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[Boogie]

I think it's also partially a case of oversaturation. There has been a fucking retarded amount of UFC in the past month, while I love it I imagine it's a bit much for the casuals.

It's hard to tell if we're dealing with a case of oversaturation.

Yes there have been a ton of UFC events lately. But they've also been events without true headliners/draws, or champions. So they've reaped shit buyrates.

Until you get to UFC 111, the first event with a champion draw in GSP, following the injury plague. And early reports are that it killed, with estimates putting it at 850,000 buys. But again, hard to say, as GSP is the second biggest draw in the UFC, with his "Canada effect" on buyrates.

I think that if 112 draws well, it will be a testament to the fact that "Championship bouts matter".

If it draws poorly, the lesson is "you have to have compelling championship bouts, not just squash matches that nobody cares about."

 

[Boogie]

After Penn won the title from Hughes (who took him lightly) he has yet to win a fight at welter weight in the UFC.

If Penn moves back to WW anytime soon, the fight I want to see is a rubber match between Penn and Hughes. Too bad Hughes will be too much of a pussy to take it.

He still has a fringe top-10 ranking on most sites, but he seems unwilling to take any relevant matches now, preferring bullshit "legacy" fights that are safer for him.

 

[AstroLad]

mousasi crush

Lawal was also more than willing to oblige when a reporter asked him to do a “Kermit the Frog” impression of the Dutch-Armenian fighter.

“It didn’t even sound just like me,” Mousasi said with a chuckle. “It’s OK. Let him have his fun.”

 

[Musashi Wins!]

Lawal's a funny guy, I look forward to that fight.

It's hard for me to judge or care about the whole GSP vs Penn thing, they've actually fought and BJ got beat. Penn is clearly better at 155. I still don't doubt he could clear out a lot of the other welterweights. I'm perfectly fine in thinking of them both as "very awesome".

 

[Sinatar]

People really want to see Aoki fight Penn?

Really?

Aoki would get straight assfucked by just about any lightweight in the UFC. He has absolutely no standup at all, no chin, no heart. He's a great jits fighter but that only carries you so far. It's going to be a pleasure to watch Melendez embarrass him later this month.

 

[NomarTyme]

Wow, that is a straight up ass fucking gif.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Mmmmm i think i would cry after taking that kind of a beating.

 

[EviLore]

People really want to see Aoki fight Penn?

Really?

Yes.

The gif where Sakurai demolishes him at *welterweight* with knees to to the head on the ground mostly just demonstrates that he's a huge crybaby, not anything particularly relevant to his chances against UFC lightweights.

Facts are, going by the last few years, Aoki's LW resume > any LW's resume. He's basically only ranked #2 instead of #1 because of how badly he appears to match up to BJ Penn. If he gets through Melendez and Kawajiri then a fight with BJ really needs to happen to settle who the #1 guy is, because it won't be very clear cut.

We'll see if the discussion is still relevant next week, at any rate.

 

[VariantX04]

Welp, I got my stuff ready and I'll be heading to Abu Dhabi tomorrow morning for UFC 112. Weigh-ins will take place on April 9 and Big Nog and Diet Nog are holding a jiu-jitsu seminar on the 11th. See you guys in about a week!

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Photos, i got some at 110 the whole "no cameras" thing was bullshit............ no professional 60" lens cameras is what they meant to say. Depends though, they might be pretty strict if its in-house/local security over there so wouldn't wanna push it to much.

 

[VariantX04]

Photos, i got some at 110 the whole "no cameras" thing was bullshit............ no professional 60" lens cameras is what they meant to say. Depends though, they might be pretty strict if its in-house/local security over there so wouldn't wanna push it to much.

Since this is in a more exotic location for a UFC event, I think they'll be holding plenty of "meet the fighters" events and offer chances to take pictures with them. I'll know by tomorrow hopefully.

 

[yacobod]

aoki would get his shit pushed in so far by penn it would be hilarious to see, i hate florian, but kenny would do the same thing

 

[AstroLad]

I'm a Strikeforce fan, but I really don't think Melendez is that great. The "war" with Thomson was certainly entertaining but it was basically two guys going Clay Guida Blitzkrieg on each other except without stump arms so 15% of the shots actually connected instead of 5%. Still really, really looking forward to that card though, including that fight. Strikeforce main event matchups just seem to spark the imagination a lot more than most of the recent UFC ones, partly due to the quality of their champs (read: non-INVINCIBLE) and also the cross-promotion stuff.

 

[yacobod]

I'm a Strikeforce fan, but I really don't think Melendez is that great. The "war" with Thomson was certainly entertaining but it was basically two guys going Clay Guida Blitzkrieg on each other except without stump arms so 15% of the shots actually connected instead of 5%. Still really, really looking forward to that card though, including that fight. Strikeforce main event matchups just seem to spark the imagination a lot more than most of the recent UFC ones, partly due to the quality of their champs (read: non-INVINCIBLE) and also the cross-promotion stuff.

ya the cbs hendo card should be awesome, if the fedor-werdum or ubereem-rodgers fight was on the card, it wouldve been omgepic

isnt arlovski-bigfoot signed for sometime soon as well?

 

[polyh3dron]

People really want to see Aoki fight Penn?

Really?

Aoki would get straight assfucked by just about any lightweight in the UFC. He has absolutely no standup at all, no chin, no heart. He's a great jits fighter but that only carries you so far. It's going to be a pleasure to watch Melendez embarrass him later this month.

You know that fight was at welterweight right?

Oh and Aoki may have cried if he won too. He does that.

 

[Sinatar]

You know that fight was at welterweight right?

Oh and Aoki may have cried if he won too. He does that.

Most UFC lightweights are bigger then Sakurai, Japanese fighters don't tend to cut weight.

 

[SnakeXs]

ya the cbs hendo card should be awesome, if the fedor-werdum or ubereem-rodgers fight was on the card, it wouldve been omgepic

isnt arlovski-bigfoot signed for sometime soon as well?

Yeah I thinks it's set for May.

Seems like I'm one of few Aoki fans 'round here. :lol

and Mayhem's signed a preliminary fight on the Showtime card. The main cards only 3 fights since they're all title bouts, so unless they all go the distance we'll likely see it. Hopefully in full and not via highlights.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

I think Aoki is a bit more skilled and tough than you relate. I do agree that a decent striker presents a problem if he was skilled enough to avoid a grapple, I'm not sure if Melendez is that guy. I look forward to that card quite a bit.

 

[AstroLad]

oboy oboy oboy i wonder if ufc 112 INVINCIBLE will turn into even more of a clusterfuck

On Saturday in Abu Dhabi, UFC 112 will represent the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first outdoor event. (We'll forget about that 1990s show in a tent in some parking lot somewhere; I have, anyway.) The forecast, as bloggers have so helpfully pointed out, calls for rain. Although I'm totally for a little departure from the monotony of indoor events, and even though a little precipitation makes for a more dramatic "Matrix" fight sequence, there probably should be a Plan B in place. A tarp. A retractable roof. Something.

According to Dana White, there is not. "Wind could be a factor. It's very dusty and sandy there," he told Canada's Sportsnet. "I'm worried about the wind."

 

[EraldoCoil]

the whole timing for 112 blows, it sucks that 2 title fights aren't going to be live.

i know i'll have to avoid fucking everything! in order to avoid spoilers, if it's live over there what time would it have to air on the West coast in order for it to be live?

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

HAH fighting in the rain! so awesome :lol . Lucky Cro Cop isnt fighting, be like watching ice skating with that dude.

 

[Eggo]

oboy oboy oboy i wonder if ufc 112 INVINCIBLE will turn into even more of a clusterfuck

The universe would explode if Anderson Silva slips in the rain and Maia subs him.

 

[AstroLad]

Yeah I'd think the favorites would dislike the elements intruding, as they almost certainly will (even without rain). If it rains for real they may even have to cancel it.

This is also yet another reason why betting on sports is bad.

 

[alr1ght]

wait, it's tape delayed and not free? boo

 

[Fifty]

Well not all overseas cards are free..and it's not tape delayed, in the sense that you can pay to watch it live at 1 PM eastern (I believe that's the time, check if you care)

 

[Archaix]

Well not all overseas cards are free..and it's not tape delayed, in the sense that you can pay to watch it live at 1 PM eastern (I believe that's the time, check if you care)

Yeah, and from what I've seen you get the re-airing later in the night for free if you do that. I dunno, could be some reason to buy the early one and watch it again 7 hours later. I can't think of any, but I'm sure there's something.

Personally I hope I can find a bar playing the early one, though somehow I doubt the UFC would allow a free showing the same way for a commercial venue and I don't think too many people would be going to it at noon. I've got plans Saturday night and won't be able to watch the airing at the normal time.

 

[AstroLad]

I'm gonna catch the early one since I got stuff to do that night so win-win-win.

 

[EviLore]

Just got around to watching the K-1 MAX Japan tournament. Awesome event, and wicked wicked performance by the toughest crossdressing anime cosplayer of all time, Yuichiro Nagashima. It sucked to see him do so poorly last year after a strong start, but damn, three brutal KO victories in one night. Dude has sledgehammers for hands and throws every punch like 20 feet through his opponent.

 

[Willectro]

Just got around to watching the K-1 MAX Japan tournament. Awesome event, and wicked wicked performance by the toughest crossdressing anime cosplayer of all time, Yuichiro Nagashima. It sucked to see him do so poorly last year after a strong start, but damn, three brutal KO victories in one night. Dude has sledgehammers for hands and throws every punch like 20 feet through his opponent.

Hmm, I will have to check this out.

 

[mrbagdt]

UFC 112 it airs live at 1PM ET. you could watch it that night if you wanted. the BWW in my area plays it live in the afternoon because they might as well play it then along with the free replay they get at 9PM.

as for aoki, we will see how he looks against melendez but i still think he is a legit 155er. he has a body style of k-flo, better ground game but without the stand up. just my opinion.

also, showing a gif of him being knee'd in the head on the ground is relevant to show that he couldnt make it in the UFC? great point sinatar...

 

[BigKaboom2]

Just got around to watching the K-1 MAX Japan tournament. Awesome event, and wicked wicked performance by the toughest crossdressing anime cosplayer of all time, Yuichiro Nagashima. It sucked to see him do so poorly last year after a strong start, but damn, three brutal KO victories in one night. Dude has sledgehammers for hands and throws every punch like 20 feet through his opponent.

Yeah, I did not see that coming at all. He was unstoppable and you've got to feel bad getting KO'd by a guy who came to the ring in a witch costume with a broomstick.

 

[Ikuu]

Nobody making a 112 thread?

 

[BigKaboom2]

More like nobody making a Bellator XIII thread?

Roger Huerta vs. Chad Hinton (lightweight tourney first round)
Eric Marriott vs. Joe Warren (featherweight tourney first round)
Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Bao Quach (featherweight tourney first round)
Joe Duarte vs. Carey Vanier (lightweight tourney first round)

8 PM EDT on Fox/Comcast Sports Net, followed by something like 11 or 12 consecutive weekly shows.

 

[polyh3dron]

I was going to make a Bellator thread but got mad busy in the last few days. I even missed TUF last night.

Check your local listings for REAL with Bellator, because your region's Fox Sports Net channel may be playing it later on tape delay due to baseball or some other sport being on and it will likely change from week to week. Fox Sports West for instance is not showing it until 10:30 Pacific whereas Fox South is showing it live.

 

[BigKaboom2]

My affiliate aired something else in place of the first half hour, but this second fight is crazy so far.

Spoiler

Warren survives a deep triangle choke for like 30 seconds, wow.

 

[Master Thespian]

My affiliate aired something else in place of the first half hour....

Too bad.

Spoiler

Bao Quach got KTFO.

EDIT: Shockey is HAMMERED, lol.

 

[BigKaboom2]

That

Spoiler

close-up of Huerta's package

was highly unnecessary.

 

[polyh3dron]

That

Spoiler

close-up of Huerta's package

was highly unnecessary.

That's some stupid shit I'd expect from (and have seen in) a strikeforce challengers event. :lol

 

[AstroLad]

Man this dude in the Huerta fight took like 40 undefended shots to the head. It was almost like he was too tired to keep his hands up.

 

[Master Thespian]

Roger is having fun in there. That roll was silly.

 

[BigKaboom2]

Yeah that was some vicious GnP. I can't think of any lightweight that looks as huuuuuge as Hinton did tonight.

Edit: Never thought I'd see someone use Hash Pipe for their ring walk.

 

[BamYouHaveAids]

I'm confused, my cable box says it airs at 10:30AM Saturday.

 

[AstroLad]

wtf is vanier doing? you know a fight is bad when LNP would be an improvement

 

[Kogepan]

You know that fight was at welterweight right?

Oh and Aoki may have cried if he won too. He does that.

Didn't BJ, QUIT IN HIS CORNER after getting humped by GSP for 4 rounds? Then having his MOM right a letter to complain about the 'grease' to the NSAC? BJ fans need to STFU.

 

[radrelic]

Anyone been reading the news on Anderson Silva wanting to move to down 170 to fight GSP?

http://mmafrenzy.com/13948/dana-whi...lterweight-and-challenging-georges-st-pierre/

UFC President Dana White expressed interest in the matchup on Thursday after Silva told Yahoo Sports this week that he could drop to 170-pounds for a matchup with GSP to ‘test himself’.

“I’m blown away that he even said that. If it’s true, if he could cut down to 170 then I would look at a GSP fight. I would do it,” White told MMA Fighting. “I don’t like the idea of GSP moving up, but I’m interested if Silva can make 170.”

I don't see this ending well for Anderson. As much as I'd love to see GSP get KTFO, there's no way in hell he will stand up with Silva.

GSP gameplan: Takedown and grind it out for 5 rounds. GSP by UD.

 

[Master Thespian]

Anyone been reading the news on Anderson Silva wanting to move to down 170 to fight GSP?

http://mmafrenzy.com/13948/dana-whi...lterweight-and-challenging-georges-st-pierre/




I don't see this ending well for Anderson. As much as I'd love to see GSP get KTFO, there's no way in hell he will stand up with Silva.

GSP gameplan: Takedown and grind it out for 5 rounds. GSP by UD.

Why the fuck is he cutting all the way down to 170?! I mean, not even a catchweight bout? GSP is a big 170 anyways.

 

[EviLore]

Anyone been reading the news on Anderson Silva wanting to move to down 170 to fight GSP?

http://mmafrenzy.com/13948/dana-whi...lterweight-and-challenging-georges-st-pierre/




I don't see this ending well for Anderson. As much as I'd love to see GSP get KTFO, there's no way in hell he will stand up with Silva.

GSP gameplan: Takedown and grind it out for 5 rounds. GSP by UD.

Yeah, this was such a strange thing to hear; I can only come to the conclusion that Anderson is bored of waiting for GSP to be "ready" to take a fight at 185. Anderson wants to finish his career with legendary fights, and since he won't fight the 205 champ as long as it's Machida (won't have to worry about that for too much longer, hopefully!), moving to 170 forces the issue with GSP. It's a ballsy move.

As for whether Anderson has anything for GSP...well, obviously he does. GSP still needs to setup the takedowns, and there's no way in the world that Anderson is going to be outstruck despite being the "striker" in the matchup like in GSP's other fights. GSP will either have to man up and expect to eat shots (and Anderson cutting to 170 isn't going to do anything negative to his speed and reflexes and accuracy), or shoot in without establishing timing which is equally risky.

Anderson by TKO.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Anderson GSP fight would be pretty sick as long as it was all ground game.

 

[BigJonsson]

The bar I work at is showing it live at 1pm EST and replay at 10..........GM was telling me he got a good deal on it

 

[JakOfTheShadows]

Yeah, this was such a strange thing to hear; I can only come to the conclusion that Anderson is bored of waiting for GSP to be "ready" to take a fight at 185. Anderson wants to finish his career with legendary fights, and since he won't fight the 205 champ as long as it's Machida (won't have to worry about that for too much longer, hopefully!), moving to 170 forces the issue with GSP. It's a ballsy move.

As for whether Anderson has anything for GSP...well, obviously he does. GSP still needs to setup the takedowns, and there's no way in the world that Anderson is going to be outstruck despite being the "striker" in the matchup like in GSP's other fights. GSP will either have to man up and expect to eat shots (and Anderson cutting to 170 isn't going to do anything negative to his speed and reflexes and accuracy), or shoot in without establishing timing which is equally risky.

Anderson by TKO.

Do we know what weight Anderson normally walks around at right now? I'm curious as to what his cut would be like. Thanks.