A Kid I Grew Up With Has a Son Fighting MMA

[Hostile]

I got an e-mail from a buddy of mine. His nephew Mark has a son giving MMA a shot.

He makes his ring entry at about the 2:33 mark of the video below. His name is Zach Montney. His Dad, Mark, is in the black Monster energy drink t-shirt and camouflage cap rubbing his neck before he enters the cage. I haven't seen Mark in a lot of years. They moved to Michigan right after I graduated.

Zach looks a lot like his Dad in the face. A lot heavier than his Dad though. Looks like a power puncher only from this fight, but does a nice job.

http://cagefightinglive.com/2010/01/10/xcc-rebroadcast-flint-invasion-2/

[Hostile]

Just found out that was his very first fight.

[CATCH17]

Lesnar > Zach Montney

[Ren]

Lesnar > Zach Montney


:muttley:

And just like that it's a Fedor thread

[tomson75]

Good luck to him.

It's a pretty tough road ahead, unless he's doing it just for kicks. I wrestled with/know some ranked guys in VA. One of which is ranked nationally, and has a better record, fight count, and fight history against stronger opponents than about 90% of the guys ranked ahead of him.


....but it's a pretty "political" business. He's not the pretty sell, so he'll never be given the opportunity to compete with the big boys. Damn shame. He's a hell of a fighter.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Have to admit, I don't understand the draw that bloodsport has.

[8FOR!3]

Good luck to him.

It's a pretty tough road ahead, unless he's doing it just for kicks. I wrestled with/know some ranked guys in VA. One of which is ranked nationally, and has a better record, fight count, and fight history against stronger opponents than about 90% of the guys ranked ahead of him.


....but it's a pretty "political" business. He's not the pretty sell, so he'll never be given the opportunity to compete with the big boys. Damn shame. He's a hell of a fighter.

:bang2:You show me a guy who's 25-0 and has never gotten a fight on a big stage. Win consistently and you'll get the opportunity soon enough. Not the pretty sell? Neither is Evan Tanner, didn't even have a crazy background in wrestling or something, just a Jiu-Jitsu guy who trained MMA and became UFC Middleweight champion. Don't tell me that crap.

[DFWJC]

:bang2:You show me a guy who's 25-0 and has never gotten a fight on a big stage. Win consistently and you'll get the opportunity soon enough. Not the pretty sell? Neither is Evan Tanner, didn't even have a crazy background in wrestling or something, just a Jiu-Jitsu guy who trained MMA and became UFC Middleweight champion. Don't tell me that crap.
Too much coffee?

[8FOR!3]

Too much coffee?

Or maybe I don't like ignorant comments where MMA is concerned.

[tomson75]

:bang2:You show me a guy who's 25-0 and has never gotten a fight on a big stage. Win consistently and you'll get the opportunity soon enough. Not the pretty sell? Neither is Evan Tanner, didn't even have a crazy background in wrestling or something, just a Jiu-Jitsu guy who trained MMA and became UFC Middleweight champion. Don't tell me that crap.

Or maybe I don't like ignorant comments where MMA is concerned.

Ignorant comments?

How about the ignorant comment you just made concerning my post? Do you even know who I'm referring too? No. Do you fight MMA? Probably not. Do I give a **** what you think? Definitely not.

Maybe you don't know everything you think you do. Ever think about that?

You think there's no politics in MMA? That's hilarious.

[Cover 2]

Have to admit, I don't understand the draw that bloodsport has.
Same as football.

[Cover 2]

Ignorant comments?

How about the ignorant comment you just made concerning my post? Do you even know who I'm referring too? No. Do you fight MMA? Probably not. Do I give a **** what you think? Definitely not.

Maybe you don't know everything you think you do. Ever think about that?

You think there's no politics in MMA? That's hilarious.
You mean like on the latest TUF season where nobody had to fight to get on the show? This was the same season that had Kimbo, because they were afraid their cash cow (Kimbo) would lose before even getting on the show.

Of course there's politics. Money is involved, and it's ignorant to think otherwise. Btw I completely agree with you, and I used to train in MMA, so I do know there is politics.

[8FOR!3]

Ignorant comments?

How about the ignorant comment you just made concerning my post? Do you even know who I'm referring too? No. Do you fight MMA? Probably not. Do I give a **** what you think? Definitely not.

Maybe you don't know everything you think you do. Ever think about that?

You think there's no politics in MMA? That's hilarious.

Ignore the last comment, you don't get my point. First off, I train boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but no I haven't had a fight yet. I have however cornered a few people from our gym. Anyways, sure there are some politics involved in MMA, that's a given. But that doesn't mean that someone not going to get to the UFC/Strikeforce/DREAM or another top promotion because they don't have the looks or build of a poster boy. That has nothing to do with it.

Now UFC is a company, of course they're going to be concerned with draw. Kimbo Slice is going to bring in more viewers to MMA and more money into the company, he earned his way into the UFC, he deserves to be there. Now, I don't think he's anywhere near the level of 90% of the UFC heavyweights, but until that's proven he deserves to fight there. As far as people being allowed on the show without having fought before, TUF use to be that way every season except the last I believe. There have been plenty of people in TUF history to never fight MMA before TUF. Not to mention, heavyweight prospects for the ultimate fighter aren't as easy to find as let's say lightweights, so naturally they're not going to have as high level of talent.

And then Cover 2, you're calling Kimbo the UFC's cash cow as if they would fail without him. Fact is, people like Brock Lesnar and Kimbo Slice bring in a lot more money to the UFC, but without them the PPVs would still bring in big numbers.

Keep in mind, there a lot of fighters that are solid fights in their division who have to wait years sometimes to get a shot in the big leagues, the UFC especially. But the point is, if you're talented enough and win enough fights you're going to get your shot eventually. I've never seen an MMA fighter with enough talent to be a top fighter retire without ever getting their chance. Now obviously, some of the best MMA fighters in the world aren't going to fight in the UFC, but it's not due to politics. Granted Aleksander Emelianenko will never fight in the US again, it has nothing to do with politics. People like Sergei Kharitonov and Fedor will probably retire without ever fighting in the UFC, but they did fight in top promotions against top fighters.

My point, tell about a fighter who deserves a chance in a top promotion and won't get it due to politics (Not their record, the kind of competition they face, and their actual talent, we're talking about strictly politics.)

[Bob Sacamano]

Ignore the last comment, you don't get my point. First off, I train boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but no I haven't had a fight yet. I have however cornered a few people from our gym. Anyways, sure there are some politics involved in MMA, that's a given. But that doesn't mean that someone not going to get to the UFC/Strikeforce/DREAM or another top promotion because they don't have the looks or build of a poster boy. That has nothing to do with it.

Now UFC is a company, of course they're going to be concerned with draw. Kimbo Slice is going to bring in more viewers to MMA and more money into the company, he earned his way into the UFC, he deserves to be there. Now, I don't think he's anywhere near the level of 90% of the UFC heavyweights, but until that's proven he deserves to fight there. As far as people being allowed on the show without having fought before, TUF use to be that way every season except the last I believe. There have been plenty of people in TUF history to never fight MMA before TUF. Not to mention, heavyweight prospects for the ultimate fighter aren't as easy to find as let's say lightweights, so naturally they're not going to have as high level of talent.

And then Cover 2, you're calling Kimbo the UFC's cash cow as if they would fail without him. Fact is, people like Brock Lesnar and Kimbo Slice bring in a lot more money to the UFC, but without them the PPVs would still bring in big numbers.

Keep in mind, there a lot of fighters that are solid fights in their division who have to wait years sometimes to get a shot in the big leagues, the UFC especially. But the point is, if you're talented enough and win enough fights you're going to get your shot eventually. I've never seen an MMA fighter with enough talent to be a top fighter retire without ever getting their chance. Now obviously, some of the best MMA fighters in the world aren't going to fight in the UFC, but it's not due to politics. Granted Aleksander Emelianenko will never fight in the US again, it has nothing to do with politics. People like Sergei Kharitonov and Fedor will probably retire without ever fighting in the UFC, but they did fight in top promotions against top fighters.

My point, tell about a fighter who deserves a chance in a top promotion and won't get it due to politics (Not their record, the kind of competition they face, and their actual talent, we're talking about strictly politics.)

don't mind tomson

he's a MMA hanger-on

[Cover 2]

Ignore the last comment, you don't get my point. First off, I train boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but no I haven't had a fight yet. I have however cornered a few people from our gym. Anyways, sure there are some politics involved in MMA, that's a given. But that doesn't mean that someone not going to get to the UFC/Strikeforce/DREAM or another top promotion because they don't have the looks or build of a poster boy. That has nothing to do with it.

Now UFC is a company, of course they're going to be concerned with draw. Kimbo Slice is going to bring in more viewers to MMA and more money into the company, he earned his way into the UFC, he deserves to be there. Now, I don't think he's anywhere near the level of 90% of the UFC heavyweights, but until that's proven he deserves to fight there. As far as people being allowed on the show without having fought before, TUF use to be that way every season except the last I believe. There have been plenty of people in TUF history to never fight MMA before TUF. Not to mention, heavyweight prospects for the ultimate fighter aren't as easy to find as let's say lightweights, so naturally they're not going to have as high level of talent.

And then Cover 2, you're calling Kimbo the UFC's cash cow as if they would fail without him. Fact is, people like Brock Lesnar and Kimbo Slice bring in a lot more money to the UFC, but without them the PPVs would still bring in big numbers.

Keep in mind, there a lot of fighters that are solid fights in their division who have to wait years sometimes to get a shot in the big leagues, the UFC especially. But the point is, if you're talented enough and win enough fights you're going to get your shot eventually. I've never seen an MMA fighter with enough talent to be a top fighter retire without ever getting their chance. Now obviously, some of the best MMA fighters in the world aren't going to fight in the UFC, but it's not due to politics. Granted Aleksander Emelianenko will never fight in the US again, it has nothing to do with politics. People like Sergei Kharitonov and Fedor will probably retire without ever fighting in the UFC, but they did fight in top promotions against top fighters.

My point, tell about a fighter who deserves a chance in a top promotion and won't get it due to politics (Not their record, the kind of competition they face, and their actual talent, we're talking about strictly politics.)
Just because I said politics are involved doesn't mean that fighters who could potentially dominate are left out. It just means some get slight favortism based on their gym.

And when I referred to Kimbo as a cash cow I meant for that season of TUF.

Also fighters used to have to fight to get on the show. That's what the first episode usually is. But they didn't want to risk it with Kimbo. I'm not saying it was the wrong choice, but obviously politics came into play.

[BraveHeartFan]

Just because I said politics are involved doesn't mean that fighters who could potentially dominate are left out. It just means some get slight favortism based on their gym.

And when I referred to Kimbo as a cash cow I meant for that season of TUF.

Also fighters used to have to fight to get on the show. That's what the first episode usually is. But they didn't want to risk it with Kimbo. I'm not saying it was the wrong choice, but obviously politics came into play.

The fighting to get on the show happened for the 2 seasons prior to Kimbo. Might have been the 3 seasons prior.

But for the first 4 or 5 seasons of the show they didn't fight to get in the house. They were just on the show and their first fight, after getting in the house, was their first fight of the TUF competition.

So, no, they haven't always had to fight to get in. They started doing that in certain weight classes due to the talent and demand available at those weight classes.

There are not a crap ton of talented heavyweights out there who are going to go through TUF to get in so there just aren't as many to have them out there fighting each other to get in the house.

This wasn't a revolutionary move by the UFC to make sure Kimbo at least got in the house. They'd done this a ton of times before and they'll very likely do it a ton of times in the future.

[tomson75]

don't mind tomson

he's a MMA hanger-on

Actually, I rarely even watch MMA anymore. I used to help train a few friends that fought....and they even tried to convince me to pick up a fight or two. I pussed out because I'd seen enough fighting in my day....and believe it or not, punching people in the face and getting punched back often loses its appeal when you're in your 30's. Plus its not a sport you want to take part in without Health insurance....which I didn't have at the time. I was bouncing at the time, and that was enough worry for me.

It was fun though, when I was younger.

As far as this thread goes...I was simply repeating the sentiments given directly to me by two nationally ranked fighters and another fighter I consider a close friend. I have no first hand experience with the politics involved in MMA, but I'll sure as hell take their experience over some internet persona's interpretation after watching a few season's of some lame *** reality show.

[Hostile]

Oy, this went south.

[tomson75]

Oy, this went south.

My apologies. It wasn't intentional.

[8FOR!3]

My apologies. It wasn't intentional.

Same here, I used poor word choice and lost my cool. I disagree with you to a certain extent of what you initially said, but that doesn't give me a reason to start mouthing off talking smack like I did. My bad man, guess I still had a bad taste in my mouth from that Cowboys game. =/

[CowboyFan74]

Have to admit, I don't understand the draw that bloodsport has.


Pipe down Mountie..


Man he gave that other fella a royal pounding.:laugh2:

[tomson75]

Same here, I used poor word choice and lost my cool. I disagree with you to a certain extent of what you initially said, but that doesn't give me a reason to start mouthing off talking smack like I did. My bad man, guess I still had a bad taste in my mouth from that Cowboys game. =/

No worries.

We all do.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Same as football.

maybe but in football, they don't deliberately pound each other into a pulp

[Cover 2]

maybe but in football, they don't deliberately pound each other into a pulp
What do you think tackling is?

It's not like it's a bar fight between two talentless people just randomly swinging at each other. It's boxing, karate, kickboxing, BJJ, wrestling, and more all rolled into one. The people who fight in the UFC and all the other big-time promotions are all talented in usually multiple martial arts.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I think the equipment and lack of deliberately punching each other separates football from bloodsport.

Granted, I loved that movie with JCVD, damn good movie but in the end, MMA is about kicking the crap out of each other.

[Cover 2]

I think the equipment and lack of deliberately punching each other separates football from bloodsport.

Granted, I loved that movie with JCVD, damn good movie but in the end, MMA is about kicking the crap out of each other.
Based on all the studies I've seen it looks like boxing is more detrimental to one's health than MMA. The gloves in boxing are thicker with more padding, so one can deliver more blows to another's head before knocking them out. This is actually more dangerous to the recipient of those blows.

The small gloves in MMA make it where one doesn't take as many blows, because they get knocked out after fewer hits. Long-term this is a good thing as people don't take as many hits to the head.

There have been NO DEATHS in a sanctioned MMA match. There have been some in unsanctioned ones though without proper supervision, but it's only been 2 or 3. Compared to boxing that is miniscule. So basically MMA is safer than boxing.

One thing that can't be measured though is long-term affects due to how new MMA is. Within 20 years we should be able to compare long-term affects of boxing to long-term affects of MMA, but until then there is only speculation.

[Rampage]

Good luck to him.

It's a pretty tough road ahead, unless he's doing it just for kicks. I wrestled with/know some ranked guys in VA. One of which is ranked nationally, and has a better record, fight count, and fight history against stronger opponents than about 90% of the guys ranked ahead of him.


....but it's a pretty "political" business. He's not the pretty sell, so he'll never be given the opportunity to compete with the big boys. Damn shame. He's a hell of a fighter.
what is your friends name that fights and do you know the name of a company or event that he's fought in?

[TheCount]

Have to admit, I don't understand the draw that bloodsport has.

MMA isn't a "bloodsport" anymore than football is.

[tomson75]

what is your friends name that fights and do you know the name of a company or event that he's fought in?

I used to know the Baker brothers with the MMA institute out of Richmond and Harrisonburg VA. Two good friends of mine trained there as well. Both of the Baker bros have been ranked nationally, but I haven't followed them in a while.