Irked by UFC 121 Mexican angle? Then don't watch this new promo

Are you bothered by the UFC running with the "first Mexican heavyweight champion" angle to push Cain Velasquez's title challenge against Brock Lesnar? You say yes? Are you going to boycott the show? If not, pipe down.

Things are finally heating up with this awesome video (NSFW) that finishes with a bold statement:

"You just [expletive] with the wrong Mexican!"

The Spanish promo prominently employs Lesnar's Hispanic heritage jab during Countdown to UFC 121:

"Listen, when I get done whooping your ass, I'm gonna do drink a Corona and eat a burrito just for your Hispanic heritage," said Lesnar (video -1:15 mark). "How about that?"

Kevin Iole and I have covered boxing for a long time and this kind of marketing is pervasive and frankly a must in the fight game. We discuss the "outrage" on the part of some bloggers and fans. Message boards are filled with debates over Velasquez's "Brown Pride" tattoo and the UFC's use of the young Latino star to market MMA to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

MMAforReal points out that the Mexican fighter angle for UFC 121 coincides with Top Rank Promotion's effort to sell the Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao fight on Nov. 13. Both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotion have no issue setting up nationalistic storylines. 

Tip via Twitter.com/SI_JoshGross

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Magic vs. Wizards: Orlando Enjoys Easy Warmup Before Heat

Filed under: Magic, Wizards

ORLANDO, Fla. -- This regular-season opener looked like nothing but an extension of a cushy exhibition schedule, which the Orlando Magic breezed through by winning all seven games by an average of 26 points.

The real first game -- and the one they've been targeting since the summer -- will come Friday night in Miami when they expect to show what they really think about the endless hype surrounding the Heat.

Remember Quentin Richardson's comment from earlier this month: "F**k the Heat.''

The Magic squished the Wizards Thursday like they were stepping on some Florida cockroaches, rolling to a 112-83 victory that never was seriously contested.

Washington rookie John Wall -- the No. 1 pick of the draft with a world of potential -- had some shining moments, but they were dulled badly by an embarrassing performance by his team. The Wiz were never competitive, looking like a very young team with a very, very long way to go.

Wall finished with 14 points and nine assists, but he made only six of 19 shots. And he didn't get to the free throw line until early in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard led everyone with 23 points and 10 rebounds, getting serenaded by the sellout crowd with chants of "MVP, MVP.''

It was the biggest margin of victory on opening night for the Magic.

The only real spice to the game was when Magic third-string point guard Jason Williams was ejected in the final minute for his second technical foul after he grabbed the arm of official Tony Brothers. He played only eight minutes, but he was angry after getting his first technical under the NBA's new low tolerance rule.

Either the Magic are going to be really good, or the Wizards really bad.

---

Box Score: Magic 112, Wizards 83
Whitley: John Wall Gets a Dose of Reality Against Magic

---

 

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John Dickenson Part

Everything about this John Dickenson part just screams Australia. I mean that in a good way.

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USC QB wants to go all Velasquez on Oregon, the Lesnars from the north

Here's more proof the kiddies between 18 and 34 years old love their mixed martial arts. The L.A. Times says USC quarterback Matt Barkley has "caused a stir" with his MMA-related Tweet regarding the Trojans' upcoming game against unbeaten Oregon. The 21-year-old from Newport Beach, Calif., must've enjoyed David toppling Goliath when Cain Velasquez pulled the upset on Brock Lesnar at UFC 121. Tweeted Barkley:

"Wow, Brock just got rocked! Lesnar is to Oregon as Velasquez is to SC. Lezgo."

Before it was deleted, the QB's Tweet was re-Tweeted by plenty of Ducks fans.

Why would Oregon fans be insulted? Their team is the bully on the block in the Pac-10. It seems like a nice comparison. Was it really an insult? The insult comes when you force a kid who makes a harmless analogy feel like he did something wrong.

"That had nothing to do with Oregon," Barkley said after practice. "I just got fired up thinking about my teammates.

"It had to do with kind of being an underdog in a big fight, like we're going into. Everyone, of course, takes it out of context and blows it up. But that was about us and about our team and the adversity we've been through."

Chip Kelly probably appreciates the comparison. After all, the Oregon coach is the guy who uses classic boxing wars to get his players fired up. Kelly had the team watch the 2002 fight where "Irish" Mickey Ward pulled the upset on Arturo Gatti.

"You can get knocked out in the seventh round -- all you can do is be ready to battle each week and make it to the eighth round,'' Kelly said.

Ward, an old friend of Kelly's, actually spoke to the team last week. Kelly likens the season to a 12-round fight.

So let's get this clear Oregon fans, your coach can use fighting references to talk about the games but USC can't?

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Talking retirement, Couture walks fine line with EA MMA game

Over the last few years, Randy Couture's relationship with the UFC has been a wild ride, to say the least. From late 2007 into 2008, he sat idle for 15 months as he battled with Dana White and the UFC over a new contract. Couture returned and has been part of some major fights to help MMA explode into the mainstream. But there are still some remnants lingering from the squabble. This week probably opened some old wounds as EA Sports released its MMA game featuring Couture alongside Fedor Emelianenko on the cover. The 15-month holdout allowed Couture to sign on as part of EA's efforts to produce a rival product to the UFC's game with THQ.

On Tuesday, Couture joined Fedor and several fighters from the Strikeforce roster in Los Angeles to promote the release. 

"It’s been delicate for sure," Couture [told the L.A. Times]. "I try and be as considerate as I can be of the position that I’m in and the position the UFC’s in. They have their own game. We managed to work around it. We try and be sensitive and not be too in-their-face about our position and where we’re at with this game."

The L.A. collaboration between the former UFC champ and Fedor must have fight fans thinking of what could've been. Couture, 47, doesn't have much time left and is now openly talking about retirement. He could walk away from the sport without ever having gotten a shot at Fedor in a much-coveted superfight.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Couture told John Jay O'Regan from Fighter's Only Magazine. Couture said he'll be part of "The Expendables" sequel. That begins shooting in March.

"I don't know what's going to happen on the fight front," said Couture. "I've had my wars. I can still fight but I'm not sure I want to make another run at the title. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy the fighting but it's probably time to move on."

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Surf Artist - Leandro Silva

Introducing Brazilian surf artist Leandro Silva. Leandro is a self-taught artist based in Rio de Janeiro. He says; "I have struggled to gain traction in the market for art, often by not being famous, many doors are closed before my work is even considered". Let's help change that! If you like Leandro's work share it with your friends and get Leandro the recognition he deserves…

www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/leandro-silva.php



Image below: Kelly Slater with one of Leandro Silva's paintings at the Billabong Pro at Santa Catarina, Brazil…



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http://leandrosilvaart.blogspot.com

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?Shogun? Recovering from Knee Surgery, Champ Focused on Rashad Evans

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is having a 'perfect' recovery from knee surgery and the UFC light heavyweight champion has resumed training focused on an expected fight with former champ Rashad Evans early next year, despite the likes of Jon Jones and Ryan Bader joining the title picture.

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Gabriel Gonzaga Cut From UFC Following UFC 121 Loss

Once a promising No. 1 contender, Brazilian heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga has been cut from the UFC following his recent loss at UFC 121.

The fighter announced the news on his Twitter page.

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What to Watch For As MLS Regular Season Ends This Weekend

Filed under: MLS, Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC

This weekend will see the 2010 MLS regular season come to an end. The eight playoff places are secured, but the final round of matches is far from meaningless. There's still plenty of intrigue in week 30.

With that in mind, FanHouse breaks down the weekend's five most interesting story lines as the regular season's closing bell prepares to sound.

Buddle vs. Wondolowski

Edson Buddle (above) had been atop the MLS goal scoring standings for the entirety of the 2010 season until Wednesday, when San Jose's Chris Wondolowski netted a hat trick against Chivas USA to pull even with 17 goals. Now each striker will have 90 minutes, Wondo against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday and Buddle against FC Dallas on Sunday, to stake his claim to the golden boot.

Buddle holds the edge on the assists tiebreaker (two to one), but given how the pair has played this season and given what's at stake -- expect at least one of them to find the back of the net.

 

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Velasquez slays the beast to take Lesnar's title at UFC 121

Brock Lesnar is a monster but he met his match in terms of power, and especially speed and stamina. In the opening seconds of the fight, the gigantic MMA force tried to impose his will on the smaller Cain Velasquez. Velasquez didn't back down. In fact, he rose almost instantly after an early takedown and from there you knew Lesnar was in for a battle. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder tired quickly, Velasquez didn't let up and laid a beating on Lesnar. By the fourth minute of the fight, Lesnar couldn't take anymore. With blood all over his face, Lesnar turned to his side to shy away from the onslaught. Velasquez rips the UFC heavyweight title away from Lesnar with a TKO stoppage at 4:12 of the first round.

"I didn't (expect that)," Velasquez told UFC analyst Joe Rogan. "I trained for a five round fight. You can't expect an early stoppage or a first round fight. You gotta train for the whole fight."

Lesnar (5-2, 3-2 UFC) handled the defeat with class.

"I expected nothing less (from him). He's a great fighter," said Lesnar. "I knew I had a great challenge in front of me. What can I say? He was better than me tonight."

Update: Velasquez's finish earned him the knockout of the night bonus of $70,000.

The 28-year-old Velasquez (9-0, 7-0 UFC) overcame what was likely a 25-pound weight disadvantage, four inches in reach and three inches in height. The way the fight unfolded you'd never know that he was the smaller guy.

Lesnar charged across the Octagon throwing punches and even a wild flying knee. He got a hold of Velasquez and the fight hit the floor just 30 seconds in. But just like Lesnar, the Mexican-American was a high level Div. 1 collegiate wrestling star. It only took him just a few seconds to rise to his feet.

The next test of power and leverage came along the cage in a clinch situation. Velasquez stayed calm and had zero issues. When the fighters separated, Velasquez let his hands go. He nailed Lesnar with a left hook and then grabbed a single leg to go for a takedown of his own. Lesnar went down on one knee and seconds later was down on both knees. Velasquez had hip control and started pounding away with some big shots. Eventually Lesnar settled to his back but that was even worse. He was pinned on the cage and took a vicious beating.

Lesnar was in the identical position at UFC 116. That's where he weathered the storm against Shane Carwin, who eventually gassed himself out. Velasquez wasn't going to do that. He picked his shots and opened up a huge slice under Lesnar's right eye. Referee Herb Dean had to save the champ.  

Before we go labeling Velasquez unbeatable like people did with Lesnar, remember there's more talent on the way.

The UFC's heavyweight division has never been better. Next up for Velasquez is an excellent striker in Junior Dos Santos. And then Carwin and Lesnar can fight their way back into the mix. The quick finish tonight may allow the UFC to stack one of its January, February or March cards in 2011 with the Cain-JDS heavyweight title showdown.

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Mike Maddux: Bud Selig Is Rangers 'MVP'

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Mariners, Rangers, MLB Biz, Sports Business and Media

SAN FRANCISCO -- Eyes were opened around baseball when the Rangers, who at the time were in bankruptcy court, were allowed to take on salary to get Cliff Lee in a July trade, and Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux admitted on the eve of the World Series that it was a lucky break.

"I've got to say our MVP is Commissioner Selig, for letting us operate without a checkbook," Maddux said. "He's got to be one of the unsung heroes of baseball, at least as far as the Rangers are concerned."

Lee, who will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Giants on Wednesday, was obviously one of the keys to put the Rangers over the top.

 

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Scuba Diver Girls Harbor Seal Adventure

The girls go diving with their new friend Bjorn with one mission in mind…diving with the harbor seals! The seals in San Diego are so cute and curious, they are like the puppies of the sea! We had a successful mission and we were all smiling by the end of the dive! Copyright information for [...]

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Soccer Wednesday: Your Running Commentary

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Grapplers Quest Preview in London Ontario Canada - Grapplers Quest

The Fight Network previews the Oct. 30 Grapplers Quest event in London, Ontario featuring a superfight between BJJ phenom Saulo Ribeiro and 2010 World's Best Grappler Joao Assis.

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Slow Down Expectations for Jose Aldo, Jon Jones

by Michael David SmithThe two hottest young fighters in MMA are the 24-year-old WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and the 23-year-old UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones. UFC President Dana White knows that, but he also wants fans to know that Aldo won't be rushed into fighting as a UFC lightweight until he wants to, and Jones won't be rushed into a light heavyweight title fight before he's ready.

And so if you're hoping to see Aldo in the Octagon or Jones fighting for a belt, don't hold your breath.

White said on The Fight Fix on CSN Washington that Aldo had a chance to move into the UFC lightweight division and fight Kenny Florian, but Aldo chose instead to keep defending his featherweight belt. And he said Jones won't fight for the light heavyweight title for at least a year.

 

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