UFC 116 discussion/matchups

[SPX]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

I'd actually buy every PPV if I had 2-3 friends to watch these with but since its just me I put in on the laptop and stream to the TV.

Agreed. For me, the image quality and reliability would be worth it. I used to buy it every time even when I was by myself, but that's when I was making more money and wasn't fucking poor.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

^ That's how I am. If have friends over I buy it. We usually split it 4 or 5 ways, so it is worth it. But since none of my friends are hardcore fans, they don't want to watch every single card. I used to just buy it and sit sadly alone and watch it. BUt I am glad to have discovered the sopcast (thanks Luke) for those events.

[SPX]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

I used to have a whole ritual. I would go get beer, get into position in front of the TV and computer, pull up Sherdog, and order the PPV.

Then about halfway through I'd order food from Dominos. It was just me so the whole thing would end up costing me like $70.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

I have had to tone down my pizza eating with fights because there is pretty much something on every weekend now. Between Dream, Strikeforce, Bellator, and UFC- oh and Moosin- there is a fight every week. So I only eat pizza/wings/cheesesteak for UFC events. Strikeforce I usually watch alone with some other delectable treat. I need food for my fights. Dream usually gets watched the morning after. Bellator gets watched while I simultaneously work.

Sherdog annoys me, so I can't say I have ever done that one.

[AC88]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

So far I got:

Roberts over Petz for many Units.

1U on Pellegrino. I think Sotiropoulos is getting way too much hype for beating Stevenson.

Krystof vs. Bonnar to go over 2.5 rounds for many Units.

Also taking Leben/Akiyama over 2.5 rounds for 1.2U.


Ricardo Romero is very legit and I think at -170 is a great play. He should be a much higher favorite IMO if this weren't his UFC debut.

No play on Romero until near fight time for me because I have put down a lot of money on all the bets I made above.

Brock/Shane is a toss-up for me. I'll just have to flip a coin and make a small bet on that one as well.

[SPX]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

Brock/Shane is a toss-up for me. I'll just have to flip a coin and make a small bet on that one as well.

If it's really a toss up, then always go with the dog.

[AC88]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

Brock/Shane is a toss-up for me. I'll just have to flip a coin and make a small bet on that one as well.

If it's really a toss up, then always go with the dog.

Good advice. That's how I won money on Shogun in his last fight.

[SPX]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

LAS VEGAS – Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) recently drew a touch of criticism from some MMA fans after he voiced his disinterest in fighting middleweight slugger Chris Leben (20-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) at this weekend's UFC 116 event.

Leben was offered up to Akiyama after original opponent Wanderlei Silva was forced to bow out of the fight due to an injury, and the judoka expressed frustration at such a "lesser-named" opponent.

While Leben admits he took the swipe a bit personally, Akiyama said he didn't intend any disrespect. When you're fighting for the popularity of a sport in your homeland, only the biggest matchups will do.

"I'm very familiar with Chris' popularity in the States, but compared to Wanderlei overseas, he's a much bigger name in Korea and Japan," Akiyama said through an interpreter. "For me, to improve the popularity of MMA in Japan is one of my goals as well."

Akiyama has long been a superstar in Japan. He's garnered a loyal, cult-like following among MMA hardcores, but his lone exposure to U.S. fans so far is a UFC 100 split-decision win over Alan Belcher. While Akiyama had hoped for a matchup with an MMA legend, he ultimately realized it was in the best interest of everyone involved to take the fight with Leben.

"Primarily, not so much for me but for the UFC and the promotion and also all my friends and family that are coming over from Japan to watch me fight," Akiyama told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I wanted it for them.

"I was basically 50-50. Eventually, it just got to the point where I'm not going to [take the fight] for myself but for the fans and everybody else."

While a hesitancy to fight isn't generally the sort of attitude Dana White supports, in this instance, the UFC president said he understands Akiyama's emotions.

"Trust me; I get it," White told MMAjunkie.com. "I've talked to Akiyama. I know how bad he wanted that Wanderlei Silva fight. For guys to mentally and physically prepare for a fight and then it gets taken away a couple of weeks before the fight, it's a little disheartening. It's tough to take. I understood. That's why I worked with both of these guys."

In Leben, Akiyama faces a similarly styled foe, though Silva's power shots are angled from the right side while "The Crippler" will attack from the left. Despite a mere two weeks of preparation, Akiyama said he knows exactly what to expect.

"First of all, there's orthodox vs. southpaw," Akiyama said. "There's a big difference there. Honestly, I really didn't have much time, but I'm going to take that in stride and say that it's good experience, and I trained accordingly as much I could. ... They're both aggressive and strong. Besides that, I don't think there's much of a difference.

"He has a great left, and I have very high respect for his striking abilities, but striking and judo? I think throwing someone has more strength than hitting someone."

With a win, Akiyama likely would face Silva in his next outing, though he joked he "might decline" the matchup if it was arranged a second time.

For now, Akiyama will shift his focus to Leben, and he'll enter the cage with the honor of Japan on his shoulders.

"Whether it's a submission or knockout, I want to win decisively," Akiyama said. "Also, I want people in Japan to see that I am doing my best in the fighting art – and win decisively. That's basically what I'm after."

[Svino]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

I probably won't be betting much at all on this card. I can't convince myself that the Lesnar-Carwin line is off in either direction, though if I had to bet it, I would probably pick Carwin. I'll start to give the undercard a closer look.

Someone asked why Lesnar just won't take Carwin down a lot. For me, the answer is the Lesnar / Couture fight. Lesnar had a good deal of trouble with Randy; he was able to get him down a couple times, but for the most part, Brock's wrestling was neutralized. Carwin is more than 10 years younger than Randy was and 50 pounds heavier. I can't see Brock tossing Carwin around.

Also, I'm not sure the fact that Brock went the full 15 minutes with Herring is as much proof of his cardio as people are taking it to be. When your opponent is offering as little resistance as Heath was, it's a lot easier to keep your stamina. A few rounds of toughly contested wrestling with Carwin would be a whole different story. Also, who knows what he's like post-injury.

While he keeps proving me wrong, I'm still not sold on JDS. Oh, I think he'll beat Big Country, but his standup after Gonzaga's incomplete takedown doesn't convince me of either strong takedown defense or a competent ground game. His striking is obviously good, but I think he could still lose on the feet to power punchers like Carwin or Lesnar. If you consider the last three strikers to fight Cro Cop: JDS, Overeem, and pre-hand-and-foot-breakage Pat Barry, I think Dos Santos was actually the least impressive of the three, even though he was the only one to end up with a win.

[SPX]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

While he keeps proving me wrong, I'm still not sold on JDS.

If you're not sold on him, then why do you think he'll beat Nelson?

[Svino]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

While he keeps proving me wrong, I'm still not sold on JDS.

If you're not sold on him, then why do you think he'll beat Nelson?

Well, cause I don't think Nelson is that good. Too much of a speed difference, and Nelson's takedowns aren't that great. Wins, even quick ones, over guys like Schaub and Struve, don't impress me much.

No one is comparing Nelson to Carwin and Lesnar.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

weigh ins are on spike right now. Schaub is bigger than Tucherer. Filled with reget about that bet. Schaub is going to wreck him

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

Lytle with lots of new ink. Sotiropoulis has a deformed torso. Never seen the weigh ins in HD before. It changes thing a little.

[JAB]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

Did anyone notice Schaub's left elbow...looks like he busted a bursa sac in it or something...it was swollen up bigtime.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFC 116 discussion/matchups

^^didn't notice that... I rewound and watched it. Definitely looks like fluid on the elbow.