Last fall my husband convinced me to sit down and watch one of the PPV fight nights. He began explaining the history of each fighter and I found myself drawn into the drama, unable to look away even as the blood began to spray forth - literally. Apparently it was one of the bloodiest fights ever, but even though I shuddered and gagged at the disgusting, sticky mess (how can they stand to have someone else's blood covering them?) I have been hooked ever since. I L-O-V-E it!
Saturday, April 19, is the next UFC. I have been almost giddy with anticipation over this title fight. Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre (whom I saw fight last fall). The history between these fighters is going to make for a dramatic, adrenaline filled night.
Matt "The Terror" Serra vs. Georges "Rush" St-Pierre
Matt "The Terror" Serra shocked people when he defeated Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, taking the UFC Welterweight Championship in April, 2007. Set to defend his title against fighter Matt Hughes, he was forced to pull out of UFC 79 due to a herniated disc in his lower back suffered during one of his training sessions.
With the loss of the Serra-Hughes fight threatening UFC 79, the decision was made to match former champion St-Pierre against Hughes for the newly created interim welterweight championship. On December 29, 2007, St-Pierre defeated Hughes with an armbar in the second round and won the interim welterweight title. In a show of pure class, St-Pierre handed off the belt to a cornerman, stating that the real champion was Matt Serra, who defeated him the past April, and that he would wait until he had faced Serra again before claiming the belt.
That's what is happening on April 19. Matt Serra is returning after healing from his injury and will fight Georges St-Pierre to unify the belts and defend his title. Personally, I'm giving the fight to St-Pierre. He is considered one of the top pound-per-pound fighters in the UFC. I was blown away with the lithe grace and athleticism he showed in his fight last fall. He doesn't just win a match, he dominates inside the ring. The man moves with the agility of a panther and strikes with the speed and precision of a cobra. He can stand and exchange hits with the best of them and his ground game is nearly unbeatable. It's like poetry in motion.
Also fighting that night is Travis "The Serial Killer" Lutter vs. Rich "Ace" Franklin.
I've never seen Lutter fight before, but I'm hoping for Franklin to take the victory. Franklin is one of my favorite fighters. Besides being a top competitor in his weight division, he is a guy who demands respect both inside the ring and out. He won my respect during his fight against Anderson "The Spider" Silva last
October. Though he was defeated by knock-out in the second round, he was pure class during the post-fight interview, giving Silva the credit he deserved and showing a deep respect between the two fighters.Silva also won my respect that night as he fought with a skill level almost unseen in the UFC. The respect he showed Franklin was overwhelming to a newbie-to-the-sport like me. He was humble in his victory and I couldn't help but like the guy.
So next Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. you know where I'll be. Happily planted in front of my t.v. as I cheer on both St-Pierre and Franklin.
One other quick confession. I have now fallen victim to the reality t.v. show The Ultimate Fighter. It's no surprise really. Basically it takes sixteen wannabe UFC fighters and splits them into two teams. This season the teams are being led by Rampage Jackson and Forrest Griffin.
Team Rampage vs. Team Griffin
In a new twist, the contestants had to fight their way to win a spot in the house. Thirty-two hopefuls were picked and then pitted against each other in sixteen exciting fights. The sixteen winners are moving on and teams will be selected next week.
It appears I now have to download Criminal Minds and watch it on Thursdays so I don't miss my new favorite reality series.
7 comments:
I am right there with you... *cringe*. Okay, now I don't feel so bad that my sisters and I love UFC. lol Blood and all.
I was rooting for Hughes in December and rooted for Serra. So we shall see how things go on the 19th.
As for Ultimate Fighter, I love that show! I haven't seen an episode in ages, but I love it.
I am a Randy Couture fan, all the way, old guy and all. lol
Deb - I am so glad I'm not alone in this!! I LOVED Randy Couture. Didn't he beat Tim Silvia for the Heavy Weight championship? I think Randy's retired now...right? I'm rooting for St-Pierre. This is the first time UFC has come to Canada. They're fighting in Montreal on the 19th.
This is my first exposure to Ultimate Fighter and so far I'm LOVING it!
Are you sure it's not the muscular guys doing the fighting that is drawing you back? ;) They all look like Harlequin cover models, lol.
My husband enjoys watching this stuff on the rare occasion he catches it at his moms house.
I'm not sure I could handle the blood. I'm a wuss that way.
Becky - You get conditioned to it. Kinda like the ancient Romans. *wince* Okay, that doesn't sound good. Cover models? Yup, they sure do. I'll admit that it doesn't hurt the appeal. LOL!
*impressed with her bloodthirsty blogger friend*
HG - Oh, I can't tell you how it thrills me to have your support. Five days, four hours and 32 minutes until UFC!
Wow, this is too funny. Kinda speechless really. Where can I find this show? I have a confession, for the the first time in our marriage, we have cable! Hook me up with these great shows!
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