Follow MMARising.com on Twitter
MMARising.com Interview With Mauro Ranallo

Mauro Ranallo

Interview by Robert Sargent

Taking time from his extremely busy schedule, famed mixed martial arts commentator Mauro Ranallo talks extensively and exclusively with MMARising.com on topics ranging from the many promotions he has worked for to the top fighters of today, and everything in between.

Mauro Ranallo is one of the most well-known play-by-play announcers in mixed martial arts history, and his unique blend of informative and entertaining commentary has endeared him to many.

Though his schedule is jam-packed, he has kindly taken time for an in-depth interview with MMARising.com.

Now, to steal a line from Mauro himself, "Yo, yo, yo, and away we go!"



Rob: To begin, Mauro, many fans may recognise you from your recent commentary of EliteXC and ShoXC events on Showtime, but you were also the long-time commentator for Pride Fighting Championships with MMA legend Bas Rutten. Could you let our readers know just how many promotions you currently perform announcing duties for?

Mauro: Elite XC, Hardcore Championship Fighting, TKO Championship Fighting and Art of War.



Rob: How would you say each promotion compares to one another? For example, you seem to have more artistic freedom for humour in EliteXC broadcasts than perhaps you did in PRIDE. Is there any particular organisation you enjoy announcing for the most?

Mauro: I enjoy working for all of the organizations I am involved with. They allow me to do what I am best at, and I appreciate the opportunity to call the best MMA action in the world. I love adding my own flavor to the calls of the fights and, while my sense of humor isn't everyone's cup of tea, I won't be changing my style anytime soon.



Rob: You've also had many broadcast partners over the years. Which one do you feel you worked best with? Any thoughts on a long-term commentary reunion with Bas Rutten in the future?

Mauro: I would love to work with Bas again in the future! He is my best friend in the business, and I can honestly say if it wasn't for "El Guapo," I wouldn't be where I am today. I have had the pleasure of working with so many talented people, but Bas and I had that unique chemistry that is very hard to find.



Rob: Which fighter have you most enjoyed interviewing over the years? Perhaps Cro Cop in the now-infamous "punk out" interview from PRIDE?

Mauro: I am still trying to pay off my therapist bills following that "interview" with Mirko. Haha. I have been blessed, in that I have interviewed the biggest names in the sport. There is no way I could pick one as my favorite.



Rob: You are widely known as one of the most knowledgeable - and also entertaining - announcers is mixed martial arts history. To what would you best attribute your success? Does it bother you when you hear commentary from other promotions - the UFC or otherwise - from people who do not understand the sport as well?

Mauro: Thanks for the compliment! I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be both an announcer and an entertainer. I was blessed to be discovered at the age of 16 at my high school by a local pro wrestling promotion (All-Star Wrestling) that hired me to be an announcer/heel manager on its weekly TV show. I did that for three years before embarking on a radio career as a DJ/sportscaster. I have been a lifelong fan of combat sports, and began announcing Muay Thai fights for TSN in 1999.

I think my work ethic and preparation are the biggest ingredients for success. I am a fan first and foremost, and a student of mixed martial arts, meaning I live and breathe the sport, as well as boxing and pro wrestling. God blessed me with the ability to communicate in an entertaining and informative fashion, and I absolutely love what I do!

I have nothing but respect for my broadcasting peers. Everyone has his/her own unique style, and I have been blessed to work with the very best in the business, including the man who has really been instrumental in helping me get this far, the inimitable "El Guapo" Bas Rutten.



Rob: You provided commentary for the recent Hardcore Championship Fighting "Destiny" event in Calgary, Alberta. What were your thoughts on the event, and how do you like working for HCF?

Mauro: HCF CEO Keith Crawford is one of my best friends. He was the one who hired me to do the Muay Thai shows on TSN, and we've enjoyed a working relationship ever since. I think Hardcore Championship Fighting has a very bright future. Keith and his partner, Dave Houshiar, are very serious about bringing the best MMA talent to Canada. I thought the "Destiny" event was one of the best shows in Canadian history. Having the likes of former PRIDE superstar Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the main event, along with a litany of international stars and young Canadian talent, really helped establish Hardcore Championship Fighting as the promotion to watch in 2008.



Rob: Shifting focus to your work with EliteXC for a moment, their recent event, "Street Certified," aired on February 16th (live on Showtime in the United States and The Fight Network in Canada). Could you please give us your thoughts on the event, and on the showcased battle between legendary street fighters David "Tank" Abbott and Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson?

Mauro: Working with the preternaturally talented folks at Showtime is a dream come true, and Elite XC has, in a very short period of time, established itself as one of the top MMA promotions in the world. The matchmaking has been second to none, and the "Street Certified" event was no exception. It was an amazing night of fights, culminating with the phenomenon known as Kimbo Slice's crushing KO of MMA pioneer Tank Abbott in the main event. Miami loves its Internet street fighting legend, and I truly believe Elite XC has lightning in a bottle with Kimbo.



Rob: Another rising star in EliteXC is female fighter Gina Carano (5-0), who is also currently serving as "Crush" on American Gladiators. Her weight class makes it difficult to face top competitors, but, in your opinion, how many more fights does she need before she should start taking on some of the true "top 10" female mixed martial artists from Japan or elsewhere?

Mauro: Gina is a very good striker who is continuing to work on her ground game at the all-star camp known as Xtreme Couture. I do believe she has to decide whether she wants to remain focused on fighting or on a career in Hollywood. She has had difficulty making weight, and the 140-pound weight class in Elite XC was created to accommodate her issues on the scale. There are many talented female fighters, like Tara Larosa, who I believe would give Gina Carano a very tough test and I, for one, would love to announce a Carano vs. Larosa scrap.



Rob: Are you personally a fan of female fighters being featured on main cards of shows like EliteXC, or do you feel that it is better to have all-female promotions, like SmackGIRL?

Mauro: I have always been a fan of the distaff division, and I applaud Elite XC for giving the talented women in the sport a forum to showcase their skills in front of a large audience.



Rob: Speaking of EliteXC, where do you see the promotion one year from now? Two years?

Mauro: I really think Elite XC has a chance to do some great things. They've already established an impressive track record of putting on quality shows, and I think that, as long as the company is able to put together the fights the fans want to see, the sky is the limit.



Rob: EliteXC's largest competitor in North America right now is obviously the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It's no secret that you haven't been a fan of some of the UFC's business practices, but is there any one thing that you feel is holding the UFC back?

Mauro: I will be the first to congratulate the UFC on the success it has achieved. Dana White is very passionate about his company, and he's a great promoter. I don't always agree with the things he says about his competitors and other fighters, and his brash demeanour doesn't always endear himself to everyone, but he's a success and you can't argue with success.



Rob: Along those lines, what is your business relationship like with UFC president Dana White, or do you know him at all?

Mauro: I have only met Dana once and he was very cordial.



Rob: What were your thoughts when you first heard of the UFC's purchase of Pride Fighting Championships? And when you heard of PRIDE's demise?

Mauro: I wasn't surprised that the UFC would purchase its number one competitor although, right now, I am sure Zuffa is having second thoughts. Having had the honor and pleasure of being the voice of PRIDE for so many years, I was genuinely crestfallen when the UFC officially shut down PRIDE, but all good things must come to an end.



Rob: It's been revealed over the past two weeks that the UFC is actually suing former PRIDE owners, Dream Stage Entertainment, and that former PRIDE president Nobuyuki Sakakibara is planning to counter-sue. Which side do you believe will "win" the battle, and does it just sound like more unnecessary drama to you?

Mauro: I don't think there are any winners in this situation. Mr. Sakakibara always treated me with respect.



Rob: What are your thoughts on the recent UFC 81 event? Were you impressed at all by Brock Lesnar's debut, and how did you feel when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was crowned the new UFC Interim (for now) Heavyweight Champion?

Mauro: I was very impressed by Lesnar's debut. He manhandled Frank Mir for the first minute and showed everyone just how much of a physical force he truly is. I give kudos to Mir for weathering the storm and locking on the impressive submission, but I truly believe Lesnar has a very bright future in the UFC heavyweight division. As for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira becoming the first person to win the UFC and PRIDE Heavyweight titles, I was very happy for him. He is a class act and the best heavyweight submission fighter on the planet.



Rob: Final UFC-related question, do you believe that Randy Couture will return to the UFC at any point in the future, or do you think that he will hold out until October for the "super fight" with Fedor Emelianenko? Who do you think will come out the victor should that fight ever take place?

Mauro: Randy Couture will never return to the UFC. He told me that, and I believe him. As for a future fight with Emelianenko, I have to give the edge to Fedor, although, as Couture proved against Tim Sylvia, one should never bet against "The Natural."



Rob: On the topic of Fedor, we have been debating the top of the heavyweight rankings at MMARising.com. Since their inception, we have tried to maintain the most accurate fighter rankings possible, though rankings will always be subjective. Fedor has defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira twice in the past, but do you still feel that he should be the #1-ranked heavyweight in the world, or has his recent inactivity (and fighting unproven or undersized competitors - Mark Hunt excluded) sent him to #2? We have moved Nogueira to #1 for the time being, pending future fights.

Mauro: I agree that Emelianenko hasn't been the most active fighter in the world, but he has only been beaten once in his career and he avenged the loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka in impressive fashion. Given the fact that Emelianenko holds two wins over "Minotauro," I think "The Last Russian Emperor" is the number one heavyweight in the world.



Rob: Takanori Gomi (#1-ranked lightweight) and Josh Barnett (#3-ranked heavyweight) will both be competing on World Victory Road's debut "Sengoku" card on March 5th. Do you feel that this is a good decision on their part, with few other top competitors in the organisation for them to face, or do you expect them to drop heavily in their respective divisions if they do not start competing with the best once again?

Mauro: I think Gomi and Barnett have decided to give their services to the highest bidder, and how can you blame them? A fighter's career is short, and I can't begrudge them making the best living possible. I am a huge proponent for the best fighters facing each other, and that's why I wish all of the promotions would be able to work with each other, but unfortunately, politics preclude this from happening right now.



Rob: What were your thoughts on the M-1 Global co-promoted "Yarennoka!" event this past New Year's Eve? Do you wish that you had been a part of it, with it being somewhat of a "PRIDE send-off?" It was somewhat surprising that you and Bas Rutten were not announcing the event, given your history with PRIDE.

Mauro: I thought it was a great show with some fantastic fights. The production was very PRIDE-esque. Ironically, Bas Rutten and I watched the show together at his house in California. I can honestly say that I feel privileged to have been a part of the PRIDE experience, and I will cherish all of the great memories the promotion provided us with, but I have moved on and I'm busier than I've ever been doing something I love.



Rob: Along the same lines, what are your thoughts on the new DREAM promotion in Japan, which is basically a combination of the former PRIDE organisation and the now-former HERO's division of K-1? If the promoters of the new company asked, would you consider a return to Japan to commentate for DREAM?

Mauro: DREAM has assembled an impressive talent roster, and I wish the company nothing but success, but I am very happy with my current duties and I don't foresee a return to the Land of the Rising Sun.



Rob: If you could pick just one fighter, regardless of weight class, whom do you feel is the very best fighter in mixed martial arts today? Which fighters are not living up to their potential?

Mauro: I feel Georges St. Pierre is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. His performance against Matt Hughes in their rubber match was simply flawless.

Mirko Cro Cop's tenure in the UFC was less than memorable, but I think a return to Japan may be just what the doctor ordered for the "Croatian Sensation."



Rob: You've worked with The Fight Network in Canada for quite some time now. Can you give a bit of insight into all of your responsibilities with the company?

Mauro: I joined The Fight Network in September of 2006 and I guess you could say I am the "voice" of the station. I do daily news updates, in addition to providing play-by-play for various MMA and pro wrestling programs.



Rob: You also do daily commentary on Fight Network Radio (Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 186, from 3:00-4:00 P.M. Eastern time). What are some highlights - and lowlights - from your time working on the broadcasts, and which call-in guest has been your favourite thus far?

Mauro: I am very proud of what we've been able to accomplish with Fight Network Radio in less than a year. I have a radio background, and hosting the show has been an absolute blast! I may be biased, but I truly believe that it is the best combat sports radio show out there, with our comprehensive news, insiders and the biggest names in MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. My producer, "The Prodigy" John Pollock, does a fantastic job of keeping me in check. After all, they don't call me "The Bipolar Rock 'N Roller" for nothing!

I invite everyone to listen to the show, Monday to Friday at 3:00 P.M. (Noon Pacific) on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 186, and online at TheFightNetwork.com.



Rob: From a personal standpoint, what are your goals for 2008 and beyond? What would you like to be doing one year from now? Still commentating for EliteXC, or moving elsewhere?

Mauro: I am looking forward to continuing my duties with The Fight Network and my radio show. I definitely love commentating for Elite XC on Showtime, and hope to continue doing so for years to come.

 


MMARising.com sincerely thanks Mauro for his time in providing us with this interview. We wish him and everyone else at The Fight Network the best in all future endeavours.

WCReplays.com - The Warcraft III Community
WCReplays.com - The Warcraft III Community
Contact  |  Copyright  |  Advertise