UFC 67 & 68

[White Shogun]

I read that GSP is injured and will not be fighting Serra at UFC 67. No word as to who will fight in their place on the card. So far it's Silva v Lutter, Rampage v Eastman, Cro Cop v Sanchez.

UFC 68 is called the "Uprising." Tim Sylvia, Matt Hughes, and Rich Franklin are all on the card, opponent's to be determined.

I'd like to see Sylvia v Brandon Vera; Hughes v Diego Sanchez; and Rich Franklin v Mike Swick.

Nate Marquardt is fighting on UFN before UFC 67, so he is out as an opponent for Rich at UFC 68.

Thoughts, rumors, innuendo?

 

[Ground Fighter]

Yeah, I'd like to see Franklin fight Swick as well. Two, very talented 185 pounders. I think Franklin has the advantage though, for obvious reasons.

I always root for Franklin, as he is one of my favorite combatants. I have a tremendous amount of respect for someone who is a professional (teacher), as well as a fighter. I have the same respect for Cro-Cop, who as you all know, is a Croation SWAT specialist. This is what makes the UFC and PRIDE so great. Its not like boxing, where most fighters "out-of-the-ring professions" consist of drug dealing, pimping, and thuggery.

Edited by: Ground Fighter

 

[White Shogun]

Latest word is that Sylvia will face Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 67. Vera hasn't negotiated a contract extension yet and they won't give him a title shot with only one fight remaining on his contract.

Rich Franklin is supposed to fight Jason MacDonald. A good fight, but one I did not want to see. I like MacDonald but I think this fight is too early for him. I'd rather see him take out another TUF guy like Kendall Grove or someone before fighting the #2 guy in the division. Even MacDonald - Swick would be better.

Hughs is supposed to go against Chris Lytle.

Karo Paryisian, Jon Fitch, and Mike Swick are now rumored to be on the undercard as well. Some of these guys should be fighting each other instead of someone else, i.e. Karo v Hughes, Swick v Franklin, etc.

The only fight I'm really interested in watching so far is Franklin - MacDonald. Those are a lot of name fighters on the undercard for the UFC to show only 4-5 fights like they usually do. Edited by: White Shogun

 

[Ground Fighter]

I'd rather see him take out another TUF guy like Kendall Grove or someone before fighting the #2 guy in the division.

This is a guy who I would not mind seeing get a SERIOUS ass-whoopin. I could not stand Grove on TUF, and can't stand him now. He is the proto-typical arrogant, cocky, trouble-making Hawaiian. I think its time that one of the UFC's better fighters "reminds him" that he's still a chump.

 

[Poacher]

It's going to be very interesting to see how Franklin and Hughes handle their fights.

 

[Freedom]

How bad will the Anderson Silva hype get? Will Franklin be able to avenge his loss sometime?

 

[White Shogun]

As good as Silva is, I think he is somewhat under-hyped, if that's a word. There are plenty of people who think Lutter will submit Silva... but I don't think so. I think Lutter loses by brutal KO. I will be rooting for Lutter but taking Silva down is a tall order for a guy who has little standup.

It's going to take a revamped Rich Franklin to beat Silva. I think Franklin gets his rematch after his next fight, assuming he beats MacDonald.

 

[White Shogun]

Rumor is that Randy Couture is coming out of retirement to face Tim Sylvia. Remember, Couture won titles at both LHW and HW. But this is a, uh, 'tall' order for the Natural.

Thoughts?

 

[dkr77]

Shogun, It's been confirmed that Couture has signed a four fight deal with the UFC and will be fighting Sylvia first in an attempt to regain the heavyweight title. I personally think this is a bad matchup for Randy because of 3 reasons(1)- I don't see Couture being able to take Sylvia down (2) If Couture does get him down I don't believe he can keep him down (3) finally, I certainly don't think Randy can afford to stand and strike with Sylvia. Tim's reach, size, sprawl and punching power will be too much for Randy. My prediction is Sylvia by KO within 3 rounds.

 

[White Shogun]

dkr, yeah I saw the news on the other boards.

You feel Sylvia is too big for Couture? I know Couture fought Jacare to a draw, but I'm not sure how much more he has aged since he last fought Chuck. He was brutally KO'd in both those fights, so it wouldn't surprise me if your prediction comes true.

The sad thing is Sylvia is going to get big-time respect by adding Couture to his resume if he wins, but I still don't think he is that great. I know he keeps winning.. but I want to see him fight the way he used to, against guys like Cabbage and Mir back in the day. This Sylvia is too self-conscious and cares only about pecking out a decision. One of these days that strategy will go against him, and it wouldn't surprise me if it happens in this fight if he doesn't KO Randy.

If it doesn't happen against Randy, it certainly will against Cro Cop.

Even if Couture wins, I hope he drops weight and fights at LHW for the remainder of his contract. I do not want to see Cro Cop v Couture.

 

[dkr77]

I was hoping to see Couture matched up with that overhyped loudmouth Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. I would love to see Couture take Jackson out with some well placed elbows to the face. As far as Sylvia goes, I believe a lot of people are underestimating him. Tim's a big, strong, young guy rebounding from a career threatening injury to his arm. It may take a couple more fights before he returns to his old form but the fact that he just signed a four fight contract extension with UFC should help his confidence a bit. It wouldn't suprise me to see a Cro Cop vs Sylvia fight be much more competitive than many people imagine. On a side note, does anyone else want to see Salmon beat Rashad Evans senseless as bad as I do? On another side note, does anyone else want to see Melvin Guillard's head kicked into the fifth row as bad as I do?

 

[White Shogun]

RE: Salmon beat Rashad Evans sensesless as bad as you do?

YES

RE: Anyone else want to see Melvin Guillard's head kicked into the fifth row as bad as I do?

RESOUNDING YES

We probably frequent some of the same message boards, so you're probably familiar with all the love being thrown Rashad Evan's way. It's ridiculous. Talk about a guy who hasn't lived up to the hype. I don't know much about Salmon, but I'll definitely be rooting for him come fight time.

dkr.. I hate to say it but I think Couture would have a better chance against Cro Cop than he will against Sylvia. Sylvia is just too big, he has a decent sprawl, and his ground game looked considerably improved against Monson. I fear Big Timmy will shart in his pants again after he KO's Couture.

 

[dkr77]

White Shogun, You and I are on the same page my friend. I too believe Couture could possibly pull an upset over Cro Cop. Mirko has a great sprawl but I think Couture might give him a hard time in the clinch and I don't believe it's in Cro Cop's best interest to be on the ground very long with Randy Couture. I also visit the UG every few days to catch up on the news but I quickly grow bored with some of the moron's that post there. This forum is like a breath of fresh air and people like yourself help make it that way. Take care, Dan

 

[White Shogun]

Dan:
The feeling's mutual. I love this board and the knowledgeable guys who post here.

I pick up a lot of news on the UG and MMA weekly. I don't read the boards on Sherdog anymore, there are worse idiots there than on the UG.

Of the three guys involved in the HW discussion, I see it this way:

Cro Cop > Sylvia
Syvlia > Couture
Couture = Cro Cop (toss up)

I'd like to see Tito v Rashad or Jackson, both of which I think Tito would win. I believe that too many on the UG give extra credit to guys like Rashad, Jackson, and Silva because they're black. Of those three, Silva is the best and least overrated.

 

[dkr77]

What's your opinion of Hardonk? I was impressed with his UFC debut. His standup looked sound and he's a good sized heavyweight. With a few fights under his belt Hardonk may make some headway in the division. I was certainly more impressed with him than the african, Kongo. Another newcomer that I thought performed well in the welterweight division was Joslin when he fought the mulatto Koscheck. I liked the way Joslin used his butterfly guard to keep Koschecks base spread out and neutralize the mulatto's ground and pound. I'm anxious to see more of Bisping also

 

[White Shogun]

I can't believe the way they hyped Cheick Kongo. The guy is worthless and should be fighting in local shows at best. Hardonk though I think is the real deal, too, and could do some damage with a few more fights.

Joslin is fighting on one of the upcoming cards, but I don't remember off-hand which one, or who his opponent will be.

I like Bisping a lot. I hope they take him along the same way they did Griffin. I have no doubt Bisping will make much more of the opportunity than Griffin or Bonnar, or *gasp* Rashad.

 

[Ground Fighter]

Another newcomer that I thought performed well in the welterweight division was Joslin when he fought the mulatto Koscheck.

As much as I don't like to admit it, Koscheck is actually a respectable fighter. However, there is another "half-breed" that I CANNOT stand...and his name is Joe Riggs. I remember when he fought Matt Hughes and got submitted by way of a Kumura in the first round. What made it even funnier, was all the hype he was throwing at the media before the fight, saying that he was actually going to beat Hughes. lol. I almost spit my drink out of my mouth when I heard him say that. Then, 90 seconds into the first round...boom...done.
Honestly, I don't know what he's even doing in the UFC.

 

[White Shogun]

What is Riggs' mix? I thought he was white.

 

[Ground Fighter]

What is Riggs' mix? I thought he was white.

I'm 90% sure that his mother is either hispanic or native American. I've seen her on more than one occasion in the audience. His father is a White man though.

 

[dkr77]

I have never viewed Riggs mother but he certainly looks to be of caucasian ancestry. If he were mulatto I think he would display some of the primitive facial characteristic's associated with the negro race. I know he once weighed 300 pounds and fought at heavyweight until he hooked up with Billy Rush who many consider to be a nutrition expert.

 

[Ground Fighter]

I have never viewed Riggs mother but he certainly looks to be of caucasian ancestry. If he were mulatto I think he would display some of the primitive facial characteristic's associated with the negro race. I know he once weighed 300 pounds and fought at heavyweight until he hooked up with Billy Rush who many consider to be a nutrition expert.

He's mixed. If you take away the bleach-blonde hair, and then stare at his face long enough, you can see it. I'll post a pic of his mom once I find one, but I have been unsuccessful at finding one so far.