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mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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I couldn't find a thread on the UFC for some reason, so i'll open one and see how it does.

First of all, congratulations to Rashad Evans. I really like this guy and i think he has a great future in front of him. But his gameplan against 'the Iceman' was spot on. He played Chuck at his own game and played the counter punch, finishing Chuck with his very own looping right. Great win for him and i'll be interested to see who he fights next. My money is on Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson but we'll see.

Second of all i'd like to say how pleased i am that Rich 'Ace' Franklin was able to step up to 205lbs. He was such a great Middleweight Champion before the emergence of Anderson 'Spider' Silva. I love his all round game. The Light Heavyweight Division is at an all time high now and Franlin will only add to that.

I'd also like to wish Mike 'the Count' Bisping luck next month. He takes on Chris 'Lights Out' Leben in what could be a flat out war. I always feel nervous for him on his home turf. Its a lot of pressure for him and he needs to keep his focus. But he has improved with every fight and his last fight was his best yet. He's really starting to hit the ground running now and must be closer to the Middleweight Title, especially if he wins this next fight. I think he could give Silva a run for his money and win or lose, i think that would be a huge match that would 'make' Bisping.

And finally, what does everyone think about the return of Randy 'the Natural' Couture? And the fight against Brock Lesner of all people. Should be a great fight and could be the making of Brock Lesner. The thing that really bugs me though is how its classed as a title match :shrug: OK so Couture never really lost the belt a year ago, but he left. If theres one thing i really dont like about the UFC, its the use of the term 'interim' Champion. What the hell is that? So we have Nogeuro (sp) and Couture as Heavyweight Champion?

So we now have Couture Vs Brock for the Heavyweight Title. We have Mir Vs Nogeuro (sp) hosting the Ultimate Fighter (that should be fun :whistle: (Matt Serra and Matt Hughes anyone?)) to headline that show with the Heavyweight Title on the line. Then the winners of those fights go head to head for the 'Undisputed' Heavyweight Title. Whats undisputed exactly? If Brock wins, then he has won the Title off the guy that wasn't really the Champion anyway. If Couture wins then he still has to become the Champion 'proper' a few months later. If Mir wins then he is suddenly the Semi-Champion and could face the prospect of facing Brock again, but Brock has the same belt as him? And if Nogeuro (sp) wins then he is still Champion? But is he? I mean, if he beats Mir, he would have gone from winning his last match and walking out Champion, to winning his next match and being an interim Champion??

If theres one thing that the WWE makes sense of, its when they call a match 'a number one contender match.' So surely the Randy Couture Vs Brock Lesner match should be called 'the number one contender match.'
 

soup

On the straightened arrow
May 26, 2004
3,494
3,592
I actually watched UFC88 the other night and boy, it's nothing like it used to be is it! I know it's all MMA these days, but I remember picking up UFC1 to about UFC6 back in college days where it was actually different styles against each other, you know, Hoyce Gracie and co. They used to be brilliant, but I don't think any of those guys would cut it these days. I mean, can you imagine Kimbo Slice v Hoyce Gracie?
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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Very sad news that. He was a great fighter in his day and delivered some of the best elbows and knees in the business. He really went off the tracks in the last few years and had some Alcohol problems. Sad to hear this though.

I actually watched UFC88 the other night and boy, it's nothing like it used to be is it! I know it's all MMA these days, but I remember picking up UFC1 to about UFC6 back in college days where it was actually different styles against each other, you know, Hoyce Gracie and co. They used to be brilliant, but I don't think any of those guys would cut it these days. I mean, can you imagine Kimbo Slice v Hoyce Gracie?

A good example of this is in Cage Rage (the UK version of UFC.) They often have the older generation of fighters on there but they always struggle against the new generation of fighters. Ken Shamrock fought on there a few months back but he has unfortunately been left behind in the past several years. The Sport has grown so much over the years. Those earlier UFC events you speak of, the fighters were a lot more one dimensional. A boxer was very much a boxer and a wrestler was very much a wrestler. Now though, it is vital for all fighters to have a much better rounded game. Wrestlers have to learn to strike. Boxers have to have some ground game and so on. Royce Gracie (with an R :wink:) was one of the greatest fighters in MMA, but when he fought Matt Hughes in UFC, he was totally overwhelmed.
 

Bobishism

*****istrator
Aug 23, 2004
15,035
126
A good example of this is in Cage Rage (the UK version of UFC.) They often have the older generation of fighters on there but they always struggle against the new generation of fighters. Ken Shamrock fought on there a few months back but he has unfortunately been left behind in the past several years. The Sport has grown so much over the years. Those earlier UFC events you speak of, the fighters were a lot more one dimensional. A boxer was very much a boxer and a wrestler was very much a wrestler. Now though, it is vital for all fighters to have a much better rounded game. Wrestlers have to learn to strike. Boxers have to have some ground game and so on. Royce Gracie (with an R :wink:) was one of the greatest fighters in MMA, but when he fought Matt Hughes in UFC, he was totally overwhelmed.

Or, y'know, cause they're all old now.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
42,341
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Or, y'know, cause they're all old now.

Yep, definately. But they still could never keep up with the modern fighting. Just look at Randy Couture. He's in his late 40's now but he didn't fight in the UFC during the Shamrock era at the start. But because he started when the UFC had grown, he was able to adapt to the more rounded fights. He's predominantly a wrestler, but he adapted his fighting to fight in the UFC. Ken Shamrock was a legend in his time because not many fighters had the ground game to keep out of his ankle and heel locks. They got caught out too often. But now, most fighters have some level of ground game. Brock Lesnar got caught against Frank Mir, and that was really a rookie error. Only the greenest of fighters are likely to get caught out that way. So guys like Ken Shamrock never really evolved their game and come up with other ways to finish a fight. Even in his prime, i dont think Shamrock would have faired too well in today's UFC.
 

liberty

Banned
Jul 30, 2005
11,643
5
I've been downloading TUF and yes Junie is a fucking headcase. Check out www.cagepotato.com and there's a vid clip of him on the 1st of 2nd page from when he was in the AFL(?). Him and his brother are the cockiest people I've ever seen.

Junie has issues. Very entertaining though!

I didn't wanna create a new thread, but did anyone see Kimbo get beat on EliteXC? He was rather unlucky but hey I guess that's what happens to 'brash' fighters who just rush in without any decent defence.
 

riversmonkey

Active Member
Nov 24, 2004
1,244
1
I didn't wanna create a new thread, but did anyone see Kimbo get beat on EliteXC? He was rather unlucky but hey I guess that's what happens to 'brash' fighters who just rush in without any decent defence.

EliteXC has folded, serves them right for paying $500k to a youtube sensation
 

Has1978

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,058
37
Chris Leben (the prick with the red hair who fought Bisping) just got done for steroids. And admitted it.

As an aside, MMA is just tops. Best thing since football.

My favourite fighters:

Fedor
Anderson Silva
BJ Penn

(have to admit GSP is pretty damned good)

But my hero in life is Randy "The Natural" Couture. He is just an inspiration - like a real life Rocky.
 

liberty

Banned
Jul 30, 2005
11,643
5
I like Fedor and his brother Aleksander.

I too like Anderson Silva, he's quality!
 

punky

Gone
Sep 23, 2008
7,485
5,403
I can't believe Leben only got 9 months suspension for testing positive for steroids. What the hell does he have to do get banned? DUI and prison time doesn't seem to matter either. The funny thing is that even on steroids, Bisping still kicked his arse comprehensively.

My favourites, in no particular order: Forrest Griffin, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, CB Dollaway (bit of a prat, but love the way he goes mental when in the ring), Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell. I was at the UFC event at the O2, It was a shame that Liddell had to pull out of fighting Evans. I would have given anything to see that.
 

liberty

Banned
Jul 30, 2005
11,643
5
I personally think Bisping is pretty boring. I don't think he shows much flair! I can only see your like for him because he's a Brit which is fair enough. :)

I checked up on the steroid Leben was caught using. Although obviously an illegal substance in sport, it's a prescription drug. I think as far as severe steroids go, this one isn't so severe although your no tolerance attitude isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Leben is definitely in last chance saloon though I'm sure.
 

Has1978

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,058
37
Couture v Lesnar

Biggest UFC in history this weekend - Couture v Lesnar. Unbelievable

And my 42'' HD plasma is arriving the day before - the brackets in the wall already. Cannot wait!
 

punky

Gone
Sep 23, 2008
7,485
5,403
One good thing about Bisping though is that he understands people enjoy and want to see stand-up fighting and he does strive for/encourage that.

Who does everyone have in the Couture - Lesnar fight? We should start a poll of vBookie for it.

My money is on Randy. If anyone thinks that size matters above everything else, they need to watch this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hHKdoVTpLYY
 

liberty

Banned
Jul 30, 2005
11,643
5
Biggest UFC in history this weekend - Couture v Lesnar. Unbelievable

And my 42'' HD plasma is arriving the day before - the brackets in the wall already. Cannot wait!

Is that a bad joke? Couture is or was regarded as the best heavyweight fighter at least in the UFC. He came out of retirement to regain the title against Tim Sylvia who was DOMINATED by Fedor just recently and had his face smashed in by Fedor who is in a completely different league to Sylvia.

He also lost to Liddell twice.

His MMA record is 16-8. Not the best record by a longshot. He IS over-rated.

The only reason Couture has such a big following or why people rate him so much is the whole Captain America thing. He comes across as such a nice, well mannered, polite guy that people instantly take to him. He doesn't trash talk! Also, winning back the title by coming out of retirement people admired - but as I said it was against Tim Sylvia who I really don't rate at all.

And on to Brock Lesnar. 1-1 in the UFC. Decent win against Herring but technically this guy is RUBBISH. He is so big and so powerful though that people just find it hard to deal with him - the same goes for Kimbo Slice.

I guess it will be a good fight as I don't rate either of them that highly at the moment and they're both stand-up sloggers. If Lesnar fought anyone with a very good ground game (Mir for example) then Lesnar would struggle badly.

With regards to being the best UFC ever, what a load of rubbish! The card isn't even that good!!!! :(
 

liberty

Banned
Jul 30, 2005
11,643
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riversmonkey

Active Member
Nov 24, 2004
1,244
1
Who does everyone have in the Couture - Lesnar fight? We should start a poll of vBookie for it.

I'm going for Lesnar, I think his wrestling experience which was phenomenal in his amateur college days will counter Couture and his extra size advantage will wear the future hall of famer down.
 

Has1978

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,058
37
Is that a bad joke? Couture is or was regarded as the best heavyweight fighter at least in the UFC. He came out of retirement to regain the title against Tim Sylvia who was DOMINATED by Fedor just recently and had his face smashed in by Fedor who is in a completely different league to Sylvia.

He also lost to Liddell twice.

His MMA record is 16-8. Not the best record by a longshot. He IS over-rated.

The only reason Couture has such a big following or why people rate him so much is the whole Captain America thing. He comes across as such a nice, well mannered, polite guy that people instantly take to him. He doesn't trash talk! Also, winning back the title by coming out of retirement people admired - but as I said it was against Tim Sylvia who I really don't rate at all.

And on to Brock Lesnar. 1-1 in the UFC. Decent win against Herring but technically this guy is RUBBISH. He is so big and so powerful though that people just find it hard to deal with him - the same goes for Kimbo Slice.

I guess it will be a good fight as I don't rate either of them that highly at the moment and they're both stand-up sloggers. If Lesnar fought anyone with a very good ground game (Mir for example) then Lesnar would struggle badly.

With regards to being the best UFC ever, what a load of rubbish! The card isn't even that good!!!! :(

Bit aggressive there? Allow me to retort.

I've been watching UFC since the early days. Randy Couture is definitely not overrated. (Steven Gerrard is overrated. John Terry is overrated). Just ask the bookies. He is probably the most inspirational man in any sport today. And a great game-planner to boot. That 16-8 record is very misleading. Both the heavyweights he lost to (Barnett and Rodruiguez) had drug allegations following them like a bad smell. And Couture has improved since those days in any case.

The 2 losses to Liddell were when Liddell was absolutely at his peak (and the first loss involved a thumb to the eye). The second loss was when he was going through a messy divorce.

However, never mind his defeats: look at the victories

Vitor Belfort - The Phenom. World Class BJJ and whirlwind fists. Couture was supposed to be a formality for him - Couture pounded him out, costing the bookies a fortune. I watched the fight - the commentators were pretty much lost for words.

Pedro Rizzo (2 fights) - an absolutely devastating striker (ask Andre Arlovski whom he smashed to pieces with a simple one-two). People again thought that he'd destroy Randy. The first fight Randy edged a decision. They thought the rematch he'd win easily - but Rizzo lost again, by stoppage.

Ortiz (at LHW) - at the time he was a scary bastard and was taking the game to a new level with his brutal ground and pound, great strength, speed and decent striking. Couture (heavy underdog) schooled him - and Ortiz never regained his edge.

Liddell (LHW) - this was the first fight. Again a big underdog, Randy not only beat Chuck but outstruck him on the feet for most of the fight before stopping him on the ground

Sylvia (HW). He comes out of retirement to fight the standout best HW at the time. Massive underdog. Tim Sylvia knocked 7 shades of shit out of Rodriguez (who'd beaten Randy a few years before), Arlovski twice, and was on the longest winning streak in heavyweight history. Randy had just lost twice to Chuck and was coming out of retirement. The reult was a 5-round demolition job

Gonzaga (HW) - This guy was a world class BJJ practitioner who had just almost kicked the head right off Cro-Cop (the highlight reel of highlight reels) An absolute beast whom everyone thought might actually kill Couture (spotting a trend here?) Randy dished him the biggest beating of his career from which he's not really recovered.

Lesnar only has 3 MMA fights but was a decorated National wrestler - and is regarded as the strongest and fastest heavyweight. He moves like a middleweight. He had to cut 30 pounds to make the weight limit at heavyweight. His punching power and accuracy impressed many in his last 2 fights also - he has improved a hell of a lot in this area. The first fight he was on the verge of beating Mir (an ex-champion who never actually lost his belt in the ring. Mir said he was close to losing and felt Lesnar was an absolute animal. He did catch him with a very good knee-bar, no disgrace for Lesnar considering it was his first UFC fight - and possible the worst match-up for him bar Minotauro).

In his second fight he fought Herring. This guy is a fucking tough bastard. He fought Fedor (and survived an onslaught), Noguiera 3 times (and nearly finished him the 3rd time. He's beaten loads of contenders in Pride, and won a deserved decision against the dangerous striker Chiek Kongo. Notably, Kongo (ex K1) wasn't keen on going toe-toe with him having felt his punches. Herring is no joke. But Lesnar just beat the shit out of him for 3 rounds, and this time used his experience from his first loss to not get carried away and suffer a potential submission. The speed of his puches, a narrowly missed flying knee and takedowns was nothing short of freakish. He doesn't need submissions he just needs to know enough not to get caught in them.

Comparing him to Kimbo Slice is, I hope just a very bad joke.

The one we all wanted was Fedor Randy but that may never happen. But this is just as intriguing and the bookmakers are split down the middle. The most intriguing aspect is that Randy may not be able to use his trump cards (the clinch, takedowns, raw strength) against someone who is just as good a wrestler, and stronger and faster than him. The MMA forums (mmaweekly and sherdog for example, not to mention the various blogs and podcasts (e.g. Beatdown, Savage Dog Show, Ultimate Podcast) are viewing this as the biggest MMA fight in history). Guess that's not impressive enough for you though.

Finally, on the other cards - I'm also looking forward to Stephenson Florian.

Plus Gonzaga and TUF winner Sadollah (who has been conspicuously absent since his win) are definitely worth watching.

They can't fit more than one 5-rounder in due to PPV timing restrictions. I feel the 2 main fights they have are very very evenly matched. Seems there's no pleasing some people, however.
 
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