UFC 76 - Saturday

[FatTony]

Not a great card this one, stand out fights will be Liddel v Jardine and I'm looking forward to watching Mauricio Rua v Griffin.

Will be interesting to see how Chuck gets on. IMO he's over now, he'll never beat Jackson and he wouldn't have lasted with Henderson either.

Still waiting for the Shogun and Silva to make their UFC debut's.

[bazza76]

Not a great card this one, stand out fights will be Liddel v Jardine and I'm looking forward to watching Mauricio Rua v Griffin.

Will be interesting to see how Chuck gets on. IMO he's over now, he'll never beat Jackson and he wouldn't have lasted with Henderson either.

Still waiting for the Shogun and Silva to make their UFC debut's.

I don't think Chuck is finished, far from it.
I think he could come back and beat Jackson, everyone has a punchers chance, especially a fighter like Chuck who has one of the most destructive punching power in MMA. He is notoriously difficult to take down and keep down aswell. That is, if he can avoid getting himself knocked out.
Ive never really seen Shogun fighting before, so that will be interesting, Griffin will definitely be up for the scrap and will see this fight as a short cut to a title fight, as he has already said.
Silva will be fighting in December as far as he thinks, the UFC wanted him to fight sooner, but he wants the UFC to see him in his best shape.

[FatTony]

He's been knocked the f*ck out by Jackson twice now though, and in each fight he well and truly had his ass kicked. He can't live with Jackson's power.

Shogun gave Jackson a good beating in Pride.

[bazza76]

He's been knocked the f*ck out by Jackson twice now though, and in each fight he well and truly had his ass kicked. He can't live with Jackson's power.

Shogun gave Jackson a good beating in Pride.

Will be very interesting in that division alright, as in boxing, but even more so in MMA, styles make fights. I never seen Jackson's first victory against Liddell, maybe Jackson is just chucks bogey fighter. I am sure though, there is life left in Chuck yet, wasn't so long ago people thought he was the best pound for pound fighter in MMA.

[homer1]

Agree Chuck is far from finished and expect a huge performance from him against Jardine. Dana White said he had to have 2 fights before he gets a title shot again but there are some big fighters after coming into the UFC of late and this has got to be the toughest division. Will be good to see Chuck against some serious competition and then we'll be able to judge 1) how good he really is or 2) if he still has the desire

[spud_gun]

Anyone seen this yet?

[bazza76]

Anyone seen this yet?

No, will be watching it later, so keep it shut
I will gladly discuss with you after that
You can also, start a thread with spoiler on it if you prefer

[bazza76]

I never like reading posts relating to the fights aswell so early on, as usualy they are about an upset. MMA is the sport of upsets.

[bazza76]

Anyone seen this yet?

Just seen the fights now mate.
Was a good night of fighting in all, was dissapointed with Liddell and Shogun, but, as I was saying, MMA is the sport of upsets, as styles always vary so much.
Chuck needs to go back to the drawing board and needs to re-invent himself, looks like people are suddenly figuring him out. Was looking forward to seeing Liddell fighting Wanderli Silva, maybe they can still do it. But it doesn't look likely now.

[spud_gun]

Just seen the fights now mate.
Was a good night of fighting in all, was dissapointed with Liddell and Shogun, but, as I was saying, MMA is the sport of upsets, as styles always vary so much.
Chuck needs to go back to the drawing board and needs to re-invent himself, looks like people are suddenly figuring him out. Was looking forward to seeing Liddell fighting Wanderli Silva, maybe they can still do it. But it doesn't look likely now.

It's not been the greatest of years for the guys at the top of UFC. Firstly Cro Cop gets beaten twice. Lidell loses his title to Jackson and then gets beat by Jardine. I'd also suggest that the Rua fight was a bit of an upset. No doubt UFC expected big things from him.

On a side note it's nice to see Sanchez get beat [again]

[bazza76]

It's not been the greatest of years for the guys at the top of UFC. Firstly Cro Cop gets beaten twice. Lidell loses his title to Jackson and then gets beat by Jardine. I'd also suggest that the Rua fight was a bit of an upset. No doubt UFC expected big things from him.

On a side note it's nice to see Sanchez get beat [again]

Yeah some of the Pride guys seem to be struggling with the Octagon, and the intensity of the UFC fighters.
Crocop much like Liddell seem to have been figured out as a one dimensional fighter IMO, can't mix it up enough and has no plan B he has been a big disappointment.
Rua, was a disgrace, anyone that gets into the Octagon with that level of cardio does not deserve to be a world champion, it takes much more commitment than that, and hopefully he will realise this now, because he certainly has all the tools, although I didn't like his jumping all over Forrest's feet. Maybe that was because he was too tired to stand up and trade.
One thing I will say about Griffins last two fights against the so called superstart like Rua and Ortiz, both fighters seemed to take him lightly, and both ran out of steam, I would not fancy Griffin so much against either of them had they been in top condition.
sanchez is starting to find himself in familiar territory now, he has a great record, but I watched several of his fights a few times, against Nick Diaz and Caro Parisian, he was pushed right to the limit, they were two excellent fights by the way, watch them if you get the chance.
Against Coscheck he had no answer to his tactics, which was surprising because i didn't and still don't rate Coscheck.
Was a good fight with Fich, but the better man won at the weekend, he can have no complaints.
On a side note, I am really looking forward to the next event, not sure of the whole line up, but two of my favourite fighters are squaring off against each other only sad one of them has to loose. Anderson silva V Rich Franklin. Hopefully Franklin puts in a more prepared fight than he did the last time against Silva who was in awesome form, Silvas Muai thai blew Franklin away, Silva is an awesome awesome striker, one of the best in MMA, Franklin is no slouch either, and his hands are arguably heavier than Silvas. Should be a very interesting fight. Lets hope it goes the 5 rounds, because if it does, you can be sure, you are seeing alot of action.

[kev776]

Got to agree with all Bazza's points, great shame for Chuck, but he has to have more than his standup, he needs to go back to his wrestling roots and have more options.

Griffin seems to be getting better and better each fight as he steps up in class, his main advantage is that no matter the intensity of the fight, he doesnt seem to gas, something Oritiz cant claim.

Come on Ritchie F, blow his ass away. UFC needs people of his class at the very top even tho I have nothing against Silva.

[Alpha]

Yeah some of the Pride guys seem to be struggling with the Octagon, and the intensity of the UFC fighters.
Crocop much like Liddell seem to have been figured out as a one dimensional fighter IMO, can't mix it up enough and has no plan B he has been a big disappointment.
Rua, was a disgrace, anyone that gets into the Octagon with that level of cardio does not deserve to be a world champion, it takes much more commitment than that, and hopefully he will realise this now, because he certainly has all the tools, although I didn't like his jumping all over Forrest's feet. Maybe that was because he was too tired to stand up and trade.
One thing I will say about Griffins last two fights against the so called superstart like Rua and Ortiz, both fighters seemed to take him lightly, and both ran out of steam, I would not fancy Griffin so much against either of them had they been in top condition.
sanchez is starting to find himself in familiar territory now, he has a great record, but I watched several of his fights a few times, against Nick Diaz and Caro Parisian, he was pushed right to the limit, they were two excellent fights by the way, watch them if you get the chance.
Against Coscheck he had no answer to his tactics, which was surprising because i didn't and still don't rate Coscheck.
Was a good fight with Fich, but the better man won at the weekend, he can have no complaints.
On a side note, I am really looking forward to the next event, not sure of the whole line up, but two of my favourite fighters are squaring off against each other only sad one of them has to loose. Anderson silva V Rich Franklin. Hopefully Franklin puts in a more prepared fight than he did the last time against Silva who was in awesome form, Silvas Muai thai blew Franklin away, Silva is an awesome awesome striker, one of the best in MMA, Franklin is no slouch either, and his hands are arguably heavier than Silvas. Should be a very interesting fight. Lets hope it goes the 5 rounds, because if it does, you can be sure, you are seeing alot of action.

When Rampage returned to the UFC and knocked out the dominant light-heavyweight champion, he heightened the expectation of the other Pride fighters and I do wonder how much the transition to the new country, new environment, differerent rules etc... has affected likes of CroCop and Rua. Even so, that doesn't excuse poor preparation and performances. Let's hope Fedor serves notice when he eventually arrives.

I think Sanchez is better than his last two fights show. He is the one of the most intense fighters in the sport and clearly wasn't himself against Koscheck. The Staph infection explains that though. As for Fitch, he looks like a serious contender for the title now, so no shame in losing to him. My UFC welterweight top-10 goes something like this:

1. GSP
2. Matt Hughes
3. Jon Fitch
4. Karo Parisyan
5. Diego Sanchez
6. Matt Serra
7. Joe Riggs
8. Nick Diaz
9. Josh Koscheck
10. Marcus Davis

The Silva-Franklin fight is going to be very interesting. Franklin is one of the smartest guys to enter the Octagon and will be preparing meticulously. He needs to stay out of Silva's clinch this time. The most trouble I've seen Silva have was on the ground against Lutter, so I would take it to the ground early. Nobody in the sport is in better condition than Rich so if he takes his time and tests Anderson's conditioning, he has every chance to regain the belt.

It's great to see Vera back. I was praying he'd get a title shot back when Sylvia was the champion but he just seemed to disappear. He was very impressive in all three of his UFC fights and hopefully he'll steam through Sylvia. Not exactly an easy returning fight though.

[bazza76]

When Rampage returned to the UFC and knocked out the dominant light-heavyweight champion, he heightened the expectation of the other Pride fighters and I do wonder how much the transition to the new country, new environment, differerent rules etc... has affected likes of CroCop and Rua. Even so, that doesn't excuse poor preparation and performances. Let's hope Fedor serves notice when he eventually arrives.

I think Sanchez is better than his last two fights show. He is the one of the most intense fighters in the sport and clearly wasn't himself against Koscheck. The Staph infection explains that though. As for Fitch, he looks like a serious contender for the title now, so no shame in losing to him. My UFC welterweight top-10 goes something like this:

1. GSP
2. Matt Hughes
3. Jon Fitch
4. Karo Parisyan
5. Diego Sanchez
6. Matt Serra
7. Joe Riggs
8. Nick Diaz
9. Josh Koscheck
10. Marcus Davis

The Silva-Franklin fight is going to be very interesting. Franklin is one of the smartest guys to enter the Octagon and will be preparing meticulously. He needs to stay out of Silva's clinch this time. The most trouble I've seen Silva have was on the ground against Lutter, so I would take it to the ground early. Nobody in the sport is in better condition than Rich so if he takes his time and tests Anderson's conditioning, he has every chance to regain the belt.

It's great to see Vera back. I was praying he'd get a title shot back when Sylvia was the champion but he just seemed to disappear. He was very impressive in all three of his UFC fights and hopefully he'll steam through Sylvia. Not exactly an easy returning fight though.

Cant say I argue with any of that mate, your right about Franklins conditioning, he is a superb athlete, i seen a video of him training before, he is intense, although he is stronger than Silva, his striking is not as good, never actually thought I would be saying that.
Havnt looked through the welter weight list in a while, but I am supprised Koscheck is in your top 10, I think there may be some Pride fighters coming over who have a chance aswell the likes of Gomi etc. although he did get his ass handed to him by Diaz in an awesome fight. Pity Diaz is suspended for smoking dope.

[Alpha]

Cant say I argue with any of that mate, your right about Franklins conditioning, he is a superb athlete, i seen a video of him training before, he is intense, although he is stronger than Silva, his striking is not as good, never actually thought I would be saying that.
Havnt looked through the welter weight list in a while, but I am supprised Koscheck is in your top 10, I think there may be some Pride fighters coming over who have a chance aswell the likes of Gomi etc. although he did get his ass handed to him by Diaz in an awesome fight. Pity Diaz is suspended for smoking dope.

Unfortunately, I've not seen much Pride so I just made a UFC welters list. I'm not too sure what Koscheck's level is to be honest. All he's ever done is beat an ill Diego Sanchez unconvincingly. I'd like to see him fight somebody like Diaz, Riggs or Parisyan to find out where he stands.

Isn't Gomi a lightweight?