Saw last nights epeisode, was a nice fight to watch.
Big question I had about that fight is why Josh did not go or did not appear to go for the rear naked choke. He had Melvins back several times and looked like he had his arms free on a couple occasions. Also you’d think that with Matt Hughes history of using that choke, he’d have urged Josh to try and sink it in.
I was wondering that myself, it looked wide open. I guess that’s all armchair talk and when your in there it’s a whole different ballgame, also I think experiance has to come in play to be able to think in a stressfull situation. I bet Matt was ripping him after the fight.
-T
There was also a time Josh had Melvins wasted cicnhed in a figure four. He could have easily squeezed for a submission a’la Ivan Salavary (sp?). But the lack of attempts for the RNC while he had Melvin’s back and both hooks in had he yelling at the TV.
[quote]danreeves1973 wrote:
Big question I had about that fight is why Josh did not go or did not appear to go for the rear naked choke. He had Melvins back several times and looked like he had his arms free on a couple occasions. Also you’d think that with Matt Hughes history of using that choke, he’d have urged Josh to try and sink it in. [/quote]
I noticed that too. I think for some of those times, Melvin had Berkman’s other arm, so Josh couldn’t get any kind of secure hold. Everytime Josh took Melvin’s back (which he offered on a silver platter), Melvin was able to reverse it, mostly becuase Josh’s legs were way high, up by his ribs, not hooked into his inner thighs or hips. But I guess it’s like you said, it’s easy to say the day after, looking from the outside.
I did notice that Josh used Hughes’ signature-style slam a few times. That made me smile. Overall, it looked like Josh was an above-average fighter, able to consistently do the right things, as opposed to being outstandinglyly spectacular in any one aspect of the game.
I’ve been watching…tough ass sport man. I wouldn’t voluntarily take on any of these dudes. I supposed if I had no choice I’d do my best to defend myself but damn…
One thing I do question is why they are forced to fight 5 minute rounds. That is what slows down the action at times and tires these guys out. The fights would be much more intense (is it possible?) if they fought 3 minute rounds. Just my opinion…
MB
[quote]BJBliffert wrote:
There was also a time Josh had Melvins wasted cicnhed in a figure four. He could have easily squeezed for a submission a’la Ivan Salavary (sp?). But the lack of attempts for the RNC while he had Melvin’s back and both hooks in had he yelling at the TV.[/quote]
Saw that and was thinking the same thing about the figure four. Josh got in some nice slams also.
Be interesting to see if the heavyweights have much technical skill or if its going to be a simply brawling.
[quote]masterblaster wrote:
One thing I do question is why they are forced to fight 5 minute rounds. That is what slows down the action at times and tires these guys out. The fights would be much more intense (is it possible?) if they fought 3 minute rounds. Just my opinion…
MB[/quote]
Anyone with any kind of ground game wouldn’t fair as well with shorter rounds. It takes some time to wait and find an opening, shoot in for a successful takedown, and then work for a dominant position or submission. This was evidenced last night, when Melvin had a serious guillotine working on Berkman for the last 15 seconds of round 2, but had to release at the bell.
[quote]tjd772 wrote:
There is no technique to fighting. [/quote]
This sentence is wrong, illogical, and I’m not even sure what you were trying to say.
Melvin’s fight had me thinking deja vu all over again. I remember someone else said that he was Chris Leben all over again earlier, and then he loses in the exact same way! A good striker who’s too cautious gets grounded and loses.
I thought the team competition part was interesting too. Originally, I thought crawling around on your knees was the gayest thing ever, but I realised it tested both strategy and strength, and the team with the best strategy ended up winning.
[quote]masterblaster wrote:
One thing I do question is why they are forced to fight 5 minute rounds. That is what slows down the action at times and tires these guys out. The fights would be much more intense (is it possible?) if they fought 3 minute rounds. Just my opinion…
MB[/quote]
Like Minotaur said before short rounds actually hurt the grapplers. 2-3 is fine for striking only such as boxing or k1 but 5 min rounds is actually on the low side for MMA. Pride has 10 min rounds and some in Japan are just a single 30 min round. The original MMA, Greek pankration pretty much lasted all day with no breaks. If at the end there was no winner they just had to stand their and trade punches until one guy couldn’t get up. No dodging, no blocking, no flinching. While that may be a bit extreme now (probably why it was banned from the old Greek Olympics too) it does make fighters take their cardio a little more seriously and apply some strategy. If you go out swinging bombs you?re going to get tired and if the guy can stand your storm he’ll pick you to pieces once you?re too weak to lift your arms. Conditioning is key.
[quote]danreeves1973 wrote:
Also you’d think that with Matt Hughes history of using that choke, he’d have urged Josh to try and sink it in. [/quote]
Maybe Hughes has a mental block from that fight where Penn tooled his ass with that choke.
Okay, my main points from Monday’s episode:
I think it sucks that Quarry was allowed to stay last year, but Berkman had to leave this year. But I suppose, Berkman’s not technically a “coach”, so it could make sense.
Was it just me, or did it totally seem like Hughes sacrificed Rob, knowing his shoulder would put him at a disadvantage? I didn’t expect Hughes to throw a match like that, but you had to know that Rob’s shoulder would limit his performance.
I didn’t realize how limited the big Cowboy’s ground game was until I saw him laying on his back flailing his feet. That was kinda sad, and makes me think he won’t be around long, once he goes against someone with ANY kind of grappling skill.
I’m not really sure why Jorge is getting cranky about the new guy in the house. But, I suppose first impressions can mean something. The little preview of the “alliance” between Jorge and the Mystery Fighter might make me regret picking him as my winner. I really hope TUF doesn’t turn into a “reality show”.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
I think it sucks that Quarry was allowed to stay last year, but Berkman had to leave this year. But I suppose, Berkman’s not technically a “coach”, so it could make sense.
[/quote]
He was a good fighter so I?m pretty sure that since he went out on a win and seemed to make a good impression with everyone that he will have at least one fight in the UFC. Heck practically everyone from the first season has had fights on the UFC so I don?t see why this season will be any different. Kind of makes the show seem a little pointless at times? But I?ll still watch.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
You noticed that too? I guess everyone was just tired of him talking about his arm and wanted him gone but still, to throw him in the cage until his muscle ripped like that seemed… ruthless. I mean you?re that guys coach, ultimate fighter or not. But by losing him then they don’t have to think about trading anyone to the other team.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
He said he had only been fighting for about 9 months, so for less then a year he was pretty good. Still what the heck were they thinking putting someone with that little experience and that many injuries on the show?
The one thing that I am anxiously awaiting is Luke?s fight. He?s such a different character I have to see what he can do.
YOu know, I enjoy the show, but I’m not a fan of how much UFC is promoting last years fighters. Granted Diego is decent and Forrest is fun to watch, but it’s like they’re grooming them against shitty fighters in order to build up their popularity. I personally don’t think they’re on par with the majority of their division…especially those that didn’t even win the TV show but are still around(with the exception of Quarry.)
Great, all the tards have gone elsewhere.
The Burkman x Guillard fight was frustrating. Burkman had all the position and plenty of oppurtunities for ground and pound and the rear choke and didn’t make a serious attempt at either.
Apparently Eli was really outclassed during the first day of training. They were put into groups of 3 for the circuit training and the other two guys where handing his arse to him. Maybe just internet rumours…
The episode 3 fight wasn’t that good technically but there was plenty of action and it was back and forth. It would have to be the slowest triangle choke setup in history though.
Luke Cummo is great, I laugh my arse off whenever they show him talking. I wonder if he’ll top Diego Sanchez’s lighting storm yoga.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
Okay, my main points from Monday’s episode:
I think they let Quary stay last season because Couture felt guilty that he was the reason Quary hurt his leg. They were in the cage sparring (lightly from what I could see) and Randy went for a hard takedown and ran right into Nate. Berkman got injured in a fight, so the situation was a little different. I think if Berkman had been injured by one of the coaches the situation would be different. Regardless Berkman getting sent home is a real loss for his team.
la’
Redsol1
[quote]zdrax wrote:
Having watched the first and now this season, I have to say I’m quite unimpressed with the conditioning and physique of most of the competitors on the Ultimate Fighter. Coming into an opportunity like this, you should be in the best shape of your life. Many of these guys, frankly, don’t look it, especially when compared to the K-1 competitors.
UFC, to this day, still strikes me as attracting the haphazard “bar room brawler” more than the true martial artist, as PRIDE and K-1 seem to. It might just be a cultural difference, or the wide proliferation of non-MMA/full-contact martial arts organizations in the US. This season should be interesting - I like how they’ve changed the challenges to strength and conditioning events rather than random, “typical” reality TV tests.
I recommend everyone get ahold of the Stephen Bonner/Forrest Griffin fight from the finals of last year. It’s been heralded as perhaps the greatest MMA fight of all time. Maybe not so technically, but in terms of heart, strength, perserverance, and courage, their match was quite inspiring.[/quote]
That was probably the best fight I myself have seen. I actually really enjoyed the first season quite a bit and hopefully I’ll have cable installed in time at my new place to see most of this season.
As far as conditioning last season, a few of the guys seemed way out of shape (and of their league) but many seemed pretty close to their weight class. But I’m no expert, I just like the sport.
WMD
[quote]redsol1 wrote:
I think they let Quary stay last season because Couture felt guilty that he was the reason Quary hurt his leg. They were in the cage sparring (lightly from what I could see) and Randy went for a hard takedown and ran right into Nate.[/quote]
That makes more sense. I had thought Quarry got injured sparring with another contestant. I think that was actually the 1 episode I didn’t catch last season.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
That makes more sense. I had thought Quarry got injured sparring with another contestant. I think that was actually the 1 episode I didn’t catch last season.[/quote]
Well, technicaly he was sparing with another contestant. All of team Couture were in the training cage at once. Nate was sparing with someone else and had his back to Randy and Randy’s partner. Randy went for a single leg pick and ended up driving his parner and himself into the back of Quary, thus injuring his leg.
La’
Redsol1
I might be mistaken, but I think Nate was in Team Quest way before he was in TUF. So, him and Randy known each other for quite sometime. When Randy fought Chuck and Tito, you can see some guy in Randy’s corner looks just like Nate. Might be the reason why Randy had him stay for the show.
yeah, Nate Quarrry is tough…i’ve seen him fight before, and i have no doubt he would’ve won TUF season 1.
i noticed when Imes et the triangle on episode 3 of this year, that he had it backwards. all he was doing was putting pressure on the other guy’s neck and shoulder (which was apparently already injured).
honestly, i wonder if these guys are showing up hurt, or if they’re getting this dinged up in training…anybody know?