The Official MMA Discussion Thread

[Zoloftjunkie]

<p>I get that. I don't need it to get excited for a fight but I do understand. I guess my problem with this is he is just talking out of his butt and making up stuff. And mainly he is using hype to make up for his lack of chance against Silva. The fights and fighters you mentioned were exciting on their own and the hype just added to it. In this it is so lopsided it only has hype. Silva doesn't need to talk trash cause his skills speak for him while sonen only has his mouth really. Basicly what I am saying just because he has talked all this trash it doesn't get me excited as I view him being greatley outmatched. I know there is a chance he could win. But the only way I can see it is if he gets lucky with a punch or lay and pray. Neither which is what I want to see decide a championship fight.</p><p> </p><p>

Another thing is his heartless comments about Lance Armstrong. He can deny that he said them all he wants like he has been but I heard the interview myself where he said them.</p><p> </p><p>

Editing to post a few questions.</p><p>

1. Is there any truth at all to the comments sonen made about Silva being fired after the fight? He has said win, lose, or draw he is gone.</p><p>

2. Anyone know anything about the tattoos on the back of Brandon Vera? They look like some occult type symbols to me.</p>

[Daffanka]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Zoloftjunkie" data-cite="Zoloftjunkie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I really don't understand the appeal of sonens antics. If this is what it takes to make a fight interesting then you must be looking at a bad fight about to happen. This isn't pro wrestling, I don't need theatrics to get me excited to see a fight. All I need is two skilled fighters going in to see who the better man is. If only there could be more classy and respectfull fighters like my man K-flo.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I like him because he's funny and he breaks away from all the respectfulness that starts getting a bit dull.</p><p> </p><p> I'm excited for the fight because I think stylistically he's probably Anderson's biggest nightmare (or he would be if he wasn't so hell bent on posturing up in the guard and getting tapped.)</p>

[Self]

<p>Watched the Countdown special last night. I'm pretty psyched for the show. I really hope Chael Sonnen destroys Anderson Silva. I actually thought Silva's thing against Maia was hilarious, but something in his overall demeanor bugs me. Sonnen on the other hand is pure awesome. Such good promos. Just my kinda character.</p><p> </p><p>

I'm not an avid follower of MMA, so I have no picks for the fights. The fact that I know the names of all 8 guys in the top fights is a miracle in and of itself. These countdown specials rock. So much better than modern wrestling at getting personalities and back-stories across. Big Country. Matt Hughes. Thiago Alves. Junior Do Santos. Interesting characters one and all! I dig it.</p><p> </p><p>

P.S. Dustin Hazelett is on the undercard. I've only seen him fight once, but he came to the Octagon to 'Bad Moon Rising', had a glorious beard, and finished with an awesome submission. I fell in love with the guy. I hope they show his fight on the PPV.</p>

[brashleyholland]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Zoloftjunkie" data-cite="Zoloftjunkie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I get that. I don't need it to get excited for a fight but I do understand. I guess my problem with this is he is just <strong><em>talking out of his butt and making up stuff</em></strong>. And mainly he is using hype to make up for his lack of chance against Silva. </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That's really what's made it funny to me, the bare-faced lies (I've never lost) the ridiculous comments (When Anderson Silva walks into a room, you can hear a rat p**s on cotton). He almost reminds me of a slightly toned-down Kenny Powers from Eastbound and Down. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Like I said above, it's not the fight I'm looking forward to in itself. There's a very good chance it'll be either very boring or over before it's begun. For me it's a case of this being the first time in a long time that we've seen something a little different. The "Chael Sonnen: Most Interesting Man in the World" skits are original. Original is good. </p><p> </p><p> The way I see it is that the more a fight is hyped, the more chance of new fans tuning in and adding to the growth of the sport. As someone who watched it grow from nothing, that's great to see. From a selfish point of view, the bigger it gets, the greater the chances of me retiring before 60 :-p</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The fights and fighters you mentioned were exciting on their own and the hype just added to it. <strong><em>In this it is so lopsided</em></strong> it only has hype. Silva doesn't need to talk trash cause his skills speak for him while sonen only has his mouth really. Basicly what I am saying just because he has talked all this trash it doesn't get me excited as I view him being <em><strong>greatley outmatched</strong></em>. I know there is a chance he could win.</div></blockquote> <p> </p><p> We know that, most serious MMA fans know that, but your average TapouT/Affliction-sporting UFC PPV viewer probably doesn't...especially with Silva's last performance. Chael is doing his job; should the PPV buyrates reflect the hype, I'm sure there will be a tidy bonus in it for him. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Another thing is his heartless comments about Lance Armstrong. He can deny that he said them all he wants like he has been but I heard the interview myself where he said them.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> He's been doing things like this for years...he says outrageous things on purpose because he knows that everyone is hanging off his every word. He denies all sorts of things...He denied having the Twitter account, he denied every fighting in Bodog...he once denied that Twitter itself actually exists, in a Tweet. It's all a big joke. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Editing to post a few questions.<p> 1. Is there any truth at all to the comments sonen made about Silva being fired after the fight? He has said win, lose, or draw he is gone.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> No, not really. Dana said that he would fire Anderson Silva if he pulled another "Maia" on us after UFC 112. I think at the time it was 33.3% truth, 33.3% spur of the moment and 33.3% playing the politics game with Ed Soares. </p><p> </p><p> At the time, Blackhouse had Machida with the LHW title, Rodrigo Nogueira, one of the biggest names in the sport, Rogerio Nogueira, who's stock hadn't yet dropped from the Brilz fight and Anderson, arguably the best fighter in the world. Soares had been using his clout for a long time, at one point having three divisions pretty much tied up near the title picture. Dana didn't like this...there had already been a chink in the armour when Big Nog got waxed by Velasquez, so the belief was that Dana was playing Silva's poor performance to his advantage and hammering home the point to Soares that his fighters were dispensable. With Machida getting smashed and Lil' Nog looking horrible last time out, Blackhouse's position is massively weaker when it comes to renegotiations. </p><p> </p><p> Will Dana fire Silva after this fight...almost certainly not. Even if he pulls another Maia and wins, I'd still only give him the slimmest of chances of being show the door, with than increasing slightly if he loses. Still, only Dana knows for sure, and Chael's comments certainly aren't based in fact. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>2. Anyone know anything about the tattoos on the back of Brandon Vera? They look like some occult type symbols to me.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I believe there is a Stargate on his back.</p>

[The Shape]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Self" data-cite="Self" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Watched the Countdown special last night. I'm pretty psyched for the show. I really hope Chael Sonnen destroys Anderson Silva. I actually thought Silva's thing against Maia was hilarious, but something in his overall demeanor bugs me. Sonnen on the other hand is pure awesome. Such good promos. Just my kinda character.<p> </p><p> I'm not an avid follower of MMA, so I have no picks for the fights. The fact that I know the names of all 8 guys in the top fights is a miracle in and of itself. These countdown specials rock. So much better than modern wrestling at getting personalities and back-stories across. Big Country. Matt Hughes. Thiago Alves. Junior Do Santos. Interesting characters one and all! I dig it.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah the countdown was great, in particular got me really into Nelson vs. Dos Santos, their journeys into the UFC really seemed interesting, especially the latter, wandering Brazil in search of himself then deciding he wants to beat people up for a living.</p>

[RingofHonorGuard]

<p>The last time I was this amped for a fight Chuck and Wanderlei were about to finally throw down for real. </p><p> </p><p>

I stand by everything I've said about Sonnen, and still look for him to soundly get his ass demolished on Saturday night, but the dude could sell a pair of hole-filled pants to a rich man, and tell them it's a "new import", and he'd sell it. </p><p> </p><p>

Anderson fighting always sells the fight to me, but seeing an opponent really sell it and knowing Anderson is fuming... Oh what a fight it could be. </p><p> </p><p>

Kind of surprising to hear Anderson refer to all of his future and former opponents as "idiots" though. Chael has really ruffled his feathers... which is most likely a bad thing when you've got a guy that doesn't really need motivation to pound your face. </p><p> </p><p>

My predictions:</p><p> </p><p>

Silva - severe ass-beating for Sonnen, I hope. But realistically, unless Anderson is using reverse psychology, I think Sonnen has won the fight mentally already. It was really weird to hear Anderson refer to all of his opponents past and present as idiots in front of everyone. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Fitch - paint drying decision(fight may not even happen if any of the rumors about Thiago's current health and weight are true. Dude weighed over 200 pounds on Tuesday according to his twitter. Good reason to view the weigh ins.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

dos Anjos - Too many submissions. He's still young and putting his game together, but some of the stuff he's able to do is just ridiculous. He's also pretty patient, which is going to nip into Clay's game plan and style a bit. Guida's been surprising in the past, but I think dos Anjos takes it with a submissions after a crafty sweep.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Hughes - I'm from the Midwest. I can't not pick Hughes. Almeida hasn't looked like Genki Sudo-style Almeida in years, he's not the same fire. This is Matt's fight to lose. If he still cares, he should win a decision. If he's just in it for the cash at this point, it could be a pretty close fight. But I'm sticking with a Hughes wrestling decision.</p><p> </p><p>

Nelson - I'm actually taking the upset here too, by TKO. Haven't got a chance to see dos Santos on his back yet, and Nelson is crafty enough to get him there a couple of times. I mean the dude has had side control on a lot of his opponents, so it's not outside the realm of possibilities. Plus, with as much Burger King as Nelson eats, you know his jaw has to be strong from all the chewing.</p>

[RingofHonorGuard]

I'd be willing to bet that if Thiago makes the weight and loses to Fitch that his days at Welterweight are numbered, and rightfully so.

 

Right after I posted this, UFC's twitter reported that Alves has missed weight the second time, and will forfeit 20% of his purse to fight.

[Stennick]

are the penalties in mma (UFC) stricter than in boxing for not making weight?

[RingofHonorGuard]

are the penalties in mma (UFC) stricter than in boxing for not making weight?

 

It's up to the fighters and their management to decide whether the fight goes through. Generally the fighter that doesn't make weight gives up 15-20% of his fight purse to the other fighter.

[Stennick]

What are the limits on just HOW far overweight you can be and still fight under UFC rules?

[RingofHonorGuard]

What are the limits on just HOW far overweight you can be and still fight under UFC rules?

 

You can be one pound over your weight division and still be within the limits in most states. You get two hours to make weight upon failure, and only one attempt. At that point they negotiate purse cuts and whether or not the fight goes forth as a catchweight bout.

[RingofHonorGuard]

Uh oh! Anderson is sporting his evil Anderson look from his PRIDE days. He's got his "Hollywood" Hogan going on with his goatee. He had a similar little goatee going on around the time he caved Carlos Newton's skull in. I can't wait to see Anderson actually put a beating on someone for a change again.

[brashleyholland]

What are the limits on just HOW far overweight you can be and still fight under UFC rules?

 

It's nothing to do with the UFC per se, although if it gets down to negotiations they do get involved as mediators between fighters/managers and the commission.

 

As ROHG said, you're usually allowed one pound over, but that is pretty much uniformly for non-title bouts. Title bouts require the contacted weight to be made if the belt is to be on the line. Something at the back of my mind is telling me that some states allow you to be within half a pound for title fights, but I've not had my morning coffee yet so I've no idea if that's true or not! :-p

 

As for how far over/under you can come in and actually fight, it varies between states and weight classes. For example in Nevada, the weight difference between fighters can be...

 

135 lbs-147 lbs = not more than 9 lbs.

147 lbs-160 lbs = not more than 11 lbs.

160 lbs-175 lbs = not more than 12 lbs.

175 lbs-195 lbs = not more than 20 lbs.

195 lbs and over = no limit

 

...where the initial range is the contracted weight. So for a fight contracted at 146lbs, the difference can be 9lbs, but if the fight is at 148lbs it can be 11lbs.

[CoutureLegend]

Okay, allow me to correct myself then... I'm not disregarding Sonnen as a wrestler, or even a fighter worthy of being in the UFC... But I am disregarding him as a potential Middleweight crownbearer. The dude is no threat to Silva whatsoever. I said Dan Henderson had the best chance of a middleweight as a wrestler in beating Silva, and I meant it...

 

Sonnen has nothing to back his wrestling up, which means Silva isn't going to be concerned and can just focus on avoiding the takedowns and punching Sonnen in the grill.

 

Henderson on the other hand has proven heavy hands, and some decent boxing. He clips people, and that's all it takes. So Silva had that to worry about, and to Henderson's credit he did land a few on Anderson.

 

So yeah, I am disregarding Sonnen as a challenger to the belt. The guy's a decent fighter for what he has, but what he has isn't nearly enough.

 

Being a world class wrestler and getting judo thrown to the ground and tapped by a mounted triangle is pretty juvenile jiu jitsu for a high level fighter, am I wrong?

 

Sonnen is very strong where Silva is weakest & Sonnen has never been knocked out in 35 professional fights so yeah i'd say he is a very real threat to Anderson Silva.

[Daffanka]

Sonnen is very strong where Silva is weakest & Sonnen has never been knocked out in 35 professional fights so yeah i'd say he is a very real threat to Anderson Silva.

 

I'm the very first guy to say Sonnen's going to beat Anderson (WRESTLE CHAEL WRESTLE) but to say he's never been knocked out as proof Anderson won't jack him up standing is an invalid argument for two reasons.

 

1) He hasn't exactly fought any KO artists. Who's the best striker he's fought, an Okami who doesn't start fighting until the third? Nate "Street Fighter Striking" Marquardt?

 

2) Chins sort of become irrelevant once Anderson enters the picture. He completely demolished Hendo and Leben on the feet and I'm pretty sure Chael doesn't have the chin of either of those guys. Unless Anderson stepped in there with the 2001 version of Mark Hunt then his ridiculous ability to find a guy's chin means he's gonna knock them out if he lands.

[The Shape]

I don't care what kind of chin Sonnen has, Silva KO'ing Leben makes it a non factor xD Not sure who I want to win this, but as long as it's not a repeat of Silva's last fight it can't really disappoint. Also I would be really disappointed to see Chael get KO'd then suddenly take back everything he's said and say it's hype, lol.

[CoutureLegend]

I'm the very first guy to say Sonnen's going to beat Anderson (WRESTLE CHAEL WRESTLE) but to say he's never been knocked out as proof Anderson won't jack him up standing is an invalid argument for two reasons.

 

1) He hasn't exactly fought any KO artists. Who's the best striker he's fought, an Okami who doesn't start fighting until the third? Nate "Street Fighter Striking" Marquardt?

 

2) Chins sort of become irrelevant once Anderson enters the picture. He completely demolished Hendo and Leben on the feet and I'm pretty sure Chael doesn't have the chin of either of those guys. Unless Anderson stepped in there with the 2001 version of Mark Hunt then his ridiculous ability to find a guy's chin means he's gonna knock them out if he lands.

 

When did i say Anderson Silva wouldn't be able to knock Chael Sonnen out?

 

Chael cannot stand with Anderson nor give him distance to work with, the key to this fight for him is to constantly pressure Silva BUT the point i was making is that Chael Sonnen is a legit opponent for anyone & going 35 fights & never been knocked out is very relevant when you consider that 80% of the time he prob has a disadvantage on the feet in his fights, Does that mean Anderson or anyone else won't be able to be the first? Of course not but it's still a very legit fact in an anything-can-happen sport.

[Anderz]

I don't care what happens from here on out.. I BELIEVE THE HYPE!

[RingofHonorGuard]

My girlfriend's potentially on her way out of my life, and it looks like I might be getting a collection of hats together to eat.... *sigh*

[RingofHonorGuard]

Wow... again...

 

There was some analogy back in the day that someone used for something like this...

 

and that analogy was "It would be like having sex with Jessica Alba, getting close to climax, then pulling out and using a sock."

 

Chael Sonnen should be the Middleweight champion, but his submission defense cost him one more time. Anderson Silva is a lucky man.

[Daffanka]

So close

 

e: you know what I feel fine. Chael is going to get his props and that was an absolutely fantastic fight. The outcome was the most Chael Sonnen outcome possible.

[TakerNGN74]

In my opinion Silva got lucky if he didn't get that submission in than Sonnen clearly would have won the fight. I would definately like to see a rematch if they decide to do one and I think they will because a lot of people were probably pissed off by the outcome.

[Daffanka]

In my opinion Silva got lucky if he didn't get that submission in than Sonnen clearly would have won the fight. I would definately like to see a rematch if they decide to do one and I think they will because a lot of people were probably pissed off by the outcome.

 

Chael not getting tapped earlier had more to do with Anderson's guard than his actual submission defense. The way he just let Anderson control his fully extended arms was pretty bad, the way he gave up the triangle was worse.

 

I hope he's convinced you that he's a good fighter though, Ring.

[Bull]

Chael not getting tapped earlier had more to do with Anderson's guard than his actual submission defense. The way he just let Anderson control his fully extended arms was pretty bad, the way he gave up the triangle was worse.

 

I hope he's convinced you that he's a good fighter though, Ring.

 

Yea, I was waiting for Anderson to throw up that triangle at anytime throughout the fight, Sonnen was practically telling him to do it. I was pretty surprised to see Anderson get rocked like that in the first, but I don't think I have ever seen anyone able to hit him like that either. I must say after the Maia fight, even being a fan of him, I still loved watching Anderson get his ass handed to him for 4 1/2 rounds. Maybe now he will actually come to fight.

[RingofHonorGuard]

I hope he's convinced you that he's a good fighter though, Ring.

 

Well, to my credit, I do think he's a good fighter. I just didn't give him the respect of being able to hang with Anderson Silva, who I think is in the greatest of categories.

 

Anyone can see Chael Sonnen is a good fighter, I just didn't expect that much out of him. So now... Would I like to see Sonnen and Rich Franklin at Middleweight? Yes.