The MMA Thread

[Johnny Blaze]

Any news on that Kimbo/Tank fight? When is that going to happen?

Shazam!

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Fedor's Manager talks about the Champ, UFC, and More

 

[jaguarr]

Fedor's Manager talks about the Champ, UFC, and More

Good interview. Gives some insight into how Dana White and the UFC operate that they seem to put a lot of effort into keeping out of the media ordinarily. I hope White and the UFC can pull their head's out. Fedor could take their organization to the next level and give them a heavyweight who pulls in a lot of viewers. Couture's done a good job of that but I also think people are tired of the old guard in UFC and want to see some new faces.

jag

 

[Qoèlet]

Wow, I've missed a bit on this Forum.

First of all, you're not the Johnny Blaze off mma.tv or one of the half dozen Johnny Blaze's they have had calling in to the beatdown, are you?

Hey, DBella, how's it going? I've actually had a few conversations about women's MMA lately, and I think it's just swell on the whole. The skill level isn't, and probably never will be, what it is in men's mixed martial arts, but that doesn't mean the fights aren't worthwhile. That said, while the sport itself is good, I can't say I particularly like many of the things surrounding it, the promotion of the fights and the commentary surrounding them. That said, even though I can appreciate why Dana White doesn't plan to have women in the UFC, I'm glad to see that promotions like Bodogfight are pushing the women fighters even if I don't like the way they go about it sometimes.

Two last things. First, I hope everyone's looking forward to August 25. this is the Hype, after all, so all of us should be supporting Captain America (Randy) and Batman (Kurt Pellegrino) when they get in the octagon to fight. Second, I'm curious if any of you guys get away from the computer and train sometimes.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Good interview. Gives some insight into how Dana White and the UFC operate that they seem to put a lot of effort into keeping out of the media ordinarily. I hope White and the UFC can pull their head's out. Fedor could take their organization to the next level and give them a heavyweight who pulls in a lot of viewers. Couture's done a good job of that but I also think people are tired of the old guard in UFC and want to see some new faces.

jag

I agree. Fedor would be the one to take the UFC heavyweight division (which has already gotten better with the rise of Gonzaga, Couture's return, and additions like Cro Cop and Big Nog) to another level. If the interview speaks true, I hope White and the UFC bend their "no negotiations" stance a bit and try to reach a middleground with Fedor's camp. Though I can see their side in not wanting him to compete in the Sambo tournaments as they would've made a huge investment in him to see him possibly get injured in a non-Zuffa sponsored event.
In any case, I'd hate to see Fedor take less money and fight for some other org just because White's being a bullheaded bastard.

Wow, I've missed a bit on this Forum.

First of all, you're not the Johnny Blaze off mma.tv or one of the half dozen Johnny Blaze's they have had calling in to the beatdown, are you?

Hey, DBella, how's it going? I've actually had a few conversations about women's MMA lately, and I think it's just swell on the whole. The skill level isn't, and probably never will be, what it is in men's mixed martial arts, but that doesn't mean the fights aren't worthwhile. That said, while the sport itself is good, I can't say I particularly like many of the things surrounding it, the promotion of the fights and the commentary surrounding them. That said, even though I can appreciate why Dana White doesn't plan to have women in the UFC, I'm glad to see that promotions like Bodogfight are pushing the women fighters even if I don't like the way they go about it sometimes.

Two last things. First, I hope everyone's looking forward to August 25. this is the Hype, after all, so all of us should be supporting Captain America (Randy) and Batman (Kurt Pellegrino) when they get in the octagon to fight. Second, I'm curious if any of you guys get away from the computer and train sometimes.

No, I'm just Johnny Blaze of the Hype. Don't know of any others save the comic character and Method Man.
As for the championship match, I am pulling for Couture, but I do think Gonzaga will pull off the upset.

As for training, I don't do any MMA training.

 

[jaguarr]

I think Gonzaga might pull off the upset as well. The guy's talented, inventive and hungry as all hell for the title. It won't be easy for him, though. Couture is such a seasoned, adaptive fighter.

jag

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I think Gonzaga might pull off the upset as well. The guy's talented, inventive and hungry as all hell for the title. It won't be easy for him, though. Couture is such a seasoned, adaptive fighter.

jag

Yeah, one thing I've learned through the years of watching MMA is that you never count out Couture.

Hell, his last fight against Tim Sylvia is a great example. Most everyone picked the Maine-iac to beat Couture, and those that picked Randy figured it'd be a close fight. But he ends up beating the ever-lovin' **** out of Sylvia for five rounds.

 

[Qoèlet]

No, I'm just Johnny Blaze of the Hype. Don't know of any others save the comic character and Method Man.

Yeah, I didn’t really think so, it’s just an odd coincidence that you start an MMA thread with that name. A guy using the name Johnny Blaze, or more than one Johnny Blaze, has a certain degree of celebrity on MMA forums. Plenty of posts under that name, emails and phone calls to Sherdog’s Beatdown radio show, I just thought it was kind of funny.

As for the championship match, I am pulling for Couture, but I do think Gonzaga will pull off the upset.

As for training, I don't do any MMA training.

Funny thing, if you take a look at the betting odds online, at bodog or whatever, Gonzaga’s actually listed as the favourite. The similarities in style to Couture’s last big losses at heavyweight, Barnett and Rodriguez, seem to have most picking Gonzaga. Now, while that makes sense and everything, I’d like to keep in mind that, while Couture lost those fights, he was putting a good beating on both of those guys, but they managed to reverse him, get on top, and finish the fight. Not making excuses or anything, but he’s definitely got the ability to beat a bigger grappler if he does a better job maintaining position. I mean, he kicked Ricco’s ass for four rounds and would have won the decision if he could have lasted two more minutes. The other thing is, I’m not just saying this, Couture looks better in the ring at 43 than he did looking back at his time as Heavyweight champion back when he was in his thirties.

Last thing, I am curious about that bit because I sort of think, with a couple years training under my belt, that with a little training I started to get a lot more out of watching. Of course, I started training and watching at about the same time, so maybe you can pick up a lot just watching too. Plus, I like talking about the training, it’s fun and I highly recommend it for everyone.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Yeah, I didn’t really think so, it’s just an odd coincidence that you start an MMA thread with that name. A guy using the name Johnny Blaze, or more than one Johnny Blaze, has a certain degree of celebrity on MMA forums. Plenty of posts under that name, emails and phone calls to Sherdog’s Beatdown radio show, I just thought it was kind of funny.


Funny thing, if you take a look at the betting odds online, at bodog or whatever, Gonzaga’s actually listed as the favourite. The similarities in style to Couture’s last big losses at heavyweight, Barnett and Rodriguez, seem to have most picking Gonzaga. Now, while that makes sense and everything, I’d like to keep in mind that, while Couture lost those fights, he was putting a good beating on both of those guys, but they managed to reverse him, get on top, and finish the fight. Not making excuses or anything, but he’s definitely got the ability to beat a bigger grappler if he does a better job maintaining position. I mean, he kicked Ricco’s ass for four rounds and would have won the decision if he could have lasted two more minutes. The other thing is, I’m not just saying this, Couture looks better in the ring at 43 than he did looking back at his time as Heavyweight champion back when he was in his thirties.

Last thing, I am curious about that bit because I sort of think, with a couple years training under my belt, that with a little training I started to get a lot more out of watching. Of course, I started training and watching at about the same time, so maybe you can pick up a lot just watching too. Plus, I like talking about the training, it’s fun and I highly recommend it for everyone.

One thing I've learned from watching Randy fight is that you never count him out, so it should be interesting. I do agree with him looking better in the cage. I'd say he looks a lot more calm and collected in there then he did before. That and I think that he's one of the more cerebral fighters, and his mind has been as sharp as ever of late.

I really do hope Randy wins, as it's an awesome story of a Hall of Famer coming out of retirement in his 40's to take out a fighter like Sylvia for the belt. I'm not really a big fan of the Maine-iac, but I do give him credit. He's a good fighter. And for Randy to beat him in the way he did shows just how talented and intelligent he is.

Plus I want to see one of my dream matchups of Couture/Fedor come true.

 

[jaguarr]

Fedor would murder Couture.

jag

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Fedor would murder Couture.

jag

I agree, but I still think Randy is one of the fighters with the best shots at pulling off an upset against Fedor. Even though I don't think it would happen.
I really just want Fedor in the UFC though.
See him take on Cro Cop and Big Nog again, go up against Kongo, Arlovski, Gonzaga, and Vera. Some awesome possibilities.

 

[jaguarr]

I'd really like to see a Gonzaga vs. Fedor fight. That's probably the strongest fight UFC could give Fedor. If Gonzaga takes Couture (and I think that's a strong possibility) that could happen as I think White really wants to put Fedor up against his champion almost immediately. I know Fedor and his manager are trying to come to terms with the UFC and one of the things they're asking for are some tune-up fights to let Fedor get used to the cage a bit. UFC doesn't seem to be budging much with Fedor, though, which I think is a mistake. He could really help them establish their lagging heavyweight division to the same notoriety that their light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions have.

jag

jag

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I'd really like to see a Gonzaga vs. Fedor fight. That's probably the strongest fight UFC could give Fedor. If Gonzaga takes Couture (and I think that's a strong possibility) that could happen as I think White really wants to put Fedor up against his champion almost immediately. I know Fedor and his manager are trying to come to terms with the UFC and one of the things they're asking for are some tune-up fights to let Fedor get used to the cage a bit. UFC doesn't seem to be budging much with Fedor, though, which I think is a mistake. He could really help them establish their lagging heavyweight division to the same notoriety that their light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions have.

jag

jag

Hopefully they'll be able to come to some middleground, but it's not looking too good right now.
Still, Fedor's camp has always said that the main thing he wants is to go up against the top Heavies in the world. And right now the UFC's got that, hands down. As for a tune up fight, I don't know if that'll happen. White and the UFC would more than likely market his coming as they're doing with Dan Henderson, i.e. throwing him against the UFC champ in a unification match.

Personally, I'd want Fedor to get a tune up match, maybe against Herring or Sylvia. Then give him a shot at the title. As for who should get a title shot after the Couture/Gonzaga fight...that's a tough one.
I think if Cro Cop beats Kongo convincingly he deserves a shot (possible rematch against Gonzaga?), and if Nog dominates his next fight, he should definitely get a shot at the belt.
Arlovski's could be a wild card. If he wins this rumored match at UFC 78 against Brandon Vera, I think he deserves a shot. Same goes for Vera if he wins, which I think he will.

The UFC's heavyweight division is really starting to get interesting. And if Fedor does indeed arrive, it'll blow up even more.

 

[Qoèlet]

As for who should get a title shot after the Couture/Gonzaga fight...that's a tough one.
I think if Cro Cop beats Kongo convincingly he deserves a shot (possible rematch against Gonzaga?), and if Nog dominates his next fight, he should definitely get a shot at the belt.

Way I've heard, if Crocop wins his next fight he and Nogueira are set for a rematch. That seems like a good contender matchup.

As for the Fedor enigma, I'm convinced the person to beat him, if not Crocop in a rematch, will be a fighter who takes the fight to him, beats him in the clinch or scores some other sort of takedown, and is able to maintain good position and defend submission attempts on top. Coleman and Randleman could manage the takedown bit, but went to pieces from there. The only time he's really fought an athletic takedown artist with a strong top game was against Arona, and while he won that decision it was pretty damn questionable and contested under Rings rules, prohibiting all strikes to the head on the ground... considering the fact that Arona spent about half the first round with full mount on top of Fedor, I think that the fight goes a bit differently in the cage with elbows. Granted, that fight was over six years ago, but it's not like Fedor's game has totally transformed since then. His strikes are very good, and he's shown some good submissions off his back, but at the end of the day Fedor's a ground and pounder with the best top game in the sport, and if he's not able to dictate the action and be the big dog, he's not nearly so unbeatable. Of course, that's much easier said than done, but he's not the best wrestler in the sport and he can definitely be taken down. In any case, unless Arona makes a move back up to heavyweight the best guys to pull off that gameplan just happen to be the two men fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship.

That, or he gets cut with a fluke elbow. Again.

 

[CrypticOne]

Part of me is wanting Couture to win and beat the hell out of Gonzaga, but then part of me is saying that Gonzaga will destory Captain America. This fight is going to be a hell of a one. Can't wait to see how it turns out. As for GSP and Koscheck, I'm pulling for Rush in that one.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I've never really been a fan of Georges, and Koscheck has started to grow on me. It will be difficult for him to win I think because we'll see a hungry St. Pierre in the octogon come the 25th. But, I'm hoping Koscheck can keep his momentum going with a win over Rush.

Way I've heard, if Crocop wins his next fight he and Nogueira are set for a rematch. That seems like a good contender matchup.


Now that would be a rematch I'd love to see. I'd hope Big Nog could pull off the win again, and get that shot at the belt.

As for the Fedor enigma, I'm convinced the person to beat him, if not Crocop in a rematch, will be a fighter who takes the fight to him, beats him in the clinch or scores some other sort of takedown, and is able to maintain good position and defend submission attempts on top. Coleman and Randleman could manage the takedown bit, but went to pieces from there. The only time he's really fought an athletic takedown artist with a strong top game was against Arona, and while he won that decision it was pretty damn questionable and contested under Rings rules, prohibiting all strikes to the head on the ground... considering the fact that Arona spent about half the first round with full mount on top of Fedor, I think that the fight goes a bit differently in the cage with elbows. Granted, that fight was over six years ago, but it's not like Fedor's game has totally transformed since then. His strikes are very good, and he's shown some good submissions off his back, but at the end of the day Fedor's a ground and pounder with the best top game in the sport, and if he's not able to dictate the action and be the big dog, he's not nearly so unbeatable. Of course, that's much easier said than done, but he's not the best wrestler in the sport and he can definitely be taken down. In any case, unless Arona makes a move back up to heavyweight the best guys to pull off that gameplan just happen to be the two men fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship.

That, or he gets cut with a fluke elbow. Again.

Very good points on the champ, and I do agree.
But, as you say, it'd be easier said than done. Fedor is such a smart fighter, definitely one of the best game planners in the sport, and I don't think anyone listens to their corner as well as he does throughout an entire fight.
And even when he's taken down and the opponent has him in good position, Fedor is so strong that one slip up and he can reverse it with a quickness, as he did with Minotauro.

As for who could beat him, I think Nogueira, though he's lost to Fedor before, should definitely be added to the list. Big Nog is just too damn good on the ground and is one of the toughest bastards I've seen to count him out of a fight.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Axe Murderer to the UFC

Looks like the much anticipated fight between him and Chuck will happen after all.

 

[CrypticOne]

^ Awesome! Thanks for that. It just made my day.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

You and me both.
After all the mess of Wanderlei supposedly ducking the fight, and Jardine picked to replace him for UFC 76, I'm happy as hell to hear that the superfight between Liddell and Silva can now finally happen.
Especially as early as the end of the year card in Vegas.

 

[CrypticOne]

^ Yeah. I hope its this year. It'd be a nice Christmas gift.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

^ Yeah. I hope its this year. It'd be a nice Christmas gift.

Damn right. UFC's end of the year events are usually pretty good, and with a Liddell/Silva headliner you can't go wrong.

 

[Qoèlet]

I've never really been a fan of Georges, and Koscheck has started to grow on me. It will be difficult for him to win I think because we'll see a hungry St. Pierre in the octogon come the 25th. But, I'm hoping Koscheck can keep his momentum going with a win over Rush.

I'd always been sort of fond of Koscheck, perhaps largely due to the fact that he has so many critics online that want to give him a hard time because he fights to win instead of to please the crowd (plus his wrestling's just sick, and that always appeals to me, coming from a wrestling background myself). But then came the fight with Diego, and that just raised his stock tremendously with me. He comes out and implements the perfect strategy against Diego, dictates the pace of the fight on the feet, drawing Sanchez into the type if fight he was totally unprepared for, tests the waters with a takedown at the end of the first round, and then goes right back to scoring right hands at will and wins a unanimous decision. Great job. But then, when the crowd doesn't like it and boos him, he pretty much laughs at them. "BOOOOO!!" and "Love me or hate me, I don't care. He's nineteen and ooone!". Honestly, that's how I wish every fighter that got jeered acted, instead of apologizing and "oh, I was trying to fight an exciting fight". Whatever, it's a sport, priority number one is to win, and sometimes the "fans" watching live aren't going to enjoy that. Oh well, when these mouth-breathers are booing Sean Sherk and Anderson Silva, frankly, there is no shame in being on their bad side.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Anybody catch Filho's debut tonight for the WEC?
The BJJ master beat Doerkson via TKO in the first round. All in all, it was an awesome debut for Paulo, who won the vacant Middleweight belt.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Sherk Hearing to be Delayed

Looks like we won't find out if the Penn/Sherk match will actually happen until October now.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

A few tidbits of info...

Dana White on Liddell's Next Shot at the LHW Title

Fedor Weighing Options

BoDog Responds to Finkelstein (Fedor's Manager)