General Fighting thread

[scotty2hatty]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[AdamM]

Definitely the right decision. One round each going into the third and I couldn't find a reason to give Bisping the final round (and I really tried). The worrying thing is Evans looked pretty ordinary.

If Bisping can't get through an ordinary Evans and a determined but unskilled Hamill, I don't see how he has any chance against the top 10 in the division.

I don't see him getting through Griffin, Jardine, Thiago Silva, Alexander, Rua etc, never mind Jackson, Henderson, Liddell.

In TUF3 he looked a devastating striker with a reasonably dangerous submission game. He looks like he's totally lost the confidence to let his hands and feet go. Being up against wrestlers hasn't helped but he's not fighting the cream of the light heavyweights. His only option is to move down to 185 where, except for Franklin and Silva, I think he could cause anyone else in the division a problem. He needs to get the confidence back to start throwing his strikes again.

Fight of the night was Edgar v Fischer. good technical performance by Edgar. Silva's destruction of Alexander was impressive too.

December 30th Matt Serra to beat Matt Hughes  and Wanderlai Silva to beat (and maybe retire) Chuck Liddell 

[scotty2hatty]

I really think he needs to move down.  I thought it after the Hamill fight, but was still sure he would have had too much for Evans.  Neither man was very impressive.  Evans could fight at middleweight too.

Has Bisping fought at middleweight before?

[AdamM]

No, but he walks around and fights at 205 lbs where as most light-heavyweights walk around and fight at 220 lbs+, Evans included. and cut over a stone for the weigh in.

Not all fighters rely on a size / strength advantage, but as a hang over from his kickboxing days, Bisping has a counter punching style that means if the guy walking on is much heavier than him, it's harder than if they were smaller.

Picturing in my mind Bisping punching a middle order Middleweight like Leben, Herman, Grove, MacDonald, etc I imagine him having a much bigger impact than on the bigger light-heavys

 

[AdamM]

Middle weight division just got a hell of a lot stronger.

Dan Henderson drops down to 185 to fight Anderson Silva in March.

[byronkincaid]

why are 83.7% of UFC fighters called Silva?

[AdamM]

very common Brazilian name I imagine.

Brazilians are well represented in the UFC

turns out its 1.47% (4/272 listed fighters)

[AdamM]

Absolutely gutted.

Matt Serra had injured his back in training and has had to withdraw from his fight with Matt Hughes Dec 30th. I was really looking forward to Serra beating Hughes but I'll have to wait till at least the summer now

probably makes Liddell v Silva (yes Byronkincaid, another one) top of the bill, which I'm not looking forward to, because I've been a huuge fan of Chucks and I see him losing this one, and maybe closing in on retirement.

[scotty2hatty]

Just heard the Serra news, bummer.  What you make of Hughes vs St. Pierre?

[Boba Fett]

I hope GSP pounds Hughes chin into the matt!

[AdamM]

This may mean Hughes v Serra never happens.

I see GSP beating Hughes again, then in the summer fighting Serra for the title.
That means win or lose, Serra wouldn't be available to fight Hughes until this time next year.
If Serra beats GSP and retains the title, Hughes would have to beat one of the top contenders in the summer to justify a title shot at the end of 08 and I just don't think he has enough left in him.
if Hughes beats GSP (which I don't expect) it's title fight with Serra, then retire
if He loses to GSP, and so does Serra in the summer (possible, but I'm backing Serra) then it's non title fight v Serra then retire
if Serra beats GSP in a title fight in the summer, we never get to see Serra beat Hughes, which I'm very unhappy about.

We'll have to see how it pans out.

Love him or hate him (the latter in my case) you cant deny between 2000 and 2005 Hughes was a dominant champion, and clearly the best in the sport, but he's winding down now and I don't see him retiring with the title.

[UpTheMariners]

have hatton, mayweather fought before?

[AdamM]

no

[byronkincaid]

TUF 6 semis and final tonight. Starts in 10 mins

[scotty2hatty]

TUF 6 semis and final tonight. Starts in 10 mins

Watched it - disappointing final.  Expected Tommy to put up a very decent performance.