UFC 82: Pride of a Champion

[blaze]

So....who's excited :)

Obviously the Silva/Hendo fight is the big one for the night, so what do you kids think will come of this. Personally, I'd like to see Silva win in dominating fashion because I like the idea of this one guy who is totally unbeatable for a very long time (think Chuck but less beer-belly). However, I know Henderson isn't one to fuck around so he's not going to stand and throw bombs with Silva even though he has one of the toughest chins I've ever seen; hence, it's probably going to be Hendo's wrestling against Silva's guard. I give it to Henderson by decision, but I hope I'm wrong.

I'm also pretty excited to see Evan Tanner back, but I think Okami is going to plow right through him. I also think Herring is going to make a fool out of Kongo's ground game (a beating of Houston Alexander proportions).





Hi Rob.

[Rob]

Pretty much agreed on all accounts.

Tanner will probably win round one against Okami, then get slaughtered in the second and (if it makes it) the third.

Barring some Kongo KO victory, Herring is going to maul him.

I'm actually going to go with the minority and pick Henderson to beat Silva, simply because I can't see Silva knocking Henderson out. It really all depends on which Henderson shows up. If he is highly motivated - and he should be - he should dominate the fight.


Arlovski's fight on the undercard will likely be his last UFC fight.

[blaze]

The whole Arlovski thing drives me nuts - the guy beat Werdum in his last fight (albeit in a real boring, shitty manner), and will now potentially finish his UFC career in an undercard fight against some no-name heavyweight. He used to be the heavyweight champ, so why UFC doesn't have him in a headline fight is totally beyond me. I don't care how much of an asshole he's been about money, the UFC is doing themselves a disservice by not giving him a better fight.



Also...what's up with Jon Fitch - he's clearly the next best welterweight to fight GSP after he wins the title, but Karo has been told flat out that he's next in line (as long as he beats Alves at UFN13), so what's this fight for? Do they just want another highlight reel Jon Fitch beating so they can pump him up when he inevitably gets a shot? Putting him against Chris Wilson does nothing for Fitch's credability as a fighter...I would even rather him fight one of the old TUF guys like Din Thomas than Wilson.

[Rob]

The problem is that the UFC didn't count on having to suddenly deal with numerous "#1 contenders" all at once, in each division, and now they have to put the legitimate top guys against no-names, while the "other" top guys are scheduled for title shots.

Jon Fitch vs Georges St. Pierre would probably be the best welterweight fight in years, but it seems like it is going to take a while for it to happen.

[Rob]

Some predictions for the event here (http://www.mmarising.com/news/2008022501.html).

[thePTS]

I have to admit, as stupid as it sounds, I don't remember Jon Fitch at all.. which was the last event he fought?

[Pool_Shark]

I have to admit, as stupid as it sounds, I don't remember Jon Fitch at all.. which was the last event he fought?

Karo is that you?!

He fought at UFC 76?? (don't remember the numbers too well, just the fights) last IIRC. He fought (checking Wikipedia, the most reliable source ever) Diego Sanchez this match resulted in a Decision (Split) the fight was at UFC 76 "Knockout" on 9/22/2007 the win was recorded on Jon's record at 5:00 of the 3rd round on the judge's scorecards.

Great write-up here guys. Easy to read, and I'm sure this is right up the alley of those with the attention span of a goldfish (E.g. UFC fans) It cuts to the point with no real dancing around, some humor added in and a touch of facts. Thus: a great preview/predictions write-up is born.

[Daniel Regan]

Hey, I have a small attention span too.

[thePTS]

Karo is that you?!

He fought at UFC 76?? (don't remember the numbers too well, just the fights) last IIRC. He fought (checking Wikipedia, the most reliable source ever) Diego Sanchez this match resulted in a Decision (Split) the fight was at UFC 76 "Knockout" on 9/22/2007 the win was recorded on Jon's record at 5:00 of the 3rd round on the judge's scorecards.

Great write-up here guys. Easy to read, and I'm sure this is right up the alley of those with the attention span of a goldfish (E.g. UFC fans) It cuts to the point with no real dancing around, some humor added in and a touch of facts. Thus: a great preview/predictions write-up is born.

haha, well thanks for the info. I could have checked wiki of course, but since I sensed some enthusiasm around this fighter from Rob/blaze, I expected them to maybe come with "OMG! haven't you heard about him??" and a description of his strengths.

Btw yes! I am excited, and yes, I am guilty of laughing at the Luigi/Mario comment. ;(

[Raised_by_apes]

Big night. Any plans for you guys/gals. Ie who is getting the PPV.

My picks:
Spider
kongo
fitch
crippler
pitbull
tanner(please no flames) LOL.
Deigo But still hate him
Kos still hate him
Luigi

Checking in tommorow to checking my average.

[thePTS]

Last time I tried the PPV, it failed and I had to go through 1 hour of chat support before we concluded it had indeed failed and I would get my money back.

Probably a rare occurance.. I might be tempted to try tonight, it is a good event..hmm

[Raised_by_apes]

You must try. 7 and a half hours to go. Get it nowwwwwwwwww.

[Rob]

It really turned out to be a very good event.

I believe that I ended up 3 for 5 in main-card picks, but it really looked like I was going to be 5 for 5, with Sakara vastly outstriking Leben for most of their fight, then Henderson completely dominating the first round against Silva.

Still, I was pleased with watching a great night of fights, and Herring did an incredible job of weathering the storms from Kongo. Kongo's ground game was supposed to be improved, but it's clearly just as bad as it was a year ago.

Full results from the event, including undercard fights, can be found here (http://www.mmarising.com/news/2008030101.html).

[Raised_by_apes]

Big night. Any plans for you guys/gals. Ie who is getting the PPV.

My picks:
Spider check
kongo grrrr
fitch check
crippler check
pitbull check
tanner(please no flames) LOL. grrrrr
Deigo But still hate him check
Kos still hate him check
Luigi check
Gurgel opps forgot him check
Checking in tommorow to checking my average.



Missed it 100 by 2. And sitting at work trying to work throught the goose hang over.

[thePTS]

Nice event :) Silva.. wow. But damned close fight nevertheless. Hoped Henderson would win this, he is so versatile and experienced.

Herring vs Kongo was really strange for a heavyweight fight, and I loved that the "underdog" won it.

Shame Okami had such an unprestigious opponent. ;/

[Rob]

Well, Evan Tanner used to be Middleweight Champion, and pretty much destroyed everyone in the UFC except for Rich Franklin (though he did also lose to David Loiseau, by cuts).

When was the last time you heard anything about "The Soul Assassin" David Terrell, who was supposed to be the future of the UFC middleweight division a couple of years ago? He pretty much dropped off the face of the Earth after Tanner beat him.

At this point in his career, Tanner's nowhere near as important in the sport as he was three or four years ago, but I definitely wouldn't say that he's irrelevant, either.

[thePTS]

Yep! Sorry, I didn't mean to say Tanner was irrelevant, only that in this position, Okami was considered the clear favorite by most (Tanner on comeback, old, lacking tourney experience, etc).

[Daniel Regan]

I do have to say the soul assassin is a comedic nickname. Tanner will make a comeback, but he's going to be a gatekeeper.