Sooo if you've ever been a wrestling fan, you know Jim Ross as the pbp announcer for the WWE. He's been there for 20+ years. Growing up I was into wrasslin' myself. Well good old JR watch UFC 86 with his son in law and here are some of his thoughts about the event from his blog. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Ross on the Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson matchup… “Griffin’s win via decision did not surprise me once I saw the fight but I certainly thought that the Memphis native, Jackson, would win the contest going in. Jackson is a long time fan of Jerry Lawler and even seemed to channel the late Junkyard Dog with Jackson’s howling and his wearing of a dog chain a la JYD way back in the day. Griffin’s kicks were startlingly effective and had to impress the judges along with Griffin’s constant, aggressive nature. A re-match is naturally a guaranteed deal.” Ross on Josh Koscheck… “Josh Koscheck should learn to utilize the fact that, seemingly, most fans don’t like him for whatever reason and go with it. Fans pay big money to watch people get their asses whipped, just ask the WWE’s Edge, and a great antagonist is money in the bank for any promoter. Nice to hear “Ironman” used as entrance music for one entrance during the show as it took me back to the Road Warrior days.” Ross appears to be a big Tyson Griffin fan… “Young Tyson Griffin seems to be on his way to stardom as the UFC seems to have another future box office fighter evolving.” On the commentary and post-fight interviews… “Joe Rogan is an excellent announcer and I hope the people making the decisions at the UFC know how valuable Rogan is to the UFC viewers. I am not overly unbiased as you would assume especially considering my on air role, but often times the announcing of specific events are overlooked or taken for granted. On the production side of things, the UFC could use a 3rd voice, and this person doesn’t’ have to be seen, to read the sponsor billboards and other such info to enhance the overall production values. This is no big deal but might make the presentation slicker. PXP talent Mike Goldberg is informed and prepared which yours truly certainly respects. Goldberg was once give the opportunity to sit in the PXP chair on Monday Night Raw. Some of the post match interviews come off as bush league with the fighters simply wanting to plug their sponsors and they are not as smooth at it as NASCAR drivers. I would rather, as a fan, hear more about the just completed fight than someone’s new website or clothing line or where every one is going to go to drink after the show.” On the colorful metaphors that Griffin utilized in his post-fight interview… “For the UFC to be accepted more universally, language used by Griffin needs to be addressed as it doesn’t’ send out a classy message to a mass audience even though young males may think it was cool. I mean to take nothing away from Forrest Griffin who is one tough son of a gun and is a guy that I will pay to watch fight again but coarse language won’t attract big time sponsors or enhance the building of a brand that is one of the most exciting new sports in the world.” On Bruce Buffer… “Another guy that might want to consider a Sanka is right announcer Bruce Buffer who seems to be a little over dramatic at times. I know that I couldn’t do Buffer’s job and I do like the fact that the younger Buffer is a Texas Hold ‘Em aficionado.”</div> I really agree about the sponsor announcing by fighters sounds cheap and Forrest's swearing drives away non-young males.
The first time I read his ramblings about MMA I thought he might be positioning himself for a transition to play-calling for the sport.
I think he'd do a decent job at it, he's got great enthusiasm. I'd love to see him co-commentate a WEC event with Frank Mir who is quite subdued but still very good.
I was a huge wreslting fan as a kid. Dynamite Kid and Davy Boy Smith are gods to me. But i dont give two craps what Jim Ross thinks about MMA, he knows nothing about the sport.
