Columbus here we come! With only a few short days before we get on the airplane facing Ohio, the staff at MuscleSport Mag do not have a minute to waste in preparation for what is going to be two crazy days. Friday and Saturday at the Expo will be marathons of marketing, networking, interviewing and getting material that will become part of our media outlet.
You never know who you're going to run into in the aisles and at the booths that cover what seems like an eternity of floor space at the convention center. Having a recorder, video camera and still camera on hand are musts and we expect to put together some excellent episodes of MuscleSport TV during the weekend.
A quick prediction for the bodybuilding is Branch Warren and Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia.
MuscleSport Mag
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Fouad Abiad Making Himself a Factor
The last time we saw Fouad Abiad on the bodybuilding stage, he took fourth at the 2009 Europa Super Show. Not exactly an impressive placing with the line-up at hand, mind you. The Canadian could have easily have been forgotten on the pro circuit but made an impressive comeback last Saturday in California.
By taking third place at the FLEX Pro, Abiad not only put himself back on the map, but also qualified for the 2011 Mr. Olympia. He bested a muscular Dennis Wolf and the rest of the competitors, sans winner Evan Centopani and runner-up Dexter Jackson.
Abiad appeared to have some quality size to his 6'2" frame and has previously signed up to compete next month at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. It will be interesting to see how he does against a deeper line-up, but one that is open enough to allow for someone like Abiad to sneak up the ladder.
By taking third place at the FLEX Pro, Abiad not only put himself back on the map, but also qualified for the 2011 Mr. Olympia. He bested a muscular Dennis Wolf and the rest of the competitors, sans winner Evan Centopani and runner-up Dexter Jackson.
Abiad appeared to have some quality size to his 6'2" frame and has previously signed up to compete next month at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. It will be interesting to see how he does against a deeper line-up, but one that is open enough to allow for someone like Abiad to sneak up the ladder.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
FLEX Pro Prejudging Notes
Evan Centopani seems to have timed things right again - and we're speaking of contest shape and when to take the stage. In only his second show since earning his pro card, he appears to be in the running for the top spot at the FLEX Pro Championship.
With prejudging behind us, it may come down to Centopani and veteran Dexter Jackson. The Blade is always in the mix and this show is no different. The ageless one looks as if he will be right there at the end.
Dennis Wolf looks good again and Fouad Abiad has returned in good fashion.
With prejudging behind us, it may come down to Centopani and veteran Dexter Jackson. The Blade is always in the mix and this show is no different. The ageless one looks as if he will be right there at the end.
Dennis Wolf looks good again and Fouad Abiad has returned in good fashion.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bodybuilding 'Season' Starts Saturday With FLEX Pro
It's been a while since the last 'big' pro bodybuilding show and we get our first look at what improvements have been made on some of the physiques on the circuit. The recognizable ones jump off the page, such as Dexter Jackson, Dennis Wolf, Evan Centopani and Fouad Abiad. The next tier includes Ben White, Grigori Atoyan and Ben Pakulski.
This is a show that has taken the place of the Iron Man Pro, which used to be held in January and kicked off the competition season. Because it is held later, some of the men competitors are using this as a springboard for next month's Arnold Classic.
This is a show that has taken the place of the Iron Man Pro, which used to be held in January and kicked off the competition season. Because it is held later, some of the men competitors are using this as a springboard for next month's Arnold Classic.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Marshall Faulk, NFL Hall of Famer, on MuscleSport Radio 2/15
On Tuesday, February 15, MuscleSport Radio is proud to welcome Marshall Faulk to the show as our very special guest. Faulk, a 13-year NFL veteran, was elected on Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. MuscleSport Radio airs live every Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern time every Tuesday.
Faulk was the second overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 1994 NFL Draft and won both the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl MVP Awards. He was traded to the St. Louis Rams prior to the 1999 season and won a Super Bowl that year, as well as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. The following season, Faulk won the NFL MVP Award.
Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Marshall a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.
Fedor Retirement More Than a Possibility
No one wants to admit it, but it was painfully obvious that Fedor has fought his last fight. The Russian got his ass kicked by Silva and that's nothing to be ashamed of. But Fedor obviously had given this a lot of thought before the fight and seemed pretty concise when he said what he did after the loss.
That was not something said by impulse, as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and the M-1 Global boys wanted everyone to think in the post fight press conferences. They said that it was probably emotions and the disappointment of losing talking rather than Fedor. I'm not buying it. The guy's done.
That was not something said by impulse, as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and the M-1 Global boys wanted everyone to think in the post fight press conferences. They said that it was probably emotions and the disappointment of losing talking rather than Fedor. I'm not buying it. The guy's done.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Gina Carano to Return "Soon"
Femme fatale Gina Carano got a loud whistle/ovation from the crowd when she was interviewed cageside on the big screen and announced that she will return "soon." With a 7-1 record and a face reminiscent of Danica Patrick, she can't get back soon enough.
Arlovski Pummeled by Kharitonov
A big Russian won in stunning fashion and we haven't even reached the main event yet with Fedor. Fan favorite Andrei "Pitbull" Arlovski got his ass kicked in at 2:49 of the first round when the ref stopped it via KO, with Sergei Kharitonov earning the win.
Put a Tent Over This Circus
This has been an interesting experience at the Strikeforce card. The WiFi at this decrepit piece of shit relic of an arena that even the Nets abandoned has been as slow as shit - if it's even working at all. They don't have a hardwire outlet so I'm stuck hoping that this post even gets up.
Perusing the Press Box, I even saw a guy boozing with a bottle purchased from one of the stands in the concourse area. He had no worries about the slow connection because the closest thing he had to being a reporter was a fuckin' pencil!
Fans who are sitting in the stands regularly visit their buddies up in the Press Box, some even double-fisting Bud bottles. Hey, I have no problem with someone getting fucked up on their own time, but this is supposed to be a place to work if I'm not mistaken.
Winter hats - including a full wool Breezly Bruin classic - seem to be the norm for some of the guys who passed themselves off as working media.
I even had one dude say to me that he got his credential so he didn't have to buy a ticket. Who's granting these credential requests anyway?
Perusing the Press Box, I even saw a guy boozing with a bottle purchased from one of the stands in the concourse area. He had no worries about the slow connection because the closest thing he had to being a reporter was a fuckin' pencil!
Fans who are sitting in the stands regularly visit their buddies up in the Press Box, some even double-fisting Bud bottles. Hey, I have no problem with someone getting fucked up on their own time, but this is supposed to be a place to work if I'm not mistaken.
Winter hats - including a full wool Breezly Bruin classic - seem to be the norm for some of the guys who passed themselves off as working media.
I even had one dude say to me that he got his credential so he didn't have to buy a ticket. Who's granting these credential requests anyway?
Strikeforce MMA in New Jersey - The Differences
What the hell. Everyone has a blog nowadays so I figured I'd attach one to MuscleSport Mag. Sitting up her in the Press Box at the IZOD Center in New Jersey watching the preliminary fights at the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament so I guess now is as good a time as any to start blogging.
I picked up on a few things while waiting in line tp pick up my press credential. Let me back up for a second. The instructions were to pick up the passes at the box office. Sounded simple enough, considering that for game-to-game passes for football (which is played right next door at the New Meadowlands), we have to pick up our shot at the Will Call window.
A mob awaited at the box office outside in the dead of winter for the doors to open. I worked my way through the crowd to a few whispers along the lines of, "Where do you think you're going, motherfucker?" I made it inside and then took a spot at the back of another line for the press.
Here is where my observations began. The media people for MMA differ greatly from many of the other events I cover regularly. The bodybuilding media is a totally different animal, so I'm talking more about the NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA.
I'm sure that there were some legitimate folks waiting like I was, but it looked more like a fanfest or someone being hooked up by family, etc. for a chance to get a free ticket to 'the fights.' I'm not going tp win the fanciest dresser award even at the Super Bowl, but I try to make some kind of impression and give off an air of professionalism when I cover an event.
A nice pair of pants (or you can even get away with new jeans), a collared shirt and shoes are not too much to ask for, or at least I thought. MMA-related t-shirts, sweatshirts, faded jeans and sneakers were definitely on the menu with my 'colleagues.'
I highly doubt that there was anything more than a .com associated with the majority of these men and women sporting the relaxed look, and I actually have no problem with that. Things are definitely starting to go that way, but just as I started this blog in five minutes, one of these guys could have done the same and take a Press Box seat from someone who is actually doing this as a career, not a hobby.
I'm out there doing my thing online, too, but the e-magazine, radio show and video clips do carry some clout. Plus I'm getting my shot together for the print magazine later this year, too. The website portion of my company is basically a clubhouse for all the other bigger stuff.
If you're gonna play the part, look the part.
I picked up on a few things while waiting in line tp pick up my press credential. Let me back up for a second. The instructions were to pick up the passes at the box office. Sounded simple enough, considering that for game-to-game passes for football (which is played right next door at the New Meadowlands), we have to pick up our shot at the Will Call window.
A mob awaited at the box office outside in the dead of winter for the doors to open. I worked my way through the crowd to a few whispers along the lines of, "Where do you think you're going, motherfucker?" I made it inside and then took a spot at the back of another line for the press.
Here is where my observations began. The media people for MMA differ greatly from many of the other events I cover regularly. The bodybuilding media is a totally different animal, so I'm talking more about the NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA.
I'm sure that there were some legitimate folks waiting like I was, but it looked more like a fanfest or someone being hooked up by family, etc. for a chance to get a free ticket to 'the fights.' I'm not going tp win the fanciest dresser award even at the Super Bowl, but I try to make some kind of impression and give off an air of professionalism when I cover an event.
A nice pair of pants (or you can even get away with new jeans), a collared shirt and shoes are not too much to ask for, or at least I thought. MMA-related t-shirts, sweatshirts, faded jeans and sneakers were definitely on the menu with my 'colleagues.'
I highly doubt that there was anything more than a .com associated with the majority of these men and women sporting the relaxed look, and I actually have no problem with that. Things are definitely starting to go that way, but just as I started this blog in five minutes, one of these guys could have done the same and take a Press Box seat from someone who is actually doing this as a career, not a hobby.
I'm out there doing my thing online, too, but the e-magazine, radio show and video clips do carry some clout. Plus I'm getting my shot together for the print magazine later this year, too. The website portion of my company is basically a clubhouse for all the other bigger stuff.
If you're gonna play the part, look the part.
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