I’d bet money Rich will do much, much better in their next fight.
[quote]Ruggerlife wrote:
Sentoguy wrote:
I honestly don’t see anyone in the UFC’s current middleweight division dethroning Silva.
Good training,
Sentoguy
I wonder if the UFC will want Dan Henderson to fight to unify the 185lbs belt? Or will the Pride belt just disappear and Dan remain at 205lbs?
Are any other top 185lbs guys coming over from Pride? [/quote]
I don’t think Dan will be dropping weight due to the more interesting matchups for him at 205 right now, that is where the money is for him. Paul Filho would give Silva a test, but he’s going over to the WEC. Silva’s standup game is wicked, and I’m glad Okami did not win against Franklin because Okami would probably be able to lay all over Silva for a decision.
[quote]StevenF wrote:
I’d bet money Rich will do much, much better in their next fight. [/quote]
Well, he would be hard pressed to do worse.
Wow, the crowd sucked, and ruined a bit of my own personal enjoyment. I can understand legitimate booing but much of it was fickle and ignorant.
On a greater point I am not sure if I want to see Tito or Rashad ever fight again, and I don’t just mean each other.
Yes, that was a good leg kick that Rashad handed 5’8" C- level Sean Salmon, but Rashad’s personality I have always found extremely annoying and delusional and last night just solidified that notion again.
His post fight comments were utterly ridiculous and his hand gestures and nervous “showboating” once again proved ineffective and annoying. “I felt him break inside” are you kidding me nice timing too.
I really always look forward to watching an Anderson Silva fight and in my opinion he played with Nathan for much of the duration an incredible showing by Silva!
THe booing I did agree with last night was at the end of Ortiz and Evans, it was WELL deserved, and Tito still seems to not have added another dimension onto his one dimensional style and couldn’t wait to pimp another sub par match-up with Evans…no thanks.
http://images.t-nation.com/forum_images/a/7/a7e6a-rashaddance.gif
Then again Tito gassed pretty soon and both guys looked half there, so with Rashad’s pointless (fighting not to lose, not fighting to win) post 15 second take down at the end of the fight I could see how it felt like Tito may fall apart, he was gassed.
I just don’t find either of these fighters terribly exciting and when you put then together let the snoozing and non-competitiveness begin. There should not be a rematch, I think Dana is too smart to do that anyhow.
Tito’s last performances in recent memory have been lackluster. The last time Tito Ortiz finished a fight besides Ken Shamrock was in 2001 against Elvis Sinosic…
Just some points on the above comments, Henderson has repeatedly said he wants no part of 185 pound division. The reason it took him this long to fight in the UFC is because they were insistent that he fight at middleweight but he wanted no part of it, saying that 205 is his thing right now.
Secondly, part of the reason Filho went to WEC is because he and Anderson train together at Black House and they don’t want to fight each other.
Outside of those two I don’t see anyone giving Anderson huge trouble, so I think the Spider is here to stay for a long time.
[quote]Donut62 wrote:
Just some points on the above comments, Henderson has repeatedly said he wants no part of 185 pound division. The reason it took him this long to fight in the UFC is because they were insistent that he fight at middleweight but he wanted no part of it, saying that 205 is his thing right now.
Secondly, part of the reason Filho went to WEC is because he and Anderson train together at Black House and they don’t want to fight each other.
Outside of those two I don’t see anyone giving Anderson huge trouble, so I think the Spider is here to stay for a long time.[/quote]
Cool, but I thought Filho was BTT. Has he jumped to Black House with Big Nog or do they tend to all mix it up together?
[quote]Donut62 wrote:
Just some points on the above comments, Henderson has repeatedly said he wants no part of 185 pound division. The reason it took him this long to fight in the UFC is because they were insistent that he fight at middleweight but he wanted no part of it, saying that 205 is his thing right now.
Secondly, part of the reason Filho went to WEC is because he and Anderson train together at Black House and they don’t want to fight each other.
Outside of those two I don’t see anyone giving Anderson huge trouble, so I think the Spider is here to stay for a long time.[/quote]
I didn’t realize Filho and Silva trained together…too bad, I’d have liked to see that matchup. I think Anderson’s next opponent should be Kendall Grove with the loser having to get a new nickname.
[quote]AdamC wrote:
Donut62 wrote:
Just some points on the above comments, Henderson has repeatedly said he wants no part of 185 pound division. The reason it took him this long to fight in the UFC is because they were insistent that he fight at middleweight but he wanted no part of it, saying that 205 is his thing right now.
Secondly, part of the reason Filho went to WEC is because he and Anderson train together at Black House and they don’t want to fight each other.
Outside of those two I don’t see anyone giving Anderson huge trouble, so I think the Spider is here to stay for a long time.
Cool, but I thought Filho was BTT. Has he jumped to Black House with Big Nog or do they tend to all mix it up together?[/quote]
BTT has disolved due to problems with money/managment. Filho went to Black House, Nog trained there for his last fight but plans to just float around and run his own training camps (kind of like what Tito does).
I am not a TUF only fan as I was accused of. I would never boo at any sporting event, let alone one in which the athletes risk as much as they do in MMA. That being said, when being featured on a PPV card, the fighters should try to go for KOs.
The most exciting fighters in boxing over the years were those who would try to KO their opponents and that was in a sport called the sweet science. UFC fans want action, not half assed jabs from a distance as happened in the Tito-Rashad fight.
Also, Sherk and Silva were so much better than their opponents the fights were hardly worth making. The fans there that night sucked as do most people who go to the UFC cards. They are usually the TUF fan type or B list celebs.
[quote]GLA88 wrote:
I am not a TUF only fan as I was accused of. I would never boo at any sporting event, let alone one in which the athletes risk as much as they do in MMA. That being said, when being featured on a PPV card, the fighters should try to go for KOs.
The most exciting fighters in boxing over the years were those who would try to KO their opponents and that was in a sport called the sweet science. UFC fans want action, not half assed jabs from a distance as happened in the Tito-Rashad fight.
Also, Sherk and Silva were so much better than their opponents the fights were hardly worth making. The fans there that night sucked as do most people who go to the UFC cards. They are usually the TUF fan type or B list celebs. [/quote]
The booing was way out of control this weekend, and that sucks - But as much as the card promised some great fights, I preferred the fights from UFC 72 (except for Okami vs. Franklin).
C.Law - you’re a complete tool. So you’re a Nog fan and you’re sticking up for him - that’s great - but realise that there’s an extremely high chance that if Herring hadn’t of been hesitant during the last part of the first round AND/OR the first part of the second round, he would have won. Nog was fucked.
The Sherk fight was really quite good, but I would have liked to have seen Sean finish him off at one stage, just like everyone else. And screw all of the people who would say that I’m not a real MMA fan because I wanted to see a submission or KO - Who wouldn’t have liked to have seen one? I would have been happy with a decision after 25min of fighting if the match had of been close, but Sherk completely dominated him from start to finish and still didn’t put Hermes away.
The Ortiz fight WAS lackluster. Evans didn’t engage until the last minute of the last round and Tito never looked like finishing him.
Ortiz speaks before the fight: “I’m used to 5x5min rounds, so I’ll REALLY be ale to push the pace in a 3x3min.”
Reality: Gassed at the start of the third
Evans speaks before the fight: “Tito’s not just gonna know he’s gonna be in a fight, he’s gonna be in a war. A WAR!”
Reality: Rashad dances around the outside for 14 minutes while throwing the weakest looking punches from the elbow I’ve ever seen.
It was great to see Silva finish Nate off, but as someone said before, Anderson completely outclassed his opponent - so much so that the fight really wasn’t that interesting.
I’m not going to name names (because I don’t think California Law needs to look like more of a dickhead than he already does), but I’m sick of these tossers thinking they’re so much better than other MMA fans because they started watching before TUF started showing. What is it? Does it makes you feel more hardcore in your elitist snobbery? You should respect and be thankful for the TUF viewers - A lot of what you now enjoy about the UFC these days is because of the boost in popularity that came from that reality show.
I think Sherk is awesome. His last two fights were aginst bjj guys. Sherk was too strong for them but the bjj guys had the skill to survive. Sherk’s skill set doesn’t do much for finishing guys like that. Too bad Riberio is in Heros, because while Riberio is another bjj guy he is on another level I think from Florian and Franca.
Also Aoki would be like a diet BJ wth Sherk in his guard, so I would want to see that.
I don’t know why they don’t bring over guys like Melendez, Hansen, Kawajiri, Ishida and Gomi. These guys have fifferent skill sets form the guys Sherk is used to fighting and would make interesting match-ups.
Paulo Filho can fight at LHW as well, so if he is up for that they should bring him over. Rashad Evans and Terry Martin should fight him. I would also like to see Marquardt fight Franklin someday.
At this point I think Silva would have to fight a guy with excellent striking. It looks like Silva is fine with being taken down and guys don’t present a threat standing. I can’t think if a guy like that at 185 who is available.
I would say Misaki, but Misaki would not do well against the other guys in the UFC who would try for a take down. I think Melvin Manhoef would walk through Silva’s stand-up but he is with Heros.
[quote]Donut62 wrote:
Outside of those two I don’t see anyone giving Anderson huge trouble, so I think the Spider is here to stay for a long time.[/quote]
So I guess this means he’ll be upset in his next match. 
[quote]otoko wrote:
At this point I think Silva would have to fight a guy with excellent striking. It looks like Silva is fine with being taken down and guys don’t present a threat standing. I can’t think if a guy like that at 185 who is available.
[/quote]
I was thinking, Yosuke “Yosukezan” Nishijima would make a good striking match up considering how many hits he took from Hunt and kept coming. However, Silva could likely submit him easily.
[quote]otoko wrote:
Sherk’s skill set doesn’t do much for finishing guys like that. [/quote]
I don’t think it is his skillset as much as it is his mindset. He refuses to posture up and drop bombs, even when he is in a dominant position. It’s hard to finish a guy with short elbows and punches.
[quote]otoko wrote:
Too bad Riberio is in Heros, because while Riberio is another bjj guy he is on another level I think from Florian and Franca.[/quote]
I’d love to see Shaolin in the UFC, but not until after he hooks up with Kid in Heros. Heck, I’d love to see Kid in the UFC, but there is no way Dana will ever outbid FEG for their star attraction.
[quote]otoko wrote:
Also Aoki would be like a diet BJ wth Sherk in his guard, so I would want to see that.[/quote]
I don’t think Aoki is ‘diet’ anybody from his guard. IMO, he has the most dangerous guard in MMA. The rest of his game needs work, but his guard is a thing of beauty.
[quote]otoko wrote:
I don’t know why they don’t bring over guys like Melendez, Hansen, Kawajiri, Ishida and Gomi. These guys have fifferent skill sets form the guys Sherk is used to fighting and would make interesting match-ups. [/quote]
Agreed. All of those guys would be awesome additions.
I know Hansen is currently in negotiations with Zuffa, and Dana has always had a hard on for Gomi, so I suspect they are making efforts on that front as well. El Nino also seems like an obvious fit since he is an american and could help sell some tickets in California. I have heard nothing regarding Kawajiri and Ishida. IMO, Ishida would be a particularly interesting fight for Sherk since both guys rely so heavilly on takdowns and dominant position.
[quote]otoko wrote:
Paulo Filho can fight at LHW as well, so if he is up for that they should bring him over. [/quote]
Zuffa already signed him. He’ll be fighting in WEC in September.
From what little I have read on the subject, it sounds like the WEC was Paulo’s idea, as he wants to fight for a belt but will not fight Anderson. I suspect he switch over to the UFC if/when Silva loses the MW belt. Regardless, the thought of Filho in that tiny WEC cage with elbows allowed is a truly frightening prospect.
[quote]otoko wrote:
I would say Misaki, but Misaki would not do well against the other guys in the UFC who would try for a take down. I think Melvin Manhoef would walk through Silva’s stand-up but he is with Heros. [/quote]
Manhoef would have the same problem as Misaki. He’d get tooled by the better wrestlers and takedown artists in the UFC. I love watching him fight versus guys who are willing to stand with him, but the rest of his game has never impressed me.
The guy who I think could give Anderson problems is Yoshihiro Akiyama. I wish Heros would either shit or get off the pot with him. Either let him fight or release him from his contract. The guy might a cheating bastard, but he is also a heck of a fighter.
[quote]Steve4192 wrote:
Zuffa already signed him. He’ll be fighting in WEC in September.
[/quote]
so is WEC a Zuffa entity? I noticed several times rogan/goldie mention Faber and possibly a few others, and also when they showed Faber in the crowd the banner even said WEC lightweight champ. I though that was odd given the UFC’s “he fights in Japan wink wink” old position. Whats to gain by promoting two US organizations instead of the talent pool being in their flagship? just the fact that WEC is not PPV yet? your insight please sir…
[quote]Steve4192 wrote:
otoko wrote:
Sherk’s skill set doesn’t do much for finishing guys like that.
I don’t think it is his skillset as much as it is his mindset. He refuses to posture up and drop bombs, even when he is in a dominant position. It’s hard to finish a guy with short elbows and punches.
otoko wrote:
Too bad Riberio is in Heros, because while Riberio is another bjj guy he is on another level I think from Florian and Franca.
I’d love to see Shaolin in the UFC, but not until after he hooks up with Kid in Heros. Heck, I’d love to see Kid in the UFC, but there is no way Dana will ever outbid FEG for their star attraction.
otoko wrote:
Also Aoki would be like a diet BJ wth Sherk in his guard, so I would want to see that.
I don’t think Aoki is ‘diet’ anybody from his guard. IMO, he has the most dangerous guard in MMA. The rest of his game needs work, but his guard is a thing of beauty.
otoko wrote:
I don’t know why they don’t bring over guys like Melendez, Hansen, Kawajiri, Ishida and Gomi. These guys have fifferent skill sets form the guys Sherk is used to fighting and would make interesting match-ups.
Agreed. All of those guys would be awesome additions.
I know Hansen is currently in negotiations with Zuffa, and Dana has always had a hard on for Gomi, so I suspect they are making efforts on that front as well. El Nino also seems like an obvious fit since he is an american and could help sell some tickets in California. I have heard nothing regarding Kawajiri and Ishida. IMO, Ishida would be a particularly interesting fight for Sherk since both guys rely so heavilly on takdowns and dominant position.
otoko wrote:
Paulo Filho can fight at LHW as well, so if he is up for that they should bring him over.
Zuffa already signed him. He’ll be fighting in WEC in September.
From what little I have read on the subject, it sounds like the WEC was Paulo’s idea, as he wants to fight for a belt but will not fight Anderson. I suspect he switch over to the UFC if/when Silva loses the MW belt. Regardless, the thought of Filho in that tiny WEC cage with elbows allowed is a truly frightening prospect.
otoko wrote:
I would say Misaki, but Misaki would not do well against the other guys in the UFC who would try for a take down. I think Melvin Manhoef would walk through Silva’s stand-up but he is with Heros.
Manhoef would have the same problem as Misaki. He’d get tooled by the better wrestlers and takedown artists in the UFC. I love watching him fight versus guys who are willing to stand with him, but the rest of his game has never impressed me.
The guy who I think could give Anderson problems is Yoshihiro Akiyama. I wish Heros would either shit or get off the pot with him. Either let him fight or release him from his contract. The guy might a cheating bastard, but he is also a heck of a fighter.[/quote]
You make very good points. I know Filho is signed and it seems he will be going to the WEC. Though I remember in an interview he said that Dana doesn’t want him in the UFC and doesn’t want him to fight Franklin. Also said Okami is “bad”. I don’t know what really is the truth. I know him and Anderson are in Black House together but there are fights for him in the UFC at MW and LHW. They could keep him busy. Of course he can stay busy in the WEC but I would really like to see Filho in against some stiffer competition.
Yes you are right about Manhoef. If the UFC wants a guy who could beat Silva though that is the guy. He would probably lose his next fight to whoever decides to take him down though. Misaki would make it a very ugly fight standing up with all that lateral movement and awkward striking but has the same problem as Manhoef against wrestlers. Ultimately guys like Misaki, Gono and Chonan would be better at 170.
I don’t think the UFC could get Kid unless they are willing to give him more than a million dollars a fight, but Gomi wants to fight in the UFC, Mach also. Two entertaining fighters.
[quote]Frank Castle wrote:
Steve4192 wrote:
Zuffa already signed him. He’ll be fighting in WEC in September.
so is WEC a Zuffa entity? I noticed several times rogan/goldie mention Faber and possibly a few others, and also when they showed Faber in the crowd the banner even said WEC lightweight champ. I though that was odd given the UFC’s “he fights in Japan wink wink” old position. Whats to gain by promoting two US organizations instead of the talent pool being in their flagship? just the fact that WEC is not PPV yet? your insight please sir…[/quote]
Zuffa owns the WEC.
I feel kind of foolish for not mentioning it earlier, but the perfect match up for beating Anderson would be Matt Lindland. Of course, he is off making millions in Bodog, and after the way the UFC fucked him I doubt he’ll ever come back.
Also, it was damn cool to see Mach sitting cage side. I imagine we will see him soon or else they wouldn’t have given him face time. They announced him as a welterweight and he sitting at a table covered in food so I imagine the crusty bastard has given up on making 155.
[quote]Frank Castle wrote:
Whats to gain by promoting two US organizations instead of the talent pool being in their flagship? just the fact that WEC is not PPV yet? your insight please sir…[/quote]
There are too many fighters to properly feature in one organization, and it gives Zuffa another foothold in the basic cable landscape (Versus network). Zuffa’s gimmick for the WEC is to build up the little guys. The WEC’s glamour division is the 145 pound featherweights, and Faber is their posterboy.
There are so many great fighters available at the smaller weight classes who are used to fighting for the scraps left over by the big boys. Three years ago, guys who couldn’t make the 170 pound class were stuck fighting on Indian reservations for $500 a night. There are a ton of fantastic FW fighters who would be THRILLED to make the $3K/$3K Zuffa minimum wage.
The WEC cards will be action packed from the fans perspective and dirt cheap to produce from Zuffa’s perspective.