Is Strikeforce worth seeing live? « MMAFrenzy.com Forums

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Is Strikeforce worth seeing live?

(28 posts) (8 voices)

Started 5 months ago by Eldiablo
Latest reply from jcohl

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Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

I'm about 80% of the way towards convincing myself to take the ladyfriend on a roadtrip to Chicago to check out Strikeforce's Fedor vs Rogers card. The last 20% pretty much depends on whether or not Lashley fights or they get that one more big fight to top off an already impressive card. The price is right at $75 for 100 level seating. The only problem is that it will be a roughly 10 hour drive.

I've done it before; a few buds and I went 8.5 hours to Columbus for 96 and 6 hours to Montreal for 97. Only this time all my buds are crying broke (no work, having a baby, getting married, you know those weak excuses), so I'm stuck with the only viable option of bringing my girl. She's cool, we did 91 together.

What I'm wondering is if it's worth the drive. Are Strikeforce events as exciting as UFC events? Is there the same "atmosphere", the "je ne sais quoi?" Is there as much access to meeting the fighters and possible after-parties? Besides fr I'm not really quite sure who's been to Strikeforce, but are they good?

Posted 5 months ago #
fr702

mod
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,222

Well here is how I feel about the situation......

UFC events are loud and overwhelming to the senses and that is not a bad thing...

UFC 101 was on August 8th and I flew from Cali to Philly to meet up with Eric and go to the event and I was just excited from the first fight til the destruction of KenFlo... The sound at a UFC event is ground moving and well it also helped that the event was held in the very large (for me) Wachovia Center...

StrikeForce Carano v Cyborg was held August 15th, and I had floor tickets and for me that was a helll of an event... The sound at Strikeforce events (music and such) isn't that loud when compared to a UFC event, I've also noticed that in San Jose a Strikeforce event draws your not so casual fan, where as the UFC has quite a few of them, remember "kick his asss seabasss" or whatever from UFC 101...

I've always have enjoyed going to Live MMA, WEC, UFC , Strikeforce or the little local show... I assume I've been to more Strikeforce events than anyone here on the FrenZy and I've enjoyed every single one of them, I get there for the first fight and don't leave til well after, o and the fighters that show up at Strikeforce have been (atleast for me) more accessable than fighters at ZUFFA promoted events, and are more willing to talk with you, thats just my personal experience and not a dis on ZUFFA or any fighters... I drive usually a couple of hours to get the shows in San Jose, my advice is to look at the card and if it has the fights you want to see and you can afford it go enjoy a StrikeForce event, I've always had a great time

Posted 5 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

IMO almost any real MMA is worth seeing live, whether it be the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, DREAM, Bellator, Adrenaline, Palace Fighting Championships [or whatever they are calling it these days], King of the Cage, Maximum Fighting Champions, NAGA Reality Fighting, Kingdom MMA out of Oahu, even that dogsh!t that M-1 Global puts out there, for one simple reason.
A bad night of MMA beats a good night of almost any other sport on the planet, thats why...
;)

Posted 5 months ago #
bigchris2328

Heavyweight
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 692

im with FR on this. think it over, and if the fighters you like are in action and you have the money to spare for the tickets, the room, the food, the gas, and the after parties then go for it. however if your thinking about doing the 10 hour drive to just go to a mma event... id consider thinking it over again. considering how the UFC is trying to put on a event every 30 days or so, the WEC wants to put one on every month as well, there might be a event that would be closer.

if you do make the decision to go to the strikeforce event, try to find the fighters on twitter, and see what their plans are for the days leading up to the fight. not sure if dana would be cool with the UFC fighters going to a strikeforce/M-1 event so maybe they might not be around.

nate marquardt announced on twitter that he was in town and was going to be at a mall and then the weigh-ins yesterday[for the WEC event in San Antonio], i went, but the line to meet him was uber long and considering how he ko'd my boy maia i said F*ck it and went to eat.

aside from twitter check the fighters websites if they have any, and they usually put where they are going to be leading up to the fight. you might get lucky like fr and eric did and stay at the fighters hotel[s]. fr and eric were in the elevator with ed soares at 101, not a bad experience imo. its cool to go where the fighters are, just dont do no stalking $hit, im not sure they like that. [im not saying anyone here would do that, but considering you might be around your favorite fighter[s], you might not think straight when you see them]. just keep a camera handy as well as a permanent marker. try going with a friend and have them bring a camcorder that way if you do run into a fighter, you could get a picture, a autograph, and even a few seconds on tape with them. i think that would be cool.

Posted 5 months ago #
Gunslinger

Heavyweight
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,840

yes yes it is

Posted 5 months ago #
MarvelKnight4

Heavyweight
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 1,565

I'll just say that MMA in general i would love to see any wvent, Strikerforce has some of my fav fighters such as Nick Diaz,Jake Shields,Robbie Lawlor and Mayhem Miller which i would see live any dau of the week and not to mention the super talented and super fine Gina Carano, of course i would check her out live.

Posted 5 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

Thank you all for your advice. Like all of you, I'm down for any live MMA event. I've done the semi-legal Indian Reserve shows; that's where I met Anderson Silva and saw Dan Severn fight. UFC is of course the best show in town by sheer production value alone. It sounds like the Strikeforce fighters are just as accessible as the UFC guys; I live for those random moments where you're going to take a leak and whoa, there's Tamden McCrory chillin with some fans, or there's Shogun with Ed Soares at the merch booth, those types.

I'm still waiting for that one more fight though. Strikeforce seems reluctant to make the fights official, and thus my reluctancy to commit to the trip. The money it would cost to take myself and my lady on the roadtrip would be better spent on next year's soon-to-be annual guys-weekend-out Vegas UFC trip. However, one more big fight and I'm on my way to the Windy City. But AHHHH. When is Fedor ever going to be so close again? Moussasi, Miller, Sheilds, Sokadjou aswell. **** you fate, why must you tempt me so much?!?!?!

Posted 5 months ago #
bigchris2328

Heavyweight
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 692

i believe he has two or three more fight with strikeforce, and im almost certain the fights will occur in the states. considering the lack of depth with strikeforce's roster, dont be suprised if the next card he is on is "loaded" as well.

Posted 5 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

Lord knows I'm no Fedor fan, but for those of you who don't share my Fedor POV, I would strongly recommend going to see him if you have the opportunity.
I'm thinking that with his first MMA loss he'll retire, at least from stateside MMA appearances, and you'll need to travel to Saitama or that long-rumored mythic Russian super duper sports stadium to see Fedor.
If he fights 3 or 4 more times and wins, he'll retire from MMA period and you'll need to travel to Outer Wherethefuckistan to see him roll in his SAMBO tournaments...

Posted 5 months ago #
Gunslinger

Heavyweight
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,840

FEDOR!

Posted 5 months ago #
MarvelKnight4

Heavyweight
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 1,565

jcohl, awesome shhit dude ;),

yeah i agree that if Fedor loses one fight he'll vanish into thin air not only because his "street cred" here in the States will be no more but also because most of his State-side Fedorians will hop off the wagon and the only place left for Fedor will be in Planet Fedoria where he will still have his loyal Fedorians, but that also won't last too long as i have just discovered that BRAINIAC has just defeated our beloved SUPERMAN and is planning to destroy Plane Fedoria once and for all!!!!

Posted 5 months ago #
fr702

mod
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,222

well here is a little video about November 7th, it might spark your intrest

HT:Cagepotato

Posted 5 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

Good stuff, and I love that they referenced quotes from MMA's most bromantic couple, Glazer and Trigg...
;)

Posted 5 months ago #
Gunslinger

Heavyweight
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,840

even randy said it fedor is the best......I do believe he is the tiger woods of our sport, but so is randy and anderson silva

Posted 5 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

fr: thanks for the vid, but "This video is not available in your country due to copyright restrictions." Bah.

So I went and did it. My girl and I have tickets in row 4, section 106 and paid less than $190 total. I essentially got 2 tickets for arguably the biggest Strikeforce show ever to see the greatest fighter ever (IMO of course) for the price of 1 ticket in the exact same seats for UFC 96: Jackson vs Jardine. I think that's the definition of "value for your dollar". The car's going in today to get winter-proofed and for the first time in 4 months I've circled a date on my calendar.

Posted 5 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

Gratz devil-man!

Posted 5 months ago #
bigchris2328

Heavyweight
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 692

enjoy it, there is a frenzy tradition/requirement if you attend a mma event devil-man.

you have to give us a rundown/breakdown of the event and the fights.

Posted 5 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

Will do bigchris. I don't have a Blackberry, so the updates won't be up-to-the-minute, but I guarantee a "Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers LIVE - Eldiablo style" thread once I stumble back to the hotel room.

Posted 5 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

Anyone (I'm looking your way jcohl) know of any good eatin' spots in the Chicago area? I've never been there and want to take my lady out to a fancy restaurant at least one night. I figure we'll do Texas de Brazil one night cause I love those Brazilian steak houses, but am unsure for Sunday night. I want to keep it under $100 per person. Any suggestions?

Posted 5 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

Just finished the worst drive ever - 10 hours from Toronto to Chicago - but it's worth it! I'm here in Hoffman Estates and found out where Fedor's staying! Let the stalking begin!!!!!!

Stay tuned for "The Eldiablo Chronicles: Strikeforce in Chicago"

Posted 4 months ago #
fr702

mod
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 1,222

Congrats my friend you are indeed a true fan :P nicely done

Posted 4 months ago #
vasya

Middleweight
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 239

Congratz Eldiablo !
I'm sure you will like Chicago and as well the Strikeforce event.
It's a lot of good restaurants at the "Golden mile" area , I been to few French restaurants and all of them where very good and not that expensive.

Just enjoy your time in the "Windy City"

Posted 4 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

Thanks guys. The traffic through Chicago (the loop as it's called) was the absolute worst traffic I've ever been though. We'll figure when traffic dies down and check out some fancy eats downtown in the next couple days. Right now it's off the the oyster bar.

Posted 4 months ago #
vasya

Middleweight
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 239

The loop is crazy , this why park your car and use the subway.
Here is some recommendation for the night life time.
It's some good blues bars as well , you should go if you like this kind of music you won't regret, just come few hours before the concert begins to get a good place.
For the day time buy a tickets on a bout and enjoy river excursion.

Posted 4 months ago #
EtherBunny

Light Heavyweight
Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 442

Nice, Eldiablo. Can't wait to hear about your trip to Chicago. Have fun!

Posted 4 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

el diablo - you asked for some eateries, so best of luck!

Morton's Steakhouse - assuming you stick to a reasonable domestic wine, or beer, you can easily feed 2 for a hundo. Morton's has great food, great service, and a good location at 1050 North State St.

Spiaggia - again, a hundo will cover you and your female if you stick with a house wine. Awesome Italian food, breathtaking Lake views, and very cool dining rooms.

Frontera Grill - a bit more casual than Morton's or Spiaggia, but the food here is the best Mexican food in the country, and the place is owned by super-chef Rick Bayless, who America saw last winning the Top Chef Masters tournament on Bravo TV this year.
In culinary circles its almost considered a crime to be in Chicago and not hit Frontera.

Also, because it is Chicago, you'll want to try some of that city's world-famous deepdish pizza. The best is made by Lou Malnati's. I've actually met the founder's son Marc at a fundraiser I did a couple of years ago, and the guy was very cool, and made killer deepdish for everyone, and helped raise a lot of money for a good cause.
DEFINITELY WORTH CHECKING OUT if you're looking for some lunch, or a quality meal that won't kill your wallet.
Also, Lou Malnati's has about a dozen locations in and around Chicago, so finding one shouldn't be too hard. Just ask your front desk clerk for the closest location.

Have a blast, bud, and I'll definitely look forward to reading about your travels!

Posted 4 months ago #
Eldiablo

Heavyweight
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 555

jchol: Just did the Oyster bar at Shaw's Crabhouse. Had this iced champagne/balsamic vinagrette, shallots, cracked black pepper topping for the oysters that literally caused me and my girl to gasp in amazement.

Will definately be checking out Frontera Grill. We were considering Topobolampo, but the Gill's menu is a little more to our liking. Same chef, nice prices, and with the jcohl seal of approval it's definately a go! Doing Texas de Brazil tomorrow, so that'll be enough meats for the weekend I'm sure!

Posted 4 months ago #
jcohl

Heavyweight
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 2,116

Good thing about Frontera is that you save about half your scratch eating there than one of Bayless' other higher end restaurants, and the food is just as good...

Posted 4 months ago #

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