I guess my question Brent is, given Arlovski’s complete inability to stop anyone’s takedowns who ever tries them against him, what makes you think he can stop Fedor’s?

“..but you can not overlook Roach’s ability to see the way a fight will unfold and help prepare his fighters with an appropriate plan of attack.”

How many times has Roach helped a fighter prepare for a MMA bout? That is why I overlook his ability in this area.

I don’t doubt he is great in boxing and preparing people for bouts in boxing, but he seems to ignore the fact that Fedor may be lacking footwork from a boxers point of view, but even if Arlovski lands a few good shots, there is not much in the way to stop Fedor from taking the fight to the ground.

And once it is on the ground, Roach is no longer a factor at all.

Yeah, I must say, if Roach is putting together his gameplan for this fight, it’s a very bad thing. The man can barely name an armbar.

I suspect Fedor will win this thing everywhere it goes. There’s something about the threat of other things in MMA that can make striking more effective. The threat of clinch and takedown from Fedor is part of what makes his striking so effective. How does training with Roach for boxing footwork help at all for avoiding trips?

Should be the toughest fight for Fedor since Cro Cop, that being said…

Freddy Roach also thought that Bernard Hopkins was done against Kelly Pavlik, even openly stated that he was worried for his health. Freddy is a great trainer but he is as good as filling a promotional role as just about any trainer out there. Too many people let their opinion get swayed by Freddy Roach soundbite. When you have someone like Manny Pacquiao to follow your gameplan, you’re going to be right a lot.

Besides, it getting pretty obvious that Andrei is making the crossover to boxing. He’s going after the huge paydays while they are still there, same way Anderson Silva has made noise about doing it. Andrei has publicy talked about boxing on HBO before and is rumored to be signed by Golden Boy, Dana White has commented that fighting on HBO was a sticking point in his negotiations with Andrei, and Andrei avoids the question everytime it is presented to him. If he has his sights on his boxing career, is he fully prepared for someone who is considered to be the most dangerous ground and pound fighter in the sport, with great subs to boot?

No argument there. Roach understands better then anyone the consequences of taking a beating too many. He cares about fighters.

Andrei wouldnt be first person to try and keep distance between Fedor. It would be a lot easier to do in the vast space of the Octagon then in a ring. Fedor is as good as getting a step on you to the inside as anybody out there. A quick punch and he is there. I think Andrei can do it, but he has to be pretty much flawless and capitalize as soon as Fedor is in range.

I think the one thing that AA has going for him is that Fedor likes to fight his oppenents at their strengths….so if Fedor thinks he can stand and beat AA then I give a big chance for the Pitbull to once again become the best HW in the world.

could arvloski potentially “machida” his way to a decision or is that impossible to do in a ring (aka getting cornered)

There is no way AA will be able to keep this fight standing if Fedor feels he is getting the best of him in the standup. And if it goes to the ground, AA is dead. AA survives as long as Fedor wants him to IMO..

I think this will be Fedor’s first straight up standing KO of another fighter. Fedor hits so hard that once someone tastes that power on the chin, alot of them fall(Sylvia, Fujita) and then Fedor just finishes the fight. But, I think with the history of Arlovski’s chin combined with Fedor’s power, this is going to be an ugly KO.

Fedor has a history of proving he can beat somebody at their own game and this won’t be any different. Of course if Fedor gets a takedown, which he most certainly can, this will be over pretty damn quick.

Fedor by brutal KO!

Looking at Brent’s record, you can’t say he’s not willing to roll the dice on an underdog. I can’t back him on this, and I’m sure he wouldn’t want my sub par fight picking skills behind him anyway. However, his analysis gives one something to chew on. I’m officially more interested in the Fedor/Arlovski scrap.

As a betting man, what do you think the odds are that one or both BJ and AA pull the upset? I think BJ has the better shot, but I figure one of them will do it.

this is why you are wrong

FEDOR

pciking agianst him is like saying “i bet you a billion dollars i can find a real live unicorn”

its outlandish and can only be explained with the words jack daniels

i agree Arlovski has the size, speed and power to beat Fedor. the only problem i have with AA is i dont think he has the heart to beat Fedor, ever since he went hollywood and shaved his back he has lost his killer instinct

Regardless of whether AA can really beat Fedor, it’s good to see people cheering for both sides. It’s a good build up to the fight. I think that the promotion did a good job at making people believe that AA can really beat Fedor with his boxing abilities.

Brent’s not crazy; I think he’s describing a new way to possibly challenge Fedo, we just don’t know if it’s going to work yet.

I don’t think it’s going to work.

Are you serious? I hate to be the one to break the news to you but THIS IS NOT A 12 ROUND BOXING MATCH. This is an MMA fight and unfortunetly for AA, take downs are allowed.
Nowhere in that brilliant plan of yours for AA did you mention anything about stoping take downs or nullifing the ground game of one of the best grapplers in the world.

Take a minute to rethink your “plan” for AA and write this article again

I think comparing Roy Nelson’s ground game to Fedor’s is ill-advised. Yes Freddie will have coached AA on Fedor’s weaknesses as pertained to his stand up game – what advise can he give about Fedor’s Sambo game – considering that he (Freddie) dismisses grappling all together? Can AA catch Fedor – absolutely he can. Buit Fedor has been rocked before and been tested some of the best (albeit some of the best at the time). AA has , I don;t want to say a weak chin, but is someone who has proven not to be able to sustain damage, and someone who we have not seen defend a great ground game. Not to this caliber. I won;t say that a Fedor win is a foregone conclusion, but until someoe beats the man – you can not be the man – WOOOOOO!!!!! – LOL – but seriously……..

Brent – I can totally understand how you believe GSP’s wrestling COULD be a key, but (and I know judges’ love to score a takedown more than a sub attempt from the back) a takedown into the guard, and doing nothing with it isn’t neutralizing BJ’s BJJ game (IMO) it just falls right into a gameplan. What will be telling is if he (GSP) can punch/elbow from the guard, or even pass. In my heart of hearts (and I may be a homer) I don’t see GSP standing and outstriking BJ (just one mans’ opinion) IMO, GSP wins by takedowns, mostly if he’s relentless in rounds 4-5, which I admit, more than likely he would be. I also think that thinking BJ will not have cardio to go 5 is now a smart way of thinking…….he wants this more than anyone knows – not to say GSP isn;t a monster, but eh, we’ll see. I’d take BJ all day – but once again – just one mans’ opinion

• if GSP wins – it’s by takedowns……..

1. At least someone is fighting back the revisionist history of AA take down defense. Yes, Nelson never did take AA down in the fight, never got close.

Brent the rest isn’t for you but I have to some things to say about a few the arguments thrown back at you.

2. Wrestlers will always beat Strikers? Really, where did this crap come from, who posted this? Anderson Silva is champ because of striking, Rashad Evans won big in 2008 because of striking. Chuck Liddell’s huge career is because of striking. Can we put the wrestling superiority away? If it were that simple they would all be wrestlers.

3. Has anyone bashing Nelson ever seen him fight? Do you know what is strength his? Here is a hint . . . his submission game. He’s won a lot of fights. If he found himself on top of any Top 10 HW he would have control of the fight for 2 minutes and would mount some serious offense. Big Country’s problem is he only prepares to win on the ground but once he is down there he is damn good.