The Official MMA Discussion Thread

[Lucien Sanchez]

BJ is going to make Diaz look like a chump, his thousand punches no defense style works against Daley and Zaromskis, it's not going to work against an accurate, hard hitting counter boxer. Plus BJ can put Diaz on his back whenever he wants to.

I'm not sure on this one. For me, it's a great match-up styles wise, almost guaranteeing a great fight. BJ probably has the edge skill-set wise, but has been inconsistent in the past, with a tendency to fading as the fight progresses. I'm leaning towards a decision or TKO win for either fighter, I'm not sure a pure KO is likely, and can't picture either man getting caught in a submission. So yeah, either BJ is able to force a referee stoppage early on, or I think we'll get a close decision, depending on which Penn turns up.

 

As for StrikeForce, it was a good night of fights. Felt bad for Gracie, his BJJ is superb but without half as good takedowns or stand-up he's always going to struggle at the upper echelons. Didn't think Cormier would be able to drop Bigfoot at will, but he did it. I think it's going to be 50/50 against Barnett. Very close and interesting fight in my eyes.

[brashleyholland]

BAMMA 7 getting no love? Was there live and it was a really entertaining night of action. There were some slow moments in the undercard fights but the fighters generally pushed the fighting and there were few catcalls from the crowd. There were noticeable patches of empty seats, especially in my section, but damn this crowd was loud and raucous and when Pindi Madahar won his debut fight there large groups of fans chanting for him and going crazy for it. The loudest sustained reactions seemed to be for Paul Daley and he was a total crowd favourite, but the loudest reaction of the night was when Jim Wallhead was announced as the winner in the main event as the arena, which was starting to pack up and leave because it was past 11pm at this point, went nuts. Overall, a really fun and entertaining night of action and I recommend going to the next BAMMA show if you can.

 

 

I literally cannot speak today after screaming my way through the Marshman/Noon fight. My voice sounds like gravel on all the interviews we did for Whoa TV after that one. Great to see my boy get the win but damn, he face was a right mess afterwards.

 

There was nearly another fight backstage between Mark Goddard and Frank Trigg's coach. Trigg's coach made an accusation at the end of the first that Jimmy was greased, and was taking Goddard to task about it. Jimmy was NOT greased. I dunno how it came across on TV, but it certainly seemed that Trigg's coach spilled the ice bucket on purpose between the first and second to give Frank some more recovery time. Anyway the guy was really tearing into Mark and getting right in his face about it. Mark has the patience of a saint, but he was getting to the end of his rope. Couple of us stepped in and Jude, BAMMA's matchmaker, took them both somewhere more private.

 

Worth saying that Trigg wasn't there and had nothing to do with it, was just his coach being a prat. Frank is awesome, had a beer with him at the afterparty. Nate Marquardt is not awesome. EVERY time I got a bottle of Corona, he came and bottle-tapped me (where you bang the bottom of your bottle on the top of someone elses, and the beer foams up and overflows). Damn you Nate Marquardt. Got him back by forcing him to do shots of AfterShock :-p

 

Fights were really good. Loved Jack Marshman's comeback, he's a paratrooper and his regiment were all there going nuts. The Daley fight was sick too, props to Radev for hanging in there. Paul told me afterwards that he most likely wont fight Luigi Fioravante next month now...he hurt his knee and hand in the fight and wants to focus on BAMMA 8, as it's in his hometown. Loved the main event, Jimmy is a pal of mine so was good to see him get the biggest win of his career.

 

If Tom Watson's back heals, he'll defend against Jimmy if Bellator allow BAMMA to make the fight. Here's the interview we did post-fight. All the other interviews should be there on the right on WhoaTV's channel.

 

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLgOjduZQxls%26feature%3Drelmfu&h=kAQB2HOD8

 

All in all a great weekend. Epic, epic hangover though.

[btorrie]

Just wondering Brad

 

If you knew why Bamma went with Quadros instead of the voice?

 

I love michael schiavellos commentary, so was a bit disapointed with seeing Stephen Quadros.

 

Thought Bamma was a great show, must admit to screaming at my tv when Carl Noon started to gas for Marshman to start swinging for the fences, great drama in that fight.

[Fantabulous]

Thought Bamma was a great show, must admit to screaming at my tv when Carl Noon started to gas for Marshman to start swinging for the fences, great drama in that fight.

Was Noon the guy who kept bending over to get his wind back? If that was him, I can tell you that you were not the only one screaming. Almost everybody around me was going NUTS with screaming at Marshman to go after Noon. They were going insane with screaming for Marshman to do something.

 

Funny story from my section. There were three people behind me who were going nuts for one fighter, I think it was Lee Taylor, and when he lost they were very bummed out. Anyway, a few fights later they were going equally nuts for Danny Compton against Pindi Madahar, who was making his debut, and I think he has tons of potential. So, after taking a bit of pounding in the first round, Madahar came back to beat Compton by TKO in Round 2 and those three went very silent very quickly. After the fight, I look back to see those three people leaving their seats and I figured they were going to the bathroom or were getting some food but they never came back. Evidently, they were so irate at what happened they just left altogether.

[brashleyholland]

Just wondering Brad

 

If you knew why Bamma went with Quadros instead of the voice?

 

I love michael schiavellos commentary, so was a bit disapointed with seeing Stephen Quadros.

 

Thought Bamma was a great show, must admit to screaming at my tv when Carl Noon started to gas for Marshman to start swinging for the fences, great drama in that fight.

 

Michael had another commitment I believe. They tried to get Mauro Renallo and Bas, but they were both doing Strikeforce.

 

Stephen is great, but he had no prep time for this and didn't have info on a lot of the fighters. It was a very last-minute thing for him. I sat with him while waiting on the bus to the afterparty, he was genuinely upset at the screw-ups he's made. Great guy though - the many knows EVERYTHING about MMA.

[The Shape]

Didn't realise BAMMA 8 was in Notts, definitely gonna have to look into going to that.

[btorrie]

Yeah i did get the impression Quadros was a last minute replacement due to his very unusual screw-ups from the professor.

 

Still though, props to Bamma for getting quality announcers. It makes a big difference for viewing their shows.

 

Was Noon the guy who kept bending over to get his wind back? If that was him, I can tell you that you were not the only one screaming. Almost everybody around me was going NUTS with screaming at Marshman to go after Noon. They were going insane with screaming for Marshman to do something.

 

 

Yeah that was definately the moment, after taking the beating he did you were just begging for Marshman to put him away.

[KingJoel]

Worth saying that Trigg wasn't there and had nothing to do with it, was just his coach being a prat. Frank is awesome, had a beer with him at the afterparty. Nate Marquardt is not awesome. EVERY time I got a bottle of Corona, he came and bottle-tapped me (where you bang the bottom of your bottle on the top of someone elses, and the beer foams up and overflows). Damn you Nate Marquardt. Got him back by forcing him to do shots of AfterShock:-p

 

You cruel man.

[damonster]

I don't get BAMMA or Stikreforce so this weekend I felt lost. With all the MMA convos.

[Fantabulous]

The non-combat highlight of the night for BAMMA 7 was watching Quadros dancing at cageside to the music just before the TV opening.

[brashleyholland]

You cruel man.

 

Yeah, nobody should have to go through that. The dude soaks booze up like a sponge though. We introduced him to Cider and blackcurrent on the Wednesday, he was sinking them like crazy all week :-p

[Adam Ryland]

I literally cannot speak today after screaming my way through the Marshman/Noon fight.

 

Me too, fantastic comeback. I was sitting near an enormous contingent of Noon fans, watching them go from absolute dancing-round-in-their-seats ecstasy in the first round to morose head-in-hands despair when Karl was nearly collapsing was hilarious. The fight that then broke out, less so

 

BTW - what on earth were they using instead of stools for the fighters? It looked like they'd stolen them out of somebody's living room. Poofs???

[brashleyholland]

Me too, fantastic comeback. I was sitting near an enormous contingent of Noon fans, watching them go from absolute dancing-round-in-their-seats ecstasy in the first round to morose head-in-hands despair when Karl was nearly collapsing was hilarious. The fight that then broke out, less so

 

Aww, that's a shame, thought this one had passed with no crowd trouble.

 

Noon looked not too far short of a heavyweight from the waist up, wasn't surprised to see him gas like that at all. He needs to either stop lifting weights, or have a serious think about 205.

 

My voice still isn't right today...I'd remained professional all night up until that point, but I had most of press row out of their seats screaming in that second round. Impartiality of the press was thrown firmly out of the window :-p

 

When you're on press row for the UFC, you have to sign a contract...one of the points is that you're not allowed to shout, cheer or boo any fighter. Thank god BAMMA are more chilled out

 

BTW - what on earth were they using instead of stools for the fighters? It looked like they'd stolen them out of somebody's living room. Poofs???

 

BAMMA 7: Sponsored by IKEA.

[KingJoel]

Lorenzo Fertita just hinted that UFC is coming to Milan in Italy. I don't know if he's pulling people's legs...but, I just thought I'd put it in here.

[jesterx7769]

Thoughts on K-1's GP announcement?

 

Positives: It's actually happening after all the negative news and rumours. Hari is back despite his "issues" but hes arguably the biggest draw.

 

Negatives: Lots of big names missing. Overeem of course is understandable due to UFC but they haven't explained the others yet.

 

No broadcast stuff yet, hoping I can watch all of it live this year.

[brashleyholland]

Thoughts on K-1's GP announcement?

 

Positives: It's actually happening after all the negative news and rumours. Hari is back despite his "issues" but hes arguably the biggest draw.

 

Negatives: Lots of big names missing. Overeem of course is understandable due to UFC but they haven't explained the others yet.

 

No broadcast stuff yet, hoping I can watch all of it live this year.

 

They owe Golden Glory to the tune of millions. Problem is, they are going to be very reluctant to release that money (if they even have it) now that there is zero chance of them getting Overeem.

 

Saki, Schilt, Zimmerman and Miller (a Roufus guy who just signed with GG) are going to be affected by that.

 

Aerts...does he still event want to fight? Maybe with a weakened field he might have one more pop at it, especially if Schilt and Saki aren't in. Same goes for LeBanner, but there are issues there too.

 

No Kyotaro announced either....although I'm sure that'll be a matter of time.

[damonster]

He did beat Condit, in my mind. The stoppage was way to early you could see it, Condit throws a punch, stops to catch breath, throws a punch, stops to catch breath, etc... until the ref called it. Would have been 29-28.

just saw the fight again Condit it standing, goes down to the ground and throws a small combo of about 4 punches, then stops to catch his breath when the ref stopped it. Total BS. but if Condit beats GSP, will we see MacDonald vs. Condit 2 in Vancouver sometime?

[Bigpapa42]

Happy to see the K1 Grand Prix is still gonna happen. But man, that's a light field. Hari should as hell should win this one. Ghitea and Spong both have a shot, too, but unless they bring in some names, Hari should be able to run through it.

[Fantabulous]

So Marquardt wants Daley at BAMMA 8 but Daley isn't going to be on the card and isn't saying why. I don't mind the fight not happening at BAMMA 8; I can't make it to that one. But I hope they can put this fight together for a big London card.

[The Shape]

Ellenberger is for real. Surely a title shot, at least no more than one fight away.

[brashleyholland]

So Marquardt wants Daley at BAMMA 8 but Daley isn't going to be on the card and isn't saying why. I don't mind the fight not happening at BAMMA 8; I can't make it to that one. But I hope they can put this fight together for a big London card.

 

I sat with Paul at UCMMA this past weekend. He wasn't saying too much, but it looks like its a simple case of Zuffa red-lighting BAMMA fights for him from now on. The friction he had with BAMMA seems to be squashed. Basically Zuffa only want him taking 'keep busy' fights outside of Strikeforce.

 

It makes sense...if they want to use him in either December or early 2012 on what will likely be their last big card, he's of little value to them coming off a loss. Also the UFC don't want a Daley/Marquardt bout in December soaking up last-minute ticket sales from people in two minds about going to UFC 138. Again, makes sense.

 

The RUMOUR that I heard from a lot of people at UCMMA on Saturday is that Daley will fight at UCMMA in December. I interviewed the promoter and he was uncharacteristically quiet on the opponent for John Maguire, except to say that Jamaine Facey, the guy who was promoted as being in the number 1 contenders spot, would likely be fighter overseas next. Maguire and Daley have trained together in the past, but I doubt either would be bothered about taking the fight.

[brashleyholland]

Also, FINALLY we're gonna see Shogun vs Hendo. Been waiting for this one for about 7 years :-p

 

It's going to be the main event of UFC 139, with Belfort vs Le as co-main. The show was originally going to be headlined by Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos.

 

Smart move, IMO. Le vs Belfort would have sold out the arena, but it'd have tanked on PPV. This wont do massive numbers, but it should break 350k now.

[brashleyholland]

Ellenberger is for real. Surely a title shot, at least no more than one fight away.

 

I say give him Kos after he put Hughes to sleep next weekend. If he can beat the Fraggle, he deserves a shot.

 

How mad would it be to see Condit beat GSP and make his first defence against Ellenberger? Talk about a changing of the guard...

[damonster]

Also, FINALLY we're gonna see Shogun vs Hendo. Been waiting for this one for about 7 years :-p

 

It's going to be the main event of UFC 139, with Belfort vs Le as co-main. The show was originally going to be headlined by Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos.

 

Smart move, IMO. Le vs Belfort would have sold out the arena, but it'd have tanked on PPV. This wont do massive numbers, but it should break 350k now.

 

should do more, about 500K Hendo and Shogun are both known to UFC fans.

[brashleyholland]

should do more, about 500K Hendo and Shogun are both known to UFC fans.

 

Hendo has never done over 350-375 I believe. Shogun has averaged about 500 for the three UFC's he's main evented (against Jones and Machida x2 when the UFC hype train was at it's peak for both), but that was before he got wrecked by Jones and UFC PPV buys slumped.

 

Hendo just never clicked with the UFC PPV buying audience, and with good reason. Yes, there's a chance that he'll 'Bisping' somebody, but there's an equal chance that you'll drop $55 on a dull, grinding main event. And now it's five rounds, so you'll really get your money's worth, or not.

 

It'll break 350, but I'd be shocked if it did anymore than 400. Fewer people are buying UFC PPV's at the moment, and that's a fact.