Parting Shots from Affliction 2
After being there in person to witness the second Affliction event, I have just a few notes and things to pass along that I wish would happen for the sake of MMA everywhere. Some are a personal view and opinion. I do have some hostility in me, so be prepared. I was there for the first one and I, like my brother, agreed that the second one was better than the first one in terms of the actual quality of the fights. We agreed that the fights were better and that the production value was probably better, as well. But anyways, let's get to the notes and other stuff.
Notes
- Sokoudjou is the most worthless fighter I've ever seen when the fight hits the mat. He looks like a total noob down there. Garbage.
- Sidelnikov has a bright future ... as soon as he learns to move his head and get cardio.
- Cooper did something I wish more people in MMA would do ... use the uppercut. It's the most worthwhile yet seldom used weapon.
- Sobral is improving, which is tough to do at that age. That KO loss to Lambert seems to have woke him up.
- I feel for Lauzon. Three shots to the groin and he still won in the first (same) round.
- LC Davis is a stud. Once he gets more seasoning, he might be one of the best 145'ers in the world. No shame in losing to Fabiano a while back.
- Rogerio is a guy who the UFC should probably sign but probably never will. Not much left for him out there outside of Sobral and Ortiz.
- Barnett knew better than to stand with Yvel, you could see it in his eyes. Smart gameplan to just ride him out on the ground. Stuck to the plan.
- Arlovski did the opposite. He somehow decided it would be awesome to throw an unnecessary flying knee. And he got knocked into next week.
- But Lindland got knocked into next month. Thank the Lord for Vitor Belfort. My life is now complete. Hopefully, so is Lindland's career.
- If Arlovski is into next week and Lindland into next month, then Jason High was knocked into next year because Jay Hieron abused him.
- Rios and Davis won the same type of decision. They decisively lost the first round while narrowly winning the second and third. Got those fights right on my card.
- Fedor did what Fedor does. Survive and destroy. Barnett is next. And I feel sorry for him. But at least it's an awesome matchup.
- Eleven fights and only two went the distance (both on undercard). That's how you sell a card and PPV. Finish the fights damnit.
- After Barnett/Fedor, what's the next big Heavyweight fight that Affliction can make? Fedor/Overeem ... anyone?
Signings I'd like to see Affliction make:
- Muhammed Lawal (205)
- Gesias Cavalcante (155)
- Eddie Alvarez (155)
- Jake Shields (170)
- Jorge Santiago (185)
- Gegard Mousasi (185/205)
- Alistair Overeem (HW)
- Sergei Kharitonov (HW)
- Roger Gracie (HW)
Obviously most are just a dream but I don't see why a few can't be had. But oh well.
Oh, and just in case someone says Fedor isn't known in the states ... go to an Affliction event and tell me the average fan doesn't know who he is.
The guy got the biggest ovation I've ever seen in my life. Belfort, Sobral, and Arlovski each received a smaller but big reaction. As did Rogerio.
And nothing made me happier than to watch Lindland walk out of that ring like a little bitch. The guy is the most garbage fighter I've ever had to watch and watching Belfort almost force his trashy ass out of the ring in a stretcher was the greatest thing I've ever seen live and in person. The biggest douchebag in MMA was almost killed tonight and I had a smile from ear-to-ear. Call me heartless, I do not care. The guy had it coming to him. Go back to politics, Matt. You suck when you are required to step up in competition.
Best Entrance Music: Antonio Duarte [Cancion Del MariachiI (Morena De Mi Corazon)] -- from Desperado
Best Entrance Attire: Albert Rios
Best Knockout: Fedor Emelianenko
Best Submission: Dan Lauzon
Best Fight: LC Davis versus Bao Quach
Best Performer: Vitor Belfort
Biggest Surprise: Sokoudjou still not having a ground game
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
4 recs |
30 comments
Comments
AMEN to what you said about Lindland. My thoughts exactly. Vitor now has a special place in my heart.
by Chris Nelson on Jan 25, 2009 10:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now we never have to hear Lindland mentioned as a possible antidote to Andersen Silva again.
by Jahbulon on Jan 25, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he is the only person who ever thought he had any sort of a shot. I have a feeling that we are a few years away from the last of Lindland.
by MattTil on Jan 25, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sidelnikov
Should be fighting at 205. He is too small for HW.
by rainmaker6 on Jan 25, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd
Awesome insight and Im jelous. It was one hell of a PPV and I applaude Affliction for learning from the first show which was also great as well. This show was just better all around though. Announcers, ring announcer (yeah I said that shit, M Buffer is overrated IMO), no ramp this time, no concert, intro vids, better matchups, graphics and presentation, Lindland getting KTFO lol, regardless of the haters I thought Tito was decent, and it just had an all around great atmosphere and it can only get better.
I hope ODLH wasn’t just bullshitting about his excitement last night and really backs Affliction. I want them here to stay. Sorry Dana, I doubt you have much ammo after this show. Also agree with you on those signings. A one time superfight between Gina vs. Cyborg would also be sweet for them.
Affliction 3 DO WANT!!!!!!
by xFenixKnightx on Jan 25, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Go to an Affliction event and try to find an average fan…
by iiowyn on Jan 25, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yea it would be surprising if a crowd at an Affliction show didn’t know who Fedor is not the other way around. If they know enough to go out and get those tickets then they probably know what they are buying. That doesn’t mean that even a significant fraction of the 300million people in the US know who the guy is though. What really surprised me was the NYT article saying that Fedor wasn’t that well known in Russia.
by who me on Jan 25, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sokoudjou vs Houston Alexander needs to happen ASAP, with Drew McFedries moving up to 205 to challenge the winner.
by Jahbulon on Jan 25, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There’s a good chance they’ll run into each other at Abu Dhabi eventually.
by Chris Nelson on Jan 25, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Me too.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 25, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d still rather see the guys you list – especially the HWs – come to the UFC, but at least they’re getting work here.
by subo on Jan 25, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad to see the Lindland fanboys have finally been shut up. MMAWeekly was a joke to put him at 3, and it got proven last night.
Good on Belfort, I’d love to see him back in the UFC. Not sure who else remains for him outside of the UFC if Mousasi is moving up a division and Lawler is still stuck in the ashy husk of EliteXC.
by Michaelthebox on Jan 25, 2009 4:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in Japan, maybe against Santiago or Misaki.
by Chris Nelson on Jan 25, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Misaki would be good. I have a feeling he’d crush Santiago.
by Michaelthebox on Jan 25, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was a fun show
I wish I had been there instead of watching it pay per view and having to listen to Tito Ortiz commentating. Just when I think I have heard enough mundane commentary to take to the grave I am forced to watch his on camera post fight interviews. It was a nightmare.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Jan 25, 2009 4:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
His color commentary wasn’t bad at all. He was noting some good stuff and showing that he really knew the sport. His interviews on the other hand…well, you can see my sig.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 25, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i was at the fight and something dawned on me...
never in anyone’s wildest imagination could you envision 25 years ago that an arena in anaheim ca. would go absolutely crazy, cheering two guys from the former cccp. competing in a sport that didn’t exist. it kind of makes you think with rose colored glasses what the future bring.
by thejd on Jan 25, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Rec'd.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Jan 26, 2009 9:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s hard not to rec that. So hard in fact, that I couldn’t avoid it.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 26, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was also at the event at agree with pretty much all those statements.
Fedor got a monstrous ovation, noticeably bigger than Arlovski and he was greeted well.
I think two people clamped when Lindland (I was one) made his entrance and the crowd was absolutely ballistic when Belfort knocked off his head. Really, they wanted to celebrate more but it looked like he was actually dead or would be suffering brain damage for the rest of the fight so people just looked around gleefully to be respectful.
The crowd really embraced the Barnett vs Yvel fight. It got kind of boring the 3rd round, no one seemed to catch that Yvel tap.
by bignerd on Jan 25, 2009 10:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That is exactly the reaction I would expect from a crowd of mostly mma fans. Unfortunately i don’t think that is the norm for mma events in the US, mainly UFC.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
by BJJDenver on Jan 26, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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