Don Frye vs. Oleg Taktarev is one of the most intriguing matches in all of MMA … if it were still 1995. Former UFC founder Bob Meyrowitz is betting that were all a bit nostalgic. In fact, he hoping we’ll pay $34.99 for it.
Hold on to your happy caps because the news gets even more exciting. Frye hurt his back in training. While it’s unconceivable that this could happen to a 42 year-old fighter, Yamma is ensuring that we’re going to get the geriatric slugfest we deserve by signing none other than Pat Smith! Who better than mediocre kickboxer from the early 90s? It’s hard to imagine how Meyrowitz drove the UFC into bankruptcy?
The card will also feature the king of class, Eric “Butterbean” Eisch, as he takes on UFC 8 stand out Gary Goodridge. Let me say that again, UFC E-I-G-H-T standout. But wait, there’s more: on top of it all is a tournament! Can you say old school?!
Hell, this tournament reminds EVERYONE of one of the most popular UFC tournament champions of all time: Steve Jenum! (look here) This is EXACTLY like the tournaments of back in the day!
Of course, that’s assuming that the first two rounds of tournaments “back in the day” consisted of one-round, five-minute fights. No? Wasn’t Royce Gracie fighting in a three round, three minute round finale? Doesn’t that sound old school? Hmmm, I wonder why there aren’t more tournaments in the United States?
Oh, and it’s a good thing that Meyrowitz and company didn’t name the organization something that would remind the fans (and the press) of a bad Jean Claude Van Damme movie…I mean … it’s not like MMA is struggling to be seen as a legitimate sport.
While Bob Meyrowitz will forever be a legend in the sport of MMA. Not all legends know what the hell they’re doing. Just ask Ken Shamrock. Even better, just wait and ask him when he fights on the next Yamma Fight Card against Keith Hackney (I’m kidding, but Yamma might not be).
What exactly is supposed to come from this fight card? Will the winner of the tournament be heralded as the next big thing? Will Taktarav-mania sweep the country? No. Even the entertainment factor is questionable when you put two forty something’s in the cage (when one of them isn’t named Couture).
Yamma Pitfighing has their heart in the right place, but not their minds. Putting on a tournament and featuring legendary fighters gets the attention of the MMA media, just not for the right reasons.
PEACE
Brett “The Conqueror” Beverly
