The Trenches Live Chat Show, Wed. Nov 27 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific

How often do you guys do this live show? Is it a regular weekly thing or the schedule varies?
Every Wednesday at 8 pm eastern, 5 pm pacific. It's only my second appearance, although I helped them out here or there last year from the tech side. The show's been on for over a year now, and is up to almost 60 shows. I think the forum guys made a section for it but I can't find it.
 
Every Wednesday at 8 pm eastern, 5 pm pacific. It's only my second appearance, although I helped them out here or there last year from the tech side. The show's been on for over a year now, and is up to almost 60 shows. I think the forum guys made a section for it but I can't find it.
Cool, thanks!
 
Do you think USADA's "certified supplement" idea is workable considering what a rinky-dink industry that is? I mean, companies disappear and emerge by the day. And how would it function in non-US countries where such companies most-likely don't even operate such as Brazil, China or Russia?
There's a lot to unpack here. First and foremost, they have to avoid the appearance of impropriety -- that is, there can be zero funny business. Those five or so companies better be legit or there's going to be hell to pay. From what it sounds like, and our Patrick Auger went into it much deeper than I would. Those supplement companies definitely win if they can keep up with the demand from the athletes. From what it sounds like, they're going to be able to provide the products through their performance institutes around the world, and maybe they will be able to order them through the UFCPI. You know, get a fancy little package dropped off from a drone filled full of your latest and greatest kangaroo-free and non-tainted supplements. Since the fighters will have to almost certainly pay for these supplements, it creates a better in-house system where the fighters make their money from the organization, and then pay a portion of the money they made right back to buy the officially licensed products. Sounds...scary and monopolistic, and don't be surprised if there are some lawsuits that follow.
 
Who are the top3 non-MMA combat sport fighters you'd like to see transition to MMA?
Following our feelings from the boxing crossover fights, and the celebrity fights, I'm not really up for non-combat sports athletes coming over. It's not a feeling of superiority or that people aren't welcome, but MMA isn't really the kind of sport you play in. Look at CM Punk, he fought and lost twice, made some money and got out, and no one really thinks fondly of the experiment besides a few thicker wallets (and betting on Mike Jackson at less than -200 was a huge win for some of us). We can think of the top guys in their other sports, but they're the kings of their sports, why would they leave it behind to come to here? There's less money, more head trauma and a fanbase that hates them just for existing. Lebron? Nah. Giancarlo Stanton? Why? Alexander Ovechkin? What for?

Crossover fights from other sports feel like nothing more than hollow cash grabs, because historically fighters that come over are either at the tail end of their careers, injured or otherwise forced to leave the other sport, or are just playing around in MMA. It's not the kind of thing where Deion Sanders can wander over and hit a homer and then score a touchdown, going back and forth. Heather Hardy tried to do that and paid the price dearly, getting smashed in both. There are plenty of examples of fighters trying to play part-time in the sport, and it almost always ends poorly for them. Even Cris Cyborg lost her Muay Thai debut, although it was against MT great Jorina Baars. So all that to say it would feel like a stunt if a top non-combat sport participant crossed over, and I'm not interested in a 1-0 fighter taking a main card slot on a PPV/ESPN card.
 
For whom shall BJ PENN fight next after being done with UFC?
N/A

To be honest, I'm surprised Penn hasn't been signed yet, since he was released a few months ago. Just tonight, our All-Turkey Team article went up, and one of our staff members had something to say about Mr. Penn. I think him not being signed shows that even less-stringent orgs are staying away, which tells me we might actually not see him compete again. I don't want to see him end up on some random WXC event, and I don't think he does either.
 
Was the UFC morally obligated to use 244 as a tool to keep focus on finding the daughter of one of their fighters who was missing and presumed harmed?
I've been covering this story since it came out in October, and I don't know if it's a moral obligation or something nearly as cynical. I want to think that those of us that covered the story, followed it and spoke about it, did so because we cared about Walt and Aniah. The promotion had all the eyes on it that night, so it'd be crazy not to use the broadcast as a way to further spread information. In these kinds of cases, the more people that know about it, the better chance there is that someone can help. I tried to do my part, and I'm just an editor at Sherdog. I know that every little bit helps, and I'm heartbroken by how it all turned out in the end.
 
What is your fight of the year ? Fighter of the year ? Biggest disappointment of the year ?
It's only late November, why are you asking that question now? We still have three UFC events, three Bellators (one is Bellator <3s Rizin), Rizin, the PFL championships and probably another One Championship show as well. That's well over 100 fights to go, and there's some serious potential in them thar hills. Come back with this at the end of the year, although we're going to be talking about it whether you ask or not.
 
It's only late November, why are you asking that question now? We still have three UFC events, three Bellators (one is Bellator <3s Rizin), Rizin, the PFL championships and probably another One Championship show as well. That's well over 100 fights to go, and there's some serious potential in them thar hills. Come back with this at the end of the year, although we're going to be talking about it whether you ask or not.

I asked because I was curious what people thought 11 months into 2019. I realise there are events before Dec 31st, but there has been a lot of action so far this year.

Masvidal would be fighter of the year for me, and I'm not even a fan of his.

Fight of the year, I'm undecided, I really liked Masvidal ending Askren so fast, but it was over so quickly.

Disappointment of the year is Askren. I enjoyed his trolling and was hoping he would do well. However, I don't believe Lawler was out, and he got Masvidaled and then owned by a senior citizen in Maia. For me, Askren is 0-3 in the UFC, and now retired - I can't think of anyone that will overtake Askren as a bigger disappointment of 2019.
 
I misunderstood the format, I didn't see it answered in his thread. I've found and read the article.

Thanks @AntWalkerMMA
Yeah I think sometimes they answer the questions in articles but they also do a live YouTube show every Wednesday at 8 et
 
I've been covering this story since it came out in October, and I don't know if it's a moral obligation or something nearly as cynical. I want to think that those of us that covered the story, followed it and spoke about it, did so because we cared about Walt and Aniah. The promotion had all the eyes on it that night, so it'd be crazy not to use the broadcast as a way to further spread information. In these kinds of cases, the more people that know about it, the better chance there is that someone can help. I tried to do my part, and I'm just an editor at Sherdog. I know that every little bit helps, and I'm heartbroken by how it all turned out in the end.

How is it cynical to expect a serious response to a serious situation. My question isn't an attack on reporters, or even the UFC, but I think more could have been done before, during, and after the 244 event, by the UFC.

An example is the post fight conference. There could have been an icon of Aniah and her vehicle in the top corner with a location last seen. They could have done that during parts of the ppv. These times were most crucial in her recovery timeframe.
 
@JayPettryMMA hey man happy thanksgiving. Finally getting a chance to express an opinion on a topic discussed on last nights show.

I disagree that Justin has done enough for a TS. There’s no denying that he’s put together a great streak, and in any other division it would be enough. But the LW division is (as you mentioned) a division that moves incredibly fast. IF the khabib tony fight goes down we know it’s still almost 5 months away. And the rest of the division will not wait for Justin. Lee looks amazing, hooker just knocked Al’s head off. And hooker already has a fight booked in February that I think he wins against Paul Felder. just my thoughts man.

I really enjoyed the fun topic of the celebrity fights.

take it easy and try to enjoy that gross turkey <rawsun>
 
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Why did Henry Winkler come up in my mind when I thought about celebrities fighting? Who knows, but wouldn't you want to see this dude fight someone?

Happy-Days-TV-series-1974-1984-Henry-Winkler-as-the-Fonz.png


I'd love to see if a prime Fonz could go toe to toe with David Cassidy.
Prime fonz vs sketchy Samuel Jackson

BOOK IT

source.gif
 
N/A

To be honest, I'm surprised Penn hasn't been signed yet, since he was released a few months ago. Just tonight, our All-Turkey Team article went up, and one of our staff members had something to say about Mr. Penn. I think him not being signed shows that even less-stringent orgs are staying away, which tells me we might actually not see him compete again. I don't want to see him end up on some random WXC event, and I don't think he does either.
I think he goes to bkfc eventually (unfortunately)
 
Wait, this was a live-show? I thought this was a Mailbag-column exclusive like last week.:confused:
 
@JayPettryMMA hey man happy thanksgiving. Finally getting a chance to express an opinion on a topic discussed on last nights show.

I disagree that Justin has done enough for a TS. There’s no denying that he’s put together a great streak, and in any other division it would be enough. But the LW division is (as you mentioned) a division that moves incredibly fast. IF the khabib tony fight goes down we know it’s still almost 5 months away. And the rest of the division will not wait for Justin. Lee looks amazing, hooker just knocked Al’s head off. And hooker already has a fight booked in February that I think he wins against Paul Felder. just my thoughts man.

I really enjoyed the fun topic of the celebrity fights.

take it easy and try to enjoy that gross turkey <rawsun>
That turkey was a disappointment, as it always is. The news wasn't, as we got two major matchups that we were hoping for. Or at least, I was. I feel for Gaethje now that Khabib/Tony is on the books officially for April, because that means either he takes a fight in a few months down the division or he stays on the shelf for something like eight months.

And the celebrity fights...yeesh. I'm not crazy about them, as I mentioned earlier in this thread.
 
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