RingofHonorGuard

A lot of people are sneaking over to the Carwin side of the fence this week... Not sure why. Carwin put on a lot of muscle for this fight, you can tell... He's not going to beat Lesnar unless he KO's him in the first couple of minutes(wouldn't be that big of a shocker considering his resume). But all of that extra muscle he's put on is going to hinder him, especially if he can't stop Brock's explosive shots. He's not going to bench press Lesnar off of him like he did Gonzaga, and if he does, I'll never doubt a member of Jackson's camp again. People see Brock and they go "Wow, that guy is massive. That must be why he wins..." But in actuality it's the fact that he's massive coupled with goliath retard strength and speed that someone his size shouldn't even have. As much cyborg joking that Fedor got, I think we should honestly be looking at Lesnar as a real cyborg... Not only am I picking Lesnar to win this, but it'll be in violent fashion around the second round. I'm not going to let the fact that Fedor had a stupid game plan and lost sway my opinion that Lesnar is going to absolutely demolish Carwin. The guy is tailor-made to be beaten by Lesnar. Lesser wrestling, and much much slower... Only helps Lesnar that the guy threw on more muscle before the fight. The only reason Carwin is even here right now is because Frank Mir focused on the same thing Carwin is now... Putting on muscle instead of drilling technique. Not to mention Frank's fatal overconfidence in his stand-up. Fighting muscle with muscle against Lesnar when you don't have all of his athletic gifts is just absolutely stupid.

Holy crap, Leben is ten times tougher than I thought! Akiyama knocked his head clear around and Leben still smashed that cat.

Oh yes, it had Mask talking in this insane voice and making zany faces that probably inspired Johnny Depp and his creepy pedophile smile in the Wonka remake. It's the creepiest thing you'll ever see, and you're on a plane ride of suspended belief... Then all of a sudden you hear this god awful Nu-Metal/Rap hybrid atrocity start blaring over the top of a cackling Mask, and then a rapper starts chirping about Blood in veins and blood baths, and anything related to coldness and ice man... It's just... it makes me happy they don't still do it because their thumb just wasn't on the pulse back then. I felt like Koko B Ware might come down the ramp at anytime with Frankie.

Is Chuck Liddell's entrance from UFC 43 the absolute tackiest entrance of all time? I forgot it all about it, and watched the show earlier... What an ugly entrance. Anyone seen it and able to show me a more ridiculous one?

The bold is why I think Kawajiri would be a title contender in the division. Look at Melvin Guillard, the dude just wings haymakers and he knocks people senseless.. As deep as the lightweight division is, there's a reason there's always different ants running up the hill... No defense, so haymakers do big business in the LW division, and there just aren't enough lightweights with KO power. Kawajiri's wrestling is good enough to negate a lot of the heap in the UFC, and I'd give him more than a 50/50 on any night with any of the UFC's top, aside from maybe Penn.

I guess I haven't really given up on him yet, and losing to Florian isn't really an indicator in my books. He's looked lackluster in the past, I will give you that, but he's always wanted to fight in the UFC at some stage of his career. Florian gets a lot of flack for being a TUF'er, but the guy has really become polished in every aspect... He just doesn't have the athleticism to be a long-term champion if he ever gets the belt. I think a care-free Gomi is the best Gomi... He's had too much pressure put on him by fans and critics because he came out of the gate so fast and went to the sky at such a rate that he's still trying to put everything together and live up to this legend a lot of fans have made for him.

You're such a quality poster, sir.

In defense of brashley, because he's awesome... If we spent every moment of every day trying to catch onto every internet meme, we'd most likely still never catch up. I'm aware of the Mafia games, and I've seen a few in action... But know nothing about them, nor the time to learn. Between MMA, training, gaming, and trying to maintain a small but low key social life... new social games are just too hard to get into. I'm sure in brashley's line of work it's especially more difficult.

Apparently you're not human then, because we have a built-in judging system subconsciously. We don't just judge people based on their looks, we judge them on everything they do... What you meant to say is "Not everyone judges folks based on that -and says something to them about it-."

It amazes me that people still ride the Gonzaga train.... The dude is good when's he's on, and utter crap when he's off. And if I remember correctly Gonzaga hasn't been ranked in months by any site of substance. His one big win is over Cro Cop, that's it. He built his career kicking Cro Cop's head and superman punching a can that he was in the process of going to one of the most brutally boring decisions with until that happened. So if you believe he deserves to be top ten by beating some top 50 heavyweights, and getting absolutely smashed by two contenders then sure, throw him in But people with your opinion are a lot of the reason we'll never have legit rankings in MMA, because people try to make it too much about "what they've done overall" and their popularity... It just doesn't work for rankings, sorry. Gonzaga is a top 20 heavyweight at best, somewhere between the the #12-15 mark. Not bashing your opinion, just simply stating that in my own you don't get into the top ten by "being competitive" for a few minutes and then getting your brains mushed by punches... Don't care how you knocked Cro Cop out... SO WAIT... Does Anybody care about Tyson Griffin stepping in and replacing Joe Stevenson to fight Takanori Gomi? That fight is going to be ten times as awesome as Joe Stevenson/Gomi... Griffin never has a bad fight, Stevenson can be lackluster at times. Griffin/Gomi could be fight of the year if the "Super" Gomi shows up.

Tyson Griffin now officially in for Joe Stevenson against Gomi... Seeya back in Japan Gomi, you had a shot against Joe, but you're done now. When's the last time Tyson Griffin lost back to back?

Switch Carwin and Fedor and I think you're dead on Daff. I still believe Fedor is top five until another shake up happens in the division, or he loses again.

People when you're going to list off the accomplishments of Fedor and try and make people change their opinion... don't cite fights like Lindland, Choi, and Zulu... because -those- ARE the fights people are bashing Fedor for. He nearly got taken down by Lindland, used the ropes for momentum, ended up on top and won... Who knows what would have happened if Fedor hadn't used the ropes? That's always going to be a question. Choi made Fedor's face look worse than the majority of his opponents over the years, and he's a monster fighter but the fact is... he's slow, has long limbs, and really no MMA experience that matters, and Fedor finished him in hilarious fashion, but he still took quite a bit of damage in that short time... And Zuluzino is just a joke... the dude throws like three punches a minute. Fedor's biggest wins are against Nogueira, Cro Cop, Arlovski, Sylvia, and Rogers... That's about as good as you can give it to him. He's an exciting fighter, always composed for the most part, and threw together one of the best winning streaks in combat sports history. But every dog has its day, and Fedor's time in the sun(at least of being GOD of MMA) is over. There's no realistic way anyone with a brain could still rank Fedor as #1, because the main reason he kept that position for so long is due to the way he was beating people and he was "undefeated"... Now that he got choked unconscious by #10 Heavyweight 90 seconds into the fight, he's got to drop down to 2, if not 3 until he wins against another ranked fighter. Had the fight went to a decision, and it was split... who knows? You could certainly make a better case for #1 heavyweight if that happened, but it'd still be an argument. Fact is Fedor lost, his strength of victories just aren't there anymore, and therefore he can't be #1.

You'll learn to ignore Zoloftjunkie after a while. I assume he's a Sherdogger, and hasn't quite figured out that style doesn't roll around here. He'll come around, eventually. He seems to generally be a decent human being, albeit a bit trollish at times. We as a sub-group of the Dog Pound have a lot of differences in opinion when it comes to MMA, but I really think we've got a good thing going here. I really hope we don't start getting an influx of Sherdog/bloodyelbow-esque posters around here. Looking ahead to this next weekend... Let's get some discussion going on it... We've talked about the Akiyama/Leben situation quite well, but I think the Lesnar/Carwin fight opens up a lot of new doors at Heavyweight, as it's not just about the UFC title anymore, but about which fighter is #1 in the world at the division. Big fight just got even bigger, imo.

Well, it wasn't so much that Fedor didn't know what to do, but it's the fact that Werdum was literally applying submissions at the same time, so when Fedor was adjusting to escape the armbar Fab was trying, Fab would slip the choke more into permission, and vice versa. I just think Fedor extremely underestimated Werdum on the ground because he's done so well against them in the past. Werdum is creative though, he's definitely in that Demian Maia field of jiu jitsu. You don't win Abu Dahbi twice by sucking on the ground, that's for sure... But I never in a zillion years saw Fedor getting choked out, not to mention getting armbarred in the process....

Can't really blame Dana White for making a happy face at Fedor losing whenever A) the company representing Fedor has smeared the UFC and Dana White multiple times over multiple infractions(some true, some not I'm sure), and B) He doesn't have to secure Fedor now because the major mystique is dead. To be honest after I've got over the initial shock of seeing Fedor lose, especially in the manner he did, I watched it again and it truly is entertaining. I mean, you don't see a triangle/armbar that beautiful very often. Also, Werdum can make a serious case for getting back into the UFC now... I mean jeez, the guy holds wins over the Emelianenko bros, and the current Strikeforce champion. He's in a good position as a fighter.

Okay listen, I know we're all disappointed in Fedor and stunned at the fact that he lost... But I would still give him at LEAST a 50/50 shot in the UFC against Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and anyone else really, except for maybe Lesnar. Losing a fight doesn't immediately make the guy a can or even a mid-tier fighter. You're saying he should be grouped in with guys like Cheick Kongo and Gabriel Gonzaga, that's extremely laughable.

I don't think it's so much of a letdown that he lost, it's how he lost.

Don't worry, the Strikeforce Medical Team is on it already, spinning it as a monster upset. They'll fight again next week or something. Fedor had the worst gameplan in the history of mankind... It's like he called in Joe Warren for his training camp to try and learn how to retard strength out of submissions. I'm thoroughly disgusted right now at how BAD Fedor looked, I'm seriously hoping that he was sick as hell or on the verge of dying to have looked that amateurish... This is a dude who basically took a nap in Nogueira's guard for how many rounds?

So I'm gonna go to the bathroom and wipe the poop from my boxers now. See you guys later.

Agreed, but it really just depends on how much Werdum has continued to work on his standup. Either way, assuming they don't protect Fedor I see him losing in one of his next three fights. The game is just evolving too quickly, and eventually Fedor is going to have to fight a wrestler with striking, and that's gonna be the end of the mystique(or so we all think).

Can you believe all of this crap coming out about UFC/Tapout/M-1. It's like two bad companies throwing feces at one another to see which one gets more covered. M-1 has long been considered a "shady" org. UFC to an extent as well. First off, Dana and company are pretty bitter about not getting Fedor, but I honestly can't see them going to such an extreme as to threaten Tapout, who remains one of the biggest fight sponsors around. I think what really happened is Tapout made some extremely poor quality Fedor shirts, and M-1 is pouting. Seriously, find the shirts they made for Fedor. They're splotchy and cheaply made. Looks like something you'd find on the clearance rack at Kohl's. As for tonight, it's really up in the air. Werdum has progressed as a fighter, retaining his jiu jitsu and working diligently on his stand-up(last I heard he was still with Chute Boxe). He's theoretically out of his element, but Fedor hasn't fought an opponent with a mixed skill set since well, I can't even remember. It's always seemingly someone that's awful in one area, and decent/good in another. So I'm not as "100% sold" on Fedor winning as everyone else. I'm willing to put forth that the guy is aging, and hasn't fought top comp in a while. That said, I really hope Fedor crushes Werdum, because how annoying would it be for a guy like Werdum to smash the Fedor mystique? Kendall Grove should learn to shut up, he's certainly not in a Stephan Bonnar/Forrest Griffin position with the company. Glad he's so ignorant that he'd cost himself and Goran some extra cash, as well as costing the fans a chance to see a really exciting fight free of charge. Hope Goran comes out explosive and wrecks Grove, and he gets his walking papers.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jesterx7769" data-cite="jesterx7769" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You've made it pretty clear you plainly don't like Leben and have plugged your ears and logic to any thought that he could be a contender. Did you even look at the contenders listed or just start discounting him right away? I'm not saying he deserves a title shot right now and I also said how I didn't ever see him being a champion and I don't see him beating a top guy to be champion but like BH said he's almost at the door step.[/Quote]<p> </p><p> Chris Leben is actually by far one of my favorite fighters to watch compete, for the fact that every time he brings it. The issue is he just doesn't have the athletic ability to be a champion. His gift is heavy hands and the ability to endure damage, and so long as he keeps a .500 average(or there abouts) he's going to have a job. Thus why I see him as a gatekeeper. Sorry that I like to keep realistic facets on my fighters, sir. I'll try hard not to pull back the curtains to ruin your hopes of a Leben title run.</p><p> </p><p> Winning Streak does not always = title shot in the UFC. Leben is an exciting fighter, and if he unrealistically beat Akiyama and Belfort/Marquardt I'd certainly be more open to the idea that he evolved and would be more interested in seeing him fight for the title. But here's the cold hard facts, sir: Leben most recently suffered back to back losses, one of which is to a guy who's since been cut, and he lost in embarassing fashion to an arm-triangle. Jake Rosholt is a good prospect, but he's not someone that a title contender should be losing to. </p><p> </p><p> So I guess this is really all just moot. Leben might get by Akiyama, if that fight doesn't hit the ground. Leben won't beat Belfort.</p><p> </p><p> You ask how Bisping would get a title shot? I'll respond with how did Brock Lesnar get a title shot? The middleweight division isn't very deep, and Bisping is one of the most popular people in the division. The elitist American MMA fans hate him, but the guy has a ton of fans in the US and his fanbase in the UK is obviously big. Popularity wins out in most cases, and as popular as Leben is in certain American regions, he's no where near the international star that Bisping is.</p><p> </p><p> You say Belcher hasn't been promoted at all. That's laughable. The dude has been on some of the best fight cards and put on some of the best fights. That's HOW fighters get noticed. Alan Belcher was on the televised pay per view portion of UFC 100, which had all high profile matches. A promoter can only say so many things to "market" a fighter, at the end of the day it's up to the fighter to provide highlight material to make fight fans MMA mouth's water. Belcher has done that, and as Daff said above, Dana has said he's in the title mix, thus his fight with Maia.</p><p> </p><p> I rest my case, and you should too.</p></div></blockquote>

<p>So wait... Chris Leben beats Aaron Simpson(THE HYYYYYPE TRAIN) and he's two fights away from a title shot? Wow...</p><p> </p><p> Leben has a good chance to get Akiyama, just for the fact that Akiyama seems to have forgotten(or maybe he never learned) how to prevent getting hit in the face, and obviously Leben is one of the heaviest handed dudes in the division. So I don't give Akiyama much more of a chance against Leben as opposed to Wand. Same style, except I might give the chin edge to Leben.</p><p> </p><p> However, once Leben gets past Akiyama I really see no way he's going to beat Belfort. Same strengths, except Belfort is probably twice as fast. Not sure Leben gets knocked out, but I could see him getting TKO'd fairly quick.</p><p> </p><p> Leben made me laugh when he said "I wanted to beat this guy[simpson] because he beat Ed Herman, and Ed is a better fighter than me." No. No he's not.</p><p> </p><p> And how could Leben be top 2 out of those five? It's not plausible due to the fact that Belfort knocked out a former champion and is sitting basically waiting for a title shot. Bisping beat Leben by decision in a fight where I can't even remember Leben landing more than a few punches and basically just chased Bisping and ate counters all evening. So no, the guy isn't even close to being top two. The only thing he has going for him is a Cabbage chin and heavy hands. His defensive jiu jitsu is good enough, but as Jake Rosholt showed it just takes a little bit of patience to get it done with Leben. being 4-4 in your last 8 fights does not = title shot, especially when you got absolutely demolished the first time he fought a top fighter(Anderson).</p><p> </p><p> If Anderson drops the belt, fighters like Nate Marquardt, Sonnen, and others who have failed against Spider would be in the mix before Leben anyway. In Sonnen's case, will fail.</p><p> </p><p> Honestly, I would say if after Spider beats Sonnen and he drops the belt, you would see Belfort vs. Bisping for the title. I just always see Leben being in the UFC as a gatekeeper and nothing more. He doesn't have a fully evolved skillset to hang with everyone.</p><p> </p><p> Also, Akiyama fight aside, Belcher is getting close to a title shot, and I would much rather see him compete than Leben for the fact that at least Belcher has a lot of tools at his expense. I guess if it comes down to it Leben should fight Belcher.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Daffanka" data-cite="Daffanka" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I wasn't attacking you directly, just debating his merits as a fighter and why it's silly Strikeforce are paying what is probably a lot of money for him.<p> </p><p> I don't think it's going to grow the brand at all. If you put on Batista - Lashley all you're doing is bringing in people who're interested in it as a spectacle and who won't tune in the next time and certainly won't buy your PPVs. Maybe I'm cynical but I can't see this as a good move at all.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Oh, I wasn't implying that you were attacking me, I was just trying to clarify that I knew the difference between being in shape, and being made of more muscle than a human should have. </p><p> </p><p> But you said it yourself, it's going to bring those people in who are looking for a spectacle... All it takes is a war like Garcia/Zombie to get people hooked. Strikeforce has a lot of young fighters with no names. Putting them on a fight card with two mainstream names like Lashley and Batista. So while yeah a main event or even co-main event between two pro wrestlers(or ex) isn't going to hook anyone for the long term, if you have an epic throwdown on the undercard it might sway it a little. </p><p> </p><p> I still sadly believe a pay per view between Lashley/Batista real fight would sell more buys than Fedor/Overeem. And I'm not kidding. But realistically I don't see Strikeforce being any sort of real challenger to UFC, or even putting a dent in the small fry pay per view market. They might as well put on some memorable fights(even for the wrong reasons).</p>