Certain men’s careers seem destined for a collision course; intertwining their fates as fighters. Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva are two such fighters. Both men have great pride. And, because of that, they have a history together.
Four years after their second fight, they will collide for a third and ultimate time. But, to truly get a sense for what their fight at UFC 92 is all about, you have to go back to the days of PRIDE.
When Jackson stepped into the ring against Silva, he was only 25 years old. He had the air of a young, cocky phenom. But he had already been in 22 MMA fights. He had also been in the PRIDE organization for over two years, compiling a 6-2 record. Rampage had accrued some impressive wins, including a TKO victory over Kevin Randleman.
Silva, who was twenty-seven at the time, was already a veteran of PRIDE. The clash with Jackson would be his 16th with the organization and the 28th of his career. He had a win over Dan Henderson and two victories over the “The Gracie Killer” Kazushi Sakuraba. He had also fought Mirko “Cro Cop” to a draw.
The valor of both men seemed to be at a peak coming into their match. But the battle would end shortly with Wanderlei proving his supremacy. Silva inundated his opponent with a barrage of vicious knees that left Jackson punch drunk. The referee had no choice but to wave of “The Axe Murderer” as Rampage was cut to the canvas floor, a wilted warrior.
A year passed between their first and second fight. In that time the two fighters compiled a combined 6-0 record. Jackson had impressive wins over Chuck Liddell and of course the “slam heard round the world” against Ricardo Arona. Silva was busy stomping out Yuki Kondo in a brief but exciting stand up war. If you haven’t seen any of these fights then please Google now.
Jackson’s win over Arona and Silva’s win over Kondo set the stage for their rematch on Halloween night at Pride 28: High Octane. Coming into the fight they were the most popular non-Japanese fighters in the Pride organization. The stare down was classic.
The fight was quite different then the first. Jackson and Silva went toe to toe, taking turns looking like the eventual winner. The result was the same though. Silva, once again, unleashed his lethal knees, this time sending Jackson through the ropes of the cage, spewing blood.
Rampage went on to have four more fights in Pride. Losing to Mauricio Rua seemed to signal the beginning of the end though. Wanderlei finished out his Pride career going 4-4, most markedly losing back-to-back fights against Mirko “Cro Cop” and Dan Henderson before joining the UFC.
We are all probably more familiar with that has transpired during their short UFC careers. Ironically, they would both go on to fight Chuck Liddell. Jackson taking the title from Liddell with one vicious shot while Wanderlei lost to Chuck in an epic stand up war.
The third fight between these two warriors will be the most defining in their trilogy. A win should position either fighter for a title shot against the winner of Griffin/Evans, who are fighting on the same night.
So who is a loss more devastating to? One would have to think it would be more so for Jackson. He is already coming off a controversial loss to Forrest Griffin. After the fight he reportedly went on a bender of energy drinks while dieting on very little sleep.
One has to wonder about the mental state of Rampage, especially if he were to lose a third fight to Silva. Wanderlei on the other hand seems to be unphased by the ups and downs of his career.
I will not give my prediction on the fight in this article. The fight is too far out for that. I just wanted to start the hype for what I believe will be the best fight at Ultimate 2008. That and I had some time to kill as we all wait for the inevitability that is UFC 91.
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Brian Oswald is a new staff writer for Inside Fights. For all the latest in MMA news please check out the site!
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about 1 month ago
This should make for a great fight. I worry it may be too quick though. I hope they can "appease the masses" and give us a war. I quick knockout wouldnt do the matchup justice. Im very excited. When a even gets so close I get tunnel vision and forget about what has already been planned for the future. Thanks for bringing this back into the light. I do worry if Jackson is mentally ready though. Wandy is so dangerous to a prepared fighter. Jackson has been through so much. Anyway, great read Brian.
from about 1 month ago
Hey, thanks for the comment Todd. Yeah I tend to get tunnel vision too. And is it weird that Randy and Brock are characters in my dreams? Ha, anyways I do hope that is a war and not a quick defeat.
I worry about Rampage's mental state. Wandy is always dangerous no matter what is going on. We shall see if Silva has Jackson's number outright. I am leaning toward thinking so but I will refrain from a locked in prediction for now. Are you and your buds renting UFC 91 at your house?
from about 1 month ago
We try and rotate. My wife would rather it was elsewhere, we get rowdy as Im sure many do. Especially when there are too many opinions in the room, sometimes we risk missing the fight spending too much time talking about it. We are a bunch of clowns for the most part, Im gonna trick my buddy into getting it as his house. Keep the Mrs. happy and Im happy ya know. LOL
from about 1 month ago
Wow I didn't think Jackson vs Silva would be running at 70% in the poll. Forrest vs. Evans may not be getting enough respect!
about 1 month ago
Okay, this might be worth mentioning,
O-c-t-a-g-o-n. Jackson seems very comfortable in the cage, even though the fans boo at the slightest slow-down. American fans are often times loudly obnoxious to the point of hostility; the UFC is certainly a far cry from Pride FC, where classy spectators was the rule.
Another problem here is: The UFC octagon is much larger than the Pride ring was. I believe it is for that reason that Chuck Defeated Wanderlei. Chuck knows how to work the octagon space. Given how the two fighters looked on that night, I can't help but to think that Wanderlei would have won if that fight on that night took place in Pride instead of the UFC.
Other than his quick blitz against Jardine, Wanderlei has not looked too comfy in the UFC cage. And for that reason, I predict that Rampage will easily box his way to a decision victory over Wanderlei.
from about 1 month ago
Did you ever find out if Dream is more similar to Pride rules. Dream was started by the guys that used to run Pride. The octagon is certainly different then the ring. Mirko Cro Cop knows that better then anyone and is in Dream now.
Can you pontificate, in your opinion, the technical aspects of how the octagon vs the ring changes the dynamics of the fight. Also, if you have any thoughts on how it benefits a certain fight style? I personally like the ring for boxing matches and prefer the octagon for MMA fights which often go to the ground. The only thing I dont really like is when a fighter pushes another one up against the cage and sits on him.
Why do you think the UFC uses an octagon vs a ring. Is it effect the type of fight that they want? Is it for marketing purposes? I am curious as I have never really investigated that.
about 1 month ago
Simple, the UFC needed a symbol and the well known octagon (stop sign) was a perfect fit! Now the UFC can sell little octagon necklaces that grannies can buy for their MMA crazy son and grandsons. Ahhh! The joys of a marketing success! Not a copy from a dying sport, but something fresh, new, yet easily recognizable and reproduced on scribbled notebooks. New dimensions for a new and rapidly rising sport. Yes, cage-like fencing which looks so coldly brutal and frightening! Bit for the agile athletes locked in its life and death grip, a friendly support enabling them to regain their feet and fight valiantly on to victory, or rise only to be defeated with a savage unforseen blow to the head.
Wandy's first UFC fight was too new for him, he just couldn't take it all in and remember the different rules at the same time.
Have some really good home-style fried chicken and iced lemonade for Page after the fight to prevent the urge to fast and drink energy drinks. Grandma thinks this comfort food will save the day!
from about 1 month ago
Wow, Dorthy that comment was almost poetic! Good stuff. Dont let those BJ fans get to you. They will eat their crow in a few months right =)
from about 1 month ago
They can eat cake or poi for all I care. I am going to be 62 in January, assuming I make it, and the Bjers don't ever bother me; amuse, astound--yes, but bother, no.
about 1 month ago
Brian...how are you?
From what I've read, dream does not permit stomps or soccer kicks. The other drawback to Dream is that most of the international fighters are gone. now it's mostly Japanese vs. Japanese...not exactly my idea of intriguing. Let's hope they sign up some new international blood.
When the UFC was first formed in 1993, management thought it would be cool to hold the fights in an octagon shaped enclosure. Apparently, an octagon represents some sort of oriental symbol of the fighting spirit. Nowadays, even though there's 50-million rules to Sunday in the UFC, the current owners decided to keep the octagon as is for some reason. (tacky advertising logos everywhere)
The cage is impractical because a single referee must constantly interrupt the flow of the fight to yell at or physically remove the fighters illegal grip on the fence. At least in Dream, there are six referees (one in the ring itself, and the other five right on the other side of the ring apron.) When a fighter grabs the ropes, the referees don't yell; they just slap thy guy's hands silly while the fight is still going until he lets go. if that doesn't work, he gets a yellow card. That gets 10% knocked off his purse. Three yellow cards and you're disqualified.
The surface area of the UFC octagon is proximately 1/4th larger than was the Pride ring. This gives good boxers that much more room to hit and run. It also helps their shoot sprawl. As per surface firmness, the Pride ring had slightly more give than the octagon. In the ring, when fighters are grappling too close to edge of the ring, the referees ether tell the fighters not to move, and they pull them to the middle, or they stop the fight completely and have them crawl to the middle to resumes the same position. In the cage, when a fight gets squished up against the fence, the referee doesn't break them. so what usually happens is, the guy on the bottom is at a severe disadvantage because (1) he doesn't have space to move his head enough to slip head strikes. And (2) he hasn't got the room to work a submission, especially a triangle choke.
Basically (except for hand-grabbing the fence), the cage is a legal part of the fighters equipment, while the ring ropes are not.
from about 1 month ago
Joseph, head stomps, soccer kicks, cards that impact purse and fight participation. If I could impliment one thing I saw in Pride in the UFC, it would be the card system. Not to alter a fight but to ensure a fight. I really liked that concept, but soccer kicks are fun arent they? Unless your eating one I guess.
from about 1 month ago
Wow I dont think I have ever learned so much in a comment Josepeh. You could proabbly expand on this and get an article out of it. Thank you sir.
about 1 month ago
Brian...how are you?
From what I've read, dream does not permit stomps or soccer kicks. The other drawback to Dream is that most of the international fighters are gone. now it's mostly Japanese vs. Japanese...not exactly my idea of intriguing. Let's hope they sign up some new international blood.
When the UFC was first formed in 1993, management thought it would be cool to hold the fights in an octagon shaped enclosure. Apparently, an octagon represents some sort of oriental symbol of the fighting spirit. Nowadays, even though there's 50-million rules to Sunday in the UFC, the current owners decided to keep the octagon as is for some reason. (tacky advertising logos everywhere)
The cage is impractical because a single referee must constantly interrupt the flow of the fight to yell at or physically remove the fighters illegal grip on the fence. At least in Dream, there are six referees (one in the ring itself, and the other five right on the other side of the ring apron.) When a fighter grabs the ropes, the referees don't yell; they just slap thy guy's hands silly while the fight is still going until he lets go. if that doesn't work, he gets a yellow card. That gets 10% knocked off his purse. Three yellow cards and you're disqualified.
The surface area of the UFC octagon is proximately 1/4th larger than was the Pride ring. This gives good boxers that much more room to hit and run. It also helps their shoot sprawl. As per surface firmness, the Pride ring had slightly more give than the octagon. In the ring, when fighters are grappling too close to edge of the ring, the referees ether tell the fighters not to move, and they pull them to the middle, or they stop the fight completely and have them crawl to the middle to resumes the same position. In the cage, when a fight gets squished up against the fence, the referee doesn't break them. so what usually happens is, the guy on the bottom is at a severe disadvantage because (1) he doesn't have space to move his head enough to slip head strikes. And (2) he hasn't got the room to work a submission, especially a triangle choke.
Basically (except for hand-grabbing the fence), the cage is a legal part of the fighters equipment, while the ring ropes are not.
about 1 month ago
Yeah, Todd.
The UFC should at least trade elbows to the head for knees to the head. Many fighters use elbows as cutting contests. And who wants to see a fight stopped because of cuts...especially if the guy who got cut was winning the fight!
from about 1 month ago
You are taking away Florian's game plan Joseph. Can we wait until after he fighst BJ for the title ;-)
from about 1 month ago
Now wouldn't that be novel, Florian opening BJ's forehead with helbows! Sweet, I hope BJ doen't treat KenFlo like he did Daddy Joe. I do not like that much blood and I do not care if the anemic Baby Jay wants to lap it all up like the little Hawaiian vampire we all know he strives to be--less blood and more skills. Let's be civil about it.
from about 1 month ago
I don't agree with stopping elbows, but I do agree with Joseph's reasons behind his opinion. I can't remember a time when a fight was stopped because of an elbow, but I can name a few that were stopped, or caused to be stopped, by cuts by elbows. Working the elbows and the damage caused by them is part of the game, same as opening a cut in boxing and targetting it. I like that, but I can see why others wouldn't.
I fully agree with allowing knees to the head. Side control in Pride was much more productive in fights with the usage of the knee. People like Wanderlei often used it to great effect, and there was far less lay-and-pray than we see in the UFC.
As for the cage, it's outdated. We need something new and exciting. Like a Yamma!
from about 1 month ago
Whats a Yamma?!
from about 1 month ago
I love Ken-Flo, but I don't think he's capable of making BJ bleed. No one can cut BJ Penn except BJ Penn.
about 1 month ago
I was thinking about mentioning Florian when I addressed the elbows, Brian.
You've got a point there. Since he he'll elbow BJ Penn's, incisors into is cerebral stem, I'd hate to be the guy who takes away Florian's bread and butter. How about they allow elbows AND knees? It's MMA, for heaven's sake! Too many rules = too many boring decisions. And long fights means that much more of Joe Rogan's annoying, screechy voice.
from about 1 month ago
To play devils advocate, I think the watered down rules have played a part in making MMA and the UFC more socially acceptable. It has allowed them to get legalized back in states where it was once banned. It got the politicians off their back and allowed them to grow to where they are at. It was healthy for the sport/business.
I think, in the long run, the rule changes have been good and was necessary for multiple reasons. That being said, I wonder if they will ever go back and relax the rules over time once MMA is fully accepted. I would like to see that happen. Like the watered down rules before, I think it will be necessary for the growth of the sport to make it more exciting, more marketable, more fight like!
MMA is in the big leagues now and it will be interesting to see what they do & change to compete for the American's sports dollar. Especially now that the "boring" word is being attached to a growing number of fights.
about 1 month ago
That's just it, Brian...boring.
I'm not saying that they should tear off the gloves, allow head-butts, and lose the weight classes. But I'll bet they can tweak a rule or two to get things more exciting. There's too much lay-and-pray and too damn many boring decisions.
from about 1 month ago
That we can agree on! I think the long term survival of the sport will necessitate changes to bring back a more exciting style. Has someone done an article, "Top 10 things the UFC can do to improve the quality of their product." If not I am commisioning you to write it!
about 1 month ago
I will have to go with Silva on this one, because Rampage couldn't figure him out in 2 fights, so hows he going to pull it off in this 3rd one. Also coming into the fight with all this extra baggage and worrying about losing again to Silva, it just seems like a bad situation for him. Good point however, about the cage working to his advantage. And I totally agree Joseph, I am sick of boring decisions. FIghts can be exciting and go to decision, but it is rarely the case. I think wrestlers should be blamed a lot for this too, because they seem to make up the majority of fighters who put on horrible performances but walk out with decision victories. Anywho, can't wait for THE ULTIMATE, and if Wandi wins, he is going to destroy griffin of evans in my humble opinion.
from about 1 month ago
Wow Bkilla! You have got Wanderlei as our next LHW champ! Sounds like youve got some articles in you.
What do you think about Silva vs. Machida?
I agree on the lay 'n pray thing but I dont think you can blame wrestlers or any fighter/style for that matter. Fighters just lay 'n play to their strengths and use the rules and cage to their benefit. In order to change cut down on lay 'n pray the UFC will need to look at changing the dynamics to make the fights more well rounded.
Keeping the fights more exciting will be to the benefit of the UFC. The customer (mainstream fan) is always right (and has the $) so the UFC should look to relax their rules over time. As long as they are not putting the health of the fighter at risk that is...
from about 1 month ago
I can definitely see that happening. I'd say the same thing about Rampage in regards to the winner of Griffin/Evans, but he already lost to Griffin so that'd be a stupid statement. I was very surprised he lost however, I don't see it happening again. It's very strage how both Rampage and Rua didn't really seem like themselves when they fought Griffin, I watched Rua/Rampage on youtube after the Griffin/Rua fight and I am astonished that he didn't knock out Griffin.
I'm just saying wrestlers seem to do it the most, which is a no-brainer since lay-n-pray is mostly just using wrestling skills to stay on top of an opponent. I'd say they should have more stand ups, but then that hurts BJJ guys who need time to set up and implement their submissions. Its also very hard to say whether a fighter is going to move for a submission or try and get a more dominant position to use ground and pound since we never know whats going on in their head. Also they may be trying for that, but the fighter on the bottom is just defending so well that it creates a stale mate. It's definitely difficult to come up with a solution that won't put ground fighters at a disadvantage
about 1 month ago
If I was a beting man I would have to vote Silva for this one. Wanderlei beat Jackson till he was dead both times they fought, but of course the ring is different so that could maybe change things up a bit.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah it will be interesting to see how the octagon changes things up for their 3rd fight.
about 1 month ago
I am going to have to go with rampage to win this one. In the four years since their last fight rampage is now a completely different fighter and much improved. That fight essentially marked the absolute peak for Wanderlei and he has been in a slight regression since (just 5 - 5 since the last rampage fight).
Also, wanderlei was able to get in close w/ rampage and land devastating knees repeatedly. I can't remember the last time I saw wanderlei land a big knee. Now he's content putting on a show for the fans and doing nothing but standing and banging. It will do him in against rampage this time around.
from about 1 month ago
Good points Derek. It will be interesting to see which Rampage and which Wanderlei step into the octagon. The octagon should work out in Rampages favor. I guess I just cant get the images of his devastating wins over Jackson out of my head. Or the fight against Jardine.
about 1 month ago
I cant believe no one is picking Matt Hamill vs. Andy Reese in the poll. Are you people blind?!
about 1 month ago
I'm not blind, but I have two Zatoichi cane swords just in case.
Unless somebody beats me to it, I'll write an article about needed improvements in the UFC this weekend.
And, what's a Yamma?
about 1 month ago
I think the big question here is what's a Fu***** Yamma? loll
I'm so pumped up for this fight Brian, I liked the two first fights and can't wait to see what Rampage and Wanderlei do inside a cage.
I think UFC 92 is building up to be a great event and Rampage vs Silva may just be the best fight of the night.
from about 1 month ago
Wow I didn't think Jackson vs Silva would be running at 70% in the poll. Forrest vs. Evans may not be getting enough respect!
about 1 month ago
Let the hype begin! Both of these guys have a TON on the line in this one. Honestly, I'm VERY nervous for Quinton. I just don't think he can win; he's the Bills and Wand is the Cowboys. Whoever loses this might need to take a long look in the mirror. But I completely agree, this will probably be the best fight on the card, and thats saying something, although I think Mir-Nog will be more exciting than people think (hint: I think Nog can kick his ass standing).
Well written, as always.
from about 1 month ago
I am also nervous for Quinton. Do you think the fight being in the octagon vs. the ring helps him? Interesting football analogy =) Although unlike the Bills, Jackson held the title, albeit it briefly.
And I could definitely see Nog beat up Mir in the stand up game. I hope it does go to the ground though so we can see some world class BJJ/grappling.
about 1 month ago
I'm picking Silva, and for no reason I can actually name, it just seems, to me, to be one of those 'fate' things.
Jackson will never beat Silva, Silva will never beat Liddell, and Liddell will never beat Jackson. It's just one of those things.
from about 1 month ago
As esoteric as that is, your right. It just seems to be the way things are.
about 1 month ago
Yamma Pit Fighting is a new mixed martial arts promotion that was created by original UFC promoter Robert Meyrowitz. The promotion's first event, YAMMA 1, was held on April 11, 2008 in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the Trump Taj Mahal. The YAMMA Pit arena is a large circular cage with a surrounding fence on the edges of a bowl-like floor with slanted edges. The stated purpose of the new structure was to prevent fighters from trapping their opponents into a corner—the rising edge of the YAMMA Pit was to prevent stalling and facilitate more action, but because the tournament in the first event was booked with a majority of top-oriented grapplers, it worked as the exact opposite.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the info Tony. I had never heard about that until now. I did some research on their own event and it looks like it was a flop and they dont have future plans for another event. I give them credit for trying to creative though.
about 1 month ago
great article
i really feel rampage is gonna take this one. he has looked outstanding, although in the forrest fight he looked not as focused, in shape and certainly was nt given a good gameplan by ibarra.
now he has a new camp and i feel that while he was with ibarra he was being restricted from hitting his full potential, it seemed he became obsessed with simply punching. where was the slams. now with the new camp i think we wil see the most destructive rampage EVER
from about 1 month ago
Wow bold prediction David. I hope you are right. I hope both fighters come in 100% and we have a war. I wish it was for 5 rounds although 3 may be plenty. I am having a tough time picking this one. I have been leaning toward Silva for obvious reasons but thats an interesting angle on the new camp. I hope they have helped in sort though all the issues. Are you predicting TKO or a decision win?
about 1 month ago
not to sure on how Rampage might win, i mean he might not after all wanderlei has destroyed him twice. but i just feel that although wanderlei won against jardine he is not the same fighter and he does appear to be quite smaller physically.
but i just have images of rampage going into that octagon and blowing wanderlei away in the first round . only bad thing about this fight is someone has to lose and the wait for this fight is killing me
from about 1 month ago
I know what you mean about the wait! I think its interesting what you said about Silva looking smaller physically. Ha, I just did a search for Wanderlei on sherdog.com and there is one other Wanderlei fight with the last name Smalla. Thought that was ironic. Anyways, I had heard somewhere that Silva could possibly cut weight to 185 is he really wanted to. Had you heard anything about that? It would be interesting, if he loses, to see him drop to MW.
about 1 month ago
yea there was talk after his loss to liddell and even after the jardine fight. i think if he loses to rampage he should drop down and fight maquardt or loser of hendo franklin fight.
im just really nt seeing wand winning this one. he has not clinched in 2years, if he has got smaller that means his strength may have decreased and so page may be able to outmuscle him and i saw a interview with rampages new manager and he said that they would be bringing over the best muai thai gguys from holland. so i see rampage being fully prepared and i think hes finally going to do it. :)
from about 1 month ago
Well Couture beat Liddell the first time and then lost the next two. Maybe it will work in reverse order for Rampage. Wanderlei could be a terror at 185. Wow
about 1 month ago
yea i think his frame is more suited at 185. could u imagine wand at 185. he would b able get people in the clinch and keep them there much easier. on dec 27th all are questions will be answered:D
about 1 month ago
So, that's what a Yamma is!
And the first Yamma was held in AC? And it's "pitfighting, no less." HAHA
I wish Yamma meant Bogus in Italian.
from about 1 month ago
I cant believe the guy that created the UFC created the Yamma! I guess he is 0 out of 2 (that one's for you Joseph!) You know I still love my octagon =) But the ring certainly created some GREAT fights. I am glad I can order PRIDE dvds. Make sure to check out Brad's latest article.
about 1 month ago
Brad's new article is awesome, Brian!
And get the used DVD's from Amazon...they're dirt cheap and they work. Also, get the later Pride events and work your way back.
about 1 month ago
Has anyone else noted that in PrideFC the first round was always 10 minutes followed by two additional five minute rounds? In the UFC you have three five minute rounds.
Ten minutes of continuous action is enough to wear anybody down and Rampage is somebody who supposedly dislikes training. It would seem to me that if he doesn't have a trainer that will push him he'll be likely to slack. If the stories are true about Quinton in PRIDE in that he never trained with professionals and didn't really have a solid training staff, I could see fatigue as another reason why he was beaten in the last two fights.
If you watch the two fights between Rampage and Wand it's decently even until Quinton allows Silva to rain knees continuously. The "Muay Thai Clinch" is death for Rampage... I hope he practices a defense for it non-stop. Somebody has to be able to teach him how to defend kicks and knees!!
I like both these fighters but I feel like Jackson may pull it off. I'm not sure about everyone else but as soon as he weighed in for his fight against Forest Griffin I could tell something was "off". He didn't look as nearly as lean as he did against Chuck. He also seemed to be more technically sound against Liddell (for the short time they were fighting). Apparently, he was waaay overweight before he began to cut weight for the Griffin fight... I'm going to give him credit and say that he's taking Silva very seriously. On the other hand, Wanderlei has recently been quoted saying: "I don't need money to fight Jackson, I do it out of pure pleasure because I do not like him", so you know Wand will be ready too.
I swear, my eyes could be playing tricks on me but Wanderlei looks a lot less aggressive and a lot less muscular than he did in years past.
We all will see on the 27th.... can't wait!
from about 1 month ago
Great comment Steve
Good stuff about the Pride days and pointing out the 10 minute round. Yeah Wanderlei has that warrior spirit. He really would fight him for free. But your right he does look less aggressive and muscular. We had been talking about him dropping down to 185. He also made not attempt to use his knees against Liddell, maybe a match up thing. It will be interesting to see if he uses them against Rampage.
It will be interesting to see what effect Jackson's new camp has had on him. I think his friendship with Bisping has been good for him. Glad to see you sign up for B/R and hope you stick around!
about 1 month ago
I do think it was a match-up thing....
From what I remember Chuck never really wanted to get in close with Wand and therefore allow him to use his knees. With Chuck being 3" taller than Silva he moved quickly and struck from outside without allowing Silva to do the same.
As we've all seen from Pride, Silva is very dangerous in the midst of a in-tight haymaker war. Chuck hardly let it get to that and when he did, he paid. When Liddell and Wand exchanged punches toe-to-toe, the fight was quite even. I think the reason Chuck came out on top was because he stuck to his game-plan and effectively utilized his reach!
Quinton loves ducking and weaving while counter punching all while in-close with his opponent. If you notice, one of his best combinations is when he ducks under an opponents strike, counters with two quick jabs followed by an uppercut. Plus, when Rampage does get stunned he bends over forward becoming susceptible to the clinch(at least that's what I've seen).
One thing is for sure though, Rampage has a chin! He never actually quits defending himself or standing-up until the ref stops the fight after countless knees to the face.
As they say, styles make fights...
This is my "analysis" anyway... any opinions on it?
from about 1 month ago
I think you know your stuff man. Good fight analysis. And your right, styles always make fights. After reading all these great comments I am that much more excited for the fight. I hope you stick around and leave some more good comments like this and maybe even right an article. Your ability to break down fights would give you a good niche on here. What do you think? By the way you taking Couture or Lesnar =)
about 1 month ago
I just love watching the sport. It's right up there with the NFL and NBA for me. I'll definitely write for Bleacher!
As far as Randy v Lesnar I'm not too certain, ya know? I'm probably like a lot of fans when I say that I'm pulling for Randy but picking Lesnar to win.
Brock is just so much younger, bigger and stronger and if fans didn't know about his time as a WWE wrestler they'd take him more seriously.
He's a NCAA wrestling national champion, he runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and is stronger than anyone in the sport. How many people can never play a day of football and then suddenly try-out for an NFL team?
...I wasn't a believer either until I saw his two fights.... he embarrassed Keith Herring badly.
Unfortunately, the only way I see Randy winning is by submission since Lesnar is still learning Jujitsu. Either way it goes I still think Brock should have had a few more professional fights with some tougher opponents before fighting for the championship.
about 1 month ago
It would be great if the UFC instituted the ten-minute first round!
from about 1 month ago
I am also intrigued by the idea of a 10 minute first round. Tell me more Joseph. I want to be sold on that idea!
about 1 month ago
Never mind the ten-minute round, Brian.
How about a 15-minute fight? And a 20-minute title fight?
about 1 month ago
That sounds awesome. I do feel like some of the "bigger" fights that aren't title fights go too quickly in three rounds. For instance, Chuck vs. Silva was an amazing fight that ended a little too early!
from about 1 month ago
I 100% agree with that!
about 1 month ago
This is a great rematch and I can't wait to see this fight, as well as the other on this card!
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