Freestyle Cage Fighting postponed…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
MMA fans, it’s not canceled, just postponed. Don’t worry, MMA is still coming to OKC.
MMA event postponed: The Freestyle Cage Fighting event at the State Fair Speedway as part of the State Fair has been pushed back to Sunday, Sept. 21.
The event was supposed to happen tonight but because of the threat of bad weather, it was necessary to move it.
“You can’t risk it with an outdoor event like this,” said Jim Morris, the promoter of the event. “This is a professional event. These guys are looking to move up the ranks to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). We have to make sure it’s as safe as possible.”
Morris has been a long time promoter of Toughman contests at the Speedway. Morris said he expects more than 6,000 people for the event.
For more information, call (800) 511-1552. General admission is $18. Box seats are $25. Ringside reserved seats are $35. VIP reserved seats are $50.
Q&A: Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
It helped to write that piece remembering Evan Tanner and Heather Harkness. And like I said, we’ll all eventually move on.
And while the timing wasn’t the best in the world, I can’t take anything away from Lawton’s Grady Brewer. It’s not his fault this week has worked out this way. The former Contender winner was gracious enough to take some time out to speak with the Boneman. Brewer returns to the ring Friday night at the Comanche Casino in Lawton.
Q: It’s been nearly two years, how does it feel to finally be out there?
A: It feels great. I can’t even tell you how great it finally feels. I’m probably still not at my best. I feel around 85 percent, but I need to get back out there.
Q: Since winning The Contender, it’s been one thing after another. Give me a short timeline of what’s been happening with you?
A: During The Contender, my shoulder was bothering me. I didn’t want anybody to know because I knew that was a great opportunity.
Then it was my knee that started to act up. I couldn’t bend where I wanted it to. It turns out I had arthritis in my knee.
Then I started to feel a little bit better with that, but then it was my shoulder. Finally, they cut a piece of bone out near the shoulder blade. Since then, I’ve been feeling a lot better.
Q: You’re back Friday night. Back in front of the hometown crowd. Any added pressure?
A: It’s real exciting to be fighting back home. I know a lot of people are excited. But I have to stick to my plan. I have to be careful. I’m not going to rush or anything. You have to block out that excitement and just do your job.
Q: In a weird way, have these injuries prolonged your career?
A: I guess you could say that. I haven’t had to go through the wars the last couple of years. I turned pro at a late age (28), so I’m 37, but I’m a young 37 (laughs).
Q: Let’s go back to The Contender for a minute. What was that decision process like for the network? What were they looking for?
A: They were really looking hard at appearance. They were looking for the right body build. After that, it was all about interviews and having a personality.
Q: You get picked. But I got this sense, not sure if you felt the same way, that you weren’t the one they wanted to win?
A: I did feel like that. I felt like there were a lot of people there going against me. There weren’t many people you could trust. But I always had my wife and kids. And Tommy Gallagher (trainer). He kept me believing I could do it.
Q: You defeat Steve Forbes in the final, but it’s Forbes who is making the money. Forbes has had shots at Demetrius Hopkins, Oscar de La Hoya and now Andre Berto. How frustrating is that?
A: It’s been very discouraging. I keep seeing him get those shots and I’m like, “I won the thing.” But it’s motivated me. I never thought about quitting or anything like that. I know I still have some good years in me. I can still be a force.
Q: You fought them early in their careers, and though you lost, what are some of your impressions on both Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor?
A: Kelly has stepped up big time. I mean he has really come along. Back when I was in there with him, I really felt I had an opportunity to take him out. Now, wow. I would have to be in some kind of shape to have a chance against him now.
Jermain, well, he’s about the same fighter. He has a lot of good skills. I don’t think he’s done yet. He’s showing some hunger again.
Q: What’s next for the “Bad Boy?”
A: A lot of fighters are fighting two, three times a year. With my age, I need to get out there a lot more. I’m looking at possibly six or seven fights a year for the next couple of years. I’d love to get a shot at a title. I’m finally feeling good, so I want to get out there as much as possible.
Once again, big thanks to Grady for granting the interview. Much more on Grady and his fight in Friday’s Oklahoman. Here’s the article. Just a reminder (and cheap plug), Brewer returns to action for the first time in two years Friday night back home at the Comanche Casino in Lawton.
Day of Mourning…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Doesn’t it always happen that way? That one time you say something that’s kinda nasty and is followed by something tragic?
That was Tuesday. A day removed from basically gloating about Chuck Liddell getting KO’d, you get news like Tuesday.
I didn’t know Evan Tanner, and I didn’t know Heather Harkness, so why am I so sad today? Why am I so sad about two people I didn’t know passing away?
Am I allowed to be sad about it? All I know of Tanner is what I saw when he was in the Octagon in the UFC. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less. He had overcome a lot to get to where he was.
He wasn’t the most recognizable name out there. He wasn’t the biggest name out there. He just did his job and carried himself with respect. Here’s the article.
At 37, Tanner’s best days as the UFC middleweight champ were long gone. He was found dead in the Palo Verde mountain area of the southern California desert. He was just on an adventure, how do you explain that?
He ran out of gas and tried to walk back to civilization and collapsed in the triple-digit heat. What do you make of that? I don’t know, but the MMA world lost a great one this week.
For Bout Blog fans, Heather Harkness is neither a boxer nor an MMA fighter. No, she was an Edmond Santa Fe volleyballer.
She died Tuesday morning during the course of an appendectomy. This one hits me a little bit harder. She had her whole life in front of her.
I didn’t know Heather, don’t know what she looked like, what she liked, etc., but I remember my high school days.
My senior year in Springboro, Ohio, I had a classmate die from a car accident. It shook the entire school. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know Karol Stegemoller that well until senior year, it was one of the few times where there were no cliques. We were all just getting through something together.
And I remember the very next day was the start of the state basketball playoffs where we were supposed to advance pretty far. We got trounced in the first round, but I don’t think anyone cared.
I still have a bunch of mementos from that week, remembering Karol. I’ve moved a lot since 2002, but they’re always going to be with me. There was a Memorial Auction for Karol in June back home, good to know she’s not forgotten.
I don’t know how the ESF volleyball team will continue this season. I don’t think I could. My personal opinion is that all Edmond athletic events should be postponed this weekend, including Friday’s Edlam football game with Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe.
I don’t know, I just think the kids should be allowed to grieve. Everyone has their own way of doing so, and I don’t think you should force the kids to go out there and hit each other.
I felt this way last year after Rush Springs’ freshman Justin Barney died right before the Rush Springs/Washington game last season. It’s just not easy to turn that switch back on.
Life goes on and eventually everyone will start to feel like themselves again but don’t rush it. School has to be hard enough to not see your classmate there. Give ‘em a rest and let them do whatever is necessary to cope.
It’s not to say that some of the bigger sports don’t have that community feel, but the top volleyball players and coaches all know each other. Not just from newspaper articles and jersey numbers and shaking hands after a match.
The girls are a tight bunch whether it be on the school team or the club team. But they really get to know each other, really build those relationships.
I’ve been reading tonight on various message boards where people are trading their favorite Heather stories. From places all over the state, not just Edmond. Sounds like we all missed out on someone special.
I’m keeping her friends and family in my prayers as I’m sure all of you are. I hope they can find the strength to get through this difficult time.
He just knocked the Chuck out…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Ask me how I feel about Chuck Liddell being knocked out? C’mon, do it. It was great. I’m glad he’s alright and can live to fight another day. But I’ve stated before Liddell just is not my cup of tea.
There were some people that thought maybe Rashad Evans could win via decision at UFC 88, but not one preview I read did I see “Evans by KO.”
It wasn’t just Evans by KO, it was Evans by dramatic, career-altering, crowd-pleasing, no-doubt-about-it KO. One right hand, and you could see Liddell’s head contort in ways that well, simply, it’s just not supposed to.
At 38, I don’t know what else Liddell wants nor needs to do. He’ll always be a UFC legend (no matter how much I won’t admit it). You can’t beat Father Time, just ask any boxer. Fighters like Randy Couture are the exception to the rule not vice versa.
UFC shot itself in the foot. The announcement of Couture and Brock Lesnar destroyed any buildup last Saturday’s card could have had. Even the UFC’s first venture into Atlanta didn’t really do anything. Everyone (yours truly included) has circled Nov. 15 on the calendar. Everyone is waiting for Couture and Lesnar.
And to all the football fans out there, Nov. 15 is a bye week for both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The World Series will be done. If you’re ever going to give MMA a shot, this is the fight and event to do it with.
Stepping away from the Octagon and into the squared circle, wow, Juan Diaz almost got jobbed in what would have been one of the worst scoring blunders I’ve seen in boxing. And let me tell you, that is saying something.
Michael Katsidis was as game as they come, but Diaz outclassed the Aussie with no problems at all. At worst, I saw it 9-3 or 117-11. But scores of 115-113 for Katsidis and 116-112 Diaz and 115-113 Diaz are beyond comprehension.
I loved what Bob Papa said after because I was thinking the same thing: he thought he left the shady scoring back in Beijing at the Olympics. Me, too.
This week is a big week for boxing. Besides having a PPV to look forward, one of Oklahoma’s own is returning to the ring when Grady Brewer fights at the Comanche Casino in Lawton on Friday. MUCH more on Brewer and his trials and tribulations later this week both in The Oklahoman and right here on the blog.
This weekend we have Sergio Mora vs. Vernon Forrest II and Joel Casamayor vs. Juan Manuel Marquez on PPV. On Showtime, we gots Nate Campbell vs. Joan Guzman and Edner Cherry vs. Timothy Bradley. Oh yea, and a little thing called Ohio State vs. USC on the gridiron. Let the fall fight season officially begin.
The insanity begins…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
It didn’t take long for the Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar fight to become big news. That’s a good thing.
Check that, it’s a great thing. This is the right fight at the right time to see the UFC absolutely explode. I’m thrilled national news services are picking this up and better yet in some cases, sitting down an interviewing the guys.
Their first stop (I think) was at ESPN where they did both SportsCenter and ESPN2’s FirstTake. The two were composed and did a good job of representing themselves and the sport.
We’ll see how much longer the two can put up with the inane questions. Hey, I know it happens. Sometimes you have to interview somebody when you know nothing about the person or the sport.
But some of the questions were just well off the mark. I was cringing but both Couture and Lesnar handled the situation well.
Thus the two-month promotion is underway. Couture is one of the most articulate fighters around while Lesnar is just a presence to behold. If Lesnar wants, he can even play the bad guy so to speak. He can bring that WWE personality into the show if he wants. Couture is going to be all business.
Hey hey, boxing is back this weekend. After taking nearly a month off because of the Olympics and prob the dog days of summer, HBO is back. This weekend’s featured bout is Juan Diaz against Michael Katsidis.
Here’s what is great about this. Here are two great, exciting, young fighters. Both are coming off a loss in near classic fights. Katisidis nearly knocked out Joel Casamayor and even sent him through the ropes. Diaz just happened to get Nate Campbell on Campbell’s best day as a professional.
Where this was so commonplace in yesteryear, it’s refreshing to see today. So many times, fighters are afraid to take that risk of taking another tough fight. Especially after a loss. The attitudes of both Diaz and Katsidis hopefully will start becoming the norm.
Boneman’s official prediction: Juan Diaz UD Katsidis. We know Diaz doesn’t have the one-punch power, but he’ll wear him down with his constant volume of punching. And of course, Katsidis won’t back up, and it’ll make for a great way to start the fall boxing season.
The Natural is back…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
We are one step closer to finding out who the real MMA heavyweight champion is. Randy Couture is coming back to the UFC.
I wasn’t sure this day would ever come. Couture and UFC President Dana White’s relationship seemed so strained that I was skeptical about a reunion.
But for the betterment of the sport, the sides have reunited once again. All legal trouble is resolved by both parties. Couture has signed a three-fight deal that starts with his first fight Nov. 15.
So, who is he fighting? My boy, Brock Lesnar, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for the UFC heavyweight title.
Now I’m torn. Got nothing but love for Couture, but I’ve been on record saying how much I dig Lesnar.
Elite XC’s announcement of Shamrock-Slice all the sudden just went to the back page. How can you top Brock vs. Randy?
Well, there’s one way, of course. If you add Fedor to the mix, uh oh, now you’ve got some combustible elements.
Listening in on the official conference call, you could tell Lesnar didn’t care for half of the questions being asked about Fedor.
I understand both sides. Obviously, as a fighter, you just want concentrate on the next fight. But also like to look at the bigger picture.
And sad to say that no matter how great we think Couture-Lesnar is, the winner of that against Fedor is EVEN bigger.
When the fight gets closer, I’ll have a much more detailed take on everything. First glance says this is Brock’s time to shine.
Couture, the former stud at Oklahoma State, hasn’t fought in over a year. He’s 45 years old and giving up 60-70 pounds.
Then you have Lesnar, also a stud at Minnesota, who is just now reaching his physical peak, IMO. It could be as simple as aggression vs. experience, but who knows?
On a personal note, Nov. 15 is a bye week for OU, so the chances of me missing this fight are slim to none.
White was quick to pronounce this as “the biggest fight in UFC history.” And maybe it is. There have been so many legendary battles in the Octagon that it’s tough for me to say the same thing at this point.
I’m just throwing it out there, but is this the fight that officially takes MMA from a niche sport to the mainstream? How much can be gained from a great fight? On the flip side, how much could be loss from a disappointment?
This fight is going to do monster numbers. White talked about having something akin to HBO’s 24/7 series in building up the bout. I’m digging that. You can safely promote this fight because I know it will deliver.
This isn’t a sideshow attraction. This is a battle of one of the greatest fighters EVER in Couture and one up-and-coming beast in Lesnar.
Another personal note. Man, this has awakened me. I’ve been home in bed sick the last couple of days. I sprung up when hearing about this. Nothing like a good fight to get the body moving again.
I know it’s early, but who you got, Lesnar or Couture?
The Natural is back…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
We are one step closer to finding out who the real MMA heavyweight champion is. Randy Couture is coming back to the UFC.
I wasn’t sure this day would ever come. Couture and UFC President Dana White’s relationship seemed so strained that I was skeptical about a reunion.
But for the betterment of the sport, the sides have reunited once again. All legal trouble is resolved by both parties. Couture has signed a three-fight deal that starts with his first fight Nov. 15.
So, who is he fighting? My boy, Brock Lesnar, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for the UFC heavyweight title.
Now I’m torn. Got nothing but love for Couture, but I’ve been on record saying how much I dig Lesnar.
Elite XC’s announcement of Shamrock-Slice all the sudden just went to the back page. How can you top Brock vs. Randy?
Well, there’s one way, of course. If you add Fedor to the mix, uh oh, now you’ve got some combustible elements.
Listening in on the official conference call, you could tell Lesnar didn’t care for half of the questions being asked about Fedor.
I understand both sides. Obviously, as a fighter, you just want concentrate on the next fight. But also like to look at the bigger picture.
And sad to say that no matter how great we think Couture-Lesnar is, the winner of that against Fedor is EVEN bigger.
When the fight gets closer, I’ll have a much more detailed take on everything. First glance says this is Brock’s time to shine.
Couture, the former stud at Oklahoma State, hasn’t fought in over a year. He’s 45 years old and giving up 60-70 pounds.
Then you have Lesnar, also a stud at Minnesota, who is just now reaching his physical peak, IMO. It could be as simple as aggression vs. experience, but who knows?
On a personal note, Nov. 15 is a bye week for OU, so the chances of me missing this fight are slim to none.
White was quick to pronounce this as “the biggest fight in UFC history.” And maybe it is. There have been so many legendary battles in the Octagon that it’s tough for me to say the same thing at this point.
I’m just throwing it out there, but is this the fight that officially takes MMA from a niche sport to the mainstream? How much can be gained from a great fight? On the flip side, how much could be loss from a disappointment?
This fight is going to do monster numbers. White talked about having something akin to HBO’s 24/7 series in building up the bout. I’m digging that. You can safely promote this fight because I know it will deliver.
This isn’t a sideshow attraction. This is a battle of one of the greatest fighters EVER in Couture and one up-and-coming beast in Lesnar.
Another personal note. Man, this has awakened me. I’ve been home in bed sick the last couple of days. I sprung up when hearing about this. Nothing like a good fight to get the body moving again.
I know it’s early, but who you got, Lesnar or Couture?
