a tough ask. He was in the spotlight at the Palace of Auburn Hills during the Pistons-Lakers game. Davis was given 24 seconds to hit as many free throws as he could. (Watch it here.) For each bucket he hit, $200 was donated to Pistons Care.
By the time he left the court, $1600 was donated. He said he felt more pressure going on the court than he ever has in the Octagon.
"Definitely free throws. Wrestling is what I know, it's what I'm good at. Anything kind of, sort of related to wrestling, I'm good with. Free throws? No," Davis said.
Though he hit eight free throws, he isn't breaking any stereotypes about wrestlers not being able to hoop.
"Let's not wave it off. It can be pushed to the back to the things people say about wrestlers."
Davis was a national champion wrestler for Penn State, and is most comfortable doing that which revolves around wrestling.
"Everything works its way back to wrestling"
"Everything with me works its way back to wrestling. To me, MMA is like wrestling, and I don't know why I've been wrestling for so long and not been punching. Wrestling is so much fun when you can punch people. I don't know why I haven't been doing it."
Davis works with both Alliance MMA in San Diego and American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose. He never wants to get too comfortable as a fighter, so he challenges himself by working with everyone from UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez to bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz. He's learned something from every fighter he's been around.
"I was helped by Jon Fitch and Cain Velasquez, except, most of his tips hurt. I'm always asking for help and they're more than happy to give it to me. Brandon Vera, too, really gave me a sharp kickboxing look," Davis said. "[Cruz] does a bunch of things that blow my mind. When you can move with a guy his speed, and land a few punches, you've got to be in good position and be able to move. He's definitely helped me get my footwork down and be ready to strike."
Davis' striking game is still evolving. He wants to be exciting, but is more focused on winning.
"You can go for a spinning backfist and miss it, or you hit a straight right. I think people will remember the spinning backfist, but if you get knocked out, no one's going to thank you for going for it. There's no style points in MMA. I stick to what I'm good at, and I stick to my game."
His hunger to learn, wrestling pedigree and natural talent make Davis an exciting prospect, but he's not letting it get to his head.
"You can't allow anyone to tell you your worth. That's both positive and negative. If someone tells you that you're the worst in the world, you can't believe that. If someone tells you you're the best in the world, you can't believe that either. You gotta be who you are and know where you're at. I know I get beat up in the gym every day, so it's no mystery. I'm not ready for a title shot."
Decked Out in Baltimore
Decked Out is an art show featuring work from the documentary New Grind by Mark Shelton. Decked Out happens this Saturday, November 20th at TAG Galleries in Baltimore, MD.
Gerald Harris talks Luke Skywalker, school bully Keith, demonstrates double fist-pump - Gerald Harris
Gerald Harris talks to Fighters Only about training and fighting; then we just totally sidetrack into whether Luke Skywalker is harder than The Situation and he remininsces about a school bully called Keith (Where you at now eh Keith??). Also demonstrates double fist-pump. Simply unmissable.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Kyle Busch Says Emotions Aren't Keeping Him From Sprint Cup Title
Filed under: Kyle Busch, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR
Don't blame the emotions of Kyle Busch for another year that saw the No. 18 Toyota fail to win the Sprint Cup championship.That was the message the 25-year-old relayed Friday at Phoenix International Raceway, site of Sunday's second-to-last race of the 2010 season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
"Whether or not (emotions are) the cause for me not being able to contend for a championship," Busch said, "I'd have to disagree 100 percent. I won a Nationwide Series championship last year as the same person I am."
The subject is timely for Busch. He was penalized two laps by NASCAR during last week's Sprint Cup race at Texas after displaying his middle finger towards a NASCAR official while he sat in the No. 18 on pit road. At the time, Busch was serving a one-lap penalty for speeding in the pits.
Joe Lauzon's banner can 'ear' you just fine
DETROIT -- Don't accuse Joe Lauzon of not having a sense of humor. The fighter, who is taking on George Sotiropoulos at UFC 123 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, included a not-so-subtle tribute to his well known ears on his sponsor banner.
Kurt Busch Is Serious Enough About NHRA to Get a License
Filed under: Kurt Busch, FanHouse Exclusive, NASCAR
Editor's Note: A version of this story first appeared at www.competitionplus.comROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Drag racing has fast become more than just a hobby to Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge. In fact, he is as serious about the sport as he is about racing in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.
So it was on a beautiful late fall day this week at Rockingham Dragway that Busch earned his NHRA Pro Stock license, taking the next step forward in his pursuit of going straight and not turning left. The Las Vegas native ran fast enough in a Roy Hill-owned Pro Stock to be eligible to drive in the NHRA's third-level series behind Top Fuel and Funny Cars.
There was no fanfare. No champagne. No cheering crowds -- only a few high fives and warranted smiles between the empty concrete, steel, and wood bleachers looking on aside both the left and the right lanes.
There weren't even any other competitors on site. It was Busch, his crew, the track prep crew and Roy Hill, a former drag racer and now drag racing school owner.
For three days, Busch and his crew -- all dedicated to drag racing -- worked under the tutelage of Hill and were put through the paces to ensure that come 2011, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and his team would be ready for whatever might transpire on the drag strip.
One year after fateful phone call, Harris building legacy
DETROIT -- One year ago, Gerald Harris made a call that changed his life. He called into MMA Junkie Radio while UFC president Dana White was a guest. Harris, an alumnus of the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," pranked White but then had a good conversation about getting back to the UFC. By January, he was TKOing John Salter at Ultimate Fight Night 20.
But the middleweight insists that he's the same guy.
"All this stuff doesn't define me," Harris told Cagewriter. "I'm trying to build a legacy, become a legend in the UFC. A lot of guys get caught up in the hype and forget who they are as a person."
He has tweaked his preparation a bit recently, as he worked at Grudge Training Center with Trevor Wittman as well as with his home gym, Ghost Dog in Oklahoma.
In 2010, he has TKO or KO wins over Salter, Mario Miranda and David Branch. This weekend, he is facing Maiquel Falcao, a newcomer to the UFC. This is the fourth time that he is fighting a UFC newbie, but he says not to underestimate the Brazilian.
"This guy's tough. Anyone with 25 wins, he's tough. People will say, who has he fought? I don't care. He's been better than 25 other guys," Harris said. "A lot of people are underestimating the new guys and thinking that I'm getting guys with UFC jitters, but if you saw the last guy I fought, David Branch, there was nothing nervous about him. He was trying to beat my head in."
Harris said that one of the best parts of fighting at UFC 123 is that he is sharing the card with his former TUF coach, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
"My biggest thing is being on the same card as my Rampage. He was my coach on TUF, then I lost, got cut, but now here I am on the same card as him."
Harris called Jackson a friend, and said that the two remained close well after the taping for TUF had ended. He always knew he could get to this level and is enjoying the little things about being there.
"I knew I was capable of it, but to be here is amazing. I'm signing posters, looking at Machida thinking, "I always want to be you on the video game."
And whether he is co-main eventing with his mentor or fighting the first preliminary bout, Harris does not intend to change everything that has gotten him to this point in his career.
"Even when I'm fighting for the title or I am the champion, I'm going to keep the same attitude. Stay humble and stay hungry. A fight is a fight."
Robotron Summer Tour Video
UFC 122: Dennis Siver Submits Andre Winner
by Michael David Smith
In a battle of two European lightweights, Germany's Dennis Siver put on a great show in front of the hometown fans in Oberhausen, Germany, submitting England's Andre Winner in the first round of their fight Saturday at UFC 122.
"Thank you very much to the German crowd, to the German public," the victorious Siver said afterward. "It was my duty to win here. It was the most important thing in my life."
Siver first dropped Winner with a big left hand to the nose, then pounced on Winner on the ground, took his back, and sunk in a rear-naked choke to force Winner to tap at 3:37 of the first round. It was an extremely impressive showing for the well-rounded Siver, improving his professional record to 17-7, including nine wins by submission.
In a battle of two European lightweights, Germany's Dennis Siver put on a great show in front of the hometown fans in Oberhausen, Germany, submitting England's Andre Winner in the first round of their fight Saturday at UFC 122."Thank you very much to the German crowd, to the German public," the victorious Siver said afterward. "It was my duty to win here. It was the most important thing in my life."
Siver first dropped Winner with a big left hand to the nose, then pounced on Winner on the ground, took his back, and sunk in a rear-naked choke to force Winner to tap at 3:37 of the first round. It was an extremely impressive showing for the well-rounded Siver, improving his professional record to 17-7, including nine wins by submission.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Cavs Assign Christian Eyenga to NBA D-League Erie BayHawks
Filed under: Cavaliers, NBA D-League, Erie BayHawks
Earlier this week, the NBA D-League's Erie BayHawks received a big addition to their roster when the Toronto Raptors sent down 7-foot-1 center Solomon Alabi to get some playing time. Today, the roster will get even stronger, as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Erie's other NBA affiliate, have assigned 6-foot-5 guard Christian Eyenga.Eyenga, a surprise selection with the Cavaliers 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, played last season in Spain for DKV Joventut before coming over to play for Cleveland in the Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. That was enough to earn a two-year contract with the Cavs, but in his first NBA season, he's yet to crack Byron Scott's rotation.
"With a young man like Christian, you want to get him on the floor and get him some playing time," Scott told The News-Herald earlier this week. "If we can't do that in our games, the best thing is the D-League. We need him here now."
Plans have evidently changed since earlier in the week, though, with Mo Williams' impending return from a groin injury prompting the Cavs to send Eyenga to Erie to pick up some playing time.
With the BayHawks, Eyenga will more than likely start at shooting guard alongside three-time call-up Cedric Jackson in a lineup that will also feature recent Cavs cut Tasmin Mitchell. Alabi and Ivan Johnson, the BayHawks' first-round pick in this year's D-League draft, should round out the starting lineup.
The BayHawks first game is Friday, Nov. 19, when they'll play the Springfield Armor in a back-to-back. Eyenga's defensive prowess will need to be on display from Day 1 as he'll likely be matched up with former NBA draft pick JamesOn Curry.
Surf Artist - Colleen Hanley
Check out the latest surf artist to be added to COTW - Colleen Hanley. Based in California, she has a great portfolio featuring waves, surfers, tropical landscapes, vivid colours, surreal & abstract shapes, canvas strokes, sculpture and surfboard art…
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/colleen-hanley.php
www.colleenhanley.net
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/colleen-hanley.php
www.colleenhanley.net
Julius Peppers Makes His Presence Felt in Bears' Thumping of Miami
Filed under: Chicago Bears, Dolphins, NFL Analysis
MIAMI -- The sleeping giant wasn't really asleep.
"Sacks are overrated," Julius Peppers said late Monday night. "But it's nice to get 'em."
Peppers, the Chicago Bears' $91.5 million free agent defensive end, got three in the 16-0 shutout of the Miami Dolphins, more than he'd gotten all season, but that's not to suggest the five-time Pro Bowl and one of the game's preeminent pass-rushers of the past decade had been a disappointment before his breakout performance at Sun Life Stadium.
"Every team we've played has felt his presence," outside linebacker Lance Briggs said.
Added middle linebacker Brian Urlacher: "He's too good. If they don't double him, the sacks will come. That's just what he does."
More: Bears' Defense Turns Back Clock on Dolphins
Andy Kent: Tyler Thigpen Takes Blame for Miami Loss
Andy Kent: Tyler Thigpen Takes Blame for Miami Loss
Reputation Intact, Scott Gordon Will Get Another Opportunity
Filed under: Islanders
When he was fired Monday morning, Scott Gordon did not take long to contemplate an offer from the New York Islanders to stay on as a team adviser."It was an easy decision," Gordon told NHL FanHouse in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "There was absolutely no reason for this not to continue amicably between me and management."
Still, with most of the final season of Gordon's three-year employment agreement essentially void since he would no longer be coaching, the 46-year-old Gordon could have walked away quietly, collected a paycheck and taken time to be with his family in Atlanta while immediately beginning the search for a new job. But that apparently is not in his nature. He accepted a role as adviser to general manager Garth Snow.
"You still want to be involved, you want to be part of the team," said Gordon. "Of course, there's disappointment, but I'm not about to run and hide and sulk. If I can still help Garth and help the team, I want to. You have to remember, it was (owner) Charles Wang and Garth who gave me my first opportunity as an NHL head coach. I'm always going to be grateful to them for as long as I'm here, and I always will should I eventually land someplace else."
Denver's New Mexico Montages
Campos, Karr, Bacon, Element, and Lakai Videos
Josh Campos has a sick part online from the recent ZJ boarding House video. Tony Karr in Oregon for Stereo. Bacon Skateboards welcomes Brendan and Mason. Element's Quattro is out now with a board series plus the final Get Busy Living episode from the Euro team. Lakai has a second trailer for their Voltage Tour video.
What you need to know from this week of 'The Ultimate Fighter'
Two fights and little drama await you during this week's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter." Read on for spoilers and a recap.
-- Gameplan of the week: GSP wants his fighters to slow down their training, and now focus on tactics. Koscheck is also working with his fighters on strategy, and advises Sako Chivitchian to avoid giving up his back at all costs.
-- Wisdom of the week: Jonathan Brookins spoke with Nam Pham about staying humble throughout the process of the show. Both fighters have fought for big promotions, (Brookins with the WEC and Pham with Sengoku) so it's interesting to see how they perceive this process. Brookins says that he's at the bottom of the mountain, and wants to take the journey.
Fight one of the week: Jonathan Brookins (Team GSP) vs. Sako Chivitchian (Team Koscheck)
Round 1: Brookins used a judo throw to take Sako, a judo player, to the ground. From there, he worked methodically to take Sako's back and then sink in the arms for a rear-naked choke, causing Sako to tap. With the win, Brookins is the first semi-finalist.
-- Effusive praise of the week: Immediately after the fight, Dana White calls Brookins the real deal, while Koscheck is disappointed the fight turned out as it did.
-- One-trick pony of the week: With Cody McKenzie fighting Pham next, GSP wants the guillotine master to expand his game and try to win with a different gameplan. With Pham being more experienced, Koscheck has Pham working on nothing but guillotine defense.
Fight two of the week: Nam Pham (Team Koscheck) vs. Cody McKenzie (Team GSP)
Round 1: McKenzie controlled early, with takedowns, kicks and clinch work, but when the fight returned to standing, Pham finished the round with better striking as McKenzie started to tire.
Round 2: Pham came out much fresher this round, and was the aggressor for much of the round. Several punches appeared to wobble McKenzie, until a left hand to the body crumbled him. With that, Pham won a spot in the semifinals by TKO.
-- Unsportsmanlike conduct of the day: Koscheck jumped around the cage like he had won the fight. Though McKenzie had teased Kos in the past, it was a bit much to see a UFC veteran act like that. GSP was not impressed.
Scott Gordon Fired as Islanders Head Coach
Filed under: Islanders, NHL Coaching
The New York Islanders made the first coaching change of the young season on Monday, relieving Scott Gordon of his head coaching duties as reported by Islanders beat writer Katie Strang. Gordon will reportedly remain on staff in an advisory role, while Jack Capuano, previously the head coach of the Islanders AHL team in Bridgeport, will take over behind the bench on an interim basis. Gordon took over as the Islanders bench boss prior to the 2008-09 season, and during his two-plus years compiled a 64-94-23 mark. Through the first 17 games of this season the Islanders were just 4-10-3, placing them at the bottom of the NHL's Atlantic Division, as well as the Eastern Conference. They are currently tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the worst point total in the entire league.
Making things worse on the Island is the fact the team is currently riding a 10-game losing streak, having not won since October 21, a 3-2 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They haven't won a game in regulation since October 16.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Dana White Talks UFC 123, Roy Nelson's Future
Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, News, Videos
DETROIT -- MMA Fighting spoke to Dana White after the UFC 123 pre-fight press conference Wednesday about B.J. Penn's future if he loses to Matt Hughes, Roy Nelson's contract issues and Karo Parisyan's return to the UFC.The Elite Eight is set for TUF 12: Time for predictions
"The Ultimate Fighter" has rebounded nicely with Season 12. The ratings are holding steady. It’s probably based on the fact that the field looks deep with strong contenders, and much of the audience hates Josh Koscheck. TUF 12 is now down to the final eight contenders. The competition looks wide open. Or is it?
Here’s the picks for the Elite Eight matchups. Keep in mind, we’re all basing our selections on limited fight and training footage. That said, we can still have fun with it.
Jonathan Brookins v. Sako Chivitchian
This one looks like the most one-sided fight in TUF 12‘s round of 8. Chivitchian looked awkward on the feet in his victory over Dane Sayers. I still don’t believe Sayers is any good and the fact that Sako narrowly defeated him says a lot. Brookins destroyed Sevak Magakian. He appears to have a complete game. If Sako continues to throw wild haymakers that leave him off balance, Brookins is going to take him out easily.
PICK: BROOKINS
Nam Phan v. Cody McKenzie
Are you buying McKenzie? He’s slightly built and his standup game is shoddy, but he does have one elite weapon - the guillotine choke. Phan has 23 professional fights. He may be a lousy cornerman, as Dana White joked during the last episode, but he appears to be a pretty savvy technician in the Octagon. McKenzie is weak in so many areas; there’s no way Phan falls to a guy with only one path to victory.
PICK: PHAN
Michael Johnson v. Alex “Bruce Leroy” Cacares
This is the toughest fight to pick. In the last episode, Koscheck repeatedly said that Bruce Leroy (pictured) was the worst of the remaining fighters. Georges St. Pierre said Leroy’s game wasn’t weak. Plus he refused to talk up his former No. 1 pick, Johnson. Was the footage included as a bit of foreshadowing? I agree with GSP. Johnson’s game showed a lot of holes in the round of 16. His gas tank was lousy, he looked off-balance on the feet and wasn’t active when he had top control. I’m calling for a Leroy upset.
PICK: CACARES
Aaron Wilkinson v. Kyle Watson
The wild-card winner Wilkinson is a nice story, but he is going to meet his demise against Watson. Watson, 31, is too experienced and his strength, the submission game, plays perfectly to Wilkinson’s biggest weakness. Wilkinson’s takedown defense was dreadful against Marc Stevens, and his ability to get off his back was equally suspect. Watson should be able to get the fight to the ground and quickly transition to a finish.
PICK: WATSON
Because this isn’t a bracketed tournament with specified matchups, we will not predict what happens in the semifinals and beyond. What do you think of the TUF 12 Elite Eight?
Michael Vick Hosts Giants' Once-Roaring Pass Rush
The once-rampaging Big Blue sack machine was silent for a second straight game last week (after the NFL ruled that Dallas quarterback Jon Kitna tripping over his left guard's feet was negative rushing play not a sack). And now the Giants must face the game's most elusive passer, Philadelphia's Michael Vick.
But after knocking five passers -- Carolina's Matt Moore, Chicago's Jay Cutler and Todd Collins, Detroit's Shaun Hill and Dallas' Tony Romo out of games this year, New York's defenders say they're up for the challenge of trying to corral Vick, who's averaging a league-high 7.8 yards a carry and has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"His speed -- there's nothing like it," said Giants linebacker Michael Boley, who broke Romo's left collarbone on a blitz and who was Vick's teammate in Atlanta from 2005-06.
"Michael Vick definitely presents something that no other quarterback can give you in this league," said safety Antrel Rolle. "He's able to kill you with his arms and his legs, but to an extreme level. I don't know if you can actually game plan for someone of that caliber".
Watching Vick run and pass through the Redskins for 413 yards and six touchdowns on Monday, New York linebacker Keith Bulluck said he "was, like, 'Whoa,' The Eagles' offense seemed like it couldn't stop itself from scoring."
But as safety Deon Grant, who faced Vick twice a year with Carolina from 2001-03, noted that the Redskins had sidelined Vick with torn rib cartilage in Week 4 so "ain't nobody Superman." However, defensive tackle Barry Cofield said catching Vick and knocking him from the game depends as much on the coverage as the pass rush.
"When is he vulnerable?" said Cofield, part of a Giants defense that sacked Vick seven times and forced him to fumble four times in 2006 in a 27-14 New York triumph. "When he doesn't have anywhere to throw the ball. This year more so than ever he's making throws. If the guys are covered down the field then he opts to take off. Those are the times where he can be sacked. (But) no matter how disciplined you are, he's still a dynamic athlete. It's still a task to get him to the ground even if you're in the right spot."
But after knocking five passers -- Carolina's Matt Moore, Chicago's Jay Cutler and Todd Collins, Detroit's Shaun Hill and Dallas' Tony Romo out of games this year, New York's defenders say they're up for the challenge of trying to corral Vick, who's averaging a league-high 7.8 yards a carry and has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"His speed -- there's nothing like it," said Giants linebacker Michael Boley, who broke Romo's left collarbone on a blitz and who was Vick's teammate in Atlanta from 2005-06.
"Michael Vick definitely presents something that no other quarterback can give you in this league," said safety Antrel Rolle. "He's able to kill you with his arms and his legs, but to an extreme level. I don't know if you can actually game plan for someone of that caliber".
Watching Vick run and pass through the Redskins for 413 yards and six touchdowns on Monday, New York linebacker Keith Bulluck said he "was, like, 'Whoa,' The Eagles' offense seemed like it couldn't stop itself from scoring."
But as safety Deon Grant, who faced Vick twice a year with Carolina from 2001-03, noted that the Redskins had sidelined Vick with torn rib cartilage in Week 4 so "ain't nobody Superman." However, defensive tackle Barry Cofield said catching Vick and knocking him from the game depends as much on the coverage as the pass rush.
"When is he vulnerable?" said Cofield, part of a Giants defense that sacked Vick seven times and forced him to fumble four times in 2006 in a 27-14 New York triumph. "When he doesn't have anywhere to throw the ball. This year more so than ever he's making throws. If the guys are covered down the field then he opts to take off. Those are the times where he can be sacked. (But) no matter how disciplined you are, he's still a dynamic athlete. It's still a task to get him to the ground even if you're in the right spot."
Miami Heat Teammates Never Lost Faith in Chris Bosh
MIAMI -- Despite a fairly consistent preseason with his new team, Chris Bosh struggled with his role on the Miami Heat in the first 10 games of the regular season. In fact, once Dwyane Wade returned to the lineup after missing the entire preseason, it was obvious that Bosh's role as the third option was going to take some time getting used to. That didn't stop an avalanche of criticism questioning his toughness and mentality now that the spotlight (or a bullseye) was on him.Bosh's dominating performance against the Phoenix Suns may have only lasted for three quarters, and six rebounds still aren't enough for a player of his caliber, but it was nonetheless an important game to regain confidence in his game. Scoring 35 points in just 30 minutes while also chipping in four assists will do that.
"I think he was due, well overdue, for one of these games," a proud LeBron James said after the blowout victory. "I could see it in his eyes to start the game. I think he was a little disappointed in himself with the performance that he played against Toronto, but we weren't. I think he put a lot of pressure on himself."
Erik Koch post Fight talks KO Win and Showtime Pettis - Eric Koch
Erik Koch talks his WEC 52 knockout of the night victory and is eyeballing the winner of Jose Aldo-Josh Grispi. Interview by Danny Acosta. Video by Rick Lee.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Seattle Sounders Star Steve Zakuani Chooses Congo over US National Team
Filed under: International Soccer, MLS, U.S. Men's National Team, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Philadelphia Union, Seattle Sounders FC
The U.S. national team gained a striker on Thursday, but then lost a potential goal scoring threat on Friday.One day after Kansas City Wizards forward Teal Bunbury created some controversy north of the border by switching his international allegiance from Canada to the U.S., Seattle Sounders striker Steve Zakuani announced that he would accept a call-up from his native D.R. Congo because he did not want to wait for American citizenship.
"Tough decision but long wait for US citizenship nailed it," the 22-year-old University of Akron product tweeted on Friday evening.
"If citizenship could have been fast-tracked, probably would have gone with US but happy with my decision.. can't wait to represent Africa!"
Chad Mendes Post fight vs Javier Vasquez - Chad Mendes
WEC featherweight contender Chad Mendes comments on his WEC 52 co-main event win over Javier Vasquez as well as hanging out with Tim Sylvia. Interview by Danny Acosta. Video by Rick Lee.
Terence's Take: Who Needs Handshakes?
Filed under: Broncos, Chiefs, NFL Video
Chiefs coach Todd Haley refused to shake hands with the Broncos' Josh McDaniels on Sunday, instead choosing to wave his finger at him in anger. It's tough to downplay any occurrence fueled by competition and emotion, but FanHouse TV's Terence Moore thinks it's all just plain silly.Click to watch:
Nate Marquardt: GSP Will Destroy Jake Shields
by Michael David SmithJake Shields was the reig
ning Strikeforce middleweight champion and before that the reigning EliteXC welterweight champion, and so when he signed with the UFC, there was some question of which weight class he would pick.
Shields chose welterweight, beat Martin Kampmann by split decision in his first UFC fight, and will get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre if St. Pierre beats Josh Koscheck next month.
But just because Shields won his first fight doesn't necessarily mean that welterweight was the right choice. And one UFC middleweight, Nate Marquardt, believes that Shields' style of using his grappling to control his opponents on the ground would have been much more successful if he didn't have to cut down to 170 pounds.
ning Strikeforce middleweight champion and before that the reigning EliteXC welterweight champion, and so when he signed with the UFC, there was some question of which weight class he would pick.Shields chose welterweight, beat Martin Kampmann by split decision in his first UFC fight, and will get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre if St. Pierre beats Josh Koscheck next month.
But just because Shields won his first fight doesn't necessarily mean that welterweight was the right choice. And one UFC middleweight, Nate Marquardt, believes that Shields' style of using his grappling to control his opponents on the ground would have been much more successful if he didn't have to cut down to 170 pounds.
No. 1 UConn Edges No. 2 Baylor, Wins 80th in Row
Filed under: Connecticut, Women's Basketball, Baylor
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Maya Moore scored 30 points and No. 1 Connecticut won its 80th straight game, 65-64, holding on when No. 2 Baylor missed a last chance to score.A record winning streak exactly two years in the making came down to the final seconds. The Huskies are now eight wins short of matching the 88-game string put together by UCLA's men's team in the 1970s.
Moore missed from the corner in the closing seconds left and the Bears rushed down court trying to get off a last shot. Odyssey Sims launched a 3 from well beyond the arc at the buzzer -- it fell short but it didn't matter, it came too late.
Coach Geno Auriemma covered his head with his hands as he met Baylor coach Kim Mulkey at midcourt.
Ahead 44-29 early in the second half, the Huskies suddenly found themselves in trouble when 6-foot-8 star Brittney Griner took over for Baylor. The Bears rallied, taking an eight-point lead with 6:42.
Then, freshman Bria Hartley emerged for the Huskies.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Strikeforce and Bellator bicker over making Alvarez-Melendez fight
Sometime in the near future Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez need to fight but the possibility of that lightweight showdown taking place looks more bleak by the day. That's because boxing's nasty habit is sneaking into the world of mixed martial arts.
The sweet science crippled itself in the 90's by denying fans their desired megafights because promoters Don King and Bob Arum couldn't co-exist.
Imagine what their battles would've been like if there had been dozens of Internet boxing radio shows, Twitter and Facebook. Could the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather discussions go any worse? Sure they could if Bob Arum and Camp Mayweather decided to smash each other daily on the Internet.
That's exactly what's happening with the proposed Alvarez-Melendez fight.
Bellator's Bjorn Rebney, the promoter for Alvarez, fired the first shot saying that Strikeforce's Scott Coker didn't want to make the fight. On Sherdog's Savage Dog Show, Coker said he didn't enjoy the discussion taking place through the media.
"Bjorn’s saying he’s texting me 11, 12 times an hour. I’m not sure if he’s trying to be a level-five clinger or anything like that, but I haven’t received one text from the guy," Coker said. "I’m not sure what the motivation is, but maybe it’s just his way of staying in the media, staying in the press."
Rebney wasn't pleased, so he released the actual texts (pictured).
Then Strikeforce's P.R. chief Mike Afromowitz said that's Coker's old phone number. Texts aside, Coker went on to say Bellator is in a position of weakness. They need him more than he needs them.
"I understand why he wants to do it so badly. Who is there left for Eddie Alvarez to fight; honestly, that has any relevance? That's why he wants this to happen," said Coker. "We're busy guys. We've got some great fights we're going to put together next year."
Coker said one of those fights may be sooner than that. He's working on getting Melendez to Japan to rematch against Aoki on New Year's Eve.
Rebney and Alvarez have also gotten under Coker's skin by saying Melendez is avoiding the fight.
"Let’s face it: Gilbert’s fought everybody," Coker said. "He beat the guy that Eddie lost to (Aoki). For them to say, ‘Oh, Gilbert’s ducking him’ -- come on, let’s be real. Gilbert has ducked nobody and neither has Eddie. These are two great fighters. The thing is, if Bjorn’s serious about doing this, then there has to be a business component that has to be worked out. Unfortunately, that hasn’t started yet. It’s just been a bunch of stuff in the media. He’s chosen the media to use it as a platform to try to push this thing along, but I think it’s maybe a PR move."
Rebney is the guy who needs to get this thing back on track. Whatever happened to dialing the phone, and actually speaking to someone? Unless he does that or gets out to Northern California to discuss things, he may be turning Alvarez into a worthless commodity.
Listen here for entire interview (1:43:58 mark)
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