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"And if the opportunity came up to broadcast MMA, I don't think I'd have any issues doing it. I wouldn't be wearing the black hat. I wouldn't be doing all my pro wrestling cliches. You wouldn't hear any slobberknockers or any of the phrases I've coined over the years, like "business is about to pick up" or "he's beating him like a government mule." You wouldn't hear that. But I think people would be very surprised at what they would hear, simply because I'm passionate about their game. Once you're a broadcaster and you're a storyteller, and you understand competition and the rules of engagement, it all falls together... I've really gotten hooked on MMA. I enjoy watching it and studying it. I'm learning more about the heritage and history of it. It's been a unique metamorphosis for me to become such a passionate fan of mixed martial arts. It hasn't replaced my love for my established business. I just added it to my daily routine. It's become so interesting to me that it has joined my work and my hobby of watching football. It joined that group because I made room for it. And I'll keep watching everything I possibly can."
-WWE announcer turned MMA enthusiast Jim Ross talks to Heavy.com about getting hooked on the sport and how he would fare as an announcer for MMA.
Penick's Analysis: I would be 100% behind Good Ole' JR getting into MMA broadcasting. As a longtime pro wrestling fan growing up, JR is and always has been #1 when it comes to announcing "sports entertainment," and he's consistently touted his appreciation for MMA on his blog for some time. As one of the most recognized voices in broadcasting for his longtime work in the WWE, Ross would add a lot to any organization that would take him on as a broadcaster. He's clearly got a passion for the sport and I would love to hear what he could bring to calling a fight, so I hope he gets his chance.
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"There's still a large contingent of people, that they just want to see these guys almost die, or the other guy almost die and come back, and sometimes fights are like that. Certainly they are. But sometimes you get technical masterpieces too, and to hate a beautiful, technical fight - you're not really a fight fan...
Diaz has a granite chin, possesses perhaps the best recovery in the sport, his pace and conditioning are second to none and he sets records with the volume of his punches almost every time he steps into the cage. Nick Diaz is simply designed to fight the way he fights, and not many other fighters are...
"There was a lot of poison going on around there and I'm really disappointed because we had a good thing going. It was a good thing and I think people's egos got in the way. Well, not people just Javier, his ego got in the way, and too many cameras in the gym and him trying to build himself up and his brand, his AKA brand...
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