ESPN jumps into coverage of MMA

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ESPN jumps into coverage of MMA
David Estrada, Jr MMA column for Sunday, May 9

David Estrada, Jr The Port Arthur News

— MMA is now on the ESPN television network. After a successful ESPN online pilot, "MMA Live" will now air on ESPN2 every Thursday night. The 30-minute news magazine is in the same mold as other ESPN news shows like "NFL Primetime"

and "NBA Fastbreak."

    Judging from its first airing on Thursday, it looks like ESPN is providing superb coverage of the MMA world. It's not UFC-centric; they actually cover other major promotions like Strikeforce. MMA followers should tune in or DVR this show to keep up to speed on current happenings in the sport.

    For some reason, it feels like world No. 1 heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko is the Strikeforce champion. His victory over Brett "The Grim" Rogers on CBS last fall was not for a title. The current Strikeforce heavyweight champion is a

Dutchman named Alistair "Demolition Man" Overeem. Overeem is a relative unknown to American fans because he last fought on US soil in 2007.

    Overeem will be back in the States Saturday night to fight for Strikeforce in a non-title affair. His opponent is none other than Brett Rogers. This fight will introduce MMA followers to Overeem before a clash with Fedor Emelianenko. That is, if he can get past the perfect heavyweight gatekeeper in Rogers.

    In other heavyweight news, UFC champion Brock Lesnar is officially back. After a year off due to medical issues, he will be returning to the Octagon in UFC 116 on July 3rd. It's clear that fireworks will be coming a little early this year with this heavyweight tilt.

    In the wake of the post-fight melee a few weeks ago on CBS-Strikeforce Saturday Night Fights, it's reassuring to hear measures have been taken to discipline the fighters involved. Two fighters involved in the fiasco were removed from

scheduled June bouts in Strikeforce. Nick Diaz and Jason "Mayhem" Miller were removed from the fight card.

    Sometimes making the right decision is not easy. Strikeforce president Scott Coker ignored the fact that the extra publicity from the melee would add interest and more viewership to the event. He did the right thing for his organization and sport as whole by sending a clear statement such shenanigans will not be tolerated.

    It's unknown if Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields is going to be disciplined in any way. He was involved in the initial shove of the melee. He might not feel any repercussions because he may be an MMA free agent.

    It was quite intriguing to see Jake Shields sitting next to UFC president Dana White at the WEC pay-per-view event two weekends ago. One didn't have to be an expert lip-reader to see White mouthing, "He's mine." White had a head with a smile as big as fellow fight promoter, Don King, albeit with less hair.

    It's clear that  White now has more influence in combat sports than King. That said, one should hope MMA's preeminent fight promoter will steer the sport the right way by making the right decisions.

    David Estrada Jr. is a Mixed Martial Arts columnist for the Port Arthur News. He can be e-mailed at

[OldSkool97]

I saw it for the first time the other night and they did a good job! Pretty interesting show to watch!