Official Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[Gotters]

Hendricks for me, i like the guy when i see him in interviews and i suspect now he's got the belt he's going to keep improving, whereas i believe lawler has peaked.

See people talk about damage done for scoring but how does that work, some fighters are more prone to facial injury or swelling and how do you make damage a measurable thing that can be consistently applied.

I ageee that takedowns and top control seem over valued in terms of fight outcome, just curious how people think damage can be used as a measure ?

[schmojo]

I suppose in the same way that some people are more prone to losing consciousness than others - it's not a level playing field, but it's one that has always been associated with combat sports. Visual feedback that is less open to interpretation than whether or not a strike is deemed 'significant'.

Always used to terrify me when I'd root for Fedor and his paper-thin skin, but he was alright. Most of the time.

[Gotters]

So you literally mean look at their face ? What about savage leg kicks that cause internal bleeding, or broken ribs, arent they damage too ?

At least control is a measure of some semblance of skill/dominance, just looking at cuts swellings seems rather crude and more open to cause problems than solve them

[Tofu]

Hendricks for me, i like the guy when i see him in interviews and i suspect now he's got the belt he's going to keep improving, whereas i believe lawler has peaked.

See people talk about damage done for scoring but how does that work, some fighters are more prone to facial injury or swelling and how do you make damage a measurable thing that can be consistently applied.

I ageee that takedowns and top control seem over valued in terms of fight outcome, just curious how people think damage can be used as a measure ?

Oh man, I disagree Hendricks really annoys me, I want Lawler to win but I can see him wrestle Lawler to the win and grind it GSP style.

[schmojo]

So you literally mean look at their face ? What about savage leg kicks that cause internal bleeding, or broken ribs, arent they damage too ?

At least control is a measure of some semblance of skill/dominance, just looking at cuts swellings seems rather crude and more open to cause problems than solve them

I think that visible damage on those leg kicks and body shots is also taken into account, like Faber's legs against Barao. Or was it Aldo when they were all bruised up? Probably both.

Looking at cuts and visible damage is also a measure of striking accuracy, and the ability to persistently target an opponent's weakness. It's more or less impossible not to take it into account. Sure, accidental cuts are annoying, and a terrible way for a fight to end, but someone working for those cuts, landing accurate strikes, should certainly be rewarded for their skill and dominance. Not every case is perfectly judged though.

If you're worried that people will take facial damage to mean that a person has lost the fight in the eyes of the judges, just look at Diego Sanchez's recent career - you'd be surprised!

[tec1122]

Totally forgot Faber was headlining the undercard. It's a good move, he headlines the prelims which are on Fox Sports and pull in big numbers. First card in a long time I'm considering getting up in the night to watch!

[Doomguy]

So you literally mean look at their face ? What about savage leg kicks that cause internal bleeding, or broken ribs, arent they damage too ?

At least control is a measure of some semblance of skill/dominance, just looking at cuts swellings seems rather crude and more open to cause problems than solve them

I see it this way, gotter. When it goes to a decision and a guy looks like mash potatoes chances are if the fight had gone further he'd have some proper permanent damage done.

The thing fedor was great at was getting smacked about and then pulling off some insane sub or KO. He wasn't really a decision fighter which is one of the reasons he was incredibly entertaining to watch.

[Doomguy]

Just heard Gustafsson and Rumble wont be fighting until 3am local time in sweden.

Nice one UFC.

[Tofu]

Just watched the Embedded episode 1, Hendricks sounds like such a douche when he wouldn't let the TV Interviewer touch his belt. Lawler please win.

[Gotters]

Just watched the Embedded episode 1, Hendricks sounds like such a douche when he wouldn't let the TV Interviewer touch his belt. Lawler please win.

I took that as a guy who has sweated blood and dedicated his whole life to getting something programming his mind and will into what that belt means to him, its all about what not letting her touch it does for him, he's getting himself ready for the 5th round gut checks you need in title fights.

Rogan said the other day as the champ you are facing a stream of people who've never been better or more prepared to fight than they are for this one night against you, it gets harder with each defence not easier.

I think douche is hard, that is a champion getting his game face on.

[Tofu]

I took that as a guy who has sweated blood and dedicated his whole life to getting something programming his mind and will into what that belt means to him, its all about what not letting her touch it does for him, he's getting himself ready for the 5th round gut checks you need in title fights.

Rogan said the other day as the champ you are facing a stream of people who've never been better or more prepared to fight than they are for this one night against you, it gets harder with each defence not easier.

I think douche is hard, that is a champion getting his game face on.

But, you want to see champions and people who have achieved something be generous and magnanimous enough to let people share in their glory even if for just a brief moment. You expect to see people like that have enough awareness and intelligence to understand that letting someone hold the belt doesn't diminish the significance of your achievement. Anything less is disappointing.

[tec1122]

Yeah I thought it was a bit odd, can't wait to see if Hendricks changes his approach now he's the champ, might go a bit gsp (which I have no problem with) an play it safe.

[Doomguy]

What do you guys think about the ufc uniform deal?

Seems like a stupid move to me.

[ckny]

The majority of the fighters seem to be in favour with a common thread being, particularly among the lower card guys, that finding sponsors and then chasing them for payment is a real struggle.

It'll add to the legitimacy of the sport too, which is no bad thing.

[schmojo]

Yeah I thought it was a bit odd, can't wait to see if Hendricks changes his approach now he's the champ, might go a bit gsp (which I have no problem with) an play it safe.

I completely understand why champs do this. You have to spend your career being risky to try and catch the UFC's eye, and then you've got to win a couple of FOTN awards to be in popular title contention. Once you're at the top, you've proved that you're the best, and maintaining is the priority. Maintaining your health, endorsements, salary. You don't need to take the dangerous risks at that point - although your challengers probably do.

[Gotters]

quite enjoyed that card but more main event controversy - I didn't like what Hendricks was doing up against the cage but there is no way on earth Lawler won that fight, especially not by 3pts on 1 card.

I was getting ready to berate Lawler as he seemed to be far too cautious and was blowing things after a positive start, he seemed so restrained until the last couple of minutes.

Hendricks only has himself to blame though for coasting, he did the same against GSP so thats twice now he's lost huge fights he should have taken

Lawyer looked a bit bemused at the end, wasn't sure if it was all the headshots, the fact he'd won the belt or simply he didn't know how to react to winning a fight he clearly thought he'd lost

[Tofu]

So CM Punk has signed to the UFC, a bjj white belt. Studies under Rener Gracie apparently 4 weeks a year.

No wrestling titles, no bjj titles, no striking training, no professional or amateur fights.

Hmmm...

[Tofu]

Hendrick's game plan

[Kingpin]

Result talk. Spoilers just in case.

One of those nights where the judges got it wrong but I don't really mind too much. I didn't think Robbie was mentally in it during the middle rounds, really surprised by the decision. I wonder if Hendricks went off on one at the press conference like he did after the GSP loss.

Edit: He was actually very humble in the press conference, not even calling for a rematch.

Gutted for Gilbert, he was directing the fight up until he got caught with that excellent guillotine.

[Doomguy]

I've never even heard of him. Says he's a 'wwe heavyweight champ' but that'll he'll be fighting at welterweight lol

Assuming they'll be throwing cans at him. I reckon he will fight maybe once, get punched in the face, then leave. That seems to be standard with wwe wrestlers turned fighters - brock, batista, all those ones in the early ufcs.

So pleased for Lawler.

Was also great to see Schaub get put on his useless ass again. He talks like he has this amazing skillset yet get puts on his ass all the time. Dude needs a reality check.

[Tofu]

Result talk. Spoilers just in case.

One of those nights where the judges got it wrong but I don't really mind too much. I didn't think Robbie was mentally in it during the middle rounds, really surprised by the decision. I wonder if Hendricks went off on one at the press conference like he did after the GSP loss.

Edit: He was actually very humble in the press conference, not even calling for a rematch.

Gutted for Gilbert, he was directing the fight up until he got caught with that excellent guillotine.

Really?

There's a difference between control and dominance, and I'm happy the judges saw a difference between the two for one.

No submission attempts. No attempts to pass guard. Literally ONE strike landed.

Many people argue that takedowns shouldn't count for much if you don't do anything with them. Robbie did more with Hendrick's take-downs than Hendrick did.

[V3zna]

That decision is an absolute crime. I'm gobsmacked. 49-46? What a joke.

Neither fighter covered themselves in glory but one of them barely engaged for long periods!

[whizzo]

I've never even heard of him. Says he's a 'wwe heavyweight champ' but that'll he'll be fighting at welterweight lol

Assuming they'll be throwing cans at him. I reckon he will fight maybe once, get punched in the face, then leave. That seems to be standard with wwe wrestlers turned fighters - brock, batista, all those ones in the early ufcs.

Brock did Kinda win the world Championship a bit though. Not that CM should be compared to him seeing as brock was a world class amateur wrestler.

[Tofu]

Brock did Kinda win the world Championship a bit though. Not that CM should be compared to him seeing as brock was a world class amateur wrestler.

I like CM Punk, but I can't imagine him being that great at his age, and also the abuse from years of wrestling.

That decision is an absolute crime. I'm gobsmacked. 49-46? What a joke.

Maybe the judges are finally sick of people like Hendricks doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with his takedowns. The amount of leg holding was too damn high!

[whizzo]

I like CM Punk, but I can't imagine him being that great at his age, and also the abuse from years of wrestling.

To Clarify I was defending Brock not Punk. Punks fights are either going to be a massacare or a farce.

[V3zna]

Maybe the judges are finally sick of people like Hendricks doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with his takedowns. The amount of leg holding was too damn high!

Lawler was sleep walking through periods of that fight repeatedly. Rogan suggested he had hurt his hand. I've no idea if that was true but Robbie was literally doing nothing. At least Hendricks was doing something although I'm not impressed with the endless leg holding. Still, from a scoring point of view I can't believe that 49-46 call. It's farcial.

I felt sorry for Melendez. He was doing so well but Pettis took the opening like any good champion should.

CM Punk is an interesting one. He's well known and charismatic but can he fight? The UFC is absolutely crying out for personalities right now so his signing has merit. I'd still expect them to offer Lesnar mega $'s as well.

[Tofu]

Lawler was sleep walking through periods of that fight repeatedly. Rogan suggested he had hurt his hand. I've no idea if that was true but Robbie was literally doing nothing. At least Hendricks was doing something although I'm not impressed with the endless leg holding. Still, from a scoring point of view I can't believe that 49-46 call. It's farcial.

I felt sorry for Melendez. He was doing so well but Pettis took the opening like any good champion should.

CM Punk is an interesting one. He's well known and charismatic but can he fight? The UFC is absolutely crying out for personalities right now so his signing has merit. I'd still expect them to offer Lesnar mega $'s as well.

Lawler however, was more active compared to the output of Hendricks. Regardless, I'm probably biased since I like Lawler. However, I don't think its farcial, even Hendricks didn't kick up a fuss like he did with GSP in the post conference.

[Gotters]

not sure about Lawler being more active, wasn't Hendricks miles and miles ahead when they put up the strike stats later in the fight ?

I think Hendricks negative tactics back fired on him and the judges penalised him for dry humping Lawler's leg.

odd fight and don't think either of them come away as a worthy successor to GSP (at the moment anyway) - also doesn't leaving me wanting to see a 3rd match between them straight away.

Hendricks mentioned post fight the weight cuts and walking round at 205 - thing is I can't see him stepping up to middleweight as most of those guys are shrunk light heavies nowadays, Weidman would bounce him all over the place.

[V3zna]

Lawler however, was more active compared to the output of Hendricks. Regardless, I'm probably biased since I like Lawler. However, I don't think its farcial, even Hendricks didn't kick up a fuss like he did with GSP in the post conference.

I've no love for either but to me 49-46 was a terrible score. It's more bad judging and that's what really annoys me. In hindsight I'm really disappointed with Lawler. After that start I thought we where in for a classic but when he wasn't getting pushed into the fence he quite simply threw less punches and kicks than Hendricks.

[Gotters]

i actually thought Lawler had given up several times when held on the fence or floor - not the attitude of a champ.

Rogan always advocates no stand ups on his podcast, he says if you don't know how to get up then you aren't good enough - it may not be pretty to watch but he says the true test of skill is for the ref not to intervene and stand you up