Archive for the ‘Respect is Earned’ Category
RIE’s Jon Price Responds to Dave Holland
Jon Price at RIE: Philly Biker Brawl in October
It might be Tapout’s motto, but David Holland really is bad for the sport. Holland, who presides over mixed martial arts in Virginia is, in my opinion, the definition of inept. We are now over a month out from the last professional event in Holland’s jurisdiction, and we’re still talking about this idiot’s idiotic ways. Dan Miragliotta was on Luke Thomas‘ radio show the other night to discuss the gong show down there. Here is promoter Jon Price’s response to a statement released by Holland (which as Miragliotta said, looks like it was written by a 3 year old – lol). Before we get into Jon’s letter, let me say that after discussing the events surrounding last month’s Respect is Earned show with people who were in attendance, reading statements from people like Ben Saunders and Dave Holland, I have to say that I believe Jon Price’s account. Dave Holland’s statement reads to me like someone who knows the jig is up, and is looking to throw blame anywhere but at themselves.
Remember, David. Every time you point a finger at someone, your pointing three back at yourself. I’m giving you The Finger, but that’s a whole different thing.
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Nick Lembo Weighs in on Virginia
I had the opportunity to discuss the situation in Virginia with NJSACB Counsel Nick Lembo. Two of Nick’s referees, Dan Mirgliotta and Kevin Mulhall were contracted to work the recent Respect is Earned show that ended in controversy surrounding handwrapping and scoring irregularities.
Nick, the recent RIE show in Virginia has opened the state up again for scrutiny. Two of your referees, Dan Mirgliatta and Kevin Mullhall were there covering it. What have you heard about this show?
Kevin refused to referee after doing the first two bouts after a conversation with Mr. Holland, and Dan
is not comfortable working there again.
The first issue that came out was the scoring irregularities, which seems to be the signature stroke of a professional MMA show in Virginia. In your experience, if gloves are taped and corners are designated, are there any circumstances where a judge could incorrectly score a bout because he has the fighters confused?
Besides all the things you mentioned, I would suggest simply paying attention to the introductions of the fighters.
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This Week in Mid-Atlantic MMA: Virginia is for Loathers Edition
Lets take another look at what happened in Virginia. First, as I’ve been asked to clarify. Respect is Earned was not a part of the gong show that went down at the judges’ table during the Jesse Riggleman vs Bryan Goldsby fight Saturday night. The VDPOR, which sanctions professional MMA in Virginia, assigns judges and referees and are ultimately responsible for the scoring and adjudicating of fights. So, as the blame game begins, all fingers are pointing squarely at Program Administrator David Holland.
I have no had a chance to see the raw footage of the fight. First, it was a fantastic fight. So lets not let this fuster cluck stain either of these two fighters. They put on an excellent fight, and I’m anxious to see the run back (just as long as its not in Virginia). That being said, on my personal score card, I had the first round very close, but to Riggleman 10-9. Both threw heavy, heavy hands, but Riggleman’s ground game gave him a very narrow, but clear advantage. The second round was similar. Both fighters throwing huge shots, no set-ups, all home run swings. The differential again came down to Riggleman’s very active ground game and some clean shots from the mount position, so again 10-9 to Riggleman. At this point, the decision is made. Goldsby would need to win the third round 10-8 to pull a draw, and 10-7 for a victory.
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Virginia Does it Again: Riggleman vs Goldsby Goes to Hell (Update)
Jesse Riggleman at UWC 7, photo courtesy of Sherdog.com
This report is coming from a source close to tonight’s Respect is Earned show in Harrisonburg VA. According to my source, Virginia judges have struck again, this time turning what was described as “the fight of the night” between Bryan Goldsby and UTL ranked flyweight Jesse Riggleman into an episode of The Benny Hill Show. Riggleman and Goldsby put on a fantastic 3 round battle that went to the cards. After a long delay, Bryan Goldsby was announced as the winner. The crowd apparently went bananas, frustrated that the judges had handed the hometown Riggleman his first career loss. I’m told that as referee Dan Mirgliotta was prepared to start the co-feature fight between Beau Baker and Ran Weathers, Jesse Riggleman entered the cage. I was told that Riggleman entered just seconds prior to Mirgliotta doing the “are you ready?” bit.
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This Week in Mid-Atlantic MMA Its Always Rainy in Philadelphia Edition
Khristian Geraci vs Brad Pole, Locked in the Cage 2. Photo by: Paul Miles.
This past weekend officially kicked off the 2010 fight calendar in the Philadelphia Tri-State area with Locked in the Cage 2. A lot of familiar faces were there, including Zack Lynch from MMA Photography. As soon as I see his LITC photo gallery go up, I’ll let you guys know. In the cage, Aaron Meisner broke his three fight losing streak in convincing fashion. His jiu-jitsu has come under fire recently, particularly after the first round loss to Leo Pecanha in October. But working with Team Balance is starting to pay off. Aaron was able to shut down an early double leg attempt, sprawl out and gain a dominant position. He won most of the scrambles, and was able to mont Marcus Ajian’s back and snatched the neck for the win. This was a little bit of a come to Jesus fight for Aaron. A loss would have put his record at 3-4 going into a fight in 5 weeks. Instead, he wins in front of a great hometown crowd. He gets back on the winning horse and now can start what he says will be a very active first half of 2010 with positive momentum.
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