Tomorrow, Molly Helsel will do battle with Hitomi Akano do determine which will become the 2nd Smackgirl Middleweight Champion. Helsel is no stranger to title fights in her budding career: she fought her to the final round of Hook n Shoot’s Women’s Grand Prix last November. Though she lost that final round to Julie Kedzie, Helsel undoubtedly will be looking to walk away from the ring having had her hand raised and a belt fitted around her waist. CVTA caught up with Helsel to ask her a few questions, to which her courtesy granted us the following:
CVTA: How do you feel about fighting outside the states for the first time, particularly in Smackgirl, for a title? Helsel: It is definitely a different experience, but its just another fight to me. I am not any more or any less nervous about fighting here. It is an excellent opportunity for me however, and I am excited to experience another country.
CVTA: Do you think the rules disadvantage you? Helsel: Yes - no hitting to the face, that is huge. I have won several fights with ground and pound so this is different. Also 30 seconds on the ground. That depends because offensively it is not a lot of time to pull things off, but its good defensively - you only have to fight off a sub for 30 seconds.
CVTA: What are your thoughts concerning your opponent? Have you seen footage of her? Have you prepared a gameplan? If so, what? Helsel:I have only seen the fight with her and Debi [Purcell]. I think she is probably tough but it seems that her game may be somewhat limited. I am looking to take advantage of those holes and play my game.
CVTA: What is your outlook on the state of Women’s MMA at the moment? Helsel: Particularly this year it has boomed. With the leagalization of the sport in California it has opened up a lot of doors. More skilled females have had opportunities to showcase what they have to offer and have helped to eliminate some of the more biased stereotypes.
CVTA: Is there anyone you’d like to fight in the future? Helsel: I have a rematch lined up with Julie Kedzie in November. I would also like to fight Shayna Bazler and Crystal Harris, also Mandy Stewert because I think they would all be good Harris, also Mandy Stewert because I think they would all be good matchups and challenging fights for me.
CVTA: Do you have any comments on the decision to dethrone former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion Laura D’Auguste? Helsel: I don’t have any information on that situation, so no comment for until I find out more.
Complete Vale Tudo Access thanks Ms. Helsel for her good graces.
Upper Life Presents Smackgirl 2006: Hold Your Own September 15th, 2006 Korakuen Hall Tokyo, Japan Doors Open: 18:00 Fights Start: 18:30
Tentative Fight Card (Subject To Change):
Smackgirl World Middleweight Championship 58 KG, 2R 5M Hitomi Akano (Abe Ani Combat Club) vs. Molly Helsel (Freelance)
2006 Smackgirl Next Cinderella Middleweight Final 58 KG, 2R 5M Sakura Nakamura (Zendokai Headquarters) vs. Kanako Takeshita (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo Headquarters)
2006 Smackgirl Next Cinderella Flyweight Semifinal 48 KG, 2R 5M KM-MAKI (RISE Fight Club) vs. Fukuko Hamada (MMA Angura)
48KG, 2R 5M MIKU (Club BARBARIAN) vs. Lisa Ward (Freelance)
48 KG, 2R 5M Masako Yoshida (NATIVE SPIRIT) vs. Eri Kanetari (Wajyutsu Keisyukai A3)
Open, 2R 5M Tama-Chan (Tomoe-Gumi) vs. Natsuko Kamei (MMA Angura)
52 KG, 2R 5M Fuka (JD Star) vs. Mai (Team Shingawa)
48 KG, 2R 5M Ayumi Saito (MMA Angura) vs. Ikuko Tamada (Abe Ani Combat Club)
Far be it from us to pretend to be experts in branding, but this new marketing gimmick for the Cleveland Browns, obviously a “riff” (and “riff” is being generous) on the Steelers’ Terrible Towel, is actually called The Dirty Brown Towel.
No, really; that’s what they call it.
We suppose if you’re going to create a piece of derivative cloth to inspire a fan base that otherwise must distract itself with barking sounds, it probably behooves you to grace it with particularly memorable nomenclature, even if said nomenclature veers toward the scatty. Other suggested names were “Fart Towel,” “Shit Rag,” “Tiny Piece Of Felt Flecked With Physical Remnants Of The Excretory Process” and, our favorite, “Jay Mariotti.”
Leading G-SHOOTO promoter G-STYLE has announced the second event in the G-SHOOTO Special series for October 20th.
The first G-SHOOTO Special card came in May of last year, featuring three female Shooto bouts and three male Shooto bouts. This theme looks to continue at G-SHOOTO Special 02, as G-STYLE have already announced one female bout, and one male bout. In female action, Kayo Nagai will take on Katsuya Toida trainer Maho Muranami, while in male action, 2005 Shooto flyweight rookie champion Kenichi Takeda takes on veteran 52 kilogram fighter Takahisa Toyoshima.
Also scheduled to compete on the card on the female side are up-and-comers Mamitora and Wakako Sunayama, while the male side will see the return of 2004 Shooto bantamweight runner-up Toshimichi Akagi return to action for the first time since this past March.
G-STYLE Presents G-SHOOTO Special 02 October 20th, 2006 Tokyo Kinema Club Tokyo, Japan Doors Open: 18:00 Fights Start: 19:00
Tentative Fight Card (Card Subject To Change):
Class C, 48 KG, 2R 5M Kayo Nagai (Paraestra Tokyo) vs. Maho Muranami (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Toikatsu Dojo)
Class B, 52 KG, 2R 5M Kenichi Takeda (Paraestra Sapporo) vs. Takahisa Toyoshima (STF MMA Dojo)
Also Scheduled to Participate: Toshimichi Akagi (Cobra Kai MMA Dojo) Mamitora (Paraestra Hachinohe) Wakako Sunayama (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Toyama SPO)
So you remember that eBay auction last week to purchase the infamous dress of Jose Lima’s wife, the one she “wore” when Limatime sang the national anthem a few years back? Well, the final price was $152.50, and it was won by, of all people, the guy who runs maybe one of the top Rangers sites.
Apparently, Sports Blog Nation is paying its writers pretty well; $152.50 is a pretty steep price for a dress, even one that possibly contains Lima DNA. The auction winner, Adam Morris, says he will “get the dress, and an 8″ X 10″ photo of the famous picture, with an inscription and autograph from Melissa Lima.” Yep: He actually will be able to request what Mrs. Lima will write. We suspect you might have some recommendations.
(UPDATE: We just contacted Morris for comment. Lone Star Ball is proud to have acquired this historic piece of memorabilia. Now, I just have to figure out a way to get my wife to let me keep it.” Good luck, sir.)
For those who find the pace of Madden ‘07 a little too frantic, here’s some good — that is to say, fake — news. Introducing Madden Bye-Week ‘07, in which you control your various NFL players’ off-the-field activities during their team’s bye week. We’re still waiting for our copy, but the “reviewer” over at College Humor has his and has already chosen breakfast cereal for Bryce Fisher (Special K: Fruit and Yogurt), and has had Shaun Alexander hang out around the house and do some gardening. Said the reviewer:
My thoughts are: any six year old with opposable thumbs can move the ball down the field, but it takes a real human to understand these players. You need to know what they love, to comprehend their passion for life, beyond the sport they play.
Your players’ actions may vary. Hey, like it’s really that different than “Head Coach.”
Via the always funny J.E. Skeets at The Basketball Jones comes this deleted scene of Michael talking to the guys from the warehouse about pick-up basketball and Allen Iverson. It’s spectacular and should hold you over until The Office makes its return next Thursday.
And while we’re here, I might as well share that I never thought the American Office could beat the British Office, especially after the American version’s stinker of a premiere. As time went by though, Carrell and co. got better and better to the point where their incarnation surpassed the original, which I loved. Either way, it’s must-see TV.
We knew the Oakland Raiders were going to be a source of consistent amusement throughout this season, through ineptitude, disorganization or simple befuddlement, but we didn’t quite expect it to happen so soon.
To recap this Jerry Porter situation: He sits out Week 1 because he hates Art Shell and wants to be traded, but he’s on the sideline anyway. So then he cheers after Aaron Brooks is sacked for the 28th time, and then, as a way to deflect criticism from that, he points out that he wasn’t paying any attention to the game. Which, all considered, is better, we guess.
Even though the Reds have had more success this year than most might have anticipated, they haven’t felt a major boost at the turnstiles, with attendance up slightly, but not significantly, over last year. So they’ve come up with a new idea for bringing fans to the ball park: Make them feel like they’re being attacked by terrorists!
On September 30 — the last weekend of the regular season — Great American Ball Park will feature a simulation of a “full-scale terrorist attack.” The team is looking for volunteers to play “Fucking Terrified Citizen” and is offering them vouchers for two Reds tickets in 2007. It’s actually not a bad deal, if you can get up early; volunteers will be there from 7:30 until about 10 a.m.
If anyone is able to go, we discourage people from screaming in hysterics and running to freedom, and instead suggest they leave the park in a calm and orderly fashion, if just because you’ll lose your free tickets otherwise. If you’re need motivation for the “terror” expression, we suggest thinking, “Danny Graves.” Should help.
Far be it from us to pretend to be experts in branding, but 
So you remember that 
For those who find the pace of Madden ‘07 a little too frantic, here’s some good — that is to say, fake — news. Introducing Madden Bye-Week ‘07, in which you control your various NFL players’ off-the-field activities during their team’s bye week. We’re still waiting for our copy, 
We knew the Oakland Raiders were going to be a source of consistent amusement throughout this season, through ineptitude, disorganization or simple befuddlement, but we didn’t quite expect it to happen so soon.
Even though the Reds have had more success this year than most might have anticipated, they haven’t felt a major boost at the turnstiles, with attendance up slightly, but not significantly, over last year. So they’ve come up with a new idea for bringing fans to the ball park: Make them feel like they’re being attacked by terrorists!