Law 1 Never outshine the master.
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Law 2 Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies.
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Law 3 Conceal your intentions.
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Law 4 Always say less than necessary.
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Law 5 So much depends on reputation. Guard it with your life.
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Law 6 Court attention at all costs.
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Law 7 Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.
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Law 8 Make other people come to you; use bait if necessary.
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Law 9 Win through your actions, never through argument.
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Law 10 Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.
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Law 11 Learn to keep people dependent on you.
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Law 12 Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
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Law 13 When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interests, never to their mercy or gratitude.
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Law 14 Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
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Law 15 Crush your enemy totally.
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Law 16 Use absence to increase respect and honor.
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Law 17 Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.
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Law 18 Do not build fortresses to protect yourself. Isolation is dangerous.
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Law 19 Know who you're dealing with; do not offend the wrong person.
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Law 20 Do not commit to anyone.
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Law 21 Play a sucker to catch a sucker: play dumber than your mark.
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Law 22 Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.
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Law 23 Concentrate your forces.
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Law 24 Play the perfect courtier.
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Law 25 Re-create yourself.
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Law 26 Keep your hands clean.
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Law 27 Play on people's need to believe to create a cultlike following.
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Law 28 Enter action with boldness.
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Law 29 Plan all the way to the end.
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Law 30 Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
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Law 31 Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.
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Law 32 Play to people's fantasies.
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Law 33 Discover each man's thumbscrew.
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Law 34 Be royal in your fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.
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Law 35 Master the art of timing.
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Law 36 Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge.
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Law 37 Create compelling spectacles.
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Law 38 Think as you like but behave like others.
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Law 39 Stir up waters to catch fish.
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Law 40 Despise the free lunch.
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Law 41 Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes.
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Law 42 Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
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Law 43 Work on the hearts and minds of others.
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Law 44 Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.
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Law 45 Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.
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Law 46 Never appear perfect.
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Law 47 Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.
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Law 48 Assume formlessness.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Strikeforce vs. UFC: 10 Dream Bouts
Good times were had making dream matches back when WEC merged with the UFC, so why not play dream matchmaker once again?
These matchups are purely for entertainment and discussion purposes, as both promotions have bouts currently signed and planned.
Robbie Lawler vs. Alan Belcher
Someone is going down in this fight for sure. I can picture big punches and kicks vividly. Besides, who wouldn’t watch either of these guys versus anyone?
Tim Kennedy vs. Michael Bisping
Is there an MMA fan in existence that doesn’t like Kennedy? I doubt it. That said, Bisping plays the heel as good as anyone. Bisping is a polarizing figure that has both lots of fans and those who want to see him lose. Each group would watch this one for different reasons, and they’d watch in droves.
Shinya Aoki vs. George Sotiropoulos
How sick would the ground work be in this rematch? Unprecedented sickness, perhaps.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Demian Maia
Another potential amazing ground battle. Would it be too much to ask for these ground masters not to slug it out?
Josh Barnett vs. Junior dos Santos
I would pay to see this fight tomorrow; so would you. Everyone loves the heavyweights.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar
Does Fedor have anything left? This would be a blockbuster fight, even with the recent slide of “The Last Emperor.” Would Fedor be able to channel his former reputation, or would he just get mauled by the gigantic heavyweight?
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Quinton Jackson
This fight has its own story already in place, as the words have been flowing at each other for a long time now. Two elite trash talkers = a promoter’s dream.
Nick Diaz vs. Georges St. Pierre
If he gets by Jake Shields and is not going to fight Anderson Silva, the most exciting fight for GSP is Diaz. Can you really count Diaz out? I don’t think so.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard winner
Say no more; this would be a no-brainer and an epic 155-pound pay-per-view main event.
Alistair Overeem vs. Cain Velasquez
K-1 striker vs. the world’s premier heavyweight mixed martial artist. Who wins? Is Overeem’s hammer big enough to take out Velasquez? My vote is no.
These 10 bouts are just scratching the surface of possible UFC vs. Strikeforce matchups. Tell us below which bouts you’d like to see, and how they’d unfold.
These matchups are purely for entertainment and discussion purposes, as both promotions have bouts currently signed and planned.
Robbie Lawler vs. Alan Belcher
Someone is going down in this fight for sure. I can picture big punches and kicks vividly. Besides, who wouldn’t watch either of these guys versus anyone?
Tim Kennedy vs. Michael Bisping
Is there an MMA fan in existence that doesn’t like Kennedy? I doubt it. That said, Bisping plays the heel as good as anyone. Bisping is a polarizing figure that has both lots of fans and those who want to see him lose. Each group would watch this one for different reasons, and they’d watch in droves.
Shinya Aoki vs. George Sotiropoulos
How sick would the ground work be in this rematch? Unprecedented sickness, perhaps.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Demian Maia
Another potential amazing ground battle. Would it be too much to ask for these ground masters not to slug it out?
Josh Barnett vs. Junior dos Santos
I would pay to see this fight tomorrow; so would you. Everyone loves the heavyweights.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar
Does Fedor have anything left? This would be a blockbuster fight, even with the recent slide of “The Last Emperor.” Would Fedor be able to channel his former reputation, or would he just get mauled by the gigantic heavyweight?
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Quinton Jackson
This fight has its own story already in place, as the words have been flowing at each other for a long time now. Two elite trash talkers = a promoter’s dream.
Nick Diaz vs. Georges St. Pierre
If he gets by Jake Shields and is not going to fight Anderson Silva, the most exciting fight for GSP is Diaz. Can you really count Diaz out? I don’t think so.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard winner
Say no more; this would be a no-brainer and an epic 155-pound pay-per-view main event.
Alistair Overeem vs. Cain Velasquez
K-1 striker vs. the world’s premier heavyweight mixed martial artist. Who wins? Is Overeem’s hammer big enough to take out Velasquez? My vote is no.
These 10 bouts are just scratching the surface of possible UFC vs. Strikeforce matchups. Tell us below which bouts you’d like to see, and how they’d unfold.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Matches to Make After Strikeforce ‘Diaz vs. Daley’
The Strikeforce welterweight champion beat Paul Daley at his own game in the Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” headliner on Saturday, as he put away the British striker with first-round blows in a memorable encounter at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. Daley met his demise with only three seconds remaining in round one, as he was stopped on strikes for the first time in 39 professional appearances.
A meeting with Daley’s widowmaker of a left hook left Diaz on all fours with a little more than a minute left in the first period, but the rugged Stockton, Calif., native made himself a moving target on the ground, weathered the punch and returned to his feet. There, he rushed and finished Daley with another one of his trademark volleys. Diaz has stopped nine of his 10 foes during his current winning streak, during which he has established himself as one of the world’s premier welterweights and one of the sport’s most entertaining gladiators.
A closer look at four matches we want to see after Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” follows:
Nick Diaz vs. Tyron Woodley: Still raw and relatively unproven, Woodley poses perhaps the most difficult style matchup for Diaz. An NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri -- he teamed there with current Bellator Fighting Championships welterweight titleholder and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren -- he wields the kind of wrestling pedigree that has given Diaz pause in the past. Undefeated in eight professional starts, Woodley has positioned himself for a run at the belt at exactly the right time. Diaz has all but run out of potential suitors under the Strikeforce banner. Whether or not Woodley’s defenses could withstand Diaz’s spider bottom game remains a real concern, but one has to figure matchmakers will strike while this iron is hot. Woodley’s athleticism, speed and top-flight wrestling make for an intriguing matchup with the champion.
Gilbert Melendez vs. K.J. Noons: Melendez put together what will likely go down as the most complete performance of his career, as he dismantled respected Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri in the co-main event. His heavy right hand had the former Shooto champion on his heels from the start, and he never relented. Ultimately, Melendez made Kawajiri pay for a desperate takedown attempt, as he sprawled, punched and elbowed his way to a violent finish. It was as beautiful as it was brutal, and Melendez can now make a real case as the world’s top lightweight. Noons showed his fortitude in going five taxing rounds with Diaz at 170 pounds in October. At lightweight, he is a brute. Perhaps the purest striker in MMA, his quick, powerful and precise punches can change a fight in an instant. Couple those abilities with his ever-improving takedown defense, and he poses a significant threat to Melendez’s throne.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Dan Henderson: Minus takedowns, Mousasi controlled his fight with UFC veteran Keith Jardine from start to finish. However, an illegal first-round upkick from Mousasi cost him a point and resulted in a majority draw that was panned by many. Few are blessed with more natural ability than the former light heavyweight champion, who has competed at three different weight classes in the last two years. Mousasi owns a 17-1-1 mark in his past 19 outings. At 40, Henderson remains one of MMA’s elite competitors, and a return to the 205-pound division has breathed new life into the former two-division Pride Fighting Championships titleholder. Carving out an historic niche in the sport, Henderson added the Strikeforce light heavyweight crown to his resume in March, when he dethroned Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante with his fabled right hand at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. No matter who comes next for the two-time Olympian, he will be difficult to knock off the mountaintop.
Shinya Aoki vs. Josh Thomson: Aoki’s second appearance on American soil went far better than his first. The Japanese submission ace capitalized on a major strategic blunder from Lyle Beerbohm and submitted “Fancy Pants” in a little more than a minute and a half. Despite a number of high-profile and embarrassing hiccups throughout his combat sports career, Aoki has long been established as one the world’s best at 155 pounds. The talented but oft-injured Thomson wields the kind of wrestling chops needed to keep a fight against Aoki standing and the kind of striking ability required to make him fold. Thomson, who turns 33 in September, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Kawajiri on New Year’s Eve in Japan. The American Kickboxing Academy representative, respected for years as one of the division’s scrappiest competitors, has never been submitted. That alone makes for an interesting storyline against Aoki.
A meeting with Daley’s widowmaker of a left hook left Diaz on all fours with a little more than a minute left in the first period, but the rugged Stockton, Calif., native made himself a moving target on the ground, weathered the punch and returned to his feet. There, he rushed and finished Daley with another one of his trademark volleys. Diaz has stopped nine of his 10 foes during his current winning streak, during which he has established himself as one of the world’s premier welterweights and one of the sport’s most entertaining gladiators.
A closer look at four matches we want to see after Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” follows:
Nick Diaz vs. Tyron Woodley: Still raw and relatively unproven, Woodley poses perhaps the most difficult style matchup for Diaz. An NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri -- he teamed there with current Bellator Fighting Championships welterweight titleholder and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren -- he wields the kind of wrestling pedigree that has given Diaz pause in the past. Undefeated in eight professional starts, Woodley has positioned himself for a run at the belt at exactly the right time. Diaz has all but run out of potential suitors under the Strikeforce banner. Whether or not Woodley’s defenses could withstand Diaz’s spider bottom game remains a real concern, but one has to figure matchmakers will strike while this iron is hot. Woodley’s athleticism, speed and top-flight wrestling make for an intriguing matchup with the champion.
Gilbert Melendez vs. K.J. Noons: Melendez put together what will likely go down as the most complete performance of his career, as he dismantled respected Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri in the co-main event. His heavy right hand had the former Shooto champion on his heels from the start, and he never relented. Ultimately, Melendez made Kawajiri pay for a desperate takedown attempt, as he sprawled, punched and elbowed his way to a violent finish. It was as beautiful as it was brutal, and Melendez can now make a real case as the world’s top lightweight. Noons showed his fortitude in going five taxing rounds with Diaz at 170 pounds in October. At lightweight, he is a brute. Perhaps the purest striker in MMA, his quick, powerful and precise punches can change a fight in an instant. Couple those abilities with his ever-improving takedown defense, and he poses a significant threat to Melendez’s throne.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Dan Henderson: Minus takedowns, Mousasi controlled his fight with UFC veteran Keith Jardine from start to finish. However, an illegal first-round upkick from Mousasi cost him a point and resulted in a majority draw that was panned by many. Few are blessed with more natural ability than the former light heavyweight champion, who has competed at three different weight classes in the last two years. Mousasi owns a 17-1-1 mark in his past 19 outings. At 40, Henderson remains one of MMA’s elite competitors, and a return to the 205-pound division has breathed new life into the former two-division Pride Fighting Championships titleholder. Carving out an historic niche in the sport, Henderson added the Strikeforce light heavyweight crown to his resume in March, when he dethroned Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante with his fabled right hand at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. No matter who comes next for the two-time Olympian, he will be difficult to knock off the mountaintop.
Shinya Aoki vs. Josh Thomson: Aoki’s second appearance on American soil went far better than his first. The Japanese submission ace capitalized on a major strategic blunder from Lyle Beerbohm and submitted “Fancy Pants” in a little more than a minute and a half. Despite a number of high-profile and embarrassing hiccups throughout his combat sports career, Aoki has long been established as one the world’s best at 155 pounds. The talented but oft-injured Thomson wields the kind of wrestling chops needed to keep a fight against Aoki standing and the kind of striking ability required to make him fold. Thomson, who turns 33 in September, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Kawajiri on New Year’s Eve in Japan. The American Kickboxing Academy representative, respected for years as one of the division’s scrappiest competitors, has never been submitted. That alone makes for an interesting storyline against Aoki.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
New colors for asu
It is tough to argue with the rhyme and reason voiced by NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. The NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns stated his philosophy, “You look good. You play good. That’s the bottom line. But that’s in any walk of life, really.”
Arizona State University’s athletic department is prepared to follow suit.
On April 9th (Sun Devil Club event) and April 12th (Media and Public release), ASU is prepared to unveil a complete overhaul to the Sun Devils’ brand; including logo modifications, re-tooling the uniforms and continuing upgrades to the facilities, as well as Sun Devil Stadium.
First signs of ASU “change” occurred simultaneously as Dennis Erickson announced his 2011 recruiting class. Maroon marketing cards were displayed with a gold pitchfork and the date: April 12, 2011.
No details. No specifics.
Then, the ASU athletic department took to social media and increased the predictive banter.
Three weeks ago, ASU athletics posted a video on YouTube titled, “It’s Time…To Celebrate Our Past.” With the ceremonies rapidly approaching, more and more videos were posted.
Over the weekend, Sun Devil fans were greeted with ASU’s latest teaser video, “It’s Time. April 12, 2011.”
"It's Time...To Celebrate Our Past"
“Don’t fear change, just the Sun Devils,” was the final narration.
For years, uniform talk, color schemes and logo placement has run ramped on ASU message boards, along with an abundance of colorful language.
Much of the disgust stems from the potential removal of the Sun Devils beloved mascot and athletics logo Sparky. Yet, the athletic department remains firm about Sparky remaining prominent.
Subtle changes over the years came and went in a flash, including stints with all white uniforms, all maroon uniforms and one lone defeat at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats in head to toe gold jerseys.
Still, change affects people in different ways. Some are open to growth and willing to accept change as a positive. Others believe in tradition, keeping with the routine and remaining stagnant.
In the world of college athletics, words like stagnant, stale or dull should never characterize your athletic program.
Arizona State is taking the initiative and forming a progressive movement within the sports world. Although, many might consider a logo change or jersey modification a great business move in a suffering economy, the Sun Devils expect these changes to be far-reaching on multiple platforms.
"A Little Bit of History With a New Twist"
After all, college football is the kingpin of intercollegiate athletics. With that, the Sun Devils do expect change in 2011, especially on the gridiron.
Just as the conference went through change in 1978 with the addition of ASU and Arizona, the Sun Devils will usher in change alongside the revamped Pac-12, once again.
Now in the inaugural season of the Pac-12 conference, the Sun Devil football team will explode out of the gates with a new look, too.
Whether the colors of emphasis are gold, maroon, black or white or the decal on the helmet has a new, 21st century Sparky, a pitchfork, uniform numbers or the throwback “sunburst” logo, the buzz surrounding ASU athletics will inflate dramatically by opening kickoff on September 1st.
The results thereafter will determine how much progress ASU athletics will make.
If the players look good and feel good in their new threads, the results will come, or so, Mr. Rice says.
With preseason optimism heightened in anticipation of a breakthrough year for football, a new set of uniforms and an entire athletic department overhaul can only help to attract future recruits, while expanding the fanbase.
Seventeen and 18-year-old high school athletes love new gear or “swag.” The infatuation with new uniforms, with black incorporated, is nothing new, but today’s youth salivate over unveiling ceremonies in this fashion.
However, new uniforms alone will not hang championship banners or win football games, and that is what ASU is looking to progress towards. Change is the first step towards that goal.
Although, change does not have a timetable, only a launching point.
By this time next week, the “new look” Arizona State Sun Devils will be fully equipped with fresh Nike uniforms, a new logo, a new plan, and a new image to attract millions of new supporters and family members to the ASU community.
Yet, one has to wonder; if the players like it, will the fans admire the changes, as well?
Arizona State University’s athletic department is prepared to follow suit.
On April 9th (Sun Devil Club event) and April 12th (Media and Public release), ASU is prepared to unveil a complete overhaul to the Sun Devils’ brand; including logo modifications, re-tooling the uniforms and continuing upgrades to the facilities, as well as Sun Devil Stadium.
First signs of ASU “change” occurred simultaneously as Dennis Erickson announced his 2011 recruiting class. Maroon marketing cards were displayed with a gold pitchfork and the date: April 12, 2011.
No details. No specifics.
Then, the ASU athletic department took to social media and increased the predictive banter.
Three weeks ago, ASU athletics posted a video on YouTube titled, “It’s Time…To Celebrate Our Past.” With the ceremonies rapidly approaching, more and more videos were posted.
Over the weekend, Sun Devil fans were greeted with ASU’s latest teaser video, “It’s Time. April 12, 2011.”
"It's Time...To Celebrate Our Past"
“Don’t fear change, just the Sun Devils,” was the final narration.
For years, uniform talk, color schemes and logo placement has run ramped on ASU message boards, along with an abundance of colorful language.
Much of the disgust stems from the potential removal of the Sun Devils beloved mascot and athletics logo Sparky. Yet, the athletic department remains firm about Sparky remaining prominent.
Subtle changes over the years came and went in a flash, including stints with all white uniforms, all maroon uniforms and one lone defeat at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats in head to toe gold jerseys.
Still, change affects people in different ways. Some are open to growth and willing to accept change as a positive. Others believe in tradition, keeping with the routine and remaining stagnant.
In the world of college athletics, words like stagnant, stale or dull should never characterize your athletic program.
Arizona State is taking the initiative and forming a progressive movement within the sports world. Although, many might consider a logo change or jersey modification a great business move in a suffering economy, the Sun Devils expect these changes to be far-reaching on multiple platforms.
"A Little Bit of History With a New Twist"
After all, college football is the kingpin of intercollegiate athletics. With that, the Sun Devils do expect change in 2011, especially on the gridiron.
Just as the conference went through change in 1978 with the addition of ASU and Arizona, the Sun Devils will usher in change alongside the revamped Pac-12, once again.
Now in the inaugural season of the Pac-12 conference, the Sun Devil football team will explode out of the gates with a new look, too.
Whether the colors of emphasis are gold, maroon, black or white or the decal on the helmet has a new, 21st century Sparky, a pitchfork, uniform numbers or the throwback “sunburst” logo, the buzz surrounding ASU athletics will inflate dramatically by opening kickoff on September 1st.
The results thereafter will determine how much progress ASU athletics will make.
If the players look good and feel good in their new threads, the results will come, or so, Mr. Rice says.
With preseason optimism heightened in anticipation of a breakthrough year for football, a new set of uniforms and an entire athletic department overhaul can only help to attract future recruits, while expanding the fanbase.
Seventeen and 18-year-old high school athletes love new gear or “swag.” The infatuation with new uniforms, with black incorporated, is nothing new, but today’s youth salivate over unveiling ceremonies in this fashion.
However, new uniforms alone will not hang championship banners or win football games, and that is what ASU is looking to progress towards. Change is the first step towards that goal.
Although, change does not have a timetable, only a launching point.
By this time next week, the “new look” Arizona State Sun Devils will be fully equipped with fresh Nike uniforms, a new logo, a new plan, and a new image to attract millions of new supporters and family members to the ASU community.
Yet, one has to wonder; if the players like it, will the fans admire the changes, as well?
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