Fight Analysis: Laila Ali vs Ronda Rousey vs Common Sense
A couple Saturdays back mixed martial arts phenom Ronda Rousey faced what was supposed to be her toughest challenge and responded by bending Cat Zingano’s arm like a water noodle, forcing a submission in 14 seconds. Yasiel Puig spends more time admiring his home runs. Since then we’ve had a steady stream of speculation about … Continue reading
To The Person Searching for Morgan Campbell’s Fighting Words
My stat tracker tells me a few folks found my site today by Googling terms like “Morgan Campbell Fighting Words” and “Morgan Campbell Video.” I appreciate your interest in that project, but I also realize that successive re-designs of the Toronto Star’s website have made the archived video linked to in previous blog posts much … Continue reading
Rampage Jackson to Boxing? Bring Your Toolbox
I’m all for athletes plotting career moves beyond the field, so under most circumstances I couldn’t do anything but support 34 year-old Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s decision to make Saturday night’s showdown with Glover Teixiera the final fight of his Ultimate Fighting Championship career. For all the UFC’s talk about the relative safety of their sport, … Continue reading
April 29, 2011: Gary Goodridge and the High Cost of Living Dangerously
MORGAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER BARRIE—When Gary (Big Daddy) Goodridge strides into his living room, the hands that once delivered punches now cradle pill bottles. Fifteen years ago, Goodridge won his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut by knocking his opponent cold with one elbow strike. The other seven were pure adrenaline. That fight made the Barrie resident … Continue reading
April 29, 2011: There’s more to MMA training than toil and sweat
Proper recovery, right attitude as important as gym for top fighters Morgan Campbell Sports Reporter After a hard week of training, Claude (The Prince) Patrick is sore all over. Beat up and a little burnt out, he’s due for a tune-up and on this Friday in February he ducks into a converted bungalow in southeast … Continue reading
April 28, 2011: Mastering martial arts skills foundation of fighting success
Morgan Campbell Toronto Star Wednesday is pro day at Elite Training Centre in Mississauga, and the action on the mats intensifies each time the buzzer sounds. Five weeks from this February afternoon, Joel Powell will win the first sanctioned mixed martial arts bout in Ontario; right now, he’s at the far end of the room … Continue reading
April 27, 2011: An MMA Fighter’s Daily Grind
A ragged group of Muay Thai students shuffles across the floor at Elite Training Centre in Mississauga, throwing one-twos as their instructor shouts commands. The kick-boxers are hobbyists but the guy in the nearby ring is a pro, warming up for his third workout of the day. As the students take on imaginary opponents, 30-year-old Claude (The … Continue reading
About this weekend: Three thoughts
1. THE UFC NEEDS A NEW SUPERSTAR — STAT Saturday night kickboxing ace Alistair Overeem toppled Brock Lesnar with a series of shots to the midsection, but minutes after the bout, when the WWE star-turned UFC cash cow announced his retirement from the Octagon, the folks running the world’s fastest-growing sports league probably felt like … Continue reading
To Answer Your Questions…
1. WHAT DID I THINK OF THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION IN THE LAMONT PETERSON-AMIR KHAN TITLE FIGHT? Like many of you, I thought D.C. native Peterson dined on some home cooking served up by referee Joseph Cooper. While the letter of the boxing law says Cooper had the authority to penalize Khan two points for repeatedly … Continue reading
Morgan Campbell: A Writer on Sports and More 