Shawn Tompkins vs. Freddie Roach

by nk on Jan 9, 2009 5:22 PM EST

In an interview with Sam Caplan over at FiveOuncesOf Pain, Shawn Tompkins said this:

...When he[Roach] says something it’s generally gold. But I will go against him in a way where he says Fedor’s punching isn’t technical and that it isn’t good because obviously, he’s the greatest. There are some cases with certain people that when everything they do wrong turns out right and that’s what you have in Fedor...I just can’t see Arlovski winning the fight. I think it’s a really bad fight for him but I think it’s a fight that he has to do. Best of luck to him, obviously, and I think Freddie Roach is a great trainer and I have respect for him at the upmost but I just don’t think he understands Fedor like the rest of us in the MMA game do.

I could not agree with Shawn Tompkins more. Most people seem to be really excited for this fight but, this seems to be a very bad match up for AA. I think AA is a more technical boxer but this is MMA not boxing. I also think that compared to Fedor AA is very weak on the ground.

Part II of this interview is also a good read. It has some good insight on this fight.

Shawn Tompkins Freddie Roach

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Comments

If Fedor gets into Arlovski’s guard and there’s at least three minutes left in the round, I will shocked if Andrei makes it.

by Rundownloser on Jan 9, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Three minutes? Try 30 seconds to a minute.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Jan 9, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

I totally believe it, I’m just trying to be a little more conservative in my picks. :)

by Rundownloser on Jan 9, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

unless

unless they get a ref who will stand it up once Fedor gets side control on him.

by DUGASWARRIOR on Jan 9, 2009 9:34 PM EST reply actions

There is no way AA keeps Fedor from getting him down almost immediately. And once Fedor has him on the ground he is going to pound on him in his guard and then take an arm.

by lbk on Jan 9, 2009 9:35 PM EST reply actions

yeah...

Look what “Lunch Box” did to him in his last fight — I think Fedor’s a little better than Nelson.

On the other hand… remember the buentello fight?

I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.

by mma_dude on Jan 9, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions

Roach’s criticism of Fedor’s stand up technique is dead on. Roach’s assessment wasn’t all bad. He said when Fedor has momentum he is great at finishing people off, plus very clever at getting into people’s guard.

by bignerd on Jan 10, 2009 10:59 PM EST reply actions