Dan Henderson vs. Jake Shields Headlines April 17 CBS Strikeforce Event
by Nick Thomas on Mar 1, 2010 6:40 PM EST
in MMA News
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Dan Henderson (25-7) vs. Jake Shields (24-4-1)
Gegard Mousasi (28-2-1) vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (6-0)
Gilbert Melendez (17-2) vs. Shinya Aoki (23-4)
On today’s edition of The Fight Show, a radio program presented by Strikeforce commentator Mauro Renallo, it was stated the there would be three title fights on the April 17th card. With two of those title fights confirmed today, the third is as-yet unidentified.
... The third title fight for the April 17th event is likely to be Japanese standout Shinya Aoki facing Strikeforce lightweight boss Gilbert Melendez.
Gilbert Melendez will get his wish and face Shinya Aoki on CBS.
The news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Monday by sources close to the fight. Finalization of the fight was first reported by Josh Gross of SI.com.
HT: http://twitter.com/jakeshieldsajj/, fightersonlymagazine.co.uk, mmaweekly.com
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Okay, so we have two title fights. That leaves what? Either a Diaz, Melendez, or Overeem fight.
hmmmm
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 1, 2010 6:32 PM EST reply actions
From Gross’ Twitter
Multiple sources confirm Gilbert Melendez will fight Shinya Aoki on the April 17 CBS card in Nashville.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
If that actually comes through, good for Strikeforce. Those three fights are very, very solid.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Huh, guess Cyborg/Toughill happens on this card after all.
Seems like too many long fights to do well on CBS, but maybe that’s just me.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
Posted this before they put up the info about Melendez/Aoki
I was just speculating, I didn’t think they’d come through with Aoki this soon.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Finally, the Not Anderson Silva, Not Lyoto Machida, and Not BJ Penn world titles will be decided!!!
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
Hendo/Shields fight > Anderson/Maia fight
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
Ummm… I’m not too sure about that.
Unless you love clinching.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
Silva will dispose of Maia quickly where in the Shield/Hendo fight will be a good scrap. Thats all Im saying.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
Silva/Maia is in the middle east! Rock the Kazbah dude!!!!
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
Is that the main event or is BJ the main? I think BJ should get it. BJ (if he stays at LW) he has crazy potential to be Manny Pacquiaoesque) I guess the UFC just doesn’t see it.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
That's pretty ridiculous
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
That's a bad typo, but I got your back.
Finally, the Not Anderson Silva, NotLyoto MachidaShogun, and Not BJ Penn world titles will be decided!!!
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Accuracy is more important to me
than treading lightly around the feelings of Cecil Peoples.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
Lyoto Machida is the LHW champ. That makes me technically right, the best kind of right.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
But he's not the best LHW in the world.
Although yes, you are the best kind of correct. But you also finished three seconds early. No good bureaucrat finishes early.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Not sure if this was mentioned yet but Arlovski just signed with SF.
by ufc4 on Mar 1, 2010 6:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Someone did a fanshot. I’m sure something will be on the main page soon.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Yep, against Bigfoot in St. Louis. Surprised he’s coming back to The Lou, things didn’t turn out so well last time.
by ufc4 on Mar 1, 2010 6:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ha
Seriously. I’m intrigued by that fight, though. Both could really use a win.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
I saw that from Loretta Hunt. If AA goes night-night 3 times in a row I will cry…
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
probably not
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Well, they’re going to need to see an increase in their rating to keep CBS interested and having a guy who was in a complete snoozer of a five round last time round headlining is not a good idea.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
true, but shit, whatever they put on at 9:00 on a Saturday night has a marginal impact on CBS. obviously they want good ratings, but The Eye won’t go under with SF, no matter what the hell happens
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Its going to take way more than one poorly rated show to tank a network. Plus, doesn’t CBS usually just show Everybody Loves Raymond reruns or Michael Bay movies on saturday nights anyways? How much less viewers could this possibly get?
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Reruns are cheaper than live sporting events, much much cheaper. If the live sporting event can’t beat the rerun ratings then the expensive live show will go away. Even the best MMA rating on CBS wasn’t that special for network tv, they just did good demographics for the timeslot. It won’t take many shows with ratings on the level of the non-Kimbo EliteXC show to kill CBS’s interest in this.
Depends how much they care
about the demo ratings.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
They care about the demo rating insofar as advertisers are willing to pay for that kind of rating.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If the overall ratings are low the demo ratings aren’t going to be that good either. To have young male eyeballs you have to have eyeballs watching.
Lets look at the ratings CBS had this last Saturday against the Olympics with reruns:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/02/28/tv-ratings-waning-olympics-still-win-saturday-night-easily/43269
Fox’s time-tested Saturday night lineup of Cops and America’s Most Wanted was a very distant second place. CBS ran with crime drama repeats and 48 Hours Mystery, and ABC ran the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Details:
Time Net Show 18-49 Rating/Shr Viewers (Millons)
8:00 NBC Vancouver Olympics 3.5/12 16.61
FOX Cops (1 New, 1 Repeat) 1.8/6 5.72
ABC Movie: Harry Potter & Order of the Phoenix (8p-11p)® 1.4/4 3.89
CBS Numb3rs® 0.6/2 3.16
9:00 NBC Vancouver Olympics 4.8/15 21.6
FOX America’s Most Wanted 1.8/5 5.50
CBS Cold Case® 0.9/3 4.18
10:00 NBC Vancouver Olympics 5.2/16 20.97
CBS 48 Hours Mystery 1.6/5 6.28
Strikeforce Fedor vs Rogers overall drew 4.04 million viewers for a 2.5 rating for 9 to 11(ET) for CBS. So a rerun of Cold Case and a rerun of 48 Hour Mystery going against the Winter Olympics still blew away Strikeforce’s ratings on CBS. The only reason CBS is interested at all in MMA is the demographics because the best ratings MMA has done for them just don’t cut it otherwise. If the viewership numbers go down then even those demographic numbers won’t matter as they won’t be good enough. We are still talking about a fringe sport here, It’s going to take Strikeforce’s “A” game every time to just stay at acceptable levels.
While it obviously won’t be the death of the network, I think it will be the end of SF on CBS for better or for worse.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
wtf?
I thought the Olympics were a fucking ratings bonanza? Bah
by Postpubescent on Mar 1, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
This is gonna be a damn good show. I wonder if Lashley fights on it too? As an MMA fan and not a promotion fan, this fucking rocks!
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
No Walker/Canseco and I am content.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
by Ubernoober on Mar 1, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Definitely.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!!!!!
Only place I want to see that fight happen is on a public transit bus.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
by Ubernoober on Mar 1, 2010 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Would there even be room for Lashley?
Melendez/Aoki – 5 rounds
Shields/Henderson – 5 rounds
Mousasi/Mo – 5 rounds
Silva/Arlovski – 3 rounds
Last time they went on CBS they only showed 4 fights and only one was a title fight. Unless CBS allotted them more time I don’t see room for another fight.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Silva/Arlovski is on the one in May
They’ll probably throw Herschel on. A good squash match would fit in between the Mousasi/Mo fight and the Melendez/Aoki fight, with Shields/Hendo as the main
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Good call, that means just enough time for Lashley to get KO'd by Rogers.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent idea
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
I agree
hendo/ shields, king mo/ mousasi, and aoki/melendez. That’s three extremely entertaining fights. I can see Lashley fighting on it (he said he wants to fight often), Grim Rogers hasn’t fought for a sec and arlovsky just signed. This could be a dope ass card. Throw Herschel vs. Canseco on it, they’ve both been training and you have a ratings monster. Now if they can get the mic away from “all braces no insight” and they have something real special.
by god-damn long hair on Mar 1, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
After his last UFC stint I don’t think Trigg is as coherent as he used to be anymore.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
Three words:
Pat. Effing. Miletich.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He did the commentary on Shamrock vs. Diaz
and I think one other card after that. Did I forget something happening since then?
He’s possibly the best color guy in MMA. Very educated, understands technicalities and can express them clearly without getting way too excited a la Rogan and Florian or showing clear bias a la Shamrock and Mir.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
Without getting way too excited?
I’ll take it you forgot about the Fedor/Sylvia fight where his only contribution was “OH! OH-HO! OH-HO! OH-HO-NO-HO! OH!” while Fedor wrecked Sylvia.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 7:32 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll take it you forgot Sylvia’s been a Miletich fighter a helluva long time so he probably wasn’t thinking as a commentator at the time. I’ll give him a pass.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
I did indeed forget about that
likely because I was too busy shouting the same thing. But my comment was meant as more of a general rule.
Rogan will start shouting over anything interesting that piques his interest that day, including ice bags (which was awesome, but still). Kenny Florian, as much as I love him, sometimes gets a bit giddy and over-excitable over high pace and good technique. I’m willing to let Miletich’s OH-FUCK!ery towards his student fly when I see the other options as Gus Johnson not knowing what he’s talking about and Frank Shamrock degrading everyone who beat him or he doesn’t like. And that moment was no worse than Mir during the Torres vs. Bowles fight anyways.
Long story short, he’s not perfect. But relative to everyone else in MMA, he’s pretty fucking good.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah Pat is great.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
Melendez will have the size advantage. Aoki doesn’t seem to do will with bigger fighters. I think Melendez will grind him to a decision.
The key for Melendez is to visualize that the matt is hot lava. Stay off the hot lava at all costs.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
He can try all he wants but Aoki will do that crazy guard pull and tap him with something we’ve never seen before.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
I see it as Melendez
being wild and maybe catching Aoki early, but if Aoki grabs a limb, Melendez will be in trouble. I don’t know how much ground game Melendez has, training with Gracie, Diazx2 and Shields would lead me to believe he has some decent ground.
A rundown on the rumors:
April 17th
1) Shields vs Hendo (confirmed)
2) Mousasi vs King Mo (supposedly will be confirmed shortly)
3) Melendez vs Aoki (verbal commitment)
4) Herschel Walker vs TBD
May
1) Fedor vs. Werdum (still a big question mark)
2) Overeem vs Brett Rogers
3) Arlovski vs. Antonio
Rumored fights for April or May:
Bobby Lashley vs ?
Frank Shamrock vs Pat Miletich (or someone else)
Cung Le vs ?
Vitor Ribeiro vs
Tim Kennedy vs Joey Villasenor
Nick Diaz vs Mach Sakurai
How much do you think they will be? If
I go my boys will insist on coming as well.
Not sure, floor tickets for some shows last year were $150, not sure if these ones would be more or not.
i paid 150 for lower level seating for Fedor v Rogers
Damn good view and had a great time!
I could’ve purchased floor for the same price but they only had further back seats so i figured that a slight elevation would provide a better viewing angle.
I hope they keep the same prices or at least close.
The economy in
St Louis is a train wreck too. Maybe we will get a price break.
I wish Diaz would just play ball and get back in the UFC. I’m not too interested to see him take on Sakurai at this point.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Agreed.
I can think of 5 or 6 fights I want to see asap.
My 2 step plan to make everyone happy:
1) Sign Karo and have Diaz and him fight in Strikeforce
2) Trade Diaz and Mousasi to the UFC for Wanderlei Silva and Kenny Florian for at least 3 fights.
Daiz gets Koscheck, Hardy, and Daley
Mousasi get’s Lyota, Anderson, and finally Jones
Wanderlei gets Lawler, Manhoef, and a rubber match with Hendo
Florian gets Melendez, Crusher, and Aoki
Everyone’s a winner.
Except Wanderlei and Mousasi.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
I think the UFC should buy Strikeforce
based on just those fights alone. I would order them all.
I know this isn't your point but I couldn't resist
Diaz goes 2-1, loses to kos
Mousasi goes 1-2 edges a still to green Jones
Wandi goes 1-2 outpoints Lawler
Florian goes 3-0
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Diaz vs. Hardy, Kampmann, or Paulo Thiago
are some of the most awesome fights to be made at WW right now.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:30 PM EST up reply actions
Diaz vs. Hardy
Imagine the sound bites
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Hardy: “I’m not even going to train for this fight. It won’t help me. I’m better off wearing a bulletproof vest and a bandana over my face. He’s from Compton, right?”
Diaz: “Don’t be scared, homie.”
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
I am getting a chubby
thinking about it! Stop talking dirty to me.
"He can be a twitter bitch all he wants.
FUCK TWITTER!"
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Mar 1, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Aoki in Strikeforce
This is awesome. Enough of the “shitfarce” filth. This is a great card that isn’t making any huge compromises.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
He isn't "in" Strikeforce,
he is on loan from Dream.
Dan Henderson vs Jake Shields in the main event on CBS is a huge compromise. This fight has snoozer written all over it.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
This card could be incredibly awesome or incredibly boring
I don’t think CBS audiences will have the attention span to watch 25 minutes of each fight, especially if it’s ground fighting.
All I have to say is...
DAMN GOOD FIGHTS!!!
3 titles on the line!
Hendo and Aoki’s SF debut. (Aoki’s US debut)
Mo gets a challenge…
SO GOOD!!!
by ADAMantium on Mar 1, 2010 7:25 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Best SF card ever for sure. Really excited for Mousasi/Mo and Melendez/Aoki. Not super excited for Hendo/Shields but I can’t deny that its a fight between two top fighters.
by IWillPartyHard on Mar 1, 2010 7:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
It’s free, no freakshows (yet) and I don’t have to wake up at 3AM to see an Aoki fight.
What the hell can I complain about?
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
by Ubernoober on Mar 1, 2010 7:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The Herschel Walker fight that they’ll announce.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
For sure. If this were a ppv Id order.
I'm gonna make a bold prediction here and say Cain "pillowhands" (as some of you have called him) lol Velasquez catches Nog right on the chin and finishes via strikes on the ground. Nog looked good against an old Randy. It didn't show me much. We’ll see.
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 1, 2010 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
Damn the casuals all you want, if you want to see more free fights on CBS you better hope the casuals come out in droves.
by Worldisart on Mar 1, 2010 7:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Blah blah blah
Yes, I understand that. That doesn’t mean that sometimes it’s not nice to sit back and consider the sport from a fan’s perspective and not a business perspective; to look at three great match-ups and smile.
What is going on here?
I am a big supporter of Strikeforce, but they have been getting a huge amount of flack lately especially within this week. They then put out their potential fights for April and May, and they look awesome. Aoki vs Melendez is a fight that I have been looking forward to for a while. Seeing Mousasi fight is really cool, and while I don’t like the matchup between him and Mo because I feel they should have built up Mo more, it’s still cool to see both of them fight in North America. Henderson I feel is going to destroy Shields.
Now all they need is for CBS to go all out and actually promote the shit out of this card with some quality promos instead of just some 15 to 20 sec spots here and there.
Just BE.
tobikan judan!!!! fffffffriggin sweet!
Hope he does a flying triangle.
by Rayce. on Mar 1, 2010 8:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Are you kidding me...
That card is fucking awesome! It’s almost to good to be true.
Three of the best fighters in SF are going to be TESTED on the same card. When was the last time we got that from the UFC?
I really dislike Shields after his “win” against Mayhem (Mayhem showed he’s a better fighter) but if he can beat Hendo, even if it’s by grinding out a decision (which is the only possibility), I’ll have some new respect for him — I hope Hendo puts him to sleep.
Mousassi is such a badass and King Mo is the kind of heel that I can get on board with. Does he really deserve a fight with Mousassi — no. Does SF give a shit — no. Will this be a good fight — probably. And that’s all that matters.
BTW If this isn’t a good fight, it’s because Mousassi is the man.
Melendez vs. Aoki! What if Melendez dominates Aoki — just think about that for a second. What if Aoki dominates Melendez? Could either of those things happen — yes. We just don’t know enough to say what will happen. That’s why this is an awesome fight. I think Aoki will tap him in the first round.
Is it true that some people around here don’t understand why this card is good? Are you kidding me?
I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.
Three of the best fighters in SF are going to be TESTED on the same card. When was the last time we got that from the UFC?
UFC 107
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Mar 2, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
penn vs. sanchez — sure
Mir vs. congo — uh… ok
florian vs. guida — really?
fitch vs. pierce — no!
buentello vs. struve — lol
Am I missing something? I said TESTED
I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.
Mir (one of the best fighters in UFC, 2x champ) vs. the best striker he’s ever faced
Florian (the 2nd best LW in the UFC) vs. a guy that no one can match in endurance
—That’s 3 already
PLUS
Fitch (probably the 2nd best WW in the world) was basically getting a warm-body match against Pierce, but Pierce is no joke as a young guy with a win over Brock Larson
Don’t get me wrong, this SF card is fucking stacked from top to bottom. But it hasn’t been that long since the UFC put on a good show with top-tier fighters all over the place. Do you honestly think Shields will “TEST” Hendo? Because I don’t.
Anyways, you can’t predict whether someone will be “TESTED” or not. That can only be determined in hindsight. Shit, hardly anyone guessed Shogun would “TEST” Machida. The only thing you can say before the fight is whether or not the matchups contain credible challengers, which this SF card does, and which UFC 107 also did.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
actually you're wrong...
A TEST, or a no-test, are the only things you CAN really predict.
Congo was not a test for Mir because Congo had no takedown defense of ground game — Mir could have jumped guard and beat him — avoiding a punch on the way in, isn’t really a test. Carwin is a test.
Guida has endurance and that’s it. A test would have been Maynard.
Pierce — now you’re just getting silly.
Can Hendo outwrestle shields? — He’s gonna have to, to win.
Shogun/Machida isn’t a fair example because we hadn’t seen that Shogun since Pride.
I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.
Hold on here
“Pierce — now you’re just getting silly.”
What’s silly about that? Pierce is a bad-ass. Watch his fights, please. Don’t let that low ranking fool you, that guy is a threat.
certified warlord
not meant as a knock on pierce...
I’d rather watch Mike than Fitch. I just thought it was a bad match-up for him at this point in his career.
I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.
Did people think Fujita would test Fedor before they fought?
How about Gonzaga against Cro Cop?
Forrest Griffin vs. Shogun Rua?
Lest I forget, Matt Serra vs. GSP? Wasn’t that fight supposed to just be going through the motions?
I’m not wrong, I just understand the crapshoot that is match-making. This sport is so fucking unpredictable, it’s like a game of darts. You throw in the general direction and you either hit 5 or 30.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
You know I love Strikeforce but...
These cards are too good to be true and will inevitably fall apart.
It hurts to say that.
/wet blanket
I specializes in grammar fail.
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