Couture is ready to call it quits and MacDonald continues preps for UFC 129 on Ultimate Wednesday.
It's another "Ultimate Wednesday" on Rogers Sportsnet, so what better way to celebrate than to scan the MMA news landscape for stories that are raising eyebrows.
While we cannot cover or comment on each and every headline, here is a small sample of news that has caught my eye.
South of the Canadian border, it appears many American MMA fans are surprised at the "breaking news" that UFC President Dana White is hinting that Hall of Famer Royce Gracie will not likely be on the organization's card in Rio. I noticed a number of Canadian fans trying to discuss this on various message boards as "old news" citing MMA Connected, and numerous reports after UFC 128 in Newark.
During our Mar. 28 episode, I asked White if Gracie would be on the Rio card and he stated, "I don't think so." We posted that video online, referenced it again in subsequent episodes of MMA Connected and again it made its way into this week's show. But, outside of the Great White North, it made "headlines" on Tuesday.
It's not the first time, it won't be the last time, nor will this scenario change anytime soon but “polite” Canadians can only smile and shrug our shoulders. While the show only airs in Canada, it is, and has always been available online.
Mind you, there have been some stories from American (and international) based websites that are "breaking" and important to look at.
One that caught my eye was an interview with Jake Ellenberger, who will be facing Sean Pierson at UFC 129, during our broadcast of the prelims on Rogers Sportsnet.
The interview took place just after Forza acquired Strikeforce and before Jake replaced Brian Foster for the bout vs. Pierson. Ellenberger has never been one to mince words and when he was asked for his thoughts about the UFC 129 main event between Georges St-Pierre and Jake Shields, his body language and facial reaction was that of displeasure. He is obviously favouring GSP in this title fight and believes the champ can defeat the challenger with a "a jab and a yawn."
During Tuesday's UFC 129 pre-fight conference call, Randy (The Natural) Couture was affirmative that his bout vs. Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida would be his final inside the Octagon, hanging up his gloves for good this time.
But what if Couture, a master strategist who is developing a game plan to defeat the ever-elusive, master counter-fighter that is Machida, emerges victorious? That would mean the legend defeated a recent, former champion, making for an interesting storyline at the post-fight press conference. If Machida is still considered Top 5 on your rankings, where does the win place Couture?
The Natural would be in the mix with the likes of Rashad Evans (who is next in line for a title shot in the fall), Quinton Jackson (who must first defeat Matt Hamill next month) and Mauricio (Shogun) Rua (who faces Forrest Griffin in August). Are you seeing what I'm seeing? If not, think like the UFC and study this symbol here: $.
There has also been talk about Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz leaving MMA in favour of the "sweet science" of boxing and the sugary pay days that come with competing in the sport. For my money, I do not like Diaz's chances in the squared circle as his brawling style will likely see him get in some serious trouble vs. a seasoned boxer. In MMA, Diaz (along with Eddie Alvarez) has proven the importance of punching to the body, and has reaped the benefits immensely.
His striking by numbers strategy has evolved to include power and against most MMA fighters (whose striking skills are rudimentary compared to the professionals in boxing) has served him well, but I cannot help but feel as if the MMA (could be super) star will get exposed by the finesse, skill, strategy, speed and power of some of the opponents being bandied about. Whether it’s Jeff Lacy, Sergio Martinez or Ricardo Mayorga, these are athletes who only know boxing; have lived and breathed it from a young age; have perfected it.
If Diaz does get the chance to fight one of them, my MMA heart will be hoping he pulls it off, but my combat sports analytical brain believes he may not last more than a few rounds vs. the fighters mentioned above.
As I mentioned earlier, there are many more headlines that can be discussed, but it's now time I hit the studio to finalize our content for "Ultimate Wednesday." If you want more, you can always follow me on Twitter where I discuss many headlines in real time with fans and media alike.
It's another packed night on the network, with three hours of UFC content.
First off is our second edition of "UFC 129 Road to the Rogers Centre: A day in the life of UFC Middleweight Jason MacDonald.”
The team and I head to Red Deer, Alberta to spend a full day with MacDonald as he juggles four kids, running both an MMA and fitness gym as well as prepares for what he considers a "must-win fight" at UFC 129. Then, it's Episode 2 of UFC Primetime Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields. Up-to-the-minute coverage from the UFC as they visit both camps to hear and see what the champion and challengers are doing during the final weeks leading up to their main event tilt on Saturday, Apr. 30.
Following Primetime, it's Episode 4 of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team Dos Santos as another welterweight will get eliminated from the show.
Then, it's a great episode of UFC Wired, a one-hour telecast of nothing but fights with this week's showcasing Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture at UFC 91.
