Lei Tong

For those who can't quite tell from the link: Ryo Chonan vs. Phil Baroni: should be a fun brawl unless Phil gets a hair up his ass to go for the takedown, which would be a mistake with how protected Chonan is on the ground. Masakazu Imanari vs. Joachim Hansen: Imanari is giving up too much weight again. Hansen is going to hurt him. Kazuo Misaki vs. Daniel Acacio: Unlike Takase, Misaki actually knows how to throw a strikes, and can grapple as well. I think he should look impressive vs. Acacio. GO GRABAKA!!! Jutaro Nakao vs. Marcus Aurelio: Nakao has been a top 15 WW for a long time, and is on a comeback. The last WW Aurelio fought was Nakamura, who Nakao just happened to TKO in Daisuke's previous bout.

Ruiz is a Don King boy, so of course he's going to get shots before he (re)earns them, However, I give him credit for taking tough fights and rarely ducking anyone, as does Byrd.

In a related note, FSN has started editing fights. Example: In their airing of Ricco/Sylvia from UFC 41, they jump from Tim's knockdown punch of Ricco directly to the anouncement of the winner, presumably to avoid showing the follow-up shots to Ricco on the mat. I guess the idea of a "gentlemanly fight" is still held on tightly to by some.

Byrd's win over Vitali is bullshit in what way? Vitali isn't the sole guy to hurt himself by whizzing punches past Byrd, just the only one to quit because of it. In regards to competition, I've said it once and I'll say it again: Ruiz' resume stands up with pretty much anyone's at HW. Ruiz: Holyfield- This was still relatively close to Evander's career resurgance, having beaten Tyson, Moorer, Bean & going the distance twice with Lennox Lewis. Johnson- undefeated with a couple of solid wins, and unlike when Vitali beat him 15 months later, came in at a relatively decent 238lbs. Rahman- in the middle of a slide, though he was arguably screwed in his draw v. Tua, and afterwards started his current winning streak. Oquendo- a few solid wins, and a controversial loss to Byrd in a bout some argued he won. Golota- Had just gone to a draw with Byrd that people thought was controversial as well. All of those guys were ranked in the Top 10 when Ruiz beat them. Compare that to Bryd who's been winning mostly close and sometimes arguable fights lately; Vitali, who's biggest wins have been out-of-shape former contenders; and Brewster, who outside of the Golota destruction & Wladimir upset is most notable for a gift decision over Meehan and losses to Shufford & Etienne. Ruiz is an ugly fighter, but an effective one when he's not trying to open up vs. quicker & better boxers.

BIGGER THAN BOXING!!!111777 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> THAT'S NOT VERY BIG~! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm sure a sport whose top fighters can make 5+mil. a fight is plenty big enough for us to aspire to.

BIGGER THAN BOXING!!!111777

Some of that betting advice was passable, but the guy's write-ups on most of the fighters were pretty poor.

Pretty much no other UFC HW's wanted to fight him, most notably Buentello.

Arlovski def. Eilers: KO, Rd.1 Franklin def. Tanner: TKO, Rd.2 Buentello def. Jordan: KO, Rd.1 Griffin def. Mahood: Sub, Rd.1 Diaz def. Oishi: Sub, Rd.3 Quarry def. Carter: JD Parisyan def. Serra: JD Louseau def. McCartyh: TKO, Rd.2

Kostya just has too many stylistic and physical advantages for me to think Hatton has more than a slight chance. I fully expect Tszyu to continously punch through Hatton's weak defense and stop him in 5.

No, Shonie just hasn't had success at 170lbs for quite a while now, and is now fighting at 185, where's he's had even less success in the past.

RE: PRIDE 18- The only match I remember standing out as pretty entertaining was Steibling/Goes. Overeem dissapointed as usual, Horn blew another big opprotunity to impress on the big stage, Wanderlei let Osuka be more competitive than need be, etc. BTW- I'll try to ge some ADCC pics up soon, hopefully including one of Garcia splattered on the mat after Ricco squashed hm.

Well, I don't think Pierre has much experience in sub-grappling, but he did defeat 2003's 2nd place finisher in Otto Olsen. However, Olsen got a good draw, and it had been thought that he would have problems with someone he couldn't takedown and easily control. He faced former BJJ world champ Leo Santos in the 2nd round, and was usbbed pretty easily, and though I didn't see the set-up myself, supposedly fell to victim to a flying armbar from Leo.

My overall thoughts: Great tournament overall, though a few grapplers put out stinkers pretty regularly (Borges & Monson being the two biggest offenders). The women were suprisngly awesome, and the new generation of males are coming into their primes. Also, pretty much every competitor (and other grapplers/fighters who didn't compete but wer ein attendance) I met was extremely cool. I'd also like to note that Roger gracie was later seen making out with hot Aussie Stacy Cartwright. To the victor goes the spoils.

ADCC Day 2 results: MALES <66KG: Vieira vs. Yahrya: Vieira via points (6-0) DiCenso vs Feitosa: Feitosa via points (6-4) Division standings: 1) Vieira 2) Yahrya 3) Feitosa 4) DiCenson 67-77KG: Garcia vs. Papovitch: Garcia via sub (?) Shields vs. Leo: Shields via sub (RNC) Division standings: 1) Garcia 2) Papovitch 3) Shields 4) Santos 78-88KG: Jacare vs. Maia: Jacare via advantage Hallman vs. Saulo: Saulo via sub (triangle armbar) Division standings: 1) Jacare 2) Maia 3) Saulo 4) Hallman 88-98KG: Xande vs. Einemo: Xande via points (6-0) Cacareco vs. R. Gracie: Gracie via abandonment Division standings: Division standings: 1) Gracie 2) Cacareco 3) Xande 4) Einemo 99+KG: Monson vs. Nepao: Monson via points (3-0) Werdum vs. D. Gracie: Werdum via points (5-0) Division standings: 1) Monson 2) Nepao 3) Werdum 4) Gracie ABSOLUTE 1st round: Aoki vs. R. Gracie: Gracie via sub (footlock) Werdum vs. Reese: Werdum via sub (heel hook) Terras vs. Nepao: Nepao via points Xande vis Jouade: Xande via kneebar Jacare vs. Avellan: Jacare via points (6-0) Cacareco vs. Santos: Cacareco via sub (kneebar) Sanchez vs. Valverde: Valverde via points (7-2) Rodriguez vs. Garcia: Garcia via sub (heel hook) 2nd round: Gracie vs. Werdum: Gracie via sub (RNC) Nepao vs. Xande: Xande via RNC Jacare vs. Cacareco: Jacare via sub (kneebar) Garcia vs. Sanchez: Garcia via sub (armbar) Semifinals: Gracie vs. Xande: Gracie via sub (RNC) Jacare vs. Garcia: Jacare via sub (kimura) Finals: Xande vs. Garcia: Garcia via sub (RNC) Gracie vs. Jacare: Gracie via sub (RNC) Division standings: 1) Gracie 2) Jacare 3) Garcia 4) Xande FEMALES <60KG: Gazzy vs. Fuji: Fuji via sub (footlock) Gracie vs. Vieira: Gracie via points (8-0) Division standings: 1) Gracie 2) Vieira 3) Fuji 4) Gazzy 60+KG: Buttons vs. Yabushita: Buttons via points (17-0) Cartwright vs. Borges: Borges via points (10-0) Division standings: 1) Borges 2) Cartwright 3) Buttons 4) Yabushita ABSOLUTE Round 1: Coenen vs. Cartwright: Cartwright via points (0, -1) Yabushita vs. LaRossa: LaRossa via points (9-0) Buckner vs. Viera: Buckner via submission (injury) Buttons vs. Borges: Borges via points (6-0) Semifinals: Cartwright vs. LaRossa: LaRossa via sub (RNC) Buckner vs. Borges: Borges via points (3-0) Finals: Cartwright vs. Buckner: Buckner via default LaRossa vs. Borges: Borges via points (3-0) Division standings: 1) Borges 2) LaRossa 3) Buckner 4) Cartwright

Some ADCC results: Just FYI- 3 matches would be going on at a time, so I missed the detailed results of many matches. Elimination rounds: UNDER 65.9 KG: Leo Vieira vs. Tetsu Suzuki: Vieira via ponts (6-0) Fredson Alves vs. Joey Gilbert : Gilbert via Points (4-2) Alberto Crane vs. Rob DiCenso: DiCenso via sub (guillotine) Gilbert Melendez vs. Baret Yoshida: Melendez via advantage Kroger vs. Feitosa: Feitosa Delgado vs. Yahrya: Yahrya (RNC) Wagney Fabiano vs. Jani Lax: Fibiano via points (4-0) Faber vs. ?: Faber Alternate Match: Jeff Glover vs. Russ Miura: Glover via ponts (2-0) 66-76.9 KG: Marcelo Garcia vs. Chris Brennan: Garcia via submission (injury) Shinja Aoki vs. Marcos Avellan: Aoki Otto Olson vs. George St. Pierre: St. Pierre Jason Brudvik vs. Leo Santos: Santos Juan Jucao vs. Gavin Kulper: Jucao Pablo Popovitch vs. Renzo Gracie: Papovitch Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Shields: Shields Martin Linqvist vs. Cameron Earle: Earle Alternate Match: Daniel Valverde vs. Eduardo 'Jamalao' Concepcion: ? 77-87.9 KG: Saulo Ribeiro vs. Larry Papadopoulis: Saulo via points (3-0) Takefumi Hanai vs. Macaco: Macaco via lots of points Demain Maia vs. Marko Helen: Maia Hidemi Mihara vs. David Avellan: Avellan Ronaldo Jacare vs. David Belkheiden: Jacare Robert Sulski vs. Bento Ribeiro: Sulsky Reese Andy vs.Matt Horwich: Reese via points (2-0) Dennis Hallman vs. Frank Trigg: Hallman via sub (inside heel hook) 88-98.9 KG: John Olav Einemo vs. Rick Macauley: Olav via sub (RNC) ?Galvaies? vs. Victor Viana: Viana Robert Drysdale vs. Anthony Perosh: Drysdale Yukiya Naito vs. Alexandre Ferreira 'Cacareco': Cacareco via points (8-0) Roger Gracie vs. Justin Garcia: Gracie via sub (RNC) Eduardo Telles Antoine Joaude: Telles Travis Wiuff vs. Jamal Patterson: Patterson via sub (kneebar) Michael Grothe vs. Xande Ribeiro: Ribeiro via sub (armbar) HEAVYWEIGHTS: Marcio Cruz 'Pe de Pano' vs. Miodrag Petkovic: Pe de Pano via sub (RNC) Craig Pumphrey vs. Daniel Gracie: Gracie via sub (armbar) Gabriel Napao vs. Mustapha al-Turk: Napao via points (3-0) Haim Gocali vs. Ricco Rodriguez: Ricco via sub (side choke) Fabricio Werdum vs. Dennis Roberts: Werdum Marcio Corelletta vs. Jay White: Corelleta Rhadi Ferguson vs. Jun Ishii: Ferguson via points (10-0) Karim Byron vs. Jeff Monson: Monson via sub (RNC) ALTERNATE MATCH: Wade Rome vs. Rodrigo 'Comprido' Medeiros: Medeiros via advantage Females UNDER 60 KG: Leticia Ribeiro vs. Gazzy Parman: Gazzy via advantage Roxanne Modafferi vs. Leka Vieira: Vieira via sub (armbar) Megumi Fuji vs. Rima Haddad: Fuji via sub (armbar) Kyra Gracie vs. Erica Montoya: Gracie via points (4-2) Alternate Match: Tara LaRosa vs. Sari Redzeposki: LaRossa OVER 60 KG: Juliana Borges vs. Hannette Stack: Borges Megumi Yabushita vs. Amanda Buckner: Yabushita via points (7-0) Merloes Coenen vs. Yuki Kondo Kubota: Coenen via sub (kneebar) Camilla Gielsten vs. Stacy Cartwright: Cartwright via sub (armbar) Alternate Match: Kizma Button vs. Jessica Ross: ? Quarterfinals: UNDER 66KG: Vieira vs. Gilbert: Vieira via sub (mounted gulliotine) Melendez vs. DiCenso: DiCenso Fabiano vs. Yahrya: Yahrya Faber vs. Feitosa: Feitosa via sub (RNC) 67-77KG: Garcia vs. Aoki: Garcia via sub (RNC) Santos vs. St. Pierre: Santos via sub (armbar) Jucao vs. Popovitch: Papovitch Shields vs. Earle: Shields via points (3-0) 78-88KG: Saulo vs. Macaco: Saulo via points (2-0) Avellan vs. Maia: Maia via points (3-0) Jacare vs. Sulsky: Jacare via sub (triangle choke) Hallman vs. Reese: Hallman via sub (RNC) 88-98KG: Einemo vs. Viana: Einemo via sub (RNC) Drysdale vs. Cacareco: Cacareco via points (6-0) Gracie vs. Terras: Gracie via sub (armbar) Xande vs. Patterson: Xande via points (2-0) *Cuse's note: "BULLSHIT!1" 99+KG: Pe de Pano vs. Gracie: Pe de Pano via points (2-0) Napao vs. Rico: Napao via points (2-0) Monson vs. Ferguson: Monson via points (2-0) Werdum vs. Corelleta: Werdum via points (2-0) Semifinals: <66KG: Vieira vs. DiCenso: Vieira via sub (side choke) Feitosa vs. Yahrya: Yahrya 67-77KG: Garcia vs. Santos: Garcia Shields vs. Papovtich: Papovitch via points (5-0) 78-88KG: Saulo vs. Maia: Maia via advantage Hallman vs. Jacare: Jacare via sub (armbar) 88-98KG: Einemo vs. Cacareco: Cacareco via points (2-0) Gracie vs. Xande: Gracie 99+KG: Pe de Pano vs. Napao: Napao via sub (calf cruncher) Werdum vs. Monson: Monson via points (2-0) Females: <60KG: Gazzy vs. Vieira: Vieira via points (2-0) Fuji vs. Gracie: Gracie via sub (triangle armbar) 60+KG: Yabushita vs. Borges: Borges Coenen vs. Cartwright: Cartwright via sub (triangle armbar)

I have never seen anything from Rahman that would suggest that he could take Vitali. Did you miss that punch he caught Lennox with in South Africa? I think he means besides the "Fluke factor" It's not simply about Rahman being that good of a fighter (he isn't), but rather of Vitali not being one either. An old, sloppy, out-of-shape Corrie Sanders hurt Vitali early in their fight (but couldn't put him down), and even as Sanders plodded around the ring throwing the occasional wild punch, Klitschko couldn't put him away until the more than midway through the fight. Rahman has exceptional power (amongst the best in the HW division), and though not a decent mover, has a good enough jab to not get consistently blasted at range like Danny Williams did. That alone is enough to give Vitali a shitload of problems. And though people like to talk about about Vitali's seemingly proven chin, he's been heavily rocked by out-of-shape, over-the-hill punchers before. However, none of that matters if Rahman is as lackluster as he normally has been over the past few years. Umm, Sanders never hurt Vitali, you need to rewatch the fight. When Vitali gets hit, he does the smart thing and gets out of trouble, unlike his brother who freaks out and doesn't know what to do. Vitali never drops people early because he actually tries to box, and work the ring smartly. In other words, he fights CORRECTLY for being a big tall oager of a man. He won't just punch for the sake of punching, and he paces himself and looks for openings. Not saying he is the greatest fighter or anything, but to me right now he is the cream of the crop of the sad heavyweight division until someone beats him. When somebody gets hit and stumbles a bit, that's hurt. How someone reacts to getting hurt is a different story, but to act as though that Sander's left had no effect is recockulous. Besides, Rahman has enough one-punch power to concievably put nearly anybody at HW away with a single shot. And whether or not Vitali tries to box or fight smartly is not is not the issue here. He uses his size well, and his awkwardness often helps him as well. However, he was hitting a dead tired Sanders for 5 rounds before finally putting him away. The only time in recent memory Vitali has bombed someone out when they've given him reason to is Kirk Johnson. Overall, Vitali can hit with some decent power, but it's not comparable to the divsion's heaviest hitters, and he's shown a lack of killer instinct at times (in spite of his KO ratio). Rahman is often a plodder to be sure, but as I said before, he has a good jab when he uses to it help close the distance, and has experience fighting taller (and often mobile) HW's. I still think Vitali is a big favorite if the fight happens, but if Rahman shows up prepared, I give him a 50/50 shot at least.

I'm just really hoping Oishi puts up an entertaining fight (and vs. Diaz, he should) and thusly convinces UFC to bring in more foreign fighters.

The main difference I feel about this is I know Gomi's not going to get punished much beyond the yellow card, compared to Kid's 6 month suspension, not to mention that i doubt Gomi will mature because of this situation as Kid did.

For all the Gomi nuthuggers, it looks like MMA's resident ladyboy flipped out over a combination of in & out of the ring frustration, beating up Azeredo after KO'ing him. Just another reason to hate the overrated ass.

It's not that easy to add punching power via muscle gain. Most people either have it, or they don't. However, Jr. MW champ Kasim Ouma & Lightweight champ Juan Diaz are volume punchers without much pop in their fists who have a achieved a measure of success. EDIT- I don't see major titles in these guys' futures, however.

I have never seen anything from Rahman that would suggest that he could take Vitali. Did you miss that punch he caught Lennox with in South Africa? I think he means besides the "Fluke factor" It's not simply about Rahman being that good of a fighter (he isn't), but rather of Vitali not being one either. An old, sloppy, out-of-shape Corrie Sanders hurt Vitali early in their fight (but couldn't put him down), and even as Sanders plodded around the ring throwing the occasional wild punch, Klitschko couldn't put him away until the more than midway through the fight. Rahman has exceptional power (amongst the best in the HW division), and though not a decent mover, has a good enough jab to not get consistently blasted at range like Danny Williams did. That alone is enough to give Vitali a shitload of problems. And though people like to talk about about Vitali's seemingly proven chin, he's been heavily rocked by out-of-shape, over-the-hill punchers before. However, none of that matters if Rahman is as lackluster as he normally has been over the past few years.

Well, there's an outside (and by that I mean VERY small) chance that Rahman will figh to his potential and defeat Barret & Vitali.

Man, this fight got more attention than Corrales/Castillo? - Anyways, Brewster looked better than he has a in a while, but the fact is Golota has never beaten a puncher, came in quite out of shape, and recently couldn't even finish off a hurt Ruiz even with the help of some of the worst reffering I've seen in a while (2 knockdowns? Suuuure...). Meanwhile, Brewster is still the guy that was arguably defeated by Kali Meehan last year, just a bit more motivated for one fight thus far. As much as I hate the guy, Vitali would probably starch Brewster inside the distance, and that's assuming Brewster doesn't lose his motivation once more between now and then. - Ruiz's claim to a title is legit because... well, he keeps beating ranked heavies (Holyfield, Johnson, Rahman, Oquendo & Golota thus far). The Toney incident may prove some theory to him having a horseshoe up his ass, but in terms of resume, he's right near the top of the divison.

Oh, and Almeida's combo was an armbar to kneebar to heel hook.