3 rounds of action: FO scores MMA’s hottest stories

Round 1: COMMISSIONS AGREE AMMENDMENT TO GROUNDED FIGHTER RULE

The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) has passed a recommendation that athletic commissions consider giving referees the option to allow grounded fighters to be struck with knees and kicks to the head under certain circumstances.

A fighter is deemed to be grounded if anything other than the soles of their feet are touching the canvas, and under the Unified Rules cannot be kicked or kneed in the head. That has led to fighters ‘grounding’ and ‘ungrounding’ themselves in an attempt to draw a foul.

ABC members voted at the association’s annual meeting in August to advise commissions to give referees the authority to declare a fighter with a finger or hand on the canvas legal for strikes to the head with kicks and knees if they are thought to be trying to exploit the rule.

In language authored by commission heads Keith Kizer (Nevada), Nick Lembo (New Jersey) and Bernie Profato (Ohio), the official recommendation to commissions states: “If the referee decides that the fighter is ‘touching down’ simply to benefit from a foul, the referee may consider that fighter a standing fighter and decide that no foul has occurred. Additionally, a referee may penalize, via warning or point deduction, the offending fighter for timidity.”

FO SCORE: The effectiveness of this rule depends on the referee, but in capable hands it should be safe and remain a logical antidote to fighters trying to exploit the rules.

Round 2: ‘RAMPAGE’ VS. TITO BOOKED FOR BELLATOR

Former UFC light heavyweight champions Tito Ortiz and ‘Rampage’ Jackson will fight in the main event of the first Bellator pay-per-view. A three-round bout, it’s set for November 2nd, and due to be held in California. Both men are former training partners and have also recently appeared in TNA Wrestling, with which Bellator shares a US TV home, to help publicize the fight.

FO SCORE: As Bellator’s first stab at luring an audience to pay-per-view it will be interesting to see how a bout that could have headlined a UFC card not too long ago works out. For two fighters looking to wind down their careers on a positive note both will have an interest in putting on a highlight-reel performance. Assuming that, fans should be treated to an entertaining bout.

Round 3: UFC’S WHITE SAYS VELASQUEZ WOULD ‘SMASH’ BOXER FURY

UFC president Dana White has stated he would like to see promotional heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez “smash” outspoken heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury. The British pugilist has challenged Velasquez on several occasions, with the UFC champ approving of the contest but merely asking Fury to his earn his shot in the UFC heavyweight division first. White said: “If Fury wants to fight Cain Velasquez, he’ll fight him MMA. That fight would last about as long as James Toney did.”

FO SCORE: The long list of pure boxers who have attempted mixed martial arts suggests White is right on the money. Velasquez should be able to take Fury down and finish him on the ground.

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Julio Cesar Neves, 26-0

There’s so much buzz about 26-0 featherweight prospect Julio Cesar Neves (17 (T)KOs, seven submissions) he’s bound to get picked up by a high-profile promotion. But if there were ever a great instance of a padded record, this would be it. Mostly noticed for averaging one fight and win every four weeks, as well as a stunning capoeira kick knockout in August, Neves’ last 10 opponents were a combined 23-17 when they fought the Brazilian prospect. Three were making their debuts, seven had less than four fights. Confident, powerful striking hints he might truly be a big fish in a small pond, but it would be worth waiting for legitimate competition before stepping both feet on the ‘Morceguinho’n.

Mike Rhodes, 5-1

A March submission loss (to current UFC fighter Brandon Thatch) snapped Roufusport’s Mike Rhodes’s four-fight win streak, but he got back on track in fine style in June with a 56-second TKO. A former college basketball player, he started fighting in MMA as a heavyweight before whittling down to 185lb then 170lb. He’s more inclined to get the victory on the feet than the floor but he might need a few more fights on his record before the UFC picks him up. Under the tutelage of accomplished coach Duke Roufus he’s likely to keep notching up the wins until it does.

Sean Soriano, 8-0

A sharp striker, Sean Soriano has toppled a handful of other promising up-and-comers to slowly make a name for himself on the larger US regional circuit. Training at Blackzilians he has access to both UFC-level training partners and coaches, and that’s paid dividends in the cage, with him showing quality striking skills and grappling against good opposition.

QUOTES

“You can’t force-feed pay-per-views down people’s throats month in and month out.”

If only Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney weren’t so subtle we could maybe work out what he was getting at.

“Floyd Mayweather would get killed by an average college wrestler. There would be no competition.”

UFC commentator Joe Rogan and zero sugar coating.

“So far today I’ve been mistaken for TJ Grant, Jim Miller and Ed Herman. At least they are all good fighters.”

Jim Miller and TJ Grant we get, but how UFC lightweight Pat Healy looks at all like TUF 3’s Ed Herman we don’t know.

“Women fighters weren’t getting anywhere acting like Miss America. I can’t go around living my life like there’s always a five-year-old in the room.”

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey makes a good point.

“I seem to always play the same parts; I seem to play the gangster. Maybe one day I’ll do a bit of Shakespeare.”

Michael Bisping with the jokes again – we hope.

STAR SIGHTING: HOPE SOLO

Who? US women’s soccer goalkeeper

Where? UFC on Fox 8, Seattle

Not only was Solo born in Washington state, she also plays professionally for Seattle Reign FC, so it was little surprise to see her cageside when the UFC came to town for its eighth Fox card.