Enter Blue Guy

I'll say it was Okami's takedown defense possibly mixed with fatigue and frustration on Munoz' part, but he had nothing on those takedowns. At one point in the third round he just dropped to his knees and went in for something that looked more like a single leg hug than a takedown. I understand given those three factors, but so much has been made about Munoz' wrestling creds. I guess Okami didn't sweat Munoz' stand up either. Hands fairly low and was content to take a punch if he needed to. The timing is right for Leben/Okami. If that's the case, you'd think Okami would want to do something about that.

I like the idea of Jones/Forrest next.

I share your sentiment but it is no secret the brains behind the UFC are ruthless when it comes to stifling any potential American based competition.

I really like what Bellator are doing. I don't really follow their progress closely, aside from the fights, so I don't know how healthy they really are, but it seems like they've got a pretty good thing going on. They know their role as a promotion, they are on TV, and haven't stepped on Dana White's toes.

Strikeforce is in a very awkward position. They have no depth chart. What you see is more or less what you are going to get next time. They are in no shape to do otherwise. Crossing their fingers for Gina Carano to get back into the cage, ASAP.

Japan is Japan.

Realistically, there isn't much an MMA market out there outside of the UFC. MMA is UFC. It's the go-to brand. Their stranglehold is ridiculous and I can't them letting go any time soon. IMO, If anything, just like the UFC brought MMA to life, it will die with it too.

All the money in the world won't help MMA in Japan from staying as anything more than a niche product. What it needs is homegrown heroes for people to care about. Even with that, the Japanese scene has become so obscure that it would take something monumental for DREAM or any promotion to get back to the level PRIDE was at. PRIDE bottled lighting with pro wrestler Nobohiko Takada vs. Rickson Gracie and were able to ride it with Sakuraba vs. the Gracies. IMO, I highly doubt they can garner that kind of interest in Japan unless something miraculous happens.

EDIT: Niche isn't the right word, but you get what I'm saying. Obscure and, sadly, irrelevant.

Stomp the Yard.

Sorry, Martin Kampmann. Tough fight for Jake if it does go down, but Jake should take it.

Jake Shields has officially signed with UFC and will fight at 170.

Looks like he's fighting Kampmann.

Ha! I've fallen off. The only thing I really watch is UFC and WEC, maybe the odd Strikeforce match. And the events seem to creep up now, rather than waiting months for big fights.

The news of the Mark Hunt fight takes me on a nostalgic trip, though. Shit, I remember when Hunt beating Wandy was a huge deal. He's pretty irrelevant now, but he beat Cro Cop next and I was thinking he could have a career in MMA as a solid spoiler.

The internet scares me. My poor laptop has been collecting dust. The only thing keeping on the net right now is NHL free agency.

Valeri Kamensky! One of the most memorable goals of the 90's.

Ya! Mark Hunt! One of my favorites. No idea who McCorkle is but he's huge and undefeated. Kinda random bringing in Hunt. Nothing suggests the guy is about to turn his career around but I love the him so it would be pretty cool if he stops this McCorkle character and sticks around for a couple more fights. Hopefully Hunt arrives in shape and is ready to fight.

Not only is Franklin not a draw, I don't want to see him get KO'd. I'm not really a fan of Rich, but I hate having to see somebody pick his jaw up off the floor for him. Which could happen again if he fights Chuck. Fuck him for being such stand up human being.

I'm a fan of Vera, I want to see him rebound in a big way, just not at the expense of derailing Bones. And honestly, Vera isn't championship material. At least he hasn't got there yet. He's never able to push himself to the next level in fights he could be winning. Vera is such a frustrating fighter to watch when you're rooting for him.

I'm all over UFC 111. Hardy should turn out to be the most entertaining punching bag GSP has fought since Mayhem. I just want to see him get punished and if its for 5 rounds, that's perfect. I think GSP is due for a quick mugging, though. Maybe 2-3 rounds. Carwin/Mir is a huge fight. Jim Miller is awesome and Bocek is on fire right now and from Toronto. Fight sold. Fitch/Alves is a high stakes WW bout. Alves has gotten a lot better since the first fight and can draw urgency out of Fitch. Saunders/Ellenberger should end up being fun too.

Yes! A team that sucks slightly more than the Leafs do. A team that beat us last time before losing 46 games in a row or something like that. At least the kids are trying hard and have some momentum.

Just a bunch lil' guys in the big city trying to win three in a row. I want to take them all out and buy them ice cream for their effort.

Good to see Gustavsson play well. Also, Kessel's snipe was a beauty of a goal. Toronto had good possession during the course of the game. The lack of forward depth is showing, but the entire team competed throughout the contest. Good to FINALLY see an overtime result go our way, too.

Yep, the Leafs are the shallowest offense in the league. It doesn't show up on the scoreboard, but I think all this extra ice time is paying off for some of the younger guys. Before this year I wasn't sure what we had in a guy like Kuley. Last season he was just an awkward fitting wing man for Grabbo. His point total looks like it will end being close to the same, but give him a stable role and he looks like he'll turn out to be a solid third line checking winger with a scoring touch. I also like that Bozak is easing into his game. He's got some natural chemistry with Kessel and has started to play more of a physical game. He isn't in Kessel's league, but he's done a pretty good job of hiding it. Likely destined for the third line once there is an anointed #1 center, but as of now he's exceeding expectations. So yeah, I'd say Kulemin and Bozak could end up being a parts of a respectable third line sometime in the future. That or Kulemin gets traded.

Not as effective as Bozak and Kuley, but I like Christian Hanson a lot. He's working really hard and he's being put in situations he has no business being in. And he looks competent out there. He's at his best at center but I'd love to see him make a smooth transition to RW because it looks like that's the only way he'll find a role on this team.

And from the little of seen of Caputi, I like. It'll be interesting to see he how he produces once he get comfortable because he has the right attitude and seems confident out there.

Stalberg is playing a bit better but he's still a work in progress. I actually think in a way this almost negative exposure is good for his progress. He looked a little too good in the preseason. I hope now he knows the compete level he needs to be at to play in the NHL. There is too much size and speed there to not think Stalberg could feature in a top 6 role on the Leafs, he needs up his work ethic to get on the right track.

With 52 points in the standings you have to find positives somewhere.

Even with Kessel out until November, you figure a healthy Nik Hagman could get at least 25 goals, Blake showed he could still score last season with 25, Grabs could get at least 20 again, Poni put in over 20 last year too. Add that with a top puck mover (Kaberle), a canon (Beauchemin), and no shortage of solid outlet passers in the back end, I'm not worried about scoring.

I'm worried about goals against, especially on the PK. Hopefully Vesa stays relatively injury free and Allaire (sp?) is whipping him up to form, but I don't see a lot of defensive help coming from our forwards.

That was probably the most dominant I've seen Nog against a high caliber opponent. An instant classic for sure.

That fucking arena in the middle of nowhere is a huge roadblock for relocation.

The Goods

I'd say 6.5. Funny, but kinda boring. Felt like a really long SNL sketch.

No game at Olympic Stadium this year. Blame the Montreal Alouettes. Lol, CFL!

A few more phallic ones.

Pat Woodcock. Plays in the Canadian Football League.

Then there is good old Randy Wood, a hockey player who had a cup of coffee with the Leafs in the 90's.

It's also kind of cool that Milton Bradley plays for the Chicago Cubs.

Watched it this morning. Not as good was WEC last week but good show.

Mousasi is amazing. He's young but I can't help but be selfish and want him in the UFC right now.

Carano/Cyborg was a nasty brawl. Not that pretty but very entertaining. Actually parts of it were pretty ugly. Gina was answering but it seemed like the announcers were completely oblivious to the fact she was getting whooped. Like they didn't want to admit it. I know she's the poster girl but c'mon. I don't think she looked all that good and Cyborg herself looked beatable too. She was in a brawl with a woman that is just better in that kinda fight.

What sucks is no Nick Diaz. When he was dropped from the event my interest dropped. I'd pay more to see Diaz than Carano.

Even if Kenny did piss himself, he's got a cup and likely shorts underneath to absorb it. It's not like his ding dong is just hanging out there in a position to projectile piss.

Hey, the Janitor is back in the UFC! Great addition of depth at 205.

Also, I haven't watched any replays of 101 but I've heard the crowd was kind of indifferent through out the show. I was watching at the bar, the place was packed, loud, and everybody was really enjoying themselves so the whole card was very entertaining.

I got a kick out of the Penn athletic commissioner calling out the fighters to bring their 'A' game because they are in Philly. I don't think he'll be disappointed, they have the cast for a killer show. There is at least one guy in just about every fight that can be counted on to bring it. Should be really fun tonight.

Overeem hasn't fought in 9 months, MMA at least. Earlier this year his hand was severely injured in a bar brawl. He says he'll fight in October, making it just under a year long lay off. Even if he is fully healed and ready to go, I'd say Fedor/Rogers is just as likely to happen as Fedor/Overeem, maybe more likely.

My guess would be Rogers/Fedor and Overeem takes a fight in Japan against a beatable opponent.

Having Fedor/Rogers right away is a win/win situation for everyone involved. Besides, Overeem's got Werdum in line right now, and I'd rather see Rogers/Fedor and Overeem/Werdum than Fedor/Overeem right now. Besides, it's not like we won't get that fight eventually. If Alistair keeps the title, and Fedor beats Rogers, then we would get Fedor/Overeem probably around January.

I don't think Overeem/Werdum have anything arranged since their fight was scrapped. Overeem expressed interest in rematching him in October for Strikeforce, which could happen, but I wouldn't surprised if he does what I said and takes a low risk warm up fight for DREAM then waits for the big fight against either Fedor or the man that slayed him in the new year.

So Zherdev was in Toronto for his arbitration hearing which automatically means the Leafs will sign him if possible.

I'd pay more to see that than Fedor/Rogers.