Category Archives: Sports

Human Weapon (History Channel)

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humanweapon3Capitalizing on the growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts, Human Weapon takes its audience on a weekly journey to unlock the secrets and history behind the ancient art of hand to hand combat.

The show features Mixed Martial Arts fighter Jason Chambers and Wrestler/Football Athlete Bill Duff who embark on a once in a lifetime quest to train and learn from some of the greatest martial arts masters in the world. Both hosts show great respect for each art they learn, and at the end of the show, one of them is offered the chance to fight a champion from the discipline they have been instructed in.

So far I’ve enjoyed the entire premiere season. The techniques from each discipline are explained in detail and viewers are presented with digital images to help them understand its use and effectiveness in actual combat situations.

The show also covers the history of each art and the cultural importance behind it. Having the opportunity to listen and learn from these masters first hand while viewing actual training facilities and schools make the experience a worthwhile one.

What was a complete joke was the fact the hosts end each show by fighting a champion in the art form they were instructed in. How stupid is that? It makes them look very arrogant in my opinion. I understand that Jason and Bill are both well trained athletes and have some background and experience under their belts, but these “Champs” have been training in most cases for decades in their respective discipline. Do Jason and Bill really expect to beat the best of the best? Lets get real here.

In both the Muay Thai and Eskrima episodes, it looked like Jason’s opponents were taking it easy on him. They didn’t even seem to try. It felt really fake to me. I think it would be a much better experience for both the audience and the hosts if they chose combatants who were more at their level.

Overall, the show has taken off to a good start. It has really attracted my interest, and I don’t expect to miss any episodes this season. If your a martial arts fan, you’ll probably enjoy this show. Check it out!

Jermaine O’neal to the Lakers?

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jolakersThere is a pretty solid rumor abuzz the internet that Jermaine O’neal is actually pushing to be traded to Los Angeles to play alongside Kobe Bryant.

“I would welcome a trade to the Lakers,” said O’Neal. “Indiana has given me the opportunity to establish myself as a really good player in this league, but they’re into rebuilding and going really young, and I’m just not in a position physically to go through another five to six years with a lot of losses and a lot of down time.”

Earlier in the off season the Pacers were willing to part with O’neal for Bynum and Odom but the Lakers refused to make the deal stating they were only willing to part with either Bynum or Odom, but both would not be included in the package.

Although adding O’neal would not take the Lakers to the promise land instantly, I think adding a legitimate “All Star Caliber” big man to our roster would be the first step back into title contention. With O’neal publicly stating his intentions, it definitely boost’s LA’s chances of landing him before the start of the season. The pressure is on Bird since O’neal has already mentioned that he will opt out after the 2007-2008 season.

“My decision is for me to get better as a player, and if things don’t work out this year,” he said, “I have an option in my contract next year and I will opt out and become a free agent.”

Bird has also publicly stated his response to O’neal’s wish to be moved so there is a possibility of this trade actually going down.

“Jermaine has become an All-Star player with the Indiana Pacers and in any discussions regarding him or any of our other players, the expectations for the franchise and our fans is to receive fair market value in return if a trade is to be considered.”

After looking at several trade scenarios over the web, I thought that this would be the best trade possible for both teams to benefit.

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Chuck Liddell’s comeback wont be Easy…

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liddell-upset2A few months ago the UFC’s light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell got knocked out by the new champ Pride veteran Quintin “Rampage” Jackson in UFC 71. Although Jackson has beaten Chuck before in a Pride event, many UFC fans call the knockout a big time upset. Other fans including myself who watch both Pride and the UFC know it was not as big an upset as many people were made to believe.

Before I move on with this post, realize that I am in no shape of form bashing the UFC or saying the Chuck is not a game fighter. He is a very intense and vicious striker and has incredible take down defense. I just feel that many fans idolize Chuck as the best in his division without realizing how much competition was actually missing during his glorious run as the Champion in the UFC.

Now that Pride is owned by the UFC and many of its fighters are crossing over to fight in its cage matches, I think we’ll start to see what the “Iceman” is truly capable of. Chuck’s long awaited return comes in UFC 76 against Keith Jardine. Jardine ain’t no slouch, but I don’t think he has to tools to beat a guy like Chuck Liddell. I predict Jardine losing by knockout within the first round.

Now originally Chuck was suppose to fight Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva as UFC 76′s main event. That was cancelled based on the rumor that Wand had actually punked out. Those who have watched Wand bang, know this is probably just that. A rumor. On Wanderlei’s site, he denies backing out of the fight saying “There’s a lot of people saying that I have ducked Chuck. This is not true.“. I honestly feel that if the Chuck and Wand did fight in UFC 76, Chuck would lose a 2nd straight time.

The only clear advantage I think Chuck will have during his comeback is the fact that the UFC uses a different set of rules than Pride. The main differences that might affect a Pride vs. UFC fighter are the rules involving elbows strikes, knees, and stomps. There are no knees or kicks to the head of an opponent in the UFC while it’s allowed in Pride. However, elbows to the head and face are allowed in the UFC but are against Pride regulations.

This shouldn’t make difference very long, and the fighters should adjust well to the new unified rule system which use the UFC guidelines. For some Top Pride fighters however, the inability to use the knees and kicks on the ground might affect their fighting style and their arsenal of moves.

When it all comes down to it, Chucks road to becoming the champ again will have some serious roadblocks. I expect to see Pride fighters such as Mauricio Rua, Wanderlei Silva, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Dan Henderson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Ricardo Arona to make some noise in the light heavy division. We also have to remember a former Pride fighter is the UFC’s current LHW champ.

Lets not forget that the UFC still has many of its own light heavyweights hungry for a title shot in that division. Guys like Michael Bisping, Rashard Evans, Renato Sobral, Tito Ortiz, and Forrest Griffin are all very capable and deadly fighters.

I think the days of Chucks dominance in the UFC have come to an end and the Light Heavyweight Division is wide open. Your thoughts?