Another edition of Monday’s MMA Musings here on MMASucka.com. I go three rounds with “deep thought”; let’s hope I don’t gas myself out.
Round #1 – Graham Spencer
If you don’t know who the fighter they call “Cracka” is, it might be time to recognize the man who just became the first Canadian to win Maximum Fighting Championship’s Lightweight Championship title. Originally Graham Spencer (10-1, 1 NC) was meant to be the guy that MFC President Mark Pavelich would build their new 145lbs division around. However, I guess a potential rematch between Spencer and Mukai Maromo (8-3) for the lightweight title was too juicy to resist. The Alpha Male prospect looked very solid when he was able to finish Maromo via North-South choke in the third round. Pavelich was on MMASucka Radio a couple weeks back and said that Spencer may now look for a MFC featherweight title shot and see if he can become the first fighter in MFC history to hold two titles. This guy’s stock is on the rise!
There were a lot of interesting fights on the MFC 36 card; the problem is no Canadian can watch the promotion live anymore. When HD Net was in Canada, there were no problems, but when HD Net was sold and re-branded as AXS TV, Canadian cable providers have been slow to pick the network up. Over here in the Great White North we have had to watch it replayed on TSN 2 a few weeks later. Sure it’s cool to see MFC on TSN 2, but real fight fans that want to watch it live, and will find other methods to do so. Not that I condone piracy, but there were some links floating around last weekend and although MFC or AXS TV officials might not find that cool, you can understand the frustration of the Canadian fight fan.
What I don’t understand is why the MFC or AXS TV don’t have an online link for Canadians? I think many would pay $10 or so for a good quality HD stream of the fights. To me this would make sense as we wait for AXS TV to finally arrive here in Canada.There are many fans, friends and families that want to watch top tier Canadian talent do their thing. I agree with Pavelich, it might be time for TSN 2 to partner up with AXS TV and start showing the fights live. We will see how this plays out in the coming months.
By the way you should follow Graham Spencer on Twitter @Gspence145.
Round #2 – Renan Barao and Michael McDonald
Renan Barao (30-1) defended his interim bantamweight title against a very talented twenty-two-year old in Michael McDonald (15-2). Barao looked impressive and was able to mix up his kicks and take downs, and eventually secured a very tight arm triangle at 3:57 of the fourth round. Barao most likely has a date with the currently injured UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz this summer to unite the titles.
Michael McDonald looks like he is the real deal and although he lost, this kid has a very bright future. It will be interesting to have two McDonalds (not related) in the UFC who may end up both holding titles in the not-to-distant future. Hey we have been dealing with two Nogueira identical twins for how many years? My as well keep screwing with the casual fan’s head.
Barao is starting to look like a dominant and exciting fighter that could give Dominick Cruz fits when he comes back from injury.
Hopefully Cruz is healing up well and we can do that fight,” UFC President Dana White said. That’s the fight I want to do, and hopefully we can do that this summer.
It will be a long lay-off for the reigning bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz to come back and take on a very dangerous interim bantamweight champion in Barao. Barring any setbacks, Cruz expects to fully heal from a torn ACL, an injury that he has already had two surgeries on. It hasn’t dampened his mood as Dominick had no problems calling out Barao last weekend.
Enjoy the back-to-back titles. The truth is that I’m the champ and I can’t wait to get in and fight the guy, said Cruz. I’m excited, man. He’s so good. He brings so many different tools. It’s a different challenge than I’ve ever faced. I’m coming back from these injuries and it makes it an even tougher task.
I really want to see this fight badly, it’s too bad that it is probably a good five to six months away. I’m curious if Barao would wait or take another fight.
Round #3 – Round 5 Toys and MMA T-shirts
Thanks to a few friends of mine, I have started a small collection of Round 5 dolls. I use to think that it was a pretty silly idea to collect the little figurines, but I have to admit I got hooked, but I only collect the ones that I like, and yes I have kept them in the packaging and have hung them on my office wall. It’s sort of become my very own hall of fame. I’m still waiting to grab a Chael Sonnen and a Brock Lesnar.
My wife is tired of me wearing MMA T-shirts all the time. She says “all the time” but truth be told, it’s probably just weekends. I’m not sure what she doesn’t like about them. I guess she finds dudes that always wear jeans, t-shirt and baseball hats not that sexy anymore. I have a few Roots of Fight shirts, which are awesome, and some nice stuff from RYU and Torque. I no longer wear any Tap Out or Affliction and it’s not like I’m seeking out anything with skulls, whips and chains on it. I do keep other clothes in my closet, like hockey t-shirts and maybe a football jersey or two. Okay, I do shop at Old Navy from time-to-time and I can rock those clothes too, but nothing is better to me than loose fitting jeans, t-shirt and a baseball hat. It’s freedom.
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You can listen to Trevor on MMASucka Radio heard weekly on MMASucka.com and Sportsnet.ca. Follow him on Twitter @tdueckMMA
