UFC 158 MArch 16th

[poopoo333]

I think Maia could take Ellenberger down..did you see what he did to Fitch? Granted...Fitch has shown shitty defensive wrestling in the past, but Ellenberger does not have the best cardio. I think if Maia forces a grappling match for 1.5 rounds or so, Ellenberger will tire and his power won't be as effective.

[MMA_scientist]

I think Maia beats Ellenberger. I think they will give Condit someone he SHOULD beat...maybe a Kampmann rematch (although he lost the 1st fight). I just don't see him losing 3 in a row.

They should give Rory MacDonald a fight against Rick Story.

I hope you are right, I would love to see Maia in a title fight again. I think Ellenberger might blast him though. I want Maia against someone he can take down for sure, that's why I want Maia/Condit. I would even take Maia/Diaz, though Diaz needs to fight someone who will talk shit with him. It is hard to shit talk Maia, and he won't respond.

WW is by far the deepest division. Lawler, Kampmann is in there somewhere too, Diego, Woodley, Saffidiene, Koscheck, Pierce, I guess Hathaway is back in the picture... there are bunch of fights at WW I would like to see. WW is awesome.

[MMA_scientist]

Some interesting thoughts. . .

I guess the way I see it is that being aggressive and being a brawler will always be effective, but only to get you to a certain point. For instance, if a division is a mountain, maybe you'll get a third of the way up. So there will be a lot of guys you can beat and you can certainly find a place in the sport. But the guys at the very top will always be the guys who have mastered the technical aspects . . . your GSPs, Silvas, Cruz's, Aldos and JDS, etc. That's just the way it seems to work out.

If someone who just "throws hard punches" gets lucky and gets a belt, they don't don't to hang onto it very long.

I agree with most of that. But I don't know if Cain is an exceptionally technical striker. Jon Jones is long, but I wouldn't say he is an excellent kickboxer. I don't know, it seems to me the most important factor in dominance is being able to force your strength on your opponent, whatever that may be.

I do agree that guys that are not as technically sound tend to come and go much quicker. If Hendricks wins the belt, I don't think he will defend it more than once. One one hand, he has only lost once, and that was close... but on the other hand, he couldve lost to Kos and Condit, and Pierce. I wouldn't favor him much over Kos, Pierce, or Condit in a rematch, if at all. I would favor him over Story now, but I wouldn't rule out Story beating him.

[poopoo333]

I think Maia beats Ellenberger. I think they will give Condit someone he SHOULD beat...maybe a Kampmann rematch (although he lost the 1st fight). I just don't see him losing 3 in a row.

They should give Rory MacDonald a fight against Rick Story.

[SPX]

I think we are going to see Ellenberger vs Maia next.

Who does Condit fight next? Marquardt? Saffiedine?

Ellenberger's power makes that interesting.

As for Condit, I dunno. Maybe Marq. Saff would be interesting but wouldn't be loser vs loser (not that it always works out that way).

[MMA_scientist]

I think we are going to see Ellenberger vs Maia next.

Who does Condit fight next? Marquardt? Saffiedine?

Sadly, I think you are right. I don't want that fight at all, but it makes sense as a title eliminator. I would like to see Maia get a fight against a non-wrestler at some point in his career. I would like to see Condit/Maia and Ellenberger/Rory.

They may put together Condit/Rory. Although, I want to see Rory fight at least 1 wrestlebrawler... he is getting the Dan Hardy treatment. While Hendricks, Fitch, Pierce, Ellenberger, Koscheck all have to fight each other, Rory is somehow avoiding this gauntlet. He hasn't had to fight 1 wrestler.

[SPX]

Brawling works pretty well in MMA. I think "technical" striking is kind of overrated in MMA. And I hate to say this, but technical grappling is overrated too. A boxing match is 12 rounds, the damage adds up. A grappling match is scored on nuances, so having a foot here as opposed the there matters. But in MMA, it seems like you need a basic level of technique, and some power. I would say the biggest upside to "technical" striking in MMA is that you avoid getting hit, not so much that it helps you deliver more. The same with grappling, really technical grapplers are less prone to ending up under mount or side control, so it helps defensively, but in MMA, where the rules don't force you to engage, I think being powerful is more important for actually imposing your grappling.

Some interesting thoughts. . .

I guess the way I see it is that being aggressive and being a brawler will always be effective, but only to get you to a certain point. For instance, if a division is a mountain, maybe you'll get a third of the way up. So there will be a lot of guys you can beat and you can certainly find a place in the sport. But the guys at the very top will always be the guys who have mastered the technical aspects . . . your GSPs, Silvas, Cruz's, Aldos and JDS, etc. That's just the way it seems to work out.

If someone who just "throws hard punches" gets lucky and gets a belt, they don't don't to hang onto it very long.

. . . and GSP is getting more and more cautious with every outing.

GSP . . . Gotta Score Points

[poopoo333]

I think we are going to see Ellenberger vs Maia next.

Who does Condit fight next? Marquardt? Saffiedine?

[MMA_scientist]

I guess that's pretty much it. You have to "catch" GSP. And in 10 fights, maybe Hendricks could do it 2 or even 3 times. But I still have to favor GSP and think he will win.

If Hendricks had better boxing fundamentals I would have to give him more of a chance. But like you say, he makes it ugly. There at least doesn't APPEAR to be much technique involved. He just jumps toward you and throws hays.

Brawling works pretty well in MMA. I think "technical" striking is kind of overrated in MMA. And I hate to say this, but technical grappling is overrated too. A boxing match is 12 rounds, the damage adds up. A grappling match is scored on nuances, so having a foot here as opposed the there matters. But in MMA, it seems like you need a basic level of technique, and some power. I would say the biggest upside to "technical" striking in MMA is that you avoid getting hit, not so much that it helps you deliver more. The same with grappling, really technical grapplers are less prone to ending up under mount or side control, so it helps defensively, but in MMA, where the rules don't force you to engage, I think being powerful is more important for actually imposing your grappling.

That said, I would probably agree with your 3/10 assessment on GSP/Hendricks. I just think it is in the air. Hendricks is rolling and GSP is getting more and more cautious with every outing.

[poopoo333]

I really want to see Askren in the UFC. There is nobody to beat him in Bellator. He is going to beat Lima (again) or Saunders easily this year. I would like to see him come to the UFC and fight someone like Rick Story and work his way up.

[MMA_scientist]

Ben Askren @Benaskren After tonight I am 100% sure I could beat GSP @dukeroufus

I want Askren in the UFC, but it is never going to happen. I would be curious to see if Askren could put him on his back. GSP maintains his position mostly d/t being able to put anyone down and not allowing anyone to take him down. I would love to see someone who "might" be able to put GSP on his back. I don't think he could keep him there though. Askren is trying to be interesting lately, but I wish he would call out guys he might actually fight, instead of GSP and Bisping.

[poopoo333]

I'm interested in it.

[SPX]

Ben Askren @Benaskren After tonight I am 100% sure I could beat GSP @dukeroufus

Ben Askren is a retarded person.

[SPX]

It is clear at this point, you can't beat GSP by being a better fighter, you have to just make it ugly and get lucky.

I guess that's pretty much it. You have to "catch" GSP. And in 10 fights, maybe Hendricks could do it 2 or even 3 times. But I still have to favor GSP and think he will win.

If Hendricks had better boxing fundamentals I would have to give him more of a chance. But like you say, he makes it ugly. There at least doesn't APPEAR to be much technique involved. He just jumps toward you and throws hays.

[poopoo333]

Ben Askren @Benaskren After tonight I am 100% sure I could beat GSP @dukeroufus