The MMA Thread

**Sullybob** · 07-23-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by The Nid Hog

I only half-watched it because I had some other stuff going on. I caught bits and pieces of the last two fights. From what I saw, both Lombard and Boetsch looked flat. Barao seemed to have Faber's number, but he didn't push it. I'll have to watch it again later. What did you think?

That's what I thought it it as well. I've never seen Lombard fight and from the hype machine I expected to see my first fatality in the octagon. I don't know if he got "octagon jitters" or he usually fights that way, he might want to fight at 170.

**Walker** · 07-27-2012, 01:11 PM

Didn't get to see the fights but hated to hear Faber lost. I would like to see him get a UFC belt. He had a good run in the WEC and from the stories i'm reading he did pretty good for having a broke rib. Maybe someday.

**SmoovD** · 07-28-2012, 07:03 PM

Anyone catching the second Invicta FC card. Another all-woman card and so far the fights have been entertaining.

**brucered** · 07-31-2012, 04:03 PM

well, that UFC card was a waste of a couple hours of my time.

i actually FF most of the co-main event.

the undercard that was live on TV was actually very good though.

**The Nid Hog** · 08-04-2012, 06:30 AM

Who's watching UFC on Fox tonight? I think it's going to be a pretty good card. I have to wonder how Shogun comes back from the terrible beating he took last time out, but I think he'll want to showcase how he fights at his best. I'm betting he gets a TKO early on--maybe midway through the second. Machida v. Bader should be good too. My guess is that Machida outfoxes Bader, eluding his shots and attempts to land a bomb, picking him apart from the outside en route to a decision.

**rockviper** · 08-04-2012, 06:39 AM

I'm really looking forward to 3 fights on the card tonight:
- Shogun-Vera : I never bought into the Vera (self)hype from yesteryear and have been a Shogun fan from his Pride days. Shogun's body has taken quite the pounding over the years but his heart is still in it (see his last fight with Hendo). I think he'll put Vera away inside the first round, but sadly doubt he'll win a UFC title again against the young lions out there.

- Bader-Machida : Not a super-fan of either guy (don't know why, they just never clicked with me), but I think this will be the FOTN. with Machida getting the KO in the 3rd.

- Gamburyan-Omigawa : After Manny's cheap shot "swing after faking the glove touch," I love to cheer against him and see him beat down in each and every fight.

**The Nid Hog** · 08-04-2012, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by rockviper

I never bought into the Vera (self)hype from yesteryear and have been a Shogun fan from his Pride days. Shogun's body has taken quite the pounding over the years but his heart is still in it (see his last fight with Hendo). I think he'll put Vera away inside the first round, but sadly doubt he'll win a UFC title again against the young lions out there.

I'm with you on this. I can't believe how much I miss Pride. In general, I'm really sad about the collapse of Japanese MMA. There are still good fighters coming out of Japan, but MMA's popularity has cooled off there and the top promotions are dead. I think that the expansion of the UFC is generally a good thing, but I wish that there was an alternative out there that was as different as Pride was at its peak.

**The Nid Hog** · 08-04-2012, 08:04 PM

Great card for Fox tonight. Swick hasn't had an easy time of it, and it was nice to see him get a convincing win. Lauzon did a good job of setting up that submission, but for a guy who took the fight on short notice, Varner has nothing to be ashamed of. Looking forward to seeing both of those guys again.

Machida looked great. He stymied Bader and won decisively. Anybody else think that there was quite a bit more of Anderson Silva mixed in with his normal, elusive karate game? I think he trained for this fight thinking about what he needed to do to bring a stronger game against Jones. Assuming that Jones beats Hendo (I think Jones will win, but Hendo is fearless and will bring a strong challenge), I think that Machida is going to come into the cage a much improved fighter.

I was wondering what Shogun was going to look like after his gutsy, brutal fight against Hendo. In many ways, it was a typical Shogun performance. Flashes of brilliance, lots of courage and middling conditioning. Don't those Rua boys know anything about cardio? It might be the case that the Hendo fight took a toll on Shogun, but I think that he just needs to step up his fitness. Surely he knows that this is his Achilles heel, but since coming to the UFC, he hasn't done anything to consistently improve it. Hopefully he'll use this victory to get a better training program in place and be ready for a challenge to whoever wins a likely Jones/Machida rematch.

Vera? I think that he's in much the same position as Bader. Just can't get it together for the big fight. I think that Bader is going to be spending the rest of his UFC career in Chieck Kongo territory--a reliable gatekeeper. I think Vera is a little different. UFC talked him up tonight, but this was his chance to make a statement and he allowed an exhausted Shogun to dominate him at every turn. Still, I think that the UFC wants to keep him around so that he and Mark Munoz can fight at a future Manila event. After that, he's off to Palookaville.

**John_Roger** · 08-04-2012, 10:46 PM

Vera looked pretty sharp tonight. I'd imagine coming back from that elbow Bones hit him with wouldn't be too easy.

**Walker** · 08-05-2012, 08:07 PM

I was glad for Swick. Great fights all around but the Swick fight was my favorite when he said "Do you remember me?, i remember you" tugged at the heart strings.

**lpe492** · 08-05-2012, 11:00 PM

Great FOX card. Glad to see Swick back in the game and successful. I'm a Machida fan and he showed his style.

I still think Jones' character would benefit from losing once or twice. Although by comparison I'm not sure Rashad has changed much from his losses...

**brucered** · 08-12-2012, 01:50 PM

is it just me, or is Jake Shields the most overrated fighter and most boring fighter to watch in the UFC today?

**SmoovD** · 08-13-2012, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by brucered

is it just me, or is Jake Shields the most overrated fighter and most boring fighter to watch in the UFC today?

Not a fan of Jake as an MMA fighter. He is more suited for grappling IMHO. If Mir can get shifted to Strikeforce then so should Shields.

Anyone else think that Edgar won the rematch? I didn't even think it was very close. I saw it 49-46. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked?

**brucered** · 08-13-2012, 06:21 AM

agreed. Edgar won that fight. Not sure he'll get a 2nd rematch, unless Dana comes out and says the judges screwed up.

but like they always say, "Don't leave it in the hands of the judges".

Edgar is NOT a finisher, at least from what I remember, he draws out the fights and leaves it to the judges, big mistake that cost him the title...again.

**SmoovD** · 08-13-2012, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by brucered

agreed. Edgar won that fight. Not sure he'll get a 2nd rematch, unless Dana comes out and says the judges screwed up.

but like they always say, "Don't leave it in the hands of the judges".

Edgar is NOT a finisher, at least from what I remember, he draws out the fights and leaves it to the judges, big mistake that cost him the title...again.

I agree about Edgar. The problem is more one of rules, I guess. The rounds are still scored on 10-9 Must; therefore, it is possible to point fight. Bendo won the first fight by points, he didn't take the title away by stopping Edgar. In my eyes, Bendo won the first match and Edgar the second but my opinion and a quarter will buy you a few sticks of gum.

**Mendel** · 08-19-2012, 02:09 PM

Last night's Strikeforce event on Showtime was a complete yawn. Very hard for me to stay awake. Disappointed in the hype of the Rousey- Kaufman fight. Be that as it may, do you believe that Rousey could beat Cyborg (when Cyborg returns from suspension)?

**SmoovD** · 08-19-2012, 05:31 PM

I actually found last night's card better than the normal SF. Fights were mildly entertaining except for the Kedzie-Tate fight which was the FOTN. Really entertaining bout. The Rousey-Kaufman fight didn't disappoint is only because I fully expected Rousey to do what she did. And she will continue to do so until someone figures out a way to keep from getting taken to the ground and arm-barred.

Cyborg was released from SF last night, if the reports are accurate. But to answer your question, if Rousey can get a hold of Cyborg she will put her on the mat and she will try to destroy her arm. I seem to remember Carano having some success on the ground against Cyborg. I think Rousey-Cyborg would be an entertaining fight but I like Rousey's chances to defeat Cyborg.

**TimmyBoston** · 08-19-2012, 08:12 PM

That's too bad Cyborg left SF. Cyborg vs Rousey is the only women's fight going that would be a big draw.

**Sullybob** · 08-23-2012, 05:08 PM

I was surprised to see that no one posted UFC 151 has been cancelled. Henderson injured his knee and he had to withdraw from the fight. The UFC offered the match to Chael but Jones declined to fight him so the UFC cancelled the whole card. A lot of people are upset that Jones turned the fight down. I'm mystified that he was even offered the fight in the first place. He just lost at MW, why does he deserve a shot at the LHW title with out fighting his way up the ranks?

**SmoovD** · 08-23-2012, 05:26 PM

Dana may complain that Jackson's camp is ruining the sport but Dana can only look at his own org for ruining the event. The UFC has really put on some crappy PPV cards and 151 was no different. The entire PPV audience was only going to pay to see one fight. Who's fault is that? Certainly not Jackson's or Jones'. I have no issue with Jones turning down the last minute sub...lose/lose for him. Better to hold off for a bigger pay day against Machida.

The only reason Chael's name surfaced is because he would accept the fight. Chael is just a 185er who would be able to make the weight on short notice Dana loves to tout guys who will take one for Team Zuffa.