Category Archives: Sports

ncaafootball13cov
Feb 27 2012

Robert Griffin III Announced As Cover Athlete for NCAA Football ’13

EA Sports today announced 2011 Heisman Trophy winner and former quarterback for Baylor, Robert Griffin III as the cover athlete for the upcoming NCAA Football ’13 game. Well, he is one half of the cover anyway.

Beginning March 12th, fans will be able to log on to the NCAA Football Facebook Page and vote for one of eight former Heisman winners to appear alongside RG3 on the cover. Those eight Heisman winners are: Marcus Allen (USC), Doug Flutie (Boston College), Eddie George (Ohio State), Desmond Howard (Michigan), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State), Herschel Walker (UGA), Charlie Ward (FSU), and Andre Ware (Houston).

NCAA Football ’13 is available for pre-order now for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, with a listed released date of July 10th. It is being developed by EA Tiburon.

kennyflor
Jan 13 2012

Kenny Florian possibly retiring.

From F4W:

“The Boston Herald has reported that Kenny Florian, 35, who has unsuccessfully challenged for the lightweight and featherweight titles, may have to retire due to a herniated disc in his lower back.

Florian said he had been bothered with back problems for years, but they worsened in November with a weightlifitng injury that hasn’t allowed him to do any training, and that both his neurologist and orthopedic doctor have suggested he retire.

Florian categorized his decision as in a holding pattern, looking at taking a few months off from training and hoping he will heal up, and attempting to strengthen other parts of his body.  Florian said he has tingling and numbness down his right leg.

Florian hosts the TV show UFC Tonight and has been used as an announcer on Zuffa events in the past.”

Jules’ note:  Sad news if he does indeed have to retire. He was an entertaining fighter, and I much enjoyed the bout him and the equally crazy and entertaining Clay Guida had a while back.

secoxs
Jan 10 2012

SEC Digital Network & XOS College Sports Apps Hits Playstation Network

Fans of college sports have two free apps available on PSN today: the SEC Digital Network and XOS College Sports.

Here’s what you get from the new apps, available only on PS3 (at least as far as game consoles go)…

  • Pre-game analysis from the XOS Digital Studio during the week
  • Post-game highlights immediately after the game as well as a “Game of the Week” extended highlight
  • Full games are available to purchase and watch the next day
  • Classic games and documentaries dating back to the 1950’s
  • Free daily programming including “SEC Today,” “SEC In The Paint,” “Game Day Central,” and weekly coaches teleconferences

For more, check out the official announcement post on the Playstation Blog by clicking here. As an SEC fan, this is great news!

 

tebow
Jan 8 2012

Broncos Advance in NFL Playoffs Following Stunning Overtime Touchdown Pass

The Tim Tebow led Denver Broncos did it again today, scoring on the first play in overtime on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas to win the AFC wild-card game 29-23.

Watch the video below:

Tebow and the Broncos will have a huge battle ahead of them on Saturday when they take on the top-seeded New England Patriots in the second round of the playoffs.

I’m not an NFL fan, but I am a Gator fan and a Tebow fan, so here’s hoping they can continue the magic and pull off the huge upset to knock the Patriots and continue on. Go Denver!

Jan 1 2012

Brock Lesnar Retires from UFC, Considering WWE Return

Credit:  http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10776427

Quote:
 
Brock Lesnar told his wife and kids he was going to fight one more match in his UFC career if he beat Alistair Overeem on Dec. 29. That final match would be for the UFC Championship. However, Overeem beat Lesnar with a first round technical knockout and the number one draw of the UFC officially retired from ultimate fighting, following the match.Brock Lesnar
Wikimedia CommonsWhile the UFC and Dana White will have to scramble to find a new face to sell their company on, it was time for Lesnar to get out. The big man battled the effects of the intestinal disease diverticulitis for two years. The disease stripped Lesnar of a lot of his power when it was at its worst. On November 16, 2009 Lesnar underwent surgery to close a perforation in his intestine that had been leaking fecal matter into his abdomen. It overtaxed his immune system and almost killed him.

Now, he has a unique opportunity. He told the Los Angeles Times he is open to returning to the WWE once again.

When Lesnar debuted in the WWE in March 2002, it was a huge deal. He showed up by coming through the crowd and beat up three men in the ring, before manager Paul Heyman announced that Lesnar was his newest charge. Lesnar received the nickname “The Next Big Thing” and opened his career by dominating Matt and Jeff Hardy.

Three months after his debut, he won the King of the Ring tournament, beating Rob Van Dam in the finals, and then was pushed into feuds with Hulk Hogan and The Rock, making him an immediate main event star. At Summerslam, five months after his first appearance in the WWE, he beat The Rock for the WWE Championship. At the age of 25, he was the youngest champion in WWE history.

Lesnar went on to become a monster, even beating the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match. Other big moments for Lesnar included a superplex to the Big Show, that caused the entire ring to collapse, botching a shooting star press at WrestleMania against Kurt Angle, which resulted in a concussion, and taking out big stars like John Cena and Rey Mysterio.

Unfortunately, Lesnar’s WWE career came to a close with a thud when he announced he was leaving to try to earn a spot on the Minnesota Vikings’ NFL team. His final match was against Goldberg at WrestleMania, in which the fans turned on both men and booed them, knowing both were leaving the WWE. Finally, when the match ended the fans chanted “Hey Hey Goodbye” and Lesnar’s career in the WWE ended.

That was in 2004. Since that time, Lesnar redeemed himself in the face of many fans by proving to be a true tough guy in the UFC. While he lost his last two UFC matches, he should still be a huge draw if he comes back to the WWE and might kick start a big 2012 with a return.

Author Shawn S. Lealos has been a professional wrestling fan since the rock and roll days of the 80s. Shawn watched all the promotions, but held an affinity for the more rugged ones in the Mid South and Dallas focused World Class regions. He still watches wrestling today, enjoying the WWE, TNA and ROH, watching all three on television weekly.

More: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-brock-lesner-ufc-114-20111231,0,2143070.story

He needs to get his health issues squared away before moving on to any new venture. As big a fan as I am of his, if he did return to WWE I don’t think they can just bring him in and hit the super monster fast push on him like nothing ever happened. That wouldn’t be fair to existing talent and because of these aforementioned health issues it’s a dubious investment at present.

Will be interesting to see what he does because if he can get healthy and stable, he’s a beast and a potentially huge asset wherever he goes.

Nov 18 2011

Vortex Effect NCAA Top Ten Week 12

Hello all and welcome back to the Top Ten.  With all the crap that was going on at Penn State last week, posting the poll just didn’t seem like a priority or appropriate.

 

As usual, I’m late getting around to this, so we’re just going to pretend that Virginia Tech’s win over UNC hasn’t happened yet.

 

  1. LSU Tigers 10-0, 20(2)
  2. Oklahoma State 10-0, 18
  3. Alabama 9-1, 16
  4. Oregon 9-1, 14
  5. Oklahoma 8-1, 12
  6. Arkansas 9-1, 10
  7. Clemson 9-1, 8
  8. Stanford 9-1, 6
  9. Virginia Tech 9-1, 3
  10. Houston 10-0, 2

Also Receiving Votes:  Boise State 1

Nov 4 2011

Vortex Effect NCAA Top Ten #10

We’re going short and sweet this week, as all you really need to know is, just like in most every other poll, #1 is playing #2 Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.  We’re also short on votes this week, but shit happens sometimes and people have lives outside of our website.

 

  1. Alabama 8-0   20(2)
  2. LSU 8-0   18
  3. Oklahoma State 8-0   15
  4. Boise State 7-0   14
  5. Stanford 8-0   13
  6. Tie – Oklahoma 7-1 and Oregon 7-1   8
  7. see above
  8. Arkansas 7-1   7
  9. Nebraska 7-1   4
  10. South Carolina 7-1   2

Also Receiving Votes: Clemson 1

Oct 29 2011

Vortex Effect NCAA Top Ten #9

Sorry for the delay folks, I’ve been having some sort of computer issue that I can’t quite fully figure out just yet.  Here is this week’s Top Ten…Finally.

 

1) Alabama Crimson Tide 8-0 (4) 49 – Tide rolled past Tennessee in the 2nd half last week to set up a big showdown with LSU next weekend.

2) LSU Tigers 8-0 (1) 46 – See above comments, except replace with Tennessee with Auburn and 2nd half with whole game.

3) Boise State Broncos 7-0 38 – And the Brocos complete a trifecta of top teams on bye this week.

4) Oklahoma State 7-0 35 – Cowboys dispatched with Missouri last week, this week it will get a little tougher as they welcome Baylor and RG3.

5) Clemson 8-0 28 – Dabo’s Tigers trip to Atlanta had all the makings of a big match-up two weeks ago before Georgia Tech dropped two straight.

6) Oregon 6-1 25 – Ducks host Washington State this week…I don’t care who is injured for Oregon, Cougars are in deep shit.

7) Stanford 7-0 23 – Speaking of teams in deep shit, USC is hosting Stanford…those unfortunate bastards.

8) Arkansas 6-1 12 – WARM UP THE SCOREBOARD BOYS!!! ARKANSAS IS GOING TO VANDY!!!

9) Michigan State 6-1 10 – A week after derailing the Wisconsin pleasure cruise, Sparty ventures to the heartland to take on the Children of the Corn.

10) Kansas State 7-0 5 – The Wildcats reward for being undefeated…a pissed off Oklahoma team.

Also Receiving Votes: Oklahoma 3, Wisconsin 1

Oct 21 2011

Vortex Effect NCAA Top Ten #8

 

1) Alabama Crimson Tide 7-0 (4) 49 – In two weeks the Tide welcomes LSU, but first they have a date with Tennessee.

 

2) LSU Tigers 7-0 (1) 46 – Much like Alabama, LSU has a game this week then a bye leading into their showdown with the Tide.  Tigers welcome Auburn to Death Valley on Saturday.

 

3) Oklahoma Sooners 6-0 38 – Sooners could be in for a shootout with the Red Raiders this week.

 

4t) Wisconsin Badgers 6-0 33 – Wisconsin faces their first true road test of the season as they travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans.

 

4t) Boise State Broncos 6-0 33 – Up next on the ‘Kellen Moore is Awesome World Tour’, Air Force.

 

6) Oklahoma State Cowboys 25 – Cowboys head to Missouri to take on the Tigers this week…ever notice how many teams are nicknamed Tigers?  Kind of annoying if you think about it.

 

7) Clemson Tigers 7-0 16 – Speaking of teams named Tigers, Clemson has their two biggest remaining conference foes up next first UNC, then at Georgia Tech.

 

8) Stanford Cardinal 6-0 15 – Saturday, Andrew Luck and Company carve up the Washington Huskies.

 

9) Oregon Ducks 5-1 13 – This week’s episode of Duck Tails finds the boys traveling to Boulder, Colorado.  Uncle Scrooge is gonna be pissed if they don’t win.

 

 

10) Arkansas Razorbacks 5-1 7 – Arkansas have won 7 of the last 10 against Ole Miss, but dropped their last trip to Oxford 30-17.

Oct 14 2011

Vortex Effect NCAA Top Ten # 7

Hello all and welcome back to The Vortex Effect Top Ten Poll.  Sorry about last week, I got preoccupied with trying to find someone to go with me to the Virginia Tech/Miami game.  But enough with last week, on to this week’s poll.

Continue reading →

Oct 11 2011

Interview with Eric Prindle


1. You hold a record of 2-0 in Bellator and have made it to the final four of the HW Tournament. Your next opponent will be Ron “The Moster” Sparks. Who holds a 3-0 record in Bellator and has won all of those fights in the first round. What is the key to victory against Sparks?

Key to victory for this fight !!! Is to fight smart. No leaning in and be fast.
 
2. It’s been said that you and Josh Burns are friends. I’ve also heard that you and Neil Grove are friends. I know Neil was trying to get back into the tournament, but how would you feel about facing Burns again?

I know it would be a action packed fight that the fans will love and Burns will come hard and come fast!!! 
 
3. I can’t lie to you. I picked Neil to win this whole thing and get the rematch with Cole Konrad. If you’re the one to win this whole thing, how will you approach your fight with Cole?

If I win i’ll fight Cole Like my life depended on it. I trained with Cole a lot he is a great guy and a awesome champion. It will be a good learning experience. And I love learning and fighting.
 
4. If you could face any opponent from any organization or combat sport, who would it be and why?

Any opponent.  Any of the champions. So I now where I stand and what I need to do. To learn to be on top
 
5. What inspired you to become a professional MMA Fighter?

Coming from the army being retired I miss the camaraderie and the challenge to better myself.
 
6. You have 3 finishes by strikes in under a minute (2 KO’s and 1 Sub) Power like that is no joke. Do you feel you have the most powerful hands left in the tournament?

I don’t know. I know I’ve been tested at the otc and they said my right cross was 23 hundred pounds per square inch but not sure where the other guys are. I know most coaches don’t like holding mitts for me !
 
7. When your MMA career is over, what is the legacy you want to leave behind?

My legacy ? I was one tuff mo fo. And a great competitor. And if I can do it any one can!
 
8. Would you ever consider a run in the UFC, or Japan, or any other organization? Or are you happy to stay in Bellator?

I’m happy with bellator they treat us great. When my contract is up. Then it comes down to how can I best take care of my family
 
9. You only have 1 loss. If you could rematch Jimmy Ambriz, what would you do differently this time?

Jimmy I would keep it standing not throw kicks and let my hands go and do my best.
 
10. Most people agree that MMA is constantly evolving and becoming more and more complex. What do you do to stay ahead of the curve as far as training?

Train hard as I can. Train under Erik Paulson , Shannon Ritch WCF , Josh Barnett.  Just try to keep learning and keep good friends by me.

I want to thank my family & friends. Scott Tomitz, Scott’s fight ready gym, and all my training partners! Special thanks. Subway,vii j, Revolution clothes, American muscles, and mako mike.

Oct 5 2011

VE MMA Presents: 10 questions with Walel “The Gazelle” Watson.

1. You made a very big impression on fans who’ve never seen you fight before last Saturday. I had you winning in the first by submission, but that headkick was outstanding. Were you focusing more on your striking going into that fight, or is it that you just saw an opening and took it?

I wanted to show my striking, but I was just looking for the win, I seen my opening and just took it!!
 
2. You now hold a record of 9-2 and are riding a 2 fight win streak. If you could hand pick your next opponent, who would you choose?

I really cant pick an opponent, becuase I want to fight whoever to get to the top, so whoever I got to fight to get there thats all I can say!!
 
3. 6 of your 7 Submission wins are by some form of choke. Is the choke your favorite submission method, or is it more of you capitalizing on an opening?

I do love choking people, but I just take whats open for me!! But l really like choke people!! lol
 
4. You’ve never seen the 3rd round in any pro fight. Most people believe you have to keep the fight out of the judge’s hands. Do you feel an extra motivation to finish your fights due to there being so many judges who make mistakes and sometimes choose the wrong fighter?

Yes sir, I never wanna leave it in the judges hands, thats why I’m always looking foe the finish!! Always!!
 
5. Who is your dream opponent? Any fighter in any combat sport from any era? and Why?

My dream opponent would have to be Dominick he’s the champ and that is my dream to become the champ!!
 
6. Of your 11 fights, which was your favorite? What made it special?

Out of my 11 fights this past fight had to be my favorite, being the first fight of the night in our nations capital and to start it off with a bang and show I belong, couldn’t ask for more than that!
 
7. Who or what inspired you to become an MMA fighter?

I’ve always been interested in mma but the fighter I look up to is, Yves Edwards, because you can never count him out and hes always exciting!!

8. When you finally work your way to Dominick Cruz (Assuming he’s still the champ) What will you do differently to take his belt?

I’d put pressure as Demetrious did this past Saturday!!
 
9. What is the legacy you want to leave behind when your MMA career is over?

The legacy I’m trying to leave behind, is that of the Muhammad Ali’s and Mike Tyson’s I wanna be talked about as the greatest of my time!!

10. Are you one of the fighters who’s always in the gym and ready on short notice? Or are you going to rest a little and then get back in the gym?

I’m always training, I wanna be ready for everything, plus its easier to stay in shape than get in shape!! I wanna thank God, my family, gym family, Team Hurricane Awesome, SDCA, LVL5, Tiger smalls Boxing,Black tiger, Tapout, Guard ya Grill, D.R.E, Alchemist management.!!!

Oct 5 2011

The Weekend MMA Rundown (With Picks)

This weekend We’re gonna focus on 3 cards. Bellator 53, MFC 31 and UFC 136. I will pick every fight, and we’ll see if I can do as good as I did last weekend. Last weekend I predicted all the winners for the entire UFC card, and All of the Bellator with the exception of Neil Grove (Who may be getting back into the Tourney) Let’s get started:

BELLATOR 53

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals
Ben Saunders vs. Luis Santos
Chris Lozano vs. Douglas Lima

Ronnie Mann vs. Kenny Foster
Giva Santana vs. Darryl Cobb
A.J. Matthews vs. Rudy Bears
Myron Dennis vs. Raphael Davis
Levi Avera vs. David Rickels
Luis Nogueira vs. Zak Laird
Greg Scott vs. Emanuel Brooks

I couldn’t find much on the debuting Greg Scott, so I’ll give the nod to Emanuel Brooks. I’ll be watching to see if Brooks can win with a 3rd straight arm triangle.

Look for Luis Nogueira to get back on the winning track this weekend, and grind out a decision, as he has the experience edge, and has already fought in BELLATOR.

I figure that David Rickels will keep his undefeated streak alive. I’m looking for him to reach 8-0 by submission.
Experience is not always a factor, but I’m giving Raphael Davis the edge and looking for him to end the undefeated streak of Myron Dennis, by Submission.
Rudy Bears will be delivering the “Bad News” to A.J. Matthews, I’m going to say by T/KO.
Giva Santana will add another arm to his collection, courtesy of Darryl Cobb.

Ronnie Mann will look to avenge his last loss and get back on the winning track. I say “Kid Ninja” by Decision.

The Tournament fights are hard for me to pick, as I like all of the fighters involved. However I’m a big fan of both Lima Brothers, so I gotta go with Douglas Lima. We’ll say by Submission.
While the odds are heavily stacked against him (Record Wise) I gotta go with my boy Ben “Killa B” Saunders. I’ve been supporting him since his run on TUF, and I gotta stick with him.

MFC 31

Ryan Jimmo vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Kajan Johnson vs. Richie Whitson
Curtis Demarce vs. Adam Lynn
Mukai Maromo vs. Sabah Fadai
Terry Martin vs. Allen Hope
Cody Krahn vs. Ryan Chiappe
Mike Froese vs. Dajan Kajic
Garret Nybakken vs. James Haddad
Neal Anderson vs. Dan Ring

Both fighters are early in their careers, but I’m going to give the nod to Neal Anderson. Look for him to go for an early submission.

Another fight with guys early in their careers. I’m going with James Haddad. Look for him to get the “W” any way he can. I’ll say by T/KO.

Continuing with the trend of guys early on in their careers, I’m going with Dajan Kajic. He’s only 1-1, but ya gotta start somewhere.

I’ll be pulling for Cody “Genghis” Krahn. Not only because he has one of the best nicknames out there, but because I like the way he fights. “Genghis” by Submission.

Former UFC fighter and Vet Terry Martin needs this win. Martin by KO.

Sabah Fadai Will be looking for a 5 fight win streak. I think he’s gonna find it. Fadai by T/KO.
Adam Lynn is on a 5 fight win streak. I think he’ll make it 6, but it won’t be easy. Lynn by Decision.
Kajan Johnson has won 10 fights by submission. I think he’ll make it 11.

Rumor has it that if Ryan Jimmo wins he’ll be on his way to the UFC. So the question is: Does Jimmo want to be a fucking fighter? Jimmo by Decision.

UFC 136

UFC Lightweight Championship
Gray Maynard vs. Frankie Edgar

UFC Featherweight Championship
Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann                                                                                                                                    Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon
Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia
Jeremy Stephens vs. Anthony Pettis
Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago
Stipe Miocic vs. Joey Beltran
Steve Cantwell vs. Mike Massenzio
Aaron Simpson vs. Eric Schafer
Tiequan Zhang vs. Darren Elkins

Tiequan Zhang is a great submission fighter. Look for him to add another one to his record Saturday night.

I usually like to see guys win their “comeback” fight. Eric Schafer is in one Saturday night. Welcome back, Red.

Mike Massenzio could be responsible for Cantwell possibly getting his walking papers Losing 4 in a row is never good for anyone, especially on the UFC roster.
Joey Beltran is a tough HW, but I think Stipe Miocic may present all kinds of problems, not only for him, but for the entire UFC HW division. Miocic by T/KO

 Jorge Santiago didn’t have an ideal UFC debut. Look for him to correct that against Demian Maia.



Pettis shocked the world with the “Ninja matrix kick of doom” but hasn’t done much since. Jeremy Stephens always brings it. Stephens by T/KO

Nam Phan won the first fight in my opinion. The judges saw it differently. Look for Leonard Garcia to make me a believer this time around. Garcia by Submission.

Melvin Guillard is a definite title contender, and in my opinion a future UFC LW Champion. Melvin should get  by Lauzon. Guillard by KO.

Chael Sonnen has the edge on Brian Stann in experience and overall skills. Look for Chael to take it to the ground and grind Stann’s face up real good. Sonnen by TKO.

Kenny Florian seems to “Choke” in title fights. We all remember what happened when it was time to “Kill the master” Not to mention the beating Sherk put on him. Look for Jose Aldo to get the win by T/KO.

The main event has no true winner. I mean, if Edgar retains, the series is tied at 1-1-1, so they’ll probably have to fight a 4th time. If Maynard wins, we get one of the most dull and lifeless champions in UFC history. Even Boring isn’t strong enough a word to describe Maynard’s personality (or his fights, for that matter) UH-OH! Whoever wins, we the fans lose. For the hell of it, I’ll say Edgar by Decision (How else can he win?) UH-OH!

One thing is for sure. Whoever wins (Barring ANOTHER rematch) will probably lose their next or first defense. I don’t see Maynard or Edgar beating the likes of Ben Henderson or Gilbert Melendez. I don’t like Frankie or Gray’s chances against Guillard or Guida. Hopefully they finish the rivalry, so we can move on.