UFC 81 Thoughts

by Nate Wilcox on Feb 3, 2008 2:14 AM EST in MMA News

Don't miss Luke Thomas' post show thoughts on Any Given Saturday radio.

Man what a great night of MMA! Quick Thoughts:

Welcome to MMA Lots of WWE fans tuning in to see their first MMA show got a GREAT introduction to the sport.
A Jiu Jitsu Showcase The Mir/Lesnar and Nogueira/Sylvia fights were both great introductions to the magic of jiu jitsu in MMA. The WWE kids tuning in for the first time tonight must've gotten a comparable mind blowing experience watching those fights as us old schoolers got the first time we saw scrawny little Royce Gracie using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to win fight after fight.
What's next for Brock? A match between Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia holds a lot of intrigue -- which fighter can come back from a huge loss? Can Lesnar handle Sylvia's powerful striking? Can Big Tim sprawl and brawl against a guy his own size? On the other hand, Lesnar's drawing power could certainly justify Zuffa spending the $300,000 that Cro Cop costs them.
The legend of Big Nog comes to America. And with Fedor no where in the picture, Nogueira could enjoy a long and happy title reign. Have to wonder if they'll pull the rug out from under Werdum and give the first shot at Big Nog's belt to someone more marketable -- like a newly revitalized Frank Mir.
Marquart/Almeida? Both guys looked ultra sharp tonight. Putting them in the ring together seems like a no brainer. If Evan Tanner loses to Okami, I'd love to see that Horn/Tanner fight we've been hoping to see for 8 years.
Tyson Griffin Wins Another Decision And this one was not quite as controversial as his "win" over Clay Guida, but still wasn't the kind of performance that will get him a title shot in the jam-packed 155lb division. As I thought Tibau's size advantage was a factor.
Tim Boetsch! This guy was VERY impressive. Making a short-notice debut in the UFC is never easy -- unless you're Tim Boetsch that is. Looking forward to seeing how he fares in the packed 205 class. I expect that's the end of David Heath's UFC career.

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Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

So I guess that WWE kids includes yourselfs, if I can recall that was a 4 out of 5 picks on Sylvia and Lesner.
I told from the start that Nogueira rules.
It´s not a noob opinion, I`ve watched almost every Nogueira´s fight, he always finds a way.
For the noobs it might sounds strange, but please don´t believe the fight´s hype, especially if it´s Dana saying that Sylvia is more experienced and can high kick.
Please have your own opinion, but before you post it try to back it up with some solid facts.
JCM

by bigcherry on Feb 3, 2008 2:38 AM EST reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

I've seen the miracle of BJJ fail too many times to pick with my heart. Big Tim is a pox and if I pick him to lose he's guaranteed to win. He came very close tonight.

by Nate Wilcox on Feb 3, 2008 3:15 AM EST up reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

Other thoughts: notice the boos for Brock and Barry Bonds? I guess fight fans are rejecting steroid use.

I don't think Frank Mir is ready for Big Nog yet, but he certainly deserves to get in line for a title shot instead of fighting in obscurity. But if Brock had spent half as much time learning some actual technique instead of relying on his size, free weights and love of cherry-flavored HGH, he would have beaten the hell out of Mir. Frank needs stiffer competition and a few well-paying fights so that he can quit working as a bouncer and start training full time.

I was glad to see Frank win, but I'm kind of excited to see Brock fight again - and as a guy who thinks steroid use should come with a lifetime ban from all professional sports, nobody is more surprised than me. I can just hope that he'll ditch the guys at Minnesota Martial Arts to get some real BJJ training before he ends up a boring decision-grinder like their other star pupil, and noted steroid aficionado, Sean Sherk.

And if anyone else watched UFC All Access or Countdown 81, you'll know that he needs to work on his striking (but not leg kicks - those looked vicious) as well: chin down, elbows in, hands up, Brock. You're not being judged on posture here, so roll those shoulders. Let's get this guy a real team that isn't going to suck his dick and tell him that he's so powerful he can get over anyone.

by jemaleddin on Feb 3, 2008 3:04 AM EST reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

There are going to be thousands of people singing the praises of Mir and Nog (and rightfully so) so I am going to take the road less traveled echo part of your post: Tim Boetsch! Beating Heath doesn't not make him a blue chip fighter but very impressive showing none the less.

by Psygone on Feb 3, 2008 5:22 AM EST reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

definitely -- a very impressive performance. Heath might not be a contender at the UFC level but he's a very bad man and has definitely proven that he's Octagon caliber and Boetsch just demolished him. The body kicks were very savvy and effective.

by Nate Wilcox on Feb 3, 2008 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

I'm seeing a trend first in the OP then in your post.... we gotta make that exclaimation point part of his name.... he ain't Tim Boetsch..... he's Tim Boetsch! as in "Tim Boetsch! looked impressive in that fight." he earned the ! with the way he took it to heath

by robnashville on Feb 3, 2008 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

I keep reading here and elsewhere that the fans booed Tyson after the fight. A friend who was there told me this morning he thought the boos were for Handy Couture who was in the ring. The casual fans have turned mightily against him. With that, and now a legitimate titleholder, Dana doesnt need him anymore.

Randy's biggest mistake, and I've seen it in business now more times than I can count, is thinking your company cant live without you. They can and they will.

by MoreThanUFC on Feb 3, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions

Re: UFC 81 Thoughts

That's potentially what they were booing but as the UFC refused to acknowledge Randy at all on the broadcast (even going so far as to mention Maynard being in Tyson's corner but not Randy) it was hard to tell. And then Tyson talking about the fans booing him because it wasn't exciting...etc.

I didn't think the fight was bad by any means...not exactly a thrillride, but a decent mma bout. Hell, knowing the crowds at these shows it may have started with one guy booing that he couldn't afford a Budweiser and everyone else hearing him and jumping in with a "I want to boo too! BOOOO!"

by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 3, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions