June 30th, 2008
The kickboxing fights at the new All Starz Sports Complex in Loves Park on Saturday night were very good.
But the too few mixed martial arts fights were much more interesting, including one that heavyweight Shayne Adams of Rockford is challenging.
The owners of the complex promise more MMA fights within several weeks. Hurray.
And the entertainment featured hip-hoppers from Forest Hills Dance Academy in Loves Park, choreographed by Robert Lewis of Rockford, who with the Xtreme Dance Force crew he dances with is competing on Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV.
May 27th, 2008
At 8 p.m. Saturday, CBS will start a new mixed martial arts series, “CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights.”
“Kimbo Slice” is the big draw. (Photo courtesy of ProElite.com and EliteXC). 
It’s a first for MMA on prime-time network TV. Critics call MMA “human cockfighting.” But it sure is popular, as evidenced by Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter.” And the house was full at the Victory Sports Complex in Loves Park April 26 for Rumble in the Park, an MMA fight night.
I met Randy Couture, a former MMA champ, in Las Vegas at a motorcycle event a few years ago, and that piqued my interest in watching the fights on TV for awhile. I admit to having to put my hand in front of my face (like I do when I see surgeons operating on TV) at times because the fighting was too intense.
What do you think about MMA, and such fights being broadcast in prime time on network TV?
