I agree with you Raidern, most of the events sucks this days because of the expansion shit strategy, I hate that. I use to be a huge fan and I am still a fan but I am not as excited as before anymore.
Jeah I completely agree. Obviously UFC can only produce that many stars at a time and just standard hype videos aren't doing it anymore. Even the casual viewer doesn't buy some of that hype shit and UFC is not innovating enough new stuff plus it takes time for countries to adopt MMA mainstream. So there are not enough fighters out there, not enough infrastructure and lack of creativity how to make mma more appealing. I don't think UFC is to blame as they are doing a tremendous job expanding. I haven't watched a full card in a long time and I often skip through fights if they are K.Os or submissions. Not even touching no name decision fights and basically only watch the "known" or "up and coming" great fighters. The sport needs to grow in order to produce more talent/bigger shows/better rules/more ecosystem around it. I still prefer more ok fights compared to how it was in the "good old days". The only reason we see these old times as better in terms of show/card quality is because we were younger, it was newer and the cards were fewer. The skill lvl today is so much higher and mma is evolving. Give it time and I think we will see amazing fights in the future, hopefully not only by UFC as a carrier but by good competitors as well
In terms of predictions:
Johny Hendricks > Robbie Lawler -> I hope for Lawler, I like the kid. If Hendricks really injured himself in their last bout and still fought through it, getting a win in a brutal fight... Then I believe he will be more devastating in their rematch. I hope Lawler really climbed a few LvL in the meanwhile so this could be madness!
Anthony Pettis > Gilbert Melendez -> Melendez is tough but I am not betting against Pettis at 155, he is just so sick with his stand up / submission. Been a fan since WEC days.
Travis Browne > Brendan Schaub -> I think Schaub is too high on himself in podcasts and general. I think he is a great athlete but I have never seen how he could be a champion in the future/ Browne has all these gifts but his fight IQ varies between genius (elbows vs Barnett, foot to the chin of Overeem) and stupidity (brawling and taking too much punishment for no good reasons). Very interesting fight in terms of entertainment
Todd Duffee > Anthony Hamilton -> Simply betting on Duffee because he is gifted, he probably is rusty and he was really sick for some time, so I could be completely off
Tony Ferguson > Abel Trujillo -> Ferguson is a beast, he will find a way
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Urijah Faber > Francisco Rivera -> not gonna bet against Faber
Eddie Gordon > Josh Samman -> Samman was interesting on TUF, however his injuries and Eddie Gordon as an opponent... I am leaning towards Gordon
Corey Anderson = Justin Jones (3-0) -> interested but no info
Raquel Pennington = Ashlee Evans-Smith -> do not care for 99% of women fights
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Sergio Pettis > Matt Hobar -> only know Pettis, he is still early in his career but I think the last loss and his brother/Rufus will prepare him the right way
Alex White = Clay Collard -> no clue
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 03 2014 16:05. Posts 13051
... are you guys crazy? how can you talk badly about Brownes fighting IQ? he has always fought exactly the way he should, he knocked Reem out with planned front kicks and didnt deviate from the plan, he KOd Barnett with planned elbows to a guy who likes to bullrush takedowns and he brawled against Werdum and he probably thought that would be enough to take the win.
We can especulate if it was only Jacksons coaching behind it or not, but we have no way to know it.
If anything Browne has showed intelligent fighting and not atheltic or technical hability for fucks sake -___-
Disagree. In the past Browne has shown mostly aggressiveness and talent (James McSweeney, Stefan Strufe). Then he had bad fights like vs Cheick Kongo, Antonio Silva (injured). And moments of brilliance like the elbows vs Gonzaga and Barnett. Keep in mind that he was losing vs Overeem up until the KO. If you consider how gifted Browne is, how well he moves/his ability to include techniques like front kicks and elbows and so forth... I mean he has all the tools, long reach of 80, 6'7, athletics.. Then you look how often he gets in troublesome brawls and his last fight against Werdum. His foot work was kind of shitty and he gassed plus he didn't utilize his reach. What I am saying is in terms of talent Browne is right up there, in terms of how he makes use of it, he is not in the same league as some of the other fighters. I still see him as a decent favorite over Schaub, to be champion material he would need to improve many areas and become more solid in his approach.
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 04 2014 12:43. Posts 13051
JonnyCosMo United States. Dec 05 2014 05:03. Posts 7292
I think it's crazy to think Pettis is a bigger favorite over Melendez than Hendricks over Lawler. Also epic lol at heavyweight lines being near the +300 range.
Lawler segments are so ridiculously bad. Flat tyre, buying "fashionable clothes" ... those pants are just too long. Awful. Meanwhile Hendricks is playing golf, buying guns and talking about hunting.
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Stim_Abuser United States. Dec 05 2014 11:11. Posts 7499
All their parts are pretty terrible. Only good part was seeing Pettis spar a lil and shadow box.
@Johnny, Pettis might be the best striker in the UFC. I can't even remember him ever being hit cleanly. His defense is incredible, his kicks are devastating. I think he lights Gil up on the feet. And I don't think Gil has the wrestling to hold him down enough to win 3 rounds. I think Pettis was great Value and -200-220ish. Probably even at -240.
Hey Im slinging mad volume and fat stackin benjies I dont got time for spellin n shit - skinny pete
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JonnyCosMo United States. Dec 05 2014 14:51. Posts 7292
Way over-hyped and retardedly bad takedown defense. The problem is Pettis will rarely win a decision caz he goes to his back way too much, and Melendez is very tough.
Everyone needs to see that you are king of the castle - PoorUser
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JonnyCosMo United States. Dec 05 2014 15:01. Posts 7292
Hendricks should be like -350 at least.
Everyone needs to see that you are king of the castle - PoorUser
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 05 2014 15:44. Posts 13051
Gilbert Melendez: "I feel like I really represent the normal man. The hard working, blue collar, normal man. I'm not no flashy dude wearing gold chains, and trying to run off the cage; I'm hard work. Now its become a career, now this is what puts food on my table. Now, there's the added pressure of having to deliver for a family. It's not about me anymore, it's about fighting for my daughter, my wife, and my dad. It's a little more added pressure, but that's what fuels my fire nowadays."
Really? The comment about the gold chain is laughable. As for being a hard worker, is that an excuse for him saying his skills are limited? Because Pettis is just as hard working as Melendez, if not more hard working. Melendez didn't have to face the adversity that Pettis did when it comes to injuries and surgeries, and they're both gym rats. + Show Spoiler +
On December 05 2014 14:01 JonnyCosMo wrote:
Hendricks should be like -350 at least.
I think the first fight is confusing people. Hendricks DOMINATED lawler up until lawler managed to land one lucky hard punch, and even tho he landed that lucky punch he still managed to lose the fight. Keeping in mind Hendricks was injured which prevented him from using his godlike wrestling, i think Hendricks is a big favorite.
james9994: make note dont play against floofy, ;(
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 05 2014 18:45. Posts 13051
Rekrul is a newb
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soberstone United States. Dec 05 2014 18:48. Posts 2662
On December 05 2014 14:01 JonnyCosMo wrote:
Hendricks should be like -350 at least.
I think the first fight is confusing people. Hendricks DOMINATED lawler up until lawler managed to land one lucky hard punch, and even tho he landed that lucky punch he still managed to lose the fight. Keeping in mind Hendricks was injured which prevented him from using his godlike wrestling, i think Hendricks is a big favorite.
You may be right about the role of the injury but there was no lucky punch, that's ridiculous... Lawler is a top-notch striker and will land similarly hard shots of Hendricks is forced to stand in the pocket trade again... and his wrestling is not God-like, it's top-notch but if he wrestled more, his cardio might have been more of a question mark too, as wrestling uses much more energy than trading in the pocket, especially since Robbie didn't go to the body at all and has under-rated TDD these days.
Not saying Hendricks shouldn't be the favorite, especially in light of the injury, but you are just wrong about any 'lucky-punch' sentiments.
The luck was as follows, Hendricks was lucky Lawler decided to start slow, and Lawler was lucky Hendricks tore his bicep.
That's how I see it.
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Stim_Abuser United States. Dec 05 2014 19:17. Posts 7499
@RiseAboveHate83 johnny Hendricks looks 2 seconds away from death right now with his weight cut
It's kinda silly since Hendricks has a bunch of fat he could cut and it wouldn't even be that bad.
Hey Im slinging mad volume and fat stackin benjies I dont got time for spellin n shit - skinny pete
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 05 2014 19:42. Posts 13051
On December 05 2014 18:17 Stim_Abuser wrote:
@RiseAboveHate83 johnny Hendricks looks 2 seconds away from death right now with his weight cut
It's kinda silly since Hendricks has a bunch of fat he could cut and it wouldn't even be that bad.
I assume that person saw Hendricks backstage at some point?
Anyway, Hendricks looked fine on the scale, very energetic like the last two fights. His cheeks were a little sucked in, but he didn't look bad at all.
As for Lawler, he looked the best he's ever looked.
Rekrul is a newb
Last edit: 05/12/2014 19:43
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soberstone United States. Dec 05 2014 20:43. Posts 2662
On December 05 2014 18:17 Stim_Abuser wrote:
@RiseAboveHate83 johnny Hendricks looks 2 seconds away from death right now with his weight cut
It's kinda silly since Hendricks has a bunch of fat he could cut and it wouldn't even be that bad.
I assume that person saw Hendricks backstage at some point?
Anyway, Hendricks looked fine on the scale, very energetic like the last two fights. His cheeks were a little sucked in, but he didn't look bad at all.
As for Lawler, he looked the best he's ever looked.
Completely disagree. Re-watch it if you care to, he was shaking uncontrollably, looked like death. First thing that popped into my head. Not saying it will affect fight or anything but man, that guy will not make 170 for too many more fights unless he changes it up in between.
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 05 2014 22:03. Posts 13051
On December 05 2014 18:17 Stim_Abuser wrote:
@RiseAboveHate83 johnny Hendricks looks 2 seconds away from death right now with his weight cut
It's kinda silly since Hendricks has a bunch of fat he could cut and it wouldn't even be that bad.
I assume that person saw Hendricks backstage at some point?
Anyway, Hendricks looked fine on the scale, very energetic like the last two fights. His cheeks were a little sucked in, but he didn't look bad at all.
As for Lawler, he looked the best he's ever looked.
Completely disagree. Re-watch it if you care to, he was shaking uncontrollably, looked like death. First thing that popped into my head. Not saying it will affect fight or anything but man, that guy will not make 170 for too many more fights unless he changes it up in between.
I just watched it again, and he didn't look like death, imo. He was a little shaky, but he was also a little shaky in his last weigh-in against Lawler, which was when there was a scale error and he had to lose another .5 pounds or something. He didn't get owned by the weight cut on fight night.
Rekrul is a newb
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PuertoRican United States. Dec 05 2014 23:18. Posts 13051
