Australian Sports Entertainment Blog
Flashback
The Main Event's top 10 best MMA fights of the rest of 2012...
This weekend has been more about the fight that didn’t happen than any that did.
UFC 151 was canceled Aug. 23 and the the finger of blame has been pointed in every which direction. The basics are that Dan Henderson partially tore his MCL and was unable to compete in the main event against Jon Jones. Jones was given a fill-in opponent in Chael Sonnen, but turned it down, causing the UFC to cancel the show altogether and inciting president Dana White to go all medievel on Jones in a media conference call.
White blames Jones and his coach Greg Jackson. Jones has blamed the UFC, himself and Henderson (or “that old man,” according to a tweet Saturday). There’s more finger pointing here than in the Republic National Convention. Just not as many empty chairs or old, senile actors.
But what’s done is done. Jones will face Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 on Sept. 22. UFC 151 will forever be known as the event that wasn’t and it’s time to move on.
There are plenty of exciting fights to look forward to before 2013. Here’s a look at our top 10 (barring injuries):
10. Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le (UFC on Fuel TV 6, Nov. 10 in Macau)
This one isn’t as much about the fight as it is about the significance of the event – the UFC’s first in China. Neither of these guys is currently in their prime, but they always give crowd-pleasing performances. Le, a native of Vietnam, should have a massive Asian following.
9. Eddie Alvarez vs. Patricky Freire (Bellator 76, Oct. 12 in Windsor, Ontario)
Alvarez might have dropped the Bellator title last year to Michael Chandler, but he’s still one of the top 15 lightweights in the world. This also could be his last Bellator fight with his contract expiring – don’t be surprised if he’s in the UFC in 2013. Explosive knockout artist Freire will be a game opponent.
8. Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson, UFC flyweight title (UFC 152, Sept. 22 in Toronto)
Don’t blink. These are two of the fastest guys in MMA and both challenged for the bantamweight title before the UFC created its flyweight division. This bout will determine the company’s first-ever flyweight champion and these are legitimately the top two guys in the world at 125.
7. Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson (TUF 16 finale, Dec. 15 in Las Vegas)
There’s very little chance this one leaves the first round. Carwin and Nelson love to slug it out and after coaching against one another on “The Ultimate Fighter” they probably won’t be too friendly. It’ll be nice to see Carwin, a former heavyweight top contender, back in the cage.
6. Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir (Strikeforce: Mir vs. Cormier, Oct. 27 in TBA)
This might be a Strikeforce fight, but it has UFC implications. Mir, the former UFC heavyweight champion, takes on Strikeforce champ Cormier in somewhat of a crossover matchup. But Cormier will be in the UFC right after this fight courtesy of Strikeforce's heavyweight division being disbanded and a win here puts him on path for a title shot in 2013.
5. BJ Penn vs. Rory MacDonald (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
The trash talk has already been fun between the two, but things will really heat up when they enter the Octagon. Think of this as something of a passing of the torch fight. Penn, in the twilight of his career, will put up a strong challenge against the young lion, but the multi-faceted MacDonald is nearing superstardom in the welterweight division.
4. Benson Henderson (c) vs. Nate Diaz, UFC lightweight title (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
This could easily be a Fight of the Year candidate if it goes how it’s supposed to. Neither of these guys gives an inch – both Henderson and Diaz are perpetually moving forward. A win here, against a superior standup fighter in Diaz, would put Henderson’s name among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
3. Jose Aldo (c) vs. Frankie Edgar, UFC featherweight title (UFC 153, Oct. 13 in Rio)
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Aldo was supposed to defend his title against Erik Koch, but Koch had to pull out with an injury and his loss is the fans’ gain. Edgar was the UFC lightweight champion for more than a year and his last two losses were by the slimmest of margins. Aldo, meanwhile, is a buzzsaw – one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This is, indeed, a superfight.
2. Georges St. Pierre (c) vs. Carlos Condit, UFC welterweight unification (UFC 154, Nov. 17 in Montreal)
It seems like it’s been forever since St. Pierre has fought. One of the best MMA fighters of all time has not competed in more than a year and a half due to injuries, including a torn ACL. He returns to face red-hot Carlos Condit, who is coming off a win over Nick Diaz in January. St. Pierre, a dominant champ, has never faced anyone with the combination of speed, athleticism and technique that Condit has.
1. Junior dos Santos (c) vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC heavyweight title (UFC 155, Dec. 29 in Las Vegas)
This time, we’ll get the incredible battle of wills that we were promised last year. Velasquez lost his title to dos Santos last November in just over a minute via stunning knockout. To make matters worse, it was the UFC’s first show on Fox and the company took undeserved criticism for the quick, flash KO.
Who knew that dos Santos-Velasquez wouldn’t be a war? This one will make up for it, closing the year on a huge high note – the two best heavyweights in the world trading in the center of the cage. Only one will be standing at the end. (New York Post)
Captains agree it's Manly or Dogs to win - 3rd September 2012...
The NRL competition is a two-horse race between last year's premiers and this year's minor premiers, according to the eight captains taking part.
The pair, going head to head at ANZ Stadium in a qualifying final, were the overwhelming favourites in a poll of the team leaders at Monday's captains' call.
Premiership favourites the Sea Eagles were favoured by Canterbury's Michael Ennis and Cronulla's Paul Gallen as the team to beat, while North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston and Canberra's Terry Campese like the chances of this year's minor premiers.
'I can't go past Manly obviously with the side that they've got,' Gallen said.
'It's a pretty good side and they've been there and done it before.'
South Sydney's Michael Crocker summed up this year's premiership race perfectly when he admitted he couldn't pick a favourite between the two.
The Raiders only just squeezed into the finals on the back of a five-game winning streak, but they've been dubbed the dark horse of the competition, alongside the Rabbitohs, who emerged from a slump with two wins to finish the regular season.
'Souths have got a really good style of play and I reckon they're the smokies,' Thurston said.
'They've flown under the radar.
'Every team goes through a period like that (where they lose a few) but they've bounced back.'
After witnessing the Raiders pile on 36 unanswered points against last year's grand finalists the Warriors, Crocker admits he will be keeping one eye on the Green Machine.
'The way the Raiders have been playing, they're a scary prospect,' he said.
'If you look at their performance in the second half yesterday, when they were 22-6 down at halftime, to come out and score 36 points, they've got that ability and so many class players across the park.'
Ben Barba was unanimously anointed this year's Dally M Medal winner for his scintillating season with the Bulldogs, and was tied with Thurston on two votes a piece as the player most oppositions will fear these finals.
Manly's Jason King declined the opportunity to participate in the poll.
Beachley Classic Women's World Tour Surfing: Dee Why, Sydney, Australia - 21st April 2012
Courtney Conlogue Claims the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Crown...
DEE WHY, Sydney NSW/AUS (Saturday, April 21, 2012) – Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, has won the prestigious 2012 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, over Malia Manuel (HAW), 18, at Dee Why beach today. In clean, but challenging two-to-three foot (1.5 meter) waves, the world’s best female surfers battled head-to-head for the biggest prize purse on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, with Conlogue taking home USD$30,000.
Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, run by seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley, has caused some interesting twists and turns in the race for the coveted ASP Women’s World Title. Yesterday saw the early exit of reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), 19. Then today the current ASP Women’s World No. 1 and 2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, both bowed out in the Quarterfinals.
Conlogue who has won multiple ASP 6-Star events, today claimed her maiden win on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, a feat that sees her jump to 4th on the ratings. Conlogue and Manuel battled through the stacked field of competitors to reach the Final. The dying swell made conditions difficult, but Conlogue found the best waves that allowed her to execute multiple powerful turns.
“I’m speechless right now!” Conlogue said. “It’s been two years on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour where I kept losing in the Quarterfinals. Then today after winning my Quarterfinal I just tried to go and win the thing. Malia (Manuel) was surfing great in the Final, even though the waves were tricky. I’m really stoked to have won this event! I love Steph (Gilmore) and Sally (Fitzgibbons) and to have them chair me up the beach was absolutely amazing!”
Manuel’s run to the Final wasn’t easy, defeating Gilmore and Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, in the morning’s Quarterfinal and Semifinal. Manuel’s smooth style and tail drifting turns saw her earn big scores and new fans all event. Her red-hot run was only ended by Conlogue’s superior wave selection. Manuel is now equal 6th on the ASP World Championship Tour, and she is now the highest ranked 2012 rookie.
“I’m really relieved to get a good result here at Dee Why,” Manuel said. “I’m happy to move up the ratings. It’s a great confidence boost going into the next three events. I’m really stoked to make a final in my rookie year. I hope the battle for ASP Rookie Of The Year goes down to the last contest. It’s really close between me and Lakey (Peterson). I’m not going to count her out.”
Rebecca Woods (AUS), 28, and Wright were the highest placed Australian surfers, both finishing equal 3rd place. Wright has placed 3rd three times this year, but this is Woods’ best result of the 2012 season and is sure to help her requalification campaign.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling at the moment,” Woods said. “I’ve had a few last places this year, so in some regards I was just happy to put it together for a few heats. I’ve made about nine Semifinals in my life and still never made it into that elusive Final. It’s good to be pushed by the younger girls. I woke up this morning and thought Courtney (Conlogue) was going to win today, then she was on my side of the draw and I cursed myself for putting that in my head. Then she beat me and won the contest, so I was right.”
Gilmore, four-time ASP Women’s World Champion, suffered a shock early exit at the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic today. Gilmore has had three final appearances in the first three events of the year, and today added a respectable equal 5th place finish to her tally. In testing conditions Gilmore was bested by an in-form Manuel, who also defeated her in their non-elimination Round 3 match-up yesterday.
“It’s disappointing,” Gilmore said. “But it’s not a terrible result for me. I feel really strong. When there’s great waves on offer I feel like I’m surfing great. It’s just a matter of getting those waves and I didn’t get them today. I’m looking forward to heading over to Brazil and finding the form I had in the first few events.”
Fitzgibbons went down in the Quarterfinals to eventual event winner Conlogue. Fitzgibbons held an early lead with two mid-range scores, but Conlogue snared the best wave of the heat and tore it apart with some impressive turns, netting a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) and won the heat.
“This is the worst part about what we do,” Fitzgibbons said. “Today I just wasn’t good enough. When you’re feeling strong, you really want to progress through to that Final. I got some early scores and it was really challenging out there. That one wave popped up for Courtney (Conlogue) and she grabbed a 9.00, which is the highest score of the day. I’m really happy for her. She’s a good friend and she trains and surfs really hard and that paid off today.”
More info www.ASPWorldTour.com
COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS:
1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.17
2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.56
COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.67 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.50
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.33 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.10
COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.43 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.50
QF 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.00 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.47
QF 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.73 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 8.73
QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.97 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.34
CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TOP 6 (after the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic):
1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
3: Tyler Wright (AUS)
4: Courtney Conlogue (USA)
5: Carissa Moore (HAW)
6: Laura Enever (AUS)
6: Malia Manuel (HAW)
The Bourne Legacy red carpet premiere at State Theatre, Sydney, Australia
The Bourne Legacy tonight enjoyed its Sydney, Australia red carpet premiere (and a bike stunt) at the world famous State Theatre.
Megastar Jeremy Renner has seen his career take off in recent years after appearing in a string of popular movies including 'The Hurt Locker', 'Avengers' and 'The Bourne Legacy'. The 41-year-old says it is impossible for him to pick a favourite out of the vast number of films he's starred in.
"My favourite movie... it's difficult to say," Jeremy admitted to Sydney radio's Kyle and Jackie O. "It's a bit like having to choose which is your favourite child."
Renner features in the latest Bourne movie following the departure of Matt Damon. He found it tough to abide by some of the rules surrounding the top secret nature of The Bourne Legacy's script.
"They flew the script in at midnight and you were allowed to look at it for two hours before they flew it back. I'm a slow reader anyway so I felt pressured," Jeremy explained. "I had to really rifle through it! I mean what were they going to do, have it burst into flames on me or something?!"
Although he felt stressed, Jeremy agrees with the concept. The actor respects the need for secrecy with storylines in the film industry.
"We are in the age where nothing is sacred or private anymore. It gets to the point where no one wants to come see movies if they know the ending anymore so why spoil it for people?" Jeremy continued. "Especially in a big franchise like Bourne where there is a big fan base."
Story...
After agent Jason Bourne goes rogue as seen in the original "Bourne" trilogy--CIA agent Eric Byer (Edward Norton), head of the government's secret Outcome program which has used a chemical process to create super agents, decides to end that program by killing all the agents in the field. One such agent, Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) manages to survive the culling and with the help of biochemist Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) goes on the run from Byers' agents as he tries to get the chemicals he needs to survive.
"The Bourne Legacy" is a very interesting approach to reviving a franchise because it's not a reboot as much as a sequel that takes place concurrently and overlapping with "The Bourne Ultimatum." This idea is the brainchild of Tony Gilroy, who was involved in the the first three "Bourne" movies before directing "Michael Clayton" and "Duplicity." He returns to the "Bourne" franchise.
In The Bourne Legacy, writer/director Tony GIlroy expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.
For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles.
The buzz is that this is an awesome film, so be watching out for release dates in your region.
Release Date: August 10, 2012
Genre: Action-Thriller
Studio: Universal
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Albert Finney, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac
Directed By: Tony Gilroy
Written By: Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy
Produced By: Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Jeffrey M. Weiner, Ben Smith
Full Cast List:
Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross
Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing
Scott Glenn as Ezra Kramer
Stacy Keach as Retired Adm. Mark Turso, USN
Edward Norton as Retired Col. Eric Byer, USAF
Donna Murphy as Dita Mandy
Michael Chernus as Arthur Ingram
Corey Stoll as Zev Vendel
Prue Lewarne as CNN Reporter
Tony Guida as Dr. Benezara
Sonnie Brown as Dr. Lieberburg
Neil Brooks Cunningham as Dr. Dan Hillcott
Zeljko Ivanek as Dr. Donald Foite
Robert Christopher Riley as Outcome #6 (as Rob Riley)
Albert Finney as Dr. Albert Hirsch
Dennis Boutsikaris as Terrence Ward
Oscar Isaac as Outcome #3
David Strathairn as Noah Vosen
Corey Johnson as Ray Wills
Jennifer Kim as Outcome #4
Page Leong as Mrs. Yun
Joan Allen as Pam Landy
John Arcilla as Joseph
Clayton J. Barber as Gene (as Clayton Barber)
Michael Berresse as Leonard
Elizabeth Marvel as Dr. Connie Dowd
Lucha VaVOOM headlines the ‘El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar' At Big Day Out 2013
Red hot extreme Lucha Libre pro wrestling and more is what Sydney got at today's Big Day Out in heatwave continues. The action and lucha heat matched the heatwave conditions. Sadly, not many lucha wrestling masks were sold (they don't feel so good at the best of times, let alone in the heat), but drink sales were at fever pitch, as was crowd participation, with even a couple of fans having an imprompt "match" before official bell time. Interestingly, the Lucha promoter didn't seem to mind. There was also the good old Mexican wave done by what must have been about 500 fans, many of which also screemed out Ric Flair trademark "Wooooo"! calls (with and without wrestling chops to the chest). The Lucha's will be in Australia for about a week, as part of Australia's Big Day Out festival touring Australia, and then they will work they was back to LA in the U.S of A. The megastars of Los Angeles based Lucha VaVoom rumbled to fever pitch at the music festival and fans lapped up the mix of Mexican lucha libre wrestling, burlesque dancing and "post-punk vaudeville", as The Daily Telegraph called it. Inspired by the Mexican psydo sport whose champions are household names, the sequin and lycra-clad luchadores flip and fly in the wrestling ring in good (technicos) VS evil (rudos) matches. Headline stars such as Cassandro, Crazy Chicken, Dirty Sanchez and Chocolate Caliente are very good pro wrestlers, and heavily inspired by punk and cabaret, but the look of things. Co-founder Rita D'Albert worked with rock bands for years before forming this unique act a decade ago. "I think crazy Mexican wrestling is a pretty natural progression from rock'n'roll," she said. "It's theatrical, it's got energy and a lot of rock shows don't have that anymore." Media Man and Wrestling News Media have seen a lot of pro wrestling in their day and were overheard "WWE might be generally more technical than Lucha VaVoom, but this LA Mexican troupe is all over them for extreme stuff - the kind that put the legendary and original ECW on the map. Judging by today, Lucha VaVoom looks to have a fantastic and extreme future in Australia. As WWE superstar Ryback would say, "Feed Me More".
Oh, dream match we want to see - WWE's Rey Mysterio VS any of these guys. Press Release...
LUCHA VaVOOM TO HEADLINE THE ‘EL JIMADOR MEXICAN WRESTLING BAR’ AT BIG DAY OUT 2013... LUCHA VAVOOM HEADED TO BIG DAY OUT 2013...
Direct from the US, the Lucha VaVOOM troupe will be putting on a show quite unlike any other at BIG DAY OUT 2013. Lucha VaVOOM is non-stop, action-packed surrealism where Mexican masked wrestlers perform breathtaking acrobatic feats in a fast-paced, fun-filled, character-driven style. Known for their far-out flamboyance, its quick, exhibition-style, one-fall Lucha Libre matches designed for maximum enjoyment and action. The ultimate distraction, Lucha VaVOOM like a little sexo with their violencia; in between matches the finest handpicked burlesque acts from around the world wow the crowds with their unique striptease skills including raucous aerial acts, pogo-stick peelers and hula-hoop hotties. Their insane antics have Jack Black proclaiming “Lucha VaVOOM is the shit!” and it’s easy to see why. Celebrating their tenth anniversary, Lucha VaVOOM have only got crazier over time. Rooted in history, they draw inspiration from the bizarre world of sixties Mexican Lucha Cinema. The troupe has been considered one of the most outrageous shows on earth having performed sold-out shows all around the world, they have taken to the stage alongside the likes of legends such as Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle, as well as appearances on Jimmy Kimmel, Attack of the Show, Carson Daly and A Current Affair. Los Angeles Times said the Lucha VaVOOM show “has the pacing of a prison break” and BIG DAY OUT 2013 punters are set for something spectacular with the crew perform in a dedicated area. Here’s what the press have had to say: “Lucha VaVOOM has a big future.” TIME MAGAZINE “… It’s enough to make even the most jaded Hollywood insider jump up and yell ‘Smackdown.” ROLLING STONE “…a raucous and irreverent extravaganza of burlesque, comedy and classic Mexican luchadore wrestling.” THE HUFFINGTON POST. “Lucha VaVoom is the most exciting, bonkers show I’ve seen in ages.” THE FACE (UK) “A madcap mix of Mexican wrestling, comedy, and vintage burlesque. I love, love, love it.” VANITY FAIR “…a weird mix of cabaret, burlesque, Mexican Luchador wrestling with a live DJ, crowd interaction and commentary…depending on the night, people like Drew Carey turn up to do commentary for it. It is the most bizarre experience. The entire audience is dressed up and it’s like Halloween, everyone is in some weird costume. It was the greatest night of entertainment I have probably seen in my entire life.” ROVE MCMANUS Lucha VaVOOM will be appearing at the El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar at all 2013 Big Day Out dates. Mexican Masked Wrestling + Burlesque + Comedy = Lucha VaVOOM... Lucha VaVOOM is a non-stop, action-packed scream-a-thon, where Mexican Masked wrestlers flip and fly, performing breathtaking acrobatic feats while battling evil luchadores. Historically speaking, Lucha VaVOOM brings the bizarre world of 60’s Mexican Lucha Cinema to life. Brave, masked wrestling crime fighters save the world from evil brains, vampires, the Bermuda Triangle etc; always with an obligatory stop at the local go-go club. In-between matches, the finest, handpicked burlesque acts from around the world astound; at Lucha VaVOOM, we like a little sexo with our violencia. Raucous aerial acts, Pogo-stick peelers, hula-hoop hotties; we’ve got it all! But wait there’s more! Our color commentary is handled by comedians Tom Kenny, Dana Gould and Blaine Capatch. Other guest commentators include Fred Armisen, Brian Poussein, Patton Oswalt, Greg Proops, Jeffrey Ross and Bobcat Goldthwait. Even Jack Black sat in, proclaiming “Lucha VaVOOM is the sh*t! It all began in August 2003 as a one off event. The overwhelming crowd response convinced Rita & Liz to do it again, and as soon as possible. Ever since, Lucha VaVOOM has played at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles three times a year -- Valentines Day, Mid-summer, and Halloween. From there, Lucha brought it’s circus to Toronto, where they did two nights at the Koolhaus and made every newspaper and TV news program, including Much Music. In 2005, Lucha VaVOOM was asked to be a part of the first HBO Las Vegas Comedy Festival, where they performed alongside Jon Stewart, Lewis Black and Dave Chapelle. That same year they performed at the famous Sony E3 party at Dodger Stadium, where they took the spotlight away from the Pussycat Dolls. Lucha VaVOOM has gone on to perform in Chicago, San Francisco and Amsterdam, with more cities on the way. They’ve also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, CBS National News, G4's Attack of the Show, Channel X in Britain and A Current Affair just to name a few.
