Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Governor Avoids “GLADIATOR” Controversy

Iris Kyle of Fullerton CA wins the Ms International Championship. Dayana Cadeau – 2nd, Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia – 3rd, Jitka Harazimova – 4th, Betty Pariso – 5th, Bonny Priest – 6th.

San Francisco Chronicle: Governor forfeits extreme fights

Schwarzenegger ducks ‘gladiator’ controversy

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger canceled his plans Friday to lend his star power to a controversial card of “gladiator” style bouts, acting quickly to end a day of controversy that had complicated his negotiations with legislative Democrats over his huge public-works financing proposal.

The governor decided not to attend a card of mixed martial arts matches just hours before the event was to begin Friday night at the Nationwide Arena before a nationwide pay-per-view TV audience.

The promoters for the fights had touted the governor’s appearance for months at the mixed martial arts event, which was the opening highlight of the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic, a sports festival that is expected to draw 120,000 people by the time it ends Sunday.

So, Arnold wants to avoid controversy. But, the folks in Ohio wanted to see him at the extreme fight event. And Californians want to know why he is in Ohio and not doing the state’s business?

The governor signed a law in September legalizing mixed martial arts bouts in California after a series of rules changes that organizers say have made the fights less brutal. Such bouts still are illegal in all but a handful of states.

Schwarzenegger flew to Columbus on Friday after attending the funeral in San Bernardino of California Highway Patrol officer Gregory Bailey, who was killed by a suspected drunken driver last Saturday. He attended the finals of three of the Arnold Classic’s women’s body building and fitness competitions — Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International — but skipped his scheduled appearance at the final mixed martial arts bouts, where he was to present a lifetime-achievement award to former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier. Instead, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, booed by the crowd expecting Schwarzenegger, gave Frazier the award.

The governor, in an interview late Friday night at his hotel, said he knew his schedule included an award presentation to Frazier, but learned from The Chronicle story that the appearance was at the mixed martial art event.

“I’m not against it,” Schwarzenegger said of the mixed martial arts competition. “(But) I knew nothing about it (in advance).”

Well, now he says he knew nothing about the event…….

GOOD GRIEF!

How NOT to run a campaign………

Stay tuned……

Phil Cardella (on the mat) holds Pat Horner in a “triangle armbar” to win his mixed martial arts match at the Arnold Classic.