the UFC thread

[liberty]

I'm going for:

Griffin (decision)
Nog (2nd round submission)
Silva (tko punches)

Can't really call the Dollaway fight as don't know enough about his opponent, so will say Dollaway as a complete guess due to the fact he looks decent

Kongo should win. Al Turk just looks like a brawler and I think Kongo's skills will be too much for him. When I've seen Al Turk's fights he just seems like some sort of pub brawler.

 

[AngerManagement]

I'm going for Rashad via TKO, I think he knows Griffin is a cardio machine so he will attack early and decisively.

Nog via unanimous decision, I think Mir will gas

I'm going for a Rampage upset, I think the Wolfslair training will be pivotal

Dollaway should win convincingly and Kongo will destroy Al Turk, setting up a 2009 matchup with either Carwin or Dos Santos.

Seriously? With all due respect to Wolfslair it is hardly Chute Boxe

To be fair I'm not sure Rampage winning will excatly be an upset. Yes Wandy has crushed him twice previously, but this fight is under UFC rules and in a cage, plus Rampage has improved as a fighter whilst it could be argued Wandy is not the same force he was in his prime.

I think (maybe bias coming from a muay thai background myself) that the Thai clinch will be the key to this fight, If once again Ramage gets caught in a postion where he is stuck in a clinch and eating knees he is going to suffer the same way as the previous fight.

Rampage needs to use his boxing power and technique to set up a take down and use his superior wrestling to gain victory here I think.

 

[Has1978]

Pretty much every fight went the way I didn't want it to. But all the winners were worthy winners to be fair.

 

[riversmonkey]

I couldn't believe Mir won, that completely shocked me. But 4/5 predictions is alright for me.

Both of the fabled Brazilians look finished. Which is a shame.

 

[AngerManagement]

I couldn't believe Mir won, that completely shocked me. But 4/5 predictions is alright for me.

Both of the fabled Brazilians look finished. Which is a shame.

Both have had too many tough fights, plus Silva never looked great in the UFC even before he went to Pride.

The rules and dynamic of the UFC do not suit some fighters who thrived under Pride condtitions (look at Mirko).

Basic boxing technique again comes up trumps in the UFC, sloppy punching from Wanderli...he left his chin wide open for that left hook and allowed Rampage the inside for a free shot with his sloppy wide punches.

Silva has been knocked out heavy too many times now, how many can an aging fighter take? Belforts thousand odd punches rammed down his throat all those years ago, the Cro Cop head kick was sick and he took beatings in both the Henderson and Liddell fights recently.

Seriously this guy is no where near the force he was during his peak Pride years.

Mir fought a good fight, but again big Nog looked punch drunk (as they say)

Forrest was lucky to get to the top in the first place I feel so I wasn't the least suprised to see Evans take the title, Rampage vs Evans is an interesting bout (surely the first defence?)

How Al Turk ever got the UFC??? hmm well I have no clue what he did to deserve to make it to the big show, UFC needs to spend money to improve the quality of it's heavy weight divison.

 

[Has1978]

Both have had too many tough fights, plus Silva never looked great in the UFC even before he went to Pride.

The rules and dynamic of the UFC do not suit some fighters who thrived under Pride condtitions (look at Mirko).

Basic boxing technique again comes up trumps in the UFC, sloppy punching from Wanderli...he left his chin wide open for that left hook and allowed Rampage the inside for a free shot with his sloppy wide punches.

Silva has been knocked out heavy too many times now, how many can an aging fighter take? Belforts thousand odd punches rammed down his throat all those years ago, the Cro Cop head kick was sick and he took beatings in both the Henderson and Liddell fights recently.

Seriously this guy is no where near the force he was during his peak Pride years.

Mir fought a good fight, but again big Nog looked punch drunk (as they say)

Forrest was lucky to get to the top in the first place I feel so I wasn't the least suprised to see Evans take the title, Rampage vs Evans is an interesting bout (surely the first defence?)

How Al Turk ever got the UFC??? hmm well I have no clue what he did to deserve to make it to the big show, UFC needs to spend money to improve the quality of it's heavy weight divison.

Some good points - and especially on the HW division. Thwy get rid of Werdum and Arlovski and yet can justify the like of Al-Turk? Astonishing.

I am actually really sad about Wanderlei Silva. Was really rooting for him as I like him and can't stand Rampage.

 

[punky]

One of the best UFCs I have ever seen. None of the main events went to points or even a submission. The refs have been told to back off as they do let the fights run a bit more.

I'm gutted for Forrest as he controlled Evans well. One caught kick got him on the ground where Evans did well. I don't think Forrest was ever going to recover when he was grounded, Evans punches just packed too much.

Good solid performances from everyone else, from Mir. Its going to be a good match with Lesnar. Really enjoyed the stand up fighting and the ground n' pounding.

Jackson did well against

 

[riversmonkey]

UFC 93 this Weekend. Here are my Predictions

Franklin vs. Henderson
2008 was a rough year for the legends of PRIDE, however 2009 may well be different. I think it's going to be the Year of the Veteran. With that in mind I'm going for Henderson over Franklin via decision.

Coleman vs. Rua
The rematch after their controversial first meeting in the UFC. I think Coleman will come out swinging and get an early TKO victory.

Belcher vs. Kang
I think Kang will take this via Submission

Davis vs. Lytle
Should be a brutal war and maybe a contender for fight of the night. I'm picking the Irish Hand grenade Davis to get the win via stoppage

Horn vs. Palhares
Palheres via submission.

 

[AngerManagement]

UFC 93 this Weekend. Here are my Predictions

Franklin vs. Henderson
2008 was a rough year for the legends of PRIDE, however 2009 may well be different. I think it's going to be the Year of the Veteran. With that in mind I'm going for Henderson over Franklin via decision.

Coleman vs. Rua
The rematch after their controversial first meeting in the UFC. I think Coleman will come out swinging and get an early TKO victory.

Belcher vs. Kang
I think Kang will take this via Submission

Davis vs. Lytle
Should be a brutal war and maybe a contender for fight of the night. I'm picking the Irish Hand grenade Davis to get the win via stoppage

Horn vs. Palhares
Palheres via submission.

Their first meeting was not in the UFC.

For me Shogun will beat Coleman, a few years ago he was unstoppable (although much of his arsenal is nullified by UFC rules)

I was suprised that Coleman could make the 205 limit, I mean thats slightly less then I weigh and COleman has always looked like a truck to me. But seriously, if Shogun can't beat COleman then he is never going to get back where he was.

Franklin and Henderson is an interesting match up, Henderson I assume starts as favourite, he is a very well rounded fighter and people seem to have lost some respect for Franklin's game after being outclassed so easily by Anderson Silva. Still I will bet for Franklin to win this fight.

Can't wait for BJ vs GSP 2 though, that will be great.

Away from the UFC did anyone see Badr Hari get knocked out by Overeem? Overeem has put on an insane amount of muscle mass and is looking a much more dangerous operator now days.

The next Affliction event will also be a massive card, I wonder if it will get any tv exposure in the UK or it will be one to watch online again.

 

[riversmonkey]

Their first meeting was not in the UFC.

For me Shogun will beat Coleman, a few years ago he was unstoppable (although much of his arsenal is nullified by UFC rules)

I was suprised that Coleman could make the 205 limit, I mean thats slightly less then I weigh and COleman has always looked like a truck to me. But seriously, if Shogun can't beat COleman then he is never going to get back where he was.

Franklin and Henderson is an interesting match up, Henderson I assume starts as favourite, he is a very well rounded fighter and people seem to have lost some respect for Franklin's game after being outclassed so easily by Anderson Silva. Still I will bet for Franklin to win this fight.

Can't wait for BJ vs GSP 2 though, that will be great.

Away from the UFC did anyone see Badr Hari get knocked out by Overeem? Overeem has put on an insane amount of muscle mass and is looking a much more dangerous operator now days.

The next Affliction event will also be a massive card, I wonder if it will get any tv exposure in the UK or it will be one to watch online again.

Oops, I meant this will be their first meeting in the UFC since that controversial breakage at unbreakable.

There were rumours that Affliction were struggling to shift tickets for Day of Reckoning but I agree it looks a really good card.

Overeem was a K-1 fight wasn't it? No, I didn't see it, the only fight I watched from that card was the Cro cop vs. Hong Man Choi farce which was woeful.

 

[AngerManagement]

Oops, I meant this will be their first meeting in the UFC since that controversial breakage at unbreakable.

There were rumours that Affliction were struggling to shift tickets for Day of Reckoning but I agree it looks a really good card.

Overeem was a K-1 fight wasn't it? No, I didn't see it, the only fight I watched from that card was the Cro cop vs. Hong Man Choi farce which was woeful.

Overeem is well was a Pride fight, you would know him if you watched pride way back (Chuck Liddell knocked him out in Pride).

He is dutch (although was born in my home town of Hounslow) so as you can imagion he has a decent Muay Thai background.

He signed to fight Hari in a K1 rules fight which is the one recently where he destroy Hari in the opening mins of the first round. It is said that they conditions of the fight were that they were to have a second fight under mma rules (k1 heros I guess) but after what happened in the pure stand up fight I'm not sure Hari will want any part of him in a full mma bout. (I think Hari has only ever had one mma fight which he was sub'd)

As for Cro Cop, he is over. He also thought Overeem not so long ago (was ruled a no contest as Overeem punched his balls up into his throat) but still Mirko was getting dominated, I fail to see anyway back for him now.

At the end of the day you can't take big punishment like that head kick knock out he suffered, these things can seriously effect the rest of your career (same could be said of Wanderli after cro cop kicked his head off) especially when you are getting on in fighting terms and have had a long career.

Pride went all out for excitment with these lax weight match ups (open weight classes whatever) it made for exciting watching but the saftey and longivity has no doubt suffered.

I mean thus far who aside from Rampage has come over from Pride and shown the same type of form or better from their Pride days?

Changing the subject somewhat, it seems the UFC and Fedor will never put a deal in place so we need to be looking at a best of the rest type of man to come in and spice up the scene. I wonder if Dana would consider resigning Josh Barnet to the UFC (or if his failed drug test has black listed him.....in that case way isn't Sherk also an outcast?)

 

[Has1978]

Overeem is well was a Pride fight, you would know him if you watched pride way back (Chuck Liddell knocked him out in Pride).

He is dutch (although was born in my home town of Hounslow) so as you can imagion he has a decent Muay Thai background.

He signed to fight Hari in a K1 rules fight which is the one recently where he destroy Hari in the opening mins of the first round. It is said that they conditions of the fight were that they were to have a second fight under mma rules (k1 heros I guess) but after what happened in the pure stand up fight I'm not sure Hari will want any part of him in a full mma bout. (I think Hari has only ever had one mma fight which he was sub'd)

As for Cro Cop, he is over. He also thought Overeem not so long ago (was ruled a no contest as Overeem punched his balls up into his throat) but still Mirko was getting dominated, I fail to see anyway back for him now.

At the end of the day you can't take big punishment like that head kick knock out he suffered, these things can seriously effect the rest of your career (same could be said of Wanderli after cro cop kicked his head off) especially when you are getting on in fighting terms and have had a long career.

Pride went all out for excitment with these lax weight match ups (open weight classes whatever) it made for exciting watching but the saftey and longivity has no doubt suffered.

I mean thus far who aside from Rampage has come over from Pride and shown the same type of form or better from their Pride days?

Changing the subject somewhat, it seems the UFC and Fedor will never put a deal in place so we need to be looking at a best of the rest type of man to come in and spice up the scene. I wonder if Dana would consider resigning Josh Barnet to the UFC (or if his failed drug test has black listed him.....in that case way isn't Sherk also an outcast?)

can't really argue with any of that. hope you're wrong about cro-cop. some of his results and performances were stunning. but he seems so shit now.

as for fedor, if he beats arlovksi (which i hope he does, despite arlovski being a fantastic fighter and good pro) then i think the pressure on dana white will mount and mount. i mean, are you not already wondering how he'd fare against lesnar? i know the cool thing is to say he's destroy lesnar but lesnar seriously impressed me even in his first mir fight. i said there and then that he'd come back and be ufc champion if he improved just a little bit. he did. a fedor lesnar match is no foregone conclusion (and as you may have guessed i love fedor)

 

[AngerManagement]

can't really argue with any of that. hope you're wrong about cro-cop. some of his results and performances were stunning. but he seems so shit now.

as for fedor, if he beats arlovksi (which i hope he does, despite arlovski being a fantastic fighter and good pro) then i think the pressure on dana white will mount and mount. i mean, are you not already wondering how he'd fare against lesnar? i know the cool thing is to say he's destroy lesnar but lesnar seriously impressed me even in his first mir fight. i said there and then that he'd come back and be ufc champion if he improved just a little bit. he did. a fedor lesnar match is no foregone conclusion (and as you may have guessed i love fedor)

Arlovki is a good fighter but it would shock me no end if he was able to beat Fedor.

I don't personally think we will ever see Fedor in the UFC or even in a joint promoted match against a UFC champion.
To put it frankly the UFC has little to gain from such a match and a lot to lose.

Fedor has always refused to sign a deal to fight exclusivly for one orgainsation, I doubt his stance will change (nor will the UFC offer him a contract and allow him to fight his Sambo and other events)

So the bottom line is the UFC are the biggest game in town, they pretty much hold all the cards. Fedor is a big name within the MMA community and MMA watching world, but his name and reputation does not transcend this community (unlike the UFC which has great marketing and Brock who has the lure of his previous career in the WWF)

So I think it will never happen. In my opinion Fedor would beat Brock, he is too skilled in the MMA enviroment, Brock for all his explosive power and background in wrestling (olympic style, in which is pedigree is excellent) he is still a releative rookie in the sport and I think he would get subbed in the same way Mir took him out.

I am very eager to see the GSP/BJ Penn match up, they are two of my favoured fighters and some of the most skilled and exciting I have ever seen. Their first fight was excellent and the rematch promises to be amazing.

By the way, for the record I will be even more shocked if Coleman can beat Rua again the I would be by Fedor fighting in the UFC!!!

 

[AngerManagement]

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=29TIVZ0L

Shogun carring an injury?? looks like he got a dodgy leg

 

[riversmonkey]

What a strange night. Shogan vs. Coleman was a fascinating car crash of a fight and the main event descended into farce with the accidental eye poke. The referees and judges need to get together and clarify the rules, to see a referee in the middle of a fight unsure whether a fighter had any recuperation time after being poked in the eye was ridiculous, in any sport the officials must know the rules, and then to see a judge score Franklin 30-27 over Henderson, well that was just insane.

Three out of five of the fights I predicted correctly but I got most of the outcomes wrong.

 

[AngerManagement]

I am glad I decided against travelling to Ireland to go to this event, it would have been a very expensive and dissapointing evening.

Still every event can't be as exciting as the 92 card and roll on the GSP/BJ fight, that surely will be amazing.

Shogun Rua looks to be another fighter from Pride who is never going to recapture his form of '05. It was bad enough he lost to reality tv star Forrest Griffen (unfair to Forrest but he Shogun of 2005 would have dismantled him imo) Injuries have took their tool and Shogun looked terrible again (leaving CHute box is a bad decision for both him and Wanderli I think)

However you have to give credit to Coleman, he is an old old man now (how long ago was it that Pete Williams kicks his face off?) But he is a vertern and a deserved hall of fame inductee (Ufc and Pride champion) winning at his age does have Randy COuture like magic too it.

I wasn't really impressed with any of the fights on the card and it's tough to see where Franklin or Henderson are supposed to go next, I mean both have been comfortably beaten by Anderson Silva and at 205 I find it hard to see either of them taking the belt (Machida must be in and around title contention soon)

Roll on Feb 1st, the BJ Penn vs GSP fight is likely to bring us more excitment then the close of the football transfer window (seeing as all our targets are either uninspiring or going tits up)

 

[liberty]

I am glad I decided against travelling to Ireland to go to this event, it would have been a very expensive and dissapointing evening.

Still every event can't be as exciting as the 92 card and roll on the GSP/BJ fight, that surely will be amazing.

Shogun Rua looks to be another fighter from Pride who is never going to recapture his form of '05. It was bad enough he lost to reality tv star Forrest Griffen (unfair to Forrest but he Shogun of 2005 would have dismantled him imo) Injuries have took their tool and Shogun looked terrible again (leaving CHute box is a bad decision for both him and Wanderli I think)

However you have to give credit to Coleman, he is an old old man now (how long ago was it that Pete Williams kicks his face off?) But he is a vertern and a deserved hall of fame inductee (Ufc and Pride champion) winning at his age does have Randy COuture like magic too it.

I wasn't really impressed with any of the fights on the card and it's tough to see where Franklin or Henderson are supposed to go next, I mean both have been comfortably beaten by Anderson Silva and at 205 I find it hard to see either of them taking the belt (Machida must be in and around title contention soon)

Roll on Feb 1st, the BJ Penn vs GSP fight is likely to bring us more excitment then the close of the football transfer window (seeing as all our targets are either uninspiring or going tits up)

I too was quite disappointed - but the last few live events I've seen have been on the whole quite disappointing.

I was really surprised by Shogun - where the hell has his CV work gone? Coleman understandably was gassing very early on due to his age and having to obviously dehydrate so much but Shogun looked very lacklustre! There were 2 or 3 occassions where I thought Shogun was going to finish it - where he either rocked Coleman or had him in an uncompromising position on the mat. For a BJJ blackbelt against a 'has been' wrestler that was poor show!

Franklin - Henderson again was not particularly entertaining. Franklin didn't look as explosive as he has done and Henderson did what I expected - to lay on Franklin and do very little.

I'm looking forward to Arlovski vs Fedor next week!

 

[liberty]

Just to add - you know Fedor will bring to the table. All of his fights are pretty entertaining and provide a good combination of raw hitting power and technical submissions. You know Fedor will bring it, it's just up to Arlovski and whether he'll bring it to the fight as well.

FWIW I think the Arlovski 360 videos are terrible!

 

[AngerManagement]

Just to add - you know Fedor will bring to the table. All of his fights are pretty entertaining and provide a good combination of raw hitting power and technical submissions. You know Fedor will bring it, it's just up to Arlovski and whether he'll bring it to the fight as well.

FWIW I think the Arlovski 360 videos are terrible!

Well a Fedor fight is always going to be a good watch because he is a master technition. Arlovski is an explosive guy, I guess he has a punchers chance (but in reality Fedor has been against great strikers many times and never been sloppy enough to be caught with a damning single shot)

Both have Sambo backgrounds, to be honest I don't see Arvlovski bringing much to the table, I would have rather he stay in the UFC and see where he can go in that HW divison.

I hope the fight goes longer and is less one sided the Fedor/Silvia.

This fight will show what Arvloski is made of, there was a time in the UFC where he looked immense, unfortunely that rather got exposed as a false perception in his second and third fights against Silvia.

 

[liberty]

Well a Fedor fight is always going to be a good watch because he is a master technition. Arlovski is an explosive guy, I guess he has a punchers chance (but in reality Fedor has been against great strikers many times and never been sloppy enough to be caught with a damning single shot)

Both have Sambo backgrounds, to be honest I don't see Arvlovski bringing much to the table, I would have rather he stay in the UFC and see where he can go in that HW divison.

I hope the fight goes longer and is less one sided the Fedor/Silvia.

This fight will show what Arvloski is made of, there was a time in the UFC where he looked immense, unfortunely that rather got exposed as a false perception in his second and third fights against Silvia.

I hope it's over pretty quick as I'm a Fedor fan and it will be rather humiliating for Arlovski given how much his team have been promoting the fight and talking about the confidence of everyone around him.

What's Fedor's reach? One of the reasons from what I've seen why he rarely gets caught is because he punches from a long way off and pretty furiously.