Last night, on my way to Fry’s Electronics, a radio program was discussing the relative safety/non-safety of mixed martial arts competitions (MMA). The two hosts, one of them an MMA’er himself, referred to a study that found MMA has three times as many head injuries and concussions as boxing. The study consisted of watching hundreds of matches that took place during a decade period, and recording the results, so it’s not exactly like there’s a huge margin for error.
Two of the first three callers called in attacking the data, saying they don’t see how it could be true. The hosts must have supressed the sighs that I expressed out loud. It’s human nature, I suppose; if we don’t like the implications of data, we tend attack the data. That’s not to say that data-gathering methods shouldn’t be scrutinized and to make sure the research is done properly, but it shouldn’t be the automatic place we go when we don’t like the results.
The hosts mentioned a better way to defend MMA would be to look at fatality rates compared with a plethora of sports. For example, horse racing and college football both have a greater percentage of participants dying than MMA.
You could also go the route of emphasizing the fighters are well-aware that their sport is dangerous, and it’s a risk they’re willing to take. And reiterate that how brutal any sport appears does not necessarily correlate with actual health risks.
December 7th, 2007
5 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Entertainment, Sports
This afternoon, I cruised by ESPN, their frontpage splash of a “square off” between the boxers Mayweather and Hatton (they have a match this Saturday). 10 minutes later, I was about to IM Sworn Enemy immaturely mocking the homoeroticism overflowing from the 4-letter network’s website, but alas, the picture had already been replaced by another splash.
Fortunately, and thanks to Sworn Enemy’s mad Google skillz, I’m able to present the following evidence in support of the notion that boxers are no more manly than the rest of us–it appears that these so-called tough guys let all their emotion hang out in public…
December 5th, 2007
11 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
The Miami Dolphins, 0-11, played at home against the also-inept New York Jets (2-9). Miami was favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers to get their first win of the season.
Final: Jets 40, Dolphins 13. All is right with the world.
December 2nd, 2007
10 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Patently Ineffective, Sports, Weaksauce Losers
Last night, I was idly running through the six channels I might watch when this third quarter basketball score grabbed my attention: Celtics 56, Knicks 31.
Normally, I hate blowouts, but, well, it’s the Knicks and Isiah. Who doesn’t enjoy laughing at them? (Unfortunately, I believe we are watching the end of an era. But that’s but many people’s belief for the past few years.) When it got to 82-37, I had to call one of my basketball-watching friends to let him know what was going on. Fortunately for him, he lives in the Dallas area, so he was watching the Cowboys-Packers game.
Celtics demolish Knicks by 45, 104-59
November 30th, 2007
10 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
The Miami Dolphins have managed to accumulate 11 straight losses this season, the latest a 3-0 loss on Monday Night Football. Blue Devil Knight keeps insisting the Patriots and Dolphins are linked and will end up having parallel, but opposite fates. Right now, the Dolphins are 0-11 and the Patriots are 11-0.
Last week’s games only served to confirm his hypothesis: the Patriots won by 3 at home in a game between teams of disparate strengths. The Dolphins lost by 3 on the road in a game between teams of disparate strengths.
—
Adam Schein of Fox Sports gave the Steelers an A- on his November report card despite losing to the 2-9 Jets and beating the Dolphins only by 3. He was impressed they beat up the Ravens, a team that’s lost 5 in a row. WHAT???
November 28th, 2007
10 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
1. All you Boston sports fans, take note: The Revolution failed New English fans yet again, being defeated by the Houston Dynamo 2-1 in the Major League Soccer championship game. Weep, petty northeasterners, while I lord this result over you. Ha, ha, ha, ha!
… … … …
This would be a lot more satisfying if Americans actually cared about soccer (football).
2. It is worth noting that soccer (football) will always be more popular in America than wooden shoes racing:
3. The Miami Dolphins lose again to fall to 0-10. 6 games until immortality, and what a long 6 games that will be.
November 19th, 2007
4 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
This was one of those “landmine” games where the Dolphins could have easily ruined their quest for immortality. Instead, they dodge a bullet, losing to the Bills 13-10 on a field goal with 46 seconds left. They are now 0-9.
They must now carry the mantle, since the previously winless Rams beat the Saints today.
November 11th, 2007
2 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
Friday night, I evaluated sleep as more important than chess so didn’t go. Today, I went, but got there late, so only played Rounds 2 and 3. Went 1-1 against a couple class A players, and considering I’m loitering around class C, that’s a good result any day of the week.
College football:
Baylor is currently losing by 38. In fact, the score is 38-0.
Kansas beat Nebraska 76-39. If I gathered me and 10 of you to play instead of Nebraska’s defense, it couldn’t have been any worse.
Tonight, I think I’ll make some mushroom potstickers and watch sports. And sleep. Mmmm…sleep.
November 3rd, 2007
3 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Chess, Sports
Cry into your beer, Miami Heat fans. Michael Doleac is no longer with the Heat.
Unfortunately, this means no more slow, chunky white guy to be entertained by the few minutes he gets his third-string center self on the court. However, the Heat did get Mark Blount in return. My co-worker Celtics fan tells me Blount is a slow, chunky black guy, a role I felt Shaq was filling just fine.
October 24th, 2007
no comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Patently Ineffective, Sports
Sunday night, for some odd reason, I kept stumbling on pictures of babes and alleged babes. So, today would be perfect for a hot and allegedly hot female day, where every post will have a cheesecake pic of some chick! [The Mascot says: It's about time you took one of my recommendations.] Right, and it’s utterly sexist. But the readership is about 63% male*, so…sorry if you’re a girl and want me to do a hot guy day, it ain’t happening. Post beefcake pictures on your own blog. First up: Spanish ball girl
And, um, yeah, you can see her boobs. I mean, just the top half. OK, so probably I’m going to shut up and let the pictures do the talking for the most part today. [The Mascot says: Once you figure out that people don't read the blog for what you have to say, the better the content will be.]
October 22nd, 2007
6 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Babes & Alleged Babes, Sports
