| Rage In The Cage XVI Johnny "Wildfire" Rage |
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UFC 81 Review and Thoughts, Super Bowl has come and gone, My radio appearance, MMA News and
looking ahead to UFC 82 and I’m throwing down against “Smart MMA Fans.” Let’s find out who “Wildfire”
is burning for.
UFC 81 took place this past Saturday and overall was much more than I had hoped for. It was a night
of one great KO and tons of submissions. I’m sure that, by now, all of you have had a look at the results so
I’m not going to bore you with them. I thought Brock Lesnar looked good but was inexperienced. Frank Mir
did what I thought that he would do and his submission skill was top notch on that night. I’m hoping Mir
doesn’t have to fight Sylvia next because I think he deserves the winner of Kongo/Herring instead of the guy
who just lost a title fight. Speaking of Tim Sylvia, there’s really no shame in that defeat; he was dominating
Nog and just got caught. I’m also still laughing at Kyle Bradley’s open guard on the ref after taking a beating
at the hands of Chris Lytle.
looking ahead to UFC 82 and I’m throwing down against “Smart MMA Fans.” Let’s find out who “Wildfire”
is burning for.
UFC 81 took place this past Saturday and overall was much more than I had hoped for. It was a night
of one great KO and tons of submissions. I’m sure that, by now, all of you have had a look at the results so
I’m not going to bore you with them. I thought Brock Lesnar looked good but was inexperienced. Frank Mir
did what I thought that he would do and his submission skill was top notch on that night. I’m hoping Mir
doesn’t have to fight Sylvia next because I think he deserves the winner of Kongo/Herring instead of the guy
who just lost a title fight. Speaking of Tim Sylvia, there’s really no shame in that defeat; he was dominating
Nog and just got caught. I’m also still laughing at Kyle Bradley’s open guard on the ref after taking a beating
at the hands of Chris Lytle.
| “What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.” |
It’s not the norm for RITC, but I wanted to touch on the
topic of the Super Bowl really fast. I thought New England would
win but, obviously, they didn’t. That doesn’t mean they aren’t the
greatest team of all time, but it certainly doesn’t help their case.
Too many outside distractions and Justin Tuck ruined Brady’s and
the Pats’ chance at glory. Now, the real reason I wanted to talk
about this subject is Tiki Barber. I think that he’s a selfish,
arrogant, lemon-headed douche and I’ve got a personal message
for him:
Dear Tiki,
You tried to run the Giants into the ground and thought that
you were better. Well, I hope you keep that stupid smile on your
face while you’re hosting the worst pre-game show in America.
No one watches your show and no one cares about your thoughts.
I mean, I suppose if you were playing, the Giants would’ve
fumbled that ball about 13 times and maybe you would have gotten
to blow kisses once when you scored a TD. Anyway, you do fit in
nicely on that set. You’re next to the only running back more
overrated than yourself: Jerome Bettis.
topic of the Super Bowl really fast. I thought New England would
win but, obviously, they didn’t. That doesn’t mean they aren’t the
greatest team of all time, but it certainly doesn’t help their case.
Too many outside distractions and Justin Tuck ruined Brady’s and
the Pats’ chance at glory. Now, the real reason I wanted to talk
about this subject is Tiki Barber. I think that he’s a selfish,
arrogant, lemon-headed douche and I’ve got a personal message
for him:
Dear Tiki,
You tried to run the Giants into the ground and thought that
you were better. Well, I hope you keep that stupid smile on your
face while you’re hosting the worst pre-game show in America.
No one watches your show and no one cares about your thoughts.
I mean, I suppose if you were playing, the Giants would’ve
fumbled that ball about 13 times and maybe you would have gotten
to blow kisses once when you scored a TD. Anyway, you do fit in
nicely on that set. You’re next to the only running back more
overrated than yourself: Jerome Bettis.
As I take a breath, I want to touch on the subject of my recent radio appearance on The Drive, a daily
talk show on 1260 AM WNDE, a Fox Sports Radio affiliate here in Indianapolis. I had a phone conversation
with The Drive’s host: JMV. It was a tremendous opportunity for me and thanks again to JMV for allowing
me the chance. I should also announce that I’ve become their MMA Analyst and everyone should look
forward to hearing my voice and opinions for each UFC event.
Word on the street is that Josh Barnett and Gomi have signed with Victory Road. Well, what is Victory
Road? I’m not really sure to be honest with you. Gomi was supposed to be fighting with the UFC but backed
out, likely because he’s scared of the competition. Barnett, I’m sure, is still going to have to face a steroid
suspension if he fights in America again. Don’t blame the UFC on this one, as they made the right decision.
UFC 82 is closing in on us and will take place in Columbus, Ohio on March 1st. Yours truly, along with
Skippy McMannis (unless there’s a Patrick Swayze convention near), will be making the trip to the weigh-
ins. Everyone is welcome to take pictures with us, but please don’t make physical contact with Skippy. I will
also be there promoting No Mercy Athletics and my upcoming bout with Kamala. My only real concern
about this event is the marketing. The Silva vs. Henderson Unification Bout is a solid Main Event but why is
Herring vs. Kongo the only other fight promoted? You’ve got Okami vs. Tanner, Arlovski, Sanchez,
Koscheck, and Cummo on the card. Those are some pretty solid names and regardless of whom they are
fighting or which fights are on the main card, they should be marketing these names as well. Let’s hope they
change some of those commercials.
As my column draws to a close, I wanted to talk about my experience watching UFC 81 at a local bar
Saturday for my “Spreading Wildfire” segment. Aside from the terrible service, there was another huge
annoying problem, one I’m sure that everyone else has experienced before. I myself am a very
knowledgeable person when it comes to MMA, and sports in general, but I don’t consider myself a “Smark”
or a “Smart Fan.” Everyone knows the type of person I’m talking about: the guy who’s always trying to
outdo another fan with some worthless nugget of info that no one cares about. Well, there was this moron
behind me that kept talking about “how this is the only way for this person to win and so on and so forth.”
Dealing with annoying a-holes is what I get for going to a bar; I get that. However, when he started yelling
“Ruas!” every time someone would do foot stomps it became ridiculous. Most people that watch MMA now-
a-days don’t know who Marco Ruas is and probably don’t care. While it was an inventive move, that doesn’
t mean that it should be known as that forever. Whenever someone throws a spinning back fist do they call it
the “Carter?” If someone throws a fastball in baseball is it known as the “Ryan?” Is a hook shot known as
the “Abdul Jabbar?” If someone bites someone’s ear off is it known as the “Tyson?” What I’m getting at is
this isn’t professional wrestling and moves aren’t trademarked or even known by special names. Every strike
is done for a reason and isn’t done just to draw a crowd reaction or to finish an opponent like in pro
wrestling. So just shut your mouth and eat some more cheese fries!
Add us to your myspace! www.myspace.com/scrubsportsdotcom
talk show on 1260 AM WNDE, a Fox Sports Radio affiliate here in Indianapolis. I had a phone conversation
with The Drive’s host: JMV. It was a tremendous opportunity for me and thanks again to JMV for allowing
me the chance. I should also announce that I’ve become their MMA Analyst and everyone should look
forward to hearing my voice and opinions for each UFC event.
Word on the street is that Josh Barnett and Gomi have signed with Victory Road. Well, what is Victory
Road? I’m not really sure to be honest with you. Gomi was supposed to be fighting with the UFC but backed
out, likely because he’s scared of the competition. Barnett, I’m sure, is still going to have to face a steroid
suspension if he fights in America again. Don’t blame the UFC on this one, as they made the right decision.
UFC 82 is closing in on us and will take place in Columbus, Ohio on March 1st. Yours truly, along with
Skippy McMannis (unless there’s a Patrick Swayze convention near), will be making the trip to the weigh-
ins. Everyone is welcome to take pictures with us, but please don’t make physical contact with Skippy. I will
also be there promoting No Mercy Athletics and my upcoming bout with Kamala. My only real concern
about this event is the marketing. The Silva vs. Henderson Unification Bout is a solid Main Event but why is
Herring vs. Kongo the only other fight promoted? You’ve got Okami vs. Tanner, Arlovski, Sanchez,
Koscheck, and Cummo on the card. Those are some pretty solid names and regardless of whom they are
fighting or which fights are on the main card, they should be marketing these names as well. Let’s hope they
change some of those commercials.
As my column draws to a close, I wanted to talk about my experience watching UFC 81 at a local bar
Saturday for my “Spreading Wildfire” segment. Aside from the terrible service, there was another huge
annoying problem, one I’m sure that everyone else has experienced before. I myself am a very
knowledgeable person when it comes to MMA, and sports in general, but I don’t consider myself a “Smark”
or a “Smart Fan.” Everyone knows the type of person I’m talking about: the guy who’s always trying to
outdo another fan with some worthless nugget of info that no one cares about. Well, there was this moron
behind me that kept talking about “how this is the only way for this person to win and so on and so forth.”
Dealing with annoying a-holes is what I get for going to a bar; I get that. However, when he started yelling
“Ruas!” every time someone would do foot stomps it became ridiculous. Most people that watch MMA now-
a-days don’t know who Marco Ruas is and probably don’t care. While it was an inventive move, that doesn’
t mean that it should be known as that forever. Whenever someone throws a spinning back fist do they call it
the “Carter?” If someone throws a fastball in baseball is it known as the “Ryan?” Is a hook shot known as
the “Abdul Jabbar?” If someone bites someone’s ear off is it known as the “Tyson?” What I’m getting at is
this isn’t professional wrestling and moves aren’t trademarked or even known by special names. Every strike
is done for a reason and isn’t done just to draw a crowd reaction or to finish an opponent like in pro
wrestling. So just shut your mouth and eat some more cheese fries!
Add us to your myspace! www.myspace.com/scrubsportsdotcom
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