Wednesday, October 28 3:57 pm PT: Jack Encarnacao and I held down the fort without TJ De Santis on Wednesday's edition of "Beatdown." We got into all sorts of MMA discussion including the announcement that Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will take on Josh Koscheck at UFC 106, whether Lyoto Machida or Tito Ortiz can sell a PPV and all sorts of Strikeforce news.
Speaking of Strikeforce, Jack and I were joined by Strikeforce fighters Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Jorge Gurgel. Sokoudjou discussed his improvements as a fighter both physically and mentally, how he plans to prepare for his bout with Gegard Mousasi and whether or not he's impacted at all by fighting on CBS. Never a man of just one mindset Sokoudjou also gave us his thoughts on Cameroon's chances in the 2010 World Cup.
Jorge Gurgel will face Billy Evangelista at the Strikeforce Challengers card on November 6th. Gurgel talked to us about why he insists on standing during his fights, what the change to Mark Dellagrotte's camp has done for him and how he's improved since the fighter we first saw on season two of "The Ultimate Fighter." Gurgel also marveled at the wonders of Twitter and told us the story of the “White Devil” Marcus Davis.
CBS announced Tuesday that EA Sports will unveil a first-look video of the game during its Strikeforce "Fedor vs. Rogers" broadcast on Nov. 7 at 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28 6:00 am PT: Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson was more of a blessing than a curse, said CBS, who broadcasted the proverbial “rise and fall” of the Internet streetfighting legend in 2008.
Slice helmed three of the five most-watched live-broadcasted fights ever, which all happened on CBS, including his 14-second stumble against Seth Petruzelli in October 2008.
The major network gears up for its second incarnation of “Saturday Nights Fights” with Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” on Nov. 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT sans Slice, but with the added viewing incentive of Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s top-ranked heavyweight.
“I don’t think we regret pumping up Kimbo,” said Kelly Kahl, executive vice president for primetime programming.
