I missed UFC 86 due to a buddy's wedding, but apparently I missed quite an event. Not only did Quinton "Rampage" Jackson suffer a surprising loss to Forrest Griffin last Saturday in a controversial decision for the light heavyweight championship, but we also will not be seeing Rampage back until 2009 due to the following medical suspensions I just discovered...
- Quinton Jackson - suspended until Jan. 2 due to possible left knee, tibia, fibia and thumb injuries (can be cleared early by orthopedic doctor); minimum suspension until Aug. 5 with no contact until July 27 for precautionary reasons
- Forrest Griffin - suspended until Sept. 4 due to right-upper-eyelid laceration (can be cleared early by doctor)
- Chris Lytle - suspended until Sept. 4 due to laceration near right eye (can be cleared early by doctor)
- Josh Koscheck - suspended until Aug. 5 with no contact July 27 for precautionary reasons
- Marcus Aurelio - suspended until Jan. 2 due to possible left-thumb ligament injury (can be cleared early by orthopedic doctor); minimum suspension until Aug. 5 with no contact until July 27 for precautionary reasons
- Justin McCully - suspended until Jan. 2 due to possible left-shoulder injury (can be cleared early by doctor)
- Cole Miller - suspended until Sept. 4 due to facial lacerations (can be cleared early by doctor)
- Jorge Gurgel - suspended until Jan. 2 due to right tibia, fibia and elbow injuries (can be cleared early by orthopedic doctor)
- Dennis Siver - suspended until Aug. 20 with no contact until Aug. 5 for precautionary reasons
- Justin Buchholz - suspended until Sept. 4 due to scalp laceration (can be cleared early by doctor)
UFC seems to be really taking off yet I only saw one post on the Forums about the latest event from Sterlingman when I got back to Vegas. I would like to get your opinions on how the UFC can become more mainstream and what we can do here to help promote it. Mixed Martial Arts in general seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis right now, with Affliction now putting together its first card on July 19 in Anaheim. UFC President Dana White decided to fight back by putting an event featuring middleweight champion on Spike TV the very same night in an answer to his greatest competition to date.
It seems to me though that this competition is not healthy nor is it helping the sport right now. The biggest problem I have had watching MMA is that I have no idea who has the very best fighters in the world. I just read that Affliction's card will be headlined by Fedor Emelianenko, who is supposedly considered the best heavyweight in the world. But what does that say then about UFC heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who became the first fighter to win both Pride and UFC titles?
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban even had some choice words for White, as he is involved with MMA through HDNet fights. "Remind Dana that being hungry and running a business is a whole lot different than being hunted and running a business," said Cuban. As you can see, all is not right with the powers that be, which seems to be a growing issue within the sport. It reminds me of the satellite radio battle between Sirius and XM, with listeners continously getting confused by which service is better.
Regardless, I loved boxing back in the day but am really a strong believer that MMA has taken over as one of the top betting sports of choice. This is especially true here in Vegas, and I just hope everybody can settle their differences to make it one of the best.