After UFC on Versus 2, Who's Next for Jon Jones, Takanori Gomi, Yushin Okami, Jake Ellenberger, et al?
by Kid Nate on Aug 2, 2010 4:35 PM EDT
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Tomas Rios takes a stab at it and offers these suggestions:
- Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher
- Takanori Gomi vs. George Sotiropoulos
As fans and media alike scramble to get the dirt off Gomi's premature grave, the big question has become who exactly the former Shooto and Pride Fighting Championships titleholder should fight next. Matching him against one of the lightweight division's lesser fighters would be a waste, but most of the division's top attractions are tied up.
However, Sotiropoulos, he of the 6-0 UFC record, is available. It would be the perfect sort of test for both fighters. The Australian grappler has the rangy boxing to give Gomi problems, and his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills ought not to be messed with. Then again, if Gomi has returned to T-800 mode, his right hand alone may be the ultimate trump card in the division.
- Jake Ellenberger vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Anyone trying to wrestle his way to the top of the welterweight division has to prove he can handle the army of top control artists waiting in the top 10. With that in mind, pitting Ellenberger against Kim seems like a fight to make if the UFC intends on moving either man ahead in the division.
Better yet, watching how Ellenberger's supersonic shot matches up with Kim's smothering clinch game would make for one of the most fascinating takedown battles in recent memory. Given the UFC's ongoing need for serious welterweight title contenders, this fight needs to happen before we get any closer to the universe collapsing in 2012.
- Matt Riddle vs. Matt Brown
I like Gomi vs Sotiropoulos, although in a just universe, Sean Sherk would get to face Gomi instead of being thrown to the young lion Evan Dunham like so much steak. Love Kim vs Ellenberger. Am indifferent about Riddle vs Brown, although with Brown coming off two losses that's not really fair to either fighter. Riddle has earned a contender and Brown deserves a fair shot to stay alive in a loser leaves town match.
Belcher vs Okami is a rematch of a fight that Okami totally dominated in really boring fashion. I'd much rather see Okami vs Belfort, but they won't waste Belfort's potentially lucrative title shot. That leaves the winner of Nate Marquardt/Rousimar Palhares as my choice for Okami's next bout. Either man presents some novel threats for Okami.
We'll talk Jon Jones in the full entry.
That leaves Jon Jones. Our own Jonathan Snowden stoked the fires by suggesting Chuck Liddell last night. That seems to have infuriated everyone except the cynics over at Cage Side Seats who actually understand fight promotion and how to build a star.
Mike Chiappetta breaks down Dana White's hints:
UFC President Dana White said afterward that Jones (11-1) would face a "top eight" fighter in his next bout. No matter whose rankings you follow, that Elite Eight group includes names like Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Forrest Griffin, Randy Couture and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Any of those names would be a major step up in competition.
A serious look at that list doesn't leave many options. According to the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings #1 Shogun Rua is out until early next year and #4 Rashad Evans is going to wait for that title shot; #2 Lyoto Machida and #3 Rampage Jackson will dance in the fall; #7 Antonio Rogerio "Little Nog" Nogueira will be facing #15 Ryan Bader at UFC 119, and #13 Randy Couture will get James Toney at UFC 118.
I like the winner of either Nog/Bader or Couture/Toney for Jones' next fight. The former is the more hard-nosed sporting decision although the UFC is usually reluctant to pit two surging contenders together unless they've already had title shots. And the winner of Nog/Bader will definitely be a top contender. The latter choice is the star making route. Beating either Couture or Toney will get the attention of casual fans and help Jon Jones make that next step in his career. Jones and Toney are already engaged in a war of words. The thought of Jones tossing Toney through the air and elbowing his face repeatedly is almost enough to make me root for Toney over Couture. Almost.
Then there's #6 Forrest Griffin who's recovering from an injury. He's a big, tough guy who's almost as famous as Chuck Liddell. Forrest is coming off a win over Tito Ortiz that didn't do much for me. Forrest might just be the perfect happy medium. Less freak show than Couture/Toney, less of a waste of a fresh title contender than Nog/Bader. Forrest Griffin vs Jon Jones might be just right Goldilocks.
UPDATE: Jake Rossen has some very different ideas:
Next for Jones: Rashad Evans and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua look to be tied up until spring or summer of next year, with Evans promised a title shot and Rua hobbled by knee problems; Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Lyoto Machida have a November date; unless Jones gets put in blister packaging and sits on a shelf for six or eight months, he's probably looking at Rich Franklin.
Next for Takanori Gomi: The Japanese fighter put on the most impressive show of the night by knocking out Tyson Griffin: a fight with Melvin Guillard would be fireworks.
I like both of these a lot!
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What about Forrest Griffin?
I think he brings a similar effect to the table that Chuck Liddell would. He has a lot of star power with the TUF audience and a win over him would give instant credability.
Forrest is also a former champion
Who is still in his prime.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Forrest is easily the best fight for Jones right now. Franklin is also solid. Liddell is a big fat meh.
Comments like “cynics over at Cage Side Seats who actually understand fight promotion and how to build a star.” neglect the fact that you’re basing how fight promotion should work on how boxing worked 20-30 years ago. Which is working awesome for boxing, now, right?
It did work for boxing
It has NOTHING to do with the current woes of boxing.
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It did work for boxing 20 years ago.
I think the MMA audience, while they still like Chuck enough to want to see him fight, don’t think it means much to beat a guy who’s lost 5 of his last 6. People will still pay to see Ken Shamrock fight, but that doesn’t mean anyone is deluded enough to think that beating him means shit.
I hate to say it, but Chuck is in the same place. He’s still well liked, but it wasn’t like his string of losses were kept quiet. They were high profile and decisive. Why isn’t Javier Vasquez a superstar after beating Jens Pulver? By this logic it should have rocketed him to fame.
Jens is no Chuck
but I agree simply beating Chuck isn’t enough to make you an instant star. It didn’t work for Quinton or Jardine, although it did help their stock. I do think it’s an interesting and good start in the process, though.
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It works to a point...
Rashad built a LOT of his star off of beating Chuck, and so did Rampage. It also gave Shogun a nice career boost. But it doesn’t work 5-6 times. At this point people realize that beating Chuck doesn’t mean what it meant a few years ago.
And fuck, if people were bitching that Matysushenko was not a valid opponent, how do you give him Chuck next?
The other big problem with that is UFC is in the business of making win/win fights. If Chuck beats Jones that is NOT a win for UFC…they know he’ll never be a title contender again, so why risk him KOing an actual contender?
Forrest/Jones is a win/win for UFC, and that’s why they’ll make that fight. Franklin also has potential. You just have to keep in mind that UFC (very wisely) doesn’t do the whole “Let’s build up this guy by putting him against this guy!” thing at all. It may be better if fighter A wins, but they very rarely make fights where Fighter A HAS to win and if Fighter B wins they’re fucked. It’s a big part of why they’ve been so successful. They’ve always got a follow up move, no matter the results of any fight.
It helped Rashad in the sense that it got him a quick title shot, but I don’t think it helped his “star” overmuch. We agree beating Chuck doesn’t mean as much, but it does get you eyeballs and an explosive finish. Man, it feels weird writing about Chuck like that…
People bitch. You just ignore it.
I think it’s win/win. It’s all on how you sell it. If Chuck wins you give him the Cinderella Man story line. Fast track him back to a title contention. Jones isn’t hurt bad either, he’s a young fighter who bit off a little more than he could chew.
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I doubt Dana would set Forrest up for that...
He had been one of the most marketable fighters for awhile. He still is in a way, but his stock took a major tumble after Anderson Silva shattered his soul (the way he handled it afterward didn’t help either). I have a feeling he could easily wind up the same way against Jones. That would be terrible for Forrest.
Rich Franklin sounds like who Dana was thinking when he said top 8 (even though he’s not, I’m sure Dana thinks he is).
Although Gomi-Guillard sounds exciting, I don’t see Gomi going for that. I don’t know exactly where Gomi actually sits in the UFC talent pool, but I know 2 things: Gomi still thinks he’s one of the best and the UFC is paying him a lot of money. They have to match him up with a contender. If Gomi can wait, I would love to see him against the loser of Penn-Edgar.
by flassasin24 on Aug 2, 2010 11:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I keep saying Forrest would get throttled by Jones (I still think Jones would beat him)
But the more I think of it the more I realize that Forrest is a good matchup. What he makes up for lack of speed is KO power, good size, and solid grappling.
I think Bones should fight either Thiago Silva, Lil Nog/Bader winner, or Forrest Griffin.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Did you just say Forrest had KO power?
When was the last time he KO’d anyone?
I like Forrest, but his size (about his only talent that he’s displayed in the cage lately) won’t be enough for Jones.
Yeah that came out dumb
But still, Griffin is a very good fighter and top 10 in the division.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Bonnar is about the same size as Forrest and Jones had no problem tossing him around. I know Forrest is a much more improved fighter then Bonnar is now but his size isn’t going to be much of a factor with Jones unless he gets tired throwing him around like the Bonnar fight and Griffin slips in a sneaky sub late in the third.
Jones vs Griffin or Franklin
Gomi vs Pellegrino
Okami vs Belcher <—-I especially like that fight. Eventhough its not a big name like Belcher wanted its a solid test.
Ellenberger vs Rumble
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
Rumbles moving to 185
If he fights Ellenberger, then doomsday would be pretty sour
Ellenberger vs Rumble
would love to see that fight
I’m all for Bones vs Griffin. I think it’s a great matchup, and a better way to make a name for Jones then feeding a fragile Chuck to him. That’s just cruel. Of course, I’d take Bones over Griffin, but we all know what tends to happen when Forrest plays the underdog.
"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe."
- Frank Zappa
Jones vs Wandy or Belfort would be interesting if either of them were still fighting at 205
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
those guys are way too small for him
there’s a reason they cut to 185 and Jones is going to be a heavyweight when he fills out — probably in a few more fights.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Yeah but using that logic every LHW, with the exception of Randy, Forrest and Rampage is to small for him. Machida, Evans, Shogun or Rich Franklin dont strike me as huge. They’re certainly not as big as Jones.
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
So? He’s going to be bigger than whoever he fights. He’ll have a height and reach advantage against even the big LHWs like Rampage and Griffin.
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
So…people who are in his weight class but smaller than him shouldnt have to fight him? If thats the case Brock Lesnar should only fight Shane Carwin.
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
lol I know that. I said they’d be interesting IF they still were.
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Shogun isn't much bigger than Vitor.
The guy cuts under five lbs to make 205. He’s a middleweight who has beat the shit out of a whos-who at 205 for the last five years. I think he was the smaller man against Lyoto.
It’s interesting to note that the top 3 at LHW (Shogun, Rashad, Lyoto) could all make middleweight.
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-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Aug 2, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I know about Shogun and Evans not being big guys for LHW, but I always thought Machida was a bit thicker than those guys. Where does the notion that Machida is a small LHW come from, any specific source or just eye measure? I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’ve heard others claim the same thing, just curious.
by Horselover Fat on Aug 2, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he’s weighed in at 203 or even less before. I think he could make 185 but likes the speed advantage he has and doesnt want to fight his best friend Anderson
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
How about they just go ahead and switch divisions then :)
Not really though, I’d like Machida to stay at LHW. But I’d love to see Anderson moving up permanently anyway
by Horselover Fat on Aug 2, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I still think that is the right idea
Machida is not going to be able to easily solve Shogun, why not swap with your close friend? Machida would own 185 and Anderson, if he gets past Rua, could own LHW.
At least until Jones takes it.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 2, 2010 7:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He's put on muscle for his last 3-4 fights
but he weighed in at 199 against David Heath. I’ve also spoken with him and his camp about it, he prefers to not cut too much weight.
"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 Aug 2, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, cool, I guess I missed out on that. Thanks for the info.
by Horselover Fat on Aug 2, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I want to see
Gomi vs. Guillard (if he beats Stephens)
Okami vs. Marquardt/Palhares winner
Ellenberger vs. Stun Gun
Matt Riddle vs. Amir Sadollah
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
I totally forgot about Sadollah. I like that fight.
Your style's like garbage cans meant to be taken out on a weekly basis
Ever since your first record you've been in a state of suspended animation
You look like Snuffleuffagus and Australopithecus
Me cray, you abacus
by ProfessorBLove on Aug 2, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Griffin would get handled, but it would be a good money\popularity fight
1. He won’t have a size advantage like he does in most fights
2. Griffin wouldn’t be favored in the stand-up department.
3. Griffin is good, but not great on the ground.
4. Jones also has a strength and speed advantage.
The only nod I’d give Griffin is toughness and cardio and I only give that to Griffin because we’ve never seen Jones in those positions.
I get more rec's then a Toyota!
I think Forrest is the better boxer
and his leg kicks are a factor as well.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I didn't think about Forrest's leg kicks.
I’d like to hear the strategy Greg Jackson would give Jones regarding the leg kicks.
Jones doesn’t really box so I could see how you could give the edge to Forrest in that department. Jones uses his striking to set up throws and TD’s.
I get more rec's then a Toyota!
I think leg kicks would be curtailed by fear of being taken down. Jones is nasty on the ground and forrest has a bit of a lax guard. He allows fighters to posture up and land bombs when he’s on his back.
Forrest has also been miffed with creativity and spontaneity. And Bones Jones obviously has a ton of both. This is the best fight available for jones imo and seems one sided on paper but we’ve seen this before a la shogun/ forrest.
by god-damn long hair on Aug 2, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
the real question with forrest
is how much his credibility as an elite fighter was hurt by his being embarrassed against anderson silva. if you’re zuffa, do you abandon the idea of having forrest as a face-of-the-promotion star, or do you try to get him a couple of winnable fights to make him a contender again? to me, putting him in against jones would be zuffa’s way of admitting the former, that he’s going to be a high-level gatekeeper from here on out. if not, they need to give him somebody he can beat like tito, or just throw him straight in with a rematch against rashad, shogun, or rampage.
by Trust Doesn't Rust on Aug 2, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love to see that one
but Anderson seems to have space cadet-ed his way out of any super fights.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Yup
I agree…..I gotta tell ya Jones is one amazing talent. But he needs to be tested. Your only as good as the competition you face. One example is Diego Sanchez. He fought bums until he fought BJ Penn. BJ made Diego look like a chump. So until Jones fights better competition we won’t really know how good he is.
Diego fought bums?
I disagree. Maybe in his early WW days before he met Kos and Fitch. His LW fights maybe you have a case but Stevenson and Guida are hardly bums.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Agreed
Stevenson hardly a contender and Guida is a beast but he lacks any technical skills. He’s just one crazy dude. LoL. But I agree they aren’t bums. But overall Diego’s competition over the years not so tough.
I'm not comfortable
with how much you under rate Joe Daddy and Clay.
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Diego fought
Nick Diaz and Karo Parisyan in two of the best fights in UFC history. No one involved in those classics was in any way shape or form a bum.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Aug 2, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I hate Gomi vs Melvin
Melvin doesn’t deserve that fight. At all.
Gomi/George is the fight that makes the most sense. I still want to see Gomi/Nate Diaz REALLY bad. It’s more fun than Gomi/Melvin and means way more.
Snow got me thinking about Manhunter a lot and I would like the UFC to go full out “Legend Killer” with him. I still like the Chuck fight, but lets say it doesn’t happen. Give him Tito, Randy, Forrest, f’ it bring back Coleman. Do all of these on free TV. When Jon finally gets his title shot put that on PPV, he’ll be a total star and you still have a bunch of fresh fights with him against top guys.
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this is the new Melvin
he’s training with Greg Jackson working on his defensive BJJ and take down escapes and living clean. He’s earned it.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I've heard the "new Melvin" line before
I’m not sold until he actually proves what he is saying in the cage. If he can get by a few more guys, then fine. But to shoot right up to Gomi based on him saying he has his head on straight (again), I don’t like it.
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Honestly
Before Sunday nobody though Gomi deserved to fight Griffin, or Florian for that matter. I see no problem with the matchup.
"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe."
- Frank Zappa
Great quote. Zappa is the man
Who didn’t think Gomi deserved those fights? The guy had a strangle hold on the #1 spot for a long time. He either had to show he was till one of the best or GTFO.
Melvin has… proven to be a capable mid-tier fighter when motivated?
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again...
He’s not beating Jeremy
"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 think a fight between melvin and gomi would be exciting
it’d also give gomi another fight he could win before throwing him back in with the florian’s of the lw division
who is keizer soze
by Johnathan Willis on Aug 2, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this.. I’d like to see him get another winnable fight, not one of the top guys right away. Diaz would be cool, wouldn’t complain about Guillard either, that guy has looked awesome lately. Preferably someone who will stand and bang, anyway.
by Horselover Fat on Aug 2, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
off topic
i just checked james irvin’s wikipedia page and it says he was cut by the ufc and it quotes dana as saying that james is a great guy and that he’ll be back in the ufc eventually
anyone know if there’s any truth to this
or is it just more wikipedia non sense
who is keizer soze
by Johnathan Willis on Aug 2, 2010 4:59 PM EDT reply actions
MMAJunkie has a story up
about him expecting to be released.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Cagesideseats.com
yeah i expect it too
who is keizer soze
by Johnathan Willis on Aug 2, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Okami vs Belcher?
umm Okami already beat Belcher
ami already whooped him
Belcher has also gotten a lot better
I think the Okami fight was Belcher’s UFC debut if I’m not mistaken.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Gomi versus Sherk
Sherk talked a lot of crap about Gomi back in the day. I would really like to see this fight come to fruitrition.
I say let Okami fight Anderson Silva next, he has more than proven himself worthy.
Hmmmm
Maybe let Okami welcome Rumble to 185?
Griffin, like T. Silva, gets injured too often these days, although either would make a good 1/2 step up for Jones.
Break up the Machida / Rampage fight and have one of them fight Jones – Rampage has already gotten as close as he ever will again to the title.
I thought I heard Franklin was out until december, anyone know anything about that?
Not really sure the UFC would sacrifice Griffin, Franklin, Couture or Liddell to Jones
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 2, 2010 5:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I also take issue with Rashad getting a pass to "sit out"
If he doesn’t want to fight fine, it’s his choice. That shouldn’t mean he automatically gets the next title shot. If active fighters earn a shot while he sits he should lose his place in line.
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Why should he have to fight again?
He’s already fought twice this year, something no other top 10 LHW in the UFC has done, even against lesser competition. Beyond that, who should he fight? Who else is even so much in the title hunt that Rashad should have to give up his place in line? Face it, he has beaten two extremely dangerous opponents back to back, once as a tune-up when Rampage went Hollywood, and I think he is now justified in waiting for the shot he has earned while maybe some of the rest of the contenders actually get a few wins under their belts to earn their own shots.
He should have to fight again to maintain his place as #1 contender
This bit I said, “If active fighters earn a shot while he sits he should lose his place in line” sort of deals with the rest of your protest. You don’t get to sit a year and keep your spot. That’s crazy. Active fighters should be rewarded over guys who sit out and wait.
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Rashad is the number #1 contender a spot that he earned with back to back wins over Thiago and Rampage, he’s earned the right to wait on an injured Shogun he isn’t taking a vacation he’s waiting to fight the champ.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
by Nightwhistler on Aug 2, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
That IS a vacation
He earned it if the fight was now. While he waits a year other people may deserve it more. Sitting on your ass and not risking getting beat shouldn’t be rewarded.
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by Chris Barton on Aug 2, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
gomi vs George
actually it makes a lot of sense… just not sure about the timing. anyway, both are born in the same time zone. if they fought next year in Australia the UFC could promote it in Japan so the japanese fans wouldn’t be getting up at 6am to watch the fight.
problem: do you want each fighter to wait 6 months for a lay off to hold the event in Aust?
I think you could make Jones the biggest star in MMA this side of Lesnar...
If you have Jones v Griffin as the headliner of a built up Spike card. I loved Griffin’s book, and he’s one of my favorite fighters, but he’s got nothing for Jones except a big name to launch his career off of. Griffin has a fairly good defensive guard, but allows people to posture up a bit. With Jones’ long limbs he’d be able to rain down blows almost at will on the ground. On the feet, Griffin is well known for having a lack of real heavy hands, and I’m pretty sure being out of a really good camp that Jones would be prepared for his devestating leg kicks.
The huge upside to this fight is Jones isn’t exactly the most heavy handed guy in the world either so the world would likely get to see Jones unleash for two or three rounds of spinning devestation like he was the ship from the Last Starfighter activing Death Blossom, and Forrest was a fleet of Ko-Dan fighters. Forrest’s predisposition to bleeding due to scar tissue also means he’d end up a mess, as usual, making Jones look even more like a world beater to casual fans.
Maybe something like Jones v Griffin as a headliner, and Leben v Wandy as the lead in and you’d probably have the makings of a ratings monster, and another “star is born” moment for the UFC.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com - Artist formerly known as Sklz711
Next for Takanori Gomi: The Japanese fighter put on the most impressive show of the night by knocking out Tyson Griffin: a fight with Melvin Guillard would be fireworks.
^This
I am a big in Guillard’s comeback. I love this fight.
I feel like I am taking crazy pills
ALL OF YOU LISTEN TO MEE, DON'T DISTURB HERE, I WILL CALL POLICE CATCH YOU, DON'T COME TO MY BANGOLOW HOUSE, UNDERSTAND, O.K. I HATE ALL OF YOU.
I'm with you man
Although I’m admittedly biased. If Mel can learn some sub defense he could be a handful for anyone.
I get more rec's then a Toyota!
he did well against a strong JJ player in Ronnys Torres
that guy got a raw deal in the UFC. He should get another chance.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
That leaves Jon Jones. Our own Jonathan Snowden stoked the fires by suggesting Chuck Liddell last night. That seems to have infuriated everyone except the cynics over at Cage Side Seats who actually understand fight promotion and how to build a star.
Yes, taking cues from pro wrestling and boxing on how to handle MMA. Let’s follow those two rapidly expanding sports and entertainments so we can be like how they are today. Brilliant.
I said it in the Snowden thread and I’ll say it here, pitting Jones against Liddell has absolutely nothing to do with Bones’ rising star and everything to do with trying to keep Chuck from becoming MMA’s Ali – the poster child for athletes who stayed around too long and are suffering tremendously later in life because of it. Let me repeat that: That article had fuck-all to do with Jon Jones becoming a star. We reacted with venom because apparently Chuck kicked his puppy and now he wants him to be a brain damaged half-invalid in his later years.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 2, 2010 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
rec
I’m not a big fan of the Iceman or anything, but the guy’s done and everyone knows it but him. Letting him compete in mma again is just indulging a death wish, and pretty close to negligent homicide.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on Aug 2, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Gomi?
how about you just give him the guy who was originally suppose to fight
Joe Stevenson
I second this emotion. Gomi should work his way through all the prominent wrestleboxers now that he took out a capo in Tyson Griffin. Joe Stevenson first, then Clay Guida
Why have him move backwards in the rankings?
ALL OF YOU LISTEN TO MEE, DON'T DISTURB HERE, I WILL CALL POLICE CATCH YOU, DON'T COME TO MY BANGOLOW HOUSE, UNDERSTAND, O.K. I HATE ALL OF YOU.
And we could also see Paul fight his brother Lynn.
by Polyhedron on Aug 3, 2010 12:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
already happened at 107. and Paul ain’t getting cut for a single loss to Marquardt
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Aug 3, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Jon Jones vs winner of Lil Nog / Bader
Vlad vs Brandon Vera
Okami vs Maia
Munoz vs Simpson
Ellenberger vs Paulo Thiago
Howard vs Diego Sanchez
Gomi vs Stevenson
Griffen vs Pellegrino
Volkman vs Oliveria
Kelly vs Elkins loser is cut
Stann vs Rivera
Pokjaric vs Bonnar
Riddle vs winner of Hendricks/Brenneman
Johnson vs Matt Brown loser is cut
Rob Kimmons vs Kyle Noke
Cut
Irvin
Massenzio
Steinbless
Not sure how much time you put into this, but...
Very well-thought out. I like all of those matches.
by flassasin24 on Aug 3, 2010 9:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
correction
#4 Rashad Evans is going to wait for that title shot; #2 Lyoto Machida and #3 Rampage Jackson will dance in the fall
Rashad is #3, Rampage is #4
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
if evans beats shogun and jones were to beat forrest
dana is gonna be livid when evans and jones refuse to fight eachother
by Richard Doughty on Aug 3, 2010 12:20 AM EDT reply actions
I would kill to see Gomi vs Sherk.
Sherk wouldn’t stand a chance.
by Polyhedron on Aug 3, 2010 12:40 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
not interested in belcher rematch
would like to see gomi vs mayard if he loses to florian, or another strong wrestler
give leben to okami ,would love to see okami vs bisbing but his tied up…
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