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UFC 82 Take-Aways

by Michael Rome on Mar 2, 2008 8:37 AM EST in News Comment 24 comments

Anderson Silva is a cut above: After going 5 rounds against Quinton Jackson without ever being in trouble, Dan Henderson was crushed by Anderson Silva. It's hard to know where they go with Anderson Silva next. Matt Hughes has talked up moving up to fight him, and that is an intriguing fight. Wanderlei Silva moving down is also a possibility. Who knows at this point? Maybe they should use him as some sort of punishment mechanism for fighters that have shitty fights. If you bore the crowd, you have to face Anderson Silva. Better than a yellow card, right?

The element of surprise Is overrated: Instead of using his stellar kickboxing, Kongo decided to surprise Herring by taking this to the ground. Unfortunately, Kongo still stinks there, no matter what Rogan says. There's a reason Chuck doesn't surprise people by pulling guard and going for submissions. Stick with what you're good at.

Jon Fitch is no longer a lock for a title shot: Fitch's win tonight was actually pretty underwhelming. In all honesty, I see GSP crushing him, I don't see much point in doing that fight. If Karo has a thrilling fight and beats up Alves badly, I could see UFC giving him the next title shot.

Second time is not a charm: The crowd tonight was nowhere near as good as it was for UFC 68. The same was true when the UFC returned to Sacramento last year. It seems like they draw big, excited crowds for their first time in a city, but face a more jaded crowd the second time around. Part of the problem is they often start off cities with amazing cards, and the second is a letdown. There's something to be said for slowly building.

Update [2008-3-2 8:37:23 by Nick Thomas]: BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions Results for 2008. After going 9 for 10 last night, I've managed to sneak into first place.

Luke Thomas: 7/10 (Henderson, Kongo, Tanner)
Kid Nate: 6/10 (Henderson, Cummo, Hazelett, Halverson)
Brent Brookhouse: 8/10 (Tanner, Halverson)
Michael Rome: 6/10 (Henderson, Tanner, Cummo, Halverson)
Nick Thomas: 9/10 (Kongo)

Luke Thomas: 34/56 - 61%
Kid Nate: 28/44 - 63%
Brent Brookhouse: 25/41 - 61%
Michael Rome: 30/45 - 67%
Nick Thomas: 31/45 - 69%

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Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

The crowd didn't have Randy slaying Goliath this time either... I've never been more excited during a fight than I was that night. I don't know how the undercards compare, but that main event (Randy vs. Tim) had me out of my seat the entire time.

by Popetastic on Mar 2, 2008 2:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Hopefully Anderson always takes his opponents seriously even if he continues to dominate.

by Yasnian on Mar 2, 2008 3:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

It's interesting to wonder how they can make Anderson Silva a drawing star. They're obviously too scared of foreigners to make him a coach on TUF.

by Michael Rome on Mar 2, 2008 3:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

To me, it's simple.

For the next six months, Anderson Silva learns English. During this time, the middleweight division can work itself out and provide Silva with a (more) definitive number one contender. He comes back, he promotes his own fights instead of allowing everyone's translator and disembodied voices to speak for him, and he faces an opponent that everyone agrees is the top contender.

In reality, he'll be fighting Yushin Okami in July.

by Brett Jones on Mar 2, 2008 4:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I was there last year but not this year. Randy gets people fired up when he fights. I spent 25 minutes on my feet cheering, it was great. I wish I would have gone to see them this year. Anybody grapple at the Arnold's this year?

by Nate414 on Mar 2, 2008 3:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Anderson learning English actually is the most simple and realistic way to make him a star. I realize it sounds kind of xenophobic, but if the dude could speak solid beginner's English he would be fine. A lot of the fight game is talking, and to make the big bucks he probably needs to get on board there.

by Michael Rome on Mar 2, 2008 4:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Oh man, this is sick.
I guess you would rather see a fight between Chris Leben and Josh Kosech.
When UFC bought Pride, I was sure we would the best fighters fight each other.
But I guess I was wrong.
Why don´t you make a american only belt, that way you could have more champions.

by bigcherry on Mar 2, 2008 4:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

What are you talking about? Who said anything about wanting to only see American fighters?
Settle down man, we're friends here. BE loves the Brazilian fighters, we're just discussing how to make Anderson Silva the star he deserves to be with (stupid) American audiences.

by Kid Nate on Mar 2, 2008 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

That is clearly not what I wrote at all.

by Michael Rome on Mar 2, 2008 5:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Dan Henderson was crushed? I guess I must of had too many beers...

by bk on Mar 2, 2008 5:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

It's not really fair to compare, but I was at the event and the crowd was super into the main event and really into a lot of the prelims as well. I'm not sure if they showed anything other than Koscheck/Hazelett, but if you're judging the crowd just on the main card, you might not be entirely fair. I'll also have to watch the telecast to see how it came off on TV. All the fighters were saying how awesome it was to fight in Ohio for such a lively crowd.

"Jon Fitch is no longer a lock for a title shot: Fitch's win tonight was actually pretty underwhelming. In all honesty, I see GSP crushing him, I don't see much point in doing that fight. If Karo has a thrilling fight and beats up Alves badly, I could see UFC giving him the next title shot."

GSP would crush Karo too. Okami will get crushed by Silva, but that's no reason to not give him a title shot, given the state of the division. It's pretty reactionary for them to play Indian giver with the title shot again just because he had an "underwhelming" win.

by MikeyPatriot on Mar 2, 2008 5:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Wilson is no joke. I've heard he was tough, but didnt expect him to give Fitch that much of a time. Less is taken from Jon, more is given to Chris for showing up without the usual jitters these new guys get.

And I was pretty sure that Hendo won the first round solidly, so I didnt see any crushing going on.

6/10 for this event. Just goes to show, it doesnt take a stacked card to have a great card. That last one was at least twice as good as this one.

by MoreThanUFC on Mar 2, 2008 8:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I made this comment in the UFC 82 results entry as well, but in case that slips through the cracks: Wanderlei and Anderson are friends. There is NO chance of Wandy dropping to 185 to take on Anderson. He's more likely to switch to another promotion if he drops to middleweight.

by jemaleddin on Mar 2, 2008 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

8-2, missed on anderson silva and george gurgel winning.

That would be kinda funny if they promised Fitch a title shot and then took it away and gave it to Karo. Poetic justice, bro!

I saw on the "internets" where some are likening Anderson to Floyd Mayweather. I can see it, both have generally outclassed the competition to the point where you aren't paying to see them win, you are paying to see someone try and beat them. I was watching the Inside the MMA show this week and they went into a piece about gameness with author Sam Sheridan and it made me think about why Anderson Silva hasn't connected with the UFC audience. Silva and Pretty Boy Floyd fight on a level where there is never a situation where we see there "gameness" come through......the Inside MMA crew elaborated a bit about how that gameness endears an athlete to an american crowd (Clay Guida, would be an example). I don't think it is such much a language barrier that is preventing Anderson from becoming a superstar, but his seeming impenetrability. Even Fedor had his moment of doubt and pain with Randleman, getting dropped on his head and then subbing KR.

by robnashville on Mar 2, 2008 10:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I don't know if it didn't come off well on TV, but Anderson got great reactions at the weigh-ins, on his way to the cage, during his intro, and especially after he finished Dan.

by MikeyPatriot on Mar 2, 2008 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I got 7/10, not 6/10. I called Gurgel, not Halverson. I made the changes. The only pick I regret is Tanner. He looked slow, weak and completely confused.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 2, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

You're still tied for last :p.

Honestly I did pretty poorly this time. I only really analyzed four of the fights I cared about. The rest were based on what I wanted to happen. In the future, this will change...

I've got another takeaway for ya, Leben sucks. His striking and defense were the same they always were, crappy-brawler like. Sure, he hits like a truck, but any top 185er destroys him, as usual. Can anyone see him beating Okami, Nate, Bisping now, Franklin, or even Misaki, Kang, Aka., Mayhem, or Shamrock? No.

by MoreThanUFC on Mar 2, 2008 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Elvis Sinosic almost beat Bisping. I have no doubt Leben would, especially if Michael was content on "giving him a fuckin boxing lesson." Okami never, Nate never, Franklin maybe but wont happen, Misaki never, Kang maybe he looked like shit in his last fight. Mayhem is not good, Frank would stomp his goofy ass and laugh while submitting him. On the plus though, Lebens hair color choice was his best so far.

by DirtyML on Mar 2, 2008 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I also predict the entire card of every event (the most recent Strikeforce notwithstanding) every time. Trust me, that'll bring down everyone's average.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 2, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

As do I...

You really need to get the rest of the guys to pick the whole card. I'm like 85% this year of the TV portion. It's the undercard bouts that almost always get me.

by MoreThanUFC on Mar 2, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

I'm making a promise right now...I'll pick undercard on anything Mr. Thomas does. For the good of the site and all that shit.

And because I need to get my record up.

by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 2, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Picking fights is stupid. I watch fights because I don't know what's going to happen. I'd really rather only pick fights I have a strong feeling about than waste time trying to parse whose screaming weaknesses will be the bigger factor in battles like Cummo vs Fiorvanti or Hardonk vs whomever.

by Kid Nate on Mar 2, 2008 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Stop ducking the issue... :p

It's funny. I can watch fights, attempt to pick the winner and how, know who my more favorite fighter is going in, etc, and still find my mind changing as I watch.

I really wanted Tanner to win, but with a minute I wanted Okami to destroy him.

I thought Hendo would win, and was psyched by the first, but then at the ring for 2 I was hoping Silva KOed him in Crocop style.

I either find myself pulling for the underdog, or I guy who shows the most grit and martial arts spirit. Maybe its because I got in to MA from being beat up everyday after school for 2 years until I was 16. I'd love to find some of them today... In my advanced years of 36, I'd have to reason with them of course... Bas style. "Ooh, looky here..."

by MoreThanUFC on Mar 3, 2008 6:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: UFC 82 Take-Aways

Any talk about GSP moving up to take on Silva? That seems like it would be a great fight stylewise and for all fans. GSP is just as explosive as Silva and now that he seems to have created a ground game this could be a great fight.

by dnevil001 on Mar 3, 2008 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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