Peppered Thought – The Spice of Life

(I wanted to write “General Purpose Explosive” for the title (Semtex), but what with all the NYC SUVs being filled with poorly-crafted bombs, I thought better of it.)

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

You know what is crazy about how incredibly badass these posters are? Only one of them is UFC. Strikeforce could have a leg up on UFC if they use Japanese poster designers.

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.)

Nothing funny to add to this one, i just want this for my as-of-yet imaginary kid.

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.”

Although I already posted about why I’m excited for spring, that post in no way diminished my impatience for winter to be over.
So, some things I am thankful for, to keep my mind off the winter:

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.

No funny MS Paint for this one. Just pure badass. Photo by Esther Lin via MMAMania

This is Strikeforce: Miami

Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis for the vacant Welterweight Championship

Both of these fighters are coming into this match off five-fight winning streaks, so I would say this is a pretty even match in the “who wants it more” department. All I’m saying is that Diaz should be aware where his head and Zaromskis’ legs are at all times. If they connect, devastation will follow. Diaz has the rough never back down heart, but I think Zaromskis will win because of his timing and focused skill.

Women’s Championship bout Cyborg Santos vs. Marloes Coenen

Somebody called her a “Dutch Hellcat,” and I really like that idea of Marloes. But if she’s a hellcat, what does that make scary-good Cyborg? A Brazilian jiu-jitsu robot sent from the future to destroy? I am anxious/excited to see two great lady fighters in top form compete, so I don’t really want to make a pick. But, I don’t want another win for Cyborg going to feed her ego, and in turn make her pose in Playboy…

Melvin Manhoef vs. Robbie Lawler

I don’t know why, but I like Manhoef’s style. Knowing that usually when I say I think a guy is cool, he will lose. So, I am hoping this will break the streak.

Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy

Tae-Kwon do Football player, Heisman Trophy winner, DID sufferer, Olympian bobsledder. He sounds like a truly amazing character. A bigger than life character. However, he is 47. FORTY-SEVEN. If he can defeat a fighter 20 years younger than him, all bets are off, man.

Bobby Lashey vs. Wes Sims

Bobby Lashley’s lack of a neck scares me. Wes Sims’ homelessness tenacity scares me. (Let me clarify: he was homeless before he was on TUF 10. He went from garbage bag under the I-55 to the TUF house) But I think that with the right moves, Sims’ can make it happen.

Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs

I know Joe Riggs is a fighter from Phoenix, but I just can’t get behind a guy who is narrow-minded in his views of MMA. When someone (OK, Riggs) says he “doesn’t watch that Japanese stuff much,” I can’t take him seriously. And you guys all know how i feel about bleached hair. Hieron for the win.

On another note, I was floored when I learned the Mayor of Albuquerque declared Tuesday “Greg Jackson/Mike Winklejohn MMA Day.” I seriously got all teary.

As if this week of magical MMA things couldn’t get any better, Bloody Elbow also teamed up with USA Today and released their MMA rankings here. Although, I disagree with them placing Mousasi after Rashad and Rampage.