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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Former PRIDE and current Strikeforce announcer and Fight Network Radio Host Mauro Ranallo will lend his voice to the upcoming "EA MMA" video game, as he will be the play-by-play announcer for the game, due out in 2010. Ariel Helwani at MMA Fan House reported that he has been tapped for the role, though it was unknown who would join him on commentary.
It was announced on Wednesday that Fedor Emelianenko would headline the game, and other notable fighters in the title will be UFC heavyweight Randy Couture, Gegard Mousasi, Renato Sobral and Frank Shamrock to name a few.
The game will go head to head with the UFC/THQ release "UFC Undisputed 2010," the second iteration of the hit game that was released earlier this year.
Penick's Analysis: Ranallo as an announcer is an acquired taste. It's one that I haven't. He clearly knows what he's talking about and he's got a passion for the sport, and as far as I know in person he's a good guy so I can't knock him on any of that. However, as an announcer I just really can't stand listening to him. The overt puns and cliches get a bit unbearable at times and it takes away from what's going on in the cage with every eye-roll inducing comment. That said, there's plenty of people who are all for him and will have no problem with him voicing this game. There will be others who may avoid it at all costs.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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