Cage Fighting/MMA

[phillai]

Not read it all yet but I just got a glimpse that UFC has bought Strikeforce out... This is massive news!!

Just think of the matches possible now...

GSP vs Nick Diaz
The Reem vs Cain Velasquez
Fedor vs Brock Lesnar
Gilbert Melendez vs Frankie Edgar

Not only that but does this mean UFC will start getting more and more Japanese exposure now, as it's all run by Yakuza anyway...

Will we see any UFC fighters take on Dream/Sengoku fighters?

Is UFC really gonna be the premier no.1 MMA organisation in the world?

MAN, IM SO PUMPED AND EXCITED!!!!!!!

[cutmymilk]

What?!! Amazing news. Like hell will we see Fedor fight anyone of any value though.

[cutmymilk]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=yhoo-ept_sports_mma_experts-wp105

Doesn't mean much, not yet anyway.

[merf]

fedor is probably over the hill now, hasn't he lost his last 2 ?

who was the LH guy they had, only saw 1 or 2 events, think he was called musassi, something like that ?

[Flabio]

Doesn't mean much, not yet anyway.

Probably means quite a lot to EA...

[Kit]

From what I?ve read, it sounds like the merger will be put on ice for two years until the TV contract is over. After that the UFC will cherry pick the fighters they want, then either dissolve Strikeforce or turn them into a feeder promotion; read a good idea about holding grand-prix tournaments in every weight class there, then moving the promising fighters on to the UFC.

Short term this will be great, long term, it?s kind of worrying as the fighters just lost all their bargaining power. If there?s no mid-level competition how exactly will fighters lower on the pay scale/coming off a loss continue to compete? Zuffa have a monopoly on MMA now, and as good as they are, they?ve still managed to alienate some popular figures in MMA over the years - Henderson, Couture, Bas Rutten, Don Frye, Shamrock, Vera, Penn. I can see in ten years time this scenario playing out like the WWF/WCW.

Anyway, when the merger does happen, here?s the fights I?d like to see!

Mousasi vs. Machida - very interesting style match-up
Fedor vs. Couture - look for this one to (hopefully) happen soon with Couture moving to Strikeforce
Overeem vs. Lesnar
Shane Carwin vs. Antonio Silva - if anyone can KO Silva it?s ol? toaster fists.
Overeem vs. Dos Santos - great striker versus striker match-up
Werdum vs. Velasquez - to determine the true number 1 heavyweight
Henderson vs. Jon Jones - still think Hendo has another run left in him
Nick Diaz vs. anyone - the guy could start a fight in a church. ;p

Other than that, I?m just glad we won?t have to put up with Josh ?I failed 3 drug tests? Barnett or Paul Daley (god, what a total tosser he is) much longer. Good riddance to both.

[Kit]

Well that was bloody depressing.

Crocop getting completely destroyed by some juiced up NFL player, Shogun getting dismantled by captain dislikeable who just happens to have reach and size on everyone - it?s like watching Brock smash guys because their skills can?t overcome the size/weight gap.


Ugh?

What a depressing way to start the day.

Lets hope Rashad can beat Jones.

[merf]

I'm not so sure Jones is all about reach and size, he showed some great tekkers against Rua, of course some aided by his frame, but I was so impressed by the variety he used to dismantle Rua. He's not some takedown and sit on them wrestler, he gets them down then was aggressively looking for subsmissions with some nasty ground & pound and elbows to head and body.

I thought Jones looked like the complete all rounder, be interesting to see how last years Mr Unstoppable, Machida, would fare against him, I think Jones would wallop him on recent displays.

Silva moving up could be an interesting fight though, but I suspect the size differential would be too much.

[Super Grover]

'Bones Jones is the man!

He pretty much put on a clinic against Rua. Half way through the 1st round I was like 'Jesus, Rua is'nt going to get through the round' he was blowing hard and getting caught with legs, feet, fists and elbows.

Jones's gnp was very effectual too. I liked his arm across the windpipe manouver which looked really painful for Rua. He also showed some clever fight tactics by not chasing Rua down in the 1st and 2nd round, choosing to bide his time.

One of the main things that stood out to me was how big Jones is. When they were in the ring, Jones reminded me of Sagat with his sheer height & size.


Rashad will have his ass handed to him when they fight.

[Kit]

Crocop?s been cut. There was a gif under the news at Bloodyelbow? it?s like watching your dad get battered.

I'm not so sure Jones is all about reach and size, he showed some great tekkers against Rua, of course some aided by his frame, but I was so impressed by the variety he used to dismantle Rua. He's not some takedown and sit on them wrestler, he gets them down then was aggressively looking for subsmissions with some nasty ground & pound and elbows to head and body.

Yeah, I was being a bit disingenuous. There?s other giant guys at lightheavy who are no where near as well rounded. At the same time though, it?s hard to argue his reach doesn?t play a huge role in him being such a standout. Comparing this to boxing, the only boxers with similar reach were Lennox Lewis and Sonny Liston. Jones has reach on both and he doesn?t even fight at heavyweight.

The advantage that gives him over the lightheavies almost seems unfair; no one can get inside, nobody can get away from his sweeps, it?s frustrating to watch.

It?s going to take a super human effort from a fighter who can not only bridge the size/reach gap, but is far, far more skilled; I?d argue there?s already fighters in the division with a superior skillset, but I can?t see any of them overcoming his reach.

be interesting to see how last years Mr Unstoppable, Machida, would fare against him, I think Jones would wallop him on recent displays.

Big fan of Machida but I don?t like his chances either.

Only competitive fights I can think of are Mousasi, as he?s great off his back, Hendo, because of his granite chin, and maybe Rampage, but I can?t envision any of them finishing Jones.

One of the main things that stood out to me was how big Jones is. When they were in the ring, Jones reminded me of Sagat with his sheer height & size.

Rashad will have his ass handed to him when they fight.

Maybe he?ll shock us. ;p

Should be interesting to see how the UFC spin the fact Evans used to train with Jones. This is only the second time I recall training partners fighting; the first time was awful as they touched gloves after every single exchange.

Also:

Jones Stops Robbery Hours Before Title Fight

?Jones, Jackson and Winklejohn pursued him on foot. Jones, the youngest of the group at 23, caught up to the robber and tripped him to the ground. Jackson told Yahoo!'s Kevin Iole that Jones "foot swept" the suspect.
With the robber on the ground, Jackson began yelling to his fighter to stay away. Once the trainers caught up to downed robber, Jackson jumped on him and applied an armbar. Winklejohn went for the other arm to make sure he didn't have a weapon. In the scuffle, the robber was bloodied. The trainers said some blood got on their pants. Shortly after, the police arrived to arrest the suspect.

Love these type of stories. Great way for Jones to redeem himself after the pre-fight stuff. ;p

[merf]

Discussing it at work and at the moment its what we love about MMA, the posing of stylistic questions you just don't know the answers too.

Machida was considered totally unstoppable before the 1st Rua fight and look at him now, similar with Lesnar who got dismantled totally by Valasquez

It is hard to see though at present who will give Jones a scrap at LH as his talent and natural reach advantages do seem quite formidable, I'd like to see jones put under some pressure though, always interesting to see how a 'bully' reacts to getting hit/dominated - we saw Lesnar respond superbly against Carwin & I'd like to see Jones' temperament under such duress.

[megatron]

Jon Jones the Anderson Silva clone.

I guess if his inexperience doesn't let him down he could be dominating LHW for some time. He's only 23 as well FFS!

[Kit]

Two more incredible finishes at Bellator:






Wish someone would pick Bellator up over here. The (more sporting) tournament format produces a lot more amazing moments - this is the second inverted triangle finish in 2 years. :O

Good counter argument to the popularity contest that gets you a title shot in the UFC.

[Super Grover]

That inverted triangle is crazy!

And the flying knee isn't too shabby either!!

[Kit]

Hendo versus Fedor

->Open Spoiler<-

Poor Fedor. Hope he calls it a day after that.