http://sherdogblog.craveonline.com/blog/2009-07-01The Circus is in Town: ‘Cops vs. Cons’ Slated for PennsylvaniaWednesday, July 1
Though the ink is barely dry on Pennsylvania’s state sanctioning of mixed martial arts, promoters are already dissatisfied with the humdrum premise of plain old prizefighting: Organizers for Xtreme Caged Combat in Reading, Pa., have emerged from their think tank to produce a theme night of “cops vs. cons” for Oct. 3.
For a sport that’s hosted semi-shoot dwarf fighting, egregious mismatches and Jose Canseco -- the Japanese gift that keeps on giving -- this shouldn’t be too shocking. But, as Fanhouse’s Mike Chiappetta points out, it is a bush-league approach in a state that may still be making up its mind about hosting sanctioned assault.
Possible antidote: the UFC, which will host a show in Philadelphia on Aug. 8 and presumably leave a better impression among locals and lawmakers. Pennsylvania has recently joined Indiana as one of 39 states now sanctioning MMA. If shows like “Cops vs. Cons” were part of proposed schedules before bills were passed, it’s possible that number would be substantially lower.
Chicago-Area Tavern Proposes Sanctioned Bar FightsWednesday, July 1
A shelf full of alcohol, a surplus of testosterone and a giant cage: what could go wrong? Bartlett, Ill., bar owner Murray Friedman wants to find out: He’s petitioned city officials for permission to hold MMA fights in his Bannerman’s Sports Grill beginning in August. According to the Daily Herald, Friedman got the idea when his outfit regularly filled up for UFC cards. (He also claims Clay Guida is a regular patron.)
Surprisingly, Bartlett Mayor Michael Kelly approves. He thinks the attraction could result in some spillover to neighboring stores, helping boost the area’s sagging economy. But local promoter Jeff Abin cautions that staging a “25-foot cage into a bar which is maybe 30-feet wide” could be a little problematic.
Providing the state commission is involved, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, though the idea that patrons could be fueled up with both booze and adrenaline -- then stuffed into close quarters -- does not strike as one of society’s more brilliant ideas.
It's so crazy, it just has to work!!!
