Bleacher Report - Randy Couture

Demystifying Fighters' Heights, Auras, and Egos

Jung Soo Kim — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:24:38 -0500

You all know what I am talking about. I possibly cannot be the only one cracking up every time I see Shane Carwin listed as 6'3" in the UFC tale-of-the-tape segments. In a recent episode of Inside MMA, he was even listed as 6'5"! In fact, I have seen occasions where even Joe Rogan laughs at the inaccuracies.

I once pictured Carwin trying to walk towards the Octagon wearing high heels (make them pink). The sheer ridiculousness of the idea had me laughing hysterically.

It is quite ironic to think that a guy nicknamed "the Engineer" cannot measure his own height properly, but a man's ego can do wonderful things. Sometimes, it's not even his fault. The industry will always make their models look bigger and better.

The list is just starting.

I have seen Randy "the Natural" Couture listed as tall as 6'2". Then I saw the old man literally look up at Brock Lesnar's gigantic head, and I realized, Couture ain't 6'2". He's my size—around 6'0"! Lesnar is at least 6'3", if not 6'4".

I have noticed that this kind of statistical error is usually predominant in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions of the UFC.

It's not difficult to understand. Bigger, heavier guys draw more attention and more Pay-Per-View buys. Fabricating stats is nothing new to organizations such as the NBA, NFL or even MLB. Even high school coaches do it.

A casual fan, when told that Carwin is 6'5" and 260 pounds, will cry out, "Holy Moly, now that's a big son of a gun!" Reveal that he's 6'0"-6'1" and 260 pounds and the same fanatic will show only half of the excitement.

It is why Greeks made gigantic statues of their idols; the alpha-male should be stronger and bigger and be perceived in such a way. We all cheer for David to beat Goliath, but secretly in our hearts, we aspire to resemble Goliath and envy him.

In no way am I trying to diminish any of these fighters' reputation, but the truth just has to be told. That's it.

One might dispute: "How can you trust someone like me?"

Well, I think I've done my fair share of research and nosing around. Comparing Pride FC stats with UFC stats has helped, and getting good photos without deceiving camera angles also helps. So here goes...

Quinton Rampage Jackson is a solid 6'0", and not 6'1" as publicized.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is only 5'11". Wanderlei Silva and Rua are basically identical in height and many photos have proven this. Add in Rashad Evans.

Fedor "the Last Emperor" Emelianenko is also at a comfortable, but somewhat disappointing 5'11". He seriously looked like a midget next to Andrei Arlovski, who is a legit 6'4" fighter.

Lyoto Machida, Keith Jardine, and Rich Franklin are solid 6'1" fighters. Vitor Belfort is a very strong 6'0".

K-1 sensation Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic is only 6'1", and is identical in height to his nemesis Gabriel Gonzaga. Add in matador Cain Velasquez to the mix, and Frank Mir.

Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva are at a good 6'2".

Silva is a particularly funny example because back in Pride, he was listed as short as 5'11". Even in his early UFC fights, he was still a lowly 5'11", but then the vitamins and nutritious hamburgers in America apparently did him some good.

Silva grew an astounding three inches during his meteoric one-year rise in the UFC middleweight division.

Forrest Griffin is 6'3"—something that the UFC got right. Cheick Kongo and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are 6'4", with Junior Dos Santos being somewhere between 6'3" and 6'4". Brock Lesnar is also somewhere around there.

I can go on, but I think I have made my point.

UFC still has a long way to go in getting their fighter's heights right, and they may never even attempt to correct the "facts" they have right now. Some are minimal errors that can be understood, but Shane Carwin at 6'3"?

You gotta be kidding me. He stands victorious while all of his opponents are lying on the mat; that's what matters. Carwin is human-sized, and in fact is a human, believe it or not.

Perhaps this is why I love MMA. It shows how imperfect we are. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant might be able to play a game without making a single mistake, and Tiger Woods might play a flawless game of golf. Apparently, in a YouTube video, Woods can even walk on water, but in the world MMA, no one is perfect. No one can be perfect.

Disregarding a few flash knockouts that end in a matter of seconds, every fighter leaves the Octagon or ring in a bruised or battered state.

We will cheer for our fighters, regardless of whether they are 5'5" or 6'5". As long as they bring a good fight, we will pay, and we will watch.

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Wanderlei Takes in Some Great Fights At Tuff-N-Uff's Future Stars of MMA

Todd Jackson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:32:25 -0500

Tuff-N-Uff broke their own mold this past Friday night. The official results are in and they are impressive. With superstars and MMA moguls in attendance, the warriors put on a fine display of MMA.

With Pride and UFC legend Wanderlei Silva sitting cage side, as well as WEC President Reed Harris looking on, these mixed martial artists ended fights with a consistency that really left an impression.

Imagine for a moment as an amateur fighter how it must feel to make your walk to the ring, you take your spot in your corner, you look down into the front row and who do you see?

None other than "Axe Murderer" Silva. As if that is not inspiring enough, you also see Reed Harris, the equivalent of Dana White to the WEC. These fighters could realistically be fighting for him some day.

What an absolute honor for these young fighters, imagine the drive to perform that they felt with these very important MMA people looking on as they performed their art.

Perform they did, these fighters lit it up.

14 fights, four submissions, seven TKO victories, and three decisions. Of the 11 fights ended early, eight were ended in the first round. Now that is an explosive night of fights.

Wanderlei and Reed must have been riveted to see such potential at the amateur level of the sport.

While there were many fights that ended early, it is important to mention the three hard fought battles that went the distance too. These fights were not won easily and deserve their due also.

One of which was the main event between amateur female mixed martial artists LaTasha Marzolla vs. Kate McGray . In a hard fought battle that showed heart and gameness from each warrior, Marzolla emerged the victor.

In a unanimous decision Marzolla overpowered McGray with superior strength, grappling, and striking. This was not for lack of McGray's honorable attempts to stop the attack.

McGray put up a great fight and tested Marzolla's chin on more than one occasion. In the end, Marzolla was just too strong and durable as she outlasted the attacks of her opponent and took the edge, improving her record to 2—0 as an amateur.

Tuff-N-Uff is very proud of the show they put on Friday night, and they should be. When you bring in some of the most highly trained talent in the sport, you get quality amateur MMA.

“We feel it is our mission to bring the state of amateur MMA to the next level," Tuff-N-Uff productions President Barry Meyer said. "We are raising the bar for the fighters, as well as ourselves on the show production side. Our last event clearly proved that we are growing and improving simultaneously.”

When you have the support of people like Randy Couture and Wanderlei Silva you know your doing something right in the realm of mixed martial arts. And the reputation does not stop at the super stars.

Many fighters and components of the sport appreciate this promotion for who they are and what they do. Simply put, they are a priceless addition to the careers of young fighters fortunate enough to compete for them.

Visit their website to view not only more information on their efforts but some footage of the actual fights also. If you do visit the site, be sure to take a moment to take in the short video of the ring girl contest , if you're into that sort of thing. Enjoy fight fans!

The official results are as follows:

Chris Alvanado defeated Colt “45” Bowler by unanimous decision

Marcus Aven defeated Eric Center by submission (armbar), round 1

Jordan Wright defeated Justin Rote by submission (triangle choke), round 1

Tommy Gavin defeated Rob Isenor by submission (arm triangle choke), round 1

Joden Seiders defeated Chris Holiday by TKO (strikes), round 1

Tim Bowman defeated Dan McCoy by TKO (strikes), round 1

Edmond Xhelili defeated Brandon Sheard by TKO (strikes), round 2

Evva Johnson defeated Kristen Mason by submission (armbar), round 1

Victor Henry defeated Cory Jeffers by TKO (Jeffers was unable to answer the bell for round 3)

Eddie Jackson defeated Jesse Bowler by TKO (strikes), round 1

Joe Ray defeated P.J. Dombrowski by TKO (strikes), round 1

Cory Turner defeated Anthony Lee by TKO, round 3

Gor Mnatsakanyan defeated Chris Brady by unanimous decision

LaTasha Marzolla defeated Kate McGray by unanimous decision

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