Talk Sports' Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[marioh]

Oh yeah, anyone see Wanderlei's reaction to Liddell losing.

GIF is on the first post, couldn't attach it here since it was too big.
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=647808

Poor guy just saw his big payday flying out the window. Somewhere later on that night, he and Dana probably shed tears and comforted each other.

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by marioh

The matchups I'd like to see at LHW :

Wanderlei vs Jardine
Griffin vs Alexander

Winners face each other for the #1 contender and chance to fight the winner of Rampage - Machida

I doubt it happens though since the UFC really doesn't like Machida since he's not seen as exciting enough (despite the fact he's still undefeated).

I like that idea, stick those two fights on the December card with the WW Title fight, the LW Title fight, and a rumored Kos match which should make for an epic card. If the UFC was willing to push Kos, who's not the most fun fighter in the world, they'll be willing to push Machida. As long as a guy keeps winning the UFC will move them up the card.

Yeah, Wandy looked like someone had just run over his dog. It was a bad day for him seeing his friend go down and then losing a huge money fight with Chuck losing.

[marioh]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

I like that idea, stick those two fights on the December card with the WW Title fight, the LW Title fight, and a rumored Kos match which should make for an epic card. If the UFC was willing to push Kos, who's not the most fun fighter in the world, they'll be willing to push Machida. As long as a guy keeps winning the UFC will move them up the card.

Yeah, Wandy looked like someone had just run over his dog. It was a bad day for him seeing his friend go down and then losing a huge money fight with Chuck losing.

You're right about KOS being seen as not all that exciting. But KOS has something that Machida doesn't have, and that's TUF name recognition to the "casual fan", which is probably why the UFC was pushing him.

[Romdawg88]

True, Kos being on TUF is a big help to his career and Lyoto doesn't have that but if you win in the UFC you will move up. They've tried to push Lyoto he was suppose to fight Forrest at UFC 70 but Forrest got a staph infection and the announcers hype Machida quite abit during his fights. Plus, I thought the fight was pretty good last night and that Lyoto was more aggressive last night. Anyway in the end the UFC doesn't have too many options at 205 right now Houston and Lyoto are the only two major fighters on winning streaks. The only other possible choice would be Rashad Evans if he wins the rematch with Tito Ortiz.

[Erik W.]

UFC: Knockout results:

6 decisions, 3 subs, 0 knockouts

Classic.

That event was awesome, though. And yeah, the LHW division is in serious turmoil, but I'd say there's a clear #1 contender in Machida, and at some point they have to let him fight for the belt.

My fear is, however, that they'll immediately throw Jardine to Jackson on the basis of him having beaten Chuck. Then the winner of Ortiz/Evans 2 will get the next shot (even though neither deserves it).

[Romdawg88]

Well, if Tito wins then you wouldn't have to worry about that since I believe Rampage and Tito have said they won't fight.

I guess Lyoto is the closest thing they have to a number 1 contender right now. The only thing I don't like is that he doesn't have a win against any of the top fighters in the division. Still I think a fight between him and Rampage would be real interesting so I wouldn't mind if it happens.

[marioh]

Wand has thrown his 2 cents into the LHW discussion, stating he would like to face Griffin.
http://www.wanderleisilva.com.br/sit...id=29&Itemid=5

Wanderlei Silva was an outstanding personality at UFC 76, taken place on September 22. Wanderlei was invited by Dana White to attend the event and challenge Chuck Lidell, in case the latter won. But it was a sad night for both Lidell and the Brazilian Shogun, who lost their fights.
What Wanderlei has to say about the event: “UFC took place in a very good gymnasium, very large; here these events have been growing continuously. This week I worked a lot on the event advertising making use of my popularity that is big here. Just to give an idea, we had an autograph session that gathered about 500 people, on a huge line. The warmth of my fans was very nice. I realize that everyone is anxious about my first fight, including myself. I’ve been training very hard, every day, with a lot of focus. My responsibility towards Brazilians has grown a lot due to the results of the last fights. This is also very motivating to me. It is important for the sport to bring joy to the fans and this becomes the fighters’ responsibility.
Lidell’s fight had a direct relationship with me because Dana White had said I would challenge him if he won. I was disappointed with the defeat because Lidell’s opponent is good, he has his merit but was not so qualified to defeat him. I believed Lidell was going to win and I was disappointed with the result. I hoped to perform against him in December and now I will have to wait for another name. It was a balanced, hard fight; I think Lidell should have prepared better in view of the importance of this combat.
As to Shogun, I didn’t manage to see him; I only watched the fight. I was very sad, both as a Brazilian and as a personal friend; I was cheering a lot for him. I was very frustrated with the defeat, it was unexpected. I thought it would be an easy fight for him. I hope he comes back, training hard and next time show his potential. MMA has greatly evolved and we should be tuned to such innovations, realizing that this sport is more and more specific and scientific. It does not take only a heart to win a fight any longer. Shogun has the talent and it all depends exclusively upon him. He will figure out what went wrong and will not make the same mistakes next time. Yesterday he was not the Shogun who I know. I hope he continues bringing joy to this fans including myself, for I am also his fan.
As to a name to face in December: “I’d like, in view of the last event and also as a vengeance for my friend, to fight with this Forrest Griffin. I guess it could be a good name for me.”

I like the idea, though it throws my ideal LHW matchups off a bit. I also like how he describes the location as a "very large gymnasium".

[Erik W.]

Originally Posted by marioh

I also like how he describes the location as a "very large gymnasium".

Heh, I have a feeling some of that article is lost in translation.

[Romdawg88]

Forrest/Wandy would be a great matchup and has alot of built-in storylines such as Wandy looking for revenge for his friend.

[Mike D]

I was worried about the Griffin-Rua fight since I do like Forrest a lot. I think it might be a little while before Griffin fights again, and Rampage will next fight on the Superbowl Saturday card. With BJ Penn vs Joe Stevenson and Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra, I can see them pushing back Silva's first fight to a Card in January, either in Montreal or England again. Of course, that's just what I think.

[Raderick]

Originally Posted by Mike D

I was worried about the Griffin-Rua fight since I do like Forrest a lot. I think it might be a little while before Griffin fights again, and Rampage will next fight on the Superbowl Saturday card. With BJ Penn vs Joe Stevenson and Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra, I can see them pushing back Silva's first fight to a Card in January, either in Montreal or England again. Of course, that's just what I think.

Dana White has already said that the cards through 2007 are already booked and that Silva wouldn't fight until at least January 2008.

I always thought the best way to settle the Lightweight Belt situation is do what UFC is best at, tournament. Top 8 fighters fight in a 2-card tournament to see who wins the belt.

[Mike D]

I think that once MMA was regulated by NSAC, that multiple fights on the same card were done away with. I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere, but don't remember where. Well, the Silva/Liddel fight was supposed to be in Dec, and BJ was supposed to fight in Nov vs Sherk, so I guess there have been some booking changes. And I think you will hear soon that the Ortiz/Evans fight will now be in Nov. and not in Oct like believed.

[Romdawg88]

MMAweekly has Wandy on the December card and their usually spot on with their rumored cards. Wandy himself mentions fighting in December in that statement Marioh posted.

I think that once MMA was regulated by NSAC, that multiple fights on the same card were done away with. I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere, but don't remember where.

Yeah, it was but I believe that one of the major state commissions has recently decided to allow it. I think it was the IFL that pushed for it for their upcoming GPs but I might be wrong. Of course whether it's allowed or not doesn't matter since Dana doesn't like them so they wouldn't be happening in the UFC anytime soon. Personally, I'm not a fan of having guys go more then once a event I prefer for the fighters to be well-rested and at 100% going into the fight. Plus, the last thing we need is a repeat of PRIDE's WW GP where Misaki won the thing even though Filho armbared him earlier in the evening.

[Erik W.]

Dana has said he hates tournaments, so it's not gonna happen.

[marioh]

Originally Posted by Raderick

I always thought the best way to settle the Lightweight Belt situation is do what UFC is best at, tournament. Top 8 fighters fight in a 2-card tournament to see who wins the belt.

That's the Japanese orgs that do the tournament format (K1 and Pride(RIP)).
The UFC tournys were in the beginning before the Fertittas bought the brand.

[Raderick]

Originally Posted by marioh

The UFC tournys were in the beginning before the Fertittas bought the brand.

That was kinda my point, go back to their roots to some extent. Oh well.

[Romdawg88]

Zuffa has run tournaments before, they ran that LW title tournament back at UFC 39 & 41 which ended with BJ and Caol Uno drawing pretty much killing the LW title and later the whole division. Hmm, I wonder if that has anything to do with Dana hating on tournaments.

[marioh]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Zuffa has run tournaments before, they ran that LW title tournament back at UFC 39 & 41 which ended with BJ and Caol Uno drawing pretty much killing the LW title and later the whole division. Hmm, I wonder if that has anything to do with Dana hating on tournaments.

Really ? I did not know that.

[Mike D]

I would almost bet that Wandy doesn't fight in December.

[Raderick]

The Green/White Ranger is now in MMA