UFC/MMA (...SPOILERS WILL BE POSTED)

[Sinister]

I didn't think either of those fights were good.

Both Vera and Jackson could have pushed and knocked out their opponents and didn't


Do you really like to see a fight stopped because of leg kicks?  Brandon Vera has fallen a long way.

In an effort to educate you, let's break them down:

Jackson v. Jardine:  Jackson hit Keith with everything he had, and Jardine took it.  I was amazed.  Jardine also has a very, very unorthodox style, which makes him hard to time; he also uses a lot of good footwork and angles.  For Jackson's straight forward, stalking style, this can be a problem.  Quinton also had to respect Jardine's low kicks (remember Jackson/Griffin).  In the post-fight, Jackson admitted that his original gameplan went out the window in the first round (his original gameplan being "rush him, pressure him").  I thought his backup gameplan was an excellent one:  work for the counter and pick your shots, while trying to keep Keith guessing.  While he didn't get the knockout, it was not for lack of trying; Jardine ate some hard shots and kept coming.  Jardine, also, is a hard puncher, and his punches seem to come out of nowhere and at odd angles; this makes him difficult to anticipate and counter. 

Vera v. Patt:  Vera's stock has been low, of late, due to some unexciting fights.  He needed a solid win and, wisely, he returned to the basics (Muay Thai) in training for this fight.  This fight was reminiscent of the Brandon Vera who beat former HW Champion Frank Mir.  Vera is a good striker and, with a height advantage, it was in his best interest to keep the fight standing.  Everything Mike Patt tried, Vera countered with solid Muay Thai.  Vera put on an exciting MT clinic and got the win.  Do I like to see fights ended by "leg kicks"?  Yep.  Why?  Because that usually means that the winner has exposed a hole in his opponent's game and has executed his gameplan perfectly.  Pat Barry finished his last guy with low kicks (I think), as has Antoni Hardonk in the past.  Have you ever been on the receiving end of a good solid low kick?  Take a few, and you'll understand how fights can end this way.  A TKO is a TKO, in my book.

Maybe you are one of those "fans" who just want to see knockouts, I don't know, but the fight game is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional.  It gets a lot more exciting when you can see it all put to use.  Better yet, start training and you'll gain an even greater respect for what ends fights.

[hbliam]

Nice post Sinister. Keep in mind MM is a Lesnar fan and that will make his posts a bit clearer. 

[Sinister]

Nice post Sinister. Keep in mind MM is a Lesnar fan and that will make his posts a bit clearer. 

Gotcha.  Hahahaha 

[metallimonster]

Wow Sinister you got pretty nasty quick there.  Does one have to train in MMA to know anything about it?  No, I've never received a leg kick and no I'm not one a fan of only knockouts.  I would love to train in MMA but with working full-time and going to school full-time I have no extra time to spare.

I also was at the show so I didn't necesarrily get to see all the angles of the fights.  From what I saw Rampage was not hitting him with all he had or when he was Jardine was getting rocked and he just wasn't pushing it.  Maybe that was due to where I was sitting (way up top and I try not to watch the screens when I paid 80 bucks for the tickets) and the fact that you don't get to here any commentary.  I have a friend that ordered the PPV so I am going to try and check it out this weekend.  I just expect more from Rampage especially if he wants a title fight.  I did like the fact that Rampage wasn't getting baited by Jardine's game plan like he did ( or at least more) against Griffin.  I thought Jardine had a great game plan  but that is exactly why I don't really like him.  He just fights for th win. I understand that is your point exactly but I like fighters who maybe use a little less caution. I will say he must have one heck of a chin. Would you really like to see every fight go the distance?  I wouldn't.  Anyways, I guess it would have probably been a Knockout if it would have went about 15 more seconds.  By the way I just read some articles too and this fight makes a lot more sense.  I really think Rampage is benefitting from training in England.  I am also curious to see what happens next.  Will Dana give Machida a shot or is Rampage going to try and fight 3 times in 5 months.  He might be spreading himself thin there.  I would love to see Machida fight either Rashad or Rampage. I don't know if he would win but he would definetely bring a different feel to them.

As to Vera, I guess I really just don't like him.  Sure he is good but I think he is way to cocky.   I understand the need to grab a win especially now days where it doesn't take much for Dana to cut someone but Vera just rubs me the wrong way.  Maybe that is why I had a hard time with it.

Keep laughing about Lesnar.  You'll see in July.  Though I'm sure if he beats Mir there will be some other reason he isn't good.  I will say that Carwin looked bad ass and would be a great opponent for Lesnar.  Speaking of this, the July PPV is going to be great.  Lesnar/Mir, GSP/Alves, and Bisbing/Henderson.  I think we are going to try and make it to Vegas for it.

[Sinister]

I understand that is your point exactly but I like fighters who maybe use a little less caution.

Watch the fight on the PPV; I think you're impression will change.  When a hardcharging fighter, like Rampage, exercises caution, there is a reason: he developed a lot of respect for how dangerous Jardine is.

Having been a casual fan before I started training, I will say that yes, training in MMA gives you a whole new outlook and understanding as to why fights go the way they do, and why fighters do what they do.

[metallimonster]

I will definitely be taking some sort of Martial Art when I complete school in December.  It is something I've wanted to do for years.

[Sinister]

I will definitely be taking some sort of Martial Art when I complete school in December.  It is something I've wanted to do for years.

Do it.  I can't say anything about TMAs (except that they rarely translate to mma very well), but I can say that learning to box and/or kickbox (Muay Thai, American or Dutch-style kickboxing) gives you a whole new appreciation for what mixed-martial artists do in the cage/ring.

[pintsizejesus]

Keep laughing about Lesnar.  You'll see in July.  Though I'm sure if he beats Mir there will be some other reason he isn't good.  I will say that Carwin looked bad ass and would be a great opponent for Lesnar.  Speaking of this, the July PPV is going to be great.  Lesnar/Mir, GSP/Alves, and Bisbing/Henderson.  I think we are going to try and make it to Vegas for it.

mir is hurt so that fight will be postponed most likely.

http://www.cagepotato.com/update-frank-mir%E2%80%99s-camp-asked-ufc-not-announce-lesnar-fight-ufc-98

[metallimonster]

mir is hurt so that fight will be postponed most likely.

http://www.cagepotato.com/update-frank-mir%E2%80%99s-camp-asked-ufc-not-announce-lesnar-fight-ufc-98

That is why I put it in the July event which is UFC 100.  The fight was originally scheduled for the big May show they usually do.  This fight will be postponed.  This is the reason that Rashad is going to defend his belt in May instead of June.  I really can't see Jackson being able to fight again but who knows.  If it is not Evans/Jackson it will be Evans/Machida.

[Sinister]

If it is not Evans/Jackson it will be Evans/Machida.

If it ends up being Evans/Machida, then it will be Machida/Jackson. 

[metallimonster]

If it ends up being Evans/Machida, then it will be Machida/Jackson. 

That is a bold statement, I like it.   I don't think we have really seen enough of either yet but Machida is so different than anyone in that division and he keeps getting better. I love to watch his fights.  The way he turns an opponent's attack into his own is amazing.  I have however, stopped counting out Rashad. That dude hits hard and wrestling is supposed to be his strong point.  Ask Griffin and Liddel and they wouldn't know because the both got KTFO

[Sinister]

Lyoto Machida is like a make the beast with two backsing Jedi.  Not to mention, his style is hard to mimic, so it is hard to find training partners that fight like him.  However, if any camp can put together a good gameplan for fighting Machida, I would give it to Greg Jackson...he's like make the beast with two backsing Yoda to Rashad's Luke Skywalker.

[IZ]

Lyoto Machida is like a make the beast with two backsing Jedi.  Not to mention, his style is hard to mimic, so it is hard to find training partners that fight like him.  However, if any camp can put together a good gameplan for fighting Machida, I would give it to Greg Jackson...he's like make the beast with two backsing Yoda to Rashad's Luke Skywalker.

 

Sinister does know his MMA MM.   

I've listened to him and a few other friends geek out over it on several occasions.   


 


Hbliam..  Keep in mind MM is a Lesnar fan and that will make his posts a bit clearer

[OverCaffeinated]

Lyoto Machida is like a make the beast with two backsing Jedi.  Not to mention, his style is hard to mimic, so it is hard to find training partners that fight like him.  However, if any camp can put together a good gameplan for fighting Machida, I would give it to Greg Jackson...he's like make the beast with two backsing Yoda to Rashad's Luke Skywalker.

I think that's pushing the nerd alert limits of this thread, but I do agree. 

I'd say it was a great night of fights, including the main event. Kieth and rampage are two badass dudes. Was it as good as it could have been, no. But I was entertained.

Hamill was awesome. Who knew he had hand and feet like that. I'm glad to see him be more than a wrestler.

The matt brown fight did go way too long. Almost started to make me sick.

I see some great fight happening in the near future.

[OverCaffeinated]

Oh yeah, Vera was awesome too. His previous fights didn't exactly blow a cool breeze up my skirt, but he looks way better and more determined at this weight.

I love to see fights end in unconventional ways. Leg kicks, punches to the gut, flying knees.