Opinion: Party Like It’s 1993!

Opinion: Party Like It’s 1993!

 

            Celebrate life! Don’t get caught up in the idea that Ken Shamrock is older than many Grandpas, he’s fifty-two, but looks great! And don’t worry that Royce Gracie hasn’t fought MMA in nearly a decade, he’s a Gracie, the forty-nine year old chokes someone for breakfast every day. Why focus on the negative? Instead I’ve chosen to contact a couple of the guys that I first experienced UFC 1 with and reconvene to watch Bellator 149. To make it more enjoyable we first decided to dress like we might have in 1993, I even started to let my sideburns grow out like Dylan McKay’s from 90210, but John had a better idea: Costume Party. I’m going as David Koresh.

            This may not prove to be the most entertaining fight, but who cares. Indulge your reminiscent tendencies and be thankful that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation allowed this.

            These Warriors’ dedication should inspire you in your own life. It isn’t easy for anyone to get into a cage, be in shape and fight in three, five minute rounds, with both fighters near the half century mark, my own fitness goals appear pathetic in comparison.

Good News for Ken’s Chin

          While Gracie does have twelve finishes in his fourteen wins, they have all come by way of submission. Since 2000, Shamrock is 5-11 with ten of those losses by way of KO/TKO, in this fight he’ll need to protect his neck more than his chin with the BJJ Black Belt.

Also in Ken’s favor will be the lack of a Gi. Royce wore the traditional Martial Arts uniform in both former matches. UFC 1 saw Gracie lock in a rear-naked choke in just 0:57, but in the UFC’s first Super-fight at UFC 5 Gracie utilized the Gi to hold Ken in his guard and control position from the bottom.

In the early days of the UFC, stand-ups were rare and Shamrock, after taking Gracie down in the opening minute, mounted very little offense and proved unable to advance position. By using the Gi to control Ken’s posture he neutralized possible ground and pound from “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” in the top position. The entire thirty-six minute Draw was fought in Gracie’s guard, with the Brazilian landing more strikes from the bottom and Shamrock avoiding sweeps and submissions, but little more.

With over twenty years to better familiarize himself with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the frequent stand ups and numerous rule changes of modern MMA, Shamrock enters Bellator 149 better poised for a win then in the previous two fights.

            So why not embrace the throwback and Party just like it’s 1993? You don’t have to go all out with a costume party. Just dust off that old John Paxson Bulls Jersey, grab your Magic cards and that Shai compact disk and reminisce about how the world was before the Internet was such a big deal.