[Archived] UFC / mixed martial arts

[Torgeir]

I was surprised Wand managed to mutilate Cung Le like he did, but then I didn't realise Cung Le was only good for two minutes of fighting before running out of steam.

Actually, there's a lot of fighters in the UFC with terrible stamina. Something to do with cutting weight maybe? But then that doesn't explain why Shane Carwin turns into a zombie after the first round.

Brock vs Overeem could be another example. Brock seems reasonably fit, while Overeem has the engine of a Ferrari and the gas tank of a Vespa.

Weight cutting is definitely a factor. And it's a grueling sport, having to wrestle and punch takes a lot from the body. Carwin punched himself out against Brock, fighting more conservatively and he would have lasted longer - but would he ever last five rounds? Overeem hasn't gassed more than once in recent history, and that was in the fight prior to Brock where he had a toe injury coming into the fight preventing him from doing any real cardio. As for Cung Le he doesn't keep himself fit constantly like Wanderlei, who really is a cardio freak training with snorkels and everything.

I'd say I'm more impressed with the people with excellent stamina, like Frankie Edgar and Clay Guida. Different weight class though

[American Rover12]

Any USA readers, showtime is on a free preview so the strikeforce fights are free tonight.

[M-K]

Anyone watch it then? Not the greatest event ever (Tyron Woodley makes Jon Fitch seem exciting) but at least Lawler got a win.

That female referee is absolutely terrible - in the King Mo fight she stood them up while Mo was on top and very active, then later refused to stop it until Mo had reluctantly delivered extra punishment to a helpless opponent.

Also, the main event - how unconscious did Keith Jardine need to be before he got rescued?

[American Rover12]

Such a double edge sword you've touched upon M-K, one I can't really seem to find a solid stance on myself. Seems like about this time last year I was having tons of talks with friends and online about refs stepping in and stopping the fights too early. We read and hear from fighters twitters and interviews how they think fights get stopped too quick or they knew they were getting hit but still thought they were active enough etc etc... and then we get fights like congo v barry and it turns the whole refereeing paradigm. Not an enviable position for anyone.

Thought the card was decent as a whole, prelims on extreme included.

My biggest critique: I am so spoiled with Mike and Joe on UFC that I can't stand those guys who do Strikeforce. Shamrock is awful, and the main guy, i dont even know his name, is so studio/factsheet that it's intolerable. Militich is the only decent one of the bunch! Anik for strikeforce!

War rousey!

[T4E]

I really like Frank Shamrock. They wont ever compare to Rogan and Goldberg, Rogan because he has so much personality and Goldberg because he's such a dillard and Rogan plays off it beautifully. They're great together.

Jardine should never have been in there.

[American Rover12]

Wow. Amazing card from Rio tonight. Amazing.

[T4E]

Great finish from Aldo, but most people have missed the point that if he hadn't grabbed the fence to avoid the take down he would not have been in a position to deliver that knee.

[M-K]

I hate it when strikers get dragged to the ground and dry-humped by wrestlers, so I'm glad Aldo managed to avoid the takedown, however he did it. I've fast forwarded through plenty of Jon Fitch and Gray Maynard fights in the past, with every speeded-up round looking the same as the last.

Amazing KO by Barboza on Etim. That was like something from Tekken.

Also, Palhares - as soon as he grabs an ankle, his opponent should tap. Don't go thinking you can roll out of it, just tap to save your career. How many times has he destroyed somebody's knee?

[ABBEY]

just caught up with this weeks...wow some good knockouts and how to celebrate madhead style by running into the crowd.....aldo !!!

[T4E]

Also, Palhares - as soon as he grabs an ankle, his opponent should tap. Don't go thinking you can roll out of it, just tap to save your career. How many times has he destroyed somebody's knee?

Never a truer word spoken. He's an absolute tank and incredibly skilled. Very VERY dangerous man.

[M-K]

Given the choice between being on the receiving end of the Barboza KO and the Palhares sub, I'd probably choose the KO. At least you wouldn't know too much about it.

[sijoco]

Interesting tweet from Dana White for Bisping fans

Munoz is injured and out of the FOX fight! Now it's Chael Sonnen vs Mike Bisping jan 28th and the winner will fight Anderson for the title

[T4E]

Given the choice between being on the receiving end of the Barboza KO and the Palhares sub, I'd probably choose the KO. At least you wouldn't know too much about it.

There's no choice about it! Etim will be in the gym today, Massenzio will be receiving help getting off the toilet.

[ABBEY]

Don't know about being in gym today , I got sparked and woke 4 days later in hospital.

[T4E]

Well he was awake in the ring afterwards so we can probably rule that out. A straight shot to the chin as opposed to temple or back of the head doesn't normally take too long to come out of.

Either way, Etim will feel healthier today than Massenzio.

[M-K]

Interesting tweet from Dana White for Bisping fans

Munoz is injured and out of the FOX fight! Now it's Chael Sonnen vs Mike Bisping jan 28th and the winner will fight Anderson for the title

I don't like either of them. Somebody's got to beat Anderson eventually, as he isn't getting any younger, but I'd hate it if either of those tools became champion. Sonnen talks a good game but fights a boring one, and has a patchy record. Bisping plays it too safe, except for the time he spat all over Jorge Rivera's cornermen - best ever Bisping moment was when Dan Henderson knocked him cold, kissed his fist, then knocked him even colder.

I hope Bisping vs Sonnen ends up in a double disqualification for persistent nut-biting, or something like that, and they both get cut from the UFC.

[sijoco]

I don't like either of them. Somebody's got to beat Anderson eventually, as he isn't getting any younger, but I'd hate it if either of those tools became champion. Sonnen talks a good game but fights a boring one, and has a patchy record. Bisping plays it too safe, except for the time he spat all over Jorge Rivera's cornermen - best ever Bisping moment was when Dan Henderson knocked him cold, kissed his fist, then knocked him even colder.

I hope Bisping vs Sonnen ends up in a double disqualification for persistent nut-biting, or something like that, and they both get cut from the UFC.

Neither of them are in she same school as Anderson let alone the same class. Whoever Anderson fights it'll only end one way.

[American Rover12]

Prelims for fridays fights will be avail online at ufc.tv i believe for people outside the us. Think espn will be carrying the main card.

[Resigned Rover]

Prelims for fridays fights will be avail online at ufc.tv i believe for people outside the us. Think espn will be carrying the main card.

Thanks for the reminder mate. Kind of looking forward to this card more so for the novelty factor of it being on a Friday night but other than the main event im struggling to get excited about the rest of the card.

[T4E]

Neither of them are in she same school as Anderson let alone the same class. Whoever Anderson fights it'll only end one way.

.....with Anderson getting beat up for 4 and a half rounds then locking up a sneaky triangle?

[M-K]

.....with Anderson getting beat up for 4 and a half rounds then locking up a sneaky triangle?

That's the problem. Anderson may have been carrying an injury then, as you wouldn't expect a journeyman like Sonnen to be able to get the better of him when fully fit, but there's always a chance it wasn't a fluke and Sonnen might pillow-fist his way to a decision win next time. In which case, Anderson would probably retire, Sonnen would never stop gloating about it, and the UFC would have a champ who makes Brock Lesnar look like a model of grace and sportsmanship.

I think Bisping would have no chance at all, but the positive side to having him as top dog would be that they could give Henderson the first shot at him.

[T4E]

Agreed on Bisping, weaker than Anderson is every way.

Can definitely see Sonnen beating Anderson, his wrestling is several levels better.

[sijoco]

Agreed on Bisping, weaker than Anderson is every way.

Can definitely see Sonnen beating Anderson, his wrestling is several levels better.

Thats if it ever got to the ground, Anderson has the weapons with his far superior muay thai to finish the fight before he saw the mat ala Overeem v Brock.

[Resigned Rover]

When has Anderson ever fought through an injury? Sure even now he's out again with another one. I don't buy into this theory that he might have been injured for their first fight. I think it was a combo of Sonnen fighting the fight of his life & Anderson under-estimating him. Wether that could happen again I'm not so sure but I'd like to see it!

[M-K]

When has Anderson ever fought through an injury? Sure even now he's out again with another one. I don't buy into this theory that he might have been injured for their first fight. I think it was a combo of Sonnen fighting the fight of his life & Anderson under-estimating him. Wether that could happen again I'm not so sure but I'd like to see it!

You're talking about a guy who fights like he's in The Matrix versus somebody who's lost 11 times and isn't known as a stand-up fighter. Yet somehow Sonnen was able to consistently beat Anderson to the punch - far superior strikers have never come close to doing that. I'd say it points to something being wrong there. Anyway, why would he lie about it? He made Sonnen quit and won the fight. Game over.