From New York Fight Scene: Open Letter to Rashad Evans and Matt Serra re: MMA to NY

April 28th, 2009 · 1 Comment

Warren Piece over at New York Fight Scene sent this over and it is right on the spot. Calling out ”Sugar” Rashad and Matt “The Terror” to work the mic at UFC 98. Thanks Adam. For more from Warren go to newyorkfightscene.com

Dear Sirs:

I will be brief.

On May 23, 2009, you will undoubtedly defeat Lyoto Machida and Matt Hughes in the Main and Co-Main Events (respectively) of UFC 98 and, as always, will then participate in a post-fight interview with Mr. Joe Rogan (perhaps even under the disappointing circumstance in which you do not win your bouts).

As a self-appointed representative of the movement to lift the ban on Mixed Martial Arts in New York State, I ask this of you: Please be sure to mention the issue and let all of the fans watching and in attendance know what they can do to help the cause (write letters to the appropriate NYS legislators, etc.).

As I’m sure you know, a bill to legalize the sport is expected to be voted upon in the NYS Assembly’s Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee this May if not sooner, which does mean that the legislation may have passed or been defeated prior to UFC 98. However, assuming the bill clears the abovementioned hurdle, it shall require additional support as it heads to the full Assembly and then the Senate.

I cannot imagine a greater opportunity to bring this issue to light with two of the greatest fighters from New York headlining a brilliant MMA card. I have to assume that you already have plans to mention the situation and/or that Dana White or Mark Ratner have already or plan to ask the same of you, but just in case they do not, I thought this letter appropriate.

Thank you.

Warren “Human Swine” Piece
Newyorkfightscene.com

P.S. to all other NY based/born fighters: I implore you to do the same when and if the opportunity arises.

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1 From New York Fight Scene: Open Letter to Rashad Evans and Matt Serra re: MMA to NY | // Apr 28, 2009 at 4:35 am

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Off The Cuff... Edgar VS. Alvarez!

In early May, I was down at Almeida BJJ to shoot and produce a feature on Frankie Edgar tied to his photo shoot for FIGHT! magazine. That video will be on Fightmagazine.com soon. While working, I was lucky to witness one of the great sparring sessions in my day. Edgar was going toe-to-toe with Eddie Alvarez who was one week out from his fight V. Josh Neer. Now, I have known Frankie for some time, so I might be biased but he did seem to control the action. Standing, his fast hands and feet allowed him to get off first much like we saw against BJ and Sherk. Each man got a couple takedowns but the overall pace and forward movement seemed slightly in favor of Edgar. Now, in Eddie's defense, he may have been only seeking to work on one element of his game V. Edgar and only trying to react or setup something only he knew of, specific to the Josh Neer fight ... so in that respect, it was not a true test of each fighting the other under the same context. That said, there was not really anything off limits - it was vicious jab/right combos from Frankie followed, at one point, by a head over heel body-throw take-down from Eddie on Frankie ... neither giving an inch. It felt like the real thing minus the the bright lights and octagon. It seemed to get harsh a couple of times but that may have just been my read. In the end, hard core sparring at play. Two of the top-5 lightweights on the planet going after each other at 110% on a lazy Thursday morning in Hamilton, NJ. After the session, what did Edgar do... relax-no, he went to use a chainsaw and chop down small trees in a friend's backyard for three hours.