Fave Friday: Sports

First thing’s first. As an MMA fan, I would be remiss if I did not mention tomorrow’s big UFC card that will showcase two of our very own, local, Hawaii boys: Hilo’s BJ Penn and Maui’s Kendall Grove.

Local Boys: Lightweight Champ BJ Penn (left) and Middleweight Contender Kendall Grove (right)

Lightweight champ BJ Penn (remember him?) will be defending his belt against top contender Frankie Edgar, while middleweight standout Kendall Grove will take on wrestler Mark Munoz. See bottom for all the details.

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A-ight with that outta the way, let’s get today’s Fave Friday show on the road. Now I know the title says “Sports”, but for those of you who aren’t big fans of the stick and ball kine games, feel free to list “Activities” like hiking or swimming, etc. Here’s my list:

Fave Sports to Watch:

* Baseball – Sooooo happy the 2010 season is under way again! Go “pills” right uncle jimmy? 😛 Don’t know what it is, but I could just sit there and watch a whole game without getting bored at all.
* MMA – I used to be all crazy widit and watch every second of every event, but now, with limited watching hours in my day, I pretty much just focus on the UFC, WEC and some Strikeforce events with spot watching of the other ones like Bellator. Even then, I fast forward through the boring fights. I really do miss HDNet and their MMA coverage, especially with Dream. BTW, while we’re on the topic of MMA and local boys, don’t forget to support Brad Tavares who is reppin’ Hawaii on this season’s cast of the Ultimate Fighter, Wednesday nights at 7PM on Spike TV (Oceanic Cable 559 or HD 1559).
* Basketball – Orlando’s my team, but I’ll watch good matchups sometimes. UH is fun watching live, but it’s been really depressing the last few years. 😦
* Football (I guess) – only to follow my fantasy players. LOL! Live games at UH are fun too, but I like the tailgating more! 😛
* Boxing – used to watch a lot, until MMA came along and killed it! RIP. 😉

Fave Sports/Activities to Do:

* Snowboarding – snowboarding is life. Period.
* Jiu Jitsu – don’t get to roll as much as in the past, but the cognitive part of it is soooo interesting to me.
* Baseball/Softball – my first sport ever = my first love.
* Basketball – played a lot of hoops in high school and college, but kinda slowed down later in life. I should get back into it again.
* Swimming – ever since training for the Tinman, I’ve been itching to get back in the water on the regular. Not only is it a good workout, but you get a mean tan to boot.

So what sports or activities do you like to watch/play? Holla!

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In other sports-related news, what do you think of Nike’s new commercial with Tiger Woods, using his dad’s voice as the narrative?

Tiger Woods’ Nike Commercial

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UPDATE:
Just got shown the new 3-D Channel on Oceanic Time Warner Cable channel 1217 and, lemme tell ya, it looks pretty mean! If you have a new HD 3-D television set, pop on your 3-D specs, turn them on, and tune to channel 1217 to watch some cool, On Demand content – including coverage of the Masters – in crystal clear 3-D. I sound like an infomercial don’t I? 😛

Masters Content in 3-D from Oceanic Time Warner Cable

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UFC 112 Details

UFC 112: Invincible is being held on Yas Island all the way in Abu Dhabi so it will actually air live at a strange 7AM hour for us here in Hawaii, on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s channel 701 or HD 1701. Hurr’s the official poster:

UFC 112 Poster

… and here’s sistah Bel showing some love for our local boy BJ Penn:

Bel Kissing the UFC 112 Poster

If you’re not a fan of waking up early on Saturdays, Oceanic will be re-airing the fight card at 10AM, with an afternoon airing at 4PM (re-aired at 7PM). Just select the time that works best for you. Click here for streaming UFC 112 content or here for ordering information.

K, pau! Sorry. Commercial ova. Have one awesome Friday and weekend gang, and I’ll see you on Monday K!? Shooooots!

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Recap of UFC, Affliction, Dream Weekend

Happy Manic Monday Errone. Another big weekend in MMA. Did y’all catch it? Let’s recap shall we?

UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin (Fight Card)
Rory Markham continues his success with a Rashad Evans-esque roundhouse knockout of Brodie Farber. CB Dollaway tricks us all with a unique (but self-proclaimed favorite) Peruvian necktie choke on Jesse Taylor (I wanna try that one!). The latest rumor is that Taylor is close to being kicked out of the UFC (again) after disparaging remarks he made about Quinton Rampage Jackson’s latest troubles. Good for him if that is the case. Two strikes and you’re out if you ask me. I was surprised that Kevin Burns lasted as long as he did against a beast like Anthony Johnson, let alone win by TKO over him. Granted the eyepoke caused it, but like Johnson said in his post fight interview, give it up for Burns. Cain Velasquez put Jake O’Brien in a crucifix arms to stop him, while Frankie Edgar showed that he only has one gear (forward) over his decision win over Hermes Franca. Brandon Vera looked very unimpressive over a decision win over Reese Andy (I thought he would walk through him), and finally… the main event! Anderon Silva does it again! We all knew his technical skills would pick apart the brawler in James Irvin, but 1:01 in the first round? WOW! That straight right after catching Irvin’s kick was so short and compact, but the fact that it had enough power behind it to knock Irvin down, woah! I can’t think of anyone who will be able to beat Silva besides Silva.

Affliction Banned (Fight Card)
Paul Buentello looked unimpressive yet again against an out of shape, last minute addition in Gary Goodridge. Was really looking forward to seeing watching Aleksander Emelianenko too! 😦 Vitor Belfort looked like the Vitor of old and really impressed in his decisive knockout of Terry Martin. Edwin Dewees was overmatched, as expected against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Mike Pyle impressed against a green JJ Ambrose. Renato Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead and Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao were snoozers. I didn’t expect that from Lindland. Until this point, it looked like Affliction was a bust (boring as heck). And then… Josh Barnett surprised with an uncharacteristic knockout (jumping left hook) of Pedro Rizzo. Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell was a snoozer until the Andrei of old showed up at the end of the second and then into the third when he knocked out Big Ben. And then… HOLY COW! Fedor Emelianenko answered all questions about his #1 ranking when he just ran through Tim Sylvia with a flurry of punch combinations and then a modified rear naked choke using his forearm! W-O-W! Bring on Couture!

Dream 5 (Fight Card)
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto’s injury was unfortunate, but the show sure did go on. Eddie Alvarez impressed again in a gritty knockout of a tough, game Tatsuya Kawajiri, but suffered an eye injury (from a right cross) in the process. He almost made a critical mistake by thinking Kawajiri was done, but jumped in to finish the job after the referee told him to keep going. Did you see that insanely quick triangle lockup of Caol Uno compliments of Shinya Aoki! Jeez! That was lightning quick and I just had to rewind that like 5 times to watch it carefully! It almost looked like he let Uno out of the guard to set that up. But how about Uno’s heart? That triangle was TIGHT! I cheered when he got out of it! LOL! Joachim Hansen‘s arm-bar submission victory over the Black Mamba (Kultar Gill) set the stage for his path to the final. Urijah Faber’s protégé Joseph Benavidez made quick work of Kodo, while Hideo Tokoro stopped Takeshi Yamazaki in the second. That Tokoro guy impresses me with his speed and athleticism. Kuniyoshi Hironaka split open Motoki Miyazawa‘s forehead with a straight right, causing the doctor to stop the fight, while Yoshihiro Akiyama used his gi to his advantage to choke out Katsuyori Shibata from the top. Alistair Overeem proved he is a star in the making with an impressive arm lock over an out of shape Mark Hunt. Hansen’s straight left from the top found it’s mark on Aoki’s chin as he jumped on to finish the job. Aoki cried as usual, but you could really feel the pain from Alvarez’s tears during his speech. You know the Alvarez Hansen 2 matchup will be a good one. As a fan, I also want to see the Alvarez Aoki matchup some time in the future.

Talk to me!
Whatchu think? Were my observations pretty accurate or ya got something to say? Holla atcho boy! 🙂 Have a good week all!

And finally… For those non-MMA fans out there, here’s a snap from yet another Acai Bowl I’m enjoying on this Acai quest, this time from Diamond Head Cove Health Bar off Monsarrat. Look for the first in my two part series on the first of the month at AroundHawaii.com!

Da Cove Bowl from Diamond Head Cove Health Bar

MMA Television Programming for July 2008

MMA Television Programming for Hawaii – July 2008 (All shows are in HST on Oceanic Time Warner Cable):
Info may be updated after original post date so keep checking back. (Updated Monday, July 21, 2008)

• Fri, July 4 @ 3:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Inside MMA: Inside MMA is your opportunity to step inside the world of mixed martial arts and find out what it takes to be a champion. Hosts Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice provide all the latest news and highlights, along with features, analysis, and rankings.
• Sat, July 5 @ 4PM on PPV Channel 0701 or HDPPV Channel 1700 (preshow starts at 3:30PM)
  UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin: The world is watching as UFC® Light Heavyweight Champion QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON and perennial fan favorite FORREST GRIFFIN spend 13 weeks as competing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter® reality show. Now, the time comes for these two mixed martial arts masters to go to war. On Saturday, July 5th, Griffin challenges Jackson for the most hotly contested title in the UFC® – the Light Heavyweight Championship. UFC® 86: JACKSON VS. GRIFFIN – Saturday, July 5, live on Pay-Per-View from Las Vegas, NV. [Fight Card]
• Sun, July 6 @ 3:30AM on KHNL Channel 0008 or HDKHNL Channel 1008
  Strikeforce on NBC: Strikeforce on NBC brings you face-to-face with some of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the nation, every Saturday night! From top professional competitors and champions to the up-and-coming challengers, you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the world’s most extreme sport. Experience the adrenaline-filled, heart-pounding action that comes with each round in the cage – this is a series that will put MMA fans on the edge of their seats!
• Fri, July 11 @ 3:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Inside MMA: Bas and Kenny are joined by guest panelists, female MMA fighter Kim “Sugar Free” Couture, IFL welterweight champion Jay Hieron, and actor and comedian Rob Schneider. We’ll review UFC 86 along with a preview of the top upcoming events, and a look at the week’s best fight highlights from around the globe. Also, Ron Kruck has the latest updates, and breaking news, and Bas goes “Toe-To-Toe” with viewer’s emails.
• Fri, July 11 @ 4:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Adrenaline MMA: HDNet Fights presents some of the rising stars from the debut Adrenaline MMA show from outside Chicago, Illinois. Included on the card was former undefeated college wrestler Marcus LeVesseur (155-0 at Augsburg College) and EliteXC light heavyweight star Aaron Rosa.
• Fri, July 11 @ 7PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  DREAM 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Finals Preview: Ron Kruck previews the Dream 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Finals. The Dream Lightweight Championship comes down to four fighters: Shinya Aoki, Caol Uno, Eddie Alvarez and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Follow their paths to the finals and find out who will walk away the champion.
• Sun, July 13 @ 3:30AM on KHNL Channel 0008 or HDKHNL Channel 1008
  Strikeforce on NBC: Strikeforce on NBC brings you face-to-face with some of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the nation, every Saturday night! From top professional competitors and champions to the up-and-coming challengers, you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the world’s most extreme sport. Experience the adrenaline-filled, heart-pounding action that comes with each round in the cage – this is a series that will put MMA fans on the edge of their seats!
• Thu, July 17 @ 5PM on SpikeTV Channel 0559
  UFC Silva vs. Irvin Countdown: Watch Anderson Silva and James Irvin as they train in their home towns for their clash at The Pearl in Las Vegas on July 19 2008.
• Fri, July 18 @ 3:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Inside MMA: Inside MMA is your opportunity to step inside the world of mixed martial arts and find out what it takes to be a champion. Hosts Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice provide all the latest news and highlights, along with features, analysis, and rankings.
• Fri, July 18 @ 4:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Best of DREAM 4 Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 2nd Round: The best fights from the fourth event from DREAM, a new mixed martial arts promotion from Japan. Featured fights include the last quarterfinal bout from the Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament as Shinya Aoki takes on Katsuhiko Nagata, as well as the entire Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals. Key Middleweight fights include Jason Miller vs. Ronald Souza and Melvin Manhoef vs. Kazushi Sakuraba.
• Sat, July 19 @ 2PM on Fox Sports Net 0226 or HD Fox Sports Net 1226
  Affliction Banned Undercard: Featuring the U.S. debut of 13-3 Aleksander Emelianenko, the younger brother of Fedor Emelianenko, vs. 23-10 Paul Buentello, and 16-8 Vitor Belfort vs. 16-4 Terry Martin.
• Sat, July 19 @ 3PM on PPV Channel 0701 or HDPPV Channel 1700 (preshow starts at 2:30PM)
  Affliction: Banned: Includes Fedor vs. Sylvia, Barnett vs. Rizzo, Rothwell vs. Arlovski, Linland vs. Negao, Whitehead vs. Babalu. [Fight Card]
• Sat, July 19 @ 3PM on SpikeTV Channel 0559
  UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin: Card includes Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy, Hermes Franca vs. Frankie Edgar, Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns, etc. [Fight Card]
• Sun, July 20 @ 3:30AM on KHNL Channel 0008 or HDKHNL Channel 1008
  Strikeforce on NBC: Strikeforce on NBC brings you face-to-face with some of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the nation, every Saturday night! From top professional competitors and champions to the up-and-coming challengers, you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the world’s most extreme sport. Experience the adrenaline-filled, heart-pounding action that comes with each round in the cage – this is a series that will put MMA fans on the edge of their seats!
• Sun, July 20 @ 8PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  DREAM 5: The DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament comes to a conclusion when the Semifinals and Finals happen on the same night! American rising star Eddie Alvarez takes on perennial Top 10 fighter Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri in one semifinal. Alvarez has surprised some in the MMA world with his impressive performances in the first 2 rounds, including winning a fight of the year candidate vs. top fighter Joachim Hansen. In the other semifinal, submission specialist Shinya Aoki takes on fan-favorite Caol Uno. The winners will fight later that same night to determine the champion! Also on the card, one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, makes his MMA debut against American Joseph Benavidez, as well as bouts from other top MMA fighters. Don’t miss DREAM 5 as the Lightweight Tournament reaches an exciting conclusion! [Fight Card]
• Fri, July 25 @ 3:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Inside MMA: Inside MMA is your opportunity to step inside the world of mixed martial arts and find out what it takes to be a champion. Hosts Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice provide all the latest news and highlights, along with features, analysis, and rankings.
• Fri, July 25 @ 4:30PM on HDNET Channel 1355
  Maximum Fighting Championship – Hostile Takeover: Champion Ryan Ford has made a habit out of winning Main Events on HDNet and challenger Joe Jordan hopes to break that habit when the two clash for the MFC Welterweight belt LIVE on HDNet! The undefeated Ford has graced two MFC Main Events and the outcome was the same in both, a victory for Ford by rear naked choke. Joe Jordan will take over six years of fight experience into the ring in an effort to hand Ford the first defeat of his career. While Ford has just started to build his reputation, Jordan has fought some of the most respected names in MMA such as Roger Huerta and Clay Guida. Well-traveled veterans Jason Maxwell and Donald Sanchez also highlight a card that will have the crowd at the River Cree Resort and Casino leaping out of their seats.
• Sat, July 26 @ 2PM on Showtime Channel 0633 or HD Showtime Channel 1633
  CBS EliteXC: Unfinished Business: Lawler vs. Smith II Lead-In Fights
• Sat, July 26 @ 3PM on KGMB Channel 0007 or HD KGMB Channel 1007
  CBS EliteXC: Unfinished Business: Lawler vs. Smith II Main Event including, Nick Diaz vs. Thomas Denny, Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson, Antonio Silva vs. TBD.
• Sat, July 26 @ 3PM on Spike TV Channel 0559
  UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk Replay: The fight game can get very personal and the war of words between UFC® Lightweight Champion “THE PRODIGY” BJ PENN and former champ SEAN “THE MUSCLE SHARK” SHERK has taken personal to a whole new level. The talking stops and the real competition begins as these two men step into the Octagon™ to determine the undisputed king of the 155-lb. division. Plus, the controversial “HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY” TITO ORTIZ faces undefeated Karate master LYOTO “THE DRAGON” MACHIDA. [Fight Card]
• Fri, July 25 @ TBA on HDNET Channel 1355
  Maximum Fighting Championship 17: Hostile Takeover: TBA
• Sun, July 27 @ 3:30AM on KHNL Channel 0008 or HDKHNL Channel 1008
  Strikeforce on NBC: Strikeforce on NBC brings you face-to-face with some of the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the nation, every Saturday night! From top professional competitors and champions to the up-and-coming challengers, you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the world’s most extreme sport. Experience the adrenaline-filled, heart-pounding action that comes with each round in the cage – this is a series that will put MMA fans on the edge of their seats!
• Wed, July 30 @ TBA on Versus Channel 0210 or HDGOLF Channel 1216
  TapouT (Season 2 Premiere): On this episode of TapouT we follow the TapouT crew as they travel to San Luis Obispo, CA where the guys head back to The PIT to see one of John Hackleman’s up-and-coming MMA fighter; Scott Lighty. During the episode we follow Scott outside of the gym where we meet his best friend, training partner, and hetero-life-partner Brazilian Glover Teixeira. Through their adventures, TapouT quickly realizes the potential Glover has and decide to sponsor both Scott and Glover who are fighting on the same card at the Palace Fighting Championship 6 in Lemoore, CA. Special Guest appearance by Chuck Liddell who is both Scott and Glover’s trainer and also corners each of them during their fights.
• Thu, July 31 @ TBA on Versus Channel 0210 or HDGOLF Channel 1216
  The Contender Muay Thai: Prepare to watch the fight that is known as “The Science of Eight Limbs.” These fights feature punches, kicks, elbows, knees and head-butts to wear down and knock out their opponent.

Ongoing/repeat shows include UFC Unleashed (UFC) on SpikeTV (0559), Various Specials on HDNet Fights (1355), World Extreme Cagefighting and WEC Wreckage (WEC) on Versus (0210) or HGOLF (1216), TapouT on Versus (0210) or HGOLF (1216), UFC Wired (UFC) on KFVE (0005), Strikefoce on NBC on KHNL Channel 0008 or HDKHNL 1008, and ICON Sport TV on KFVE (0005). See also: Sherdog.com., Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, MMA Weekly, MMA Mania.

If I missed anything, send it on over and I’ll add it to the list. Thanks!