Source: http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/scuba-diving-in-maldives-2/
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Scuba Diving in Maldives
Maldives ? a heaven for divers, whether you are a beginner or a dive master, you will love diving there and remember it all your life all you need is to find flight deals . At the resorts operate special courses both for those who are preparing to dive for the first time and for [...]
And then there was one.
Well, it’s happened.� You’ve seen another California rafting season�wear down to brass tacks.� The Middle Fork has joined its bretheren at the river retirement home and now only the brave South Fork of the American soldiers on. We admit it–there’s nothing like a summer rafting trip with blazing temps and sunburned kids running all over [...]
Strikeforce Challengers 13 Weigh-In Results
Filed under: Strikeforce, News
All 10 fighters competing on the televised portion of Friday's Strikeforce Challengers 13 made weight on their first visit to the scale.Welterweight contender hopefuls Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine each weighed in at 170.2 for their main event matchup, which will headline the event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
Woodley will be looking to improve to a perfect 8-0 while Saffiedine hopes to notch his fourth straight win.
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/06/strikeforce-challengers-13-weigh-in-results/
Friday, January 7, 2011
Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir, Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne Targeted for UFC 130
A Memorial Day weekend scrap between Roy Nelson and Frank Mir is being targeted for a May 28 UFC event in Las Vegas, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting.The event, expected to emanate from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, will likely be UFC 130.
That event is also likely to feature a second heavyweight tilt, this one pitting fast-rising Stefan Struve against Travis Browne.
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/07/roy-nelson-vs-frank-mir-stefan-struve-vs-travis-browne-target/
My 6th Slalomevent at Sotavento
The third PWA Slalom of the 2010 season here at Fuerteventura saw a lot of different conditions while 5 days of competition. From 40 knots down to 15 knots, which are relatively unusual for Sotavento at this period of the time. It�s over for 3 days already. We sailed 10 full rounds. I finished 36th [...]
Adieu Varner and Horodecki: Lightweight heads roll after final WEC
Not exactly the parting shot Varner was hoping for.
Jamie Varner and Chris Horodecki are the latest victims of one of the few downsides of the UFC/WEC merger: The promotion can only have so many fighters on a roster at once. The merger means the traditional post-fight cuts will be brutal, particularly in the lightweight division, which was supported by both the UFC and WEC.
Varner lost the WEC lightweight to Ben Henderson at the beginning of the year via a third-round submission that Varner mocked. The rest of 2010 was just as tough, as he fought to a draw with Kamal Shalorus, lost a grudge match to bitter rival Donald Cerrone and then was submitted by Shane Roller. Still, it's shocking to see a fighter go from the champ to unemployed in a year's time. From PunchDrunkGamer.com on Tuesday:
Jamie stated, “I am ready for 2011, there will be some changes in my game. It has been a nice ride with the WEC but its time for a change. Perhaps UFC will be in my future down the road...We shall see!”
Less shocking is Horodecki's cut. Though he was 2-2 in the WEC, his losses were spectacular. "The Polish Hammer's" debut in the WEC was wrecked by Anthony Njokuani's highlight-reel kick to the face. Horodecki won his next two, but then was submitted by a Cerrone triangle choke at WEC 53.
This is the reality of the post-merger UFC. In the past, a fighter would only be concerned about being cut if he lost two in a row, but now, every performance counts. Adieu, Polish Hammer and Varner. Horodecki, we'll miss that Goonies-esque face, and Varner, what will MMA be without you and Cerrone calling each other unsavory names?
Chael Sonnen Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering
by Michael David Smith
Chael Sonnen, the UFC middleweight currently serving a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, has pleaded guilty to money laundering related to mortgage fraud.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Oregon, Sonnen pleaded guilty Monday and will be sentenced on March 28. Sonnen could face up to 20 years in prison, but he is expected to cooperate as a witness against others involved in the mortgage fraud investigation, and so his sentence is likely to be considerably lighter.
Michelle Holman Kerin, the assistant U.S. attorney handling the case, told the Oregonian that Sonnen agreed to give up his Realtor's license and pay a $10,000 fine. The government is recommending Sonnen be sentenced to two years of probation.
"This office will continue to aggressively prosecute real estate professionals who committed the mortgage fraud that contributed to this country's economic downturn and wreaked havoc on our community's housing market," US Attorney Dwight Holton said in a statement. "We entrusted these professionals to honestly broker real estate transactions and instead, they defrauded lending institutions throughout the country and left financial ruin in their wake."
Chael Sonnen, the UFC middleweight currently serving a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, has pleaded guilty to money laundering related to mortgage fraud.According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Oregon, Sonnen pleaded guilty Monday and will be sentenced on March 28. Sonnen could face up to 20 years in prison, but he is expected to cooperate as a witness against others involved in the mortgage fraud investigation, and so his sentence is likely to be considerably lighter.
Michelle Holman Kerin, the assistant U.S. attorney handling the case, told the Oregonian that Sonnen agreed to give up his Realtor's license and pay a $10,000 fine. The government is recommending Sonnen be sentenced to two years of probation.
"This office will continue to aggressively prosecute real estate professionals who committed the mortgage fraud that contributed to this country's economic downturn and wreaked havoc on our community's housing market," US Attorney Dwight Holton said in a statement. "We entrusted these professionals to honestly broker real estate transactions and instead, they defrauded lending institutions throughout the country and left financial ruin in their wake."
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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/03/chael-sonnen-pleads-guilty-to-money-laundering/
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Get off the Computer, get on the Trail
The constant stream of information we get through mobile and hand-held devices is changing the way we think. This�New York Times article explains how the use of digital technology is altering our brains, and how retreating into nature can reverse the effects: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129384107
Source: http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/2010/08/get-off-the-computer-get-on-the-trail/
7 Reasons It?s Hard To Meditate
Cross Posted From Care2 7 Reasons It’s Hard To Meditate by�Ed and Deb Shapiro ?What is it about something as simple as sitting still and watching our breath that evokes panic, fear, and even hostility? No matter how many reports … Continue reading
Source: http://www.prana.com/blog/2011/01/03/7-reasons-it%e2%80%99s-hard-to-meditate/
You tell us: The best fighter in 2010
The days of dominant, nearly unbeatable champs may be gone. Or are they? Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva continued their rolls but Brock Lesnar, Urijah Faber, Lyoto Machida and B.J. Penn all tumbled down the ladder. The most shocking fall from dominance came when Fedor Emelianenko lost for the first time in 10 years against Fabricio Werdum.
The changing landscape in many weight classes allowed some new names to emerge for Fighter of the Year honors. Who was the best of the best in 2010? You tell us. Winners will be announced on Dec. 30.
Cain Velasquez (Heavyweight) -- From his early days in the UFC, Velasquez, 28, was touted as the future of the division. Some doubt arose when several 265-pound behemoths began to smash through the division while Velasquez had some trouble finishing his opponents. Velasquez re-established himself as a huge prospect when he buried Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February. Before UFC 121, he was dwarfed by Lesnar's persona outside the Octagon and even more so during the staredown at the weigh-ins. After three minutes of knocking heads, Lesnar was literally running for cover. Velasquez's mix of stamina, boxing, takedown defense and wrestling strength will make him tough to knock off. The kid is also a perfectionist.
Jose Aldo (Featherweight) -- The Brazilian is the youngest guy on this list, but he may have the most potential to tear through 2011 in more dominant fashion than he did so this year. Aldo's striking, especially his kicks are scary. He left Faber's legs looking looking diseased after giving him the boot for 25 minutes. Aldo followed that up by toying with Manny Gamburyan. He may be the kind of champ who can dominate multiple weight classes.
Alistair Overeem (Heavyweight) -- He may not be the best fighter outside the Zuffa family, but he's the guy who's generating the most excitement. The Dutch striker is massive, which constantly raises questions about how he's put on so much mass. There's no questions about what he's done in the cage and ring. Brett Rogers was a handful for Fedor. For Overeem, he was a horse-meat sandwich. That was Overeem's only MMA win in 2010, but he added to his resume by entering the strange world of K-1 and emerging as the winner of the heavyweight grand prix. He beat out a field with tons of veteran experience and opened up potentially massive revenue streams in Japan. His legend also made for the best MMA song of 2010.
Georges St. Pierre (Welterweight) -- You know you're good when fans and media rip you for not winning the right way. GSP continued his dominance by adding two more victories to his eight-fight win streak. He broke Josh Koscheck's face and nearly ripped off Dan Hardy's limbs. He didn't lose a round in two five-round fights. He also embarrassed Koscheck as a coach on "The Ultimate Fighter" and showed non-MMA fans that you can be a gentleman outside the cage and coldblooded inside.
Frank Edgar (Lightweight) -- Edgar compiled an 11-1 record before 2010 and all anyone could ask the kid was when he was going to drop down to 145 pounds. Few gave him a shot against B.J. Penn, who looked like he was ready for a two or three run as the man at 155. Edgar was the perfect matchup for Penn. His boxing was solid enough to avoid Penn's big shots and his constant movement threw the Hawaiian off his game. Edgar shocked Penn at UFC 112 and did it again in even more convincing fashion at UFC 118. He also proved not everyone from the Jersey Shore is a chemically enhanced animal with an orange spray-on tan.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/You-tell-us-The-best-fighter-in-2010?urn=mma-299729
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Really? alert: Nazi imagery on MMA shirt
Neo-Nazi imagery has made its way onto an MMA company's t-shirt again. Silver Star, the company who sponsors Anderson Silva, Clay Guida, Jon Jones and boxer Manny Pacquaio, produced a shirt with the totenkopf, a skull associated with Nazis and the neo-Nazi movement. Guida wore the shirt in a recent interview, but said that the company was not inspired by Nazis.
Silver Star has quickly apologized and said the shirt was discontinued a year ago. They said they didn't realize the association between the design and the Nazis. I'll buy that, simply because the swastika is the symbol most often associated with the Nazi party. After that, unless you're addicted to the History Channel, it's not always easy to associate every symbol. I am addicted to the History Channel, and still didn't catch the symbol on Guida's shirt when watching that interview.
This isn't the first time that Nazi imagery has made its way onto MMA clothing, as Hoelzer Reich sold several shirts with Nazi symbols before being banned from the WEC and UFC. The difference between this issue and the Hoelzer Reich situation is that this is one shirt, and Silver Star didn't try to defend the use of the imagery, as HR did.
There is a simple solution to making sure that Nazi imagery doesn't pop up again on MMA clothes. MMA apparel companies need to come up with fresh designs. Here at Cagewriter, we've railed against the skull-angel-gargoyle combo that seems to show up on every third MMA shirt.
There are plenty of companies that do it right. The reason why people went so crazy about Tri-Coasta's Korean Zombie shirt it because it was a new and different look. Thugh it's banned in the UFC, Clinch Gear is popular because their designs are classic. Do you think we'll ever hear about a Totenkopf accidentally making it onto a Clinch or Tri-Coasta shirt?
Update: Cagewriter spoke to Clay Guida's manager, and he said that Guida was not aware of the fact the shirt he wore had any Nazi-related imagery. He pointed out that Silver Star's founder Luke Burritt is a Jewish American and denounces Nazism, as does Clay. The shirt is discontinued and has been pulled from retailers. Clay is adamant about not supporting any negative imagery.
Dana White pays for infant's life-saving surgery
UFC president Dana White has a brash exterior. He's known for being a tough negotiator, saying what he thinks, and dropping f-bombs at will. It turns out that he also has a heart of gold. White stepped up to pay for a life-saving surgery for the 7-month-old daughter of a popular Thai MMA trainer at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket.
UFC fighters like Mike Swick and Jon Fitch have relied on Tiger Muay Thai to improve their striking game, and instructor Kru Nai has helped several top fighters. His daughter Tuptim was diagnosed with bilary obstruction, a serious liver condition. A surgery could save her life, but it cost $50,000. Without it, she was given just weeks to live.
The MMA community came together to try to raise money for her surgery. To bring attention to the issue, a poster on the Underground, a popular MMA message board, asked White to give the cash:
Mr. DANA WHITE, If you are a true ambassador for the sport.....PAY FOR THIS SURGERY!!!
Please help, no donation to small........the clock is ticking
That's exactly what White is doing. He confirmed to Yahoo! Sports on Monday that he will pay for Tuptim's surgery.
"I was reading the Underground and saw it and clicked on it and I don't know, I just did. She needs it fast, so I did it," White said via text.
Kudos to the White for stepping up and helping out. White's generosity to the Nai family makes him better than Santa Claus.
Discovering New Horizons Diving Kavieng, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
By Imogen Simpson-Mowday (Imi) All pictures by Christopher Bartlett by permission December 31, 2010 After our lovely time scuba diving at Tufi we headed off to explore the diving around Kavieng in New Ireland. This is a large island in North East PNG and it offers tropical islands with white sands surrounded by great diving [...]
Arrived on the Canaries
It�s so beautiful to sail in crystal waters at Sotavento with nice powerful wind in the sail. I really enjoyed my first session yesterday at the Center 1 of �Ren� Egli. The preparation for the 6 weeks trip, which will include short excursions to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria as well, were tough. I had to [...]
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Alistair Overeem KOs Todd Duffee in 19 Seconds
by Michael David Smith
Alistair Overeem has added the Dream heavyweight title to his Strikeforce and K-1 World Grand Prix championships, brutally knocking out the former UFC heavyweight Todd Duffee at the New Year's Eve Dynamite!! event in Japan.
Overeem showed once again that he's among the most lethal strikers in all of combat sports, stunning Duffee with a right hand to the ear and then finishing him with a big left hand to the chin. The fight lasted just 19 seconds.
"This year I won three world titles," Overeem said in the ring afterward. "Strikeforce, then K-1, and now Dream. And I promise you all, I'm going to keep giving you great fights."
Alistair Overeem has added the Dream heavyweight title to his Strikeforce and K-1 World Grand Prix championships, brutally knocking out the former UFC heavyweight Todd Duffee at the New Year's Eve Dynamite!! event in Japan.Overeem showed once again that he's among the most lethal strikers in all of combat sports, stunning Duffee with a right hand to the ear and then finishing him with a big left hand to the chin. The fight lasted just 19 seconds.
"This year I won three world titles," Overeem said in the ring afterward. "Strikeforce, then K-1, and now Dream. And I promise you all, I'm going to keep giving you great fights."
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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/31/alistair-overeem-kos-todd-duffee-in-19-seconds/
Interviews with TX, Gallant, and Wallner
�S interviews Rodrigo TX and Tyrone form LRG abtou the LRG X �S shoe. CCS gets What's What with Ryan Gallant. Tackyworld interviews photographer/filmer Patrik Wallner.
Junk food lover GSP explains the secret to his success
Georges St. Pierre let the cat out of the bag. Why is he so good? Cheeseburgers and nifty footwork.
GSP joined Andrew Krystal on Toronto's The Fan 590 to talk about his victory over Josh Koscheck. The UFC welterweight champ said analysts are concentrating too much on the work he did with his jab, saying his real secret is unique footwork.
He also talked about the only area where he splurges. St. Pierre said he loves taking his buddies out to nice restaurants. When he's solo, the champ eats like the rest of us. Right before this interview, he hit Burger King for a cheeseburger and fries.
Listen here for the entire 15-minute interview.
Tip via Sports Radio Interviews
George Wendt Interview
Click here to view the video version of this interview. After a career as a middle school match teacher, George Wendt, left Los Angeles, California with his wife Pam and found a home in Angels Camp. He wanted to focus more intimately on the whitewater rafting business he started in 1969, which was intended to [...]
Source: http://whitewaterraftingblog.oars.com/post/george-wendt-interview
Monday, January 3, 2011
Linked by Rivers
It’s 7pm on a warm mid-August evening and I’m halfway down the wall of the Tuolumne River canyon. Far below me, meandering like a silvered serpent, runs the river—still distant though I’ve already been hiking downhill for half an hour. Faint murmurs of running water and fragments of voices from a rafting party camped on [...]
Source: http://whitewaterraftingblog.oars.com/post/linked-by-rivers
A Guide To The Ocean
Know Your Ocean! I love to read facts about things, especially when it turns out that something that you take for granted is actually an astonishing force of nature. We all like the sea; some of us only like to watch it from the comfort of a cafe window or park bench, some of us [...]
Source: http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/a-guide-to-the-ocean/
Alex Brownley NYC Part
Former VB resident Alex Brownley moved to the greener skate pastures of New York City and filmed a full part around his new city.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/Uj-ZiSoRFf0/alex-brownley-nyc-part.html
Sunday, January 2, 2011
UFC 125 Preview: Champ Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard Meet Again in Main Event
On Saturday night, the eyes of the people that have not passed out yet from being out too late and up too early the night before will be on UFC 125.
The main event between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard is a rematch of their April of 2008 bout that ended in a unanimous decision victory for Maynard.
The main event between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard is a rematch of their April of 2008 bout that ended in a unanimous decision victory for Maynard.
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard Wins UFC 125 Fight of the Night
No surprises here, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard earned Fight of the Night honors following their lightweight title scrap at UFC 125 in Las Vegas.All UFC 125 post-fight award winner were recipients of a $60,000 bonus.
Despite no decisive winner, the competitiveness of Saturday's main event was an easy selection for the UFC's post-fight award. After an incredibly lopsided first round which Edgar lost 10-8 (and arguably 10-7), the lightweight champion bounced back to win the fight on one of the judge's scorecards. In the end the final scores were 48-46 Edgar, 48-46 Maynard and 47-47 for the split draw.
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/02/frankie-edgar-vs-gray-maynard-wins-ufc-125-fight-of-the-night/
Silva overpowers Vera, smashes his nose in win at UFC 125
Brandon Vera just can't figure it out. He was great at heavyweight, but his drop to light heavyweight has been riddled with lackluster fights. It happened again tonight as Thiago Silva took him down then held him down and beat upon him for 13-of-15 rolling to a unanimous decision win, 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27. Vera was helpless throughout and really showed no sense of urgency. Even when the fight ended, Vera with a horribly crooked, broken nose sort of clowned with the crowd. That attitude was shocking considering Vera had just dropped to 3-4 at 205 pounds with the UFC. This loss makes it three straight loss for Vera (11-6, 7-6 UFC). He's in jeopardy of being cut by the promotion.
This was a great bounce for Silva, who was incredibly dangerous during a close loss to Rashad Evans. Silva had Evans hurt badly in their fight at UFC 108 but lacked stamina down the stretch. He claimed a back injury had kept from normal training for the fight. Silva hadn't fought since Jan. 2 of 2010. Tonight, he looked much better physically entering the fight and had plenty of energy for all 15 minutes.
Silva (15-2, 6-2 UFC) so dominated down the stretch that he pinned Vera on the cage for the final three minutes. Sitting on Vera's back, Silva began to open-hand slap the Filipino-American. He even slapped a little tune on his back. In the final minute, he unloaded with some heavy punches. That's when it looked like Silva put a huge dent into Vera's schnoz.
Akamina Ridge, Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park
Trip 1, on page 42 of Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, the Opinionated Hiking Guide, is Akamina Ridge / Wall and Forum Lakes. It’s a supreme ridgewalk in little-known Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park. Views from the alpine ridgecrest extend across the adjacent national parks: Waterton Lakes (Alberta, Canada), and Glacier (Montana, USA). We [...]
Source: http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/2010/09/akamina-ridge-waterton-lakes-national-park/
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