Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Arnold Classic 2006

San Francisco Chronicle: Governor to star as gladiator ‘god’

Schwarzenegger to appear at blood-and-guts kickoff to fitness expo in Ohio

It’s touted in ads as “pure might battling pure fear,” a marriage of “raw power and brute force” complete with girls, guts, blood and plenty of grit.

And while so-called gladiator or ultimate fighting has gained legions of new fans and celebrity supporters nationwide, the planned appearance of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a major pay-per-view fight in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend could fire up not only sports aficionados but the governor’s critics as well.

That’s especially true because Schwarzenegger signed legislation in September paving the way for such fights to be legal in California — where the first such state-sanctioned card is planned at the HP Pavilion next week in San Jose.

The sport, also known as cage fighting or mixed martial arts, has been blasted by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as “barbaric” cockfighting with humans. New York state banned the practice several years ago after Gov. George Pataki called it a “Neanderthal sport.’‘

Well, you can take the politician out of Conan the Barbarian but you cannot take the Barbarian out of the politico……….

Schwarzenegger is scheduled to make a star turn Friday at a “gladiator” match called the Gracie Fighting Championships, touted as the spectacular kickoff to the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic, which features amateur and pro fitness competitions, challenges and expos in 30 sports this weekend in Columbus.

Fight night at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena will draw an estimated 8,000 fans and a live pay-per-view audience of at least 300,000 more. Organizers say “some of the toughest fighters on the planet” will engage in five-minute freestyle “mixed martial arts” matchups using a potent blend of karate, boxing, wrestling, Thai kickboxing, judo and ju jitsu.

While the political pundits and pollsters debate whether this hurts or helps Schwarzenegger’s reelection chances, Flap says enjoy the show…………well at least this portion of the Arnold’s Classic: