A Conspiracy Theorist’s Look at Jon Jones and the Canceling of UFC 151

Many of you know me as a right winger and we righties always read in-between the lines on everything, even when things might not be there.  I have decided to approach the canceling of UFC 151 in this same way.  =)

  

Are there some grains of truth here or am I a wacko? You be the judge.

The canceling of UFC 151 seems a bit too simplistic to me. I can think of several different scenarios that could have played out and saved this show.  I know the cliché, “the show must go on” is being hurled around mightily but the undercurrents sound more like,  “The show will go on as long as we make a crap load of money and everyone does what the hell I tell them to.”

Here are some questions and scenarios that I have in my jaded little mind (Cause I wasn’t there.)

Why didn’t the UFC offer to pay Jon Jones and Greg Jackson more money to fight Chael Sonnen on short notice?  Why can’t Dana White and Billionaires, as a last resort, pay the Jones camp an “over the top”, “offensive” amount of money to fight? Everyone has a price, right?   Let’s cut the crap Greg Jackson, What’s Jones’s price?  The show is saved.  Dana White is a Hero!

Why not be fair to Jones.  If he is concerned about Sonnen as a worthy opponent then why not make it a NON -TITLE 3 round fight? If Jones loses he gets a Mulligan and Sonnen has proven he is a contender and the re-match would draw an astronomical crowd to see part Deux.   I think a lot of people would tune in to see Sonnen fight with Jones though (I know we can argue that).  The show is saved. Both Guys are a Hero!

I believe Sonnen even offered to forgo a purse for this fight to save UFC 151 and other fighters chances for an appearance as well.  Keep the purse, fall on your sword Chael and do the non-title fight if you really care about 151. The Show is Saved.  Sonnen is the hero!

The heck with Jones, put UFC 151 on anyway with a couple short notice contenders (Sonnen and someone else) on the Main Event card. Hell, Call up Chuck and Tito or something.   The UFC might lose money but can’t it afford to take a loss on one event while keeping a number of people, fighters, venues and companies employed?   The show is saved.  The UFC is the Hero!

Why don't they bill it as “The Ultimate Charity Event” and give all the remaining proceeds to the Marine’s (a UFC sponsor) Toys for Tots Charity.  It would be great advertising and help the Marines justify to their critics about their sponsorship. The show is saved WE ARE ALL HEROS!

How Come the other fighters who were on the card can't get paid anyway as a way to take care of them?  Some of them need the money!  How long do they have to wait to get their chance at the spotlight.  It would show that business has a heart. The UFC is a Kind Hero!

The Cigar Filled Back Room Part:

What if.. maybe,. just maybe …Dana White didn’t want to pay any more money or make any concessions to Jones?  What if he didn’t like Jones’s (or Jackson’s) tone of voice and said, “You do what I tell you to do or I will cancel UFC 151 and the chips will fall where they may?”  How does that bus feel Greg Jackson?  

Dana White is a brilliant marketer and business man and after being the boss for so many years, has enough lip marks on his butt that he probably needs lotion to keep his ass from getting chapped.  He doesn’t take kindly to not getting his way and seems to not only get even with people, but he ALWAYS  gets ahead!

In the end Dana White looks like a classic victim in all this (don't cry though) and the letters U.F.C  are on every fan’s Facebook Page and Twitter account from here to Uzbekistan giving the UFC a nice bit of advertising push?  Nothing sells future fights like drama!

Let’s just say things DIDN'T happen like I played it out for you.  I’m a Wacko, remember?  Let’s pretend that Jones said, “Dana, No amount of money will get me to fight Chael Sonnen on short notice even if it’s a non- title three rounder for charity AND I look like a hero for saving UFC 151.”  

Then I am forced to ask, "What kind of political mess have you let yourself get into Jon Jones?"WTF?

You better hope you never lose that title and a fight or two after that because you, my friend, probably will not be coming back.  Letting down the UFC and it's fans is no easy thing.  Where does one go after the UFC?  The UFC has no competitors of substance.  You can’t treat “the family” like that when they ask for a favor!  Fighters fight Jon (even on this short notice) and you were preparing for A fight….so fight.   Greg Jackson, brother, you are on some thin ice too with the UFC!  Where is the freakin loyalty to the UFC?

To sum up this convoluted mess, you are still my favorite fighter Bones Jones. Because …you can bang… AND THAT will probably get you through this PR nightmare if you keep winning.   Right now though, you are the most hated man in MMA. There is a lot of blame to go around, rest assured but… The show is cancelled and I get the feeling it wasn't as difficult from a business perspective. (Let's not fool ourselves, it was a light card).  The Winner and Still Champion, Dana White!!

If I suddenly disappear, it was the UFC black helicopters that did it.  =)

P.S. Now I see Vitor Belfort is stepping into "the Mess"..lol

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The Fecal Factor: Washing your Belt

You have probably heard the old martial arts adage that you should never wash your belt because you will wash the knowledge out of it.  The guy who said that is a dumbass!  

What you are really washing out of a dirty belt is dirt, sweat, blood, hair, snot, bacteria, viruses, parasites and a lot of fecal matter (PooP)...How did  that fecal matter get there?  From you not washing your hands after using the bathroom at the gym...maybe you laid your belt down on the floor in the gym bathroom while you were going or on the gym floor itself.  Could it be that you laid it on your car passenger seat where how many untold butts have sat... maybe.. just maybe.. your rolling partners didn't wash their hands. Take a mental look at your partners and pick out who the non hand washer is in your club

Maybe it got tangled in your sweaty gi and thrown in your hot car to sit and ferment.  You washed your gi but didn't wash the belt..This bring new meaning to the term "Rank."  Washing your belt keeps it clean, soft and makes your belt look a little more worn, like you have been at that rank longer (an added benefit). You wouldn't go weeks or months not washing your gi? Would you?  Don't answer that...

Your belt is an extension of your gi.  Think of it this way...You are not washing out the knowledge in your belt, that's in your head but you are washing out the past . A past that was not kind to that belt!

Remember:  Don't ever ever ever ever ever ever ever feel bad for wanting to be clean. There is no downside to it.

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Keith Owen Inteview-BJJ Addict Podcast

I was interviewed by BJJ Addict Podcast recently.  I'm telling you I  didn't hold anything back in this interview and told things exactly how I saw it. I talk about how I started, The Pedro Sauer Association, How competitors can get better and Tapping 10,000 times.   My interview starts around the 25min mark. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GBpLZ1DLYU&feature=youtu.be&a




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Professor Pedro Sauer Talks BJJ History and the Origins of Animals in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

 Interview with Professor Sauer on how he got the Nickname ...the Cobra!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FvA8t_Pmmc&feature=youtu.be&hd=1


If you like this video please go on Professor Sauer's facebook fan page and hit the like button

www.facebook.com/pedrosauerbjj








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Why You Should Take Private Lessons!

You want to get better fast you say?  Well here is a sure fire way.  Take Private Lessons!  Private lessons are a way to get to the bottom of the problems you have.  It is often difficult for your instructor to give you the individual attention that you might need in a regular group class setting, especially if that class is huge. I would suggest taking a private with him at least once a month.  If your instructor is top notch then you will be amazed at your quick improvement! 

I know what your thinking…"But it’s going to cost me money!” Yes it will cost you money but to have an hour private with someone that can transform your game is always worth it!  I personally charge $100.00 an hour.  My private lessons are worth twice that because the entire hour I focus on nothing but the student’s  questions and what THEY want to work on. I hide nothing from that student!

“But I can’t afford it”, you say…. Then it’s time to get creative.  Do something to trade out with your instructor.  If you’re a mechanic, electrician, plumber, contractor then start there.  Ask your instructor what he needs.  I’m sure you can work out some kind of deal. 

 

Pay for a half hour lesson or go in Halves with someone on an hour lesson OR go in a quarter with three other people to make the hour lesson more affordable.  If you are a purple belt , then ask a brown belt for private lessons and start with that. 

Go to morning classes.  Many times a morning class is a little slower and you can tend to get a more personalized lesson out of your instructor.  Be the person to ask questions during class.  I know I love getting questions.

As for me, I am planning on taking more private lessons for myself in the future.  Who would I take private lessons from…A judo guy, Wrestling Coach, Sambo dude, Anyone with a BJJ black belt. I want the knowledge and I’m not too proud to take lessons from anyone.

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Why Black Belts Should Attend More Seminars.

I noticed that when I would personally attend seminars (not teaching) I typically one of the only black belts other then the Instructor giving the seminar (except at Pedro Sauer Seminars).  I decided to talk about this subject when I was giving a seminar in British Columbia. Enjoy.

 Why Black Belts Should Attend More Seminars!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XEzQ2oRk290

Know the Rules, Win the Game

I was watching the Pans on BudoVideos.com  last week-end and over my viewing time I watched several people get disqualified for rule violations.  This amazes me!  You spend all the time training your heart out and then pay the cost of getting to the Pans and you lose because you didn’t pay attention to how the  rules go?  You, my friend,are known as a dumbass!  Darwin’s Theory on the “Survival of the Fittest” doesn’t only pertain to strength and health but to mental capacity, problem solving and strategy as well. Knowing the rules is the fundamental  strategic  first step in winning your matches.

I have been to numerous Ref Clinics and I am always amazed at some small  “point” that I had overlooked.  I submit to you that if most competitors and coaches would actually go to a serious IBJJF clinic they would walk out blown away at what they didn’t know.  Reading, studying and knowing the rules is not a one off thing in this “Game” we call Tournament Jiu-jitsu.  It is about constantly refreshing your memory so that you know ALL the ends and outs rule- wise.  If you are of the mind that, “I read the rules once three years ago and I’m good to go,”  you are going to be in for a big surprise. 

I know that reading the rules is not sexy but you MUST master the intricacies of  this “Game.”  Coaches should have a rules meeting in their school, verbally and visually going over the rules and provide all their competitors and parents with a copy of the rules.  I would also add that students should practice refereeing matches with fellow students, as well as practice coaching skills with music blaring to make you shout.   

Winning is not only about Submission it’s about scoring points and advantages, once you know all the ways to score points, the wins will come a lot easier. 

My purple belt Matt Owen (no relation) won Gold in his Purple Belt Division and Silver in the absolute at the Pans this year.  He has been to a number of Ref Clinics as well.

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