Dave Meltzer of Yahoo Sports and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was on Fight Network Radio Today talking about the CSAC, Sean Sherk, and everything in between in the world of MMA. Always a fascinating journalist to listen to, even if he doesn’t always get his sentences out. Don’t judge him on the radio presentation, Meltzer knows his stuff, and this appearance is no different.

Sean Sherk, me thinks thou doth protest to much. Sure, if I weren’t guilty of taking Nandrolone, I’d probably throw a fit too, but lets be honest…. I’m still waiting, Sean.

With a response like Sherk had after the CSAC finalized the rejection of his appeal, while letting him off 6 months earlier then they could have, my mind visited hacky headlines like “Sean ‘Sherks’ responsibilities”. It was that bad. Sherk went on the Stephan Quadros show today shortly after his hearing, which is kinda like Paris Hilton going on Larry King Live. Quadros is a well liked guy in the fight community who continues to do alot of positive goodwill work for MMA, but he’s exactly the kind of MMA media luminary I’m talking about when I throw fits for “journalists” buddying up with fighters. Is his show a fan hype show or real analysis and between the lines thinking? Obviously the former. Read the full story

Brian Knapp at The Fight Network is reporting that Sean Sherk’s suspension for testing positive for steroids was upheld today at a hearing. The suspension was cut in half however, but the fine was still $2,500. He is eligible to fight next month as he was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission shortly after the July 7th UFC event. Sherk had appealed the suspension, and after reschedules and evidence from both sides, the sentence was settled today.

We’ll have opinions of this story later today or by morning.

If you run a MMA blog or participate in writing about MMA, make sure your writing isn’t being stolen. There is a site called videofights.net that will steal articles so they can capitalize on your hard work with their Google-ads infested website - commonly known as “splogging.”

Apprently (removed as requested) of Chicago-based (removed as requested) is trying to make a quick buck from sites like Irish Whip Fighting, ProMMA.tv, Cage Today, us here at MMA Opinion, and even the Pancrase website by stealing their headline news and posting it on a page littered with MMA advertisements. With little regard for the actual content itself, the page prides itself with a boring layout and no categories to differentiate content. They leave a link to the originating site, but considering there are 10,000 “posts” and 0 comments, the focus isn’t on the writing itself.

This is pure disrespect and it needs to stop. The common practice of linking between the different legitimate MMA blogs to give credit is accepted. Stealing work to make a quick Google-ad buck is not.

I certainly do not appreciate him using the work of MMA Opinion writers. Hopefully this article will get grabbed by the bots he uses to pick up any article with the letters “MMA” in it. Oh the irony.

You can reach (removed as requested) at (removed as requested) or by e-mail at (removed as requested).

I decided to stir things up a bit and do a series of columns on my pet peeves within MMA. I’m sure some of my points will have a few of you agreeing, but I’m assuming the majority of my points will be met with debate. I welcome your comments and e-mails.

I’ll start off my grievances with MMA journalists/commentators/undefined people with a mask for every occasion who are either so in awe of fighters, or have complete conflicts of interest because of friendships, finding any reason to side with fighters or not press fighters when they might be in the wrong. Read the full story

Sam Vasquez passed away Friday night in Houston. He had been in a coma since shortly after a fight weeks ago in the same city. He was 35. Coverage can be found here and here.

Luke Thomas has a thought on this tragedy.

I’d like to extend condolences to the Vasquez family for all of us here at MMAOpinion. While we all love to watch, cover, and editorialize Mixed Martial Arts not only here on the site, but as a community online and in print, no one watches MMA to see a death. True fans do not see Mixed Martial Arts as a death sport, but as a fighter’s personal challenge, a demonstration and practical use of many art forms, on some levels a form of entertainment, and on others as a sport. This is a sad weekend to be an MMA fan, but Sam Vasquez’s death should be acknowledged by all and respects should be paid. No one should run away from this reality. Not the fans, the media, or the fighters/promotions. I encourage everyone to logically and rationally discuss this death with anyone who uses it as a tool by which to discredit MMA, or to perversely praise it.

This is the test. It’s been coming for years. With all due respect to Mr. Vasquez, had it not been him, it was going to be someone else. Once the family of Vasquez has buried him and hopefully the MMA community is strong enough to show a huge outpouring of respect, the real challenge is ahead. Sadly, the story will not be of this man’s death, but that there was a death in MMA, and we’ll finally see if the sport can weather the storm and stay in the mainstream. The way this is covered and the way those in power in MMA respond will tell the tale. It would be a black eye to not face this head on, and even though this did not happen in the UFC, Elite XC, or the IFL, it’s important that Dana White, Gary Shaw, and Jay Larkin not dismiss this death or act defensive the moment the first mainstream reporter calls. Public perception and corporate perception could influence TV deals like CBS or even existing deals like Spike and Showtime. Backing of Elite XC could be threatened if Showtime pulled financial support. The IFL could lose any deal they might have for TV next season. Sponsors of all MMA could decide to void contracts.

I’m not saying this will happen, but I am saying it can become a reality quicker then many people think. To paraphrase a very respectable Pro Wrestling and MMA reporter, decisions are made in the board room by corporations and/or TV executives who often have nothing to do with the product you follow. Keep that in mind.

Please keep your heads about you, everyone. The mature and thought out measured response is the responsible and correct response. I thank Sam Vasquez for his efforts and hope he died doing what he loves to do.