UFC Dec 27, 2008

[The Sponge]

Event: UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008
Date: December 27, 2008
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View (10pm ET)

MAIN CARD

* Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (c) vs. Frank Mir
UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship
* Forrest Griffin (c) vs. Rashad Evans
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
* Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
* CB Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio
* Cheick Kongo vs. Mustapha Al-Turk

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister
* Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy
* Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn
* Antoni Hardonk vs. Mark Burch
* Dan Evensen vs. Pat Berry

 

[The Sponge]

I think Rashard beats Forrest. What does Forrest do better then Rashad? Game planning maybe which is huge but i think Rashards hands are better then Forrest. Got to go with the guy that nobody has beat. Only thing i have a problem with is if Rashad comes in the same shape like he did against Bisping. got to think he wants this bad. I think Forrest day at the top is over. Word on the street is that Forrest has a glass jaw but he shot those rumors down when he fought Rampage.

 

[HurricaneEddy]

I probably wont touch the main event. Rashad "should" win but if he doesnt take Forrest out in 3 rounds then I think he's in a world of shit..... No bet for me

Silva "should" handle Rampage but I dont trust these UFC versions of Pride fighters. No bet for me

Nog hasnt looked good lately but he's been winning and theyre trying to set him up versus Lesnar. He should win and would be a nice parlay option

Im actually interested in the line for Turk/Kongo and Lister/Okami

 

[layinwood]

I can't wait for this event. I'm making the family come back a day early from Christmas in New Mexico for this. We're driving so we'll have to leave early to make it back. Nothing like New Mexico and West Texas to test how your car drives on cruise at 100. :00hour

 

[rawli007]

I think Rashard beats Forrest. What does Forrest do better then Rashad? Game planning maybe which is huge but i think Rashards hands are better then Forrest. Got to go with the guy that nobody has beat. Only thing i have a problem with is if Rashad comes in the same shape like he did against Bisping. got to think he wants this bad. I think Forrest day at the top is over. Word on the street is that Forrest has a glass jaw but he shot those rumors down when he fought Rampage.

This being a five-rounder, Forrest has a significant advantage IMO. Evans is usually sucking wind in all of his fights by the third round... see Bisping/Ortiz..

Forrest's takedown defense has gotten pretty good, not to mention his own takedowns. Without question, he gets the nod in jiu-jitsu/submissions and conditioning..

Since he lost to Jardine, Griffin's footwork is much improved... he keeps good range and keeps away from flurries. Rampage is a much more dangerous striker than Evans AND Forrest will have a notable size/reach advantage in this fight.

Evans last three fights: wins a split decision against a natural middleweight (Bisping), a draw against Ortiz (point deduction cost Ortiz the win), and loses the first round to Liddell before getting the KO. I know Liddell is a legend, but he's dropped three of his last four, and been dropped in each of his last four at one point or another. Just saying, Evans' undefeated record doesnt impress me all that much talent-wise or performance-wise. The head kick against Salmon was awesome, but Sean Salmon just plain sucks. And a split decision over Sam Hoger?!? puh-lease.

Also, in order to permanently keep a UFC title belt u must first defend it... i know Griffin will have this in his mind. Rashad cant win this unless he knocks him out. Im playing Forrest in what I expect to be a unanimous decision.

 

[The Sponge]

This being a five-rounder, Forrest has a significant advantage IMO. Evans is usually sucking wind in all of his fights by the third round... see Bisping/Ortiz..

Forrest's takedown defense has gotten pretty good, not to mention his own takedowns. Without question, he gets the nod in jiu-jitsu/submissions and conditioning..

Since he lost to Jardine, Griffin's footwork is much improved... he keeps good range and keeps away from flurries. Rampage is a much more dangerous striker than Evans AND Forrest will have a notable size/reach advantage in this fight.

Evans last three fights: wins a split decision against a natural middleweight (Bisping), a draw against Ortiz (point deduction cost Ortiz the win), and loses the first round to Liddell before getting the KO. I know Liddell is a legend, but he's dropped three of his last four, and been dropped in each of his last four at one point or another. Just saying, Evans' undefeated record doesnt impress me all that much talent-wise or performance-wise. The head kick against Salmon was awesome, but Sean Salmon just plain sucks. And a split decision over Sam Hoger?!? puh-lease.

Also, in order to permanently keep a UFC title belt u must first defend it... i know Griffin will have this in his mind. Rashad cant win this unless he knocks him out. Im playing Forrest in what I expect to be a unanimous decision.

Rashard has the best hands in the buisness :SIB

 

[The Sponge]

by the way Raw u make some interesting points. I do think Rashad hands are better then Rampage but i think Rampages are heavier. Lets not forget Rampage ground game sucks and Rashad's doesn't. Size can be a problem with Rashad i agree with that and like you and hurricane said if this goes into round four Rashad is in trouble. Now you guys have me thinking. Im just not sold on Forrest hand defense. Kinda like i was never sold on Chucks either. These guys are slightly above average boxers where i think Rashard is a little above average to solid. Well the old saying styles make fights and i think Rashad has the style to beat Forrest. But does he gas? That is the million dollar question. I can't see Forrest knocking him out.

 

[joz]

Rashard has the best hands in the buisness

:scared :scared :scared I pray this was sarcasm

 

[The Sponge]

:scared :scared :scared I pray this was sarcasm

i edited it but i do believe he doesn't take a back seat to many in the hands department.

 

[joz]

i edited it but i do believe he doesn't take a back seat to many in the hands department.

Ahhh ok. Rashad is just a complete fighter, really well rounded, however is conditioning is a bit of concern for me for a 5 round fight; and that is one of Forrests strengths, and heart. I do give Griffin the edge in this fight.

 

[muhr]

rashad has the edge in speed, power, wrestling and probably durability. however, i think forrest's jab and low kick will largely nullify that speed/power advantage. and forrest's grappling will make rashad wary of using his wrestling.

i think forrest will outwork rashad by a large margin and wear him down, probably winning a decision.

 

[The Sponge]

rashad has the edge in speed, power, wrestling and probably durability. however, i think forrest's jab and low kick will largely nullify that speed/power advantage. and forrest's grappling will make rashad wary of using his wrestling.

i think forrest will outwork rashad by a large margin and wear him down, probably winning a decision.

okay u guys convinced me. I still think Rashad wins but it is to close to call. Ihate always wondering if my fighter is gonna gas or not. Also my luck Rashard will weigh in at 205 and then come to the ring at 197 Delahoya style.

 

[rawli007]

rashad has the edge in speed, power, wrestling and probably durability. however, i think forrest's jab and low kick will largely nullify that speed/power advantage. and forrest's grappling will make rashad wary of using his wrestling.

i think forrest will outwork rashad by a large margin and wear him down, probably winning a decision.

agreed.

okay u guys convinced me. I still think Rashad wins but it is to close to call. Ihate always wondering if my fighter is gonna gas or not. Also my luck Rashard will weigh in at 205 and then come to the ring at 197 Delahoya style.

yea, keep in mind a lot of the Team Jackson fighters (Evans more than others) are encouraged not to have to cut much weight, if any. Evans normally weighs in around 202/203 -- no problem.

Forrest on the other hand, walks around close to 240 in between fights ive heard (Joe Rogan said that once on the air). He is a deceptively big dude.

 

[rawli007]

Wand vs Rampage - fight talk

Guys, if the line drops anymore, i cant help but put a (likely small) wager on Rampage. A lot of people have mentioned that his legal troubles maybe getting in the way of his training camp...... i feel quite the opposite, that he is _PISSED_ because of all the legal shit he has on his mind going into this fight. That, along with the fact that:

a) He is coming off a loss... a close fight, but two losses in a row mean alot in the UFC. On the other hand, a win here he may get an immediate title shot based on how close the Griffin fight was.. depends on how Machida performs against Thiago, b/c Machida may be next in line.

b) He has two losses already against Wanderlei... who in their right mind could not be ultra-motivated to NOT LOSE to a guy for the THIRD time. Rampage has been in training since September, ever since Dana bailed him out of jail.

c) Ultimately, i dont think there is a damn bit of difference between fighting in a ring versus octagon, but the Pride RULES did favor Wanderlei... Pride referees were much quicker to stand a fight up... i remember at least one time where Rampage was working from top position on the ground, and the fighters were forced to stand up prematurely (IMO).. this helped lead Wand to a TKO victory.


I think a lot of people are betting Wand b/c, yes, he does have two victories over Rampage already.... but i think Rampage has a great shot at winning this time around. :shrug:

In my mind, the line should have stayed at -115/-115....

 

[nj]

http://fighthype.com/pages/content3969.html?PHPSESSID=270f890a462423ba7e492bc1b64a16ce

I can't copy and paste off the page, but it's Juanito Ibarra's interview, where he shows strng dislike towards Rampage taking this bout, and thinks he's not ready mentally to fight Wandlei.

Interesting read. I don't know anything about MMA, just thought I'd post the link.

 

[THE_THONG]

was ibarra the one that overcharged rampage for a training camp?

 

[rawli007]

was ibarra the one that overcharged rampage for a training camp?

yea, Juanito was Rampage's trainer for the last few years until they had a falling out, reportedly b/c of the aforementioned reason. Ibarra generally thought of as a scumbag by other MMA fighters. Cheick Kongo left Ibarra along with Rampage back 'round August.

In reality Silva/Jackson are similar fighters... Ibarra is just bitter b/c he's left with no one to train. :142smilie

 

[Ghost Kid]

What do you guys think of the Mir-Nogueira will not go 5 rnd distance prop?

Take this with a grain of salt, cause this is coming from a boxing guy, but isn't 5 rounds a long time for Mir to hang in there with him? And isn't the only way Mir wins a submission?

It's -300, but I like that one!

Also Rampage-Ax Murderer won't go full distance is -260, but keep in mind that's only a 3 rounder.

Waiting patiently for the undercard odds!

 

[gardenweasel]

i have nogueira as the kicker in several parlays.....never thought much of mir...always thought he was highly protected....his resume is extremely weak....

and i agree with raw...i like rampage here...i DO believe the difference in rules favors jackson...and silva`s been brutally knocked out(henderson/crocop) and taken a bad beatdown from liddell since his last fight with jackson...

i think silva`s seen his best days...

i worry that he`s inside jackson`s head....jackson needs to avoid the clinches....if i were him i`d try and take silva down to the ground...he`s a much stronger man than silva,imo...

 

[gardenweasel]

funny,dangerous stuff..none to smart..

http://www.spike.com/video/mma-girls-joanne/2984825