Tag Archives: ufc92

UFC 92: Predictions

Posted on December 21, 2008 | 1 Comment

I went one for four in the Ultimate Fighter Finale…though the Vega$ oddsmakers only went 2-5, so it ain’t like I was the only one. Let’s see if I can improve on that…

I’m going to take Forest Griffin to retain the title…but it’s a really tough call because of Rashad Evans’s sudden knockout power. All things being equal, Forest gets the pick just because he’s one of my favourite fighters. It wouldn’t surprise me if this fight went to a decision.

In another close one, I like Frank Mir over Minaturo Nogueira. I think it will all come down to conditioning. Nogueira looked he got gassed easily in his first two UFC fights, and I think the comeback aspect of this fight alone is enough for Mir to come in the best shape he’s ever been in.
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UFC92: Don’t Call it a Comeback

Posted on December 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

I didn’t get into the UFC until after Frank Mir’s motorcycle accident, and the first fight I saw of his was the trainwreck against Brandon Vera. We dubbed the fight “The Truth” vs. “The Fat Bastard.” He was a shell of the fighter that broke Tim Sylvia’s arm, and he knew it himself. He told his wife that he just didn’t have it any more, and of course being supportive like all women are:

“You’re a pussy, a failure as a man, and a bad example to your children.”

That’s my kind of woman! And her motivation must have worked because he’s won his next two fights and has a chance to regain his heavyweight title on the Dec. 27th. Both he and Nogueira have the sickest jitz of any of the heavyweights and are dangerous on the ground.

I still can’t pick a winner.

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UFC 92: Rashad Evans prepares for Ultimate 2008

Posted on December 5, 2008 | Leave a comment

Rashad Evans is starting to make the media rounds in anticipation for his fight against Forest Griffin on December 27th. Here’s what he had to say aboot his training so far:

“[Forest's] greatest attribute is my greatest attribute: he finds a way to get it done. My theme for this fight is just going out there to beat myself. And I do that every single day in practice. I go out there and try to defeat myself. Because if I know if I can’t beat myself, there’s no way Forrest Griffin can defeat me.”

The most dangerous part of his game isn’t his striking or his wrestling…it’s his trainer. Anytime you fight someone from the Greg Jackson Fighting Academy, you’re in for a tough fight. There’s no one better than Jackson when it comes to putting together a game plan.

Then there are also his training partners: Keith Jardine, Joey Villasenor, Nate Marquardt, Elliot Marshal, Brian Stann, Georges St. Pierre…

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UFC 92 Predictions: Too Close to Call

Posted on November 29, 2008 | 1 Comment

It’s a month away from UFC92, and I’m having trouble with my predictions. I feel the fighters are mostly evenly matched, plus I like all of them so I can’t even use that as a tiebreaker.

Forest Griffin and Rashad Evans are a lot more evenly matched then I think most people are giving credit. I’m leaning Forest, but Rashad’s knock out of Chuck Liddell is hard to ignore. Plus had it not been for Tito Ortiz losing a point against Evans, both would have had questionable split-decision losses Tito that many think they should have won.

Frank Mir vs. Minaturo Nogueira is and interesting fight, where you have the two heavyweights with the sickest jiu-jitsu (or “jitz” as the kids say). Nogueira’s two UFC fights haven’t been all that impressive and Mir is just starting to get his groove back after his motorcycle accident (and some think got lucky against Brock Lesnar).

Wanderlei Silva already has two wins over Rampage Jackson from Pride, but is 1-3 in his last four fights…albeit that one win was an absolute decimation of Keith Jardine. Rampage is coming off his loss to Forest and his recent legal/mental drama. What’s the most interesting of the fight is that the winner might be the one to face the winner of Forest/Rashad for the title. The loser could be next for Anderson Silva.

Hmmmmm…

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Liddell vs. Couture: A New Hope

Posted on November 23, 2008 | 2 Comments

Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell 4?

Mind you the rumour is coming from the British tabloids, but the story is that Liddell would move up to heavyweight to fight Couture when the UFC debuts in Germany in the summer. The winner would then wrestle for the heavyweight title. As for the rumoured Liddell vs. Anderson Silva fight in February, that’s rumoured to be Silva vs. one of four light heavyweight – Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans, or Wanderlei Silva – depending on who loses at UFC92.

So what do we think of all this?

This makes the most sense for Chuck Liddell. Anderson Silva would be a train wreck, and I don’t see him fighting for the light heavyweight title anytime soon. I also can’t see Randy Couture fighting less than main event caliber guys. A mega fight between the two, setting up for a bigger megafight where Liddell/Couture would fight Lesnar/Mir/Nogueira, sounds good for everyone involved.

Then you have Anderson Silva. Him fighting any one of those four fighters has me giddy.

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What’s Next for Brock Lesnar?

Posted on November 16, 2008 | Leave a comment

UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. Who would have thunk it? Or better yet, as per MMAJunkie.com, “With a stunning second-round TKO of the legendary Randy Couture, Lesnar can finally put to rest the moniker of WWE-import in lieu of UFC heavyweight champion.”

The question now is what’s next for Brock Lesnar? Actually, we know what’s next. It’s the winner of December’s Frank Mir vs. Minaturo Nogueira, and if I were to guess I’d say that fight is probably coming in April. Both cats prove a problem for Brock than can be summed up in two or three words: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They’re both black belts. Lesnar…well, let’s just say he isn’t.

I’m not saying it’s an impossible feat. Brock almost had Mir beat earlier this year, and Minaturo almost lost his UFC debut to Heath Herring. I think the key for Brock would be to keep the fight standing as long as humanly possible. If it hits the mat and either Mir or Nogueira are on their back, they’re both dangerous. Just ask…well, just ask Brock Lesnar who got caught it Mir’s ankle lock.

So my suggestion to Brock is to relax for the next week, enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, and then see if you can get Matt Serra, Jorge Gurgel, or any of the Gracie’s on the phone.
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