Live at UFC 91

by Michael Rome on Nov 17, 2008 1:54 PM EST in News Comment 85 comments

I attended UFC 91 in Las Vegas this past weekend, and before I discuss the show, I just want to say that very little can match the live experience of a big UFC main event. The tension and excitement in the crowd absolutely blew away anything I've ever been a part of.

I loudly predicted Randy Couture would defeat Brock Lesnar, and obviously I have to eat humble pie. For the first round, the fight went as I expected. Lesnar took him down, but Randy was able to fight his way back up. After the round, I still believed Randy could win. He essentially stuffed Brock's wrestling, an ominous sign for Brock's future against guys like Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez.

What I didn't expect was Brock beating Couture in standing exchanges. I didn't expect such effective knees out of the clinch and that brutal elbow. I also didn't know if he could take a clean, straight punch--but he did, and appeared completely unfazed.

I don't think the fight necessarily says anything bad about Randy. His work getting up against Lesnar was extraordinary, but Lesnar's power was just too much. I got the feeling Randy trained so hard for wrestling and just assumed he'd pick Brock apart standing, and it just didn't happen.

Going forward, Nogueira-Lesnar is a classic match. The story is perfect for Nogueira, and if they hype it right it is a gigantic fight. I'm also very interested to see what is next for Randy. Despite reports to the contrary, I am hearing that they want to hold Chuck off until June to fight Randy in Germany. If I was Joe Silva for a day, I'd do that fight at heavyweight and give the winner a shot against the tournament winner. Brock-Randy II would be even bigger, but Chuck-Brock would probably be the biggest fight in UFC history. And of course either of them vs. Nogueira would be great too. If they insist on moving Randy back to 205 to end his career, fights against Chuck and Anderson would be big ones and a good way to go out.

One other note: the UFC does a terrible job with sound. Now that I've seen the broadcast, it just doesn't even come close to conveying the emotion in the audience. The crowd just absolutely went berserk for everything Randy did, and they really need a sound upgrade to capture that emotion for television.

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@ Sound

I actually find that to be an issue with many live events. When I was into pro-wrestling as a teenager, I’d always have that same feeling when I’d go to a live show; “Why isn’t is conveyed similarly through the broadcast?”. And yes, it happened to me at UFC 87. My head was expanding when Brock walked out, so when I later watched a broadcast of the fight online, it hardly brought that through at all (save for Goldberg making some ridiculous comment). You’d think that technology would have evolved to the point that they can place mics in the crowd to bring through some of that enthusiasm. I’d certainly rather here that than the forced dialogue between Rogan and Goldberg..

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I have a really nice 5.1

Surround sound in my home. The crowd sounded incredible to me. Dang, imagine in person! Deafening I bet. My house was rocking that night. By the time KenFlo and Joe Daddy got it on I had so many people in my house that it was standing room only. Im predicting 8 to 900,000k buys. A lot of my casual MMA fan buddies made it over just for this one.

BTW, I know I’ve said it before but damn does UFC look sweet in HD.

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Problem with article!!

MIR WILL SUB NOGUEIRA

MIR VS LESNAR II

by ufcbro on Nov 17, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I’m not a big fan of Frank “Mur” (as Brock would put it) but the guy has a chance. Nogs not a huge fav IMO. Its really a win/win. Rematch between Mir/Lesnar or a great fight that will give Big Nog even more star power. The guy is just too damn lovable on TUF :)

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

'Are your hands ready to kill?'

by subo on Nov 17, 2008 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lmao

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chuck vs Randy

I have no interest in seeing that fight.

Brock scored a 10 on the un-intentional comedy scale with his “God Bless you God” line at the end. That was hillarious.

Read My Blog
"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."

by Brandon Jones on Nov 17, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that was more of a slip of the tongue, he just couldn’t get his words out right. I let him slide that one time.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Nov 17, 2008 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Randy would win too...

That being said, I thought the bout was very competitive and Randy really showed he still has a lot of juice left in his career. I figured if Brock was going to win, it would be by catching Randy with a big shot, which he did, but I was surprised at how well he handled himself in the standup. Having what Frank Mir described as a “fire hydrant” for a head probably helped. At this point, I’d be happy with Brock facing either Mir or Nog. Either way, it should be a great fight.

by pud333 on Nov 17, 2008 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thats why whenever I can I shell out the $300 bucks and watch the UFC in person. The experience of feeling the emotion in the crowd is amazing (if Randy had won that fight the arena would have erupted in unified song like the end of Ghostbusters II.)

Another thing that probably didn’t come across in the broadcast was how pro Canada the crowd (at least from where I was sitting) was, including the section I was in singing the Canadian National Anthem as well as giving some loud hockey chants during the Bocek-Robinson fight.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If the Silva/Liddell rumors are true, the winner will fight Randy in Germany.

by Michael Rome on Nov 17, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

How much would a Liddell win followed by a Randy victory shake up the UFC hierarchy?

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That would be friggin’ awesome – pure insanity I tell you

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Nov 17, 2008 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would love for Randy to stay in the Heavyweight division. I’d like to see him fight another heavyweight and work his back to a title fight. I love the idea of Chuck moving up to heavyweight too.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Nov 17, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

folks on here thought i was completely insane for proposing a 4th couture/liddell fight on here the other day. good luck with that!

glad you had a good time at the show. i’m hyped for the day they eventually make it to boston.

by woooburn on Nov 17, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You might have to settle for making the flight to Columbus. Its worth it, plus if you live in Boston, everything in Columbus (including the tickets) will be much cheaper than almost any other UFC card.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://mma4real.net/2008/07/14/why-chuck-liddell-should-move-to-hw/

I’ve been saying Chuck should move to HW…I must agree with Michael, I was at UFC 88 and the sound was terrible…I couldn’t understand ANYTHING Rogan was asking during the post fight interviews.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 17, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Quick Question

I paid ten bucks for this little radio that lets you hear the commentary live during the fights. Did Joe Rogan’s “A little smell my butt” call when two fighter went to North-South make the broadcast?

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yes

and when he gave up the position, he said that it didn’t smell good anymore. Something like that.

by mythbuster on Nov 17, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The scariest part? Brock’s standup will do nothing but improve.

by subo on Nov 17, 2008 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone even want to see Randy vs Chuck again??..

Chuck beat him 2 x when they were both younger. That ship has sailed IMO. A 4th match means nothing.

Also, Brock vs Randy II? No way. Brock proved that he is way undersized for this matchup. 2nd fight wouldn’t look any different.

by lbk on Nov 17, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sigh.

Not to be rude, but this is why Affliction is going under. This kind of mentality running a company.

The fight business is about putting on fights that capture the general public’s imagination. The emotion in the crowd for this fight was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. If anything, this fight proved Randy could handle Brock’s wrestling size, but he needs to work on his striking to beat Brock. Who knows what happens in this fight if he actually got Brock on that takedown.

And while I’m sure Sherdog would revolt at Chuck/Randy, it would be a huge fight between two guys a lot of fans care about, a rematch of the fight that launched the sport into the PPV stratosphere.

by Michael Rome on Nov 17, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I couldn’t believe how invested I felt in the Brock/Randy fight. I usually watch purely as a laterally interested spectator. And even though I was not rooting for one guy over the other very dominantly (it was sort of a win/win to me), the hair on my arms were standing at end. That’s the kind of fight that was, and I look forward to many more like it.

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Same here. I normally don’t get that invested in fights, but this was an exception. Others that worked me similarly are Silva vs Franklin II and Chuck vs Wandy. The crowd certainly makes up much of the general experience.

I expect to be relatively uninvested until BJ vs GSP. It’s possible that Page vs Wand could be good too.

by ununkvadrium on Nov 17, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just think there are more interesting matchups for al of those guys...

and to stoke the fires of a rematch for the sake of generating $$$ (And lets not kid ourselves, Randy and Chuck 4? all about what the UFC can make) I think is doing a disservice to fans that want to see frech fights.

by lbk on Nov 17, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A fourth match might not mean much in the general scheme of who are the best fighters in the UFC but it means A LOT to the many many Randy and Chuck fans out there as well as fans that only order one or two cards a year. It would be a huge fight and would generate a ton of buzz which is good for the sport.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

I can hear the drama-building for the rematch. (insert creepy voiceover guy) “It will be the same as last time, but this time Randy will be even older! Don’t miss it, folks!”

by mythbuster on Nov 17, 2008 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ignore this....

I totally misread what I was replying to, and no delete button means I’m stuck displaying my horrible reading comprehension :P

by mythbuster on Nov 17, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NO!

I will not ignore you.

LEARN TO READ!

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

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

By the way

Mike, were you in a section blinded by the ESPN MMA Live lights during the entire Gurgel-Riley fight? That was seriously pissing me off. I know the coverage is great for the sport but when two guys are fighting their hearts out with their UFC careers on the line its pretty annoying to have to hold your hand over one side of your face to see the action.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

IMO

Chuck/Couture again? NO!
Couture/Brock again? Why?

A Silva/Chuck? Yes!
A Silva/Couture? Hell yes!

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 1:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Have to agree on the Randy against the Spider fight. For some reason I really really want to see that fight.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's Funny

When I proposed Randy Couture vs. Anderson Silva a couple of months ago…people thought it was foolish…but then again, most of those replies came from S-Dog…ahem.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 17, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think I had anything negative to say about that fight as I don’t remember the post you are talking about it but I am for sure on board with the idea.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

seriously

You really want to see Couture get beaten to a pulp by Silva? That is the dumbest idea I have heard yet.

Read My Blog
"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."

by Brandon Jones on Nov 17, 2008 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on now

A t-shirt seller promoting MMA cards has to be up there.

by subo on Nov 17, 2008 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Considering how madd I was at Couture not honoring his contract….umm…yep. Actually, the fight would do huge numbers PPV wise so it’s not dumb at all there chief.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 17, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nog has to get through Mir first and that won’t be easy. Nog and Lesnar would be a good fight though…especially since he’s never been KO’d.

by Mirjitsu on Nov 17, 2008 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If Brock knocks out Nog, then he really does deserve the belt – but I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Nov 17, 2008 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would have to disagree with you...

Watching Fedor destroy Timmy and witnessing the entire packed arena erupt was a better experience for the Affliciton card. Even my friends who came along with me and knew nothing about MMA got out of their seats and started jumping around. It was the best live experience ever.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 17, 2008 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You also have to remember that every single fight at 91 was great which allowed the crowd to build all the way up to the main event.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Arlovski vs Rothwell fight was a great setup to the Main event actually, so, it worked out well for the Affliciton card as well.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 17, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that was good, but literally, every single fight at UFC 91 was exciting. The only fight that went to a decision was Gurgel-Riley and that was a three round stand up slugfest.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will trust your completely unbiased and impartial opinion…

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

=)

by cyph on Nov 17, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

by subo on Nov 17, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Couture and Lidell

UFC100

These guys helped build this sport so it could make it to ufc100.

It just needs to happen.

by dbcb on Nov 17, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

UFC 100 Dreamcard

Sometime in July? o_O

Lesnar VS Nog
Alves VS GSP
A Silva VS Couture
Tito VS Chuck
Carano VS Cyborg

Hey I can dream, right?

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 2:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How about July 4th in Madison Square Garden?

by subo on Nov 17, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

=

Fireworks in my pants. Yeah, I said it.

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That would = PURE WINNN!!!!1!!

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for the missed shift 1

My favorite.

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What I do not understand

is that if Randy had to work that hard to get up & not be taken down & we all know that his wrestling is phenomenal then how does that not bode well for Lesnar? Did anyone expect him to be able to hold Randy down the whole time?

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 3:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, because Carwin and Velasquez are much younger and much larger than Randy.

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2008 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

While I understand that,

are we saying that those two are superior wrestlers than Randy?

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think anyone can say that. Especially wrestling for MMA. Randy wrote the book on that.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is what I mean,

Randy being kept down would be great, but I did not expect it to happen too often. Since Lesnar is just learning how to hold someone down while effectively striking, I thought that Randy would be able to get up.

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that’s not necessarily the issue. It’s not as if either are miles behind Couture in terms of ability. Taking into account size and youth, as well as athleticism, and I think there’s reason to believe that either Carwin or Velasquez would have an advantage over Couture against Lesnar.

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe you are right,

I just thought that Randy being able to get up with his great wrestling was more of a compliment to Randy than it was an indictment on Lesnar.

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Randy is very good. I’m not sure how much formal training has in Greco-Roman. Obviously he had no experience with it in MMA prior to facing Randy, and it is a different kettle of fish from Brock’s freestyle background.

I don’t honestly know if Velasquez or Carwin have their backgrounds in Freestyle or Greco. I’d imagine Freestyle, in which case maybe there isn’t the same level of concern for Brock as he had with Randy. But then you come back to all of the things I’ve already mentioned, and who knows?

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that Randy's smaller size

actually benefitted him, along with his unbelievable wrestling, in getting back up & avoiding Brock’s takedowns. Not that Lesnar is anywhere near what his potential might be, but it is scary what he has been able to learn in 4 fights. He slowed everything down considerably for this fight to ensure he fought a smart fight.

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm curious if this was an established technique?

Seems like lack of size was not a benefit there.

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

First time I’ve seen that video, that was a pretty slick move on Brock’s part.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah great move. I saw that fight again last night and noticed it even more.

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 17, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He went for the rear choke &

Brock defended it. What else is there to say?

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Never seen someone defend by grabbing the leg, standing up and pulling him around and then tripping/pushing into half guard.

I put a fanshot up earlier but apparently no one saw it, wanted a bit of discussion.

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

now you have, lol. It was effective

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

JUDO BROCK!!!

He seemed to perform that particular maneuver with intention. I mouthed “wow” at my whole table upon seeing that.

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats a video that really scares the crap out of the rest of the heavyweight divison, even more than the finish of the fight.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is a good point as

that shows that he is actually thinking while fighting & not just brawling. He definitely has the capacity to learn, so we will have to see about his cardio. He looked really exhausted but he kept going & that was impressive.

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The question...

Would it have been effective, or would he have even tried it, if the person he was fighting had the ability to do anything to him?

By that I mean, if it had been Carwin or Gonzaga on his back (for lack of better examples), that had actual weight on them, I think it’s a good chance he couldn’t have even tried it.

by mythbuster on Nov 17, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would

what have been effective & would he have tried what?

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The “reversal” or whatever it’s called.

by mythbuster on Nov 17, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking of it as more of an issue against a BJJ guy like Nog who can lock in an RNC in very little time, but I understand the point.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The cardio factor is interesting to me as well

As hard as it is to supply oxygen to all of those muscles its even harder to get oxygen to your own muscles while attempting to fight off a guy with all those muscles. For Brock to tire before his opponent I think you will have to see a fighter that can keep Brock at a distance so as to not get smothered. I just don’t know who that fighter is at this point.

(To clarify, I’m speaking only to the cardio factor and I’m not saying hes an unbeatable monster…yet)

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely true,

it takes tons of oxygen to keep that tank gassed on his body. He looks like he hits the wall & then continues so I guess we will see in the future if it becomes an issue.

by dnevil001 on Nov 17, 2008 5:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In response to him being gassed

who could have beaten his high score?

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, Yamasaki. God bless this man.

by cyph on Nov 17, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

After a bit though…it is a 275 goliath beating an old man on the ground. Personally I think it should have been stopped when he started doing the uppercut type punches under Randy’s arm. The elbows bouncing Randy’s head on the floor were overkill at that point.

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Randy should have turned the back of his head towards the punches. Worked for Frank Mir

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

MOST AWESOME THING EVAR

by Blackout612 on Nov 17, 2008 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Getting so tired of the fools out there questioning the man’s cardio.

He was a national champion collegiate wrestler…do any of you know what kind of cardio is required for that?!? Anyone at all?!?

You’re too quick to assume that because the dude is bigger than a compact car that he’s “out of shape” and incapable of running around the block. Arguments about how much O2 is required to power those muscles, but nobody is mentioning that the dude has a bigger set of pipes than most people walking this planet.

My only concern for the man is psychologically “gassing” out…getting so amped for a fight and peaking too early. This is one place where the WWE experience probably comes in a handy. He doesn’t get star-struck easily and isn’t unaccustomed to the spotlight pointing in his direction. Remember that he’s also shown us that he can take a punch and not go apeshit and that he took the cut in stride.

Omar...I'm done with you. Hello Darren Ford! Come to papa.

by PacBellBoozer on Nov 18, 2008 5:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, the fact he set up that right hand that floored Couture rather than just rushed in shows a lot I think. He is working on his patience and I think a lot of people are seeign that as cardio issues.

by iiowyn on Nov 18, 2008 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And much smaller and slower than Brock and no discernible wrestling advantage.

by Day Man on Nov 17, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The sound is important

I think one of the important aspects of a PPV is to sell tickets to future live events. If the UFC can bring across the energy of the arena then people will sit at home wishing they were there. During any college or pro football, basketball, baseball hockey, soccer game we can hear the crowd and their reactions. This adds to the experience for the viewer watching at home and makes that viewer want to be there. Adding the mikes and working on the sound mix may seem like a waste of time and money but if it went under the marketing budget it would be well spent.

by Reciprocity on Nov 17, 2008 4:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs