2011 Off topic thread(basketball,movies,etc whatever)

[Svino]

I read about the shit I'm talking about in the non-fiction book "The Men Who Stare at Goats." Not sure if you're familiar with it. They made a movie based on it but, from the trailers it least, the movie looked more like a parody of the book than a real adaptation. (Though the book itself didn't take itself overly seriously.)

I'm familiar with the book and the movie. Haven't read the book; saw the movie but it was only OK. The documentary series ("The Crazy Rulers of the World) on the same topic was better. http://www.veoh.com/watch/v19804260T...Stare+At+Goats

[SPX]

I heard the movie wasn't great and the trailers looked pretty meh. The book was a pretty good read, though.

I'll check out that documentary series. I'm always up for a good documentary.

[SPX]

^^^^ New Limp Bizkit up there, in case no one noticed. . .

[SPX]

Ol' Rampage. . .

HDNet's Inside MMA caught up with former light heavyweight champion and current number one contender, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, to talk about his upcoming title fight against Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 135: Jones vs Rampage in September. "Rampage" discussed some of his concerns for the future of the sport, citing Greg Jackson's fighters in particular as being part of the problem, as "Rampage" believes they come into fights looking to wrestle out decisions as opposed to looking to do damage or finish the fight. "I'm getting bored with these opponents. Win or lose, I'm getting bored, because these guys got these elaborate gameplans, want to take me down and wrestle me because they think my ground is suspect." The challenger went on. "MMA, we evolved so fast. Pretty soon we're going to be like boxing. Keep fighting this way. Nobody's going to watch. I come for the belt and stuff like that, and I'm still going to go out there, all gung-ho, go for it, and take chances. We fight in the cage. They lock the cage behind us."

Jackson went on, saying Jones will not fight him like a man, and he then addressed fans and critics that may take away from his recent performances. "We got fans talking I haven't knocked nobody out since Wanderlei. Cause Wanderlei come to fight. Chuck come to fight. Those people come to fight. I could have easily got knocked out by Chuck or Wanderlei. It's a risk you take, but those guys gained my respect."

When asked about the public perception created by him starring in the recent A-Team remake, as well as when praised for his most recent fight, "Rampage" answered. "People don't understand how motivated I am. This is my career. This is my job. Yeah, I'm not going to be as excited to fight people like Matt Hamill. I'm not going to be as excited about fighting a wrestler, someone who I know is going to take me down. For them to be MMA fans, and be fans of me, to watch me fight, they shouldn't [have] been excited about that fight either. And the pay-per-view showed. I'm the one who lost in that fight, because at the end of the day, I fight for a career. I fight for money. And the pay-per-views, that's where I make my cheddar. So I'm excited about fighting people who's going to fight."

Jackson's thoughts on MMA having vulnerabilities entertainment-wise are compelling, and these concerns are shared by fans across the world. While many fans were hooked on the sport after seeing vicious knockouts or submissions, these same fans now watch a sport that sometimes sees its competitors becoming so accustomed to the ruleset and environment of the fights, they are able to focus on controlling their opponent to such a degree, even if just wrapped up against the fence, that the rounds will tick off without providing much of the UFC's trademark action.

Jackson's fight with another former champ Rashad Evans was heavily criticized for being anti-climactic after an unprecedented buildup saw the fighters trade jabs for months through the media, as well as take part in numerous confrontations on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. Evans earned the decision by controlling Jackson against the fence for much of the fight, and while Jackson made a late-round comeback, it would not be enough to take the win away from Rashad.

To use boxing as a parallel, many MMA fans are former boxing fans that grew tired of the marathon-style technical showcases often seen in today's championship boxing scene. An element of irony is that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is known for having some of the best hands in MMA, but for him to fear the sport taking a turn for the worse, shows the sport is changing so rapidly, that it seems every year or so the competitive landscape changes.
Just in Jackson's division alone, two years ago, the 205-pound belt was captured by a man that with his speed, takedown defense, and exotic brand of karate, people were saying Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida was a champion that could go unbeaten for the rest of his career. Fast forward to present day, the belt is now held by Jon "Bones" Jones, a super-aggressive, wrestling ground-and-pound machine, with reach enough to throw spinning kicks and elbows with minimized risk, and athleticism enough to spring back and avoid damage.

[MMA_scientist]

Rampage trying to goad Jones into standing and trading so he at least has some chance in the fight. Jones finishes fights, so I don't see the problem. Jones is a finisher among finishers. And whether you like him or not, he is very exciting to watch, everyone agrees on that.

That said, some guys are clearly just riding out the clock trying to stifle any offense from either man. But it is not a 'problem' in mma IMO. It is actually pretty rare, and there have been guys like that since the dawn of MMA.

[Vandelay]

Was it not rampage who fought like a bitch against machida and refused to engage him in a standup fight. Fuckin hypocrite.

[poopoo333]

Just checking in from Mexico...sup guys

[SPX]

What up, nigga? How did you figure out how to get on the Internet? How's Meh-hi-co?

[MMA_scientist]

I didn't know you were going to mexico. I hope you have your ID straight, they may not let you back in unless you shave off your dirty sanchez.

[poopoo333]

My fresh off the boat stache is gone, so I will be allowed back.

I am just here for the day, I get back on the cruise soon. I am at an internet cafe...$1 for 30 minutes. I lost my ass in roulette already, but I started craps last night and basically won all my money back. Craps is crazy...everybody won big last night, it was pretty fun. One guy turned $35 into $1100.

Mexico is alright...the downside is a bunch of mexican people running towards you on the street begging you to go into their shops.

[MMA_scientist]

Craps is a good time. Roulette is both boring and a terrible bet.

Mexico is ok if you get away from all the peddlers.

[poopoo333]

I am out motherfuckers....see ya

[Mr. IWS]

I am out motherfuckers....see ya

[SPX]

My fresh off the boat stache is gone, so I will be allowed back.

I am just here for the day, I get back on the cruise soon. I am at an internet cafe...$1 for 30 minutes. I lost my ass in roulette already, but I started craps last night and basically won all my money back. Craps is crazy...everybody won big last night, it was pretty fun. One guy turned $35 into $1100.

Mexico is alright...the downside is a bunch of mexican people running towards you on the street begging you to go into their shops.

I still need to learn to play craps. You play any blackjack?

$1 for 30 minutes sounds like a good deal.

I haven't been to Mexico, but intend to get down there eventually. Where exactly are you?

[SPX]

Roulette is both boring and a terrible bet.

I've had a good time playing roulette before.

I have a relatively low-risk system I sometimes play that can win money pretty quickly if luck is on your side.