UFC thread

I'm sure amongst us, there must be UFC fans.

Any thoughts or predictions for UFC 82 this weekend.

for me
Silva to beat Henderson
Kongo to beat Herring
Sakara to beat Leben
Tanner to beat Okami (I've lumped on this one a bit because Okami is big bookies favourite)
would be suprised if Arlovski, Sanchez, Koschec, Fitch and Cummo don't win their fights.
Jury's still out on Jorge Gurgel for me. Franklin rates him, but I've not been that impressed so far.

Anyone else going to be watching?

AdamM,

I basically like your picks. I'm hoping that Henderson upsets Silva, but I'm not sure he can. Also, I think Leben brings too much to the table for Sakara. Sakara just seems to give up if he doesn't get a quick KO, while Leben seems to be more focused and determined lately. I won't be ordering the PPV, just reading the highlights and results online.

Was it just me or was anyone else dissapointed with the Mir vs Lesnar bout??
At one stage Mir was worried by Lesnars strength, if it wasnt for Mir's technical superiority it could have gone on longer.
I know that for me it would have been good to see it go further.

I had quite a bit of money on Mir.

My first thought as it came round to the main fight was "Oh shit, Mazagatti's the ref."
The guy's a liability. When he was pulling Lesnar off, I thought it was to award the fight to Lesnar by TKO. Roller coaster feelings, going from sick, to amazed at Mazza's incompitence, to elated a minute later When Mir pulled off that stunning submision.

Mir's weakness has always been good ground and pounders. Remember Ian Freeman in the Albert Hall show?

I think that's the closest you 'll get to a Lesnar win against anyone in the top 10.

I take your point about Leben v Sakara, but having dropped a weight, I'm expecting the KO to be more likely.

Henderson is perfectly capable of winning, but it would be an upset. I'm expecting Silva withing the distance.

really looking forward to this card.

hk47 wrote:

Was it just me or was anyone else dissapointed with the Mir vs Lesnar bout??
At one stage Mir was worried by Lesnars strength, if it wasnt for Mir's technical superiority it could have gone on longer.
I know that for me it would have been good to see it go further.

I found it an interesting and educational fight.

I didnt like the way Mir threw leg kicks at the beginning of each round. And got punished for it severely - BOTH TIMES!

is it just me or does anyone else feel like some MMA fighters just pay "lip service" so to speak to the good old thai leg kick because they feel they should?
was Mir instructed to whack Lesnars legs based on some misguided theory that Lesnar would be strong up top but weak below?

I do wish MMA fighters wouldnt just throw the leg kick for the sake of it, Mir got dropped twice for this lazy strategy by two perfect repsonses by Lesnar-
one: a double leg
two: a straight right cross to Mir's jaw that dropped him to the mat

In fairness Mir got mauled but won through patience and superior technique- the BJJ'ers love that kind of win!

There's definitely place for good Thai style leg kicks in the cage, but not against wreslers. It's a gift to them. I think most of the better Heavyweight strikers would pick Lesnar off fairly comfotable, but if you rely on leg kicks against him then, as you say, he's bound to respond with a take down.

Funnily I think Chuck Liddell suffered because he stopped kicking. During that long spell he had where he was really dominant, he was putting people to sleep with big punches. Rather than standing with him, opponents elected to go for the take down. Chuck obvioulsy hardly ever kicked. Instead his sprawl got REALLY good, but he neglected all his other tools. He has a background in wrestling and has a decent (though maybe not outstanding) ground game, but all he ever needed to do was stand and bang.
Then that pesky Keith Jardine just wouldn't go down, and Rampage stood with him and threw a perfect short hook. Against Wanderlai Silva he still chose to stand, but with his size, reach and power advantage, that was probably the best strategy. Next Fight is Rua who, again, he really doesn't want to be on the mat with, so he still really cant afford to kick.
I hope he goes back to some kicking for the next striker he gets (maybe Griffin for the title after he beats Rampage).

expecting some show reel KOs in UFC 82

Silva was outstanding as usual. Henderson won the first round but Silva never looked in trouble. Second round he found his timing with the striking then submitted one of the best wrestlers in the game.

Okami proved me wrong and decisively finished Tanner off. Surely due a shot at Silva next, allthough I don't see him winning.

If anyone likes a little bet, Matt Serra is 4.5 to beat GSP in UFC 83.
Sure GSP is favourite, but not 7/2
Serra has beat GSP already by a 'lucky punch' (ie he aimed at the chin of a hero worshipped fighter, hit what he aimed for and dropped him)

Serra should be no more than 2.6 - 2.8 for me