Outside the Octagon: Is the Dominance of Brazil over in the UFC?

Brazil has been dominating the UFC for years. This has been from the very beginning of UFC back when Royce Gracie use to beat fighters double his size. There have been points when over half of the UFC champions have been from Brazil. Now Jose Aldo is the lone remaining champion.  I believe there are two main factors that have led to the recent spur of American champions, growing popularity of the UFC and the evolution of the sport as a whole.

Under Further Review No. 8: Andrew Albert

Newspapers aren't dead yet. Chuck Bausman, sports editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, is quick to remind you when chatting about the industry. Andrew Albert is one of the young Daily News talents playing the role of keeping it alive.

Albert has been an intern at the paper since last year in addition to his roles as senior writer for City of Basketball Love and as a student at La Salle University. The Syracuse, N.Y. native has grown to love the Philadelphia sports landscape and has already done a tremendous job covering it alongside some Philly sports writing legends. Albert spoke to the SMTSU about his start in the industry, learning as a new writer and the state of the newspaper industry.

Say Goodbye to Professor Burchette!

Memorial Day Checkpoint for MLB

 As we celebrate those who put their life on the line for us every day, the MLB got under way early today starting off with the American League, Boston Red Sox paying a visit to the National League, Atlanta Braves.  So far these two teams have been complete opposites.  Shockingly, the Red Sox, defending World Champions, have tumbled as of late and find themselves in the AL East cellar.  Meanwhile the Braves are in the midst of a classic Braves season, leading the NL East with good pitching and enough offense.

Rife with Flaws and Questions, the World Cup is Coming

The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil in less than a month, and preparations are going about as poorly as one could imagine. While much of the negative attention has been paid to Qatar 2022 in the past week, Brazil is coming up quickly in the rear-view mirror, baggage and all. The baggage comes to life in a variety of forms. Over-spending, corruption leading to protests and weather concerns have marred the build-up, an international mega-event trifecta of things that could go wrong.

1.7

1.7 is just a number, a very small number, a number nobody really thinks of because it's so small.  When the number is made into a percentage, it is virtually forgotten:  1.7 percent.  That means, every one or two times out of one hundred tries, this thing will happen.  And on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, the odds were forever in the favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Of the twenty-three total NBA lotteries, the worst team has won only three times (the Magic in 2004, Cleveland in 2003, and New Jersey in 1990).  There is no rhyme or reason for a team winning the lottery, but many believe the system is rigged.  Is it?  Should changes be made to the current NBA Draft Lottery?

Guard the Post: Notre Dame shows LGBT athletes support, despite Catholic association

Three weeks ago, the University of Notre Dame, possibly the most famous Catholic University in the world, released a video on the internet that has since gone viral. In association with the You Can Play project, Notre Dame's athletic department tells all their athletes, no matter their sexual orientation or sport, that they can play.

Wiffle Ball Tournament Rescheduled for May 30

Under Further Review No. 7: Travis Waldron

The sports world doesn't exist in a vacuum, no matter how hard you try to put it in one. Sports have the same kinds of political, economic and social issues that plague the rest of the world but offer a unique platform to disguise the issues in a much more palatable context. Really it's the same way that music, television, movies or any other popular culture can shape and direct conversations.

Will the Ping Pong Balls Make Sixer Fans Happy?

The day is finally here. The NBA Draft Lottery is tonight and it will be fun to see how the ping pong balls play out. The Bucks and Sixers have the best chance to get the number one overall pick at 25 and 19.9 percent, respectively. Followed by the Magic at 15.6 percent, Jazz at 10.4 percent and Celtics at 10.3 percent. Being a Sixers fan, I am praying they get the number one pick to take Andrew Wiggins. Although there have been some NBA executives who say they would rather have Jabari Parker over Wiggins, I believe it would be a HUGE mistake if Wiggins is not drafted number one. The Sixers definitely went all in on this years draft to rebuild their team. Trading all-star point guard Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans for the rights to Nerlens Noel (who has sat out the entire season), and this years first round pick (top five protected) during the draft last year said it all. If everything falls to place here is what I want the Sixers to do.

Sport For Thought: The Brooklyn Nets Playoff Debacle

"I think we match up well against them" were the words Brooklyn Nets shooting guard, Joe Johnson said when asked about their semifinals matchup against the Miami Heat after struggling to beat the young and promising Toronto Raptors in seven games following an improbable last second block by Paul Pierce. After finishing the regular season 4-0 against the two-time reigning champions, many speculated the Brooklyn Nets would have a legitimate chance of defeating the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2014 NBA playoffs in their pursuit of a championship.

Full 90: World Cup Roundup

We are 27 days away from the World Cup. Here’s what you need to know:      

• Petr Cech, Gareth Bale, Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Samir Nasri, Isco, and Carlos Tevez will not be featured in the World Cup.
• 31 MLS players have been featured on the shortlist of World Cup teams, up from the 6 MLS players who played in South Africa.
•  NIKE v. Adidas v. Samsung: The Battle for World Cup Supremacy

Outside the Octagon: UFC's Lack of PPV Power in 2014

This year so far has not been a good one for UFC and Pay per View events.  After four PPV events this year, the buy rate is only at about 1.2 million.  This rate is very low and if it continues the UFC could have their lowest PPV buy rate in seven years.  There are still 10 PPV’s left this year, but all signs point to the UFC having a bad year. 

Under Further Review No. 6: Patrick Hruby

Writer Patrick Hruby has been a good friend of the SMTSU for some time now. Hruby spoke at the Sport for Social Change Conference in October 2013 on the topic of head trauma in football. On most days, you can find Hruby on the pages of Sports on Earth talking up the latest NCAA injustice, administrative blunder or #LOLEmmert moment. That's all among other topics, of course, but lately

Hruby stopped by to talk with us about a recent long-form story he wrote for Washingtonian Magazine, trusting your readers, writing about sensitive and complex topics and the NCAA. He asked in return that we join him in referring to NCAA president Mark Emmert by only his full name -- Indianapolis Cartel Leader Mark Emmert. Do it. Do it now.

Fernandez Down: The MLB Loses Another Young Star to Injury

Earlier today, May 12, the Marlins announced that young, phenom, ace, all-star, rookie of the year winning (he is pretty good) pitcher Jose Fernandez underwent an MRI in Los Angeles.  It got worse from there.  Slowly through out the afternoon information made its way to the public that Fernandez was headed to the DL with an elbow sprain.  A couple hours later it was reported that Jose underwent a second MRI back in Florida, unfortunately confirming the worst.  Not long after that announcement, it was made known that Jose Fernandez is expected to have season ending elbow surgery.

Getting the Call: Moving Up to the Majors

Every kid who has ever played catch in their backyard has had the dream of hearing their name being played through the PA system. For many young baseball talents, that day may not be far away as baseball is the only professional sport from the big four in America that allows players to be drafted out of high school. This has allowed for talents such as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper to make their debuts at the ripe ages of twenty and nineteen, respectively. Bringing up Trout and Harper at young ages has not effected them in the slightest, as they are both All-Stars, and are the faces of their respective franchises. Here are some young players who have a shot to get the "call of their life" this year, and possibly turn their team's season around:

Market Power: NBA Postseason Edition

The NBA postseason has been off to a thrilling start. With five out of the eight series in the first round going to seven games, you can’t ask for a more exciting start. There have also been some big headlines this postseason including Donald Sterling’s racist comments, Roy Hibbert’s disappearance for so many games and the Mark Jackson’s firing in Golden State after a first round exit to the Los Angeles Clippers. Even though there have been a number of headlines, I decided to take a different route by taking a look at which remaining players left in the NBA postseason companies should target to help market their company. I purposefully left out LeBron James and Kevin Durant in this because they are the two obvious picks. Here are my top three.

Under Further Review No. 5: Greg Hanlon

Every so often, a piece of writing comes your way, hits you in the face and really makes you think about human behavior and how things work. Greg Hanlon's recent story on Sports on Earth about former Major League Baseball player Chad Curtis did just that for me. I could say it's about a 10-year outfielder now behind bars on multiple counts related to sexual misconduct with minors. But that doesn't even begin to tell the horrid and uncomfortable tale. I highly suggest you take some time to read it all as Hanlon laid it out.

Sport For Thought: Roc Nations Biggest Success Story Thus Far

Robinson Cano. Kevin Durant. Victor Cruz. Hakeem Nicks. Geno Smith. Skylar Diggins. CC Sabathia. James Young. Everything Jay Z touches turns to platinum, and Roc Nation Sports is no exception.

As Roc Nation Sports just celebrated its one year anniversary following much criticism and hoopla throughout the industry, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at their A-list clientele and discuss which star has been their biggest success.

Becoming a Professional MVP: Preparing for Draft Day

The first round of the NFL draft will be taking place on primetime television this coming Thursday, May 8^th. As the NFL teams will be jockeying for position, power and presence to make selections based on their own needs and wants, the college football players vying for a spot on the roster will simply have to wait anxiously for their name to be called.

Full 90: Amid sport, a global unifier, racism continues to divide

Actions speak louder than words.

During a week soiled with racism in sports, one commissioner, Adam Silver, appeased the public with his banishment of Los Angles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, while one player’s actions, Barcelona’s Dani Alves, ignited a social media campaign to fight racism in soccer. Adam Silver’s decision to ban Sterling will serve as the template for the league’s zero-tolerance policy for racist behavior. The commissioner’s action has been met with great support by team owners, players, and fans worldwide. Conversely, a battle to erase longstanding racism in soccer is only just beginning.

Outside the Octagon: UFC's New Drug Program

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), who regulates combat sports in the state of Nevada, are now going to implement a more enhanced drug testing program.  This announcement comes a few months after the NSAC banned Testosterone Replacement Therapy.  This new drug testing program will begin for the upcoming UFC 173 on May 24^th. 

SMTSU Spring Series Announced for May 7-10