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View Full Version : UFC 92 (Spoilers Inside!)


rahdam
12-27-2008, 11:05 PM
Wow, got home from watching UFC 92.
Let me start by stating that a fight broke out while we were watching the fights. It was a cool atmosphere, everyone had a good time.

Rampage vs. Silva
This one was the one that pushed me to the edge of my seat. I wanted Rampage to win, but anybody who has seen the previous two fights between these two knows that Silva MUST be in Rampage's head. When Rampage shot for the takedown and Silva brought the knee, I was worried. Rampage showed some great striking, and the left hook he landed to bring down Silva was gold. I breathed a huge sigh of release when Silva went limp. I really think the UFC should give Rampage the next title shot; at worst, he should rematch Griffin, with the winner of that bout getting a shot at the title.

Nogueria vs. Mir
"I didn't think I could do it. But I did. And you can too!"
Frank Mir is an intelligent, classy fighter. He won a new fan tonight.
His striking looked great, he was throwing down the pipe and landing, knocking Nogueira to the ground on multiple occasions. I was surprised by Nog's inability to block the strikes; he only lasted as long as he did because he was able to snap his head back, as all of the punches were moving right through his forearms. I do think that the stoppage was a touch premature, given that it is Nog we are talking about, but when he got up, he wobbled, and I do not think the outcome would have changed. I was YELLING for Mir to get out of Nog's guard during the first takedown, and I think he was wise to stay clear for the most part. His game plan was excellent, and he has clearly evolved as a fighter, as has Lesnar. The Mir-Lesnar matchup should be a good one; I do not think Lesnar will fall victim to the kneebar again, but I can see Mir securing a heelhook or a choke in one of the earlier rounds; I do not think he will be able to armbar or kimura Lesnar. We'll see, I'm looking forward to this matchup. Frank Mir had a great victory speech after the fight, and he definitely won a new fan tonight.

Forrest vs. Rashad
To be honest, even though the light heavyweight division is one of the most competitive in all of MMA, I did not care much for this matchup. It was a good fight; I picked Forrest to win, but Rashad caught that kick and finished well, waiting for the right moment to drive home the right that was the beginning of the end. Forrest, for his part, was out well before the fight was called, but he showed good heart; Rashad was definitely the better fighter. I would like to see Rashad against Rampage, and I think it might happen soon.

Nomadofthehills
12-28-2008, 11:19 AM
It was an awesome set of fights. I couldn't believe Mir beat Nog; Nog just seemed fat and slow.

rahdam
12-28-2008, 12:28 PM
yeah dude, and he STOPPED him! No one's done that before. On another note, Silva has been brutally KO'd 4 times within his last 5 fights, I think it is. It may be time for him to retire...When I got home and started to reflect on the event, I noticed that every single televised match was a stoppage, and that there really were no bad matches shown on the broadcast.

I can't wait for UFC 94, Penn vs. St. Pierre 2...that should be an incredible fight. BJ Penn is my favorite fighter, so I'll say BJ by decision after 5. I really do not see either man finishing the other. GSP is so dangerous, and it really could go either way.

bucolic_
12-28-2008, 02:16 PM
yeah dude, and he STOPPED him! No one's done that before. On another note, Silva has been brutally KO'd 4 times within his last 5 fights, I think it is. It may be time for him to retire...When I got home and started to reflect on the event, I noticed that every single televised match was a stoppage, and that there really were no bad matches shown on the broadcast.

I was sad when Silva lost, he's always been one of my favorite fighters, and it's...'only' 3 brutal KOs. :( Chuck took him to a decision. IIRC, Silva said he'd move to 185 if he lost to rampage.

I was also sad when Nog lost, especially since he looked so incredibly bad in losing, but I do like Mir, and his post-fight interview was pretty cool, and his comeback since the motorcycle crash is quite impressive, he was looking BAD in his first few comeback fights. I hope he beats Lesnar, although to be honest, I've taken more of a liking to Lesnar than previously.


I can't wait for UFC 94, Penn vs. St. Pierre 2...that should be an incredible fight. BJ Penn is my favorite fighter, so I'll say BJ by decision after 5. I really do not see either man finishing the other. GSP is so dangerous, and it really could go either way.

Can't wait for this one! Both are looking great, and improved. I think it could go either way, and I love to watch both fight, but I think I'm pulling for BJ in this one. At least it's 5 rounds. Should be very exciting!

Nomadofthehills
12-28-2008, 08:57 PM
Penn vs GSP will be incredible. Two extremely genetically gifted athletes pummeling and trying to submit each other... mmm

zibber
12-28-2008, 11:20 PM
Thanks for the spoiler tag ;)

Rampage vs. Silva
Well, no surprises here. Rampage has gotten a lot better in the past couple of years, and Silva had his prime in Pride. Very tentative fight from both guys, but I never gave Vanderlei a chance. Shame to see a mythical dude like Vanderlei come to America and just sink right off the bat (Hendo).

Nogueria vs. Mir
Yeah, I hated this. There should be a rule that if it's Nogueira being pummeled, the judge needs to stand back a little longer than usual. Nogueira is the kind of guy that settles into a beating and works through it. I'm not saying he wouldn't have lost, but knowing Nogueira, the finish was a HUGE bummer to me. I know for sure that had this been in Japan, ain't no way he would've been TKO'd as quick as that. What won it for Mir is his brilliant idea to keep standing up, over and over again. That was great strategy, hat's off to him. If you're not on the ground with Nog, he can't fuck you up with jiu-jitsu.

(Sigh.. Mir vs. Lesnar holds so no appeal to me whatsoever.. Nog vs. Lesnar would have been fun in a Nog vs. Sapp, good fighter versus some clunky freakish schmuck kinda way.)

Forrest vs. Rashad
Wow, what a worthy main event. This made up for the bummer finishes, and I wasn't even rooting for Rashad. Rashad is really starting to make me believe, he is very well rounded. He got in a slugfest with the slugger and caught him good. Nice title fight. I hope we get something of a steady champ with Rashad.

yeah dude, and he STOPPED him! No one's done that before.

That wasn't the first time Nog was in that situation. It's just that in Japan, they're not so touchy about stoppages (and foot stomps to the face, and ten minute rounds :laugh:). People like Nog and Vanderlei flourished in Japan, I think, partly due to that. Take that away and you give an edge to guys used to American ways. Anyway, I'd hate to see this enter the books as some kind of historic, monumental moment. He was half dead in the Sapp fight.

(I'll admit that as a guy who primarily is a fan of (Japanese) pro wrestling and Japanese MMA booking, I enjoy having steady champs and top guys more than this complete randomness of the UFC. Vanderlei, Nog and Cro Cop, my favorite dudes because of their status in Japan, have always been Gods over there, but none of them made a smooth transition to America. The only guy who travels well is Fedor, who is still every bit as mythical as ever.)

rahdam
12-30-2008, 12:59 AM
Did you ever consider the effects of steroids in Japan?
Legitimate question, as Japanese orgs did not test as the UFC does, to my knowledge.
To me, it casts a shadow of uncertainty over the former Pride fighters who bomb in the US.

zibber
12-30-2008, 05:04 AM
Did you ever consider the effects of steroids in Japan?
Legitimate question, as Japanese orgs did not test as the UFC does, to my knowledge.
To me, it casts a shadow of uncertainty over the former Pride fighters who bomb in the US.

Hmm.. could be. I know Josh Barnett had no trouble getting work in Japan after the UFC debacle, but I've no idea what substances he allegedly used.

I don't know. I think in Japan, top fighters are just protected and favoured more than in the US. Not that I don't think it goes against the idea of completely legit fights and not that I'm trying to argue a change in the policy of US companies*, but it does make sure your top dudes keep a good image. Well, again, pro wrestling guy here. Japanese MMA comes directly from pro wrestling, so I guess it's not that strange anyway.

As for uncertainty (in terms of legitimacy).. yeah, I just enjoy a fun fight ;)

(*It's not as if in Japan, these practices are all discussed openly. The border between work and shoot is just hazier.)

bucolic_
12-30-2008, 08:47 AM
Personally, I think the steroid accusations are overblown, I don't think a lack of steroids could account for the losses. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of guys are on steroids in the UFC, but get away with it.