Mik 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Any viewership taken away from Affliction is a win for Dana. He wants to sink them before they have the chance to float. Hardcore fans are tuning in to the Affliction show most likely no matter what, but if any casual fans were thinking of buying it...well they are going to change their mind if they can see Wanderlei on free TV. They've done a good enough hype job with Wanderlei from his Chuck fight alone that people who never even heard of PRIDE want to see him fight. I don't know. I can see why they would do it even if it doesn't succeed numbers wise. As for Vera - he should be fine to fight. Yeah he lost but it's still 1 month plus. Guys do that all the time, just generally not on bigger UFC level cards. Also, I don't think making 205 will be an issue for him. As of now it's just a rumor so take it with a grain of salt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Apparently Cain Velasquez has been approached about fighting on this card. I can see Leben on it as well. As for Vera I don't doubt that he's in fighting shape but the NSAC could deny him the fight based on the fact that he got TKO'd just shy of a month before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Competition is the best thing for the UFC. Their product will only get better if they're forced to do so. Bush league moves like this just make Dana look like a bitch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 I don't get where all of this "UFC is playing dirty" whining is coming from. It's a smart business move by UFC to try and take away as many Affliction viewers as they can. Does it seem shady? Sure but when has Dana ever given a shit about looking bad if it means screwing over the competition? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 It's not the "playing dirty" part, moreso the fact that out of one side of his mouth is "I love and welcome competition" and then the next second he is going to great lengths to take away viewers from other organizations that at this point could barely even be considered "competition" The bottomline is, there are too many good fighters out there for UFC's roster alone, and Dana White has to face the fact that not everyone signed to other companies are "bush league fighters" There is plenty of world class talent not under Dana White's umbrella. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Chuck vs. Rashad in Atlanta is as official as can be now... I just got an email about it from the UFC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Same here...still doesn't feel like a main event fight though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 It's not the "playing dirty" part, moreso the fact that out of one side of his mouth is "I love and welcome competition" and then the next second he is going to great lengths to take away viewers from other organizations that at this point could barely even be considered "competition" The bottomline is, there are too many good fighters out there for UFC's roster alone, and Dana White has to face the fact that not everyone signed to other companies are "bush league fighters" There is plenty of world class talent not under Dana White's umbrella. Your first mistake, honest to God, was believing Dana when he said he welcomes competition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lt. Al Giardello 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Same here...still doesn't feel like a main event fight though Any fight involving Liddell draws interest from the casual American fan.. He is a main event fighter bottom line. This fight will generate even more interest, because Rashad is a household name and is undefeated. I really think Rashad has a chance to win this fight, but the thing with Rashad, you don't know which Rashad is going to show up. The Rashad from the Lambert, Bonnar, Jardine, fights is a championship caliber fighter, where as the passive playing it smart Rashad from the Tito, Bisping, Hoger, fights is not. Either way, Rashad has to training stand up, because he will need to stand with Liddell to set up his takedowns, because he's going to have tough time taking Liddell down. Rashad has good sparring partners and teachers around him(Phil Nurse is his muay thai coach)... I really think even though Chuck is the favorite, Rashad has what it takes to hold his own with Chuck and prove he's an elite level LHW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 LOLLERS at saying Rashad fought like a champion in the Bonnar fight. Dude had side mount and WENT BACK TO GUARD because he was fighting not to lose and was still at the point in his career where he relied 90% on his wrestling, as opposed to now when it's 75%. Champions fight to win and Rashad didn't do that in the Bonnar fight. I'll agree with the Lambert fight though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Dana says he welcomes competition in regards to having minor leagues to feed him fighters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 I'll agree that Chuck is a main eventer no doubt, he can sell a show. But it seems like Franklin/Okami at 72, where it's one of their stars vs a guy who's good, but couldn't sell a show on his own. TUF holding up titles is leading to a lot of non title headlining shows Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Question: How does losing two fights in a row translate into a main event spot on TUF Finale? (K. Grove) I mean I could see if he was a big name fighter, but Grove? Is Dana just trying to push talent from TUF in order to make the show seem more legitimate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 It's pretty much a "Loser gets EliteXC" kinda fight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodSpikeJenkins 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 I can't wait to see Kendall get his glass jaw smashed again. He goes limp quicker than Jardine does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 I see no other way for this fight to end other then Tanner taking it to the ground and whompin' on Kendall like he did David Terrell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Yeah, Kendall really hasn't shown me anything which would relate to me thinking he could beat Tanner. Then again you never know which Evan Tanner is going to show up. I think Evan wins by tap in round 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Kendall will get KO'd too quickly to tap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Kendall will get KO'd too quickly to tap. Or he can pull a Bo Cantrell by getting punched and then tapout on the way to the ground.....LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Tanner could KO Kendall with his beard power alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 July 19th Spike card is apparently on. Vera and Velasquez are on the card. No opponents yet for either. Wandi turned it down. FWIW, MMARated.com is reporting that Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin at 205 is the main. I hate that fight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 OH FUCK THAT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Seriously, fuck UFC on this one. I'm all about Anderson on TV for free but JAMES IRVIN?! That's beyond retarded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Niggardly King 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Fuck, they can hype the shit out of this to the drunken casual viewer... Turn James Irvin into a brawling hero in less than a months time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Man, people expecting a slugfest are going to be pissed when Silva takes Irvin down and submits him with ease. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Niggardly King 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 I know, but I'm just thinking of how they can hype this shit up tremendously in one month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2008 Show Irvin's flying knee over Martin and soulja boy punch over Houston ad nauseum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Add Cain Velasquez vs the re-hired Jake "Thrill Machine" O'Brien to this card. JOB IZ DED. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lt. Al Giardello 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 I'll agree that Chuck is a main eventer no doubt, he can sell a show. But it seems like Franklin/Okami at 72, where it's one of their stars vs a guy who's good, but couldn't sell a show on his own. HORRIBLE and inaccurate comparison... Rashad already has main evented before on both PPV and Free TV(granted the UFC 78 was a shitty card all around), and he is a lot more known to the casual fan because of him being a TUF winner, and being shown on free UFN and PPV's. Where as Okami was a foreigner who was pretty much unknown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lt. Al Giardello 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Man, people expecting a slugfest are going to be pissed when Silva takes Irvin down and submits him with ease. I'm not saying you're not right, but it's kinda hard to actually picture Anderson Silva shoot in for a takedown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
