Legendary Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope dies at 79

As you're aware, this website is dedicated to MMA, however, tragic news was reported yesterday as longtime Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster, and inventor of 'The Terrible Towel', Myron Cope died yesterday morning of respiratory failure at the age of 79.

One of the last of the great sports characters, Mr. Cope's life and career were nothing less than book-worthy, even if he had to write it himself. Twice.

"Double Yoi" it was called both times, the second an updated version of the original 2002 volume, the title immortalizing one of Mr. Cope's signature exclamations, which, along with "Okle-dokle," "Dumbkopf!", and "How do?", became so familiar to his radio and TV audiences.

His creation of The Terrible Towel has developed into a worldwide symbol that is synonymous with Steelers football. He also helped immortalize the most famous play in NFL history when he popularized the term 'Immaculate Reception.'

The Terrible Towel is arguably the best-known fan symbol of any major pro sports team, has raised millions of dollars for charity and is displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Steeler Nation may have lost their favorite broadcaster, but they will never lose his voice.

MMA Superstar Sighting

Ken Shamrock was spotted by one of our frequent commenters on mmafest. You may have seen him on the comment page numerous times and goes by the threatening, chick magnet moniker of 'God of Thunder'.

He was picking me up at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, GA waiting for me at the baggage claim. I had just gotten off the plane when I got the call that Ken Shamrock was standing right next to him.

He took Shamrocks picture and actually said to him, "man you gotta be tired of this shit" which got a chuckle from Ken. He shook Ken's hand and chatted for a brief minute. By the time I got there he was at the rent-a-car area with what looked like some of his family.

God of Thunder says that he was fairly pleasant but not overly outgoing. Although it was around 10:30 pm on a Wednesday so you can't expect people to be in the best moods especially at an airport.

God of Thunder works at a place of leisure where some other MMA stars have been known to show up on occasion. In the past he's met Forrest Griffin, Cole Miller, Big Nog, and Matt Serra, saying that each one of them was very friendly and chatted it up for a while.

It's refreshing to know that these guys are pretty regular and approachable. Try doing that with a baseball or football player and you won't get that type of response at all. MMA fighters appreciate the fans more so than any other sport which is why we connect with them so well.

If anyone reading has an experience meeting some MMA fighters please feel free to respond with a comment and let us know how the experience was.

Silva-Jardine confirmed for UFC 84

The UFC confirmed Thursday the much-talked-about matchup between Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine.

The bout will take place at UFC 84 "ill will" on Saturday, May 24 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Jardine can build on his momentum from his surprising win over Chuck Liddell at UFC 76 when he battles another former champion in Wanderlei Silva, who unlike Jardine, fell to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79.

Also on the card is former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz as he bids farewell to the UFC when he faces the undefeated Lyoto Machida. Ortiz has already said numerous times that he won't be re-signing with the UFC.

Headlining the card is the lightweight title fight between BJ Penn and former champ Sean Sherk.

CURRENT RUMORED UFC 84 CARD:

155 lbs: B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk
205 lbs: Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida
205 lbs: Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine
205 lbs: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
205 lbs: Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva
205 lbs: Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
185 lbs: Rousimar Palhares vs. Ivan Salaverry
170 lbs: Dong-Hyun Kim vs. Jason Tan
155 lbs: Terry Etim vs. Jeremy Stephens

EliteXC Expected to Sign Deal With CBS

ProElite Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, is expected to announce a deal with CBS that will put MMA on major network television for the first time.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks Inc. in 2006. The organization’s events, which are held under the EliteXC and ShowXC banners, currently air on Showtime. Showtime is owned by CBS.

CBS will broadcast live EliteXC events in prime-time slots. The events will likely take place every other month.

The announcement will come just weeks after EliteXC’s successful “Street Certified” event in Miami, Fla. In addition to drawing a sold-out crowd and setting a live gate record at the BankUnited Center, the event reportedly drew more than half a million Showtime viewers. The fact that EliteXC — and not the UFC, the worldwide MMA leader — landed the first network-television deal is a bit of a surprise.

Dana White was certain that the UFC would be the first MMA organization that would land a network deal. It appears the networks are wanting in on the MMA boom which should mean an instant climb for EliteXC.

UFC Fight Night Guaranteed to Show 5 Fights

An ultra-stacked UFC Fight Night 13 event will, in fact, run three hours and will include five — possibly even six — televised fights.

Televised bouts include Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon, Thiago Alves vs. Karo Parisyan, Tim Boetsch vs. Matt Hamill, Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino, and Houston Alexander vs. James Irvin.

The Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard bout is listed as the swing bout. Meaning that it will be televised if time is permitted. Basically we have to root for lots of knockouts.

The event features a record 12 fights — and it’s possibly the deepest fight card in Spike TV history. In fact, the card is so deep that MMA fans began an email and letter-writing campaign to Spike TV to formally request that the event run three hours instead of the normal two.

Here is the full card:

MAIN CARD (TELEVISED)

Kenny Florian vs. Joe Lauzon
Thiago Alves vs. Karo Parisyan
Tim Boetsch vs. Matt Hamill
Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino
Houston Alexander vs. James Irvin
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard (swing bout; may not be televised)

PRELIMINARY CARD (UN-TELEVISED)

Marcus Aurelio vs. Spencer Fisher
Josh Neer vs. Din Thomas
Jeff Cox vs. Manny Gamburyan
Samy Schiavo vs. Clay Guida
Roman Mitichyan vs. George Sotiropoulos
Anthony Johnson vs. Tommy Speer

Hermes Franca Released from UFC Contract

Lightweight Hermes Franca is in the midst of serving a 1 year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance after his title fight with Sean Sherk.

Franca was contacted by other organizations to fight outside of the U.S. over the past few months and has been open about needing the money due to not fighting. He asked the UFC to release him from his contract so he could pursue fighting outside the U.S.

However, the NVAC contacted Franca and said if he fought anywhere while currently suspended in the U.S. he would never be allowed to fight in the U.S. again.

Franca will try to make some money doing seminars and appearances while serving the rest of his suspension which will be over in July.