Brock Lesnar's way to the strap.

by Heenan on Aug 13, 2008 3:39 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

Earlier this week, I outlashed a little bit because I had all the Brock Lesnar pie that my stomach could handle. I have taken a couple days off (of MMA), and gathered my thoughts about the UFC heavy-weight class.

In a perfect world, Randy Couture would still be defending the heavy-weight crown. After watching Brock defeat Herring without taking any noticeable damage, there is very little doubt in my mind that this would be a similar fight. Couture's game plan would probably be a little deeper than Herrings, but would it make any difference? In the past, Captain America has struggled with guys that have a weight/strength advantage sans Tim Sylvia (ex. Barnett, Rodriguez, and even Chuck Liddell when they both cut to 205). The reason he was able to defeat Tim, is because of the Maine-iacs lack of training on the ground, and too much focus on boxing. He was able to keep Tim guessing. I seriously doubt he would keep Lesnar guessing from his back, or in the turtle position.

The Lesnar/Couture match-up would favor the former pro-wrestler from almost any angle you take it. Randy wouldn't have the choice of dictating the pace of the fight, nor where the fight would take place.

All though I am a former Couture fan, I think this fight would be a solid avenue to let everyone know that Brock is possible championship material. This is a fight he could win today. Hopefully Randy comes back, fights Nog (whom I predict would win), and Randy could have his last contractual bout with Brock Lesnar (which would probably be a lot more interesting than Fedor/Randy, and equally as profitable for Zuffa).

Lesnar's way to the top could happen later this fall starting with his speculated match-up with Kongo. If Randy came back, lost to Nog, and the stars became aligned, that would be Brocks way to get to the top of the ladder.

However, it will never happen due to everyones differing agenda's.

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However, it will never happen due to everyones differing agenda’s.

Dude, that’s anti-climactic. However, I agree it probably won’t happen.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 13, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’ll have to get through Noguiera, Werdum or Gonzaga first.

by Nick Thomas on Aug 13, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My fault. I didn’t paint a very clear picture. I am basically making a bracket for Brock to make it to the top, based on a ton of ifs.

Randy vs. Nog to unify- Nog wins
Brock vs Kongo-Brock wins
Brock vs. Randy- declaring Brock a contender- Lesnar wins.

Then give Brock a shot at Big Nog.

That would put the rest of the division on hold, though.

Has anyone given a chance for Mir to pull off an upset? Or is that the equivalent of Matt Serra vs. BJ Penn?

by Heenan on Aug 13, 2008 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn, I like Mir, but I’d have to think he’ll be a pretty big underdog. I would say that Nog has good striking advantage, and the ground would have to be even at best. I sort of think it might turn out to be a good match. It depends on how close Mir is to his former self, when he was champion.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 13, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice plug on “overuse of pro…” You owned it.

I think the Mir fight will be pretty even. Each of them has similar styles on ending fights. We know Mir isn’t going to knock out Nog, and I doubt Mir will try to box with him. The fight will more than likely be scored on take-downs and top-control. Then again, asking those guys to grapple for 25 minutes and not make any mistakes is going to be interseting.

Am I in right-field if I make the comment that Nog doesn’t isn’t over-exciting in his fights?

by Heenan on Aug 13, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What can Mir do to Nog? Take all triangles, armbars, and leg locks away from Mir, and he’s left with his striking and some chokes. I don’t see Nog getting choked out by Mir, and Mir’s striking isn’t good enough to defeat Nog 4/5 times.

by Fatal Error on Aug 13, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know, bro. Take the same components away from Nog, and you have the same thing. Don’t forget that Nogs eyesight has been failing him. It has been suggested that his vision is one of the reasons he takes so much damage during the fight. Good chin or not, he doesn’t want to be hit just like we don’t like to be hit. Nog may have beaten big Tim, but he isn’t in the prime of his career, IMHO. I think during his pride fights with Fedor, Nog was at his best.

by Heenan on Aug 13, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mir is not beating Nogueira.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Aug 14, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The fact that Lesner could be a potential title holder, speaks well of his wrestling and development. It also speaks of the lack of depth and wide range of size in the HW division.

As for Couture, while he is great and very cerebral about the fight game, he is also perhaps the most overrated fighter out there.

Nog is fantastic, but his physical problems are rapidly compiling. I have a friend who is a TUF contestant on the new season, and he said it was sad to see Nog struggling physically.

Mir is a contender, as is Werdum. Gonzaga still holds promise and there are some nice new guys coming up like Velazquez and Carwin.

So what does all this mean? Without Fedor, there is no dominating, long term HW champ in the UFC right now, so why not Lesner? IMO, HW is a wide open division where ANY of these guys could hold teh belt in the next couple of years and several probably will.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 14, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure why Shane Carwin isn’t discussed that much. He is a massive dude with kryptonite fists. I think the UFC could build him up a little bit better.

by Heenan on Aug 14, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whether you like Lesnar or not, you’ve got to respect his athleticism and wrestling skill. I’ve been somewhat critical of his post-fight antics, but I don’t doubt he could one day be champion. I don’t think he has to sell himself so hard. He’ll earn respect as he progresses. If he can finish fights, MMA fans will likely get behind him.

I was really impressed with Cain Velasquez in his fight with O’Brien. The UFC’s heavyweight division looks kind of pathetic when you consider all the proven guys walking around. The UFC’s not in that bad of a position if you consider the fact that they have these young guys and will probably lead in getting more potential stars. Affliction is out there paying big money for guys with history. They’re not the same guys who’ll be making waves in the future. Randy Couture is the exception when it comes to fighting into your 40’s.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 14, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Don’t be surprised if we see Brock up against another JJ guy in the next 12 months, and he puts on another dominant performance. His training acumen has no doubt improved. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Brock/Kongo, then Brock/Verdum.

by Heenan on Aug 14, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know.

I think Brock still might have some trouble with top BJJ guys, and Werdum is definitely top of the food chain in that regard. It would be a test for both. You’ve got an extremely strong and athletic wrestler against a decorated ground wizard who’s certainly not small. It would be interesting, sir.

by Cannon Jacques on Aug 14, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can you say Lesnar ia anywhere close yet

Brock hasn’t taken a real punch yet. How can anyone be touted as a future champ if they haven’t proven there ability to take a shot to the chin? I think Brock is going to hit the ground like a bull being put down. A well timed high kick or a good shot to the head will tell the tale here. Lesnar was quick in the Hearring fight but a well timed knee may have changed the ending. Watch the footage and you’ll see what I mean. Mir hasn’t been the same since his bike wreck but he is the best ring announce in mma in my opinion. Maybe he can get back on top. That would be cool.

by GFORCE2574 on Aug 17, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How can you say he isn't?

Given the depth of the HW division of the UFC, its pretty sure it wont be that far off to see him fight for that belt if he keeps winning his fights. And to say that if he can’t take a punch or a kick to the head he can’t be considered a future champ, much less a contender, is lets see… a joke? Anyone can succumb to a well timed high kick or a good shot to the head, even the current champions. I think his 2-1 MMA record or his relative lack of MMA experience (skills?) would make a better case. But even Caplan thinks he’s 2 fights away from a title bout.

Another thing, is there a good enough striker in the UFC’s HW division that has the accuracy and power that can pull that off? that can stuff his take downs while doing it? Most probably Gonzaga, with the way he KO’ed Crocop, but we know how he reacts when he’s hurt or being pounded out on the ground. The rest who’re ranked above him (according Caplan’s UFC ranking) aren’t known for striking. I guess we’ll see how he’ll do with Kongo.

by Johann on Aug 18, 2008 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs