#and theres not a happy ending for darren so i changed it

[halfavamp]

darren, physically 14 years old: I AM A VAMPIRE PRINCE vampires: wait, is he serious.

[thesportssoundoff]

A Mighty Good Time In London: A Preview For The UFC’s return to London

If you're willing to take a break from March Madness, theres quite a bit of MMA and boxing to enjoy this weekend! GGG vs Danny Jacobs is the big prize this week BUT If you want to do more, how about some MMA early on? The UFC is heading to London for an early (Eastern time which is truly the only time of note) afternoon slate. THIS card has taken some hits from people who are either a) unaware of what a Fight Pass card is, b) never satisfied or c) Just dying to be #MadOnline. It's a really really solid slate of European MMA with some great matchmaking and a not as bad main event. As much as people want to be mad about Manuwa vs Anderson main eventing, I would just say that you should be mad at Gus for ducking Cirkunov because he wasn't a big enough name. Besides let's be honest, Corey Anderson vs Jimi Manuwa is a fine main event for a Fight Pass card. You could do far far worse. Beyond that though you've got a great Alan Jouban vs Gunnar Nelson fight, Brad Pickett's retirement, TWO really great prospect vs prospect fights, Vicente Luque vs Leon Edwards in a fucking war and a half, Joe Duffy's potential UFC departure fight as well as a host of mid-tier action fighters at 185 and 205 trying to find some success. Let's dig in!

Fights: 13

Debuts: 1 (Lucie Pudilova)

Fight Changes/Injury Cancellations: 2 (Veronica Macedo out, Lucie Pudilova in/Henry Briones out, Chito Vera in)

Headliners (fighters who have either main evented or co-main evented shows in the UFC): 4 (Reza Madadi, Jimi Manuwa, Gunnar Nelson and Brad Pickett)

Fighters On Losing Streaks in the UFC: 1 (Brad Pickett) *This sort of exemplifies what makes this card deceptively good. There's a lot of fighters coming off a loss but not a lot of fighters who are on losing streaks. A lot of dudes treading water for sure but that's not a deathknel for a show*

Fighters On Winning Streaks in the UFC: 6 (Mark Diakiase, Vicente Luque, Leon Edwards, Makwan Amirkhani, Arnold Allen, Alan Jouban)

Stat Monitor for 2017:

Debuting Fighters (Current number: 8-7)- Lucie Pudilova

Short Notice Fighters (Current number: 5-9)- Lucie Pudilova, Marlon "Chito" Vera

Second Fight (Current number: 5-9)- Linsa Lansberg, Brett Johns, Darren Stewart

Twelve Precarious Ponderings

1- I think the reason people dislike this main event in so many words is that there's a lack of relevancy to it. Jimi Manuwa is a very fun kill or be killed type of LHW who is either brutally finished or finishes brutally while Corey Anderson with the right opponent (namely somebody who can give him something to worry about on the feet while flirting with takedown defense) is a guy who can have fun exciting fights. So it has to be relevancy given how neither fighter is, in all likelihood, going to challenge for the title. I would disagree with that assessment. Corey Anderson's had some clunkers in the UFC but he's very young in a division by which youth is its own skillset and as far as actual skills go, he's not a bad fighter. He has power, inconsistently of course, but power in his hands, he's developed a decent kicking game and his wrestling is not great but good enough to take down bigger clunkier guys who can't move their feet well. Anderson could get a title shot simply by virtue of the potted plant theory; stick around long enough and eventually you become a centerpiece. As for Jimi Manuwa, it's not a question of talent as much as it's a question of time. Manuwa has taken LONG lapses throughout his career of doing absolutely nothing and I believe his legal history has prevented him from fighting abroad more. He's sort of become a UK novelty attraction which is sad because I think he can do more. The argument could (and should) be made that Manuwa's lack of TDD and his so-so chin will always prevent him from ascending the rankings. I would conversely argue that there's two guys at 205 who can take big punches and everybody else's chin is essentially on the same plane of existence. The takedown defense IS a problem but TDD didn't prevent OSP from getting a title shot, ya know what I mean? I think this is a fine fight for 205 AND an important one. Maybe one day we'll look back on this like how we look back on Struve vs Miocic as being a super important fight in the annals of HW history. Who knows.

2- NOW having said all of that, I must also admit the reality of the situation. There's a fine chance that Anderson takes down Manuwa for five rounds and we all spend the main event being bored out of our minds. Honesty is the best policy. STILL even so, I feel the need to point out that all of the UFC main events outside of the PPVs have been finishes and relatively early.

3- Alan Jouban and Gunnar Nelson have been forgotten in the mix at 170 lbs but why arent these guys recognized more as contenders? In the case of Jouban, his only losses are a bad split decision to Warrley Alves and a nasty TKO to Albert Tumenov. Outside of that Jouban has beaten some pretty darned good fighters like Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry (I'M HOLDING ON TO THIS ONE, MAN) and Seth Baczynski. For Gunnar Nelson, the super hyped prospect got his credentials checked by Rick Story and Demian Maia but he's young, he trains in a gym that fits and suits him PLUS Nelson is likely only going to get better with time.

4- Is Arnold Allen, in pure talent alone, the most talented European prospect since McGregor back in his heyday? Arnold Allen is just 23 years old and he seems to improve with each performance. He's fighting guys way way above his experience level though and the same happens with Makwan Amirkhani.

5- Let's talk about Mr. Finland! It seems like just yesterday he was this promising prospect who internet MMA fans were scoffing at. He was just a gimmick; a good looking grappler with not much else to his name and one of the many European prospects outside of England who were expected to flop. To our surprise, or at least my surprise, Mr. Finland has been far better than advertised. While I wish he'd fight MORE, his grappling chops and his ability to make himself a spectacle have been a tremendous addition to the UFC. He's gotten a slow ladder up to the top and draws Arnold Allen, arguably England's best featherweight prospect (he'd beat Paddy IMO). Should be a great fight but Amirkhani has the edge on the ground so I'm betting that's where this winds up.

6- THE MAD DOG IS BACK!

7- Tom Breese is a really good prospect with a really good gym who seemed to be stuck in neutral due to bad weight cuts and some rough stylstic matchups. Oluwale Bamgbose is a freakishly athletic raw middeweight who seems to have bitten off more than he chew with his current UFC run. This fight could be very dicey for Breese early but if he survives the first, I think he's going to have a relatively easy time with Oluwale.

8- I'm admittedly pretty conflicted on this Pickett/Marlon Vera fight. Chito is a fun dude to watch fight and he's young, super athletic and developing pretty quickly. I'd be really happy if he won----but man doesn't Brad Pickett deserve a chance to retire on a good note? It's a tough ask.

9- Leon Edwards vs Vicente Luque is a really interesting fight because while Luque could be a challenger at 170 lbs before the end of 2017, Edwards an absolutely challenge for a top spot in time as well. Edwards has had an interesting progression even if it's been a somewhat bumpy road. His two losses boiled down to simply not having the wrestling chops to stop takedowns/stalls in his offensive game. To his credit, Edwards has improved each time out as a wrestler annd that combined with snappy striking makes him a credible name. Vicente Luque has gone from struggling (by his own admission) to deal with Alvaro Herrera  to blasting out reputable dudes in under a round. This is a different challenge though as Edwards is well rounded, can match Luque athletically and his weaknesses are going to be a lot tougher for Luque to exploit. I'm pretty excited to see how this thing plays out.

10- So we've been discussing the so-so 205 lb division but Darren Stewart is a pretty darned good LHW prospect. He's all action and all violence, coming off a no contest after a headbutt led to a finish vs Francimar Barroso. Francimar is JAG so here's hoping Stewart can impress.

11- On one hand, Teemu Packalen is a respectable raw fighter with skills and enough in his game to not be a total waste of time for Marc Diakiase. On the other hand? Do we really NEED another tune up fight for Diakiase? I think we can all agree that he's maybe ready for a bigger name now.

12- Brett Johns had a Henry Cejudo-esque debut in the UFC after a Henry Cejudo esque regional MMA career. Johns was nixed from Cage Warriors after becoming their champion, got signed by Titan FC, missed weight and lost thee chance to be their champion. Originally just a great grab and grinder type, Johns showcased all kinds of striking improvement in his fight vs Kwan Ho Kwak. Ian Entwistle is a one trick pony for the most part but his trick (leglocks) is pretty damn good. A respectable Cage Warriors-y main event on the prelims of this card.

Must Wins:

Jimi Manuwa

Jimi's 37 years young which is not a deathknel for a guy at light heavyweight. At the same time, the time to go is now for the powerful Brit. Manuwa can answer a ton of questions about whether he can creep his way into a title shot or at the very least, set himself up for a really appealing fight with Shogun Rua. Can he handle Corey Anderson's five rounds of pressure? Can he stuff the takedowns? If takendown can he get back up or will he be stuck there? How can his chin hold up if Anderson cracks him? If Manuwa wins then you can start whispering about a #1 contender fight....but he's gotta win.

Makwan Amirkhani

I have no idea why Amirkhani was gone for this long. Whatever the reasoning, it was far too long for my liking. Arnold Allen is a very good young fighter but Mr. Finland's more physical, he's fought better competition and his grappling is worlds above Arnold Allen. It's a winnable fight for Amirkhani and at this point, he's gotta take the jump from fun gimmick fighter to genuine challenger at featherweight.

Marc Diakiase

Diakiase has the ability in time to be a genuine star in Europe if the UFC promotes him right. He's 2-0 in the UFC and he's getting a lay up opponent in Teemu Packalen. It's almost not about winning this fight but doing so in an impressive fashion.

Five Underlying Themes

1- European events always have a special energy to them regardless of the card. With Bellator running more and more shows in Europe, will the UFC still garner that special attraction vibe?

2- Whether they try to sell the main event as a title contender fight.

3- The Hardy/Gooden combo is normally pretty solid but with a long layoff between fight cards, will they be rusty?

4- Brad Pickett's retirement.

5- If they dance around the Joseph Duffy contract situation. OR IF HE EATS IT VS THE MAD DOG.

Predicting (Bonus) Winners!

Current Record: 23-23

Corey Anderson Gunnar Nelson Marlon Vera Makwan Amirkhani Joseph Duffy Darren Stewart Daniel Omielanczuk Marc Diakiase Tom Breese Vicente Luque Brett Johns Scott Askham Lina Lansberg

[mrblue91]

150 random questions

1.     Do you bite or lick ice cream?

bite 2. What is home to you?

Where my loved ones are 3. What was the last lie you told? 

My weight 4. Does everyone deserve the truth? 

yes 5. What is the creepiest toy ever made? 

Porcelain dolls 6. Describe a moment in which you did something unacceptable in a bad situation.

Yelled to a class mate during class over an argument of who should be in charge of the choir group. 7. List two things that are more easily done than said. (No, I didn’t mix them up.)

Working on homework at home

Saying no to hanging out 8. When was the last time you worked really hard to achieve something? 

It’s been my whole life I never stopped. 9. How many all nighters have you pulled?

Too many 10. If humans didn’t evolve to laugh or smile, how would we express our happiness instead?

With odors 11. How many romantic “things” or “flings” have you had? 

Not many, I don’t do flings. 12. What is your paradise?

In a forest surrounded by insects 13. What is your favorite background noise? (Ex. Water dripping, people talking.)

Sounds of nocturnal nature 14. How many hearts do you think you have broken? 

A few 15. What is the most important thing about electronics? What does this say about you? 

Needs to have plenty of memory. I hoard pictures 16. Why do people care about celebrities? Do you care about celebrities?

Cause they’re good at what they do? nope 17. What is the most annoying thing someone can do to you?

Treat me like a child 18. Do you overexaggerate? What are the pros and cons of this?

Yes, pros: I sound enthusiastic. Cons: I have high expectations 19. Have you played any instruments before? Which instruments? 

Yes, guitar, piano, harmonica 20. Do you like taking selfies? Why or why not?

Yes, I’m a modern man 21. List 3 things you like about yourself? 

Attention to detail

Organized

Good hair 22. What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

Keep it in a hobbyist perspective 23. Do you have what it takes to raise a child? Why or why not?

Not yet, I am too selfish 24. How do you cheer yourself up after a bad day?

Eat good food or sleep 25. When was the last time you felt awkward? 

Today during my osmoregulation lecture 26. Are you introverted or extroverted? Or a mixture of both? 

Mixed 27. What constitutes a good friend?

Loyalty 28. Would you rather have a lot of friends to hang out with or just one best friend?

Many friends  29. In a regular day, what do you not want to hear?

Theres been an accident 30. What is your dream job?

To hike and collect insects around the world 31. Is it better to be lazy but smart or hardworking but unintelligent?

I’ve been able to get by with being lazy 32. What is a truth about yourself that others find hard to believe?

I used to be 300lbs 33. What have you always wondered about the other gender?

yes 34. Which fantasy world would you like to visit the most?

Avatar the last airbender 35. Describe the worst friend you have ever befriended. 

In high school I spent time with a guy for a month and he said rude things about my gf behind my back. 36. Imagine that you have switched bodies with someone you don’t know. You can’t switch back. What do you do?

Work with what I got 37. If you found the recipe for immortality, would you sell it or would you burn it?

Burn it 38. What is the most important, applicable class you have ever taken?

Entomology 39. Name the last book you read.

Stephen king hearts in suspension 40. Imagine that you are unable to express emotion. How would this affect your world?

I’d be more productive 41. When was the last time you made the first move?

I always do 42. What is your opinion on electronic music such as dubstep or trap?

It works at times 43. What was the last movie you watched?

Moana 44. Do you like and appreciate your life? 

yes 45. Do you like and appreciate yourself?

yes 46. When was the last time you cried?

2 weeks ago 47. What are you scared of?

Losing my loved ones 48. What is the most embarrassing, cringe-worthy thing you have ever done?

Not know information and trying to wing a lecture 49. What are some of your hobbies?

origami 50. What is a superficial yet annoying mistake you constantly make? 

Telling people what to do 51. Are you a good friend? What makes you a good friend? If not, what makes you a bad friend?

Yes, I encourage aspirations. I am bossy and needy 52. Do you honestly learn from your mistakes?

yes 53. What have you learned the hard way?

How to love 54. What is the most important thing to have in order to attain happiness?

Communication 55. Which medium do you use for expressing your artistic emotions? (Singing, writing, etc.) 

Drawing, singing 56. Are you a creative or a logical thinker?

Creative 57. What is the smartest thing you have ever done? 

Work on my masters degree 58. What is your ideal meal?

Chickfila number 1 meal 59. What is the worst thing someone could do on a date?

Say they have kids 60. Do you like animals? Which kind is your favorite?

Yes, insects 61. If you could turn one legal thing illegal, what would it be? 

Not recycling 62. Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Wouldn’t you like to know :P 63. What is the best thing that the internet has ever created?

Youtube 64. Do you like playing video games? Which video games?

no 65. What is your opinion on beauty in today’s society?

It could be less objectifying 66. Are you a morning person? When do you usually wake up?

No 8am 67. Do you have a favorite Disney movie? Character? 

Yes, Hercules 68. Would you rather live in the city or in the countryside?

Countryside 69. Would you rather live near the ocean or in the mountains?

ocean 70. What are the best things about winter?

skiing 71. What scares you most about the future?

My health and physical state 72. What makes you feel old?

Anyone 5yr younger than me 73. How many hours do you spend on the computer or phone on average? 

Too many 74. What are some of your New Year’s resolutions?

Go to the doctor more often 75. What is your life story in 6 words? 

Gym, school, eat, sleep, bugs, him 76. Describe yourself in one word.

witty 77. What bad habits do you do?

Poke nose in public 78. What genre of music do you listen to? 

indie 79. Most prominent childhood memory?

Cookouts and fish fries with the family 80. Imagine if you had an older brother. If you already have one, what is it like? If you don’t, how would this change your life? 

Our relationship is not the best so it feels like having a distant friend. 81. Spirit animal?

Sperm whale 82. Do you believe in horoscopes?

No but theyre fun to read 83. What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

Keep smoking and forget about it 84. List the 3 most important people in your life right now. 

Mom, advisor, him 85. Favorite memory of your family.

Easter! 86. What do you look for in a relationship? 

Intelligence 87. Do you have a role model? Why or why not? 

Steve Irwin, animal guru 88. What is your opinion on social media?

It can suck on something and choke on it. 89. Are you a pessimist or an optimist? 

Both 90. List some things that you think are overpriced?

Avocados, non-dairy milk, tropical fruits, jalapenos 91. What is your worst memory or creepiest experience? 

Lucid dreaming a nightmare as a child 92. What superpower would ruin the world? 

Mind control 93. What is something you swore you would never do when you grew up, but you did anyway? 

I swore I would never stop going to into bounce arenas. 94. What lessons have you learned from movies and which movies were they?

How to be kind, many movies 95. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Amazon rainforest 96. How do you approach people? 

With a handshake and my name 97. What is your opinion on first impressions?

Theyre always wrong 98. What are some things you did as a child that you no longer do? 

Have a messy room 99. What languages can you speak? 

Spanish and english 100. What do you think society will be like in 30 years?

Hopefully its better than now 101. What do you do on your lazy days?

Sleep, watch shows 102. What ended your last relationship?

I fell in love with someone else 103. Favorite food? 

Broccoli 104. What is the most terrifying dream you’ve ever had? 

Not sure 105. When was the last time you got seriously angry? 

When someone’s phone dies 106. What was the last friendship you broke? 

It was during my undergrad, the one that got away, but were back together again. 107. Do you have any pet peeves? 

Long nails on guys 108. Who was the last person you gave a hug to?

idk 109. When was the last time you got seriously stressed?

This week 110. What part of your personality do you want to change?

My selective hearing 111. Who is the most positively influential person in your life right now? 

Darren 112. What is your biggest motivation? 

Fear and expanding knowledge

113. What did you want to be when you were little?

Bug catcher 114. What are some things that you are good at? 

Singing, crafts, interior decorating 115. What is one thing you want to be good at?

dancing 116. What distracts you the most, especially when you’re trying to work? 

myself 117. How important is privacy to you?

I don’t care unless im going to get it on ;) 118. If you could create one social norm, what would it be? 

Eating insects 119. What’s the craziest lie you’ve ever told?

“This is my roommate” 120. What story do you like to tell about yourself at parties?

I climbed a mountain, went skiing, went to New Zealand, I’m from Texas 121. What is the lamest thing that you have seen someone do? 

Try to one up a friend for no reason 122. What is the stupidest thing you’ve done to impress someone?

Write a letter 123. What is your morning routine?

Bfast, wash face, brush teeth, poop, change, apply acne cream, feed dragon, go to work 124. What’s the last thing you did that is worth remembering?

skiing 125. If karma was coming back to you, would it help or hurt you?

It would help 126. What is your opinion on playing “hard to get?”

It’s a waste of time 127. What are the pros and cons of straightforward?

Its saves time, there are no cons 128. What do you consider “leading” someone on?

Not being strait forward 129. Are you the friendzoner or the friendzoned?

I am the friendzoner 130. What do you admire most about your friends?

They accept the real me 131. What do you admire most about your family?

They always support me 132. What is your opinion on “going with the flow?”

Its healthy 133. Do you enjoy talking or listening?

both 134. When is it time to end a friendship?

When they don’t put any effort 135. What is the worst excuse you’ve ever come up with?

I don’t feel like being social 136. If GPA didn’t matter, what courses would you have taken?

Nothing but entomology 137. What are your favorite baby names?

Idk 138. When was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone?

Yesterday 139. What instantly ruins a conversation? 

Eves dropping and interruption 140. Biggest turn ons and turn on offs.

Pets, no pets 141. Biggest disappointment.

My motivation 142. Do you have any self-restraint? 

yes 143. When did you last do something outside of your comfort zone?

Yesterday 144. Prized possession(s)?

Insect collection 145. What is your opinion on second chances? 

Theyre helpful 146. Text or call?

call 147. What do you like about the 21st century?

Technology 148. What advice would you give to yourself 5 years ago? 

Follow your heart not your gut 149. How organized are you?

OCD 150. Favorite mode of transportation.

Bicycle

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