Mixed martial arts (MMA) reigns supreme in August, headlined by World Extreme Cagefighting. The WEC launches the MMA cavalcade August 5 at the Hard Rock. Other MMA events include K-1 August 11 at the Bellagio and UFC on August 25 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Guilty Boxing holds events August 10 and 24 at the Orleans.

MMA thrives on intense action, young demographics and definitive finishes. Fighters can win via strike, submission, chokeouts and knockouts. Referees can stop contests. Judges determine a victor if fights go the full distance, usually three five-minute rounds. Several boxing officials have crossed over in the mixed martial arts. The latest in Las Vegas is former boxing referee Richard Steele.

This is an excellent time to test or reset your knowledge of a fast growing sport. How big a mixed martial arts fan are you? Check out these terms.

Jiu-Jitsu: This is the main ingredient behind the mid ‘90s emergence of the sport. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the most prominent form. It involves extensive ground fighting. Many top stars have a good base in this form of combat, although the television age of shorter bouts and less ground fighting has balanced this style with others.

Choke: A move blocking the carotid artery in the neck, where the flow of blood is restricted to the brain. Failing to tap out can put the victim to “sleep,” a temporary state of unconsciousness. Chokeouts can happen quickly, as one combatant finds the perfect hold and applies substantial pressure.
Double Leg Takedown: This is accomplished by driving an opponent up and forward by grabbing both legs and slamming a contestant to the ground.

Flying Knee Strike: The fighter jumps up or takes a step, springing off one leg and switching in midair to another. Successful maneuvers are spectacular to watch.

Mount: One fighter gets the other flat on his back, preventing the downed fighter from getting his legs around him. Mount is considered a dominant, aggressive position, but the “Guard” is a strong spot for a smart grappler.

Guard: It’s the bottom position, but the grappler can wrap his legs around his opponent’s hips. This can lead to a joint lock, or a choke, often with a triangle. Looks can deceive. A fighter in the guard position may be toying with his opponent.

Ground and Pound: A fighter has his opponent in a side mount and throws a series of blows with his forearm or fist to a downed opponent’s face. The high frequency and blazing speed of the blows often forces the downed fighter to submit.

Ankle Lock: A formidable move. This is a foot lock that exists in several variations. The submission move applied to the joints in the ankle causes a compression lock to the Achilles tendon or calf muscle. It causes extreme pain and a high number of tapouts.

The Big 10: These are the most prominent styles found in the hybrid world of mixed martial arts— boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, karate, kickboxing, Kung Fu, Tae Kwan Do and good old regular wrestling.

WEC Kicks Off Action
Each form of mixed martial arts carries a distinction. Most MMA organizations proclaim themselves as either the most legitimate, unique or cutting-edge version. The public will decide what’s true.

World Extreme Cagefighting cornered the market on lighter weights. It fashions a score of featherweight, lightweight and bantamweight competitors. This is a conscious marketing approach. While the public enjoys the strength of hard-hitting heavyweights, lightweight bouts move faster.

WEC fighters come from the USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Mexico and England, for starters. They have previous combat sport experience and many are Olympic athletes.

Carlos Condit headlines the August 5 show by defending his welterweight title against Brock Larson. Condit, one of the sport’s elite performers, is 20-4 and sports a rear-naked choke victory over highly-regarded John Alessio. Larson once gained a 27-second victory over Kevin Knabjan with a series of strikes from the top position.

A vacant title bout between Paulo Filho and Joe Doerksen provides the co-feature.

Pigskin Peek
You can’t resist it. The temperature is dipping into the low 100’s. Football is in the air.

Expectation reigns supreme in the city’s air-conditioned books and at the online sports parlors. Preseason betting sentiment reflected some unique conclusions.

First, it’s hard to repeat. The world champion Indianapolis Colts were a 7-1 pick to duplicate the feat. Chicago, which won the NFC, was listed 15-1. Thus the two Super Bowl representatives stand a combined 22-1. San Diego was 5-1, New Orleans 14-1 and who was the 8-5 odds-on favorite? New England. Go figure.

Here’s a tantalizing prop: The Cincinnati Bengals, with their core receivers and talented quarterback Carson Palmer, were 6-1 choice to lead the AFC in passing. They would need only 20 more yards per game than last year. Projected win totals provide more opportunities. Tennessee’s number was 6.5, a full game and a half behind last year. New Orleans and Cincinnati were tabbed at 9.5, the Colts were 11, right about the usual number for a Super Bowl champion.

If you like something, bet early. Maintain a cash reserve in case the line moves late.

Some story lines to ponder: Will Michael Vick overcome distractions coming from allegations of dog fighting on his Virginia property? Will the Oakland Raiders display more intensity and stop the parade of penalties? They made off-season news by cutting short minicamp because it was too intense.

Will Tony Romo flourish under more low-key Dallas head coach Wade Phillips or be exposed for having no mobility in Dallas? Will New Orleans follow up its rousing success from last year? It has the most exciting offense in football with Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and several talented receivers. A little more defense and this team is scary.

Can Philadelphia gravitate to the post Donovan McNabb era? Can the 49ers take another step forward? Will Arizona get out of its own way? Questions, questions, questions. The countdown is underway. Chew on these appetizers until the regular season begins Sept. 6, with New Orleans visiting Super Bowl champ Indianapolis.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.

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