UFC 74, looks like a great night

[layinwood]

Getting these two in now, I just don't see them moving my way.


Couture +116 .5unit
GSP -211 .5unit

I see Randy dominating on the ground. Hopefully he can avoid a sub, but 5 rounds is a long time to do that.

GSP- I honestly don't see this being close. GSP has one of the best sprawls I've seen. The only problem is that nobody is as good a wrestler in this division as Kos is. Saying that, Kos didn't want to go to the ground with Diego. I think this will be a sub in the 2nd for George.

 

[The Sponge]

Im not to sure about Randy. This guy seems like a monster. Im not even talking about his fight with Mirco. He has the great JuJIsu skills. Seems a lot bigger that Randy. Don't sell this guys ground skills short.
I think the GSP fight might be a little tough for him but he should be able to take it.

 

[gardenweasel]

layin...congrats on condit......

i`m looking at gonzaga....he`s a natural heavyweight and randy`s had problems with the naturally bigger guys with good ground games....

but,i`ll wait for the odds to drop....

i lean your way with gsp....he loses here and he`s no longer ....gsp........he`s just another beatable guy.....this is a crossroads fight for gsp....

i hope...actually,i pray that they show clay guida/marcus aurelio....this has fight of the year written all over it.....

and i have no inclination which way to go in this one...

 

[Zerwas]

I would be very careful with these two fights.

Gonzaga clearly has the size advantage over Randy, actually I think he is the kind of fighter that made Couture move down in weight.....

 

[muhr]

I think Gabe poses the same problem for Randy that Ricco and Josh did, so I'm going with Gabe.

Joe Stevenson due to being bigger, stronger and a better grappler.

Kendall Grove uses his height and reach very well and he has much improved striking. He has the wrestling and sub advantage as well. Should be a fairly easy win.

Clay Guida appears to have shored up his sub defense and with Marcus having bad wrestling, I expect Clay to be all over him.

I'm still thinking over GSP vs. Josh.

 

[The Sponge]

I would be very careful with these two fights.

Gonzaga clearly has the size advantage over Randy, actually I think he is the kind of fighter that made Couture move down in weight.....

I agree with ya Zerwas.

 

[layinwood]

I agree with Randy having problems with guys with size but Ricco and Barnett are also bigger than Gonzaga. Gonzaga is only 1" taller and is 242 which will be about 15lbs more than Randy. Ricco was about 30 and Barnett about 40.

Besides the Crocop fight Gonzaga has only been in the cage against one other top guy in Werdum and he lost. Gonzaga may win this because I agree that he looks very promising but to me this line is off because of his win vs Cropcop.

GW, I agree with you on the Guida fight. He deserves to be on tv. It's a guarantee that his fight will be exciting. He's one of those guys that you just have to root for because of his energy and passion.

 

[muhr]

I agree with Randy having problems with guys with size but Ricco and Barnett are also bigger than Gonzaga. Gonzaga is only 1" taller and is 242 which will be about 15lbs more than Randy. Ricco was about 30 and Barnett about 40.

Besides the Crocop fight Gonzaga has only been in the cage against one other top guy in Werdum and he lost. Gonzaga may win this because I agree that he looks very promising but to me this line is off because of his win vs Cropcop.

GW, I agree with you on the Guida fight. He deserves to be on tv. It's a guarantee that his fight will be exciting. He's one of those guys that you just have to root for because of his energy and passion.

I've had this discussion before and found that Josh and Ricco were in the mid 240's when they fought Randy. I don't have time to find Ricco's weight, but Josh's is easy enough to find, it was 243.

http://boxing.nv.gov/2002results/03-22-02mma.pdf

The Werdum fight is somewhat concerning because Gabe lost because of fatigue. If he hasn't addresed his self admitted endurance problems, he could gas out again.

 

[The Sponge]

The Werdum fight is somewhat concerning because Gabe lost because of fatigue. If he hasn't addresed his self admitted endurance problems, he could gas out again.

I never saw this fight but it makes you wonder if this is what Randy will shoot for(Gabes endurance). I just sense something in his voice when Mirco lost. Like he wasn't to happy about fighting Gabe and would have rather fought Mirco.

 

[gardenweasel]

I agree with ya Zerwas.

now,if randy beats gonzaga,spongy will come back and blame ME..........


lol

btw...an interesting note...i don`t believe that gonzaga has EVER fought to a decision....

9 fights...9 stoppages...

 

[kegray1]

Clay Guida appears to have shored up his sub defense and with Marcus having bad wrestling, I expect Clay to be all over him.

What???

Marcus will have zero issues wrestling with Guida.
I expect Marcus to with this one.

If you dont think Marcus has wrestling skills then you must not watch alot of Pride. Go back and watch his fights with Nakamura, and both Gomi fights. He has better submission skills than Clay and has fought MUCH tougher guys.

 

[The Sponge]

now,if randy beats gonzaga,spongy will come back and blame ME..........


lol

btw...an interesting note...i don`t believe that gonzaga has EVER fought to a decision....

9 fights...9 stoppages...

Ah Weasel my thoughts are the same as the both of you but he is the new guy. You ain't going anywhere. New guys should be acknowledged once in awhile. Keeps them around. Plus you can tell he isn't some smuck that just bounced in here. I don't need to be acknowledged. I just wear out my welcome until im acknowledged:mj07:

 

[muhr]

What???

Marcus will have zero issues wrestling with Guida.
I expect Marcus to with this one.

If you dont think Marcus has wrestling skills then you must not watch alot of Pride. Go back and watch his fights with Nakamura, and both Gomi fights. He has better submission skills than Clay and has fought MUCH tougher guys.

The only Pride fight of his I haven't seen is the Nakamura one. I did overstate his lack of wrestling, but at the same time I don't think he's Clay's wrestling equal. Ishida is a good wrestler, but if he could get Marcus down continually, then Clay can do the same. I never meant to imply that Clay had better sub skills, but rather he'll be able to fend off what Marcus throws at him. Clay has fought some quality guys as well, such as, Melendez, Thompson, Tyson and Thomas, the last 2 of which could have gone Clay's way.

 

[muhr]

I never saw this fight but it makes you wonder if this is what Randy will shoot for(Gabes endurance). I just sense something in his voice when Mirco lost. Like he wasn't to happy about fighting Gabe and would have rather fought Mirco.

Randy isn't a quick finisher, so I don't think he much choice, but to test Gabe's endurance. The opponent he's finished the fastest in the past several years was Mike Van Arsedale and that went into the 3rd rd.

 

[kegray1]

Dont get me wrong.Clay is a good guy and gets better every fight.
Clay will have a strength advantage in this one,which could be huge.
I just think Marcus is always bashed for wrestling skills more than anything which is unfair based on his two fights with Gomi. Marcus has good submissions and can more than hold his own on the mat with Clay.
Either way,it should be a good one.

I agree Randy may have issues with this fight. He hasnt faired well against stronger(strength wise),bigger opponents. Sylvia was more puncher power than strength so I dont count him.
I want Randy to win,but not really liking him to.

 

[gardenweasel]

just rewatched gsp vs sherk.....and i was totally impressed with gsp`s sprawl....

granted,sherk ain`t a 170 lb`er....still,i think gsp overlooked serra,and i expect him to be verrrry focused here....

this is a HUGE fight for gsp.......i honestly think his career takes a major hit if he loses here...he`d be in danger of becoming another frank trigg with a loss to koscheck....

the odds are dropping a bit,so i`m looking to parlay gsp with some things that i like....

ohhhh canada!.....

 

[The Sponge]

just rewatched gsp vs sherk.....and i was totally impressed with gsp`s sprawl....

granted,sherk ain`t a 170 lb`er....still,i think gsp overlooked serra,and i expect him to be verrrry focused here....

this is a HUGE fight for gsp.......i honestly think his career takes a major hit if he loses here...he`d be in danger of becoming another frank trigg with a loss to koscheck....

the odds are dropping a bit,so i`m looking to parlay gsp with some things that i like....

ohhhh canada!.....

I watched it also last night and came away with the same feelins as you Weasel. You just can't bring this guy down. Kos is in trouble here. GSP did get away with his patented nut kick again. I hope this line comes down cause im in with GSP. I have to wash a bet first.

 

[layinwood]

The more I look at the fight card the more I can't wait. What's going to suck is that some of the good fights won't be on tv. I honestly want to see every fight on the card. I've heard Mir isn't looking in very good shape. I can't believe someone with that kind of talent wouldn't devote himself for a run at big money. We all know that the HW division pays very well if you're elite. Frank has the size and skills, just seems to lack the desire since his crash.

The Cote Grove fight should be very very good. I expect an all out war.

When someone gets the lines on all of the fights please post them.

 

[layinwood]

Holy chit, anyone see the lineup for 76? There are 5 fights on the card I'm ready to see. I can't wait for my favorite fighter to make his UFC debut, Shoggggunnnnnnn. Saying that, the last 2 fights aren't as big as some of the undercard fights. Diego vs Fitch is a BIG fight, Tavares vs Griiffin is BIG and Nakamura vs Machida is awesome. It's good to see Nakamura and it's about time we see Machida in a real fight and it will be a fight.

 

[The Sponge]

When someone gets the lines on all of the fights please post them.

Best i can do for now from Cris.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS - Aug 25
UFC 74: RESPECT - MANDALAY BAY, LAS VEGAS, NV -
- $500 LIMIT -
8:30 PM
GABRIEL GONZAGA
RANDY COUTURE
-150
+120
8:30 PM
JOSH KOSCHECK
GEORGES ST PIERRE
+200
-250
8:30 PM
KURT PELLEGRINO
JOE STEVENSON
+210
-260