Ultimate Fight Night Live on Spike...TONIGHT!

[MikeMartial]

Here's the fight card, and my predictions based on nothing but my own opinions:

Sylvia vs Silva: I'm going with Sylvia, even though Silva has a better record and conditioning. Sylvia has been on top before, has fallen, and is trying to climb back. He knows what's at stake. Silva has less to lose.

Bonnar vs Irvin: Bonnar. Always go with a guy who has won a Golden Gloves

Fisher vs Riley: Don't know either of these dudes, but I believe both are fighting/trainign with Miletich. If that's the case, should be a good fight.

Fickett vs Burkman: Burkman. We never got a good chance to see him during the TUF2 season, due to the broken arm, and I think he'll be impressive. Fickett has a good record, but IMO, he was extremely lucky in his last fight.

Leben vs Rivera: Godamn I hope Leben gets beat. There's just something about him I highly dislike. I have to admit he was impressive with his last submission win, though. But please, someone shut him up for a while. Rivera did beat Loiseau back in UFC 44, which surprises me.

Karalexis vs Von Flue: Who knows. I don't really have much to say about either fighter. Karalexis was easily forgotten from season 1 of TUF, and if Von Flue take anymore hits to the face....shit, he'll have to walk around with that mug duct-taped 24-7. On a serious note, Von Flue, just because he's so unorthadox.

Goulet vs Ludwig: Goulet, easily. He trains with Georges St. Pierre and David Loiseau. 'Nuff said.

Guilliard vs Neer Guilliard is one of those punk-ass bozos that shoots off his mouth too much, but he'll take this fight. I think everyone was surprised at his loss during the TUF2 season. He's got the athletic edge, and some nice explosive power.

 

[trainhrder]

what time dose that come on

 

[MikeMartial]

I think it's 10 Eastern Time; there's a replay program on before, one of those "Best of" from the UFC.

 

[Djimbe]

10 pm est

YOu sure this isnt a Rerun ?

 

[MikeMartial]

The hour before will be. The "Ultimate Fight Night Live" is actually, truely live from Las Vegas. Check www.ufc.tv

The UFC does this a few weeks prior to their PPV event, to hype it up.

Expect a LOT of time for commercials, and as usual with Spike, a lot of the SAME commercials. They seem to be into repetative conditioning

But, IMO, it's worth it for the fights.

 

[Djimbe]

The hour before will be. The "Ultimate Fight Night Live" is actually, truely live from Las Vegas. Check www.ufc.tv

The UFC does this a few weeks prior to their PPV event, to hype it up.

Expect a LOT of time for commercials, and as usual with Spike, a lot of the SAME commercials. They seem to be into repetative conditioning

HAHAHAHAHA !

 

[Ianhockey91]

They will also be announcing the return of Royce Gracie in may to fight matt hughes at 175 in a non title fight, as well as events in cali and the return of the 155lb class.

 

[JL_204]

Overall a pretty solid show.

Bang's quick KO was cool.

I wish I could see more of Irvins standup.

Tim Sylvia didnt impress me at all. His footwork was bad and he seems a bit uncooridinated.

Although Leben annoys the shit out of me, hes one tough dude. Rivera is no slouch.

 

[1392477]

Tim Sylvia is one ugly freak and he has never impressed me - he's just big (6'8"). I would like to see him get his ass whooped by Cro Cop or Fedor.

Burkman was impressive.

Leben is very annoying and I can't wait for him to get beaten silly, but I got to give it to him - he's one tough mother.

Ludwig training with Baz Rutten showed - BAM, lights out!

Bonnar talked a good game about standing up with Irvin but after absorbing on of his shots he quickly decided to take it to the ground and avoid getting KTFO.

 

[MikeMartial]

Tim Sylvia is one ugly freak and he has never impressed me - he's just big (6'8"). I would like to see him get his ass whooped by Cro Cop or Fedor.

I'm surprised Silva didn't try more takedowns. Regardless, Arlovski will eat Sylvia for lunch---again. You could basically read his mind when the camera was on him in the crowd: "This is a fucking joke, the next title match will be a cakewalk". I'd like to see Arlovski in Pride.

Burkman was impressive.

Yup, and hopefully there'll be more of him to come. By watching that throw he laid on Fickett, he seems like a strong mofo for 170.

Leben is very annoying and I can't wait for him to get beaten silly, but I got to give it to him - he's one tough mother..

Godamn I hate to admit it, but he is a tough SOB. But someone will beat his ass down one day.

Ludwig training with Baz Rutten showed - BAM, lights out!

Wow, I sure as hell didn't see that coming. And neither did Goulet. That was one well-timed punch by Ludwig; I think Goulet was a wee bit over-anxious. Should have been a new KO record at 4 seconds, IMO.

Bonnar talked a good game about standing up with Irvin but after absorbing on of his shots he quickly decided to take it to the ground and avoid getting KTFO.

Gotta disagree on this one; I think Bonnar would have been happy to stand up, and we know he can take a punch. I couldn't believe how far he was cranking on that arm, though. I wonder how Irvin is feeling today, lol. I expect there'll be a Bonnar vs Griffin 2 in the near future.


----I'm not too happy with seeing a match between Royce Gracie and Hughes; a guy like Gracie is a pure legend, but the skill level has moved WAY beyond where he was at. Matt will obviously dominate him, and in the end, no one will really win.

 

[GA_Judoka]

I'm not too happy with seeing a match between Royce Gracie and Hughes; a guy like Gracie is a pure legend, but the skill level has moved WAY beyond where he was at. Matt will obviously dominate him, and in the end, no one will really win.

Although Mat Hughes is definately not my favorite fighter, I agree that he will easily beat Royce, but not because his skills are that much greater. I think Hughes will win because he will be able to power through most anything Gracie throws at him, unless he gets caught in a good choke, or a VERY solid arm bar.

Hughes skill set consists of mediocre boxing and good wrestling/takedowns (mostly because of his power) and some ground and pound, but only with an assist from the octagon cage. He falls into chokes and armbars occasionally, but only because people give them to him (ie GSP in their first fight, Trigg in their secong bout) His Jiujitsu/grappling skills really aren't that great compared to other top tier fighters. 60% of his game is his freakish strength. I think whoever wins the Penn/Saint Pierre fight will eat him for breakfast.

 

[1392477]

Can't wait for a GSP vs. Hughes rematch - I think the outcome may be very different this time.

The Hughes vs. Gracie fight is a great business move for Zuffa and will further help draw crowds to the fights and more popularity to the sport. I agree that Hughes will dominate unless he gets sloppy but this one will ring the registers for Zuffa $$$$$$$

Other fights I would like to see:

Griffin vs Bonnar II
Burkman vs Sanchez

UFC needs to cultivate some decent heavyweights because right now Arlovski is unstoppable - Silvia will get beated silly.

 

[JL_204]

Although Mat Hughes is definately not my favorite fighter, I agree that he will easily beat Royce, but not because his skills are that much greater. I think Hughes will win because he will be able to power through most anything Gracie throws at him, unless he gets caught in a good choke, or a VERY solid arm bar.

Hughes skill set consists of mediocre boxing and good wrestling/takedowns (mostly because of his power) and some ground and pound, but only with an assist from the octagon cage. He falls into chokes and armbars occasionally, but only because people give them to him (ie GSP in their first fight, Trigg in their secong bout) His Jiujitsu/grappling skills really aren't that great compared to other top tier fighters. 60% of his game is his freakish strength. I think whoever wins the Penn/Saint Pierre fight will eat him for breakfast.

Matt Hughes isnt my favorite fighter either, but I have to disagree with you here. Matt realized he had to step up his game after losing to BJ Penn and has evolved into a damn good ground fighter. He trains with Jeremy Horn who is a ground wizard.

Just look at how he reversed a fairly tight kimura from st. pierre into an armbar. That isnt basic jui-jitsu. Thats advanced shit.

 

[Kane Fan]

Overall a pretty solid show.

Bang's quick KO was cool.

I wish I could see more of Irvins standup.

Tim Sylvia didnt impress me at all. His footwork was bad and he seems a bit uncooridinated.

Although Leben annoys the shit out of me, hes one tough dude. Rivera is no slouch.

he's 6'8 how coordinated would you want him to be
Bang's KO was awsome lol

 

[Kane Fan]

Matt Hughes isnt my favorite fighter either, but I have to disagree with you here. Matt realized he had to step up his game after losing to BJ Penn and has evolved into a damn good ground fighter. He trains with Jeremy Horn who is a ground wizard.

Just look at how he reversed a fairly tight kimura from st. pierre into an armbar. That isnt basic jui-jitsu. Thats advanced shit.

that's not quite how I remember it
also I was supirsed with Burkman
I'd like to see him and Josh Koscheck go at it
as well as him and Diego
or him and Joe Stevenson
the problem with GnP is it's usually a race to the takedown unless one of them can get a good reversal
well unless both of them have good reversals actually

 

[Djimbe]

he's 6'8 how coordinated would you want him to be
Bang's KO was awsome lol

isnt Kobe Bryant 6'8" ?

Nothing stopping you from being Co-ordinated at 6'8" . Look at half the damned NBA , theyre ALL WAY more gracful , and half of them are 6'8" or better .

 

[Kane Fan]

throwing a ball is not grace
I"m talking about at hand to hand combat
I've never understood why tall people tend to have trouble putting their fist where they want it but it's something I've noticed

 

[Djimbe]

throwing a ball is not grace
I"m talking about at hand to hand combat
I've never understood why tall people tend to have trouble putting their fist where they want it but it's something I've noticed

Thats why its not called "Catch" , its called Basketball .

I can take from your post that youre not a fan of the game but there is more Grace in it than most sports . Certainly more than in Fighting . The Speed at wich the game isplayed , the elevation , the split second timing and Descision making ...


When you can kick a Basketball off the Rim call me ...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2749157703994289748&q=and1


Grace Personified :
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6345113955894512451&q=basketball+jordan


And making another person do THIS :

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8747460850563795738&q=streetball+hot+sauce

Grace in Action .

 

[Kane Fan]

I think your definition of grace is a little iffy
the game isn't always played fast
tho speed isn't really grace either
nor is elevation
decision making is limited to social grace at best
timing also isn't grace
grace to me is more about a flow and a ryhtym
which you will find in a strike combination that goes off well or a nicely set up submissiontrap but only find in basketball with passing

 

[Djimbe]

I think your definition of grace is a little iffy

Honestly , Im sort of thinking the same , here ...

the game isn't always played fast

Fights arent always Fast , either .

tho speed isn't really grace either

Agreed , Ive seen BEAUTIFUL Crossovers and Jukes perfomed in Slow Motion . You should look for a Streetball legend named "Hot Sauce" . A lot of what he does is deliberately slow , and yet exceptionally graceful .

nor is elevation

I didnt mean the Elevation ITSELF but the things done WHILE elevated in hte game are some of the most Graceful humans are capable of . Look at the Jordan clip and youll see what I mean .

decision making is limited to social grace at best

Youre not following me here : There was a shot that Jordon went for once , He had what he was going to do all planned out - a Jumpshot - then the defenders hands was suddenly ON the ball , and he Redirected it , adjusted his Body Posture , and went for (and MADE) an underhanded scooping layup from UNDER the basket on the other side of the hoop .

This is Grace Under Pressure . Similar things can be sighted in Combat arts , I grant you .

timing also isn't grace
grace to me is more about a flow and a ryhtym

Both of wich are , at the core , all about Timing . You can try to debate this with me , but Im a musician . I know the subject Intimately .

which you will find in a strike combination that goes off well or a nicely set up submissiontrap but only find in basketball with passing

You can find it in a beautifully Executed Crossover , or a Fadeaway , or in the Reamwork of a proper Pick & Roll . You can find it in someones Ball Handling skills , and in the Balletic Above-The-Rim perfomances of people like Jordan , Majic , and Dr. J . George Gervin's ability to change direction in Midair & Finger Roll were universally considered pure Poetry of motion . Pistol Pete Maravich was so beautiful in motion that he was once a one man Halftime Show !

 

[GA_Judoka]

Matt Hughes isnt my favorite fighter either, but I have to disagree with you here. Matt realized he had to step up his game after losing to BJ Penn and has evolved into a damn good ground fighter. He trains with Jeremy Horn who is a ground wizard.

Just look at how he reversed a fairly tight kimura from st. pierre into an armbar. That isnt basic jui-jitsu. Thats advanced shit.

No argument here. Hughes is a damn good ground fighter. It's what makes him good thats the difference between him, and say... Karo Parysian. A lot (Notice I didn't say the only thing) of what makes him so good is that he is so much stronger than anyone else. He can reverse/escape techniques that most fighters can't, just because of his strength.
Conversely, there aren't many fighters that are more technically proficient submission artists than Karo. No, he isn't as strong as a lot of the other top 170 pounders, and you won't see stop too many guys with TKO's due to strikes, but he is as dangerous as they at setting up chokes, armlocks etc.