It has been a long, hard road for Smackgirl’s rising 58kg stars, but now one of the Next Cinderella Tournament Finalists will know victory. Sakura Nakamura and Kanako Takeshita will be scheduled to do battle for two five-minute rounds in order to decide who is the Middleweight Next Cinderella. Also scheduled is the Flyweight Semifinal between KM-MAKI and Fukuko Hamada.
Both fighters overcame stiff competition in the semifinal round. After capturing a split decision with the always tough but not so talented Kinuka Sasaki in quarterfinals, Nakamura impressed with a win over tournament favorite and T-BLOOD hopeful Miki Morifujii in semifinals. Morifujii brought strong wrestling ability to the table (bestowed, of course, from her training background with Mitsuhiro Ishida, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and NAOMI), but Nakamura proved more than ready to tame the aggressive Morifujii, securing a unanimous decision.
Takeshita fought slightly more talented competition in the quarterfinals but achiving the same result as her opponent in the finals, securing a decision from the well-rounded Yui Tachiwaki, a hard-hitting and submission-savy up-and-comer. The semifinals brought Smackgirl fans an ironic suprise as Takeshita armbarred Kazu Moroboshi. As banal as such as victory may seem, up to that point, Moroboshi had won herself a reputation for utilizing strong wrestling to armbar opponents in seconds. Though this is Takeshita and Nakamura’s time to shine, we should no doubt expect more of semifinalists Moroboshi and Morifujii.
Losing her debut bout against the arguably #3 fighter under 48kg in Masako Yoshida, KM-MAKI has impressed in her two-win streak. She defeated debutant Mizuho Kawasaki in a thoroughly lop-sided unanimous decision. She then stopped grappler MITSUKI with an armbar in the semifinals. Hamada dispatched the unproven MMA debutant Aya in the quarterfinals with an armbar in the first round. Her semifinals bout was against another hot up-and-comer at 48kg, Taeko Nagamine. Nagamine had debuted in April, rocking BJJ superstar Yasuko Mogi with devasting punches while evading Mogi’s feared ground skills, and in May, had drew veteran Naoko Ohmuro and Misaki Takimoto in a tag grappling match alongside Shiyo Yamato. Hamda proved superior, however, taking home a unanimous decision.
Upper Life Presents Smackgirl 2006: Hold Your Own September 15, 2006 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan Doors Open: 18:00 Fights Start: 18:30
Tentative Fight Card (Subject To Change):
2006 Smackgirl Next Cinderella Middleweight Final 58kg, 2R 5M Sakura Nakamura (Karate-Do Zendoka) vs. Kanako Takeshita (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo)
2006 Smackgirl Next Cinderella Flyweight Semifinal 48kg, 2R 5M KM-MAKI (RISE Fight Club) vs. Fukuko Hamada (Sogokakutougi Angura)
In what proved to be proved to be a quick turnaround, Chris Brennan has announced that he will indeed face Tatsuya Kawajiri on August 26th at Bushido 12.
Brennan, who was bit by an infamous brown recluse spider while doing some work around his home, reported on both his personal forum, and mma.tv’s Underground forum that he would cancel his fight against Shooto world champion Tatsuya Kawajiri on August 26th.
However, Brennan has now posted on the Underground forum that he will fight at PRIDE’s Bushido 12 card in Nagoya, stating, “Well guys it looks like I am still fighting. I don’t want to discuss why but that’s what’s happening.”
Dream Stage Entertainment Presents PRIDE: Bushido 12 August 26th, 2006 Nagoya Rainbow Hall Nagoya, Japan Doors Open: 15:30 Fights Start: 17:00
Tentative Fight Card (Card Subject To Change):
73 KG, 2R 10M/5M Jeff Curran (Team Curran) vs. Hatsu Hioki (ALIVE)
73 KG, 2R 10M/5M Shinya Aoki (Paraestra Tokyo) vs. Jason Black (Team Extreme)
According to the Dallas Morning News, Loretta Sheppard testified yesterday that Sanders told her to “hold off on doing anything” after her daughter accused Arlington pastor Terry Hornbuckle of raping her. Hornbuckle is on trial for three separate sexual assaults and has also been accused of tampering with a witness and possession of methamphetamine.
Sanders, according to lawyers, “counseled Defendant as a Christian and fellow pastor, and for no other reason.” This all came up because the woman’s daughter delayed filing charges; her mother is using Deion’s pleas as the reason.
Fatsis, who is writing a book on life in an NFL training camp, finally kicked one through the uprights. And his would-be teammates couldn’t have been happier. Given a second chance to be a hero, Fatsis came through with a 27-yard field goal [yesterday]. The kick reduced the evening meeting time by 30 minutes. On his first attempt from 27 yards, Fatsis kicked a line drive, missing badly. But on his second and final chance, Fatsis got some leg going and booted one through the uprights. The Broncos lifted him up like the Patriots lifted star kicker Adam Vinatieri in the Super Bowl. Fatsis missed twice last week, from 30 and 25 yards, with the same stakes.
It’s probably a good thing Fatsis finally hit one. The old “hey, I wrote a book about Scrabble” defense doesn’t work that well when you’re stuck to the locker room wall with jock straps.
Welcome to Minor Enterprise, where each Wednesday we preview, and occasionally review, the great events and promotions of minor league baseball. If you have a tip about a minor league promotion, or perhaps you’re dressed as a large mascot beaver and are hopelessly stuck in the suit, contact us at tips@deadspin.com.
It’s an idea whose time has come. Surprised only that no one has thought of it sooner, we are proud to announce that Aug. 14 is Gassy Monday for the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League. Adults will receive coupons for discounted gasoline, and children will be given Whoopee Cushions. (You may want to make sure the boss isn’t around before clicking on the next few links). “Henry Sanchez takes his lead at first. Nathan Fogle checks the sign, and goes into the windup. Here’s the pitch: Josh Land hits a long fly ball to left! But it’s hooking … foul! (Thanks to Benjamin Hill).
• Dax Norris Salute to Baldness Night. (Friday, Richmond Braves, International League). Make baldness work for you for once, as all bald fans will be admitted free. Plus, baldies will be eligible to win a free trip to Bald Head Island, NC., and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Dax Norris hand-held mask and bald cap. (Thanks to Aaron Webb).
• Jose Canseco Juice Box Night. (Thursday, Fullerton Flyers, Golden League). Jose Canseco and the Long Beach Armada are in town, and that can only mean one thing: free juice. The Flyers are giving away 500 juice boxes in commemoration of Canseco’s book Juiced, in which the former major league slugger named names in the steroid controversy. Also, fliers that discuss the dangers of steroid use will be distributed. We assume that one of the points will be: Use steroids, and you may end up in the Golden League. (Thanks to Tim Bennett).
• Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament. (Saturday, Frederick Keys, Carolina League). The Keys will honor one of the few activities where skill is not involved; Harry Grove Stadium is the site for the big Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament prior to the game with the Winston-Salem Warthogs. (Thanks to Benjamin Hill).
• Antique Appraisal Night. (Saturday, Williamsport Crosscutters, New York-Penn League). Come join Dr. Lori Verderame, the host of Trash or Treasure, a Philadelphia TV show in which various antiques and collectibles are appraised. This is the only sporting event which Niles and Frasier Crane annually attend. And on Friday, don’t miss the World Famous Rubber Boy.
• Bobblehead of the Moment: We don’t know how, but by the grace of God we will one day get our hands on one of these sweet Bruce Weber bobbleheads, given out by the Schaumburg Flyers to 2,500 lucky fans at Tuesday’s Northern League game with the Winnipeg Goldeyes. This depiction of the University of Illinois basketball coach just may be the greatest bobblehead ever created.
• Mascot of the Week: Ciggy Butts, the anti-smoking mascot of the Somerset Patriots of the Independent Atlantic League. Reader Pam Carabetta attended a game in which Mr. Butts appeared, and has filed a report — complete with photos — which you can peruse after the jump.
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I suppose I’m a bit late on this, but I’m a relatively new Deadspin reader, so please forgive me. I thought I would send a couple of pictures of my favorite mascot to ever grace a ballpark: Ciggy Butts (yes, that was the official name). I’m a Somerset Patriots (of the Independent Atlantic League) fan and I was delighted to see this loveable character at the home opener on April 28 of this year. He apparently was part of some kind of anti-smoking thing held during pregame. What’s not to love about a smoldering cigarette mascot? – Pam Carabetta.
Ciggy Butts races Sparkee, the Patriots’ regular mascot, around the bases. Notice Sparkee clearly taunting the coughing, wheezing Mr. Butts as they round second. The quality of these shots reminds one of the Zapruder Film, because they were taken with a cell phone camera. But don’t complain: Without readers like Pam Carabetta and her friend Jason, the historical record would be without any photos of Ciggy Butts at all.
Ciggy Butts works the crowd before the game. We suspect that the mascot had the opposite effect of that intended; kids seem to have run to the restrooms in droves to light up, as evidenced by the empty seats.
Just days after pulling the plug on the NBA Street V3 servers, EA has announced that the streetball-inspired franchise will be crossing over onto next-gen platforms in spring 2007. The next edition of NBA Street has been confirmed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 — but not Wii.
The game will still focus on over-the-top, 3-on-3 b-ball, but now includes a new twist, described by EA as, “a hyper-real world that merges legendary courts with the hometown courts of your favorite NBA stars into one seamless city of streetball moments. Earn a name for yourself and garner respect as you progress along your hometown journey and become a legend.”
Just days after pulling the plug on the NBA Street V3 servers, EA has announced that the streetball-inspired franchise will be crossing over onto next-gen platforms in spring 2007. The next edition of NBA Street has been confirmed for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 — but not Wii.
The game will still focus on over-the-top, 3-on-3 b-ball, but now includes a new twist, described by EA as, “a hyper-real world that merges legendary courts with the hometown courts of your favorite NBA stars into one seamless city of streetball moments. Earn a name for yourself and garner respect as you progress along your hometown journey and become a legend.”
The fine folks at TMZ, after months of accosting celebrities as they drunkenly walked out of clubs, finally had their breakthrough last week with the Mel Gibson “sugar tits” story, which not only horrified Jews and Gentiles alike, but also ruined a classic pickup line forever. They’re all over the place now, and good for TMZ.
Well, now they’re setting their scopes on the sports world, and they’re reporting today that Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush might have been involved in a beatdown of maybe-current-girlfriend Nia Long’s ex. (Whew. Long identifier.) Last month, a man with Long pounded her ex, Massai Z. Dorsey (whoever the hell that is) right in the middle of a Los Angeles mall. And now TMZ is saying it was Reggie Bush.
Though, after the incessant ESPN Mobile commercials of the last month — still an improvement over the “crazed stalker guy” — maybe Dorsey was just going to draft Larry Johnson.
There are all kinds of reasons to be annoyed by Deion Sanders. Here’s a more damning one: 
Writer Stefan Fatsis is the author of 
Welcome to Minor Enterprise, where each Wednesday we preview, and occasionally review, the great events and promotions of minor league baseball. If you have a tip about a minor league promotion, or perhaps you’re dressed as a large mascot beaver and are hopelessly stuck in the suit, contact us at 
The fine folks at TMZ, after months of accosting celebrities as they drunkenly walked out of clubs, finally had their breakthrough last week with the Mel Gibson “sugar tits” story, which not only horrified Jews and Gentiles alike, but also ruined 
