UFC 91 Afterthoughts...

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 1:17 PM EST Comment 52 comments

So this was supposed to be the biggest UFC card ever. Probably not, but no doubt it will be highly successful. So considering the headliner, are we to assume that many casual fans and FOLs (fans of Lesner) bought the ppv? If so, and I agree, then the UFC may have struck gold. They had a card full of exciting fights that would surely impress even the least knowledgable viewers. I think that even if this doesn't approach UFC buy records, it will be a giant success that will boost the sport even more in the future.

Let's start at the top:

Brock--UFC HW Champion. Like it or not, he is. Brock is improving every time out, and the fact that he could stand and hold his own in the striking department is pretty scary. This sets up a big fight with Mir, which can be touted as the revenge match OR it sets up a huge match with Big Nog, which is what I expect to see. I give Brock props, but also keep it in perspective. He fought a 45 year old guy that hadn't been in the cage for a year. If he next beats Mir, I will be pretty convinced and if he beats Nog, I will be completely convinced. Of course, even then, there is the one thought I always end up with no matter who we are talking about...could he beat Fedor? We can only hope one day, to have all our questions answered. I think the UFC is doing a pretty good job of doing as much as they can to give us some of these answers.

Randy--So many questions. Certainly, can he still fight, is not one of them. Dude is a freak to be doing this at 45. Unfortunately, to an extent, he is a man without an island. At this point in his career, I see him having a lot of trouble with guys like Lesner, Carwin, etc.. Big explosive guys need a class of their own. I am all for a 206-235 weight class, maybe cruiserweight. It would extend the careers of guys like Randy and Chuck and set up the opportunity for even more "superfights". It would also give the UFC the opportunity to promote another title fight for their cards and shrink a huge division that currently spans 60 pounds. I think this has to get done and would have many benefits with few drawbacks. I don't see Randy as a LHW anymore and I don't think he can win regularly against the future of the HW division. If he continues fighting, it will have to be in carefully selected fights. Randy is no gatekeeper.

Florian--Is this guy the least scary looking fighter out there, lol? But you better believe he is for real and should never be overlooked. Unfortunately, I think he "poked the bear" last night and will get hammered by BJ. Of course, losing to BJ is no demeaning thing. This was the most impressive victory of the night for me. Was it his BJJ? No. His striking? No. It was the apparent added strength he displayed. Joe is strong, and Ken seemed to control him with relative ease. Ken deserves the title shot, and may hold the belt someday if BJ vacates. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would like to see a Ken/Sherk rematch at this point.

Stevenson--Sometimes, even great fighters need to take a step back. Something just doesn't look right with him. Not sure if it his mindset, his gameplan or what, but I think he may need to take a break and re-evaluate his training, technique, coaching or something. Maybe he just needs a break. I still think he is very dangerous, but he definitely needs a change of some type.

Hazelett--Shave that creepy beard, lol! What a fun guy to watch. UFC needs to do a good job of promoting him, as he is entertaining and a fan favorite. Would anyone like to see him fight Condit in the UFC?

McCrory--6'4"?? Damn, some more good training and that could get him places. I hope the UFC has some patience with him. And "The Barncat" has got to be one of the best nicknames around.

Gonzaga--The exit of Werdum opens a huge door for GG, imo. Honestly, this is the guy that should be the future of the HW division. He has good striking, powerful kicks and amazing BJJ. He is big and strong and athletic. If he had Florian's mindset, he would be unbeatable. Hopefully he has regained his mojo, can face either Mir or Nog (whomever loses) and get in the mix for a title shot. Anything but wearing the belt is underacheiving for him, in my eyes.

Maia--I absolutely love watching this guy fight. He has proven himself to be a legit top 10 type of fighter, so let's see some of the matches we know will be great. Almeida, Palahares, Marquardt, etc... Just like the LWs, imo, take the top guy away and the division is very competitive. Not ready for Anderson...yet.

Quarry--I think we all knew what was coming for him last night. Maia is just to good on the ground and he is on a roll. Get Quarry a fight to keep him on track and let's see him in entertaining slugfests where he excels.

Gurgel and Robinson--Please get these guys in the WEC. Gurgel can take a beating and Robinson has a lot of heart, but it is clear they do not belong in the UFC.

Bocek--He needs to get his game rounded out, but his BJJ is awesome. I hope he lasts long enough to develop.

Riley--Some great striking, could provide us with some entertaining fights before he faces BJJ guys that actually use their ground skills.

Brown--Definitely a tough guy, but I see him as a .500 fighter in the UFC. I hardly recognized him without his goatee, lol.

Dos Anjos--I think he has a future, but...

Stephens--...look out for the uppercut!!! All I have to say is, DAMN!

So, overall, i would say this was a very entertaining card. We saw about everything there is to see, without a lot of controversy and negatives. I think what we witnessed was a preview of what should be a very interesting 2009 for the UFC and the sport of ultimate fighting...I mean mma, lol.

And finally, if you are declaring the sport tainted by the fact that Brock was a wrassler, then you clearly have issues. This guy is a world class athlete, great wrestler and developing mma fighter. If anyone thinks just any pro wrestler can cross over into mma, then they are ignorant to the sport. Many of today's mma fans originated as pro wrestling fans, and found something real and better in mma. I think this will only continue as the sport grows.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Lesnar-Couture might have gotten all the headlines, but Kenny Florian was the biggest surprise of the night. He absolutely steamrolled Joe Stevenson. I was on the fence about who was going to win Florian-Stevenson because I had a feeling Joe would be able to get the fight to the ground and control Kenny. There is no denying Florian is at the top of the lightweight division.

by Andy R on Nov 16, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. I really thought that fight was a toss-up, and that Joe would probably overpower Ken. Very impressive performance.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i was blown away by how easy Kenny was able to manhandle Joe on the ground. I was expecting alot more scrambles. I still think BJ takes it but He better not take him lightly.

by asmiley420 on Nov 16, 2008 3:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think I agree with everything you wrote. Nice piece, BJJ!

by mythbuster on Nov 16, 2008 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good stuff as always, Denver. A few points..

First; all the talk about a new division has to go away. Beyond the fact that there simply is not room in the UFC for another division (referencing, once again, the conversations about a women’s division we’ve had in the past), this conjecturing is all based on the fact that Brock, at his size, is an anomaly. The man is built like a bull. Most guys his size are not built the way he is. Couture handled Sylvia and Gonzaga; two other men that would fall comfortably into this 235+ division. The fighters his size normally can’t keep in that kind of shape, and/or they’re naturally big and don’t have the luxury of flexing divisions (like Couture has with LWH/HW). I just don’t like the argument and how it almost exclusively discredits Brock’s accomplishments. He’s not the first guy to sit on 265 and he won’t be the last. And seriously; if he’s the guy you build a super-heavy 250+ division around (as an example), he’s going to come in at fuckin 285 and he’ll hold the title until his knees give out. That’s my take on it..

And my second point regarding Brock is that it is inarguably impressive that he’s done what he has. The fact that we’re even putting him into the conversation with Fedor and Big Nog is an accomplishment in and of itself. Let’s look at this laterally; where were people placing him in the heavyweight picture before he faced Herring? People were reading his last rites and wondering if Dana could milk some buys out of him before his lure dissipated. Dominating Herring, and finishing Couture the way he did (45 years old or not) transcends every expectation that most people had of him. So sure; Randy a year ago may have had something of a better shot. I just don’t think it’s a point worth making.

Where it concerns Maia; I know you’re as big a fan of his as I am, so I’m with you in being very excited at his prospects. I’d love to see him face a fellow BJJ black belt next, not only to prove his proficiency on a more even field, but also to give him the opportunity to showcase his vastly improved standup skills (to do away with the skepticism that he’s not a good mixed martial artist because he hasn’t had to knock anyone out).

And yeah, I also want to see Ken-Flo/Muscle Shark 2. Though I would feel bad for Kenny to have to re-earn that shot, for what would essentially be the third time. I think they have both improved a great deal since their last meeting and it would be an amazing fight. I hope to see both of them get a shot at BJ eventually. Lastly; if Ken-Flo does get his shot without facing Sherk, I’d love to see Sherk vs. Huerta in Minneapolis next Spring. Wait…. Has anyone seen Roger Huerta??

Again; nice work…

by Blackout612 on Nov 16, 2008 3:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Huerta was last seen flushing his career down the toilet.

by iiowyn on Nov 16, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Somewhere I read that he was spotted quietly drinking a coffee the day of the weigh-ins while Junie was nearby being mobbed by fans.

Roger should take some time off and not show up until his standup (especially his boxing) improves. He may be Mexican, but that is no excuse and definitely not a good reason to be a sloppy fighter. Kenny outclassed him badly, and I can’t even imagine what would have happened if they rematched at UFC 91. It would have been humiliating.

by bigweeze on Nov 16, 2008 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Blackout. You know, i would agree completely about the weight class being perhaps a little overkill, but there is an aspect that makes me want this to happen. I have been against the UFC adding 145 or women or just about anything, but adding a 206-235 makes a little more sense to me. They are putting on more and more cards every year, so i think there may be room for it. It won’t add fighters, simply split the ones they already carry, so it won’t add fights either, just have them in a different class. In other words, 2 guys they already have on the roster would fight, just as they would normally, except it would be in the new class, rather than at HW. I also think this would encourage guys like Liddell to make fights at this new class, without having to fight someone as physically different as Brock, thus having the possible effect of extending a career where they may have lost the quickness to compete at LHW. Granted, I think it was more than just size that made the difference last night.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks all, for taking the time to read this and for adding your comments, agree or disagree!

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Really nice post, Denver.

Well articulated positions. I don’t have too much to add.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Nov 16, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yep, rec'd.

And I agree, Kenny “poked the bear.” Kind of surprised BJ didn’t storm the cage.

by Chris Nelson on Nov 16, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You gotta do something to get on BJ’s radar since he’s done his best to ignore the other LWs.

by bigweeze on Nov 16, 2008 11:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing I don’t agree with is the adding of a new weight class…I think it’s fine just the way it is….nobody told randy to come in at 220. In reality the weight differential wasn’t his downfall…it was taking a punch near his ear.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 16, 2008 6:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fighters that impressed me last night:

Florian: He made it look too easy. Would have never guessed this was for a title shot. He made Stevenson look bad.

Maia- Very impressive. So smooth. This guy is the future of the 185 division.

Hazelet: I think they said it best when they described his moves straight out of a video game. Guy is nasty.

Gonzaga: Dude like incredibly focused on destroying the guy from the moment he got in the Octagon. Looked..like a more scary and confident version of the guy that beat Cro Cop.

And of course Brock: Thought he looked like he had been training hard for Randy. Knew what Randy wanted to do from the get go and never really looked nervous. Even when he saw his own blood and knew his eye was cut, he still stayed composed enough to pound Randy out for the win. Very impressive voctory to say the least. Even though Randy is old at this point, you beat him, you are for real in most peoples eyes at that point.

Great night of fights. Best night of fighting since the BJ Penn/Sherk card.

by lbk on Nov 16, 2008 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Excellent point that I accidentally left out. Brock deserves credit for not freaking out when he got cut. You never know how a fighter will react to that situation and he seemed fairly unshaken by it.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, when it happened, I was curious if he would be uneffected given his history in pro wrestling (where they cut themselves semi-regularly). It’s pretty clear it didn’t/doesn’t bother him.

by Blackout612 on Nov 16, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he pawed at it a few times, but it didn’t seem to fire him up or dissuade him from exchanging. Your comparison to the wrestlers making themselves bleed is very good. I don’t follow pro wrestling, but I have seen enough to know that it certainly could have worked to his advantage in this case.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think there is still a difference between cutting yourself...

and taking an elbow or fist from a guy standing across from you trying to hurt you really bad. There is probably a certain level of..comfort in knowing you just cut yourself and the rest of the fight will run out on a scripted level. Not the case in the UFC..

by lbk on Nov 16, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely there is a difference, personally, i was just referring to swiping at your face and coming back with blood. Some guys will shut down at that point, others will freak and leave their game plan. Brock did neither and stayed calm, followed his plan and finished the fight.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, there could be a difference. Thus, my curiosity. But it’s clear that with him, it’s no different.

It should also be noted that wrestlers can bleed (and often do) without warning. Guys get hit with chairs, run into posts, thrown onto steel steps..

My only real concern with Brock’s cut was that the fight would get stopped if it became profuse. In a way, I was that much more impressed with his performance because he emerged victorious before that potential outcome.

by Blackout612 on Nov 16, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He said it made him angry, because he wanted to get first blood on Couture. And he thought then that he had better pick up the pace, which he did.

by mythbuster on Nov 16, 2008 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I never bought the untested chin, or fear of blood, thing. WWE wrestlers are very used to getting smacked around and having blood flow.

by mythbuster on Nov 16, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Although I think Randy missed on a couple of opportunities to throw strikes, he did catch Brock a few times and i thought he did a good job of taking them.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 16, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is the one thing that worries me about Brock from that fight. Randy doesn’t have quick hands or much power. What happens when that punch comes from an Arlovski or Gonzaga? (not that I favour either vs. him)

by bigweeze on Nov 16, 2008 11:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There was one shot that Randy hit Brock with

that seemed to stun him a little bit. I can’t remember which round, but the camera had Brock’s back afterwards, and while he wasn’t really staggering, he did seem like he got ‘stood up’ by the punch.

His chin is obviously good enough to hang in the division, but he’s probably not in Nogueira’s league.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Nov 17, 2008 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

He can dole out damage, so he doesn’t have to be a human punching bag like Big Nog (+ he won’t secure the inevitable punch-drunk armbar, either).

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 2:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly. His time in the WWE was counter-productive, but not altogether useless.

by bigweeze on Nov 16, 2008 11:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

respect

If anything can be taken from this fight, it is respect for Randy. Yes, he may have lost, but he is 45 years old fighting a guy close to 20 years younger and approx. 60 pounds heavier, and he put up a very good fight. He was put into a almost no win situation and as always even in loss, Randy came out looking like the true man he is. Congrats to both Brock and Randy on a great fight!

by attgnp on Nov 16, 2008 10:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with making a 235 pound weight class. Randy would still come in at 220-230. He can make LHW but knows he isn’t a force there. I agree with plenty of your opinions but creating a weight class to extend the careers of aging fighters who is a poor idea (which would make the UFC seem less competitive). This would water down LHW and ruin HW creating 3 mediocre divisions. One of the great things about the UFC is that they don’t have weight classes every 3-5 pounds like boxing, and that fighters don’t hop divisions nearly as often as in boxing.

Kenny is vastly improved. It’s hard to believe that a guy who’s been in the game as long as he has and is 31 could improve so greatly fight after fight, but he looked faster, stronger, and more technical with better reflexes and awareness. This is about as good a performance as I could have imagined. He had his way with Joe for long enough and all over the octagon, after 4 minutes it was obvious that this was a decisive victory and not a case of the other guy making one big mistake. Fighters with higher aspirations should take a cue from Kenny – he’s made it happen for himself through hard work and the results have been noticable and building every fight. All while building himself a second career and opening a new gym.

I have to say that I’m very high on Gonzaga as well. He lives in Mass – imagine how his game could transform if he got in with Dellagrotte. I hope to see him in a title match after another win over someone like Kongo/Randy/loser of Nog-Mir. I think he would’ve beaten Randy for the title had his nose not been broken and bleeding throughout. Gonzaga reminds me somewhat of a cross between Dos Santos and Werdum. If he can keep his conditioning up, maintain/develop his skills and bring consistency to the octagon, this fighter has the potential to beat anyone currently in the UFC and the skills to thrive vs. many styles.

Maia has a bright future, I wonder what would happen if they matched him with Palhares as both apparently have ridiculous BJJ. Now is the time for the UFC to sort out the 5-8ish fighters they have sitting on equal footing below Silva.

Quarry is not a UFC quality fighter, he is much too stiff. But he is a recognizable face and a genuinely good guy who has overcome alot. I think he’s a UFC favourite and will continue to get slack despite his performance.

Bocek is a favourite of mine from his past two fights. Like Maia, he makes passing look so natural and effortless. Perhaps a different type of opponent should be his next test. He looked rather strong and was really impressive, he must have improved greatly since Danzig who really put a beating on him.

by bigweeze on Nov 16, 2008 11:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Two things...

You’d rather watch Ken fight sherk than BJ. Probably because BJ, aka “the Bear” is gonna walk right through him. Give me a break. What does it take for you BJ nut huggers to get a clue. I mean I love BJ too, but what has he done to deserve such reverence? I’ve watched all his fights and I can’t figure it out. KenFlo, on the other hand, has been doing things that no other fighter on the planet has been doing — significantly improving after every fight. And, if you look at there common opponent, Kenflo performed better. I’m not sure that BJ has another weight cut left in him — this is perfect timing for Florian.

Good idea on the weight class, I absolutely agree.

That's just a big son of a bitch -- that's all there is to it.

by mma_dude on Nov 17, 2008 8:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

kenflo vs. sherk 2 will be great!!

before kenflo vs. penn??

by Lewzer on Nov 19, 2008 6:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

While you can call me a BJ nuthugger if you must, lol, I am definitely a supporter of his athletics.

I’m realistic about BJ, and I believe that any fighter that steps into the cage/ring, has some chance at winning. That said, I don’t see any LW in the UFC that has a “good” chance of beating BJ, even Ken, whom I have much respect for.

As for Sherk/Ken 2, I would want that to be for the LW belt that Penn vacates after beating Florian.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In other words, I definitely think Ken deserves a shot at BJ before any other LW.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then we can have Kenny/BJ 2 for the LW belt again once Alves has his way with BJ.

by bigweeze on Nov 19, 2008 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to admit it, but that is very possible, though I think he would stay at WW even after that. Good thing I like Alves too!

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Though..

..according to the newfound weight carrying philosophies of many people here, Alves should move up to 185. Or start a new weight class. Hez 2 big!

by Blackout612 on Nov 19, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Put some balm on it, it’ll heal.

by mythbuster on Nov 19, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If that’s a taking it in the ass joke, way to affirm that you’ve been there.

by Blackout612 on Nov 19, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ummm.. actually it was a reference to a Seinfeld episode, about healing a wound (or burn in Kramers case) which I was telling you because you can’t seem to get over the fact that some people think a super heavyweight division would be a good thing.

by mythbuster on Nov 19, 2008 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and I have no idea why it repeated my paragraph, and screwed it up as well… but whatever, getting used to that.

by mythbuster on Nov 19, 2008 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I can't get over it

Because I’m the guy that’s on here vehemently defending himself constantly.

You really need to calm down. I stopped letting the interweb and its inhabitants hurt my feelings when I was about 13. And when your name is on the sidebar among staff with the title “Guy who decides when a topic is no longer debatable”, I’ll adhere to your Dennis Millery obscure balm jokes.

And I didn’t realize you had to be a Brock Lesnar fan to think that a SHW division is a terrible idea (which is also totally devoid of any allegiance to an individual fighter, particularly the one that would dominate said division, genius). It’s about a 95% sentiment on those threads and even it’s cheerleaders have backpedalled with consideration to lack of depth.

I look forward to more written sarcasm (that was a Mr Show reference).

by Blackout612 on Nov 19, 2008 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You really need to calm down. I stopped letting the interweb and its inhabitants hurt my feelings when I was about 13. And when your name is on the sidebar among staff with the title "Guy who decides when a topic is no longer debatable", I’ll adhere to your Dennis Millery obscure balm jokes.

Ya know, two quick things.
1: “calm down”? asterisk yawn asterisk New ones, please.
2: Seinfeld was the most popular show on TV. I’m fairly sure that most users here have seen it. Also, balm is very commonly known. I don’t think either could be considered obscure, or “dennis millery” by anyone who lives on this planet. The fact that you went straight to anal sex is.. well, it is what it is and none of my business.
quick #3: lol@u talking about “looking forward to more written sarcasm”. Did you read what you originally wrote? I believe that could be considered sarcastic. Pot, kettle, something.

Anyway, fini. I find myself agreeing with you a lot and don’t want to argue with you about ridiculous stuff like this. You made a sarcastic remark, I replied with a sarcastic remark, you took it somewhere else – entirely.

by mythbuster on Nov 19, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I own most of the seasons of Seinfeld and it didn’t register. Putting balm on something (yes, I know what balm isn’t) doesn’t exactly scream Seinfeld.

Look guy, you’re not going to offend me; alluding to me being gay because you made a seemingly anal sex joke and all (I said he’s too big and you said put some balm on it, so either I’m too clever or totally gay).

I never claimed that I’m not sarcastic. I said that you are.

Later d00d!

by Blackout612 on Nov 19, 2008 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was just joking around and taking your scenario a bit further. :D

by bigweeze on Nov 19, 2008 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, BJ is the best all around fighter in the world skill wise. That prolly has a lot to do with it..

by lbk on Nov 19, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We'll know for sure if you're right soon enough

by subo on Nov 19, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn! Isn’t it nice to be able to say that??

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 11:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. It’s why I support one elite MMA organization.

by subo on Nov 20, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One point of disagreement about Lesnar, good sir

I will be very, very convinced if he unifies this title, no matter what BJJ wizard he would beat to do it. Mir is absolutely insane at BJJ (or, as I will forever call it thanks to GSP, ‘Jew Jif Shoes’), is a former heavyweight champion with a win over Tim Sylvia (only Arlovski, Nog, Randy and Fedor can claim that) and has already caught Brock once.

You’re a Jifs guy, Denver (I’m in Colorado Springs btw, my buddy trains with Fight Factory). Tell me: are you impressed with Frank Mir?

by subo on Nov 19, 2008 7:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You know, I like Mir a lot. I have always hoped he would return to form after that terrible accident. I think people forget he is still a young guy. The only two things I would say against him are that he seems to rely almost completely on his BJJ and that his conditioning is poor. I think he has at least started to turn the corner on his conditioning, but i still question his striking. Considering what we saw from Lesner on his feet, it is pretty scary to think what he could become. Of course, Lesner also likes the ground, so i could easily see him getting caught again. AND, I think he is actually a very good announcer, probably better than Rogan. Also, I am really looking forward to Mir/Nog and I hope it turns into a ground fight.

I agree, if Brock makes it through either Mir or Nog, i will be 100% convinced (I’m pretty close already, though not a fan of his).

I train at Easton BJJ Denver, where Vellore is training now, though I don’t train with him since I’m a much bigger guy.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 19, 2008 11:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m just really impressed when I see that kneebar again. Not so much for difficulty, but for a guy that weighs 240+ to windmill his legs like that is pretty nuts. I like Mir, I love Nog, but Brock is a physical specimen and what can I say, I love genetic marvels – and his ceiling is just so damn high as a fighter. Imagine teaching him to throw a kimura – that Herring fight wouldn’t have gone two minutes.

by subo on Nov 20, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs