UFC 73

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Anyone ordering this? The UFC has been annoying me lately with very sub-par cards, but this one actually has more than 1 good matchup! Not sure if i'll be able to see it, hopefully i will. Anyways, heres what im predicting!

Anderson Silva vs Nathan Marquardt - Marquardt via triangle choke Rd 2

Tito Ortiz vs Rashad Evans - Evans by split decision

Sean Sherk vs Hermes Franca - Sherk by unanimous decision

Minotauro Nogeira vs Heath Herring - Minotauro via armbar rd 1

Kenny Florian vs Alvin Robinson - Florian via choke rd 3

Evans vs Ortiz is really the one thats up in the air for me. On one hand, i could envision Rashad not being ready for the much stiffer competition and getting wasted, or on the other hand, i could see him winning! I do feel for sure though that if Rashad wins, it'll be by decision and probably be a ho-hum fight. The ground game should be neutralized by both, so i see Evans getting the decision by outboxing him. Marquardt ive felt for a while would be the one to beat Silva. Sherk vs Franca should be really good, and i expect Franca in particular to really be batterred afterwards from Sherk's ground n pound.

[Vincanni 1]

This forum needs more MMA fans, this was a great card and I did in fact catch the whole thing.

Biggest kudos go out to the title defenders Sherk, and Silva. Sean despite eating 3 or 4 direct knees to the face during successful take down attempts, rag-dolled Hermes. He looked like a heavy weight out there against the obviously weaker Franca. Meanwhile with Silva, I agreed with you and saw him falling in a later round. I thought Marquardt was just going to further exploit his ground weakness but he came through with an early GnP KO.

I have to say I was a little disappointed in Rashad Evans, I expected great things from him, instead Tito pretty much beat him in every aspect of the fight marginably. He was lucky to get the draw. I'm hoping for a sequel however, Tito already said he's game for a rematch. Rashad meanwhile needs some more convincing wins on his record, now that he's seen the next level with Ortiz he should keep at it.

I gave Herring no chance to beat Nogeira and was pleasently surpised to see how close that match became. Minotauro was practically saved by the bell in round one and proved he's inhumanly tough by coming back and winning the match.

I knew very little of the Florian/Robinson match up going into the night, wasn't even aware Florian was fighting as a light weight now. Of course he handled Alvin as if he still was 170+ pretty handily.

Overall, great fight card and one entertaining night. Only thing that would have made it sweeter would have been seeing Mayweather in place of Franca, but 2 first round KO's was plenty for the night.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Nice to see a reply lol! Yeah, i always found it kinda odd that there werent more MMA fans here, i would think with hockey being a violent sport they'd share alot of the same fans. But anyways, I was really suprised by what Silva did to Marquardt. I felt really confident he'd get the sub. Also, you know, im starting to question whether Pride has been overrated all these years. You hear it from everyone that Pride was so superior to the UFC, yet the guys that have come over here havent been too impressive except for Rampage beating Chuck. Cro Cop gets knocked the F out by a pretty unkown guy in Gonzaga, Heath Herring loses to an absolute nobody in Irish Jake (?) O'Brien, who subsequently gives Pride's #2 heavyweight in Minotauro a big problem for a round Saturday. Kinda makes you rethink things.

[norrisnick 1]

Big Nog is slowing up these days. He's taken an INSANE amount of punishment in his career. Take that kick by Herring. He's taken kicks from CroCop, piledrivers from Bob Sapp, Fedor has teed off on him but he keeps coming. He's definitely in the twilight of his fighting career. And really, apart from that one kick Heath was beeing tooled by Minotauro. Bloodied up and taken down at will.

If Fedor ever makes the jump he'll show the UFC what's what. Aleks too, he's still got a long way to go on the ground (he really should check his ego and go back to training with his brother) but his hands are unreal for as big as he is. Lightning quick. Hunt (if he could make weight) would instantly become a fan favorite as he'll stand and trade shots with anyone. Kharitonov is dangerous if inconsistent.

Oh yeah, don't forget Shogun. Granted his stomps and soccer kicks have been taken away, but he didn't really need them to destroy Rampage. Wanderlei (like Nog) I think is past his prime but could still give most guys a run for their money.

The best guys of Pride haven't made the jump yet and I think Fedor and Shogun could rule their divisions if/when they make the jump (I think Shogun is slated for the fall some time). Shogun was being held back in Pride because his mentor was the champ and he wouldn't fight him and Pride sheltered Wanderlei's title by having Shogun beat them all.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Yeah, Shogun will be fighting in September, a month which the UFC will have two events with one being in England. The England one will feature Dan Henderson vs Rampage for the belt. Im looking forward to Henderson. My thing with Pride mainly has to do with Cro Cop's loss to Gonzaga. I mean, to see him knocked out like that in what everyone thought would be as easy win. Granted, if Gonzaga wastes Couture then maybe he's just really good, but if Cotoure wins...it just makes Pride not look as good. I know upsets happen and all...but that was just a really bad one.

[norrisnick 1]

CroCop is prone to errors of judgment and mental lapses. Remember that Kevin Randleman KOed him as well. Plus he refused to take Mark Hunt to the ground and ended up losing a decision because Hunt took everything Mirko had and gave him some of his own. Mirko doesn't like to change his gameplan if it isn't working and he'll backpedal under pressure leaving himself vulnerable if his usual counterattack style isn't working.

He's good, but there's a reason the only belt he's ever won was the Open Weight GP that Fedor sat out. Mirko beat a middle weight, two light heavies and a guy he owns in Barnett. Not that impressive, IMO.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

If there's no Liddell, Griffin, or Pierre then I don't watch. lol

[Lou_Siffer 1]

CroCop is prone to errors of judgment and mental lapses. Remember that Kevin Randleman KOed him as well. Plus he refused to take Mark Hunt to the ground and ended up losing a decision because Hunt took everything Mirko had and gave him some of his own. Mirko doesn't like to change his gameplan if it isn't working and he'll backpedal under pressure leaving himself vulnerable if his usual counterattack style isn't working.

He's good, but there's a reason the only belt he's ever won was the Open Weight GP that Fedor sat out. Mirko beat a middle weight, two light heavies and a guy he owns in Barnett. Not that impressive, IMO.

Yeah good point, I just cant understand how in the world Cro Cop loses to Mark Hunt. I forgot about that one. Granted i know Mark is a tough K-1 guy with a head of stone, but come on, losing to him in an MMA fight? Speaking of the open weight thing, thats something i miss about the UFC. They should have some open tourneys like that too. Just something about a matchup like Fedor vs Matt Lindland really peaks my interest.

Although, obviously the ending there wasnt in doubt lol. But i like the novelty of seeing two guys in different weight classes going at it.

If there's no Liddell, Griffin, or Pierre then I don't watch. lol

I used to really like Griffin, but after he got whooped by Keith Jardine that was the end of that! St Pierre losing to Matt Serra was really bad too...to go from dominating Hughes to that??

[norrisnick 1]

Man, I wish Fedor were a bit more active (I realize he's had hand troubles the last few years, but still!). Though it's still fun to hop on dailymotion and watch some of his fights. it's great fun to watch with Japanese commentary and hear them just freak out when Fujita nearly KOed him. Or when Randleman dropped him on his head. Good times!

For the full effect.

[daft_davy 0]

Man, I wish Fedor were a bit more active (I realize he's had hand troubles the last few years, but still!). Though it's still fun to hop on dailymotion and watch some of his fights. it's great fun to watch with Japanese commentary and hear them just freak out when Fujita nearly KOed him. Or when Randleman dropped him on his head. Good times!

For the full effect.

OUCH.

Did he get injured on that move??

[norrisnick 1]

LOL

No. He reversed position and promptly submitted Randleman with a picture perfect kimura.

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...s-kevin-randlem

[Vincanni 1]

Anyone check out Ortiz vs. Evans 1.5? Otherwise known as the press conference. Seriously entertaining stuff, their rematch should be pretty wild.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

I love UFC, just dont get to see it much anymore. I was supposed to watch this Saturday night but ah, something came up.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Pretty funny how many people totally ripped the UFC 73 fightcard. And what happens? Dana White puts together another GREAT show. I was totally into every fight on the card. I would have liked to seen Rashad get the decision. But the fight had me on my feet most of the time. It was a blast. Even the other undercards were sweet. Although It would have been nice to see more from Sean Sherk. And Silva is just a beast. All and all a great fight night. Anyone who truly is knowledgable about MMA, knew that UFC 73 was gonna be bad ass. And we we're right. Awesome night.

[Guest DetroitIan]

Im already so pumped for UFC 74. Randy Couture will be raising that belt once again.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Unfortunately, Koschek vs St Pierre is the only fight on the card that im really interested in...even though i think St Pierre is a lock to sub him. Gonzaga really screwed things up by upsetting Cro Cop, i still just dont care about him at this point and cant get excited. Its always nice to see Couture, but im totally meh on that main event. The other 3 fights as usual, are nothing to write home about either...so im disappointed overall. With all these fighters they have at their disposal now, you'd think they could come out more overall great cards.

Now as for some good news, UFC 75 will be free on Spike TV. This will feature Dan Henderson vs Rampage, Cro Cop vs Cheik Kongo, and another fight that im really interested to see..Michael Bisping vs Matt Hamil. Thats as good as you could possibly ask for for free! Very nice. However...UFC 76, which will be on ppv, has announced the main event of Chuck Liddell vs the one, the only....Dean of Mean Keith Jardine! Are they kidding?

[Guest DetroitIan]

Unfortunately, Koschek vs St Pierre is the only fight on the card that im really interested in...even though i think St Pierre is a lock to sub him. Gonzaga really screwed things up by upsetting Cro Cop, i still just dont care about him at this point and cant get excited. Its always nice to see Couture, but im totally meh on that main event. The other 3 fights as usual, are nothing to write home about either...so im disappointed overall. With all these fighters they have at their disposal now, you'd think they could come out more overall great cards.

Now as for some good news, UFC 75 will be free on Spike TV. This will feature Dan Henderson vs Rampage, Cro Cop vs Cheik Kongo, and another fight that im really interested to see..Michael Bisping vs Matt Hamil. Thats as good as you could possibly ask for for free! Very nice. However...UFC 76, which will be on ppv, has announced the main event of Chuck Liddell vs the one, the only....Dean of Mean Keith Jardine! Are they kidding?

Jardine is no chump. He manhandled Forrest Griffen. But yeah I agree, thats a poor main event. Now Liddell Vs Rampage 3 would be perfect. Part of me wonders why that isnt happening. But I think it comes down to the fact that Rampage has NOTHING to gain from fighting Chuck again. But I want that fight bad. But as for Jardine. He's a real tough guy. But he will definitely fall at the hands of the Iceman.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Jardine is no chump. He manhandled Forrest Griffen. But yeah I agree, thats a poor main event. Now Liddell Vs Rampage 3 would be perfect. Part of me wonders why that isnt happening. But I think it comes down to the fact that Rampage has NOTHING to gain from fighting Chuck again. But I want that fight bad. But as for Jardine. He's a real tough guy. But he will definitely fall at the hands of the Iceman.

Jardine's not a wimp, but my problem is that he's coming off a 40 second loss to a total nobody in Houston Alexander. Any momentum he had created for his name is completely destroyed. For a main event thats about as weak as you could get i think. If they couldnt get Wanderlei Silva to agree to a September fight with Chuck(which is what the original plan was), again with all these fighters at your disposal and they go with Jardine? To me it just smells of them giving Chuck a relatively easy KO win (not "easy" literally, but you know what i mean) to set up him and Wanderlei in probably January or February. I know Shogun Rua is also fighting on the card, but the fact that i'd take the free UFC 75 card over the paying one tells me something's not right!

[Guest DetroitIan]

Jardine's not a wimp, but my problem is that he's coming off a 40 second loss to a total nobody in Houston Alexander. Any momentum he had created for his name is completely destroyed. For a main event thats about as weak as you could get i think. If they couldnt get Wanderlei Silva to agree to a September fight with Chuck(which is what the original plan was), again with all these fighters at your disposal and they go with Jardine? To me it just smells of them giving Chuck a relatively easy KO win (not "easy" literally, but you know what i mean) to set up him and Wanderlei in probably January or February. I know Shogun Rua is also fighting on the card, but the fact that i'd take the free UFC 75 card over the paying one tells me something's not right!

Yeah I feel ya man. Jardine is just not main event material. Maybe he needs to fight Don Flamingo or someone, lol. I totally agree that they are giving Chuck an "easier" opponent. Which really sucks. I wanna see the Iceman tested to the fullest. I wanna know if anyone other than Rampage can beat the guy. Oh and the whole free UFC 75 thing is just brilliant. Now I can get a 12er and not feel like i spent much. Cause usually im spending alot more for PPV. But I was really pleased with UFC 73. So hopefully Dana keeps it going.