Anything MMA, except thumb wrestling

[lovetoaster]

From Sherdog

After wrapping up the American's neck in an anaconda choke, Sobral refused to acknowledge Heath's tap, prompting referee Steve Mazzagatti to desperately force Sobral's arms from the unconscious fighter.

Several seconds passed before "Babalu" finally released the hold, leaving Heath (7-2-0) out on the mat for several moments before he made it to his feet. Sobral, now 28-7-0, was showered with boos as he left the stage after telling UFC's Joe Rogan that he intentionally held on to the choke despite knowing that Heath had tapped.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Direct Keith Kizer said after the fight that he planned on holding half of Sobral's $50,000 purse until a review of his conduct against Heath could be completed.

I know this was a dark match, but did they show this fight on the PPV? I was not able to watch last night, but I am wondering WTF was up with this. I have always been a Babalu fan, and I was just curious to see what, if anything, is behind this.

[StillUnknown]

I know this was a dark match, but did they show this fight on the PPV? I was not able to watch last night, but I am wondering WTF was up with this. I have always been a Babalu fan, and I was just curious to see what, if anything, is behind this.

its not as bad as everybody made it seem, before i saw it, they made it seem like he held it for like 10secs past the tapout

that being said it was still a ***** move on his part, i wouldn't be surprised if the UFC doesn't resign him because of that (that was the last fight on his current contract with the ufc)

[#98QBKiller]

its not as bad as everybody made it seem, before i saw it, they made it seem like he held it for like 10secs past the tapout

that being said it was still a ***** move on his part, i wouldn't be surprised if the UFC doesn't resign him because of that (that was the last fight on his current contract with the ufc)

Not to mention the arrest in July for trespassing and battery. Behavior like that and what happened last night is exactly what critics of the UFC (and MMA in general) think all of the fighters are like, and Dana White is very aware of that so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't offer him another contract.

I remember when Dana flipped and kicked some guys off of the show during one of the seasons of TUF, when a couple of the guys got into a drunken, bloody fist-fight.

I don't blame him at all, MMA is a sport, not a bunch of half-retarded punks brawling in a cage and he knows he has an obligation to protect that image.

[ZoEd]

Some good fights tonight.

GSP looked just as bad as he did when he lost the belt. He was very timid and punchy and constantly looking to take it to the ground.

Gonzaga and Randy started out like it was going to be the fight of the year, and maybe perhaps the best fight ever.

But then it finished very weak.

Stupid Herb Dean didn't split the fighters up when Randy kept pushing him into the cage. Gonzaga got ripped on that, just like he got ripped when they stood him up in the CroCop fight.

It appears that the UFC does little things to put the advantage in their more popular fighters.

In 2 weeks Henderson vs Rampage, I got Rampage.

GSP looked bad? He fought a very heavy handed fighter, probably one of the heaviest in their weight class. He's also considered one of the best wrestlers in MMA. GSP did what he had to do to win and was extremely impressive the way he continued to avoid submissions and turning the table on Koshcek. I think GSP looked better than he has in a while.

Lets face it, Randy is a freak of nature. How the hell can a 44 year old man be in that good of shape? How in the hell can a man his age come out and totally dominate fights the way he has the last two. Silvia was dominated for 5 rounds and GG was handled heavily. How you can take anything away from him I'll never know. He took some powerful kicks from GG and kept coming. Again its strategy, he knew GG's strength was his kicks so he stayed in close and neutralized them. The way you analyze fights I think you'd like to see them stand in the middle of the ring and take turns giving each other their best shots until one looses. MMA is just like boxing in that you study and prepare for your oponent. You take away their strengths while finding a way to take full advantage of your own. Randy, GSP, Huerta, Cote all did this. Don't know how you can dog a fighter for doing just that.

By the way, I watched Henderson fight the Ax Murderer and he'll win over Rampage, he easily neutralizes heavy hands. Don't let Rampage's win over Liddel cloud your judgement, he got lucky and Chuck was way too ****y. Henderson is probably one of the smartest most calculating fighters I've seen in the ring. Seldom does he make mistakes and he seems to be getting better with age. Look to see Henderson and Chuck in the ring soon after Chuck dismanltes Jardine's sorry ass and Henderson holds the belt. :2cents:

[StillUnknown]

By the way, I watched Henderson fight the Ax Murderer and he'll win over Rampage, he easily neutralizes heavy hands. Don't let Rampage's win over Liddel cloud your judgement, he got lucky and Chuck was way too ****y. Henderson is probably one of the smartest most calculating fighters I've seen in the ring. Seldom does he make mistakes and he seems to be getting better with age. Look to see Henderson and Chuck in the ring soon after Chuck dismanltes Jardine's sorry ass and Henderson holds the belt. :2cents:

how do you figure Rampage got "lucky" against Chuck? Chuck threw a punch, and Rampage responded with a perfect counter shot, not luck, skill.

Rampage has more to his game than just heavy hands, his defense is alot more sound than Silva's so Henderson won't have as easy a time hitting him as he did with Silva. Rampage is a different fighter with his new camp, his trainer Juanito is very good at gameplanning for fighters. Rampage will win a decision against Henderson.

As far as Chuck is concerned, Dana himself has stated that it will take more than a victory over Jardine to get a title shot. Expect Shogun to receive a title shot after he murders Forrest @ UFC 76.

[ZoEd]

how do you figure Rampage got "lucky" against Chuck? Chuck threw a punch, and Rampage responded with a perfect counter shot, not luck, skill.

Rampage has more to his game than just heavy hands, his defense is alot more sound than Silva's so Henderson won't have as easy a time hitting him as he did with Silva. Rampage is a different fighter with his new camp, his trainer Juanito is very good at gameplanning for fighters. Rampage will win a decision against Henderson.

As far as Chuck is concerned, Dana himself has stated that it will take more than a victory over Jardine to get a title shot. Expect Shogun to receive a title shot after he murders Forrest @ UFC 76.

Chuck punched Rampage countered, no luck in that. Chuck going down with one punch, to me that's luck. I think Chucks chin is more dangerous than his overhand right. Chuck isn't afraid to obsorb some blows if it enables him to get off with that right. IMO he's taken better shots than the one Rampage hit him with and was still able to regain composure.

Defense? Rampage's defense is his hands. Most guys are afraid to try and take him down because if they miss he'll most likely knock them out. He's a good wrestler, so they say. I've never seen him grapple so I don't know. If it goes to the ground Henderson will win and I think he's smart enough to save himself for fight that goes to later rounds. I know Rampage is training at big bear but that doesn't prepare you for the mental aspect of the game. Like I said previously, Henderson is smart; look for him to bait Rampage and get him on his back. Once there, Rampage is like a fish out of water.

Don't underestimate Chucks fan base. UFC is a business and the people buying the PPV and paying thousands for Tix to see them live love Chuck Liddel. Dana won't make him wait long. Did he make Couture wait for a title shot against Silvia? Face it, no matter how you look at it, it's still a business.

[StillUnknown]

Chuck punched Rampage countered, no luck in that. Chuck going down with one punch, to me that's luck. I think Chucks chin is more dangerous than his overhand right. Chuck isn't afraid to obsorb some blows if it enables him to get off with that right. IMO he's taken better shots than the one Rampage hit him with and was still able to regain composure.

Defense? Rampage's defense is his hands. Most guys are afraid to try and take him down because if they miss he'll most likely knock them out. He's a good wrestler, so they say. I've never seen him grapple so I don't know. If it goes to the ground Henderson will win and I think he's smart enough to save himself for fight that goes to later rounds. I know Rampage is training at big bear but that doesn't prepare you for the mental aspect of the game. Like I said previously, Henderson is smart; look for him to bait Rampage and get him on his back. Once there, Rampage is like a fish out of water.

Don't underestimate Chucks fan base. UFC is a business and the people buying the PPV and paying thousands for Tix to see them live love Chuck Liddel. Dana won't make him wait long. Did he make Couture wait for a title shot against Silvia? Face it, no matter how you look at it, it's still a business.

Chuck's chin is good, but Rampage tested in their first fight, he had chuck stunned long enough to get a couple of takedowns in that fight. Rampage wasn't "lucky" that Chuck dropped after the first shot. To say it was luck takes away from Rampages ability.

its not that they are afraid of getting knocked out by rampage on a takedown attempt, its the fact that Rampage is extremely strong for 205 and that people generally have hard time getting him down period, Rampage was on the ground for most of his fight with Matt Lindland who is much better wrestler than Rampage and Rampage still won that fight. Henderson while good, is not some bjj specialist that will force Rampage to work on decisions. Quite honestly, i don't see either fighter keeping the other fighter down on the ground for very long, i expect this fight to be fought on the feet for the majority of the fight.

As far as mentally, Rampage has been fine since he got with his new trainers, and him being only 28 years old, leaves room for him to improve dramatically, which is quite scary. Before now, Rampage basically trained against amateur fighters, now he's training with world-class fighters, which cannot be underestimated. I don't think Henderson will be able to keep Rampage down long enough to do any considerable damage even if he does get a takedown.

[Sebowski]

You take away their strengths while finding a way to take full advantage of your own. Randy, GSP, Huerta, Cote all did this. Don't know how you can dog a fighter for doing just that.

By the way, I watched Henderson fight the Ax Murderer and he'll win over Rampage, he easily neutralizes heavy hands. Don't let Rampage's win over Liddel cloud your judgement, he got lucky and Chuck was way too ****y. Henderson is probably one of the smartest most calculating fighters I've seen in the ring. Seldom does he make mistakes and he seems to be getting better with age. Look to see Henderson and Chuck in the ring soon after Chuck dismanltes Jardine's sorry ass and Henderson holds the belt. :2cents:

Even though he won the fight I don't think Huerta did a great job of taking away his opponents strengths. Crane has nothing outside of BJJ. He can not stand with Huerta. Huerta had numerous chances to bring the fight back to the feet where he could have picked Crane apart, but he kept diving into Crane's guard. I give him props for beating Crane like that, but I don't think it was very smart. He would have had a much easier time fighting Crane if he would have made Crane stand with him.

Rampage did not get lucky with Chuck. Watch the first fight in ride. Rampage has Chuck's number. He has the perfect style for him.

I'm a Henderson fan, but it wasn't that long ago that Masaki beat him. I'm not sure he is getting better with age. Rampage-Henderson is a toss up for me right now.

[Sebowski]

I know this was a dark match, but did they show this fight on the PPV? I was not able to watch last night, but I am wondering WTF was up with this. I have always been a Babalu fan, and I was just curious to see what, if anything, is behind this.

Here it is. Watch it while you can:

www.dailymotion.com/search/babalu/video/x2uawk_ufc-74-renato-babalu-sobral-vs-davi_extreme

It really isn't that bad. Uncalled for, yeah, but I've seen worse. I bet the NSAC fines and suspens him anyway. Kieth Kizer thinks he's Roger Goodell (who thinks he's Joseph Stalin) and is doing his best to make a name for himself (see: Diaz, Nick).

[SUNSTONE]

GSP looked bad? He fought a very heavy handed fighter, probably one of the heaviest in their weight class. He's also considered one of the best wrestlers in MMA. GSP did what he had to do to win and was extremely impressive the way he continued to avoid submissions and turning the table on Koshcek. I think GSP looked better than he has in a while.

Lets face it, Randy is a freak of nature. How the hell can a 44 year old man be in that good of shape? How in the hell can a man his age come out and totally dominate fights the way he has the last two. Silvia was dominated for 5 rounds and GG was handled heavily. How you can take anything away from him I'll never know. He took some powerful kicks from GG and kept coming. Again its strategy, he knew GG's strength was his kicks so he stayed in close and neutralized them. The way you analyze fights I think you'd like to see them stand in the middle of the ring and take turns giving each other their best shots until one looses. MMA is just like boxing in that you study and prepare for your oponent. You take away their strengths while finding a way to take full advantage of your own. Randy, GSP, Huerta, Cote all did this. Don't know how you can dog a fighter for doing just that.

By the way, I watched Henderson fight the Ax Murderer and he'll win over Rampage, he easily neutralizes heavy hands. Don't let Rampage's win over Liddel cloud your judgement, he got lucky and Chuck was way too ****y. Henderson is probably one of the smartest most calculating fighters I've seen in the ring. Seldom does he make mistakes and he seems to be getting better with age. Look to see Henderson and Chuck in the ring soon after Chuck dismanltes Jardine's sorry ass and Henderson holds the belt. :2cents:

Kos did surprise me with his overhand right. That would end the fight for sure if placed just right.

But that doesn't excuse GSP's punchy ways in the ring. Either throw a real punch or don't throw one at all(minus fake punches of course).

And for the most part, that's all he was doing in the stand up was those punchy jabs.

He did do a few light combos.

GSP only looked better than last time because he didn't lose.

His ground game was solid, and he was smart for taking it to the ground.

But there is no excuse for his punchy standup.

The GSP that whooped Hughes could totally own that 170 division and even move up and take the 185 division.

He simply has to stop his emotions from making him a punchy fighter.

Randy did a great job of keeping on the fence, you can't fault him for that.

But the UFC will stand up fighters and pull them off of the fence when the action is weak, and it certianly was weak at times....ALOT weaker than what GG was doing to CC on the ground when that got stood up.

It more than likely would not have changed the outcome if Herb had seperated the fighters a couple of times. But it would have been more exciting.

Rampage will always own Chuck, until Chuck learns the fundamentals of boxing. Chuck has anyone ever introduced you to the concept of "keeping your hands up" for protection? Give it a try sometime.

Chuck is over rated, and it has been proven not once but twice by Rampage.

Name one "stand up" fighter that Chuck has beaten???

I can't think of a single one.

Wandy will do the same thing to Chuck.

Henderson can learn from Wandy and that other guy who beat Rampage and stay in his face with a Mua Tia(sp?) style of fighting.

Up in his face with a smothering attack of knees and take downs.

But I just don't think that's going to happen. Rampage is very strong, heavywieght strong, and Dan is fighting a little out of his weight class.

Basicly Dan is fighting a heavy weight.

Dan beat Wandy, but Wandy wild. He just dives in swinging and almost always smothers his opponants with a fury of strikes.

Rampage use to be wild, but he has a real training crew in his corner now and it showed in the Chuck fight. He kept his hands up and countered, as well as pushed the action with jabs and 1 2 combos.

[SUNSTONE]

Here it is. Watch it while you can:

www.dailymotion.com/search/babalu/video/x2uawk_ufc-74-renato-babalu-sobral-vs-davi_extreme

It really isn't that bad. Uncalled for, yeah, but I've seen worse. I bet the NSAC fines and suspens him anyway. Kieth Kizer thinks he's Roger Goodell (who thinks he's Joseph Stalin) and is doing his best to make a name for himself (see: Diaz, Nick).

So that's where that blood stain came from.

They should have stopped that fight before the choke. He was bloody and not fighting back, only defending.

Didn't Frank Mir fight? Who won that?

[ZoEd]

Kos did surprise me with his overhand right. That would end the fight for sure if placed just right.

But that doesn't excuse GSP's punchy ways in the ring. Either throw a real punch or don't throw one at all(minus fake punches of course).

And for the most part, that's all he was doing in the stand up was those punchy jabs.

He did do a few light combos.

GSP only looked better than last time because he didn't lose.

His ground game was solid, and he was smart for taking it to the ground.

But there is no excuse for his punchy standup.

The GSP that whooped Hughes could totally own that 170 division and even move up and take the 185 division.

He simply has to stop his emotions from making him a punchy fighter.

I just don't see it that way. In boxing you stick the jab in a guys face to set up other punches. It's not fun to watch but it's part of the game. Not only did GSP throw the jab out there, even if it didn't connect, he feigned a lot too. By doing this he made Kos cover up while GSP threw the kicks. I'm not a big fan of GSP but I think the guy fights smart and there's nothing wrong with that. At times though fighting smart turns into fighting timidly and that's when you get your ass handed to you. You keep waiting for the other fighter to make a mistake or give you an opening and it never materializes. Then out of frustration you try to make something happen and get knocked the "F" out.

Randy did a great job of keeping on the fence, you can't fault him for that.

But the UFC will stand up fighters and pull them off of the fence when the action is weak, and it certianly was weak at times....ALOT weaker than what GG was doing to CC on the ground when that got stood up.

It more than likely would not have changed the outcome if Herb had seperated the fighters a couple of times. But it would have been more exciting.

All I can say is Herb Dean, worst ref in the business. I couldn't believe he was doing the main event.

Rampage will always own Chuck, until Chuck learns the fundamentals of boxing. Chuck has anyone ever introduced you to the concept of "keeping your hands up" for protection? Give it a try sometime.

Chuck is over rated, and it has been proven not once but twice by Rampage.

Name one "stand up" fighter that Chuck has beaten???

I can't think of a single one.

Wandy will do the same thing to Chuck.

I think Chuck needed a wake up call. He's been riding that "superstar" high for way too long. I think he'll get his ass back in the gym, work harder than ever and come back with renewed passion for the game. Look for him to totally destroy some guys on his way back to Rampage.

Henderson can learn from Wandy and that other guy who beat Rampage and stay in his face with a Mua Tia(sp?) style of fighting.

Up in his face with a smothering attack of knees and take downs.

But I just don't think that's going to happen. Rampage is very strong, heavywieght strong, and Dan is fighting a little out of his weight class.

Basicly Dan is fighting a heavy weight.

Dan beat Wandy, but Wandy wild. He just dives in swinging and almost always smothers his opponants with a fury of strikes.

Rampage use to be wild, but he has a real training crew in his corner now and it showed in the Chuck fight. He kept his hands up and countered, as well as pushed the action with jabs and 1 2 combos

No Dan isn't a BJJ expert but he as smart as they come. I don't see him allowing Rampage to tee off on him. He'll move a lot and wait for his opportunities. Dan's a very patient fighter and won't let Rampage bait him. Sorry, I'm just not sold on Rampage yet. Brawler, probably the best in the business right now. MMA, just not well rounded enough for me. Maybe he has some tricks up his sleeve, I don't know. All I've seen from him are slams and swinging for the fences. That stuff works on a lot of people but I don't see Dan giving him those opportunities. :2cents:

[SUNSTONE]

I just don't see it that way. In boxing you stick the jab in a guys face to set up other punches. It's not fun to watch but it's part of the game. Not only did GSP throw the jab out there, even if it didn't connect, he feigned a lot too. By doing this he made Kos cover up while GSP threw the kicks. I'm not a big fan of GSP but I think the guy fights smart and there's nothing wrong with that. At times though fighting smart turns into fighting timidly and that's when you get your ass handed to you. You keep waiting for the other fighter to make a mistake or give you an opening and it never materializes. Then out of frustration you try to make something happen and get knocked the "F" out.

All I can say is Herb Dean, worst ref in the business. I couldn't believe he was doing the main event.

I think Chuck needed a wake up call. He's been riding that "superstar" high for way too long. I think he'll get his ass back in the gym, work harder than ever and come back with renewed passion for the game. Look for him to totally destroy some guys on his way back to Rampage.

I know what a jab is used for, but that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about when he was throwing a jab or almost any punch, it was half-ass.

Basicly he was throwing a lot of worthless punches, and he was lucky he didn't get countered during that time.

Sometimes you throw a fake jab which looks punchy, but it's really a trap.

You're hoping your opponant swings(thinking he is countering) so you can counter.

GSP was doing some of this, looking for the take down, but when Josh swung more often than not GSP didn't go for the takedown, when it was there to shoot for.

I hate Herb "stop'em early" Dean.

This may be it for Chuck. He could do what Randy did, but honestly I don't see that happening.

He has the dollars now, the fame, he had a great run.

He has to rework his whole game, and he would have to go through Rampage, Wandy, and Dan Henderson.

Only a hungry person would go through all that work.

Randy did it, but he didn't get the money. He's making like 200 or 300k a fight, probably more money in one fight than all his fights put together.

Randy redesigned his whole game.

[lovetoaster]

Here it is. Watch it while you can:

www.dailymotion.com/search/babalu/video/x2uawk_ufc-74-renato-babalu-sobral-vs-davi_extreme

It really isn't that bad. Uncalled for, yeah, but I've seen worse. I bet the NSAC fines and suspens him anyway. Kieth Kizer thinks he's Roger Goodell (who thinks he's Joseph Stalin) and is doing his best to make a name for himself (see: Diaz, Nick).

Damn...already deleted. Thanks for the post though.

[Chachie]

I disagree with those here who say GSP was fighting "timid." I'm sure there was a part of him that didn't want to get caught by an early shot like he did against Serra, so he was being careful. Kos was throwing early haymakers (and then backing off) afterall.

I kept in mind while watching this bout that Josh is not a fighter who likes to get hit. He is actually a very timid fighter while standing. He may have been hard to hit but I certainly did see GSP being timid. His leg kicks were sweet and he fought very similarly to the way he did vs. Hughes, at least while standing.

[SUNSTONE]

I disagree with those here who say GSP was fighting "timid." I'm sure there was a part of him that didn't want to get caught by an early shot like he did against Serra, so he was being careful. Kos was throwing early haymakers (and then backing off) afterall.

I kept in mind while watching this bout that Josh is not a fighter who likes to get hit. He is actually a very timid fighter while standing. He may have been hard to hit but I certainly did see GSP being timid. His leg kicks were sweet and he fought very similarly to the way he did vs. Hughes, at least while standing.

He didn't look nothing like he did when he fought Hughs.

In that fight he wasn't punchy at all. He came with 1 2 combos, and he threw all kinds of kicks at Hughs.

He kicked him inside the legs, outside, the ribs, that spinning back kick, and he pretty much ended the fight with a kick to the head.

He fought the way you're suppose to fight, get in do some damage and get out.

With Kos he mostly made sure he didn't get hit and looked to take it to the ground. It's not a bad idea, but he should beat anyone in that division on the ground or on his feet.

And you know what the fans want.

[illone]

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/gonzaga/video/x2uaae_renato-babalu-sobral-vs-david-heath_extreme

[illone]

What a bunch of crap from babalu at the end of the fight.

I hope he gets his ass kicked soon.

[#98QBKiller]

What a bunch of crap from babalu at the end of the fight.

I hope he gets his ass kicked soon.

That was BS.

He should have to fight Wanderlei or Shogun now, I'm sure he'd take a serious beating...or hell, even let Chuck KO him a third time.

The Nevada Athletic commission is taking half of his $$$ and I'm sure Dana White will take action as well.

*Edit:

Also, shouldn't the referee have had the right to bare-knuckle punch Babalu in the chin to knock him out and make him stop?

It seems to me that refs should have somthing in place for situations like that.

[Sebowski]

That was BS.

He should have to fight Wanderlei or Shogun now, I'm sure he'd take a serious beating...or hell, even let Chuck KO him a third time.

The Nevada Athletic commission is taking half of his $$$ and I'm sure Dana White will take action as well.

*Edit:

Also, shouldn't the referee have had the right to bare-knuckle punch Babalu in the chin to knock him out and make him stop?

It seems to me that refs should have somthing in place for situations like that.

I don't know where all this outrage is coming from. Did any of you see BJ Penn do the same thing to Pulver? I've seen it other times as well. The max the choke was on after the tap was 3 seconds. Not a big deal.

[StillUnknown]

I don't know where all this outrage is coming from. Did any of you see BJ Penn do the same thing to Pulver? I've seen it other times as well. The max the choke was on after the tap was 3 seconds. Not a big deal.

it was wrong when Penn did it the same as its wrong now that Babalu has done it. **** like that will only give credibility to people who say this sport is nothing more than street fighting and stuff like that

once the refs lays hands on you, you break the hold, plain and simple. it can take less than 3 seconds to put somebody unconscious, just remember that

[#98QBKiller]

I don't know where all this outrage is coming from. Did any of you see BJ Penn do the same thing to Pulver? I've seen it other times as well. The max the choke was on after the tap was 3 seconds. Not a big deal.

Yes it is a big deal, because like stillunknown said, it gives the people who want to take this sport away or inflict it with more redtape and unnecessary rules; more ammunition and it violates the integrity of MMA.

When a fighter taps, and ESPECIALLY when the ref tells you to release a hold or stop striking, the match is over and you stop. End of story.

[SUNSTONE]

It does look like he did it on purpose.

But, I remember when I was wrestling a friend I got him in a choke hold and I was concentrating so hard to not let him get out that I didn't realize he was tapping.

I had my eyes closed and my other friends had to tap me hard and scream at me to let go. lol

He said he was going to kill me for that, but he was too exhausted to do it at the time.

[StillUnknown]

It does look like he did it on purpose.

But, I remember when I was wrestling a friend I got him in a choke hold and I was concentrating so hard to not let him get out that I didn't realize he was tapping.

I had my eyes closed and my other friends had to tap me hard and scream at me to let go. lol

He said he was going to kill me for that, but he was too exhausted to do it at the time.

it was definitely on purpose, in the post fight interview Babalu admitted he held on the choke for a while longer because he felt Heath "disrespected" him in the lead up to the fight. He was promptly boo'd out of the cage after saying that.

[Sebowski]

Yes it is a big deal, because like stillunknown said, it gives the people who want to take this sport away or inflict it with more redtape and unnecessary rules; more ammunition and it violates the integrity of MMA.

When a fighter taps, and ESPECIALLY when the ref tells you to release a hold or stop striking, the match is over and you stop. End of story.

It shouldn't hurt the sport until someone gest hurt because of it. The media and the masses might try to jump all over it, but the fact is that Heath was not hurt. Babalu has been putting on chokes for over ten years in practices and in matches. He held on for 2 seconds after a tap. No big deal. It happens all the time in training. If you watched last season's TUF you can see BJ's grappling coach do it to the blond kid that got in the backyard fight during a training session, and he said the same thing about it. The kid wasn't being respectful.

The mma sky is not falling because of this.

Edit: And BJ admitted he held the choke a little long too. No one cared then. i don't know why anyone cares now.