Let’s see about this week, shall we?

-As you can see from the photo above, I have been searching for an inexpensive land camera lately. I finished my first roll in my Holga (after a mishap had to re shoot a roll that wasn’t properly secured), and have been thinking about trying several different formats to see which I like best. With all this camera talk I might have to sell some of my older, less used ones to make room for ones I actually like.

-I wandered through labyrinthine antique stores looking for a little bit of everything, for only a couple of pennies. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t find anything in my price range, so went down the street to the Goodwill-style thrift store. Imagine my surprise and delight in finding an entire outfit for $6! I will do an outfit post next week about it, but rest assured, my brain is totally in fall mode with it.

gif via dashedlines

-Parks and Recreation and Community had their season premieres last night and I am just so happy to go back to some quality, hilarious TV time on Thursdays. (I could watch that gif FOREVER.)

-UFC 135 tomorrow! I love when there’s an MMA fight on Saturday nights, because 1) I love MMA and 2) we always get pizza that night. PIZZA!

photo credit

This press conference looks so classy and awesome.

Anyway, I will make this quick, because I am too excited to play around with my fancy schmancy printable fight card, courtesy of UFC.com.

Ah, Boston. Home of our nation’s forefathers, Bunker Hill, the original Tea Party, the Sox and some wicked crazy accents. I can’t get over Julianne Moore’s over the top one on 30 Rock, and I love when the guys on the sports blogs I read write in their accents.

Time for some fightin’ predictions for UFC 118: In the Hub (of the Universe).

Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn

They are both hungry for it, but I have to think Penn just might pull through. I’m not too big of a BJ fan, but I think he might have a grappling edge.

Randy Couture vs. James Toney

I’m not at all looking forward to this fight. You know in a show or a movie when a miscommunication or misread gesture makes you squirm with embarrassment? That’s what I think this will be like.

Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda

Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard

Following Florian on Twitter, I know he has been training a long time to prepare himself for this fight. I hope he follows through!

Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis

This one I’m not sure. As much as I appreciate the mean mugginess, I am not convinced it can beat out the Irish Hand Grenade. But I’ll still root for him.

Joe Lauzon vs. Gabe Ruediger

Ruediger gave Lauzon a cake that says “sorry for your loss” at the weigh-ins. He won my heart with the funny, just like Tom Lawlor. But I like Lauzon, too. I’ll fence-sit this one.

The last four, we’ll see how they fare.

Filed under: Guy-con, Lists, MMA ]]> http://pepperedthought.com/2010/08/27/ufc-118-ye-olde-punchbags/feed/ 1 pepperedthought boston presser ekc http://pepperedthought.com/2010/08/12/strikeforce-in-phoenix-mma-in-the-valley-of-the-sun/ http://pepperedthought.com/2010/08/12/strikeforce-in-phoenix-mma-in-the-valley-of-the-sun/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:17:11 +0000 pepperedthought http://pepperedthought.com/?p=3314 ]]>

I am beyond stoked that Strikeforce will be coming (well, everyone is pretty much here already) to Phoenix this Friday for not only a hometown fight (Joe “Diesel” Riggs!) and Ryan Couture (a Bucky to Randy’s Captain America) but a female TOURNAMENT!
As a woman and an extreme lover of the sport, I could not be happier that one of the main events is this tournament. To see more than just a couple of high profiles, but to give everyone a chance in the spotlight is inspiring in this area of MMA. I know the women’s category has a ways to go to be comparable to the men’s, much less be interesting to the general public. But, you have to start somewhere, and I think this is a fantastic way.

On another note, the more into this sport I get, the more I have to say how impressed I am with its supporters and journalists. Esther Lin and Tracy Lee are phenomenal at their crafts and have a keen eye with which to capture the perfect moments, Ben Fowlkes not only writes with passion and knowledge, he is damn funny. Maggie Hendricks is a woman I admire because she holds her own when it comes to technical knowledge especially in wrasslin’) and Ariel Helwani is a fantastic interviewer, with an amazing style (Plaidest man on the Planet ftw!)

I feel very lucky to be able to talk to them via twitter and it fills me with hope that MMA will become popular not with just John Q. Public, but with erudites/hipsters/irony maidens/people who like watching Friday Night Lights too, and everyone can enjoy the beauty of the human mind and body that happens within the Octagon.

No reason for this pic, other than it made me feel slightly better.

Helwani always gets the cool (and in this case dangerous) interviews. He got the Predator to talk about his invisible cloak strategies.

This one will be quick, because I was a little ashamed at how little I guessed incorrectly last time. I don’t want to put as much thought into it, but I still like guessing for fun.

Rampage Jackson vs. Suga Rashad Evans

As much as I love Ra-shawd and his impersonations, I have a feeling Rampage might take home the cake in this fight. Although, with the weight of a movie coming out, he might choke under pressure. Either way, he’s driving the A-Team van around the Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday.

Michael “The Count” Bisping vs. Dan Miller

Bisping needs to prove his jaw is no liability.

Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow

This one could be interesting because Duffee himself said it could be a “very long, sloppy fight.”

Little Nog vs. Jason “Hitman” Britz

Go Nog! That is all.

Diego Sanchez vs. John “Hitman” Hathaway

I think Sanchez, despite being smaller, might have a bit more muscle on him, and that might help his game. We’ll see.

(-Editor’s Note: Seriously-there’s two guys on one card nicknamed ‘Hitman?’ They need to read this and come up with something better. They need to retire nicknames like athletic jerseys. So long “Pitbull,” “Hitman” and any sort of assassin.)

Amir Sadollah vs. “Stun Gun” Kim

As much as I admire Sadollah’s impressive skills, I love Stun Gun not just for his clever nickname, but his heart and his skeeeells.

Efrain Escudero vs. Dan Lauzon

As much as I love Lauzon’s mom, I really have to root for my hometown guy this time. Which I don’t usually do, but we’ll see how this one pans out. Don’t burn me on Tempe, effy.

The undercard fight I hope they televise:

Melvin Guillard vs. Waylon Lowe

I heart Guillard. I love pronouncing his name, I love that he fights out of my favorite MMA training facility. I don’t like his bleached hair (BLARRRRRG), but I might let it pass if he wows me.

In the spirit of Gala Darling’s Carousel, CagePotato’s Link Dump, FilmDrunk’s Friday Free for All and Warming Glow’s Weekend Preview, today I will be Taking Five to appreciate the instantaneous joy that is internet linkage.

• This post is really old (in Internet time), but I love it. As The Beau said, “to me, this is the new face of homosexuality.”
• Not only does this ad make me want to travel, it makes me want to cut out this ad and hand it to the boarding lady.
• Oh hey, something current, Jess! Nice Job! Shut up, sassy readers, or I won’t tell you about how drinking Gila monster tears is the best thing ever.
• If Phillip Marlowe and I had a crumbling motel room together, this would be the only nice thing we would own.
• Betty White’s going to be on SNL tomorrow. Very cool. Here she is playing beer pong with Jimmy Fallon.
• But the most exciting thing I will be watching this weekend will be UFC 113. Shogun-Machida re-match, and Semtex and his swinging-for-the-fences hands. Hoo-rah!
• I am slooooowly going through Dragos Rua’s 100 Ways to Live a Better Life. I’m not going linear, so right now I’m working with #38.
• A big fan of embarrassingly awesome memoirs (I’m on the library waiting list for The Bedwetter, of course!), I really enjoy reading Hyperbole and a Half. Even this interview entertains me!
• I’m also a big fan of “what liking ____ says about you” lists. I particularly like this one because I love Kurt Vonnegut, agree with the Cormac McCarthy, and severely dislike Lauren Wesiberger.
• Grilled Cheese Academy. Since my friends know about my love of grilled cheese, HH sent me this link and I got so embroiled with all these ideas that The Beau and I created Toasted Cheese Tuesday, in which we will make a new one of these each week. First on the list was The Marco. I am so excited to try the Sgt. Pepper.
• Here is my post from last year about Mother’s Day Ideas. I would like add a couple new ideas and a mom to that list.

What are some links that are blowing your mind this week?

As if I would put any other pictures on this post.

Lyoto “the Dragon” Machida vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

I read this, via Twitter, and found it amusingly accurate: “Always harder to beat the guy second time around. So…who’s the Guy?”

Both have to prove that the previous fight was no fluke, both have been working hard to be in top physical condition. But as much as I looooove Machida, I think Shogun is going to bring back all his power and bring home the belt again.

Josh “Kos” Koscheck vs. Paul “Semtex” Daley

I love when they’re cut and dry (well, in my world at least) like this. By now, those of you who find my MMA posts amusing enough to read them know how much I hate bleach-haired fighters. So, not only does Kos have that going against him - up to and including an unimaginative nickname - but the biggest thing he has against him? Oh yeah, SEMTEX. Semtex is fighting someone whose wrestling is as good as his stand-up. Of course he doesn’t want this fight to get to the ground but if it does here’s hoping he has practiced his escape plans like Dan Hardy. Hopefully he can get a win and keep the slurs to a minimum in his speech, though.

Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens vs. Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout

This one i’m still on the fence about. I really like Stout’s Nickname, but I will have to go with the guy who’s center of gravity seems more stable.

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson vs. Matt Mitrione

I don’t have anything to say besides: Just take deep breaths, and don’t get winded. This will be much easier if you TKO, Kimbo.

Alan “The Talent” Belcher vs. Patrick “The Predator” Cote

I have no idea why, but I like Alan Belcher. I expect good things to spring forth from him.

Preliminary Card

Joe Doerksen vs. Tom Lawlor

There are a few fights on this undercard I’m pretty stoked about. First and foremost, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. I think the header of his website says it all. I think this is one fighter that intersects the line of cool guy i’d hang out with/ good fighter. There aren’t too many of them; most of them are one or the other. Former history teacher, interviewee extraordinaire, and questionable facial hair expert = quickly climbing up my Top 5 fighter ranks. I am a firm believer in the Entertainer value of any show. Not only is Lawlor a good showman and self-hyper, but he is a good fighter. I hope he barrels through and finishes Joe.

Marcus Davis vs. Jonathan Goulet
T.J. Grant vs. Johny Hendricks

This Saturday is the Strikeforce card on CBS and boy oh boy I feel lucky. Not only are some awesome fights on this card, but I will be working so I will be able to watch it since it will be on CBS. Thank you, CBS.

MAIN CARD

Dan “Hollywood” Henderson vs. Jake “to be nicknamed at a late date” Shields

(I don’t know why, but I’m kind of upset Shields doesn’t have a nickname.) Shields may be coming off a 13-win streak, but I think the MMA gods have decided that 39-year-old Hendo will continue to fight. Even if he does have lame wardrobe choices, he has a chin that could cut through car doors and gives them love taps to put them to sleep. I can’t really say Shields would get lucky on his feet, because I think that’s what Bisping was expecting to do, too. If it goes to the ground, it’s over for Shields.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal

15 wins in a row. Repeat 15 WINS in a row. 28 wins, 2 losses. If you have never watched this kid (and I call him “kid” because he is a year younger than me – OLD!) fight, do yourself a favor. I can’t even pick one since the highlights are good, but watching how he develops in each fight is amazing. He has the indomitable talent of Anderson Silva, without the petulant displays. More like a Fedor mindset. King Mo is undefeated in his MMA career, and I do believe this fight will break that streak.

Gilbert Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki

AOKIIIII PANTS! Unfortunately in order to compete in Strikeforce, he had to give them up, but that won’t stop me drawing hearts around this adorable pic. Or this one. I hope for the sake of Japanese MMA he wins, but Gilbert is also pretty badass…a toughie!!

The undercard fights are pretty obscure, but one I’m semi-interested in: Ovince St. Preux. For that name alone I want him to be a big star, just so everyone has to say it all the time. Oh-vahnce Sahnt Proh. Well, something like that.

I am seriously excited for this. Thanks again CBS.

(i have not been paid by CBS; I’m just really happy that despite being at work I get to see these fights.)

Brandon “The Truth” Vera v. Jonny “Bones” Jones

I am very excited to see Jones fight again. His disqualification last fight was so unfortunate, and I know he realized that he can only be so much “wild and crazy,” but he has to rein himself in when it comes to the haphazardness. He has been training at Greg Jackson’s MMA gym for about seven months now, and it shows in his precise actions and his quick-to-learn flexibility. 

I think if Jones ends up on his back it might get a little tricky, but other than that, the fight’s his. A lot of people underestimate what a great advantage reach is, and his is pretty great for his stature. Just another trick in his arsenal. What amazes me is that this kid is such an amazing up and coming star in MMA, and has so many videos and fantastic GIFs already, he’s focused and humbled. He doesn’t say he wants to beat everyone up to be on top of the heap, he wants to better himself, it’s more of an internal thing. Very cool, in my book.

Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

I like Dos Santos, so I’m rooting for him. That is all.

Cheick Kongo vs. Paul Buentello

Both these guys are coming off losses (Frank Mir and Stefan Struve, respectively), and although Buentello has a lot of experience and head kicks to his name, I have to keep hoping Kongo is gonna pull off his glasses Clark Kent style and deliver a wake up call to Buentello and, hopefully, himself.

Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara vs. James Irvin

I don’t know anything about these two fighters, except that I have been watching too much Spartacus, so the name ‘Legionarius’ doesn’t really rub me the right way. He’s a striker, Irvin’s a striker, this fight is probably not goin to the ground.

 
Clay Guida vs. Shannon Gugerty

Good news for Echo: this is probably the fight where Guida’s heart will come in handy. I have a feeling it’s gonna happen this time. 

  “I don’t know what to do with my hands.”

photo credit

5. Plans, lists, and more plans! You guys know I love my lists, and plans are probably second in my weird loves. I am currently making plans and ideas for the spring/summer of friends! The picture is part of one of my ideas: a summer camp of sorts with badges! Scavenger hunts, water balloon fights, mud olympics (if there’s a monsoon) and more and at the end of the year, we count up the badges and name the winner!

photo credit Agent Lover

4. Women in Horror Month Zine. I have been thinking about it for a while, but now it’s coming down to the wire to ACT! I am really excited to pour some ideas into a zine, and one for a good cause. Promoting strong women characters in horror is something close to my heart. 

3. The picture below, and all the other amazing MMA things that have happened this week: 

original picture by CagePotato

2. Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda. I want this book tattooed on my skin. I knew I loved the Fitzgeralds before, but now I am completely smitten. With Zelda especially. Progressive and astute, yet naïve and irresponsible, she could have been me, as a flapper. I don’t want to give it back to the library.

photo credit

1. The number one thing I am using to get my mind off winter this week? The gym. I love my gym so much. It may tire me, but I sleep better, I feel better, and thanks to my new obsession with the tricep machine, no chicken wing arm! It’s no David Barton gym, but the results are the same.