There will be no beasts with giant swords or scary fly-like monsters, just fellow human beings. Yes, Tommy from Power Rangers — the red one, in case your loyalties were divided chromatically — has finally announced his plans to debut in MMA “soon.”

As you’ll notice from the photo to the right, Mr. Tommy or whatever his real name is has since become very interested in the art of tattoo. That’s how you know he means business.

And of course his legions of fans are waiting, too. From an interview:

“I went to an anime convention recently, and they were asking me about fighting. They were all over 18 years-old. So I think there will be a lot of interest in my entrance into the sport.”

The only problem with that theory is that 18-year-old dudes that are into anime are into anything. Anime is at the margins of popular entertainment; if you’re into anime there’s a decent chance you’ve exhausted your interest in just about anything else. Including sports.

Still, if the fighting thing doesn’t work out, Tommy can always fall back on retail sales. He’s the owner of fightwear company “Jesus Didn’t Tap,” which is just way too awesome for words. This whole story, really. Just fantastic.

Earlier today, Eamonn posted a fun-filled piece on MMA fighter Nick Diaz, who happily admits that he smokes pot. It’s quite possible that he’d be a better athlete without the habit, but with it, he’s posted an 18-7 record. Predictably, authorities such as the Nevada State Athletic Commission prohibit marijuana use, and their argument is actually pretty solid. From the source article:

“The drug is banned because of the damage it does to the person taking it,” said Keith Kizer, Nevada State Athletic Commission executive officer. “It could make you lethargic, slow your reflexes, and those are dangerous things in a combat sport.”

One could argue that Diaz has every right to put himself in additional danger, but the business has every right to protect its interests. This, though, is an exception to what I feel should be the rule: athletes should not be suspended or fined by their leagues for marijuana use.

On a personal note, I stay away from marijuana, because I don’t want to roll out of a drive-thru and run over a little girl on a tricycle, like that unfortunate gentleman in the commercial. But save for a very few rare cases, the worst marijuana can do is turn you into an annoying, insufferable loser. The government already has the job of prosecuting people for silly, victimless “crimes.” Why should sports leagues feel compelled to double down on the punishment?

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Hey guys. Remember back in college, when all your buddies were like yo, dude, bro, I have a drug test coming up for this accounting firm, I have to stop smoking. And then they’d freak out for like three months? That’s basically what MMA fighter Nick Diaz does. The only differences are a) Nick Diaz beats people up for a living, while your buddies are probably accountants now, and b) your buddies didn’t walk into their job interview and be like, GUESS WHAT, FUTURE EMPLOYERS!? I LOVE TO SMOKE WEED AND LISTEN TO MUSIC! I’M AN ANTEATER!

Nick Diaz did:

For mainstream sports fans thirsting for an athlete to come completely clean about taboo subjects in sports, here’s an introduction to mixed martial arts fighter Nick Diaz, who not only speaks openly but is willing to answer follow-up questions.

“I’m more consistent about everything being a cannabis user,” Diaz said in an interview with The Times last week. “I’m happy to get loaded, hear some good music . . . I remain consistent. And I have an easy way to deal with [the drug tests].

“I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers. I drink 10 pounds of water and sweat out 10 pounds of water every day. I’ll be fine.”

No, seriously, Nick: be honest. How do you feel about weed? I’m sensing … ambivalence? Could you be more clear about this?

HT: Unsilent’s Twitter.

For all the whining about mixed martial arts being too dangerous, or too savage, or too violent, it’s clear the sport is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It’s slowly turning into my generation’s boxing; the stars of MMA are now household names.

Because of its success, and even though some parents haven’t been too keen on their kids participating in the sport, it’s slowly creeping down into the younger age demo. Like at Winchester High School in Massachusetts, which may be the only MMA club or its kind.

Kwak lobbied for the program for two years before it began in 2006. When school administrators saw his commitment and professionalism — he pursued everything from correct safety measures to financing — they supported the club.

The school’s only concern was that the students were not actually hitting each other. They practice kicks and punches to pads, but do not kick or punch with one another. The club has not had a serious injury in the two years it has been active.

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Alex Woudard, a freshman, said he did not like sports like baseball or football because they were too slow.

“I started a few weeks ago because I watch this stuff on TV and I wanted to do it for real,” he said.

Whoa, whoa, whoa: football is “too slow”? I tell ya, kids these days. Give it another generation or so, and the only sports being participated in during the high school years will NASCAR, extreme roller derby, MMA and Slamball.