Rampage's next fight is Forrest.

 

 

Everyone thought Soko would destroy Machida also.....no luck there.

 

To be recognized as a legit option to corrupt boxing, and a legit "sport" the UFC is going to have to have a ranking system. Plain and simple. This stuff about Chuck at the end of his career so he should get this fight or that fight isn't right. You beat people you move up, you lose you move down.

 

 

On the subject I posted above.

 

 

The UFC was using Xyience as a way tp pay fighters.......some of them are not getting payed. If they used Xyience as a way to show they have a $15 million sponsor to secure the loan they recetly got, they are on the verge of fraud.........

 

Mistake...that's what I meant to post.

 

I thought Machida would win his last fight, so maybe everyone didn't think that. Soko was similar to Houston Alexander...an explosive, inexperienced striker who can look great if you fight the way they'd like...however, they're unproven and in over their head against a talented, well-rounded technician...like Machida, like Thiago Silva. I doubt it surprised that many people when Machida won that fight...just like it shouldn't have surprised anyone when Thiago Silva dismantled Alexander.

 

The problem is, Chuck Liddell doesn't fit the same description as Alexander or Soko. Liddell's experience is second to none, he's proven, battle-tested, and one of the best fighters on the planet. Machida isn't the type of guy who overwhelms you and finishes fights...the fact that Liddell wouldn't be overly concerned about Machida catching him with a kill shot would definitely be a big advantage for him. He could relax and go after him and sooner or later he'd get him. Do you really think that would be a good fight?

 

I won't argue that a clearer ranking system would be nice. However, look at the LHW division over the past year...

 

Liddell lost to Rampage and Jardine and beat Wanderlei

Jardine lost to Houston Alexander and beat Griffin and Liddell

Griffin lost to Jardine and beat Shogun (explain to me how that makes him the #1 contender)

Alexander beat Jardine and Sakara and lost to Thiago Silva

 

All of the top LHW's have lost...there is no clear cut guy to put at the top right now. I'm guessing that Wanderlei would have been at the top had he beat Liddell. Your logic for Forrest was that Shogun was in line for a title shot with a win, so Forrest gets it. Why doesn't that apply to Liddell? He's as deserving as anyone else. When you get to that position, star power has to be factored in...UFC is also promoting it's sport and they'd be stupid not to try to capitalize on Liddell's popularity right now.

Mistake...that's what I meant to post.

 

I thought Machida would win his last fight, so maybe everyone didn't think that. Soko was similar to Houston Alexander...an explosive, inexperienced striker who can look great if you fight the way they'd like...however, they're unproven and in over their head against a talented, well-rounded technician...like Machida, like Thiago Silva. I doubt it surprised that many people when Machida won that fight...just like it shouldn't have surprised anyone when Thiago Silva dismantled Alexander.

 

The problem is, Chuck Liddell doesn't fit the same description as Alexander or Soko. Liddell's experience is second to none, he's proven, battle-tested, and one of the best fighters on the planet. Machida isn't the type of guy who overwhelms you and finishes fights...the fact that Liddell wouldn't be overly concerned about Machida catching him with a kill shot would definitely be a big advantage for him. He could relax and go after him and sooner or later he'd get him. Do you really think that would be a good fight?

 

I won't argue that a clearer ranking system would be nice. However, look at the LHW division over the past year...

 

Liddell lost to Rampage and Jardine and beat Wanderlei

Jardine lost to Houston Alexander and beat Griffin and Liddell

Griffin lost to Jardine and beat Shogun (explain to me how that makes him the #1 contender)

Alexander beat Jardine and Sakara and lost to Thiago Silva

 

All of the top LHW's have lost...there is no clear cut guy to put at the top right now. I'm guessing that Wanderlei would have been at the top had he beat Liddell. Your logic for Forrest was that Shogun was in line for a title shot with a win, so Forrest gets it. Why doesn't that apply to Liddell? He's as deserving as anyone else. When you get to that position, star power has to be factored in...UFC is also promoting it's sport and they'd be stupid not to try to capitalize on Liddell's popularity right now.

 

 

The line had Soko as the favorite. I wasn't shocked but was suprised at how bad Soko looked.

 

You make some good points and I don't want you to think I am a UFC/Dana White hater, I just want something me, you and every other fan can look at and say yeah, I can see why he is fighting him.

 

The comments that White and the matchmaker(forgot his name) made about Soko and Wand bother me a little. Its like they have this whole Pride thing as a chip on their shoulder they cannot get over.

 

 

By the way, its nice to discuss this with people that actually now a little about the sport.

No not listening to Cuban.

 

Been a fan of UFC since UFC1, even had tickets to go to UFC 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina but they would not allow under 18 in the building.

 

My problem is they are going to have to cross-promote and do away with exclusive contracts, or you will not see all the best fighters fight.

 

If they want to be taken serious as a sport, they have to start having a formula for contenders.

 

I am a Chuck Liddell fan, but no way should Jardine have to re-match him, Chuck is 1-2 in his last 3, but because he is buddies with White, he gets Jardine and get a title shot if he wins.

 

That is also mainly because the title is locked up for a while due to the new TUF featuring Rampage and Forrest...who will fight for the LHW championship after it goes off the air.

 

They have to have someone fighting for the #1 contender, and Jardine can't just sit and wait forever.

 

However, I think he should be fighting Lyota Machida for the #1 contender spot.

The line had Soko as the favorite. I wasn't shocked but was suprised at how bad Soko looked.

 

You make some good points and I don't want you to think I am a UFC/Dana White hater, I just want something me, you and every other fan can look at and say yeah, I can see why he is fighting him.

 

The comments that White and the matchmaker(forgot his name) made about Soko and Wand bother me a little. Its like they have this whole Pride thing as a chip on their shoulder they cannot get over.

 

 

By the way, its nice to discuss this with people that actually now a little about the sport.

 

What were the comments about Soko and Wanderlei?

 

I can't dispute the desire for a clear ranking system that makes sense. For the most part, it has been pretty obvious who was in line for a title shot, or who was fighting to get in line...the problem has been the 205-lb division. With all of the top guys losing over the past year, it really left us without a clear challenger...so, Forrest Griffin was the lucky guy I suppose. I don't really have a problem with Forrest getting the shot...Rampage has to fight somebody, but, IMO, Keith Jardine has a stronger argument to fight for the belt. Forrest may have beat Shogun, but Jardine has beat Forrest and Liddell with the Alexander loss sandwiched between. If anything, Jardine shouldn't be upset about fighting Chuck, but upset about Forrest getting the title shot ahead of him. Of course, it's all about marketing and Dana wanted Forrest and Rampage to coach on TUF. I can understand that.

Jardine was a bottom scraper before his win over Chuck. Chuck was one fight removed from being one of the most dominating LHWCs in history. I don't follow your logic that they would completely switch positions based on one fight. And I don't buy the "Liddell and Dana are best buddies" argument either. It's simple: more people will pay to watch Liddell fight than Jardine. Maybe if Jardine wins a few more and Liddell loses more, people will pay to see Jardine.

 

 

I wouldn't say Jardine was a bottom scraper, but he wasn't near the top since he just got KO'd by Houston Alexander not long before his fight with Chuck. He did beat Forrest though.

The line had Soko as the favorite. I wasn't shocked but was suprised at how bad Soko looked.

 

You make some good points and I don't want you to think I am a UFC/Dana White hater, I just want something me, you and every other fan can look at and say yeah, I can see why he is fighting him.

 

The comments that White and the matchmaker(forgot his name) made about Soko and Wand bother me a little. Its like they have this whole Pride thing as a chip on their shoulder they cannot get over.

 

 

By the way, its nice to discuss this with people that actually now a little about the sport.

 

You can't forget that it was Sokoudju's first fight in the UFC. That can be very hard for some. Rampage didn't look all that great in his first fight in the UFC vs Eastman.

What were the comments about Soko and Wanderlei?

 

I can't dispute the desire for a clear ranking system that makes sense. For the most part, it has been pretty obvious who was in line for a title shot, or who was fighting to get in line...the problem has been the 205-lb division. With all of the top guys losing over the past year, it really left us without a clear challenger...so, Forrest Griffin was the lucky guy I suppose. I don't really have a problem with Forrest getting the shot...Rampage has to fight somebody, but, IMO, Keith Jardine has a stronger argument to fight for the belt. Forrest may have beat Shogun, but Jardine has beat Forrest and Liddell with the Alexander loss sandwiched between. If anything, Jardine shouldn't be upset about fighting Chuck, but upset about Forrest getting the title shot ahead of him. Of course, it's all about marketing and Dana wanted Forrest and Rampage to coach on TUF. I can understand that.

 

Forrest is way more marketable than Jardine for one. Secondly. Jardine lost to someone who was pretty much unknown before that fight in Houston Alexander. Then Forrest beats the worlds #1 ranked fighter according to MMAWeekly at the time. That's why he earned himself a title shot.

What were the comments about Soko and Wanderlei?

 

I can't dispute the desire for a clear ranking system that makes sense. For the most part, it has been pretty obvious who was in line for a title shot, or who was fighting to get in line...the problem has been the 205-lb division. With all of the top guys losing over the past year, it really left us without a clear challenger...so, Forrest Griffin was the lucky guy I suppose. I don't really have a problem with Forrest getting the shot...Rampage has to fight somebody, but, IMO, Keith Jardine has a stronger argument to fight for the belt. Forrest may have beat Shogun, but Jardine has beat Forrest and Liddell with the Alexander loss sandwiched between. If anything, Jardine shouldn't be upset about fighting Chuck, but upset about Forrest getting the title shot ahead of him. Of course, it's all about marketing and Dana wanted Forrest and Rampage to coach on TUF. I can understand that.

 

 

Every PRIDE fighter that has lost, including Cro Cop, Joe Silva has a lot of negative to say, like roid accusations, and the infamous note he sent to Rogan while Rogan as hyping up SOKO, saying "This isn't Japan".

You can't forget that it was Sokoudju's first fight in the UFC. That can be very hard for some. Rampage didn't look all that great in his first fight in the UFC vs Eastman.

 

 

Yeah, but he was with Team Quest, training wrestling and BJJ so I thought he would be more prepared. He wasn't. He looked awful on the ground and gassed way quick.

Forrest is way more marketable than Jardine for one. Secondly. Jardine lost to someone who was pretty much unknown before that fight in Houston Alexander. Then Forrest beats the worlds #1 ranked fighter according to MMAWeekly at the time. That's why he earned himself a title shot.

 

:thumb:

 

That's why I said I understood their decision. My point was that if you base it on fights, Jardine was more deserving...he beat Forrest and Liddell. They obviously overlooked Griffin's loss to Jardine, so why couldn't they have overlooked a loss to Alexander.

 

It's not an issue with me...Rampage had to fight somebody and Forrest was probably the best guy at the time because of his popularity. This fight will generate the most interest, so UFC made the right decision, IMO.

Yeah, but he was with Team Quest, training wrestling and BJJ so I thought he would be more prepared. He wasn't. He looked awful on the ground and gassed way quick.

 

It's still a different game than in Japan. It's the super bowl of MMA. The biggest there is. A lot of people get too nervous and choke in their first fight.

Im interested in seeing what Machida can continue to do. He is a solid all around fighter thats undefeated. He is fighting Tito next in what will be Tito's last fight in the UFC. I think he should be able to handle Tito and then after that he should either get a title shot or a fight for the #1 contender.

 

The LHW division is a mess right now with no one consistently winning at the top besides Rampage. I'd hate to be Joe Silva and have to try and decide who should get who and who is the #1 contender in that division.

 

As for UFC being in trouble, I think they will be fine and everything will work out. Cant wait for this weekend and Im especially pumped for 82 in Columbus, I so want to go but have to go to a dang Wedding reception. That card for 82 is freakin loaded.

Im interested in seeing what Machida can continue to do. He is a solid all around fighter thats undefeated. He is fighting Tito next in what will be Tito's last fight in the UFC. I think he should be able to handle Tito and then after that he should either get a title shot or a fight for the #1 contender.

 

The LHW division is a mess right now with no one consistently winning at the top besides Rampage. I'd hate to be Joe Silva and have to try and decide who should get who and who is the #1 contender in that division.

 

As for UFC being in trouble, I think they will be fine and everything will work out. Cant wait for this weekend and Im especially pumped for 82 in Columbus, I so want to go but have to go to a dang Wedding reception. That card for 82 is freakin loaded.

 

I wouldn't pencil Machida in for a win over Tito yet. I'm definitely not a Tito fan...in fact, he's probably my least favorite fighter. Machida wins, but he doesn't overwhelm many fighters...if Tito can get him down and use his strength, he could easily ground and pound out another W. I think it's a good fight for Machida though...Tito is obviously not in the upper tier of the current UFC 205 pound division, so either way, we're going to learn something about Machida. If he can beat Tito, especially scoring a clear victory, it will validate him moving up and getting some marquee fights. If he can't beat Tito, then it validates a lot of the doubts people have about him. Interesting fight in that respect.

 

I can't wait for Dan Henderson vs. Anderson Silva...on paper, I doubt the UFC will have a better fight this year.

I would love to go to 82, but I don't have the money for the tickets that are still available. $200 is the cheapest...

I dont really pay much attention to UFC or MMA or anything, but I heard today on the Stretch show that Brock Lesnar was going to have his first match in UFC this weekend. What are his chances?