Did You See His Cartwheel Kick?

This reads like something from a lame modern cop show drama that everyone likes but me. But the scary or (if you are insensitive and immature) funny thing about it is that it’s real!

On Dec. 9, 2009, Howard showed up at the Toronto Star with a briefcase. He looked like a businessman, but his clothes were worn, and his knuckles were bruised and caked with dried blood. In a hoarse voice, he said there was a plot to ruin his life. He claimed he had been injected with a liquid that hardened his veins and immobilized him. He held out his shaking hands for inspection, his eyes wide in desperation. As he was escorted out of the building, he left nodding to no one but himself. “On to Plan B,” he told an editor before leaving.

What was Plan B?

Almost two weeks later, residents of a Niagara Falls street were awakened by screams. Howard was attacking his sister and nephew with the claw end of a hammer. His 21-year-old nephew fought back before Howard screeched out of the driveway.

It seems that Howard started to “lose his grip” mid 2009 largely due to his long term addiction to pain killers, which, according to the rest of the Toronto Star’s report, was an important factor in his downward spiral.

The importance of this, or at least the interest in this man, is the fact he was part of the UFC’s early history. He earned his shot at Royce Gracie with two wins at UFC 3, but instead Howard ended up facing a replacement and losing.

In early 2009, Sherdog did a piece on Howard. In it he is a little crazy, but a nice, kind, and according to the article, “colorful, memorable and honest.”

“We’ve got a saying back home that if you’re coming on,” he fumed, whipping off the shades, “come on!”

I just hope that he can turn his life around, but after reading at least the Toronto article about him, it seems his family has pretty much given up on him. What is worse is that he also seems to have given up on himself.

Sad.

[via Fightlinker]

Karma Bites Sonnen – Demian Maia Gets Title Shot

I was incredibly disappointed on hearing about Chael Sonnen grinding out Nate Marquardt in last weekend’s UFC 109. I wasn’t a fan of his in the first place, but after all his possibly ethnocentric, but certainly disrespectful, comments regarding Anderson Silva, I became an anti-fan.

Then, from my despair that would have seen Sonnen have a chance at the title, I instead am surprised to find out that Damian Maia, one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA along with the likes of Jacare and Aoki, will be fighting Silva next at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi because Victor Belfort is injured.

Hopefully this is not a style match-up that creates a boring fight. Against all odds, I’m cheering for Maia to get the takedown and pretend he’s a Japanese fighter (Daiju Takase, Ryo Chonan) and get an amazing submission.

Affliction is Dead

It seems there was no turning back or recovery for Affliction following Wednesday’s Josh Barnett fiasco. Unable to adequately patch up the holes in their venue, Affliction: Trilogy was canceled, and the entirety of Affliction as a promotion flatlined. Supposedly, there were rumors that they had talked with both Strikeforce and the UFC about possible mergers, even before recent events, but in any case, they’re majorly in the doghouse now. It’s official that Affliction will salvage what they can and re-enlist as a brand sponsor (i.e. stick to making clothes) for the UFC. This is somewhat ironic considering the less than friendly relationship Affliction and the UFC/Dana White have had with each other. Dana White practically called out their demise last year. Of course, Dana White likes to talk and present himself as an asshole, so it’s not surprising that he’d rejoice over fallen competition. But really, who else would you turn to when you’re struggling and the UFC is raking in the big bucks? Read more »

Barnett Pulled Out of Fight

I am seriously seriously seriously disappointed and pissed at today’s news!!!!  This was THE fight to watch for me this summer, and now poof! Gone!

After hopping on to Sherdog, I read a series of updates stating that Josh Barnett tested positive for some form of anabolic steroid, and therefore, he would not be licensed for the Affliction and M-1 Global “Trilogy” event August 1st where he would have fought Fedor. SOOO DISAPPOINTING! Ugh…

I mean, Josh Barnett is a nice, good guy, and I hope this doesn’t tarnish his name. Read more »