Friday, September 18 2:33 pm PT: Men in tights. Watch ESPN’s
live stream, or -- if you’re at work and can’t easily explain why
naked men are flexing on your monitor -- refresh this page for comments.
5:02 p.m. ET -- Robert Emerson vs. Rafael dos Anjos
After deliberation, Dos Anjos is determined to be 155.5, Emerson the
same. Emerson has a massive tattoo on the back of his skull. The
betting line moves in his favor.
5:07 p.m. ET -- Eliot Marshall vs. Jason Brilz
Brilz is 205.25. Really on the nose with the ounces. Marshall is 204
“and three quarters.” So, 205. Good God.
5:08 p.m. ET -- Ricky Story vs. Brian Foster
Foster is 170 and three quarters; “The Horror” Story is 170 even.
5:10 p.m. ET -- Rafaello Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz
Two UFC-debuting fighters. Does that cancel out first-time nerves?
Oliveira is 155 and a quarter. A very bored-looking Lentz, 155.
5:12 p.m. ET -- Jim Miller vs. Steve Lopez
Lopez is 154 and a half. Miller might take the scale to a decision. 154.5.
5:14 p.m. ET -- Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
Drwal is 185 even. McFedries looks to be in pretty terrific shape -- 185
and a quarter.
5:17 p.m. ET -- Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
A beaming Miller sits down to take off his shoes and socks. He appears
to be very comfortable undressing for a crowd. 155 even. “The Ultimate
Fighter” winner Escudero is 157. First flub of the evening.
5:19 p.m. ET -- Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
I have a new name for any choke Franca pulls off in competition: the
Hermes scarf. Right? What? No. OK. Wait -- Franca has a Muppet on his
head. He looks like someone spilled grape soda on his hair.
Interesting style choice. 159, some kind of catchweight agreement.
Griffin has very boring hair. 155.5
5:22 p.m. ET -- Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
Trigg, showing early indications of old-man strength, is 170 and a
quarter; Koscheck, showing every indication of being obnoxious, is 170.
5:24 p.m. ET -- Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
Crickets for these two after Trigg-Koscheck. Daley is 170. Kampmann is 169.5.
5:26 p.m. ET -- Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Junior dos Santos
Last names are for sissies. Dos Santos is 236, “Cro Cop” -- sporting a
Pride shirt, which may confuse some newer fans -- is 226. Mirko’s thighs
will be weighed in separately.
5:33 p.m. ET -- Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
Belfort appears slightly soft for the weight: 197 and a half. Had his
socks on. Takes them off. 196 and a half. Takes off his wedding ring.
Takes off his underwear. I’m really uncomfortable.
196 and a quarter. Either he goes for a run or he goes to the
bathroom. Shouldn’t be an issue. Company man Franklin steps on the scale. How complacent is he? He took
the nickname “Ace” without any resistance. 185 even.
Friday, September 18 1:30 am PT: When Bob Arum, Burt Sugar, and other fossilized creatures speak on the “brutality” or sadism of mixed martial arts, they’re not referring to ground strikes, kicks to the head, or even a bone break: they’re thinking of the utterly disgusting, Grand Canyon crater opened on Abe Wager’s head during the premiere of “The Ultimate Fighter” on Wednesday night.
I can’t say enough about this thing: did Tom Savini run into the frame and apply a rubber appliance when I wasn’t looking? Has there ever been a wider, deeper gash on an athlete that wasn’t participating in a swordfight? What does it feel like to have cool air on exposed skull bone -- or more importantly, the hot salami breath of an apathetic EMT?
Get past the nausea and you’ve got a promising start to the season. There haven’t been two more contentious coaches than Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson;
