Issue 080
October 2011
OMIGAWA CALLS FOR CONSISTENT JUDGING AFTER CONTROVERSIAL UFC 131 DECISION
UFC featherweight Michihiro Omigawa has expressed his desire for better clarity in judging criteria. Omigawa, 35, was recently the victim of a controversial judges’ call at UFC 131 in Vancouver, dropping a decision to Darren Elkins. Speaking exclusively to a Fighters Only affiliate, the 12-10-1 Omigawa says he’s confused as to why his more damaging punches didn’t win him the bout. “If it is possible to win by the number of punches, everyone would do so. As for me, in the second and third rounds I damaged Elkins. This is combative sports, why is the person who has not been hurt the loser? What is the essence of combative sports? That damage is important.”
Omigawa also revealed the UFC’s Joe Silva, vice president of talent relations, apologized for the decision. Despite scorecard decisions being entirely out of the UFC’s control, Silva – who was nominated for ‘Leading Man’ at last year’s Fighters Only World MMA Awards – expressed his sympathy toward the Japanese judoka. “I went to eat dinner about town after the fight,” said Omigawa, whose shock at the judges’ verdict meant he initially refused to leave the Octagon. “Many people who saw the fight came and said, ‘Congratulations,’ to me. Joe Silva of the UFC said to me, ‘Sorry.’” UFC president Dana White also disagreed with the judges and later paid Omigawa his win bonus regardless of the official outcome.
LESNAR RECOVERING WELL FROM DIVERTICULITIS FLARE-UP
Former UFC heavyweight king Brock Lesnar is reported to be making a strong recovery from a return bout of diverticulitis. UFC president Dana White has said Lesnar was healing well, months after pulling out of a June TUF-climaxing fight with Junior Dos Santos to undergo surgery that removed 12 inches of his colon. During a conference call with reporters, White announced that he’d heard via the former champ’s manager Lesnar’s recovery had been “incredible.” “He’s up on his farm in Canada. He has a big farm in Canada and he’s basically up there farming. He’s completely disconnected himself from the world, no phones, no nothing. He’s not talking to anybody.” White speculated the 265lb’er could return as early as January 2012.
‘CRO COP’ COULD BOW OUT WITH NELSON FIGHT AT UFC 137
Pride 2006 open-weight grand prix champion Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ will battle rotund heavyweight Roy Nelson at UFC 137 in October in what could be his last bout with the company. The fearsome striker will honor the last fight of his UFC contract as promised, but would likely not be offered a renewal from UFC brass should he suffer a loss. Cro Cop, 36, has notched a 4-5 record during his dual stints in the UFC and has openly stated he has struggled with motivation during that time. The 35-year-old Nelson, currently sat on a two-fight skid, will also be desperate for a win.
6
The number of Tito Ortiz tweets that carried the famous Charlie Sheen-associated hashtag #winning after he guillotined Ryan Bader into submission at UFC 132.
UFC fighters are asked to sign around 200 event posters of any card they’re participating in.
SIX DEGREES OF DAN SEVERN
Linking the legendary moustache-wearing UFC Hall of Famer to any fighter in six people or less.
SHINYA AOKI
1. Dan Severn lost to Ken Shamrock by guillotine choke at UFC 6 in 1995.
2. Ken Shamrock was TKO’d by a young Rich Franklin 10 years later at the first TUF finale.
3. Rich Franklin fought a large part of his career under the guidance of super-trainer Matt Hume.
4. Matt Hume has worked extensively with Japanese legend Hayato Sakurai.
5. Hayato Sakurai defeated Shinya Aoki for the first time in Shooto in 2005.
