UFC on Fox

So, I capped off an event filled week with the UFC on Fox fights at the Honda Center in Anaheim. I was surprised by the crowd. I've been to other fights where the undercard is not heavily attended. But with the pre-event festivities, there was quite a crowd before the whole thing started. There was a pretty good atmosphere for the event in general and there was a lot of energy for the main event. The crowd was heavily pro-Velasquez. So, I feared that there might be a riot when he lost. Maybe the quick finish was a good thing, since the crowd was stunned for the most part. Had it gone to a decision, the place might have gone crazy.

Similarly, the crowd was pro-Guida. So, even though he got handled IMO, the crowd disagreed with the decision. It's too bad that they didn't show the Henderson vs. Guida fight on Fox. It was great. A high energy, 3-round battle with kicks, cagework & submissions. I would have bet on the lightweights for a guaranteed, solid fight over a heavyweight contest. I understand that people want to see the heavyweights, but I blame Dana's love for boxing on that mistake.

I'd argue that it's easier to get into the sport of MMA by watching the lightweights. Case in point, myself. I followed the UFC to a point. But it wasn't until the WEC had a pretty good rotation on Versus, that I truly got into MMA.

Still, it was great to be a part of MMA history. I'm just not sure if it is the beginning or the end. In a lot of respects it is the end of meeting fighters in the local K-mart without a long line. The end of pay-per-view for FOX events. The end of having mostly local/US events. But this is all a good thing.

Sports Fan

I've had a good run of luck with getting LAKings tickets, recently. I was able to attend the last two home games. As a huge hockey fan and Kings fan, there is nothing that beats seeing a game live. I'm not sure if the speed, sounds and beauty of the game is fully shown on TV. No broadcast captures the energy in the crowd (or lack thereof). That being said, I can't see how the average person can afford season tickets. Yeah, yeah, yeah we're in a recession and everything feels expensive. But I didn't pay for these tickets, and after parking, food, and babysitter, I don't think I could afford to see the next game if tickets were given to me.

Fortunately, the local coverage on Fox Sports is great. I'm pretty spoiled with HD broadcasts and the best announcing team in the business. It's also nice to start watching the game via DVR after the kids are put in bed, and speed through all the commercials, icings, and intermissions.

I guess I'm not that much of a hardcore sports fan. Attending games will remain a treat for me and I don't mind that.

 

 

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Goaltending

What's with the state of NHL goaltending today? In my mind it's an alternate universe when, Brodeur and Ryan Miller are stinking-up the place. I would say it's a young man's game, but Khabibulin isn't a Spring chicken and has been very confident in the early season. Lehtonen and my boy Jon Quick have also been very solid.

Quick has the best/worst hockey name for a goaltender. Fortunately, he's lived up to it more often than not. But I still remember the facepalm moment when the Kings had a Quick and Fast on the prospect list.

I love the goaltender position. Rich Hammond, the LAKings blogger, did a great piece on Bill Ranford as the Kings goalie coach. I was a big fan of Ranford when he played for the Oil. The article details how the treatment and coaching of goaltenders has evolved over the years. It's interesting that Ron Hextall is also in the Kings organization and that goaltending is currently a strength. I guess it really helps to have a former goalie, coaching and mentoring your young goalies.