The MMA thread

[Grimmlokk]

WB Jayrebb=)

And I tend to pretty much agree with what he said. Being a biggish 185 doesn't matter much against most of the weight cutting HW's who make up the 205 division. You've got a lot of guys who are similar to Alistair Overeem of years past, size-wise. He's finally stopped trying to cut weight and fight at 205 and he still looks huge compared to HW's. He was just an absolute freakshow at 205 and there's guys there now almost as big, but without the major cardio issues he always had after cutting weight.

One of Franklin's advantages at 185 was always purely physical. He's crazy strong. For 185. I don't see it carrying over to 205.

For the UFC itself it's bad too. 185 is already a thin division with Silva laying waste to it, if Franklin and Hendo(he dislikes fighting at 185) both go 205 it will be a barren wasteland. Of course, there is hope on the horizon. 205 is massively crowded, in comparison. A lot of the normal/smaller sized 205 guys will start cutting more and fighting at 185 before too long. Like Bisping already has. Wandy has been rumored to be doing it, and there's a fair number of others who look capable of it. Shogun looks like he could make it there, Rashad might be able to if 205 doesn't work out. Even Machida could I think if the wheels come off at 205 for some reason. So maybe if they all get sick of jostling for position with 5-6 other guys near the top some more will drop down and make 185 the exciting division it should be.

All that said, I don't think Franklin would be a lost little puppy at 205 or anything, I just think he'd end up in about the same position he's on now at 185. Which I guess for him would be better. No looming spectre of the Spider and he'd at least be in the UFC's marquee division.
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New subject, dun think I need spoilers still but JIC, Dream 2:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Japanese scoring to me is even more mysterious than unified rules. They just take the fight as a whole? Or do they consider rounds at all? Because if it's rounds, the JZ/Aoki fight shoulda gone to a 3rd.

You see that Saku neck crank? Don't get too many of those anymore, felt very old-school wrestler seeing it happen. Was very cool=) On the one hand I hope the Japanese promoters stop coddling him in his dotage, on the other hand I'd hate to see him take some of the hellacious beatings like he did in his younger days now. Should probably just view it as his farewell tour and enjoy it while I can.

I am *really* looking forward to Dream 3 though. Hellboy looked vicious at the first one and he'll be fighting Eddie Alvarez at this one. I love Hellboy and watching him fight a wrecker like Alvarez should be a real treat. Looking at the fightfinder for the guy(Katsuya Inoue) that Diaz is fighting, I'm not overly impressed. Diaz is usually worth watching though. Add in Manhoef, Ishida, and Mayhem in fights and it should be a great show. Maybe not a ton of really intriguing matchups for the US audience, but definitely worth watching for MMA fans.

[huh]

I could see Franklin moving up. All he is doing at 185 is fucking up any chance the UFC has to build a contender for Anderson's belt. He could take a few fights at 205 and let the 185 division sort itself out and then jump back down to make another run at it.


The Frank Mir / McCully fight has been dropped from UFC 86 which is fueling rumors that the next coaches for TUF will be Mir/Nog. Does that mean Mir gets a title shot for beating Lesner? That another belt will be put on hold for 6 months?

[Grimmlokk]

I really hope it means McCully caught on fire and died. No that's too harsh, I just hope he lost a leg in a logging accident.

And I said weeks ago Mir/Nog was the rumor, so I guess this does add fuel. But I hope it's not true. He got tooled 2 fights ago against Vera, and has since beat 2 fighters with zero sub defense in Hardonk and Lesnar. He's done absolutely nothing to deserve to step into a ring with Big Nog. He doesn't even deserve to carry his jock at this point. HW division is such a fustercluck=/




Cool interview with Mark Hunt here. Love Mark Hunt. Sounds like it's shitty business as usual in the Japanese fight game. Forcing fighters into bad fights to make a show. It's the one thing you have to appreciate about the UFC, they don't force big names to fight on short notice or with injuries. They want him to step in with Aleks on 3 weeks notice.

On the other hand he's still pissed at the UFC for jerking him around after the Pride buyout.

[homsar]

If the UFC was smart they would have Arlovski do TUF. He has the most appeal out of anyone in the HW division.

[jayrebb]

I wonder what really happened with Mark Hunt.

Dana said "we got mark hunt, we are trying to figure out what to do with him" after the Pride purchase.

And now nothing. And it sounds like Hunt didn't even get an offer from the UFC, and that they blew smoke up his ass for 1 year straight. That really pisses me off. Gross mismanagement of the heavyweight division. Barnett, Randy, Mark Hunt. Its disgusting.

"trying to figure out what to do with him". What does that really mean? Did they not want Hunt in the mix for some reason? I was hoping Hunt could answer that, but it looks like the UFC told Hunt he was going to get an offer, and he never got shit. Really shady business practice, especially for a dying division.

Only thing I can think of is that Hunt was promised visa help from the UFC.

[Grimmlokk]

Read the article=) Also, Barnett won the belt and tested positive for juice. It's not so much a simple case of mismanagement. If Sherk had the option of going to Japan his case might have gone the same way.





Huerta vs. Florian is supposedly on for UFC87. According to both camps. Should be an awesome fight. UFC matchmakers are really earning their bread with the next few shows.

Also, Chris Leben turned himself in for some parole violation. Haven't read any more about it, if you care look it up.

[homsar]

Pretty sure I remember there being very good reasons why they never had Hunt come to the HW.

[jayrebb]

Originally Posted by Grimmlokk

Read the article=) Also, Barnett won the belt and tested positive for juice. It's not so much a simple case of mismanagement. If Sherk had the option of going to Japan his case might have gone the same way.

Sylvia tested positive and was stripped and he pioneered the art of stand n stall. I don't see any reason Barnett should be kept out of the UFC other than Dana's attitude problem.

What reasons Homsar? It was just a rumor that he was stuck at super heavy, hes not even over 6 feet tall. And Hunt said he can make 265 easily when Dana said he had him.

Someone said he had a criminal record that was a problem for a U.S. visa and not for a japan visa. Maybe thats it. Like I said it sounds like the UFC promised him visa help, and then told him "ah too bad cant do it" after 1 year.

Loved that Hunt quote on Kimbo though

He has a good street style and I know a thing or two about that style.

[homsar]

Originally Posted by jayrebb

Sylvia tested positive and was stripped and he pioneered the art of stand n stall. I don't see any reason Barnett should be kept out of the UFC other than Dana's attitude problem.


Someone said he had a criminal record that was a problem for a U.S. visa and not for a japan visa. Maybe thats it. Like I said it sounds like the UFC promised him visa help, and then told him "ah too bad cant do it" after 1 year.

Why the hell would a company hire someone that bashes there product?? And sylva didnt start the stand and stall after the failed test. People jump ship every time a fighter doesnt finish a couple fights.

Visa was one of the issues hence why he hasnt fought in the US. I really dont think dana has some stupid plot to keep him out of the HW division.

[homsar]

what the fuck

[Lonin]

MMM, staph infection.

[p0wl]

Originally Posted by homsar

what the fuck

I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure that's not normal.

[Grimmlokk]

That's basically what was on Diego Sanchez' leg the day after Koscheck "beat" him. There's a reason he was so sluggish=P

[jayrebb]

Originally Posted by Grimmlokk

That's basically what was on Diego Sanchez' leg the day after Koscheck "beat" him. There's a reason he was so sluggish=P

Which truly disgraced the sport and athletic commission. They suspected Diego of Hep C, and I don't think they resolved that until after the fight.

That basically says you take your life into your own hands disease-wise when fighting in MMA.

The commission has made it clear that disease ridden fighters can still fight, even with open wound infections like Diego Sanchez.

Disgusting. Diego should have been ripped right off that card, and Koscheck should have been in a car heading back home. How do they expect the mainstream to get past the bloodsport mentality when the athletic commission turns a blind eye because they are the UFC's bitch.

Id expect that shit from an indian reservation promotion.

[Grimmlokk]

Gary Shaw pulled Diaz out of the Dream show because it's too close to his upcoming EliteXC match.

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