We all know what happened, with Cutler besting Branch Warren to reclaim what was once his. Jackson fell to third, with Greene and Heath following. Wolf did not even place and has been quiet of late. With such unexpected results then, who knows what is going to occur this time?

The men who have qualified so far are Cutler, Jackson, Warren, Greene, Heath, Wolf, Melvin Anthony, Erik Frankhouser, Toney Freeman, Marcus Haley, Victor Martinez, Evengy Mishin, Robert Piotrkowicz, Craig Richardson, Ronny Rockel, Roelly Winklaar and Hidetada Yamagishi.

People are very curious about Winklaar, who has been very impressive so far in his rookie professional campaign. He has not officially announced if he will in fact compete a the Olympia. Greene, who took his second consecutive Arnold in March (albeit a controversial decision as far as this writer is concerned), is looking to add his names to the list of bodybuilding greatness by capturing a Sandow.

Cutler is still the favorite going in until proven otherwise and he can assure himself of another victory even by coming in the same as he did last year. It will be hard to beat him if he does but because it is so wide open after that, anyone can jump into the top six and possibly do some damage. But if Cutler comes in a bit off – which is possible for anyone – then a guy like Heath (who deserved this year’s Arnold) can jump up.

There is always a wildcard once we reach Olympia weekend. Looking for one this year? Keep your eye on Rockel, who looked to be in superb condition at the Arnold Classic. If he an add some size and not lose any of his symmetry, he may just be the one we are talking about.

“I’m trying to give [the people of Haiti] them a little hope and trying to help as much as I can and do something positive for them,” the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver said at Media Day of the January 12 earthquake in his homeland. “So far, I’m very pleased with what we done with a lot of help and support and I know we couldn’t do it by ourselves.”

His NFL brethren have come through by doing their part, with Garcon as the lead man. “A lot of the guys have been trying to help,” he commented. “They have been coming to me asking me how they can help out and what is there to do to help. A lot of guys have been trying to lend their support. I’ve heard from a lot of guys on our team and a lot of guys on the Jets. A lot of guys have reached out to me.”

In only his second NFL season, the Mount Union product became one of Peyton Manning’s favorite targets. Garcon started 13 of the 14 games he played in and totaled 47 receptions (16.3 average) for 765 yards and four touchdowns. “We have a great relationship,” Garcon said of his quarterback. “We are getting more familiar with each other. It is a growing relationship and a growing process.”

Garcon played a big part in the 30-17 win over the Jets in the AFC Championship Game with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown and celebrated on the field afterwards holding a Haitian flag. He has brought it down to Miami and hopes to make a habit of waving it in victory following Super Bowl XLIV versus the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. “Hopefully we will win and I will have it out there with me,” said Garcon.

He will have a lot more than just the Haitian flag with him.

Photo By Bill Menzel

The 6 foot 3 inch, 250 pound Lashley, also a former collegiate wrestling star for Missouri Valley College and member of The United States Army, will face an opponent that has not yet been determined during the live, SHOWTIME® telecast of STRIKEFORCE:  Miami, the historic, first-ever STRIKEFORCE event in the state of Florida.

In his last MMA start on June 27, 2009, the 33-year-old pulverized and scored a first round (3:17) TKO on 6 foot 5 inch, 350 plus pound goliath Bob “The Beast” Sapp with a barrage of punches in Biloxi, Mississippi.  The win brought Lashley’s overall MMA record to 4-0.

“I’m looking forward to fighting for STRIKEFORCE and challenging myself by taking on some of the top heavyweights in MMA,” said Lashley, a native of Junction City, Kansas and resident of Denver, Colorado.

After getting his feet wet with several matches in both the WWE Raw and SmackDown! shows in 2005 and 2006, Lashley captured the WWE United States Championship by defeating rival competitor “JBL.”  During this stint with the league and another in 2007, Lashley wrestled several top superstars, including The Big Show and John Cena.

Lashley made his MMA debut on December 13, 2008, earning a 41 second TKO over Joshua Franklin after Franklin sustained a cut that would not allow him to continue their fight.

Earlier this year, Lashley joined Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling.  In his first appearance with the league on July 30, he helped tag team matchup partner Mick Foley defeat superstars Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash.

Tickets for STRIKEFORCE:  Miami officially go on-sale tomorrow/Friday, December 11 at the BankAtlantic Center ticket office as well as online at www.Ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/>   or by phone at (800)745-3000.

Doors at BankAtlantic Center open at 7 p.m.  The first non-televised, preliminary card fight will begin at 8 p.m.

STRIKEFORCE in March 2009 signed a multi-year agreement to stage live MMA events on premium cable television network SHOWTIME.  The promotion made its live, primetime debut on CBS with the “Fedor vs. Rogers” mega-fight that it co-promoted with M-1 Global on Saturday, November 7 and generated 5.46 million viewers for the main event between the world’s number one heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, and superstar Brett “The Grim” Rogers.

About STRIKEFORCE

STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com <http://www.strikeforce.com/> ) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”  In May 2008, West Coast

Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.

Source: Mike Afromowitz/StrikeForce

Although the Phils are in first place in their division, it is mostly by default. Lidge came crashing back down to earth with an 0-3, 7.86 ERA with 13 saves in 29 games before going on the disabled list. Ryan Madson stepped into the stopper’s role and had nearly as many blown saves (three) as saves (four). With Lidge making his first appearance in nearly three weeks, the fans at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark can only hope that the 2008 version is the one coming back.

Philadelphia leads the Mets – another team decimated by injuries –  by one full game in the National League East with a very paltry 38-34 mark, by far the weakest division leader in Major League Baseball. Considering that we are not even at the half way point in the season yet, it may come down to who can keep the most warm bodies on the field.

Photo by Bill Menzel

Heading into the 2008 Mr. Olympia contest, the one name being tossed around as a wild card was Phil Heath. The man known as the Gift was making his first appearance on the Olympia stage, but has had a very productive year. Winning the IFBB Iron Man and finishing second to Dexter Jackson at the Arnold Classic had the 28 year-old in line for a good finish in Las Vegas.

Two days before the Olympia, Heath remained humble about his chances. “Any time that you have the opportunity to be mentioned like that, it is a privilege,” he said. “Especially being a rookie, with the build up, to be in my position (being picked as) in the top six going in, for me, it’s an honor and a privilege.”

Sneaking into the top six became more likely once three solid competitors had to drop out due to injuries, including the runner-up last year, Victor Martinez. Although he acknowledged their capabilities, Heath felt confident enough to believe that he would finish high either way.

“I did beat Branch (Warren),” he said. “I did beat Kai (Green) this year already. It definitely makes it a more competitive battle. They’ll be terribly missed. I think they would have definitely changed the outcome.”

As Bob Cicherillo introduced Heath at the after party, he made a short statement that seemed to sound like a prediction. “Phil Heath will win this thing before too long.”

Finishing in the second runner-up position on his first attempt, that seems to be a good possibility.