Posted on 03/01/2006 10:05:13 PM PST by SmithL
It's touted in ads as "pure might battling pure fear,'' a marriage of "raw power and brute force'' complete with girls, guts, blood and plenty of grit.
And while so-called gladiator or ultimate fighting has gained legions of new fans and celebrity supporters nationwide, the planned appearance of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a major pay-per-view fight in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend could fire up not only sports aficionados but the governor's critics as well.
That's especially true because Schwarzenegger signed legislation last September paving the way for such fights to be legal in California -- where the first such state-sanctioned card is planned at the HP Pavilion next week in San Jose.
The sport, also known as cage fighting or mixed martial arts, has been blasted by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as "barbaric" human cockfighting, and New York state banned the practice several years ago after Gov. George Pataki called it a "Neanderthal sport.''
But those associated with the action-packed events argue that they've responded to the criticisms in recent years with reforms that make ultimate fighting far safer -- and far more regulated.
Schwarzenegger is scheduled to make a star turn Friday at a "gladiator" match called the Gracie Fighting Championships, touted as the spectacular kickoff to the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic, which features amateur and pro fitness competitions, challenges and expos in 30 sports this weekend in Columbus.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
LOL!!
No, no. Wait until after the new governor is sworn in.
If luck is with us, the cage will collapse on them both and California will finally get a conservative governor after 20 years.
Gross and pathetic. If you can't be a Republican, Arnold, at least grow up, man !!!
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Well, at least 2 out of 3 Rino's get it..
Ultimate fight "safer" and "more regulated"? Kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it. Maybe they'll rename it "Somewhat less than Ultimate Fighting", or "Penultimate Fighting".
LOL!
California has its own Jesse Ventura. A one-term loser.
I'm not a mixed martial arts expert nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night but from what I've seen football is much more dangerous than these UFC fights, and there's much more respect between the competitors and the fans.
No, with Jesse Ventura! It could be like a Predator renuion!
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