The Official MMA Discussion Thread

[Self]

I think Maynard is giong to beat Edgar. If he does, BJ Penn can beat Maynard.

 

The nightmare scenario for the UFC, though, is they have consistently changing championship.... from Penn to Edgar, to Maynard, then back to Penn.... you see the pattern.

 

Styles make fights.

 

Obvious solution. THREE WAY DANCE!!!

 

I too think Maynard will beat Edgar.

[brashleyholland]

 

I too think Maynard will beat Edgar.

 

Add me to that list.

 

I don't think that Penn beats Maynard though. Maybe his performance against Hughes will change my mind.

[brashleyholland]

DREAM Featherweight champion Bibiano Fernandez will defend his title against Hiroyuki 'Streetfight Bancho' Takaya on NYE. Fernandez is really good, and won the DREAM Featherweight GP to nab the belt last year, beating Takaya in the finals by split decision.

 

Takaya is no slouch - his record is an unimpressive 14-8-1, but has only lost to great/good competition (Fernandez, Omigawa, Genki Sudo, Gesias Cavalcante, Cub Swanson, Leonard Garcia and Gilbert Melendez) and a doctors stoppage against Andre 'Dida'. He was the first man to knock Joachim Hansen out, and is coming off consecutive KO's of Hansen and Chase Beebe.

 

I'm going with Fernandes by decision.

[brashleyholland]

Because there really hasn't been enough MMA on TV lately ( ), Strikeforce Challengers 12 is on tonight. Ryan Couture was supposed to fight on this show, but even with his withdrawal, there are a couple of names to look out for.

 

Ovince St Preux is a name I keep hearing as one to look out for, but he'll have a tough time against Antwain Britt. St Preux for the upset.

 

Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro is a submission demon who was once regarded as one fo the best BJJ guys in MMA, and the next big thing out of Brazil. He's had a run of bad results - 1-3 in his last four - and this will likely be the last chance at getting his career back on track. He'll face AKA product Justin Wilcox (9-3). Shaolin by submission.

 

Potential fight of the night material here - Marius 'Whitemare' Zaromskis will face one of the ballsiest fighters around, Whaachiim Spiritwolf. Check out his fight with Billy Evangelista to see what I mean. This is a 'get right fight' for the DREAM champ Zaromskis, who is on a 2 fight skid. Should be a firecracker of a bout. Zaromskis by decision.

 

Prospect Caros Fodor is one to watch.

 

Also, Wes 'The Perfect Storm' Shivers, known for gassing horribly during an awful fight with James McSweeney on the heavyweight Ultimate Fighter and being a former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle, returns to MMA on the unaired undercard.

[Daffanka]

DREAM Featherweight champion Bibiano Fernandez will defend his title against Hiroyuki 'Streetfight Bancho' Takaya on NYE. Fernandez is really good, and won the DREAM Featherweight GP to nab the belt last year, beating Takaya in the finals by split decision.

 

Takaya is no slouch - his record is an unimpressive 14-8-1, but has only lost to great/good competition (Fernandez, Omigawa, Genki Sudo, Gesias Cavalcante, Cub Swanson, Leonard Garcia and Gilbert Melendez) and a doctors stoppage against Andre 'Dida'. He was the first man to knock Joachim Hansen out, and is coming off consecutive KO's of Hansen and Chase Beebe.

 

I'm going with Fernandes by decision.

 

Also for those of us (me) who are real excited about seeing Omigawa in the UFC's featherweight division, this essentially confirms he'll be coming, probably after trying to hustle a payday at Dynamite!!

 

Omigawa is one of those rare Japanese guys with competent management who listen to what he wants. He wanted to go the WEC/UFC if DREAM gave Takaya the title shot even though he was the guy who deserved it (and who beat Takya at the last Dynamite!! I think) and a fresh challenge for Bibiano.

 

I like Takaya a lot but Omigawa really should've gotten the shot. Means Omigawa gets to fight the world's best featherweights though so I'm happy. Now we just need Sandro to come in and demolish some people to set up Aldo vs. Sandro in a real fight and not in sparring. Also while we're at it I want Hatsu Hioki in the UFC because he's also really good (and he beat Omigawa!)

 

Furthermore Edgar is going to beat Maynard. There!

[brashleyholland]

Also for those of us (me) who are real excited about seeing Omigawa in the UFC's featherweight division, this essentially confirms he'll be coming, probably after trying to hustle a payday at Dynamite!!

 

Yup!

 

Omigawa is one of those rare Japanese guys with competent management who listen to what he wants. He wanted to go the WEC/UFC if DREAM gave Takaya the title shot even though he was the guy who deserved it (and who beat Takya at the last Dynamite!! I think) and a fresh challenge for Bibiano.

 

Spot on.

 

I like Takaya a lot but Omigawa really should've gotten the shot. Means Omigawa gets to fight the world's best featherweights though so I'm happy. Now we just need Sandro to come in and demolish some people to set up Aldo vs. Sandro in a real fight and not in sparring. Also while we're at it I want Hatsu Hioki in the UFC because he's also really good (and he beat Omigawa!)

 

Can't agree enough!

 

Furthermore Edgar is going to beat Maynard. There!

 

It's like I don't even know you anymore...

[RingofHonorGuard]

I'm giving Edgar the edge based on the fact that he's got two fights in the five round distance range under his belt. That's something you can't really prepare that well for, no matter how hard you train or spar. It comes with the experience of doing it.

 

Edgar also has the burning pain of the first loss on his side. He's probably went back to that footage a million times or more to see what he did, where he needed to improve. I actually strongly feel like Frankie Edgar will decision Gray Maynard, be it split or not.

 

Also I can't wait to see the Faber/Torres inevitable super fight down the road. All of your spirited talks of the lighter weight classes have had me really thinking about that fight a lot.

[brashleyholland]

 

Also I can't wait to see the Faber/Torres inevitable super fight down the road. All of your spirited talks of the lighter weight classes have had me really thinking about that fight a lot.

 

I did an article about Faber's future a week or so ago. Said then and I'll say it again, if Faber doesn't end up coaching TUF against Torres, it'll be a crime!

[The Shape]

<p>From what I've seen it seems pretty certain season 14 will be them with a lower weight class. Hopefully then it'll be a higher calibre of fighters with more dudes who can actually make it a la the earlier seasons.</p><p> </p><p>

13 is middleweights and welterweights though so I guess MWs or LHWs end up coaching, no idea who though. Would looove the Leben/Wand combo though and if Leben beats Stann the timing would be right.</p>

[jesterx7769]

<p>I think its a bit odd there hasn't been much solid talk about who the coaches will be. It seems with past seasons the coaches were known well in advance but right now so many top guys are set to fight and such its hard to imagine who will be coaches.</p><p> </p><p>

LW title fight has a set date, WW clearly wont be done again as coach, MW date is set, LHW date is "set", HW's aren't perhaps Cain and JDS will be coaches, but I don't think they would want to have two coaches that could be hard to understand and need some subtitles</p><p> </p><p>

Faber/Torres def. makes sense from that stand point, idk if they'd want smaller guys coaching WW/MWs though</p>

[brashleyholland]

<p>As for the next season of TUF, they're waiting on Chael Sonnen's appeal, which will be happening in a couple of week's time. If he has his ban reduced to six months (which is a very real possibility), then bet every last dollar on Team Sonnen vs Team Bisping. </p><p> </p><p>

They will likely scrap the Bisping-Rivera bout for Rivera vs Sakara with George Sotiropoulos vs Sean Sherk as the main event (if the Aussie wins this weekend), as filming for TUF will start late Jan, early Feb. </p><p> </p><p>

Plan B is Leben vs Wand, but it all depends on Leben winning his fight against Brian Stann. </p><p> </p><p>

We'll likely know more in early Jan, but that is what I have been told by reliable people quite recently.</p>

[brashleyholland]

<p>Why MMA is awesome, part 1: </p><p> </p><p>

I'm currently sat listening to a very drunk Wes Simms and a slightly more drunk Mark Coleman commentate on a fight with a guy named Ray. They have no idea what's going on. (I'm trying this as I hear it, so forgive the paraphrasing!)</p><p> </p><p>

Ray: Great back and forth action here Hammer!</p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: I can't hear you. </p><p> </p><p>

Ray: I said we have good action. </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: I'll be honest, we don't know who is who here. </p><p> </p><p>

(Ray explains who is who)</p><p> </p><p>

Simms: Oh, well in that case....wait, which one is in the black again?</p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: Great fight, they can't keep up this pace for much longer...oh, it's finished. Classic G'n'P. </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: Shall we share a personal story while you go to the ring Jeff? Wait, is that Flava Flav in the cage? </p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: That's Mo the Flo. Don't disrespect him. </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: Mo the Flo? </p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: Flava Flav is the man though, don't get me wrong. </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: How much are we charging for this show on the internet? Free? Thats a steal! Just wait till we get one more Heineken and a couple more stories out of the Hammer!</p><p> </p><p>

Ray: What personal stories did you tell about me while I was in the cage? </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: Oh, nothing. Hammer is trying to give life advice to a 14 year old boy who really shouldn't be hearing that stuff. Hammer, what do we think about Ray doing his job? </p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: He could be in the UFC!</p><p> </p><p>

Simms: If you stuck a firecracker up his ass he could impersonate Bruce Buffer. </p><p> </p><p>

Coleman: Buffer is the best. I've got a couple of fans of mine here, we're gonna sign a few autographs. </p><p> </p><p>

Simms: Coleman, stop giving those boys marriage advice! </p><p> </p><p>

And it goes on....</p>

[ampulator]

<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>I think its a bit odd there hasn't been much solid talk about who the coaches will be. It seems with past seasons the coaches were known well in advance but right now so many top guys are set to fight and such its hard to imagine who will be coaches.<p> </p><p> LW title fight has a set date, WW clearly wont be done again as coach, MW date is set, LHW date is "set", HW's aren't perhaps Cain and JDS will be coaches, but I don't think they would want to have two coaches that could be hard to understand and need some subtitles</p><p> </p><p> Faber/Torres def. makes sense from that stand point, idk if they'd want smaller guys coaching WW/MWs though</p></div></blockquote><p> Cain speaks perfect English. JDS, maybe. But Cain? No way.</p>

[Daffanka]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="brashleyholland" data-cite="brashleyholland" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Why MMA is awesome, part 1: </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Hahahaha this is the best thing.</p><p> </p><p> Strikeforce Challengers had a decent opener between two nobodies ending with a brabo choke from guard. Then a women's fight which was two rounds of 0 offense and then Jan Finney, kickboxer, got her back taken by the gal who looks like Urijah Faber and got pounded out. Zaromskis vs. Spiritwolf ended in six seconds when Zaromskis threw a stupid looking flying knee while simultaneously raking Waachim's face and it was called a no contest. Then I went to bed because Mauro was just too insufferable but I heard the other two fights weren't very good either. Shaolin lost apparently. <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Also I would've thought they'd want a Faber vs. Cruz/Jorgensen (it's going to be Jorgensen) TUF season for a title shot since getting Faber to challenge for the new title, backed up by a TUF season, seems the quickest way to legitimize it in the eyes of the fans. </p><p> </p><p> Furthermore here are some awesome picks for UFC 123:</p><p> </p><p> Machida over Rampage by decision. Or maybe TKO. Depends how hard Rampage gasses while whiffing punches.</p><p> </p><p> Penn over Hughes by TKO. Hughes is still one of the sport's best survivors (just after Penn) and his top game is still really good but I'm going with Penn landing that sweet left hook counter on an incoming Hughes and finishing him.</p><p> </p><p> Harris over Falcão by TKO. Falcâo is a prototypical Chute Boxe brawler and therefore it's a statistical impossibility that he's got good wrestling. Harris is going to take him down and smash him.</p><p> </p><p> Davis over Boetsch by submission. Mr. Wonderful is just too wonderful.</p><p> </p><p> Sotiropoulos over Lauzon by decision. Because Sot is better at mostly everything.</p>

[The Bus]

<p>I haven't looked too much into the undercard of this event, so I'll just pick the big ones. </p><p> </p><p>

Machida UD over Rampage. Machida is too much for Rampage, who'll fade away and move into WWE.</p><p>

Hughes TKO 2nd round over Penn. Penn seems to have lost his fire and Hughes is looking great in the final stretch of his career. Hughes eventually takes down Penn and get's a good shot in the ground and pounds his way to the TKO.</p>

[Zoloftjunkie]

Man where is all this Rampage hate coming from? I'm hoping he knocks captain boring out. Would be sweet if Hughes pulls a GSP on bj too but I see that fight to be a bit more close. Hughes takes the win though.

[RingofHonorGuard]

<p>It's not Rampage hate so much as it's... Rampage is already frustrated by the fact that he knows he's going to be playing "wish I could hit this guy" for potentially 15 minutes. </p><p> </p><p>

If this was Rampage in the old days when his body wasn't tired I'd be like... Rampage by Stoppage, but Rampage is too slow at this point to really land anything significant on Machida. Unless Machida makes a mistake and ends up on the fence. He ends up on the fence and Rampage might be able to uppercut him a couple of times, and take it to the floor. </p><p> </p><p>

It's not going to be a pretty fight. Probably a lot uglier of a fight than Rashad/Page, honestly. I'm going to a bar to watch it.</p><p> </p><p>

Also, the real main event of this pay per view for some people is Penn/Hughes 3. I know for me it is.</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>Man where is all this Rampage hate coming from? I'm hoping he knocks captain boring out. Would be sweet if Hughes pulls a GSP on bj too but I see that fight to be a bit more close. Hughes takes the win though.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Just for the record Machida's last, like, four fights have all been decent to very good while Rampage's last four fights include two boring decisions and almost losing to Keith Jardine.</p><p> </p><p> Rampage is a remarkable physical specimen with an iron chin, pretty good wrestling, solid boxing fundamentals when he wants to and massive KO power. After having the best performances of his life against Hendo and Chuck he promptly replaced his trainer with a cadre of stupid yes-men after losing against Forrest and then decided to stop doing silly things like setting up his punches or wrestle. Instead he's going to plod forwards while missing hooks and then whine about his opponent's not coming to fight if they do anything else than headbutt his hands.</p><p> </p><p> This is why I don't like Rampage!</p>

[jesterx7769]

<p>Rampage has been somewhat boring and just utilizing his "stand and wait" strategy of counter punching (the equivalent of lay and praying) so honestly I've lost respect for him for all the trash he's been talking about boring his last couple fights. He criticized Rashad and how many punches did Rampage even throw in that fight? 30? Sorry your opponent didn't stand throw wild punches with you like you wanted, maybe you should ask him to lay flat so you can just get down and choke him out. Sure this works against aggressive guys i.e. the Liddell, Wanderlei, and Jardine fight but if Jardine wasn't so aggressive at the end continuing to stand and trade he wouldn't have been knocked down which one judge said is why he gave that round (and fight) to Rampage. but against disciplined guys like Rashad, Forrest (who relied on leg kicks instead of standing and trading punches the whole time) and now Machida, I just don't see it playing in his favor as I see Machida jumping in and out with the fight looking much more like Machida vs. Shogun 1 waiting to catch him when Rampage should be aggressive and put the pressure on like Machida vs. Shogun 2.</p><p> </p><p>

Now I would love to see Rampage come out aggressive, go for a takedown, work some serious GnP maybe setting up a big KO on the feet but thats just not how he's been fighting, he talks like he's an all out predator KO king ala Chuck but his style has been much more of a powerful counter puncher, and if thats what he wants to be fine, just dont pretend to be something youre not and criticize others for not standing and trading since that big counter punch hook has been your only weapon you've been utilizing.</p><p> </p><p>

Machida wasn't boring at all against Rashad either, he put on some pretty impressive striking and Shogun 2 was good, but I will grant their first fight was boring but I think Lyoto was waiting for Shogun to be super aggressive and it just never came.</p><p> </p><p>

Hughes and Penn, I've gone back and forth and just can't pick a winner. Yes Hughes has been on a role which I thought may be a plus but maybe that will make him overconfident and not train as hard thinking "well i've been winning" where BJ being down could be a negative but maybe he's desperate.</p><p> </p><p>

It won't happen but if he loses I would like to see him take the effort to cut to 145 and become champion so he could be champion in 3 weight classes, but if he loses he'll probably go back to 155 picking up his big paychecks fighting a contender or two before he goes after the title again</p>

[jesterx7769]

<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>Just for the record Machida's last, like, four fights have all been decent to very good while Rampage's last four fights include two boring decisions and almost losing to Keith Jardine.<p> </p><p> Rampage is a remarkable physical specimen with an iron chin, pretty good wrestling, solid boxing fundamentals when he wants to and massive KO power. After having the best performances of his life against Hendo and Chuck he promptly replaced his trainer with a cadre of stupid yes-men after losing against Forrest and then decided to stop doing silly things like setting up his punches or wrestle. Instead he's going to plod forwards while missing hooks and then whine about his opponent's not coming to fight if they do anything else than headbutt his hands.</p><p> </p><p> This is why I don't like Rampage!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> lol I was typing my not liking Rampage when you were</p>

[brashleyholland]

<p>It's not Rampage hate from my point - he's a nice guy, I like him. I got to spend a little time with him when he was training for his last two fights; Rampage only exists infront of cameras and in the gym/cage. Quinton Jackson is laid back, plays Xbox and talks about his kids.</p><p> </p><p>

I honestly think that the fight in him has gone. He's doing it for fun - he isn't the same guy who wanted to beat people up and do damage from a few years ago. This is a man who has made his money and is set for life - believe me, his latest UFC contract is going to have him set for life. </p><p> </p><p>

Now, that's fine; but for me, if that's your attitude, you're not going to have the killer instinct to train and fight the younger, hungrier generation of fighters. Rampage has been in this game for a decade, he's had what, 40 fights? He's a dinosaur in MMA terms. You can have success at that point in your career with a banged-up, battle worn body - but if the mind isn't there, you're going to get worked. </p><p> </p><p>

The difference between Rampage and someone like Tito, is that Page still has his number one weapon; his power. He'll be dangerous for years to come - it's whether he wants to be or not that's the question.</p>

[jesterx7769]

Wow I'm a little shocked you were critical of him since I know you liked him from his time at Wolfslair, I expected a defense.

[brashleyholland]

<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>Wow I'm a little shocked you were critical of him since I know you liked him from his time at Wolfslair, I expected a defense.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Oh don't get me wrong, I want him to win. My place is a pro-Rampage household tonight, Rampage and Wolfslair shirts all round! :-p </p><p> </p><p> I'm just telling it like I see it. At this point in time, I feel that Machida is the better fighter and will do a number on Rampage tonight. And there's nothing wrong with that - it's not like he hasn't had a good run, UFC champ, first unified 205lb champ, etc. </p><p> </p><p> At the end of the day, if you're broke, young, angry and hungry, you've got a fire burning under your to make something of your life. I work my ass off every day to get various projects off the ground and ticking over to make money and secure my future. If I had Rampage's money/security, I'd have the option of not staying up till 6am half of the week and spending more time with my family. I think that's the situation Rampage is in.</p>

[brashleyholland]

HA! Apparently Rampage is coming out to the Pride FC theme tonight! IT'S ON!!!!!! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[Zoloftjunkie]

I have no problem with Falcao playing it safe in the third round. It is like in any other sport when you have a lead you sit on it and run out the clock. Why risk getting knocked out just to please the crowd when you can coast and win. Goal number one is winning. If anything it is Harris's place to push for the win and go all out. Loved how violent Falcao was during that fight.

 

 

Man the Hughes fight was a major letdown for me but oh well. He looked like he was ready to hang up the gloves after that loss.

 

I love machidas five seconds of fighting he did there, was sooooooo exciting. Jackson really does need to start mixing it up though cause I don't see him doing much with just boxing. Guess you haters are just going to keep on hateing. I hope they don't do a rematch though I am sick of all the rematches.