UFC on Versus 5

[MMA_scientist]

How is Figeroa's takedown defense. Reinhart sucks and is old, but he is a wrestler and Figeroa is a kickboxer.

[MMA_scientist]

Stevenson did take him down several times, but Castillo was winning standing and nearly finished him. Stevenson gave away the fight by jumping for guillotines repeatedly.

I don't know, initially I thought Castillo should win, but now I think Volkmann may be able to grind him out. Now I think I should stay away.

Side note, Volkmann and Lentz are basically the same exact fighter.

[edman5555]

I was wondering that too.

[MMA_scientist]

Nothing really jumping out at me.

What do you giys think about Castillo vs. Volkmann. Castillo just beat a midget wrestler in Stevenson, and also has a win over Poirier. Is Volkmann going to be able to hump his way to a decision?

[edman5555]

I get what your saying. His aggressiveness might win him the fight. Aggressiveness is something that Cerrone has had problems with in a lot of fights. I don't know what will happen to be honest. You could be right. He will probably just go out there get right in Cerrones face.

[MMA_scientist]

[Vandelay]

Both cerrone and Oliveira have average boxing at best. What they do have are good kicks. I don't really foresee oliveira stopping cerrone via strikes, but he may be able to sub him. It's a tough fight to predict because both guys are tough to finish yet oliveira pushes a ridiculous pace. Tough card to bet on.

[sbjj]

Edman, I really do not think Cerrone is that much better of a striker than Efrain. Lesser strikers have gotten the better of it with Cerrone. i think Cerrone must capitalize on a mistake and sub him. I think Olive. is going to ball over him and in his face.

[MMA_scientist]

I agree with sbjj that Cerrone is not that great of a striker. I disagree that Oliveira is though. I think he is agressive both standing and on the mat. That agressiveness make you look awesome and helps finish fights, but it can cost you too. It cost him on the mat against Miller. You can't be going for leg locks with reckless abandon while leaving your own spider limbs dangling against a guy that is a very sound technical grappler. I see the same issue here. Doing flying monkey striking attacks and swinging for the fences could cost him against a guy that throws straight down the pipe in Cerrone. I think Oliveira will win, but Cerrone is a vet and he is dangerous and game. He is not going to fold up. Ultimately, I think Oliveira will tap him out.

I think it will look something like this:

[sbjj]

Well I think Cerrone can win a decision. At +400 I am willing to bet it. I certainly believe Olveira can win. I know he can. I don't think Cerrone will knock him out or submit him. He may be able to beat him 2 out of 3 rounds.

That is a big deal for me. I am real confidant that Olive. wins Rd.1. And I doubt he gasses or breaks in the 2nd and 3rd.

[edman5555]

Well I think Cerrone can win a decision. At +400 I am willing to bet it. I certainly believe Olveira can win. I know he can. I don't think Cerrone will knock him out or submit him. He may be able to beat him 2 out of 3 rounds.

[MMA_scientist]

Agree that Cerrone is not some muy thai wrecking machine. He gets hit a lot and he doesn't deliver a lot of power. But Oliveira is a godamned wild man. His standup doesn't look that sharp to me either, more that he just brings it. Cerrone also walks straight forward... I think the difference is that if Cerrone drops him, he won't be able to follow him down for a finish. All I know is that there is going to be action in this fight for as long as it lasts.

[edman5555]

McCullough is a very very good striker. It is true that he gets tagged a lot though. I guess the thing is I don't think Oliviera is as good a striker as he is getting credit for. He is good, but he has been fighting short guys who can't strike very well. That makes you look pretty good.

Cerrone is a much better striker than Lentz and Efrain. Lentz and efrain win all their fight by wrestling.

[sbjj]

Another thing. Oliv has only really outstruck two guys that we have seen. Nik Lentz and Efrain Escudero. Two shorter wrestlers....Cerrone will actually be bigger and stronger than Oliv. He may have a better reach as well. Cerrone is also a pretty good wrestler. Oliv will have a hard time getting him down. Even if he does, Cerrone will by tough to submit. Cerrone is the bet here, especially at +130.

We just disagree dude. I see in Oliveira what I saw in Jones and what I see(to a less degree in Gustaff.) A real talent with just uncanny fighting ability. You act as if Efrain and Lentz are not that good. you could argue that they are better than anyone Cerrone has beat. Actually, i am pretty sure they are better than anyone he has beat.

you think Oliveira will be the first guy that Cerrone stops with his striking? or is he just going to pick him apart. Seriously? you think Oliveira is just going to sit back and get taken apart. what in his fights in the UFC make you think that is a likely outcome.

I see Cerrone winning by ONE way. Oliveira gets stupis and makes another wild and dumb mistake.

[sbjj]

Who has tagged and dropped Cerrone?

Varner did in the first fight. And McCullough had him hurt. Hell, Kelly and Horodecki were tagging him pretty good. And Ratcliff was beating him until he gassed, or maybe it was the constant nutshots.

Look, I am not saying he sucks. But I see no proof that he is better standing. Hell, when has he ever completely outclassed a guy standing(besides his last fight).

And Edman, those stats you posted mean absolurtely nothing. There are dudesd in MMA who have PRO boxing experience that have TERRIBLE stand up.