Watching the fallout on the internet from the Lyoto Machida vs Shogun Rua fight was a bit difficult for me as I fall into the minority that agreed with the decision. Watching the fight again immediately after it was over with the sound muted, showed me that despite the crowd and the incessant shouting from Joe Rogan, Machida outstruck Shogun through the first 3 rounds. Machida's strikes landed cleaner and more often. You can argue that Shogun hit harder with his leg kicks and body kicks, but he wiffed several of those kick attempts and his takedowns were about as effective as the Obama stimulus package.
Let's see how the rematch goes.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Aoki Calls Out the Prodigy.....'Kay.
Shinya Aoki is now the newly minted Dream lightweight champion. After he defeated Joachim Hansen for the title, he once again called out the consensus #1 lightweight in the world, BJ Penn. My only comment can be, what?!
Never mind the fact that Aoki does not like fighting outside of the land of the rising sun and he has no interest in going to the UFC, but his chances against BJ Penn are about as likely as North Korea disarming themselves of nuclear weapons. As in not likely.
On the feet, Penn can be argued as the best boxer in the division. His ability to get in and out and slip and strike is unparalleled. Mix in his uncanny power and Aoki has about as good a chance staying upright of his own free will as the aformention nuclear disarmament. The stand up is not a friend to our resident Japanese human pretzel maker.
The wrestling is also a contest that favors Penn. While he isn't Kurt Angle, Penn is a severely underrated wrestler. His ability to avoid the takedown and put the fight where he wants is exceptional. See the Kenny Florian fight for how the takedown battle would play out against Aoki.
And finally, the jiu jitsu. The most evenly matched portion of the fight, and mostly a wash as either guy would likely cancel out the other. Although Aoki's defense on the ground is not spectacular, so there is a chance Penn would just pound him out on the ground. Overall, not a great night for the newly crowned Dream champion.
Any argument for Dream's light weight division being better than the UFC's is a farce. As good as guys like Calvancante, Hansen, Ishida and Aoki are, none of these men would beat a Sean Sherk, Frank Edgar, Kenny Florian or a BJ Penn. Natch.
Never mind the fact that Aoki does not like fighting outside of the land of the rising sun and he has no interest in going to the UFC, but his chances against BJ Penn are about as likely as North Korea disarming themselves of nuclear weapons. As in not likely.
On the feet, Penn can be argued as the best boxer in the division. His ability to get in and out and slip and strike is unparalleled. Mix in his uncanny power and Aoki has about as good a chance staying upright of his own free will as the aformention nuclear disarmament. The stand up is not a friend to our resident Japanese human pretzel maker.
The wrestling is also a contest that favors Penn. While he isn't Kurt Angle, Penn is a severely underrated wrestler. His ability to avoid the takedown and put the fight where he wants is exceptional. See the Kenny Florian fight for how the takedown battle would play out against Aoki.
And finally, the jiu jitsu. The most evenly matched portion of the fight, and mostly a wash as either guy would likely cancel out the other. Although Aoki's defense on the ground is not spectacular, so there is a chance Penn would just pound him out on the ground. Overall, not a great night for the newly crowned Dream champion.
Any argument for Dream's light weight division being better than the UFC's is a farce. As good as guys like Calvancante, Hansen, Ishida and Aoki are, none of these men would beat a Sean Sherk, Frank Edgar, Kenny Florian or a BJ Penn. Natch.
Friday, October 9, 2009
TUF Week of 10/07/09
Kudos to Rashad Evans for being there for Demico Rogers after he lost on TUF. A fighter needs to know that his team supports him and helps pick him up off the ground after a loss. Rampage showed that all he cares about is himself and no one else. The show is supposed to be about the fighters and their goal of making it as a fighter in the greatest fight organization in the world. Not about some egomaniac who cares more about how he looks on tv than the guys around him.
I know Quentin claims that he was strong armed into being on the show, but all he really needed to say was "no" to being on the show. No one put a gun to his head. Rampage needs to pull his head out of his ass and forget about acting as he cannot act his way out of a paper bag.
I supported Jackson after his loss to Forrest as I thought he took it well and accepted it like a man. I stood behind him after his unhinged "rampage" through the streets of L.A. I thought he deserved a title shot after the Jardine fight even though he looked less than impressive. For him to pull this crap now, I think I've lost my patience for his bullshit.
I know Quentin claims that he was strong armed into being on the show, but all he really needed to say was "no" to being on the show. No one put a gun to his head. Rampage needs to pull his head out of his ass and forget about acting as he cannot act his way out of a paper bag.
I supported Jackson after his loss to Forrest as I thought he took it well and accepted it like a man. I stood behind him after his unhinged "rampage" through the streets of L.A. I thought he deserved a title shot after the Jardine fight even though he looked less than impressive. For him to pull this crap now, I think I've lost my patience for his bullshit.
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