I love the concept of the UFC Hall Of Fame.
It is great to see the forefathers and builders of the sport we love properly recognized.
Because the sport is so young, many early watchers of UFC can say they have been fans since day one, something more difficult for a football fan whose team began in 1892!
We are now approaching our official second generation of UFC veterans.
Randy was the first of these inducted and is sure to be followed by Mr Hughes and Mr Liddell.
Rumour has it that two people are to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at UFC 100.
Mr Ortiz arguably deserves a shot (see earlier submission) though he may forced to wait a little longer for recognition, perhaps until the temperature of hell drops to minus figures.
Others mentioned have been posthumous honours for Helio Gracie, Evan Tanner and Charles “Mask” Lewis.
I think there is a great value in honouring all of these great contributors to UFC history, it should not just be about the number of titles won and defended.
And it would not devalue the honour and respect of a posthumous award simply because a few will happen at once, on the occasion of such a landmark show.
If we can have a nice ceremony for the Hall Of Fame presentations, several well constructed video highlight reels, and some exciting announcements, I think it will be a very fast paced and entertaining nine hour show.
Of course all the sensible awards and announcements may pale into insignificance if the man Bruce Buffer does “The 360.”
He has been dared by Joe Rogan, who said he would personally “Shit his pants” if Bruce does “The 360” before the main event at UFC 100.
If you are not familiar with the potential joy that would be unleashed world-wide by the power of “The 360,” then allow me to enlighten you.
When introducing the fighters for the main event of a UFC show a few years ago, Bruce discovered that he was facing and pointing toward the champion as he was starting to introduce the challenger. With a deft 180 degree spin on his stylish heels, he whipped around to face the correct fighter, still maintaining his pointing pose.
And he looked damn cool doing it.
So cool in fact, that he started doing a “180” regularly, but only before the main event introduction.
Mr Buffer has stated that “The 360” starts and ends with the challenger, turning a full circle in between.
It is an audacious concept, with great risk and reward.
A sharp suited, spinning master of ceremonies with fantastic hair would be the creamy topping on a fabulous UFC centenary cake.
But what if he slips on some Vaseline carelessly discarded by a clumsy corner-man? (Example chosen purely at random.)
It could be tragic.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that it would be a sad day for MMA when Bruce Buffer’s perfection is even slightly ruffled.
Will he dare to attempt “The 360” at UFC 100?
I hope he does. I will shit my wife’s pants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0GAN0_I7c
Showing posts with label hall of fame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hall of fame. Show all posts
Friday, 22 May 2009
UFC 100. HALL OF FAME AND THE BUFFER 360
I love the concept of the UFC Hall Of Fame.
It is great to see the forefathers and builders of the sport we love properly recognized.
Because the sport is so young, many early watchers of UFC can say they have been fans since day one, something more difficult for a football fan whose team began in 1892!
We are now approaching our official second generation of UFC veterans.
Randy was the first of these inducted and is sure to be followed by Mr Hughes and Mr Liddell.
Rumour has it that two people are to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at UFC 100.
Mr Ortiz arguably deserves a shot (see earlier submission) though he may forced to wait a little longer for recognition, perhaps until the temperature of hell drops to minus figures.
Others mentioned have been posthumous honours for Helio Gracie, Evan Tanner and Charles “Mask” Lewis.
I think there is a great value in honouring all of these great contributors to UFC history, it should not just be about the number of titles won and defended.
And it would not devalue the honour and respect of a posthumous award simply because a few will happen at once, on the occasion of such a landmark show.
If we can have a nice ceremony for the Hall Of Fame presentations, several well constructed video highlight reels, and some exciting announcements, I think it will be a very fast paced and entertaining nine hour show.
Of course all the sensible awards and announcements may pale into insignificance if the man Bruce Buffer does “The 360.”
He has been dared by Joe Rogan, who said he would personally “Shit his pants” if Bruce does “The 360” before the main event at UFC 100.
If you are not familiar with the potential joy that would be unleashed world-wide by the power of “The 360,” then allow me to enlighten you.
When introducing the fighters for the main event of a UFC show a few years ago, Bruce discovered that he was facing and pointing toward the champion as he was starting to introduce the challenger. With a deft 180 degree spin on his stylish heels, he whipped around to face the correct fighter, still maintaining his pointing pose.
And he looked damn cool doing it.
So cool in fact, that he started doing a “180” regularly, but only before the main event introduction.
Mr Buffer has stated that “The 360” starts and ends with the challenger, turning a full circle in between.
It is an audacious concept, with great risk and reward.
A sharp suited, spinning master of ceremonies with fantastic hair would be the creamy topping on a fabulous UFC centenary cake.
But what if he slips on some Vaseline carelessly discarded by a clumsy corner-man? (Example chosen purely at random.)
It could be tragic.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that it would be a sad day for MMA when Bruce Buffer’s perfection is even slightly ruffled.
Will he dare to attempt “The 360” at UFC 100?
I hope he does. I will shit my wife’s pants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0GAN0_I7c
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
TITO ORTIZ AND THE UFC HALL OF FAME
Love him, hate him or just “lol” at his increasingly exaggerated self image, Tito Ortiz has done a lot for MMA, and particularly for the UFC. It is easy to get bogged down in the long war of insults between him and Dana, but Tito has always maintained he has no problem with the UFC generally and the Fertitas specifically.
Now that the time approaches for Chuck to receive his large octagonal piece of honorary glassware, with Matt Hughes no doubt to follow, I wonder whether Tito will ever get the nod?
Hall of fame winners are not just about number of victories.
They embody the rise of the UFC and stretches of time when they dominated the hearts of fans and ratings.
It is easy when thinking of Tito to immediately think of him losing to Randy or Chuck.
That period in the history of UFC was a great one.
Aside from the emergence of TUF Tv show, fights were held that began to recapture the PPV audience.
The fight triangle between Randy/Chuck, Randy/Tito, Chuck/Tito, Chuck/Randy, Randy/Chuck, Chuck/Tito (if I got that right) thrilled us for a few years straight, and put Chuck and Randy into the status they enjoy today.
Up to the point of losing his light heavyweight title, Tito had enjoyed a three year winning streak, with five title defences.
He was also chosen as coach of season three of TUF.
He was a firm fan favourite and worked the limelight, taunting opponents with his mouth and T-shirt slogans, and making sure he spent time meeting and greeting the audience at shows.
Tito is by no means finished now, simply awaiting his UFC no-fight contract stipulation to end, whilst seeking a (hopefully) realistic contract with another promotion.
He still has an army of fans waiting for him to return to greatness. It could however, be argued that he has already peaked, and that brings me back to wondering if (bad blood aside) the big show itself will properly remember Tito Ortiz after he has gone.
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