Photography Workshop with Aaron Chang

Aaron Chang will lead a specially designed workshop focused on action surf photography during October 2010 in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico. Click here for more information here…

If you didn't know… As senior photographer for Surfing magazine Aaron Chang has photographed some of the biggest names in the sport and traveled to more than 50 countries shooting cover stories for the magazine. Aaron has over 100 covers to his credit. In the commercial photography realm Aaron's photographic skills have landed him work with clients like Levi's, Macy's, Nike, Billabong, Yamaha, Polaris, ESPN and Sanuk. Chang also works with and supports the Surfrider Foundation and SurfAid International.


Photo: Waimea Bay, Hawaii by Aaron Chang

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/YYX53sOy794/photography-workshop-with-aaron-chang.html

Pehlwani Samb(martial art) Shuai Jiao Ssireum

UFC 120: Michael Bisping Beats Yoshihiro Akiyama

by Michael David SmithEngland's Michael Bisping gave the fans in London something to cheer about in the main event at UFC 120 on Saturday, coming back from a shaky start to win a unanimous decision after a hard-fought 15 minutes in the Octagon with Yoshihiro Akiyama.

"Right at the start of the first round he hit me with a shot here and I was seeing double," Bisping said afterward. "Akiyama is a great fighter but I truly believed in my training, my skills and my ability to win this fight."

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More Coverage: UFC 120 Results | Latest UFC News

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/16/ufc-120-michael-bisping-beats-yoshihiro-akiyama/

Musical Theatre Pointe Poms Salsa SloModern

Glenn Michelfelder Place Part

Glenn Michelfelder puts down an impressive part out of Germany.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/g6x39-k-spA/glenn-michelfelder-place-part.html

Off-road racing Pickup truck racing Production car racing Race of Champions Rally raid

UFC 121 weigh-in: Shields is finally in the big show

The resume is impressive and so is the 14-fight win streak but for Jake Shields there's always been something missing. He's respected by the hardcore fans and much of the MMA media and Shields is even on some top 10 pound-for-pound lists but he was never going to get a crack at the most highly regarded guys at 170 pounds like Georges St. Pierre, Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch fighting outside of the UFC. Tonight, he gets to take the first step in a tough fight against Martin Kampmann at UFC 121. He's fired up but also knows what's at stake.

"I feel a lot of pressure to go out there and give a great performance," Shields said. "When I first started, I figured I'd be here in a year, so it took a little longer than I thought. ... It's been a long, hard road for me. I'm new to the UFC, but I've been at it for 11 years. I need to show a lot of people who I am."

The 31-year-old is no rookie but you get the sense he feels like he just got called up to the bigs. 

"It feels great. It feels like where I belong," said Shields. "The differences are just way more media attention, way more hype, way more professionalism."

Strikeforce is a solid promotion but its matchmaking can be limited because of a smaller roster. Shields couldn't fight for the Strikeforce title at welterweight because his training partner Nick Diaz holds the belt and there's was nothing juicy waiting for him at middleweight after upsetting Dan Henderson. Plus Shields grew tired of sitting on the sidelines for long periods of time and then getting very little notice before a fight.  

"(The UFC) tell(s) you what you're doing and when you're doing it. They have staff. I don't mean that as a knock on Strikeforce. They're just not as organized. It's just nice to be in organization that's so together," said Shields.

Most of the Strikeforce current roster and management won't take those comments the wrong way. Put aside announcer Frank Shamrock, who openly expressed his dislike of Shields, the rest of the guys sounded like they want to see the Cesar Gracie do well. 

"I think most of the guys there are rooting for me, there's mostly good people. I'd say the majority of them are. There could be a few guys there rooting against me but I think overall they're mostly good people," Shields told Fanhouse's Ariel Helwani. "We had a few differences in the end and I bet most of them would like to see me succeed. It also makes Strikeforce look good."

UFC 121 weigh-in (Courtesy MMAjunkie):
Pay-Per-View
Brock Lesnar (264) v. Cain Velasquez (244)
Martin Kampmann (170) v. Jake Shields (170.5)
Diego Sanchez (170.5) v. Paulo Thiago (170.5)
Matt Hamill (203.5) v. Tito Ortiz (206)
Gabriel Gonzaga (254) v. Brendan Schaub (239)

Spike TV
Ryan Jensen (185) v. Court McGee (184.5)
Patrick Cote (185) v. Tom Lawlor (185)

Un-televised
Sam Stout (155.5) v. Paul Taylor (155)
Mike Guymon (170) v. Daniel Roberts (170)
Chris Camozzi (185) v. Dongi Yang (186)
Jon Madsen (254.5) v. Gilbert Yvel (249)

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-121-weigh-in-Shields-is-finally-in-the-big-?urn=mma-279312

Pocket billiards (pool) Eight-ball Blackball Nine-ball Straight pool (14.1 continuous)

Anzac Monday 2010

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/04/anzac-monday-2010.html

Uneven Bars Vault Majorette Juggling Parkour

Jake Shields grapples his way to a split decision at UFC 121

Jake Shields debut in the UFC was not flashy, but it got the job done as he won the split decision over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121. The judges saw the fight 28-29, 30-27, 29-28 for Shields in Anaheim on Saturday.

As expected, Shields took Kampmann down quickly to start the fight, and worked diligently there until the final minute of the round. Shields used leg kicks to keep Kampmann from closing the distance, and tried for another takedown as the round ended.

Shields continued to show his grappling game in the second round, controlling Kampmann on the ground. Kampmann was able to inflict some damage, twice hitting Shields in the face with knees while the two were clinched up. But when on the ground, Shields ruled the round, passing Kampmann's guard with ease. Shields slowed his pace in this round.

A gassed Shields had trouble getting Kampmann to the ground in the final round. When it finally happened, Shields continued to outgrapple Kampmann, but the pace of the fight was slow. Kampmann never really was able to take control of the fight away from Shields, and didn't unload in stand-up as he is able to do.

Though Shields, the Strikeforce middleweight champ who vacated his belt to sign with the UFC, had fought at welterweight in the past, his last fights for Strikeforce were at middleweight with last welterweight bout was in 2008 against Paul Daley. The cut down to welterweight appeared to be a bad one, because he had no problem fighting for five rounds in his April title defense with Dan Henderson.

Shields was supposed to be guaranteed a title shot with a win over Kampmann, but this bout raises two questions. One, was the win good enough to earn the title shot, and two, can Shields fight at 170 lbs.?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Jake-Shields-grapples-his-way-to-a-split-decisio?urn=mma-279371

SloModern Swing Tango Tap Equine Sports

Patriot or fight fan? Either way Robert Downey Jr. enjoyed Condit KO of Hardy

Robert Downey Jr. is one brave man. In a sea of a 17,000-plus British fight fans, it appeared he was lone spectator who enjoyed Carlos Condit's beatdown of Dan Hardy. Earlier in the show at UFC 120, RDJ was seen on the telecast sitting with his acting buddies Guy Ritchie and Jude Law, both Brits. MMACagedoor.com got this great photo of Downey Jr. celebrating the beginning of the end for Hardy. The brash Brit ate a nasty left hook from the American and fell to his back where he took two more shots in the kisser before referee Dan Miragliotta saved him.

RDJ's reaction is also caught on Dana White's UFC 120 fight night vlog (4:25 mark).

It's also worth noting White had WBA heavyweight champ David Haye as a guest sitting next to him alongside the Octagon. It's good to see White has become acquainted with Haye. Back in July, White told Ryen Russillo on ESPNRadio that he wasn't familiar with Haye (audio - 4:28 mark). He made a smart move befriending the young Brit. Haye's a big star in the U.K. and one of the few boxers who gives MMA its respect.

Screenshots courtesy of MMAcagedoor

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Patriot-or-fight-fan-Either-way-Robert-Downey-J?urn=mma-278113

MMA Adi Murai Baguazhang Bando Bartitsu

Gear 4 A Year

The guys at Shred Or Die are doing Gear 4 A Year again and are really looking for more East Coast submissions, so all you east coasters should get on it. Also they are giving away one of those GoPro mini HD cameras every day for the next two weeks to the most interesting video uploaded each day, so even if you aren't gnarly you can get some goods.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/kyCac_Px53c/gear-4-year.html

A Bracciuta A Brazzos Aba Guresi Aikido Aiki-jūjutsu

Sunny Sunday Morning

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/10/sunny-sunday-morning.html

Football Aimtskachara Association football Five-a-side football Beach soccer

First bouldering at Stanage Plantation, Derbyshire, UK

Location: Stanage Plantation
Date: Sunday 27 July
Sunday shone this weekend. A planned trip to the gym was quickly canned and instead we made a trip out to a new bouldering spot. After a recommendation that Stanage plantation had some good climbing (thanks Jonny!) we checked my bouldering guide book and set out.
If you’re reading this wondering [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rock-climbing-blog/~3/PAQVWyt9-Yc/philsheard

Competitive Ensemble Dancesport Flag Twirling Flamenco

UFC 121 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

by Michael David SmithWhen the action in the Octagon at UFC 121 has ended, the action will move to the press room for the UFC 121 post-fight press conference, and we'll have the live video right here at MMAFighting.com.

Among those who will address the press are UFC President Dana White, main event fighters Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez, and select fighters from the undercard, likely including Jake Shields, Martin Kampmann and Tito Ortiz.

The press conference will start about 20 minutes after the main event ends, likely around 1:15 AM ET, and the video is below.

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/24/ufc-121-post-fight-press-conference-video/

Stool ball – twstools T-Ball Town ball – variable K-Ball Vigor– twwickets

Kongo is the latest fighter to claim rampant steroid use in MMA

There's a lot of impressive physiques in mixed martial arts, none more so than Cheick Kongo. Kongo says he doesn't use performance enhancing drugs and never will. He can't say the same about his compadres. Kongo is part of a growing group of fighters going public with claims that the sport has an issue with steroid use. 

"50 percent [of MMA fighters take steroids], if not more.... What can I say, other than we need to stay away from all of that. It's not easy to put things into perspective, especially if you believe that you have a disadvantage from the get go," Kongo told Riddum.com.

The Frenchman is absolutely shredded, so there be no purpose for him to use steroids, right? That's not entirely true. He's a 230-pound heavyweight in a world of 265 pounders. Kongo says there's a ton of pressure to keep up with the Joneses in all weight classes.

"For some athletes, it's hard to hold up physically and mentally- the pressure, the obligation to stay on top - everything pushes you to take steroids," said Kongo.

Kongo (15-6-2, 8-4-1 UFC) fought to a draw this weekend at UFC 120 against the 6-foot-7, 251-pound Travis Browne. He was clearly at a power disadvantage but he won't change his mind about turning to drugs for help.

"For me, PEDs aren't the solution," said Kongo. "Taking PEDs jeopardizes your health and it's cheating. I am a fighter; I owe my victories to my hard work, my training, the fact that I push myself beyond the limit, the sacrifices I make to a life almost entirely dedicated to sports. Nothing else. Stay away from the needles. You can succeed without them."

Kongo joins Dennis Hallman, who told Inside MMA on HDNet that he also thought 50 percent of the game was using. After his fight at UFC 117, Hallman apologized for making the statement. His post-comment behavior was similar to Josh Koscheck, who at the start of taping for Season 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter" suggested that he and GSP should be blood tested like Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley were before their fight. Kos quickly rescinded his request and apologized for thinly-veiled claims that St. Pierre was using.

For fans of the major sports, this sounds eerily similar to the 2005 claims made by Jose Canseco that 85 percent of baseball was using. In MMA, is this a case of "Where there's smoke there's fire?" or are Hallman, Koscheck, B.J. Penn and Kongo full of it?

Hopefully, this is all a minor story soon when cheaper ways of blood testing come along. Then extensive testing should be made mandatory for all major cards in the U.S. Until then, the sport has a pretty good-sized image issue to deal with unless it can get its own athletes to stop speaking their mind. 

Tip via MMAMania

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Kongo-is-the-latest-fighter-to-claim-rampant-ste?urn=mma-278014

Rundown (aka Pickle) Yukigassen Climbing Canyoning Rock Climbing

UFC 121 on tap: Iole makes his picks

The prefight hype job is done. The fellas weighed-in earlier today. The time is almost here to see the next in Brock Lesnar's evolution as an MMA fighter. At the weigh-in, he looked leaner. Imagine a faster Lesnar, who may be more comfortable on his feet. That's a scary proposition.

When he first hit the big stage with the UFC, Cain Velasquez was touted as the future of the division. His chance to take out the massive UFC heavyweight champ has arrived. Yahoo! Sports' lead MMA writer Kevin Iole was one of the first media members to jump on the Cain train. Is he still as confident in Velasquez as he gets ready to step in with the monster? Iole gives his analysis of the main event, the lead-in fights and lists a couple of upset possibilities from the undercard in Anaheim.

Yahoo's coverage of UFC 121 officially begins at 8 p.m. ET with special preview show that includes host Dave Farra speaking with Yahoo! writers Iole, Dave Meltzer and Dave Doyle plus fighters Vitor Belfort and Urijah Faber. Famed 90's rap star MC Hammer will be on the show as well with Skyscrape from TapouT. Watch here.   

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-121-on-tap-Iole-makes-his-picks?urn=mma-279310

Seven-ball Ten-ball Rotation Baseball pocket billiards Cribbage (pool)

Sequences

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-post.html

Fishing Angling Big-game fishing Casting Noodling

UFC 121 Live Blog: Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann Updates

Filed under: UFC

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- This is the UFC 121 live blog for Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann, a welterweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Honda Center.

Shields (25-4-1), coming off a victory over Dan Henderson on CBS in April, makes his UFC debut against Kampmann (17-3) for a potential title shot. Kampmann won both his fights earlier this year against Jacob Volkmann and Paulo Thiago.

The live blog is below.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/23/ufc-121-live-blog-jake-shields-vs-martin-kampmann-updates/

Wireball Wiffleball Baton twirling Board sports Skateboarding

Sunday 2 May 2010

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunday-2-may-2010.html

Curby Dodgeball Ga-ga Keep Away Prisoner Ball

UFC 121 Live Blog: Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill Updates

Filed under: UFC

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- This is the UFC 121 live blog for Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill, a a light heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Honda Center.

There will be no "bad blood" in this Tito Ortiz (15-7-1) fight. Ortiz, who coached season three of The Ultimate Fighter, will face off against his former student on the show. Hamill (10-2) has won his last four fights.

The live blog is below.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/23/ufc-121-live-blog-tito-ortiz-vs-matt-hamill-updates/

Pencak Silat Sanshou Shidokan Shoot boxing Shootfighting

UFC 120 Michael Bisping Fight Day Blog - Michael Bisping

Fight day @ Ufc 120 (Behind the scenes with Michael Bisping)

Source: http://mmalice.com/michael-bisping/ufc-120-michael-bisping-fight-day-blog-video_be285d930.html

Dirt jumping Slopestyle Racing Bicycle unicycling Skibob

Cowherd says UFC 121 viewer numbers will crush MLB playoffs

Memories of MMA in 2004 seem like 20 years ago. Those were the days when the sport couldn't sniff coverage from any mainstream media outlet. UFC 50 drew just over 6,000 paid customers in Atlantic City and the pay-per-view only had 40,000 buys. Now we're debating whether UFC 121 will "disappoint" at only 800,000 buys or if Brock Lesnar haul in another audience of one million-plus? Television exposure and more coverage from big outlets has grown sport exponentially. We saw some great examples today. In the middle football season and the Major League Baseball playoffs, UFC was all over ESPN on the television side and ESPNRadio spent some quality time talking MMA when Tito Ortiz appeared on Colin Cowherd's nationally syndicated show.

Cowherd lambasted the old guard media for not recognizing how huge MMA is with 18-30 year olds.

"American newspapers are dying for 18-30 year old readers," said Cowherd. "Do you realize that Brock Lesnar and Tito Ortiz on pay-per-view will have more 19-year-old viewers than the American League Championship series on free TV?"

Cowherd introduced the conversation with Ortiz by saying that he recently sat down with four 20-something males from Boston and asked them what their favorite sports were. The 46-year-old said he was surprised when none of the guys mentioned the Red Sox at the top of the list. They listed NFL first and MMA second.  

SportsCenter was hot and heavy for UFC 121. Brock Lesnar appeared last night and Sports Nation this afternoon. Even Cain Velasquez got a push on SportsCenter this morning.

Thanks to ESPNRadio1100 Las Vegas for Cowherd/Ortiz audio

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Cowherd-says-UFC-121-viewer-numbers-will-crush-M?urn=mma-278627

Parachuting Banzai skydiving BASE jumping Skysurfing Wingsuit flying

What you need to know from this week on 'The Ultimate Fighter'

On this week's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter," we have one episode, but two fights. What does that mean? You'll have to read on to find out.

Good problem to have of the week: With their first win, Team Koscheck is stressed about how to pick the next fight. They see it as a bad but good situation.

Under your skin of the week: Team GSP is very upset by the way Team Koscheck has celebrated their win. Koscheck and the coaches stopped by and picked on Michael Johnson, who was clearly ticked off by it. Somehow, these fighters don't get that getting mad about it is exactly what Koscheck wants. 

Voice of reason of the week: Georges St. Pierre sat his team down and told them not to let Team Koscheck's antics get under their skin. That makes sense ... so clearly, that advice won't be followed.

Trash talk guessing game No. 1 -- Who said:

I just go out there and kick and punch and knee. 

I'm not like these other guys that he's fought.

I want him to feel pain. 

First fight of the week: Cody McKenzie (Team GSP) vs. Marc Stevens (Team Koscheck)

Round 1: Stevens shoots in for a quick takedown and McKenzie sinks in his trademark guillotine. Stevens is put to sleep, and Koscheck is clearly disgusted. 

After the fight, the Stevens locker room is dead silent. Koscheck had no explanation to offer his fighters, and they had to head in to the gym for the next fight announcement. Team GSP had control, and they put up their fighter Jonathan Brookins against Sevak Magakian. GSP calls Brookins his secret weapon. In case you're unfamiliar with Brookins' work -- which maybe GSP was -- he is one of the many fighters that Jose Aldo destroyed on the way to the WEC championship.

Stupid prank of the week: "Ahhh, Josh, where you put my sandals?" Koscheck hid GSP's sandals, which is the one of the weakest pranks in the history of "The Ultimate Fighter."

Trash talk guessing game No. 2 -- Who said:

I want to go up, like flowers to the sun.

This is like, win or die, man.

Second fight of the week: Jonathan Brookins (Team GSP) vs. Sevak Magakian (Team Koscheck)

Round 1: Brookins earned the first cheer of the fight when he supplexed Magakian down to the ground. Though Magakian stood up quickly, Brookins stayed on his back. After some maneuvering, he sunk in a standing rear naked choke and put Magakian to sleep.

Body count of the week: Two fights, two fighters put to sleep. Team GSP took both fights this week, leaving one last fight for Team Koscheck to try to dig out of the hole next week.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/What-you-need-to-know-from-this-week-on-The-Ult?urn=mma-278690

Off-road racing Pickup truck racing Production car racing Race of Champions Rally raid

Join us Saturday for the Yahoo! Sports Live preview show

What do Urijah Faber and M.C. Hammer have in common, besides both being awesome natives of the Golden State? They both will be guests on the Yahoo! Sports live preview show of UFC 121, airing this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Hosted by Dave Farra, the show will have appearances from Faber, Hammer, Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, Dave Meltzer and Dave Doyle, UFC middleweight contender Vitor Belfort, WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson, Tapout's Skyskrape and WEC general manager Reed Harris.

Be there, or Hammer won't believe you're "2 Legit 2 Quit." Who wants to live your life that way? 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Join-us-Saturday-for-the-Yahoo-Sports-Live-prev?urn=mma-278705

Kajukenbo Kalarippayattu Krav Maga Kuk Sool Won MCMAP

Fabricio Werdum "My life changed since defeating Fedor" and predicts Lesnar vs Velasquez - Fabricio Werdum

MMACanada.net caught up with Fabricio Werdum in Abu Dhabi at the ADFC fighting championship, the man who submitted and gave Fedor Emelianenko his first loss in years. Werdum talks strategy and gameplan which gave him his life changing win over Emlianenko, his thoughts on avenging his previous losses and his predictions on Cain vs Brock for the UFC heavyweight title

Source: http://mmalice.com/fabricio-werdum/fabricio-werdum-my-life-changed-since-de-ing-fedor-and-predicts-lesnar-vs-velasquez-video_0308bae51.html

Ten-pin bowling Catch games Curby Dodgeball Ga-ga

UFC 121 Weigh-In Highlight Video

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, Videos

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Check out the UFC 121 weigh-in highlight video below. Full results here.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/22/ufc-121-highlight-weigh-in-video/

Harness racing Horse racing Hunter Reining Rodeo

Dana White Pre UFC 121 - UFC 121

Showdown Joe Ferraro talks with UFC President Dana White.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/dana-white-pre-ufc-121-video_15acf89ac.html

Baguazhang Bando Bartitsu Bujinkan Hapkido

Surf Artist - Kathryn Colvig

Introducing oil painter Kathryn Colvig based in Nosara, Costa Rica, a place she says has had a "profound" effect on her work, painting "the surf, big waves, and the power of the ocean". Check it out…

www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/kathryn-colvig.php



http://kathryn-colvig.artistwebsites.com

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/KmzAyC9zJg4/surf-artist-kathryn-colvig.html

Varzesh-e Pahlavani Wrestling Ya?l? Güre? Skirmish Airsoft

The view from below - Big Hill Beach - January 2010

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/01/view-from-below-big-hill-beach-january.html

Artistic cycling BMX racing Bobrun cycling Freestyle BMX Cyclo-cross

Ben Askren Beats Lyman Good for Bellator Welterweight Title

by Michael David SmithBen Askren put his Olympic wrestling skills on display Thursday night at Bellator 33, controlling Lyman Good on the ground for the better part of five rounds to win a unanimous decision and take the Bellator welterweight title. It was an entertaining fight, with Askren controlling most of the way but Good nearly pulling out an Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen style finish from his back in the closing moments.

"It feels great," Askren said afterward. "Bellator builds warriors, and even those who hate me have to admit, I'm a freakin' warrior."

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/21/ben-askren-beats-lyman-good-for-bellator-welterweight-title/

Field archery Flight archery Gungdo Kyūdō Popinjay

Tito says he's healthy again, should we believe him?

Who's buying stock in the revitalized, healthy Tito Ortiz? It doesn't look like the UFC is just yet. Sure, he's on the card this week in Anaheim but he's not being heavily promoted. But can you blame the promotion for being cautious?

The UFC can't afford to promote another main event where Ortiz gasses and then claims he wasn't healthy for the fight.

Ortiz is saying all the same things he said before that less than pleasing battle against Forrest Griffin. From Sergio Non of USA Today:

[Ortiz said:] "I feel great, man. I haven't felt like this in a long time. It's been a good six, seven years since I felt the way I do now. The last time I felt like this was when I had my world title. [...]

"What I'm able to do now is wrestle every single day. We wrestle five days a week. [...] You're going to see at the weigh-ins how good of a shape I'm in. My weight's about 220 right now. Usually it's about 215, 212, so I'm able to really stay in great shape, and do the wrestling, and do the squats and lunges, and stuff that I couldn't do before because of my lower back. [...] Able to put weight on my shoulders and to press and to push and to push my weight forward."

Sergio Non wisely said, but we've heard this before. Why should we believe Tito this time?

[Said Ortiz:] "I told myself I would never take a fight like I did last year ever again. I promised myself I'd never do that, because I never want to give a guy an opportunity to beat me again."

Sold yet? This sounds too similar to the prefight banter before the Griffin match. He lost that one and then said he fought with major injuries and even had a scary incident of temporary paralysis during the training camp.

"I've got to kind of take care of my family. I didn't fight for 18 months, so bills had to be paid, so I had to fight," said Ortiz. "I got through a physical for the UFC and I fought with a fractured orbital bone and a ruptured disc in my neck. I took the fight anyways. I probably shouldn't have been doing it. I'm a great actor, thank God."

There's a lot on the line in this fight. The UFC is paying Ortiz pretty big money. How does it promote a former light heavyweight champ if he's not even competitive against a guy outside the top 10 in the weight class? Ortiz isn't worried and even talked about having five years left in his career. 

"Over the last two years, just the challenges I've gone through, people would fold. Guys would quit. Guys would say, 'I'm done. That's it. I'm out." I'm not that type of person. I want to make sure these next five years I get the most out of it."

Let's hope he's healthy and most of the way back to his form of his 20s. A legitimately promotable Ortiz is good for the sport.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Tito-says-he-s-healthy-again-should-we-believe-?urn=mma-277984

The Massachusetts Game – four bases Méta and longa méta (long méta) – Hungarian game Oina – One (Two, Three, or Four) Old Cat – variable Over-the-line – qv

With problems at home, Tito has a lot on his prefight plate

Fighting through injuries at age 35 with declining skills, is a massive hurdle Tito Ortiz must clear in order to get his career back on track this weekend at UFC 121. Imagine doing that while dealing with drama on the homefront. Back in April, Ortiz had a dust up with his wife Jenna Jameson. After a week of embarrassment that played out very publicly, the couple reported that everything was okay and they had reconciled. Apparently something was still simmering, then there was death in the family and instantly Ortiz had more drama deal with in the final weeks of his training camp.

Ortiz was asked by USA Today to clarify his remarks.

"Me and Jenna had a loss in our family. Larry Massoli, her father, passed away two-and-a-half weeks ago. I'm a very emotional guy, man. I'm up here in Big Bear alone. There were a lot of things said, and I think I let my emotions hang out a little too much, and I probably shouldn't do that, but we were just going through a lot," said Ortiz. "Me and Jenna were going through a lot. I think the hard times of losing her father just got the best of me. It was just really, really hard."

"I say some things out of hostility and hard emotions. I think it was a little more than that. He was someone that we loved very much. Some things were said between us and I didn't believe it, and I had to be shown the proof."

But it was a lot more than just talking things out. Ortiz also had to leave training camp several times and travel the 100-plus miles back to Southern California.

"The last three weekends, we've been putting together -- actually, Jenna's put together the funeral for her father. Her father passed away one weekend. I went to see her. I went down -- she said, "No, no, stay up there" -- I came down the mountain, which I'm not really normally known to leave the mountain. I went down there for a day, and it was hard. Really, really hard to see the pain she was in," said Ortiz.

"Came back up here. The next week was the funeral. I went back down there again to help. That was when we had our little confrontation, and it was nothing more than a little miscommunication on my part."

That's a lot to deal with but Ortiz says everything is okay now with Jameson.

"Things are back to normal now. We had to come to terms, and we came to terms. Things are great now," said Ortiz.

"I'm excited to see her, because I hadn't really seen her in the last week. I'm only able to see her one day a week. It's hard on me. It's hard on my emotions. I love the woman so much, and I love my kids so much, and to be away from them for this long a time is really hard on both of us. [...] Things are 100%, man. Things are good. Things like this, challenges, every relationship, it just makes it stronger."

This doesn't look good for Ortiz. He's battling, a younger clone of himself. All the pressure is on the former champ and he hasn't had much peace leading up to the fight. It'll be shocking if Ortiz can compartmentalize all of this, pull it together and use the Octagon as his santuary.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/With-problems-at-home-Tito-has-a-lot-on-his-pre?urn=mma-278614

Cushion caroms Four-ball (yotsudama) Artistic billiards Novuss Pocket billiards (pool)

Simo Makela

MPORA Action Sports >>

Simo Makela is good at skateboarding. His latest part promoting an interview in Kingpin shows his skills quite well. Found at Mpora among other skateboarding videos.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/3Vp08Kh-vFU/simo-makela.html

Skittles Ten-pin bowling Catch games Curby Dodgeball

First time climbing at Froggatt Edge

I’ve only just got chance to post about last week’s trip to Froggatt Edge. Friends tell me that a crisp spring morning is better for climbing grit but if you ask me sunshine is the way forward. I headed to Froggatt Edge (just south of Sheffield) with a few friends for my first ascents on [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rock-climbing-blog/~3/hOSsO_V8trg/philsheard

Freestyle Fricket Friskee Goaltimate Guts

Tilt Shift

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/02/tilt-shift.html

Knattleikr Lelburti Marn Grook Rugby football Rugby league

Surf Artist - Kathryn Colvig

Introducing oil painter Kathryn Colvig based in Nosara, Costa Rica, a place she says has had a "profound" effect on her work, painting "the surf, big waves, and the power of the ocean". Check it out…

www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/kathryn-colvig.php



http://kathryn-colvig.artistwebsites.com

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/KmzAyC9zJg4/surf-artist-kathryn-colvig.html

Fishing Angling Big-game fishing Casting Noodling

MMA Marketplace: Strikeforce with new logo, gear

If you watched Strikeforce: Noons vs. Diaz 2, then you may have noticed that Strikeforce has a new logo. Gone are the blood spatters; they have been replaced with a sleeker, easier to read and recognize logo.

They've also debuted new gear.

What the store lacks in choices, it makes up for in good design. No skulls, no crosses, no gargoyles chewing on the heads of angels. Buy the women's hoodie for $55 and the men's T-shirt for $25. Browse through the entire store here.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/MMA-Marketplace-Strikeforce-with-new-logo-gear?urn=mma-276525

Color Guard Competitive Ensemble Dancesport Flag Twirling

Tyler Franz Then and Now

Tyler Franz rips in old and new footage. Via: Everyman.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/o_NXuPDRgqY/tyler-franz-then-and-now.html

Casting Noodling Spearfishing Sport fishing Surf fishing

MMA Marketplace: Strikeforce with new logo, gear

If you watched Strikeforce: Noons vs. Diaz 2, then you may have noticed that Strikeforce has a new logo. Gone are the blood spatters; they have been replaced with a sleeker, easier to read and recognize logo.

They've also debuted new gear.

What the store lacks in choices, it makes up for in good design. No skulls, no crosses, no gargoyles chewing on the heads of angels. Buy the women's hoodie for $55 and the men's T-shirt for $25. Browse through the entire store here.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/MMA-Marketplace-Strikeforce-with-new-logo-gear?urn=mma-276525

Autracing Aquakart Autocross Autograss Banger racing

Talking retirement, Couture walks fine line with EA MMA game

Over the last few years, Randy Couture's relationship with the UFC has been a wild ride, to say the least. From late 2007 into 2008, he sat idle for 15 months as he battled with Dana White and the UFC over a new contract. Couture returned and has been part of some major fights to help MMA explode into the mainstream. But there are still some remnants lingering from the squabble. This week probably opened some old wounds as EA Sports released its MMA game featuring Couture alongside Fedor Emelianenko on the cover. The 15-month holdout allowed Couture to sign on as part of EA's efforts to produce a rival product to the UFC's game with THQ.

On Tuesday, Couture joined Fedor and several fighters from the Strikeforce roster in Los Angeles to promote the release. 

"It’s been delicate for sure," Couture [told the L.A. Times]. "I try and be as considerate as I can be of the position that I’m in and the position the UFC’s in. They have their own game. We managed to work around it. We try and be sensitive and not be too in-their-face about our position and where we’re at with this game."

The L.A. collaboration between the former UFC champ and Fedor must have fight fans thinking of what could've been. Couture, 47, doesn't have much time left and is now openly talking about retirement. He could walk away from the sport without ever having gotten a shot at Fedor in a much-coveted superfight.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Couture told John Jay O'Regan from Fighter's Only Magazine. Couture said he'll be part of "The Expendables" sequel. That begins shooting in March.

"I don't know what's going to happen on the fight front," said Couture. "I've had my wars. I can still fight but I'm not sure I want to make another run at the title. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy the fighting but it's probably time to move on."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Talking-retirement-Couture-walks-fine-line-with?urn=mma-278849

Cycling Bicycle Artistic cycling BMX racing Bobrun cycling

Fedor Emelianenko on EA MMA, Rock Band and Fighting Overeem - Fedor

MMA H.E.A.T.'s Karyn Bryant spends some time with superstar MMA fighter Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko moments after his KO win over Randy "The Natural" Couture at the EA Sports MMA launch event. The two talk about Fedor's mystique, his fans' ability to embody the Russian bad-ass in EA MMA and what games he likes to play in his down time. He also talks about the possibility of fighting the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champ, Alistair Overeem.

Source: http://mmalice.com/fedor/fedor-emelianenko-on-ea-mma-rock-band-and-fighting-overeem-video_ba96e509b.html

Ki-o-rahi Knattleikr Lelburti Marn Grook Rugby football

Cain Velasquez On UFC121 Bout with Brock Lesnar - UFC 121

Cain Velasquez spoke to the media about his UFC 121 title bout with Brock Lesnar...

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/cain-velasquez-on-ufc121-bout-with-brock-lesnar-video_463dd59c1.html

Water basketball Bat-and-ball Baseball - four bases Bat-and-Trap British baseball - four posts

John Dickenson Part

Everything about this John Dickenson part just screams Australia. I mean that in a good way.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/8cbCbZhUt48/john-dickenson-part.html

Wrestling Ya?l? Güre? Skirmish Airsoft Laser tag

From Diaz to Bisping: Lots of free(ish) MMA on TV this week

There's plenty of televised MMA to satisfy your craving for fighting this week. If you have basic cable (and maybe a Showtime subscription), you can see live MMA as well as replays of your favorite fights.

Tuesday: Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2 will be replayed on Showtime 2 at 10 p.m. ET. Catch the fights again and see if you agree with the judges on Thomson vs. Cavalcante. 

Wednesday: Spike starts UFC programming at 7 p.m. ET, with three "UFC Unleasheds", starting with a Royce Gracie special, then two of Lyoto Machida's best fights, followed by Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. After that, you can watch the latest "The Ultimate Fighter" and "UFC Primetime," to get you more hyped for Lesnar vs. Velasquez. 

Thursday: Bellator will give out two belts on Thursday night, for the heavyweight and bantamweight championships. Check your local Fox Sports channel to find out when you'll get to see Cole Konrad vs. Neil Grove and Zach Makovsky vs. Ed West. At 12:30 p.m. ET, check in with Jon Anik and the crew at "MMA Live" on ESPN2. You can also catch a re-airing of Mike Brown and Urijah Faber's epic second fight on Versus. 

Friday: Though you won't have live fights to watch, you can watch HDNet's "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," featuring an interview of Bas Rutten, and "Inside MMA" where Urijah Faber and Scott Smith will sit in as guests.

Saturday: You can spend the whole day watching MMA on Spike, starting with "Primetime" at 1:30 p.m. ET, then followed up with a marathon of "UFC:Unleashed." This will take you right up to UFC 120 at 8 p.m. ET, with Michael Bisping vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama headlining the event, live in London. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/From-Diaz-to-Bisping-Lots-of-free-ish-MMA-on-T?urn=mma-276339

Pehlwani Samb(martial art) Shuai Jiao Ssireum Sumo

Michael Bisping UFC 120 Live Chat

by Michael David SmithMichael Bisping will step into the Octagon with Yoshihiro Akiyama on Saturday in the main event at UFC 120. Before he does, he'll take some time out of his schedule to chat with UFC fans on Wednesday right here at MMAFighting.com.

The chat is your opportunity to ask Bisping whatever you'd like to know about what he's done so far in his MMA career, his thoughts on Saturday's fight, what he'd like to do next, or anything else.

The chat starts below at noon ET.

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Chat Wraps: John Hathaway | Dan Hardy

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/13/michael-bisping-ufc-120-live-chat/

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Jones-Bader fight is now in limbo?

For two guys who are trying to take the next step into the top five of the UFC's light heavyweight division, Ryan Bader and Jon Jones are sure presenting a lot of roadblocks in making the fight. When it first came out that Jones, the promotion's hottest prospect, was going to match up against another prospect in Bader, "Bones" expressed his disappointment in the fight. He didn't want to face another one-dimensional wrestler. You also got the feeling Jones wants to get in there with a bigger name. 

Jones, who hasn't fought since the very beginning of August, wanted to do it on Jan. 1. Then Bader pushed for Super Bowl Saturday in February. Now Dana White indicates that the fight isn't made and may not happen at all. From MMAWeekly.com:

"I don't know if Jones is going to fight Bader," White said. "We tried to put that fight together, but Bader has some stuff going on. Jon Jones might be fighting somebody else, I don't know how that's going to go."

Apparently, Bader now has an issue because of his upcoming wedding. This coming from MMAWeekly.com:

Bader had discussed timing of his next fight when appearing on MMAWeekly Radio following his win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 119, and stated that he was getting married at the end of October and planned on taking a 2-week honeymoon following the ceremony.

A two-week vacation would have Bader returning home, at the latest, three weeks into November. Super Bowl Saturday is 11 weeks after that. Bader doesn't have enough time to prep for the fight? You can't kill the guy for wanting to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with his new wife, but it sounds like he may be blowing a golden opportunity and that the promotion isn't going to keep Jones waiting around.  

"Jon Jones is an incredibly talented guy. He's very young, he's got some fights ahead of him, plus that's an incredibly stacked division," White commented. "He's going to have to go through a couple of guys before he gets a title shot, but at the rate Jon Jones is going he could be fighting for the title next year."

This all would've been nice to know before the UFC booked Forrest Griffin to face Rich Franklin on that Super Saturday card. So who should Jones face if it's not Bader? 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Jones-Bader-fight-is-now-in-limbo-?urn=mma-277331

Taekkyeon Taekwondo Taido Wing Chun Wing Tsun

Last Week

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2010/05/last-week.html

Obstacle variations Bagatelle Bar billiards Bumper pool Dance

John Dickenson Part

Everything about this John Dickenson part just screams Australia. I mean that in a good way.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/8cbCbZhUt48/john-dickenson-part.html

Skibob Skibobbing Mountain unicycling Unicycle trials Combat sports

Herman Jimenez Clip Mission

Photographer Herman Jimenez has a photo show called Clip City opening tonight at the Irene Carlson Gallery in La Verne, CA.

Source: http://theskateboardmag.com/blogs/templeton-elliott/2010/10/21/herman-jimenez-clip-mission/

Gymnastics Artistic gymnastics Balance Beam Floor High Bar

Lesnar new and improved on many levels

Brock Lesnar is finally feeling comfortable as a mixed martial artist. That's right, the UFC heavyweight champ who's rolled to 5-1 record with zero experience in the cage before 2007, is finding his groove. He's a calmer fighter now who's not afraid to admit his weaknesses and ask for help.

After watching Lesnar take a first round beating from Shane Carwin, it was clear that Lesnar has big holes in his striking game. He got the win at UFC 116 and learne some important lessons.

"I think it’s just a confidence thing,” Lesnar told the Boston Herald. "You bang around in the gym and you’ve got 18, 20 ounce gloves on and you can take a punch in the gym, but up until the Carwin fight . . . there was always some question mark in my mind, I guess."

The former NCAA wrestling champ just isn't completely comfortable with his standup yet. Facing a cardio machine with good striking skills in Cain Velasquez this Saturday, Lesnar knew he had some work to do. He brought fellow UFC heavyweight Pat Barry to his camp in Minnesota and also worked with boxing training Peter Welch again.

"I never learned just the basics in boxing," Lesnar told the Boston Herald. "I wanted to go get a grassroots boxing coach to get my feet underneath me, to try to combine my wrestling positions and mold into a boxing stance, and just lower myself and learn to punch from my feet to my hands. And so he’s been a huge help - just being able to understand the fundamentals of punching."

It's going to come slowly. Even the best athletes in the world can't learn everything in just a few years. Heck, even the top MMA fighters are closing holes and adding to their games each day.

The Lesnar camp is wise to concentrate on certain areas in each matchup. For Frank Mir, it was more drilling on submission defense and ground positioning. Against Carwin, Lesnar worked on his conditioning and a specific submission. For Velasquez, it's boxing defense and being leaner. Lesnar is carrying a little less mass across his shoulders now.

Update: One of Lesnar's pro wrestling buddies, announcer Jim Ross has heard that the champ is already at 265 pounds. Keep in mind, Lesnar also called himself a 270-pound fighter during Countdown to UFC 121.

"... I see this as good for Lesnar fans because already being at the required fighting weight will prevent Brock from having to tweak his diet or training regime prior to the fight in Anaheim. Even though Lesnar will fight lighter than he originally fought in UFC, the former WWE Champion, NCAA All American and National Champion is still beastly strong which could be an key factor in his next encounter in the Octagon. Point is that Lesnar has lost no strength with his lesser weight plus Brock's cardio, one would assume, will be enhanced by not having to carry so much mass in what is expected to be an extremely competitive fight. If Velásquez's camp thinks that Lesnar is going to 'gas' after a round or two then they need to re-evaluate their strategy because that isn't happening. Brock only took two weeks off after defeating then undefeated Shane Carwin and went right back to serious training mode for the Velásquez fight."

It's that kind of flexibility and drive to get better that could make Lesnar tough to beat down the road. Someone better get him soon.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Lesnar-new-and-improved-on-many-levels?urn=mma-277950

Adi Murai Baguazhang Bando Bartitsu Bujinkan

First time climbing at Froggatt Edge

I’ve only just got chance to post about last week’s trip to Froggatt Edge. Friends tell me that a crisp spring morning is better for climbing grit but if you ask me sunshine is the way forward. I headed to Froggatt Edge (just south of Sheffield) with a few friends for my first ascents on [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rock-climbing-blog/~3/hOSsO_V8trg/philsheard

Choi Kwang-Do Boxing Bokator Capoeira Fujian White Crane

Jesse Bongfeldt to Make UFC Debut Against Rafael Natal at UFC 124

Filed under: UFC, News

Jesse Bongfeldt will make his UFC debut as a replacement for fellow countryman Jason MacDonald in a fight against Rafael Natal at UFC 124 on Dec. 11 in Montreal, according to Natal's management.

MacDonald, who suffered a freak broken leg injury just seven months ago at UFC 113, decided to take more time to recover before making his return.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/20/jesse-bongfeldt-to-make-ufc-debut-against-rafael-natal-at-ufc-12/

Carom billiards Three-cushion Five-pins Balkline and straight rail Cushion caroms

Spike Says Prime Time Is the Best Time to Air UFC

by Michael David SmithThere was quite a bit of hand-wringing among MMA fans this weekend over Spike TV showing UFC 120 on tape delay from London, leading to some fans finding out the results of the fights before they aired in the United States. But Spike TV says that the hand-wringing has been limited to a relatively small number of fans, and that the majority of viewers prefer to watch the fights in prime time.

"We actually don't get many viewer calls," said David Schwarz, VP Communications at Spike. "I've never received any and I know it's very minimal. ... Our research says Saturday night is fight night -- guys are home, they get together with their friends and it's a natural time to watch the fight."

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/19/spike-says-prime-time-is-the-best-time-to-air-ufc/

Vault Majorette Juggling Parkour Pom Pon

Coenen takes Strikeforce womens 135-lb. belt, Kaufman's arm

After two lackluster rounds, Sarah Kaufman and Marloes Coenen put together a spectacular finish for the Strikeforce women's championship fight in San Jose on Saturday night. Coenen won the belt with an armbar at 1:59 in the third round.

The women had a cautious first round, spending much of it in the clinch. Twice, they were broken up by the referee. Coenen used her reach advantage to keep Kaufman at a distance. This continued in the second round. Both women threw more knees in the second, but were still broken apart. Kaufmann finished the second round well, reversing a Coenen hip toss, landing on top and throwing vicious ground strikes as the round came to a close.

The third round started almost as exactly as the second ended. Coenen took Kaufman down, but Kaufman reversed her easily. She followed up with huge strikes. It appeared that Kaufman was close to finishing off Coenen until Coenen grabbed an arm and turned it for an armbar. Kaufman tapped quickly, handing over the Strikeforce women's championship to Coenen.

There was a bit of controversy after the fight, as Kaufman claimed that Coenen held onto the armbar after Kaufman had tapped. Coenen apologized profusely, diffusing what could have been a bad situation.

"I really didn't know. The referee came in too late, and I apologize, Sarah," Coenen said about the armbar after the fight.

Miesha Tate is up next for Coenen. After the fight, Coenen had a short, simple message for her next opponent. "Let's get it on."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Coenen-takes-Strikeforce-womens-135-lb-belt-Ka?urn=mma-275825

Twenty20 Lapta – twsalos (bases) The Massachusetts Game – four bases Méta and longa méta (long méta) – Hungarian game Oina – One (Two, Three, or Four)