UFC: The Inaugural Draft.

[kaithekender]

This diary(my first attempt!) will mostly be an experimental one. You see, I'm a big sports fan. Most sports have drafts. I like those! I also like MMA. I thought I'd combine the two and see how it goes(at least in the game).

I'll be playing with the (slightly edited) TaporSnap5 Database, Starting in May of 2008 with the Inaugural MMA draft, which will run once every year in May. Since the draft obviously isn't a feature in the game, I will be editing game data during play(solely to be able to sign fighters drafted that are under exclusive contracts with other promotions). Oh, and Dana White is fired because Fedor doesn't like him.

Rosters and rankings are to follow in my next post, and then.... well, we'll see what happens, I suppose.

[kaithekender]

Lightweight Top 10

1: BJ Penn

Currently UFC Lightweight Champion. Record: 12-4-1. On a 2 match winning streak.

2: Sean Sherk

Current #1 contender. Record: 32-2-1. On a 3 match winning streak.

3: Joe Stevenson

Record: 28-8. Lost last match.

4: Kenny Florian

Record: 9-3. On a 4 match winning streak.

5: Roger Huerta

Record: 20-1-1. On a 12-match undefeated streak, with 1 draw.

6: Tyson Griffin

Record: 11-1. On a 3 match winning streak.

7: Nate Diaz

Record: 9-2. On a 4 match winning streak.

8: Gray Maynard

Record: 5-0. Undefeated.

9: Clay Guida

Record: 23-9. Won last match.

10: Frank Edgar

Record: 8-1. Lost last match.

Welterweight Top 10

1: Georges St. Pierre

Current UFC Welterweight Champion. Record: 16-2. On a 3 match winning streak.

2: Jon Fitch

Current #1 contender. Record: 16-2. On a 12 match winning streak.

3: Matt Hughes

Record: 41-6. Lost last match.

4: Josh Koscheck

Record: 10-2. Won last match.

5: Diego Sanchez

Record: 18-2. Won last match.

6: Thiago Alves

Record: 14-3. On a 5 match winning streak.

7: Matt Serra

Record: 9-5. Lost last match.

8: Karo Parisyan

Record: 18-5. Lost last match.

9: Akihiro Gono

Record: 27-12-7. On a 2 match winning streak.

10: Josh Burkman

Record: 9-5. Lost last match.

Middleweight Top 10

1: Anderson Silva

Current UFC Middleweight Champion. Record: 21-4. On a 6 match winning streak.

2: Rich Franklin

Current #1 contender. Record: 23-3. Won last match.

3: Dan Henderson

Record: 22-7. On a 2 match losing streak.

4: Nate Marquardt

Record: 26-7-2. Won last match.

5: Yushin Okami

Record: 21-4. On a two match winning streak.

6: Jason MacDonald

Record: 20-9. Won last match.

7: Chris Leben

Record: 18-4. On a two match winning streak.

8: Patrick Cote

Record: 12-4. On a 4 match winning streak.

9: Ed Herman

Record: 14-5. Lost last match.

10: Martin Kampmaan

Record: 15-2. On a 4 match winning streak.

Light Heavyweight Top 10

1: Quinton Jackson

Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Record: 29-6. On a 6 match winning streak.

2: Keith Jardine

Current #1 contender. Record: 13-3-1. Won last match.

3: Forrest Griffin

Record: 15-4. On a 2 match winning streak.

4: Chuck Liddell

Record: 21-5. Won last match.

5: Lyoto Machida

Record: 12-0. Undefeated.

6: Wanderlei Silva

Record: 31-8-1. On a 3 match losing streak.

7: Mauricio Rua

Record: 16-3. Lost last match.

8: Rashad Evans

Record: 11-0-1. Undefeated.

9: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

Record: 4-2. Lost last match.

10: Wilson Gouveia

Record: 10-4. On a 4 match winning streak.

Heavyweight Top 10

1: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Current UFC Heavyweight Champion. Record: 31-4-1. On a 3 match winning streak.

2: Randy Couture

Current #1 contender. Record: 16-8. On a two match winning streak.

3: Fabricio Werdum

Record: 10-3-1. Won last match.

4: Gabriel Gonzaga

Record: 8-3. On a 2 match losing streak.

5: Heath Herring

Record: 28-13. Won last match.

6: Brandon vera

Record: 8-1. Lost last match.

7: Cheick Kongo

Record: 11-4-1. Lost last match.

8: Frank Mir

Record: 11-3. On a 2 match winning streak.

9: Christian Wellisch

Record: 8-3. On a 2 match winning streak.

10: Justin McCully

Record: 8-3-2. Won last match.

Pound For Pound Top 10

!: Quinton Jackson(LHW)

2: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira(HW)

3: Anderson Silva(MW)

4: Georges St. Pierre(WW)

5: Jon Fitch(WW)

6: Matt Hughes(WW)

7: Randy Couture(HW)

8: BJ Penn(LW)

9: Rich Franklin(MW)

10: Keith Jardine(LHW)

[kaithekender]

Today, on May 1st 2008, The first ever MMA Draft will take place. Fedor Emelianenko is universally the #1 pick in fan pools around the MMA world, but beyond that, speculation is running wild like Hulkamania on crystal meth. Which 15 fighters will be the next UFC stars? Will the draft work for the UFC like it does in other team sports? Or will it crash and burn, bringing the company with it? I'm Craig McLennan and I'm here to bring you in-depth analysis as the draft takes place.

Let's begin with the format. The UFC will choose 3 non-UFC fighters from each of its 5 weight divisions. Those 3 fighters will then be signed to exclusive contracts with the company. The company will then NOT be able to sign any new talent for the remainder of the year, until the next draft. This is to protect the careers of the draftees, and make sure nobody is signed just to keep them out of the hands of other companies.

It looks like Nathan McCarter is ready to make the first selection, so let's get the cameras on him and get ready!

[kaithekender]

As the crowd simmers at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, Canada, Nathan McCarter hovers over a microphone at the podium, evidently waiting for a modicum of silence before he makes the first pick.

"As you all know, this is a big day in the history of Mixed Martial Arts. Although it's an unknown quantity, I feel the draft will become a major part of the sport in the next 2-3 years, and will help keep both my company and the MMA world at large healthier than it is right now. I'm extremely proud to be known as the man behind the idea, and also extremely proud to be making the first selection: From Stary Oskol, Russia..... FEDOR EMELIANENKO!"

The crowd, although the 99% of it with half a brain cell knew who would be picked first, erupts anyway, as The Last Emperor makes his way to the podium to sign his new contract.

Craig McLennan is standing by with his thoughts.

"No surprises here at the #1 spot. The unanimous Pound for Pound #1 fighter on the planet gets picked first. It's really the only possible selection they could've made. Now, a lot of people have been asking if the undefeated 31-year-old has any weakness whatsoever. I spent about 3 hours watching tapes of his fights, and honestly, I just can't see any. He does tend to bleed more often than most, but that's if you can hit him, and good luck with that! For a heavyweight, the man is quicker than lightning and more elusive than a clever way to finish a sentence. On top of that, he's incredibly consistent, so hoping for an off-night from Fedor is like hoping for lightning to strike your mother-in-law. Now back to Nathan McCarter for the #2 pick.

[kaithekender]

As Emelianenko makes his way back to the fighters' suite upon signing his contract, the room is full of whispers as the crowd speculates wildly. Nathan McCarter gestures for quiet, and the crowd acquiesces.

"At the #2 spot, I'm proud to select, from Seattle Washington, Josh Barnett!"

The crowd's reaction is mixed, with half of them nodding in approval, and the other half looking confused and asking who the hell Josh Barnett is. As he makes his way to the front of the room, he seems a little put off at not being recognised so close to home, but is all smiles for the contract signing.

Craig McLennan is standing by with analysis.

"Some of you at home, like some in the crowd here tonight, may be asking who Josh Barnett is. That's because he hasn't fought in North America since 2002. And guess who he beat in his last North American bout? Randy Couture. So needless to say, Barnett is the real deal. He's huge in Japan, both in Mixed Martial Arts and professional wrestling circles, and as such has drawn comparisons to current UFC fighter Brock Lesnar. The difference is, Barnett is proven in both worlds. He's 21-5 in MMA contests, including wins over names like Couture, Nogueira, and Aleksander Emelianenko. As a catch wrestler, he's very good close up, and his takedowns and ground game are excellent. However, his striking leaves a lot to be desired, and as such he'll definitely want to take most guys to the ground and work at a submission win."