Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts

Cleveland Sports Vault: 7/3/31. Stadium Opens to Schmeling vs. Stribling for Heavyweight Title

2013-01-30T16:00:00Z

Many Tribe fans know of League Park, a cozy baseball venue nestled in an east-side neighborhood dating back to the late 1800s. It was land-locked amid properties that were not for sale; this had not been a problem during the heyday of the streetcar. With the boom of the privately owned automobile in the early part of the 20^th Century, however, the lack of parking areas became a logistical nightmare during Indians games. The 27,000 capacity limited attendance on some days, as well.

Cleveland Sports Vault: 3/24/75. Don King Brings Ali-Wepner Home to Cleveland

2013-01-16T16:00:00Z

I am not going to sit here and pretend that the 1970s were better than any other decade in our history. The United States’ Cold War with the Soviets carried the implied threat of a nuclear strike. The war in Viet Nam was a confusing, polarizing mess. Civil unrest and failed leadership both resulted from, and contributed to, public discord.

Unquestionably, however, between music, movies, and the like, the entertainment industry was highly compelling. And while it was true that television markets were limited to a handful of available channels, the American public was treated to plenty of intrigue in the sporting world.

Local Product Headlines Today's UFC on Fuel TV Card

2012-09-29T15:36:07Z

Nottingham, England and Capital FM Arena are home to the latest UFC fight card this afternoon and there is a great local flavor on tap for all of us here is Cleveland. Stipe Miocic is a young heavyweight contender from our own backyard and is the main event on what should be a fantastic fight card. The event will air live at 4pm n Fuel TV.

Miocic, currently at 9-0, graduated from Eastlake North and Cleveland State where he was a standout athlete. His great wrestling skills and desire to compete at a high level got him into the world of mixed martial arts where he has been thriving. Training at Strongstyle Mixed Martial Arts in Independence for a number of years has gotten him ready for the bright lights of The Ultimate Fighting Championship.

With three fights already in the UFC, Miocic gets a taste of a main event for the first time in his young career. His opponent today will be a very tough task, Stefan Struve. This has a making of one of the better fights this year.

UFC 150 Recap

2012-08-11T15:55:00Z

Another fight card from the Ultimate Fighting Championship has come and gone and another event that I feel was a real let down. UFC 150 had the makings of a great card and it was just okay. Hopefully this isn’t the way I feel every time after I watch a pay per view. When the three main fights don’t deliver like you would think, you might walk away with a bitter taste in your mouth.

The main event was a rematch for the lightweight title between current champ Benson Henderson and former belt holder, Frankie Edgar. Back in February, these two guys fought a very aggressive, in your face, back and forth, really close bout. Last night was a counter punching kick fest that didn’t have a ton of action. Ben Henderson kept his title with another close split decision. I had Henderson winning three out of the five rounds.

UFC 150 Preview

2012-08-10T18:35:00Z

Tonight in Denver, UFC 150 takes place and the fans watching in the Mile High State and on pay per view are in for a real treat.

In the main event, the lightweight title is on the line in a rematch between current champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson takes on former champ Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. This one has the potential to be a fight of the year candidate.hasn’t been in Colorado for a number of years and they are making up for it with what I feel is a loaded fight card.

UFC 149 Recap

2012-07-21T10:50:00Z

Last night was one of those events were you just couldn’t stop shaking your head. UFC 149 in my eyes had the potential to be an above average fight card. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Top to bottom, it was pretty painful to watch. I honestly don’t ever remember thinking to myself, this card stinks. I had that pop into my head a few times.

The main and co-main event were complete busts. For a card that had a ton of fighters pull out due to injury, I thought the UFC still did a great job lining up a solid night for mixed martial arts fans all over the world.

UFC 149 Preview

2012-07-20T04:00:00Z

UFC 149 is going to take place tonight in Calgary, Alberta, Canada but there will be a lot of fighters that were set to be on this card that are not. Injuries are a huge part of the fight game but never like this. UFC President Dana White has called it the most injured riddled event in the sport’s history. Jose Aldo was set to fight in the main event and he was injured. Also forced off of the card were Michael Bisping, Shogun Rua, Thiago Alves, and Thiago Silva.

All of the injures forced the UFC to take a co-headliner from UFC 148 and move it to 149 to be the main event. That fight will be for the interim bantamweight title. Dominick Cruz is the current champ but recently tore his ACL so he’s on the shelf. Urijah Faber and Renan Barao will square off to see who fights Cruz when he returns.

UFC 148 Recap

2012-07-06T16:30:00Z

UFC 148 took place last night in Las Vegas and the morning after I’m still shaking my head at what went down in the two main fights. We saw the possible end of the biggest feud in mixed martial arts and the final chapter in one of the best careers of all time.

The main event was for the middleweight title and a lot of pride. Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen truly disliked each other. They have bad mouthed each other for months leading up to the fight. Silva said he wanted to end Sonnen’s career and hurt him, and hurt him bad.

UFC 148 Preview

2012-07-04T04:00:00Z

Many UFCs have come and gone and we are now getting ready for UFC 148 tonight live from Las Vegas. It’s no secret that I get pumped up for every event but this one is going to be different. Tonight could possibly be the biggest night in the history of The Ultimate Fighting Championship. The best mixed martial arts fighter in the world will be defending his belt against a guy he hates and wants to hurt.

Anderson Silva versus Chael Sonnen part two. Wow. I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it. The middleweight championship is up for grabs and Sonnen claims to be the rightful owner of the crown, but he’s not.

Bellator 66 Recap

2012-04-20T14:00:00Z

Bellator Fighting Championships brought their top class mixed martial organization to the IX Center last night for a top notch card. There was a lot of top local fighters represented and they came close to filling up all the seats. What seems to always happen to Cleveland fans happened again as most of the home town fighters were beat.

The top local fighter on the bill, Brian Rogers was stunned in the middleweight tournament after having his way for most of the fight. Andreas Spang, a late injury replacement stunned the Cleveland crowd when he landed a picture perfect left hook that sent Rogers down and out in the second round.