UFC 84 BJ Penn vs Sean Sherk

[oklavol]

Anybody planning to watch?

Might be interesting with the Jardine vs Silva and the Ortiz vs Machida fight.

[VolFirebirds]

Watching it as we speak.

Ortiz-Machida was exactly what I expected--I REALLY don't like Machida as a fighter. he's Boring, and he runs.

However, if Jardine retires Wanderlei tonight, then it should be Jardine/Machida for a title shot.

Penn/Sherk has got me seriously excited. Penn is SO talented, but I honestly can't help but pull for Sherk. so I'll pick BJ, but hope Sherk pulls it out.

[oklavol]

Interesting so far.
Silva mauls Jardine and Tito loses.
Wonder if Dana White will resign him.

[TheDeeble]

Originally Posted by VolFirebirds

Ortiz-Machida was exactly what I expected--I REALLY don't like Machida as a fighter. he's Boring, and he runs.

I've seen fighters run. I didn't see running out of Machida. He's not overly aggressive, he sets up his punches, and does a good job of avoiding a takedown. Very patient and in control.

Although every time Tito dropped his gloves as if to say "come on" Machida laid it to him. Made Tito look like a clown imo.

[VolFirebirds]

Originally Posted by TheDeeble

I've seen fighters run. I didn't see running out of Machida. He's not overly aggressive, he sets up his punches, and does a good job of avoiding a takedown. Very patient and in control.

Good points, but keep in mind that one of the very factors judged in a fight is AGGRESSION. I simply don't see pure aggression out of Machida.

take a look at his record--8 of 13 fights have gone to decision. Not a very exciting ratio, especially given so few fights.

I don't see his style of fighting being a drawing card, and I can guarantee that I'm not the only one.

Putting him against Tito gave the UFC a win-win--Tito wins, Tito leaves and takes Machida's perfect record with him. Machida wins, Tito still leaves, and now Machida must step in with one of the truly BIG boys--Wandy, Chuck, Shogun, etc. Now, Machida will be forced to fight, and hard--out of pure self-preservation.

on a side note, did anyone else hold their breath when Jardine went down like he did? I was genuinely concerned that we had just seen MMA's first death. Wanderlei is BACK.

[TheDeeble]

Originally Posted by VolFirebirds

Good points, but keep in mind that one of the very factors judged in a fight is AGGRESSION. I simply don't see pure aggression out of Machida.

take a look at his record--8 of 13 fights have gone to decision. Not a very exciting ratio, especially given so few fights.

I don't see his style of fighting being a drawing card, and I can guarantee that I'm not the only one.

Putting him against Tito gave the UFC a win-win--Tito wins, Tito leaves and takes Machida's perfect record with him. Machida wins, Tito still leaves, and now Machida must step in with one of the truly BIG boys--Wandy, Chuck, Shogun, etc. Now, Machida will be forced to fight, and hard--out of pure self-preservation.

on a side note, did anyone else hold their breath when Jardine went down like he did? I was genuinely concerned that we had just seen MMA's first death. Wanderlei is BACK.

I hink there's a line on aggression. Hard to fault someone for being too aggressive. Definately fault someone for not being aggressive at all. He walks that line, but usually when someone isn't aggressive it's because they're either scared or just trying to wait out the round. I never felt that at all from Machida. It genuinly felt like he has a method and is just being a little more patient than most. But he had his aggressive moments.

Although I know what you mean about his style not being a drawing card. Honestly he reminded me of an Olympic boxer. Like he was landing punches for points instead of damage. He won all three rounds, but I don't think Tito was ever really in trouble.

[holdemvol]

Originally Posted by oklavol

Interesting so far.
Silva mauls Jardine and Tito loses.
Wonder if Dana White will resign him.

Dana has said time and time again he was done with Tito. He said someone should offer him $30 a fight because the UFC won't match it. I would be shocked to see Tito resigned.

[VolFirebirds]

Tito will wind up in EliteXC, since he's still a name and can draw casual fans.

I can't decide, however, if I wanna see Tito vs. Kimbo.

right now, I still think Tito is too experienced and still too good.

in a few fights, however......

[Dawson]

I fought for 1 1/2 years before I decided that I didnt want to do it full time and make a career out of it.
I watched the fight and called all 3 of the big fights. Machida is a VERY good fighter although if you are looking for a KO or submission, he rarely delivers. He is very illusive and has a lot of counter punches.

Silva is one of the best fighters in the business. He will get a shot at the championship after 1 more win although I think he may drop to the middle weight. Silva walks around at 205 while most light heavyweights walk around at 235 and cut down.
BJ Penn is the best fighter in the game right now. When he is focused, no one is better. I got a chance to meet him in Vegas right before I went and met Randy Coulter at his gym. BJ Penn is an awesome guy. Faber is training with BJ in Hawaii by the way so watch out for his fight with Pulver. Should be a GOOD one.

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by VolFirebirds

Tito will wind up in EliteXC, since he's still a name and can draw casual fans.

I can't decide, however, if I wanna see Tito vs. Kimbo.

right now, I still think Tito is too experienced and still too good.

in a few fights, however......

Tito will become a celebrity fighter because he is not focused on fighting and wants to do other things (act).

[vol_in_ar]

Originally Posted by Dawson

Tito will become a celebrity fighter because he is not focused on fighting and wants to do other things (act).

Like Jenna

[VolFirebirds]

Originally Posted by Dawson

I fought for 1 1/2 years before I decided that I didnt want to do it full time and make a career out of it.
I watched the fight and called all 3 of the big fights. Machida is a VERY good fighter although if you are looking for a KO or submission, he rarely delivers. He is very illusive and has a lot of counter punches.

Silva is one of the best fighters in the business. He will get a shot at the championship after 1 more win although I think he may drop to the middle weight. Silva walks around at 205 while most light heavyweights walk around at 235 and cut down.
BJ Penn is the best fighter in the game right now. When he is focused, no one is better. I got a chance to meet him in Vegas right before I went and met Randy Coulter at his gym. BJ Penn is an awesome guy. Faber is training with BJ in Hawaii by the way so watch out for his fight with Pulver. Should be a GOOD one.

I honestly think that BJ could beat anyone on the planet right now, with the exception of Anderson Silva.

And we very well may see that one--remember that BJ fought Machida, and lost a close decision (AT 205!!!)

BJ-GSP is a foregone conclusion at this point, as long as GSP gets by Jon Fitch at 87.

I worry that Faber will only get his due from hard-core fans, since he fights so light. but outside of BJ and Anderson, He's nearly unbeatable. I think he's gonna roll through Pulver. No offense to Jens, but he's almost becoming Ken Shamrock's Mini-Me.

Dawson, are you from Franklin? did you wrestle there?

[Dawson]

Im from Franklin. I didnt wrestle in high school because I played football, basketball and soccer.
During the offseason when I played college soccer, I dabbled in BJJ. After my college career was over, I trained pretty hardcore for about 1 1/2 years. I did a few fights and had a 7-1 record but also realized if I wanted to take it further, I would have to be more committed and didnt really want to make it a career. I love the sport and the chess match of 2 skilled fighters.
There is a lot more cross training now than when I did just BJJ. Guys learn wrestling, boxing, Tai kickboxing, BJJ, and a little Judo now. When I did it, I would fight a guy who was strickly karate or boxing with a little wrestling or strickly a ground and pound fighter and using my BJJ skills, could easily win. Everyone knows submissions now. Everyone knows standup so it is more fun to watch.

[KB5252]

Originally Posted by Dawson

Tito will become a celebrity fighter because he is not focused on fighting and wants to do other things (act).

If you ask me he is a complete waste of talent. He has many of the tools and if he would only become a student of his craft he would have been one of the greats all time. I don't even like the guy and I can see his potential.

[KB5252]

Dawson, what is your opinion of Chuck Liddel? I used to work with a guy who fought mma for years who trained with him early in his career.