Videos: UFC 98 Picks, Meditations on the Motel 6, + Lyoto Machida's First Fight
Watch UFC 98 Picks From CagePotato.coms Ben Fowlkes! on RawVegas.tv
Oh, Christ. There's something really terrible about seeing yourself talk on video. It's a similar feeling to hearing your own voice on the answering machine, only much worse. Anyway, this is me giving my UFC 98 predictions to RawVegas.tv and talking about what it's like coming to Vegas to cover a UFC fight and staying at the sleazy Motel 6 across the street from the MGM Grand, which seemed to fascinate the Raw Vegas people for some reason. Personally I prefer their work in the genre of girls kissing other girls for money in Vegas nightclubs. That shit is art, yo.
Think of this video as a word of caution to all the kids out there considering becoming MMA writers. It's not cool. In fact, it's downright pathetic. Just when you think it can't get any worse some people with a video camera come in and make you pretend to type on your laptop, even as you are visibly mouthing the words, "type, type, type." Congratulations to those of you who got the "Lawrence of Arabia" reference. You are nerds. And if you want to take issue with my picks, just check out who's tied for first in the CBS Sports panel.
After the jump, Lyoto Machida's first fight, back when he was so young and so willing to come down to the ring in weird outfits.
(Props: MMA Scraps)
BTW, if anyone has any idea why Antonio Inoki slaps Machida around at around the nine-minute mark, by all means, enlighten us.
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Comments
831 Son Says:
Hey Ben's, Machida had gotten slapped around at the end of his first fight because legend has it that being hit/slapped 3 times after your first meaningful match will bring great success and immortality. No Joke. And Machida didnt even know about it untill after he had gotten slapped. Fucking crazy.
LargeMidget Says:
I think there's a great chance this fight goes the distance.
My official pick is a motherfuckin' draw. I have rules with both fighters where I'm "never picking against them again".
On a side note, I feel like it's been WAY TOO FUCKING LONG since the last UFC, anybody else going insane with anticipation for this?
PurplePickle Says:
Ben, you are so hardcore that you chose a Motel 6 that has wall paint that matches Sakuraba's fight shorts.
TheRealKadumel Says:
Nice shirt, Ben. I am still winning the CP Shirt in public contest though...
Old_Bald_and_Irish Says:
"Livin' the dream!"
shitwhistle Says:
Christ Fowlkes, is that a Smedium?
Owen is doing well, by the way. Thanks for all your well wishes (for those that did).
Polish Says:
He didn't even react when dude hit him after the fight, that is crazy. The last one looked more like a punch and not a slap too.
Sneaky Pete Says:
Isn't that how pro-wrestlers shake hands? It's like how football players pat their comrades butts and plumbers expose their cracks; it's just how we say, "hello."
HARJO Says:
831 SON is right... it was on the Countdown to UFC 98 show last night. Although a modern Lyoto Machida would have side-stepped them shits like the ninja ghost he is.
Meohfumado Says:
Ben carries twenty-three great wounds, all cigarette burns got ringside or in casinos from drunken sluts and fools in Affliction and Tapout shirts. Seventy-five fighting men has he interviewed. He opens up their lives, documents their strengths and weaknesses. For this advertisers pay him a great green treasure, yet he is poor and sleeps in Motel 6!! Because Ben is a river to his people!!!
Ben goes to Vegas and covers MMA not for money...not for a VIP hotel room....but because it is his PLEASURE!!!
NECROPHYTE Says:
Who gives a shit if it's Motel 6! The Monorail takes you to all the good spots anyway! We still respect you despite staying in a Roach Motel Benjamin.
NECROPHYTE Says:
Krazy indeed. Where'd you get the info 831?
Judo Im Right Says:
I like the picks Ben. I'd agree with pretty much everything said ... someone has a bright future in Vlogging i think ... just remember no dropping the Fg bomb
MyFightWiffaCheeto Says:
Kadumel! Dude get off it! You push for the shirt contest because you're the only one with a shirt. You'll just wind up winning, well... another shirt.
831 Son Says:
I had heard about it a little over a year ago when I was searching for Information on Lyoto but was never sure because of the source. But to confirm it was legit, It was also on the "Countdown to UFC 98" last night.
MyFightWiffaCheeto Says:
@NECROPHYTE...
He talked about it on the Countdown for UFC 98 on Spike last night.
just some dong Says:
Call it temporary insanity, but after watching the countdown, I give Serra a puncher's chance to win. I see him rocking Hughes on the feet and then finishing him on the ground with strikes, just like GSP. Serra by Rnd 1 TKO!!
No real way to predict the main event but I'm pullin' for Lyoto. Nothing against Rashad at all, but that fuckin' dude is as awesome as they come.
I just love these fights... so rare when I can say I respect all the fighters equally and will be happy to see any of them wins.
MIRJITSU Says:
During one visit to a school in the 80's, Inoki was punched twice by a student. Inoki slapped the student across the face, knocking him down. The student, who later turned out to be an Inoki fan, then rose, bowed deeply, and thanked Inoki for the slap. The incident became very famous as the then live clip of the binta (slap in the face) was shown many times on Japanese television. Now various celebrities and even common people in Japan ask Inoki to slap them to install courage or even as some sort of strange blessing. The slap's name is the "Fighting Spirit (or Toukon) Slap." (é—˜é‚ビンタ)
Sneaky Pete Says:
Is it just me or is Lyoto actually a manga character or what? If he loses, I expect to see his nose disappear and exaggerated sweat droplets fly off of his brow. Next match, Lyoto v. Pikachu!!!
AntonG420 Says:
Hey any of you guys live around Philly? I tried to get some tickets for 101 through the Pre-sale they had this morning, and $50,100,200 levels are already gone lol . are there that many UFC fight club holders to buy ALL those tickets??? Thats a fn ripoff I was hoping to go so bad..
bold Says:
he wanted to be the first person to ever hit lyoto
Anonymous Says:
You remind me of a young Henry Rollins, Ben.
VEe Says:
Antonio Inoki Slap. It this weird traditional thing that Inoki does.
"During one visit to a school in the 80's, Inoki was punched twice by a student. Inoki slapped the student across the face, knocking him down. The student, who later turned out to be an Inoki fan, then rose, bowed deeply, and thanked Inoki for the slap. The incident became very famous as the then live clip of the binta (slap in the face) was shown many times on Japanese television. Now various celebrities and even common people in Japan ask Inoki to slap them to install courage or even as some sort of strange blessing. The slap's name is the "Fighting Spirit (or Toukon) Slap." (é—˜é‚ビンタ)"
- courtesy of Wikipedia
kempo666 Says:
Only a karate master can kill a karate master... so unless they let GSP have a go at him, expect Machida to hold that belt for awhile...
Kadumel Says:
I am pretty sure I can kill a karate master with my Army training and a nice Glock 17. Not that I would Im just saying. Oh and Machida takes this one all day long.
Kadumel Says:
@the real kadumel
Fuck You.
TheRealKadumel Says:
TUF Guy I hate you so much for stealing my name it isn't funny. You are a fucking douche bag and I hope that you die in a car accident.
Kadumel Says:
I am not the TUF GUY and I am sick of you accusing me of stealing your name when you know damn well your trying to leech some of my popularity by calling yourself the real kadumel. Get a life Cool.
Swedish Says:
This main event is truly "Let the best man win"
You rarely see this so we should all feel blessed.
Assliction/Strikeforce spends to much time protecting their "stars"
just some dong Says:
Hey hey, just watched MMA Live over at ESPN.com and I see that Kenny agrees with my Hughes/Serra prediction. So this temporary insanity bug must be going around.
sixjackbox Says:
They explained it on ufc 98 countdown show. gosh.
knightrida Says:
You see that cauliflower ear at the very end? That shit's the worst I've seen besides James Thompson's.
AkilleeZ Says:
Ben you didn't tell us you were so handsome
/gay
Bring Da Ruckus Says:
Ben you are too cute...will we be seeing future predictions via video blog? :)
Agree with your assessment of Rashad; he's always seen as the underdog in his fights yet continues to win and I hope he does tomorrow, not by decision though. I think a lot of fans are ready to see some definitive ass kicking action. Hoping to see him score a takedown and work some elbows to the face. But I'm always looking for elbows to the face. Can someone just work some damn elbows to the face??!!
Bring Da Ruckus Says:
Oh and before more gay comments start, I'm a woman and totally sincere with the cute comment. You have the same haircut as my boyfriend. haha :)
NECROPHYTE Says:
Now now, don't lie. There's no crying/women in MMA. Oh wait, Forest cried but his hairy chest makes up for it.:'(
831 Son Says:
Kadumel Says:
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 11:50
I am pretty sure I can kill a karate master with my Army training and a nice Glock 17. Not that I would Im just saying. Oh and Machida takes this one all day long.
Um why the fuck would you use a Glock 17? They are not reliable whatsoever. It is very probable that it would jam when you try and shoot it. Not mentioning the fact that it is a bunch of plastic. Your dumb. Kimber 1911 is the way to go. Its what swat teams around the country use as standard issue. I never get it when I see cops around my town that have glocks. I mean, you have to qualify with the gun you choose but the fact of the matter is, YOU GET TO CHOOSE. What clowns. Glocks are gay, unless its a .45 then its just lame. And im sure that half of the people in the army arent even well trained at close quarter combat. If you were a green beret I wouldnt doubt you, but I guarantee that isnt the case.