No Holds Barred: John Perretti on the Devolution of Mixed Martial Arts

No Holds Barred: John Perretti on the Devolution of Mixed Martial Arts

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2008-12-06T05_37_00-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman begins with some comments on the new college wrestling season, and the important development of the formation of the College Wrestling Network (http://www.collegewrestlingnetwork.com/), a joint effort of several wrestling media outlets designed to expand the coverage of college wrestling on the Internet and to promote the sport.

In the main segment of this show, we speak with the legendary mixed martial arts matchmaker, promoter, and commentator, John Perretti.

Among the many topics covered in this spirited and frank discussion were why the Brock Lesnar-Randy Couture fight at UFC 91 was a "debacle", why UFC is a "fossil" in terms of what is once was, the devolution of mixed martial arts, the importance of people like Wallid Ismail to the sport, the recent controversy over the promotion by UFC of anti-social behavior on "The Ultimate Fighter" television series, the issue of sportsmanship, and what the combat sports ought to be about.

In addition, we both openly and enthusiastically endorsed the need for the formation of a fighters' union for mixed martial arts.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).

Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/. On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, we speak with the award-winning boxing writer and author, Thomas Hauser of SecondsOut.com (http://www.secondsout.com/). We focus on previewing the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight, which takes place Saturday, December 6, in Las Vegas, and will be shown in the U.S. on HBO Pay-Per-View. Pacquiao, who has fought at featherweight and super featherweight in recent years, and just moved up to lightweight in June, will be fighting the much larger De La Hoya at welterweight. In a lengthy interview, we discuss how the problems surrounding this fight are symptomatic of the many problems in boxing, and in particular of the way in which HBO has been running their boxing programming. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Wrestling 411 (http://wrestling411.tv), providing coverage of the sport of wrestling on TV, the Internet, and radio. Wrestling 411 is produced by Media Sports Productions (http://www.mediasportsproductions.com/), whose sole mission is the marketing and promotion of the sport of wrestling.

FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman
http://eddiegoldman.com

Enjoy!
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See you at the Fights and Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

ABREGU REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH A 10-ROUND SPLIT DECISION OVER ESTRADA; UNDEFEATED KAUFFMAN STOPS FARRELL

SANTA YNEZ, California– Undefeated Argentine Luis Carlos Abregu passed his first major test as a pro, winning a controversial 10-round split decision over David Estrada of Chicago in the main event Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation.

But it was anything but easy.

After manufacturing a big early lead during the initial four rounds, Abregu (25-0, 21 KOs) struggled mightily down the stretch as Estrada (22-6, 13 KOs) came on strongly.

At the finish, however, Abregu, who fought the last half of a hard-fought, crowd-pleasing match with a cut over his left eye, had done enough in the eyes of the judges to triumph by the scores of 98-92, 98-91 and 94-96.

To many at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., including ShoBox announcers Nick Charles and Steve Farhood, the winning scores for Abregu seemed way out of line. He may have deserved the victory, but not by that margin.

In the co-feature, Travis Kauffman of Reading, Pa., ran his unbeaten record to 14-0 with 11 knockouts by stopping Malachy Farrell (16-2, 12 KOs) of Chicago at 2;29 of the third round. Both heavyweights went down in the opening round, but Kauffman mostly had his way.

A solid doubleheader promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, aired on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

“When Abregu looked good, he looked very good,’’ said Farhood, the ShoBox expert analyst who had the World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 7-ranked welterweight ahead by two points at bout’s conclusion. “But when he looked bad, he didn’t.

“For sure, though, he is a kid you want to see more of. I think he won the fight because of two things: heart and conditioning. And, remember, the guy he defeated had only lost to the very best fighters.’’

Abregu had won 17 straight by knockout dating to September 2005. None of his outings had gone more than nine rounds and 21 had lasted less than six. The 5-foot-10, 25-year-old did not come close to flooring the battle-tested Estrada, however, much less stopping him.

“This was definitely my toughest fight,’’ said Abregu, who was making his ShoBox debut and fourth start in the United States. “But I definitely felt I won, if not by the spread they had me winning by. I know going into the eighth round that I had to win at least one round.

“My opponent deserves a lot of credit. He’s a really good fighter who came to win. But I know I learned a lot tonight and will be better for it in the future.’’

Estrada, who was making his fourth ShoBox appearance, had been in with the likes of current or former world champions Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Kermit Cintron. So he entered the ring with a vast advantage in experience and quality of opposition.

Somewhat surprisingly, Estrada opted to box in the early rounds rather than fight aggressively. He showed excellent ring generalship, but didn’t let his fists fly.

“The plan was to box and then take him into the deep waters, and I did just that,’’ the 5-foot-9, 30-year-old said. “Maybe I should have just come out bombing, but there is no doubt in my mind that I won the fight.

“I was chasing him around the ring and he was running for his life in the last couple rounds. I don’t know what hurts worst. The fact, they gave him the decision, or the margin two of the judges had him winning by.’’

Nick Charles called the action from ringside with Farhood at his side. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Friday’s bouts will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHO2

The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning Monday, Dec. 8, and running through Jan. 4, 2009.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.

See you at the Fights and Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved