MMA is pretty much the only sport I give a clear rats arse about these days. To me it's a true example of pure competition. I honestly believe Mixed Martial Artists are the best athletes in the world in regards to skill, finesse, strength, endurance, fitness, cardio, and also amongst the most modest and most sporting athletes. 
 
Two men drew me into this sport with their examples of seemingly unstoppable ferocity and unparalleled levels of class. They are both Brazilians, they are Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei (Van-Der-lay) Silva. Wanderlei (Wandy) Silva is a true legend of the sport and a prime example of what is so incredible about it. Wandy's run as Pride Middleweight Champion  for over five years set him in stone as one of the greatest of all time but it was his attitude that defined him and made the Japanese fans worship him. Wanderlei is the defining example of a gentlemen warrior. A fucking berserker in the ring and the nicest man on earth out side of it. It could be argued that he's such a nice guy when he's not kneeing people in the face because by that point he has no anger left!. 
 
I saw a shining example of this after he defeated Michael Bisping last year in Australia by unanimous decision. Wandy managed to halt Bisping at every turn landing better strikes and jumping up from every take-down with ease. In Bisping's corner was training mate and long time opponent of Wandy in Pride and UFC, B.A. Barracus himself, Quentin 'Rampage' Jackson . Rampage and Wandy fought 3 times. Twice Wandy beat Rampage (brutally) in Pride and once Rampage beat Wandy (brutally) in UFC. Most Mixed Martials Artists have a level of respect for their opponents and genuine dislike or even hatred is rare but with Wandy and Rampage they just never got on and went out to hurt each other. 
 
After Wandy had beaten Rampages camp mate for his second victory in the UFC what did Wandy do? He went up to Rampage, his long time opponent and enemy, someone he's said time and time again he wants to hurt, and he shook his hand.  
 
The fight is over. No more bitterness. No more hatred we'll leave that in the ring for our next match. These men who genuinely do not like one another, put that aside for that brief moment to shake hands. Rampage's biggest rival ever, the man who knocked him out so damn hard in Pride that he collapsed through the ropes, and had just beaten his close friend, came over to Rampage. And Rampage congratulates him. 
 
Of course it doesn't always go down that this anyone who saw Josh Koscheck vs Paul Daley can attest to that but in MMA, by and large, there is very, very little bad blood, no bitching to the ref as in football (soccer for the colonies), these true athletes in the vast majority of cases exude class in victory and in defeat. Package this competitive philosophy on honour and pride with the most exciting, technical and truly pure sports on earth and you have a winning combination. 
 
Another man who drew me in was Vitor Belfort when he kneed Marvin Eastmen in the head and gave him one of the worst cuts I've ever seen (youtube it the fight is like 60 seconds long and is awesome). Vitor is, like Wandy, pure class. A passionate Christian (as is Wandy as well as many other fighters) who dedicates all his fights to strength through Jesus. Not sure how Jesus, the ultimate pacifist, feels about it but it's a nice sentiment. 
 
Tonight Vitor fights long time UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Now Anderson has been for a long time deemed unstoppable. That is until Chael Sonnen came with in a hamsters pubic hair of stopping him last year. For those who didn't see it  Chael dominated the match for around 24 minutes before getting caught in the triangle choke in the last few seconds. And by dominate I mean dominate. He made Anderson look frankly amateur and lost not through Anderson's skill but more his own sloppiness.  
 
Another man who lost due to his own sloppiness was Rich Franklin when Vitor knocked him out in order to get to this title shot. So we have two men who are here not as a result of their own skill but more their previous opponents mistakes. Although with Vitor the fight was early and had that mistake not been made I had Vitor pegged to win the fight anyway. On this basis, that Vitor has not been dominated recently and Anderson has been. ROYALLY DOMINATED. I give the edge to Vitor. I will quanitify this by saying I have seen Vitor fight many more times than Anderson and the few times I've seen Anderson fight he hasn't left much of an impression (but then maybe I've been watching the wrong fights). 
 
Also Forrest to beat Franklin and Bader to beat Jones (I don't have much of an opinion on the other fights) 
 
Before I close this off (thank you for getting this far!) I've been thinking about who Wandy should fight when he returns. I really want to see Wandy fight both Chris Leben and Brian Stann. Both of these men would make a great fight with Wandy but given Stann just beat Leben last month fairness deems he should be given the first opportunity. Post that I think it's about time we saw that Wanderlei vs Vitor rematch. People still reference that as a major victory for Vitor but I have to feel these days Wandy is the more agressive fighter of the two. I hope the UFC make it happen, I know both men would love to go at it again.    

Black Metal. Arguably the most sub, sub-genre and the most sub of all "main" genres: Heavy Metal. Black Metal is quickly becoming my favourite genre of music. 
 
Right now 3 of my favourite bands reside within the confines of this genre (Wodensthrone, Drudkh and Wolves in The Throne Room) plus a litany of other bands that I personally class as some of the best I've ever heard. EVER! I'm serious here to me, to my ears, Drudkh's debut LP 'Forgotten Legends' stands up there with Led Zeppelin IV and Black Sabbath's Paranoid is terms of sheer musical brilliance. Black Metal band Enslaved are quickly becoming the heir's to Pink Floyd's throne and Darkthrone are one of the most punk bands currently producing music. 
 
How the fuck did this happen?! I always thought Black Metal was what Immortal did in their videos.... ya kno.... stupid! But today as I was in the gym listening to Diadem of 12 Stars by Wolves In The Throne Room it struck me that I wasn't doing a manly thing like kicking a heavy bag or lifting something heavy and stuff... I was lost in the music. There is something about this genre that scratches every itch I have. If I'm pissed off I have Anaal Nathrakh. You want to zone out? I have Alcest or Enslaved for that. Want to feel all patriotic and stuff I pop on Wodensthrone, or Winterfylleth or Forefather! Want to hear something full of sorrow and passion? Ireland's Primordial have you covered there. Wanna punk out? Venom! Darkthrone! (early) Bathory! Wanna have your mind blown by crazy mind blowing melodies and proggy licks? Taake!  Arckanum! Woe! 
 
It's crazy to me that so many attitudes, philosophies and sounds are all found within this extremely niche genre to the point where I feel I could do away with all music that does not fit here and still feel musically fulfilled. Hell even 'I' and channelling Motorhead and Black Sabbath! If you want to find a band that reflects your tastes or outlook on life, chances are they'll be one within Black Metal:
Misanthrope: Anaal Nathrakh.   
Optimist: Alcest.
Self Harmer: Shining.  
Satanist: Gorogoroth.  
Christian: Horde.  
Patriot: Wodensthrone/Primordial et al 
Drug Addict: Blut Aus Nord  
Nursery Rhymes: Ulver
Prog Head: Enslaved 
Nazi Scum Bag: Fuck right off but you can find plenty of nazi or NSBM bands too.... unfortunately.
Folk fan: Drudkh    
Drone fan: (new) Mayhem 
Rock Fan: I
Monty Python fan:  The Meads of Asphodel 
Shit music fan: Dimmu Borgir
 
Here's the thing about this genre. ANYTHING is welcome! It's all about rebellion at heart and the latest batch of bands over the last 10 years or so have spent their time REBELLING AGAINST WHAT BLACK METAL MEANS! Have you ever heard of this in any other genre? Band's intentionally going in a direction that the KNOW will alienate fans because they only care about their own opinion? Many bands have a attitude of "fuck the fans!" THIS IS A GOD SEND! True artists do not care about what anyone thinks of their art. Not the label, and certainly not the general public. True Black Metal* is True Art. You may hate it, but these bands could not care less, because they produce art and art by definition has to be self serving. Black Metal is the realm of true art. Music for music's sake and nothing more. It also happens to be the most diverse and rich genre in existence today.  
 
Black Metal is ugly, beautiful, good and evil. It's a sledgehammer and a rapier. It's an embrace and it's a kick in the teeth. 
 
I love Black Metal. You should too. 
 
* Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir do not fall into this category. Because they are fucking atrocious.