Well, I had a good time last night watching UFC 73 in HD on my big screen television. One of the biggest disappointments I had was not betting on the fights. If you check out my UFC 73 Preview I went 7-1-1 on my predictions. I've been waiting quite sometime for the event, and I think it only somewhat lived up to it's potential. The thing is, if you really looked at the card, you had to somewhat know it wasn't going to be all fireworks.
The way some of the fighters were matched up, it was going to be real probable how most of the fights were going to go. Still, I'm not disappointed in the card whatsoever. The only thing I'd really change about the fight, is the Rashad Evans & Tito Ortiz fight. I would have liked to see what Rashad could have done if he wasn't so damn hesitant to swing.
Time for some notes..
- Just when I was convinced Sean Sherk would hold the UFC Lightweight title forever, Dana White announced in the Post-Fight Press Conference that BJ Penn would be Sherk's next title defense in November. Not only was I very happy about this news, but completely mind boggled on who to pick as the winner. I'd like to say I think Penn could counter Sherk's offense, but I'm just not sure.
- I saw some pretty stupid rumors on Sherdog last night about the Heath Herring & Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira fight being a possible work. Sometimes it boggles my mind how dumb some of the posters are over there. No, Dana White did not tell Herring to "not finish Nogueira", he simply gassed. Yeah, it looked weird because it seemed like Herring could have finished him at any time.. But, it was simply because he ran out of steam, NOT because Dana White told him not to.
- News 10 Sacramento is reporting that a fan at the UFC 73 event last night fell 30 feet to the ground at the Arco Arena. Apparently he died from his injuries at the UC Davis Medical Center. Sincerest apologies go out to his family, and I'll try to have more on it when it develops.
- On a lighter note, how hot were the two Police officers escorting the fighters down to the arena? Were these even really officers or security guards? If so, I'd let them put me in handcuffs any day.
- The thing that disappoints me the most about the outcome of the Rashad Evans & Tito Ortiz fight is that I believe the UFC will try to push an entire PPV based solely on the rematch. I hope they realize it would be a good thing for the fans to go ahead and offer the rematch as a Main Event for an upcoming Ultimate Fight Night instead.
- An article on the Gainesville Sun's website says Dana White confirmed Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's first opponent in the UFC will likely be Ryoto "Lyoto" Machida. It's also just a pretty good article. You should check it out.
- The UFC has officially launched the UFC 74 "Respect" Website, the Main Event is Randy "The Natural" Couture taking on Gabriel Gonzaga for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
- UFCJunkie.com is reporting that a rematch between Chris Leben & Mike Swick may headline Ultimate Fight Night 11.
- Who else was happy to see Hayato "Mach" Sakurai at the UFC 73 event? I'm excited to see "Mach" test some of the Lightweights in the future. I just hope the UFC doesn't feed him to the sharks right off the bat.
Edit: Now that I think of it, Sakurai will probably be fighting at Welterweight in the UFC.
- According to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Team Quest member Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou has agreed to terms with EliteXC. Reports were that Sokoudjou was unimpressed with offers from the UFC, and will reportedly earn $150,000 to show, and $50,000 to win with Showtime's EliteXC. Sokoudjou is coming off of two huge upset victories in a row against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira & Ricardo Arona.
4 comments:
BJ will waste Sherk, I'm pretty sure. Hughes couldn't really take BJ down, and on the ground couldn't do anything with him until BJ injured his rib. Someone on Sherdog called Sherk the "poor man's Hughes" and I think that's an accurate analysis. On their feet, BJ will shred him, and once it hits the ground, BJ will submit him.
If the UFC thinks they will build an entire PPV around a Rashad/Tito rematch, I think they're sorely mistaken, unless they come up with some serious undercard fights. The talent pool is deep and getting deeper...expect Tito Ortiz to quietly disappear before too long.
Keep up the good work, man. My friend and I occassionally blog on MMA at armchair-mma.blogspot.com
Best luck.
I agree with you man. BJ Penn's artistry on the ground is an absolutely brilliant thing to watch.
I just can't see Penn succumbing to laying on his back with Sherk on top of him. His movements are like water, and I feel once on the ground he will make the right transitions to either get on his feet, or to look for a submission.
You have to think at some point Sherk will make a mistake, and one mistake is too many when your in there against "The Prodigy".
Thank you for leaving your comments, I hope you check out my blog more regularly. I'm on my way over to your blog now. =)
Cool site man. I bookmarked it. I think im going to start paying attention to your predictions more often when im betting. You got like all the fights besides Marqaurdt and Silva right.
Good stuff man! Really well written and thoughtful posts.
Bookmarked.
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