UFC 101 Predictions

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UFC 101 is Saturday night and if I’m going to see the fights it’ll be at a local joint. That’s because there are really only two fights on the card that I care about, but they should both be excellent.

Anderson Silva is a 3 to 1 favorite to keep his nine fight winning streak alive when he faces off against Forrest Griffin.  Although Silva is the more polished fighter, you can be sure that Griffin is going to go in swinging and try to wear down Silva over the course of the fight.  Silva is perhaps the best pound for pound fighter in mixed martial arts, but I’m going to go for the big upset and take Griffin. 

BJ Penn is favored to beat Kenny Florian, despite Florian’s six fight and three year undefeated streak.  Penn is called the Prodigy, but again, I’m going with the underdog and picking Florian. 

Yeah, I know.  Odds are against me big time this weekend.

The Vampire’s Assistant

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You know, if someone had asked me about “The Vampire’s Assisstant” before I saw the trailer, I’d have said it’s based on a book geared to teenagers and will probably do well with the younger teenage crowd… and no, I have no desire to read the book or see the movie.

After seeing the trailer, and I still can’t believe I’m about to write this, “The Vampire’s Assisstant” looks kind of interesting and fun.  Am I wrong?

Chris Moreno’s “Cop Land”

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Chris Moreno worked up this very nice color take on Sly from “Cop Land” for me at a convention last year. My buddy picked it up when I had to leave the show early and I didn’t end up getting it in my possession until just recently.

Man, I really like Chris’ art and my piece is an excellent example of “why.” He’s a talented artist with a huge sense of humor. What a great combination! You can check out more of Chris’ art here.

MMA News and NonNews

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There was a lot of news for MMA fans today, but the biggest news was something that didn’t happen.  First, let’s look at what did:

  • Tito Ortiz has re-signed with the UFC.  He and Dana White have sorted out there differences and soon Ortiz will be back in the cage.  His first opponenet has not yet been named.
  • Rich Franklin was scheduled to fight Dan Henderson at UFC 103.  That has been changed.  Franklin will now face Victor Belfort.  Henderson is in line to get the next title shot at Anderson Silva.  This should work out better for everyone involved.
  • And now for what didn’t happen.  Fedor Emelianenko didn’t sign with the UFC.  Fedor was offered more money than he’s ever made plus a percentage of the ppv sales.  He was going to be allowed to wear M-1 logos [his manager’s organization] in the cage and on whatever signs, shirts, he wanted.  He would still be allowed to fight in Sambo.  The only concession White wouldn’t concede was to make M-1 a partner with the UFC in the promotion of the fights.  If Fedor is truly the best or even just wants to fight the best, he should have made the deal.  Kevin Iole sums it up perfectly here.  Looks like Fedor will be sitting on the couch with his “belts” for the time being.  Bah.

“Mad Men” Yourself

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Although I’ve never watched an episode of AMC’s “Mad Men” I felt compelled to see how my buddy, Jim Ivey and I would look drawn as “Mad Men” cartoon characters.  All things considered, I guess we came out okay.  If you want to see what you or your friends would look like, then click here.

Wayne D. Dundee Checks In

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There’s a funny scene in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” when Woody is standing in line at a movie and gets into an argument with a stranger about an author.  Woody ends the scene by saying, “If life were only like this.”

Not too long ago, I posted a comment at Chris Mill’s Atomic Pulp site asking whatever happened to a hardboiled writer named Wayne D. Dundee.  I figued Chris or one of his readers might know.  Today I received an e-mail from a guy who definitely has the scoop.  Yep, Wayne Dundee e-mailed to let me in what he’s been up to.  How cool is that?

Dundee is best known for his Joe Hannibal private eye novels which first started appearing in 1988.  Not only has his writing won critical acclaim, but authors such as Andrew Vachss, Max Allan Collins, Joe Lansdale and Bill Crider sing his praises.  So if you don’t take my word, you can take theirs.  Dundee is an author worth checking out.  Here’s a link to his site with more updates coming soon.

I guess Woody was wrong, sometimes life is like “this”.

“Jonah Hex” Scifi Western?

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I’m looking forward to seeing “Jonah Hex”. It’s been a while since there’s been a good western and from what I’ve seen so far, “Jonah Hex” will fill the bill. I like the poster above, but think it has a futuristic feel to it. Perhaps a more western style logo and earthtone colors would have been better?

“Boondock Saints” Too

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CBR.com posted a larger version of the piece above along with a mini-interview with Troy Duffy, the man behind “The Boondock Saints.”  You may remember that Duffy was a bartender in 1997 who scored a million dollar deal with addtional benefits based on his “Boondock Saints” screenplay.  Before the film was completed, Duffy’s rampaging ego alienated his family, friends, and the production company behind his big bucks deal.  Ultimately “The Boondocks Saints” was never given a wide theatrical release, Duffy had burned his bridges and gone through the money.

A funny thing happened when “The Boondock Saints” went to dvd and cable.  It became a cult hit!  Now, tweleve years later, and without any additional films in between, Duffy is coming back with “The Boondock Saints 2.”  As a tie-in to the movie, Duffy has teamed with 12 Guage to create a comic that will expand “The Boondock Saints” story.  Chris Brunner [an excellent artist] will provide covers to the series with an interior artist to be named later.

The movie and comic are projects to keep an eye on.  Let’s hope that Duffy has become a bit of a “Saint” too.