UFC on Fox 2

[Ludo]

People are not realizing the fact that Davis is still improving and has had a whole year since the Little Nog fight. People are taking the first round of that fight way too seriously

Actually he's spent the last half year or so battling a knee injury that forced him out of two consecutive fights(the first time he and Rashad were supposed to fight, and he was originally supposed to fight Machida at UFC140). I wouldn't say he's been able to spend the last year improving by any means.

[MMA_scientist]

BOL,Jason Brilz was able to get Lil Nog on the floor faster than Davis could.I think you two are completely wrong about Davis .His MMA wrestling nor his striking is better than Rashad's. IF Davis wins I think it will be in the later rounds since Evans has a tendency to slow down after 2.5 rounds into a fight. I could see Rashad schooling Davis for the first few rounds then slowing down and losing a close decision.

My issue is more that Rashad can be taken down (taken down by Tito, Bisping, Salmon- basically everyone that tried) , than it is that Davis has super powerful takedowns. Offensive wrestling is a totally different skill than defensive wrestling, and I believe that Davis has a better combination of the two. Also, Nog has some reach and likes to box on the outside... Rashad is going to have to come forward if he wants to hit Davis, and it is a lot easier to takedown someone who is coming forward as opposed to backing up.
Finally, Rashad probably has better striking, but he has been floored several times. He was almost stopped by Thiago Silva and Rampage leveled him too, and we know about Machida. Davis might not be as powerful a striker, but he has not been hit hard (and he has fought equally good strikers in Gustaffson and Nog).

Basically, Rashad has more offense, but less defense in both the striking and wrestling. So even though Davis had some trouble getting Gustaffson and Nog down... so what? Nothing bad happened because of it, neither guy was able to get any offense off.

I might be totally wrong... but I think @ +160, it is worth a play. I actually think Davis is going to win, so it is a no brainer for me.

[MMA_scientist]

As an aside, I am not trying to convince anyone to bet Davis. Wiseman asked why I think Davis is going to win... there it is.

[Ludo]

As an aside, I am not trying to convince anyone to bet Davis. Wiseman asked why I think Davis is going to win... there it is.

Thats what we're all here for. Different things to consider only helps us all. I don't know that Tito taking Rashad down for a half a second counts for anything, and the first Tito fight/Salmon fight counts for nothing anymore since Rashad has become a totally different fighter since then. Rampage and Thiago both leveled him but that wasn't until the third round after Rashad was also tired, and both of those guys are far better/more powerful strikers than Davis is at this point.

[MMA_scientist]

^^ yeah, I know Rashad has evolved. I don't think Davis will hurt him standing at all... just pointing out the difference in the styles. Rashad is all come forward with power punches and power doubles, he gets a lot of takedowns this way and lands a lot of power punches, but he also exposes himself somewhat -it is a trade off. This will probably be the first time he has been in the role of sprawl and brawl since Salmon. Even in Tito1, he was trying for takedowns of his own. I really don't think he will be able to take Davis down. I think he may try it once, and then he will realize it is not going to happen. I just think Rashad is going to get taken out of his usual game of coming forward all the time here, and it is going to mess him up.

[poopoo333]

Probably gonna throw 4u on Davis

[MMA_scientist]

I am talking myself into a bigger bet. I rarely bet more than enough to win 1u on a dog. I think I am going to see if my Maia bet hits, then double down on Davis if he wins.

[Vandelay]

Im starting to come around. Davis striking is really bad though and his takedowns from distance are about as good as his striking. Even his transitions suck.

[Luke]

I think I am going to see if my Maia bet hits, then double down on Davis if he wins.

In other words you're sticking with your 1 unit bet.

[edman5555]

I have been on the fence on the Davis/Rashad fight but I am starting to see your point. Rashad has a more well rounded game + experience but I feel like Davis is going to power him down to the ground. I could be wrong though.

[Vandelay]

Ill be leaving for the weighins tomorrow morning. Hopefully its an exciting card.

[trotterz]

I have been on the fence on the Davis/Rashad fight but I am starting to see your point. Rashad has a more well rounded game + experience but I feel like Davis is going to power him down to the ground. I could be wrong though.

I was feeling the same way, but yesterday I re-watched nog-davis one more time, davis really looked like shit in that fight .... especially in the wrestling department

[Luke]

Ill be leaving for the weighins tomorrow morning. Hopefully its an exciting card.

Let us know if you make weight or not.

[edman5555]

I was feeling the same way, but yesterday I re-watched nog-davis one more time, davis really looked like shit in that fight .... especially in the wrestling department

Yeah I guess. I remember that shitty kick where he almost fell down. It makes sense to think rashad will win through being more well rounded. On the other hand, Phil is a bigger stronger better wrestler and rashad gases sometimes. Maybe he is in shape this time but who knows. Rashad could also knock him out.

[MMA_scientist]

Rashad could also knock him out.

That could definitely happen. Think Mo-Roger... The difference is Phil should have better takedowns, but it is not inescapable death once on the ground.