Strikeforce announcers draw my ire!

I know this post is a week late as most of you have moved on to UFC 118 in anticipation of a professional event, but the Stikeforce commentary team continues to defy my ability to tolerate inadequacy.

Let me begin with Frank Shamrock. I can appreciate the need for an member of the team educated in the finer points of MMA, and who better than a fighter w/ a name, right? Well, even if I could ignore staring at Shamrock's braces, I could not avoid cringing at his delivery.

Where Shamrock seems unpolished, Mauro Ranallo has succeeded in sounding too professional. His stylized metaphors sound rehearsed, as if he were giggling in his hotel room prior to the fight while picturing himself mentioning such a quip at the perfect time during the broadcast. However, the worst part is the overall quality of his voice, which translates to the viewer more as a TV/radio announcer playing MMA commentator than a knowledgable fan. Save that nonsense for Jimmy Lennon Jr. before the fight and during production packages.

I do not even know the the 3rd man's name (Gus ?), but he is basically the same as Ranallo, but with no recognition and no place in the ring with the fighters after the final bell. His interviews are like sterile procedures. He is completely extraneous.

The unfortunate effect of these oversights is that the commentary accompanying the fights seems like an afterthought.

Strikeforce needs a 2 man team, at least one of whom should be a fan of the sport that can speak intelligently on what is happening live. If an actual fighter is required, call up Pat Miletich from the minors.

And lose the suits guys. There are not any foregin dignitaries with comped seats in the front rows. For an arena of fans dressed in shirts that resemble body art, business formal wear is a ridiculous addition.

I'm not suggesting that a popular comic/TV host paired with a staright announcer is the solution. . . yes I am.