Episode 5 – Drawing Straws
February 19, 2008 by nopstar
Here’s the Episode you’ve all been so patiently waiting for. If your new to MMT and I know a lot of you are. We ask that you don’t post spoilers, and that you only discuss current or past episodes of the Contender Asia.
You might have noticed that I post these every Wed. I won’t be posting them earlier so you can dl them yourself or wait until wed.
Anyway enough chit chat. Enjoy.
It makes me so angry every time the ref breaks up the clinch. Bastard.
All Right, Good Episode, nice to see Both Fighters in action, and yes Soren looked a class over The Canadian, but if he was síck all along im not surprised to see the low work rate, im sure he is capable of more, but even his own team captain really early said this aint working, I mean how about some back up, support, He didnt look like he was suffering or was totally helpless, he just needed to work some more, I really dont think they should have forfeited(cant remeber the correct spelling)
i think the forfeiture was a good choice man. sending him out for round4 was simply sending him to be a human punching bag for soren to hit. trevor really wasnt working. good decision to protect him from getting hurt further imo
When can i expect to see Episode 6?
I really liked Soren’s knees in and (I think once) away from the clinch. He went right into them once they got tangled up and had excellent angles. Thumbs up for Soren on those – you began to see red marks after the first clinch on Alain’s back.
I did think Alain got a bit more spunk in the third, though. Maybe not enough to justify a fourth, but if he sold it in between rounds I would have given it to him provided he covered his face a bit better (and that long but not too deep cut).
I don’t think Alain stood a chance, the fight was rather one-sided. Soren was technically superior in every aspect, I’d say.
I am surprised you have made no mention of the other reality show Nop. It’s modified Muay Thai rules on It’s Showtime. Lucia Rijker is the celebrity judge in this one.Overall the quality is a bit better I’d say. There aren’t any Sanda or washed up mma fighters on that one.
And it also isn’t a 45 minute ad spot for Fairtex.
I it normal in Thailand or Muay Thai rules not to have a “cut man”? Yeah, that cut was bad, but it could have been closed up enough for him to continue by someone who knew what they were doing.
Stack, wutz da name of the show ur talkin’ about???…What channel does it come on??..and when??
Alain was sick!….Soren knew it…he shouldn’t have picked him, there’s no honor in that !!….I kno he promised the man a rematch but he shoulda waited til the man felt better. He shouldn’t have drew a straw to begin with if he already knew who he wanted to fight…He should have waited and told his teammates not to pick Alain. My opinion !….I kno a lotta u guys will disagree and I completely understand why….it is in fact more practical to beat up on the weak first…lol.
As I see it Alain was always sick in the show. This is a competition. It has been more than a week and with his crohn condition he will probably always look sick. Its just a matter of time before he gets picked and if Alain didn’t other fighter will.
Spydaman it’s Dutch only I’m afraid. I believe Eurosport picked it up. The show is creatively named ‘It’s Showtime Rality Show’. A lot of it is in English but there is Dutch commentary on top still most what they are saying can be made out.
They had tryouts a while back and I saw the debut 2 hour show:
http://www.superprosamui.com/content/showtimereality_summary_try_outs.php
Stack, thanx a lot on that. Too bad it won’t be playin here, woulda loved to see it. Damn it, USA!!!
BTW Spydaman I feel the same way about Alain. The second I heard he was sick I knew Soren was going to choose him.
good episode but I would like to see naruepol fight in the next one
can someone post episode 6 please, thx
yea…..All the signals did point at that happening…..They fought in the past and Soren won…then Alain gets sick…..and Soren draws the longest straw…..lol…It was a dream come true for Soren. I thought that Yod had raised the bar for the fighters in the house by picking a strong fighter but it seems some people completely ignored that.
Mike, today is Wednesday and episodes come out every wed….Just be patient, man….I’m sure TravistheBeard will hit us up whenever he gets his hand on it.
Spydaman,
as I understood Alain, he said he is in good condition and can finally have a rematch, check at 21:55.
It’s obviously he wasn’t in perfect condition, but Soren is simply better and would probably won anyway.
Gusnark!…U’re right…I completely agree wit u as Soren probably woulda kicked Alain’s ass to begin with….I never argued that fact….I was just saying that instead of picking someone who had no business being in the show to begin with, he shoulda went for one of the guys that are more at his skill level…..but u’re also right….Alain did mention that he was in “good” shape……Alain shoulda stayed home.
Alain is better than what he showed there but there’s a difference in Yod choosing say Preacher versus Soren choosing the sickest and as a result least fit contender to fight.
Ur absolutely right, Stack….I just don’t feel like Alain and several fighters belonged in that show to begin with….There are so many GREAT Thai fighters in the world…I just don’t get it ! Can someone give me their theories on things…cuz I don’t get it.
I have a feeling it’s based partially on country of origin. If you simply took people from Thailand and maybe Denmark (those being, just off hand, two of the more well known countries for Thai fighters), then you lose whole demographics. This is why you see people from the USA, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (right?), and Canada – a bigger cross sample of people means more viewers. Also, like we have seen with Rafik, they also want personalities. I imagine Alain came across as the soft-spoken underdog in interviews. Anyway, the theory, it seems to me, is that the more types that have – both in terms of country of origin and personality – the more viewers they are likely to attract.
Wow!…BMND, That’s a great theory…I never really thought about it that way but u are right…by diversifying the people, nationalities and personalities…we would all be able to relate to at least one of them. That would actually makes perfect sense.
Now the only down point would be that those guys were not actually chosen for their skills but for their marketability.
^Right On!!!
Yea, that’s the part I left out, spydaman: by going for personalities/ nationalities, you very well could lose out on talent. Personally, I like a mix, but with definite leanings towards talent. People like JWP and Yod are perfect in my opinion – they are incredibly talented and also fun to watch. Then there are duds like Narupol (sp?) who is boring but excellent. I don’t know, it’s probably all personal preference. I imagine the studios have this stuff down to a science though considering how much money they have invested in it.
I always wondered why there weren’t more Asians since it’s the Contender ASIA after all. I’m sure there are great fighters they can chose from Japan or China. I had initially thought it might be the language barrier but then again not all the European fighter speak good English. Nothing against Australians but I think 3 Australians is way too many.
Because apparently Asians aren’t and I quote ‘The best Muay Thai fighters in the world’. Too bad the reality doesn’t jibe too well with the reality TV.
I dunno, I can see the case for personalities being a factor in deciding who should go on the show, but honestly, all the fights have been utter mismatches up til now, with the possible exception of Raffik vs. JWP. I don’t have a problem with decisive wins, but it has to be competitive, otherwise it just becomes boring to watch. PS. how obvious is it that Zach is going to get demolished, whoever he fights against?
Dude, why yah trippin who they put on the show, theres going to be more season to the contender asia. If they were to put the best muay thai fighters in the first season, then the second season would be very shitty, u kno. I dun mine them putting 2-3 good fighters in their, it jus make me more forward to next season to see which good fighters they puttin in next.
Of course there will be a lot of mismatches in the first round of eliminations. That is the way it goes. The next round of elims will be more evenly matched.
OK… Perfect world scenario: give me your 16 man line up for the show. I’m interested to see who you guys pick.
“Because apparently Asians aren’t and I quote ‘The best Muay Thai fighters in the world’. Too bad the reality doesn’t jibe too well with the reality TV.”
you must be an idiot as using quotes so I just won’t believe you on this point. you are and i quote “a fucking moron”
I would have liked to see Ole Bagio Laursen, Buakaw, Farid Villaume, Sakmongkol “Ha ha”, Kyshecnko, Tyrone Spong, Samranchai, Acchachai, Langsomkrahm, and maybe even Nicky Holzken. Masato under Thai rules I dont think so. Ha ha and Gago Drago for personality.
Bagio Laursen was in the original Trailer wasnt he?? What happened, and yes it is a TV show and its designed to attract viewers, so of course it will pull down the technical capability of the fights. cause they didnt pick the very best fighters, but if there is more than one season the i am all for it. Next season BBP and the others.
“you must be an idiot as using quotes so I just won’t believe you on this point. you are and i quote “a fucking moron””
You do realize that phrase has come from both show hosts and contestants right? Have fun being a a retarded cry baby because that is precisely what was said.
Masato fought with elbows in AJKF, he also fought twice in Thailand. I never understand why people bring up Masato and full-Thai rules as if it’s something he’s afraid of.
But he makes enough money carying K-1 MAX on his back anyway. Sato on the other with the clinch and elbows would be a monster.
I was impressed to see Soren bridge the gap with straight knees rather than just waiting to get into the clinch to throw knees. I haven’t seen too many fighters successfully use knees like that. All in all I was impressed with his technique and game plan. I can see both sides on whether Soren should’ve waited to fight Alain, but in the end it’s a competition and with Crohn’s disease he wasn’t likely to ever be substantially better.
TJ,…….Here are my 16:
Sinbi, Buakaw, Attachai, Seanchai, Kaew, Johmod, Orono, Lamsongkram, Anuwat, Yodseanklai, Nopparat, Thongchai, Chokdee, Kaoklai, Naruepol, Wanlop, ….and those are only Thais that are still in the circuit….because Samart, Sak, Diesel noi, Namsaknoi, Big Ben, Malaipet, Bunkerd, Jongsanan, Neugsiam, Ramba, Kaolan, Chagpuek, Sangtienoi, Coban and a million others come to mind.
Now let’s go with the farangs:
Farid Villaume, Jean Charles Skabrowsky, Duane “Bang” Ludwig (USA..lol), Aslan Magomedov, Mounir Bouti, Stephan Nikiema, Masato, Tyrone Spong, JWP, Ole Laursen, Kobayashi, Kozo Takeda, Petrosyan, Corbett, Marco Pique, Kohiruamaki and last but not least Raffik Bakkouri.
but if I was pickin’ out old timers then u kno Dekker, Hippolite, Diafat, Dany Bill, Ballantine and more.
Pplaredumb, I honestly think that Stack was being sarcastic when he said “Because apparently Asians aren’t and I quote ‘The best Muay Thai fighters in the world’.” Because Thais are the best MUAY THAI fighters in the world and they are asian….I think he was just being sarcastic.
Kamatari….ur right…Masato has fought in Thailand and he did good in that one video i have seen…I couldn’t find any others though….Has he fought more than once???…and has he fought anyone worth mentioning?
I don’t get those selections. You’re all over weight classes and different eras as well.
Oh…I didn’t kno we were supposed to stay in the same weight class….my bad…since Alain had to give up 6kg the last time he fought Soren, I reckon one of them had to change their weight to get into the “contender”. Either way…outta all the people I have named u can find 16 that will be around the way class demanded for the contender….and outta my knowledge…..Most of the people I have named are still fighting to this day
Coban is done
Bunkerd is done
Jongsanan is done
Samart is done
Kaolan is mostly done depending on how badly he reinjures himself.
Kobayashi is done.
Anuwat is way too small
Kaew is way too small
Neungsiam is too small
Wanlop is teetering on retirement
Sak is teetering on retirement
Kaoklai is too big (and admits he hates cutting weight)
Danny Bill is too heavy and should probably go back to being retired
Diafat is done and has no interest even minimally in fighting again
Magomedov is too big and is now fighting at heavyweight
Skarbowsky is and has been retired for a while
Nikiema is retired long a go and is staying retired.
Ludwig isn’t the best the US has to offer and never has been – he should stick to mma
But you were right the Asian remark was sarcasm. Well spotted spydaman. Consider yourself smarter than the obviously too slow to get it.
BTW anyone else find it strange that there is not a single Dutch fighter on the Contender yet we have 3 Aussies? And only one French Nak Muay?
Obviously the Contender is trying to build some international support with their casting choices but it’s so obviously weighted towards Australia. Just like the western boxing Contender it’s about drama and the show it’s not too much about the sport.
Stack…..I mentioned that
Coban, Bunkerd, Jongsanan, Samart, Dani Bill, Diafat and most of the guys u mentioned were off the circuit….read the comment again or maybe I worded it wrong or maybe u understood it wrong, whichever…it doesn’t matter anymore. I too have realized that there were no Dutch fighters, No japanese fighters….Only one american ( and he had no business being there), only one French and last but not least…..More Australians than Thais (That’s my favorite….lol).
Completely agreed.
But the truth is the best are already fighting in the stadiums of Thailand not on a reality TV show. I cannot imagine a 2nd season of this really being ll that successful on an international scale but I suppose the Burnett machine will roll on.
They obviously needed a large component of fighters that spoke english fairly well. I still think it’s a decent line up for the given weight class…. and even then, there’s huge size differences; some guys who can barely make 70kg (JWP, etc) and a couple that walk around at no more than 70kg (like trev)
Not to mention a Sanda guy and a 45% win ratio small time MMA fighter.
Frank ur right….Stack ur right too.
I love the show…and more than that…I am grafteful for the show….It is always easier to point out the flaws ( as I have been doing but hey!….I’m only human..lol) but there a lotta good thingz about the show..Mainly the fact that it’s about MUAY THAIIIIIII!
The only thing that really got to me and pissed me off….is how they were showing people like Johmod, Seanchai, Somrak, Magomedov, Laursen and Wanlop in the first “Contender Asia” trailer….and none of them are actually on the show…I just feel like they were just workin’ us up. I wish they had kept it real from the start that way most of us wouldn’t have expected so much.
Anyway…did anyone notice that Soren got a lil pissed when Alain threw that first elbow (round 2 or 3..don’t remember)…and that’s when Soren started throwing his (and connecting with them too, I must add…lol)?
Who’s a Sanda Guy???…..Don’t tell me Zach…I just got finished watching one of his fight..and it was MT….Who???
Zidov. Not Zach.
Oh Man!!…..I can’t wait to see him fight…Wonder if he’s gonna start slamming and throwing people around….U learn new thingz everyday.
Episode 6 guys, enjoy!!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LPXQK38C
Soren made Allain look like complete Amateur, completely outclassed him period. Thanks for the post.
a5yf k ………THANK U SOOOOOO MUUUUUUUCH!!!! I knew one of u guyz would come through!
No worries, if it was not for this site i might not have even known about the contender asia, now there’s a shocking thought….
MMT is the shit!!!
Has anyone mentioned how funny Yod was saying that he got dizzy? Classic.
I think Soren said something in a previous episode about picking a sick fighter because it’s a competition. Something like “it’s not my problem if they’re sick”. Anyway, Yod picked Bruce to show what he’s made of. That doesn’t mean everyone else should do the same and choose to fight the strongest fighter. It is a tournament and I feel it is best that the Strong fight the Weak, so that in the 2nd and succeeding rounds of the tournament, only the stronger fighters are left.
About the discussion on nationalities above, I agree it’s silly that there are no Dutch and Japanese fighters. 3 Aussies? C’mon.
And the show is supposed to determine “THE GREATEST MUAY THAI FIGHTER OF ALL TIME”. lol.
sorry for the 3rd post. just wondering. do any of you guys care for the host Jaymee?
http://www.cherrypachecouy.com/editorial/jaymeeFHMi.html
The fight overall was shite i found, I felt like neither person was really giving it their all. The fight looked like it was going in slow motion, especially alain. Hopefully we will see some better fights in the future and a better performance from Soren.
It’s hard to make too much of a judgement on the fights because they are so heavily editted. Soren beat a guy who was 100% beatable but I wished they’d show the entirety of the fights.
If those were the highlights, I’d hate to see what the rest of the fight was like.
Might have been a lot of standing around doing nothing. Hard to say with these chopped up fights. Not likely but still…
Episode 6 is a must see!!! Fantastic episode, wicked fight!
It was pretty action packed. Without a spoiler the ending was questionable and BS to me too.
I agree, it was a pretty hard decision you have to admit
for the love of God will someone post episode 6? I am dying here lol thanks! haha
comment 51 on this page
Episode 6….No spoiler….but to me it was the best fight of the season so far….and also the worst fuckin’ decision of the season so far. I can’t wait for Nop to open up an “episode 6″ post so we can discuss this B.S decision.
The decision seems questionable. But then again so is the footage. It’s heavily edited after all so it’s hard to question the decision based on whatever footage we saw.
Each fighter did very well, it would’ve been close and i totally agree that it was the best fight of the season so far, they both came out guns a blazin.
Schhhhhh, But Spydaman looks like we (and probably everyone else)would like a lot of the same fighters(but there are only SO many world class fighters to choose from) I really would like to se Saenchai, I only just discovered his existence in this world of Muay thai and I must say Holy Crap he is deadly. Bit different than say Buakaw or Yod but shit he is like a wild Tiger.
There’s more world class fighters than what was showcased on ‘The Contender’. You sure make some concrete pronouncements having just discovered the existence of Saenchai.
I thought Soren fought well. Watching him fight made me become an instant fan of his fighting style. It was great to watch…and i do believe that alain being not 100% helped Soren and he was able to really showcase his skills, but either way he would have beaten alain. he’s a promising fighter, up and coming, tho he’s quite popular already