Thread: The Official MMA Thread

Huerta is really trying to piss off the UFC brass lately:

Report: Roger Huerta and UFC ‘far apart’ on contract extension at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com

Huerta, who has one fight left on his contact after the Florian fight, is far apart with UFC on terms for a renewal. Huerta, who has gotten a new agent, was asking for six-figures guaranteed per fight as well as points on the PPV, in negotiations that haven’t gone well for some time. That’s a better deal then [BJ] Penn, so he wasn’t going to get it. The UFC position is that they groomed Huerta and pushed him hard and were careful of his opponents, with the exception of Clay Guida.

Six-figures??? I understand wanting a raise, because I think he's making 19k / 19k right now, but an $80,000 raise? C'mon man, you're kidding yourself. Even (Huerta's teammate) GSP doesn't make that much, and he's proven himself FAR more than Roger has.

Win or lose Saturday night, I think we'll be seeing Roger on the sidelines for quite some time.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Huerta is really trying to piss off the UFC brass lately:

Report: Roger Huerta and UFC ‘far apart’ on contract extension at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com



Six-figures??? I understand wanting a raise, because I think he's making 19k / 19k right now, but an $80,000 raise? C'mon man, you're kidding yourself. Even (Huerta's teammate) GSP doesn't make that much, and he's proven himself FAR more than Roger has.

Win or lose Saturday night, I think we'll be seeing Roger on the sidelines for quite some time.

Good luck in Affliction Roger. . .

Although I have to admit I have a soft spot for him, when Lesnar nailed Herring with that right in the first round I about had a seizure out of glee. Let me add, War GSP.

So it's been a while since UFC 87. This thread seems to need some life. Thought I'd borrow a page from ASU's book and take a guess at where some of the fighters go from here.

GSP: What an awesome performance from GSP. He definitely showed the world that he wasn't afraid to stand and bang. I thought he had Fitch finished a couple times, but in the end, it didn't matter, her was just too much for Fitch. Most likely his next fight will be against BJ. Granted, I don't think BJ deserves a fight with GSP at WW right now, but that's an argument for another post. Should be a great fight. The last one was close, and they've both improved lots since then. I say GSP takes it, but that might just be the Canadian in me.

Jon Fitch: Great fight, he showed great heart, but it just went to show that GSP is on another level. I'm assuming Koscheck will get the winner of Sanchez / Alves to determine the next #1 contender, so I think Fitch will get the loser. Look for both fights to happen early 2009.

Brock Lesnar: I'm kinda stumped with him. The UFC obviously wants to give this guy a push towards a title shot, but they need to throw legitimate contenders his way, and the lack of experience could prove costly. I'd say Gonzaga or Kongo would be next for Brock. Both are back on the winning track after recent losses, and could give him some trouble. However, a win over either one would do Brock some good towards legitimizing his forthcoming title shot in the eyes of most fans.

Heath Herring: Poor Heath. He really had no chance keeping that 285 pound Gorilla off of him. Heath's next opponent is also kinda puzzling. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the sidelines for a bit and end up fighting the loser of Mir / Nogueira, assuming it's Mir (cause who really wants another Big Nog / Herring fight). Otherwise maybe McCully or Coleman.

Kenny Florian: Word is that Ken-Flo is fighting Joe Daddy in November. What else can the UFC really do while BJ puts the division on hold? If this is for a #1 contender spot, I find it odd that they would throw Joe Daddy back in the title shot mix so soon. But then again, since Heurta's win streak is over, there's not a lot of people left that are close enough to justify making them a #1 contender.

Roger Heurta: Oh Roger. How are those contract negotiations going now? You had to go and run your mouth, eh? Don't expect to get those six figures per fight you were looking for now that you lost in your first fight against genuine upper-tier competition. Frankie Edgar would be good matchup in that he has an impressive UFC record (4-1). Though I'd love to see Melvin Guillard get fed to Heurta because I'm quite certain Guillard would get run over and then maybe the UFC would come to it's senses and get rid of him.

Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva tests positive for steroids after Elite XC title win at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

So it's been a while since UFC 87. This thread seems to need some life. Thought I'd borrow a page from ASU's book and take a guess at where some of the fighters go from here.

Nice breakdown OH, I'll respond to your thoughts.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

GSP: What an awesome performance from GSP. He definitely showed the world that he wasn't afraid to stand and bang. I thought he had Fitch finished a couple times, but in the end, it didn't matter, her was just too much for Fitch. Most likely his next fight will be against BJ. Granted, I don't think BJ deserves a fight with GSP at WW right now, but that's an argument for another post. Should be a great fight. The last one was close, and they've both improved lots since then. I say GSP takes it, but that might just be the Canadian in me.

Great performance by GSP. I thought he has Fitch finished in the 1st, and there were even more moments throughout, but I think that just shows how tough Fitch is. This was a big hump for GSP, defending the built is a lot different from winning the built.

I am fine with a GSP-Penn fight. Even though they have fought before, it is a true mega fight, especially with the form Penn has shown. Does he deserve a title fight at WW? Probably not, but he has cleaned out his division, I don't think Florian or Tyson Griffin are bonafide contenders yet, hopefully they win their respective fights and then fight each other.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Jon Fitch: Great fight, he showed great heart, but it just went to show that GSP is on another level. I'm assuming Koscheck will get the winner of Sanchez / Alves to determine the next #1 contender, so I think Fitch will get the loser. Look for both fights to happen early 2009.

Yea, Fitch showed how tough he is, GSP was just too much for him. But Fitch definitely has a future in the division. Again, the best fight would be for Fitch to fight Koscheck, but since those two probably won't fight each other the loser of Sanchez-Alves makes sense. Also Fitch has already beaten Sanchez so I don't think it makes much sense for him to fight him again.

How about a Fitch-Parisiyan matchup if Karo wins his next fight? That could be an exciting bout.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Brock Lesnar: I'm kinda stumped with him. The UFC obviously wants to give this guy a push towards a title shot, but they need to throw legitimate contenders his way, and the lack of experience could prove costly. I'd say Gonzaga or Kongo would be next for Brock. Both are back on the winning track after recent losses, and could give him some trouble. However, a win over either one would do Brock some good towards legitimizing his forthcoming title shot in the eyes of most fans.

Yea, the UFC is kind of compelled to fast track Lesnar because of the money they are paying him. I think Kongo would be a good opponent for Lesnar if they are trying to build him up. Gonzaga has dangerous BJJ and could be a threat to Lesnar. Kongo has struggled with wrestlers and Lesnar will look very good against him.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Heath Herring: Poor Heath. He really had no chance keeping that 285 pound Gorilla off of him. Heath's next opponent is also kinda puzzling. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the sidelines for a bit and end up fighting the loser of Mir / Nogueira, assuming it's Mir (cause who really wants another Big Nog / Herring fight). Otherwise maybe McCully or Coleman.

Herring is on his way to becoming a gate keeper HW. He is talented but can't seem to put it all together. I don't think he'll ever be a player in the HW division.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Kenny Florian: Word is that Ken-Flo is fighting Joe Daddy in November. What else can the UFC really do while BJ puts the division on hold? If this is for a #1 contender spot, I find it odd that they would throw Joe Daddy back in the title shot mix so soon. But then again, since Heurta's win streak is over, there's not a lot of people left that are close enough to justify making them a #1 contender.

Like I said above, I think the winners of Florian-Stevenson and Sherk-Griffin to get the next title shot, because I don't think a one win in those respective bouts would make any of those 4 a legit contender.

But man, props to Florian for developing into a really solid fighter. He was so outmatched against Sherk in that title fight, but he has developed a lot since then. Very well rounded, with a good corner and that always brings a good game plan. I think a fight with Stevenson has fight of the night written all over it.

Originally Posted by OvertimeHero

Roger Heurta: Oh Roger. How are those contract negotiations going now? You had to go and run your mouth, eh? Don't expect to get those six figures per fight you were looking for now that you lost in your first fight against genuine upper-tier competition. Frankie Edgar would be good matchup in that he has an impressive UFC record (4-1). Though I'd love to see Melvin Guillard get fed to Heurta because I'm quite certain Guillard would get run over and then maybe the UFC would come to it's senses and get rid of him.

Huerta is a talented fighter but he's been protected by the UFC and was finally exposed. Even Clay Guida, a talented fighter was tailor made for Huerta because he is basically a come forward brawler himself.

If Huerta stays in the UFC, I think any fight against a top 10 LW will be a good one. Edgar would be a dynamite fight.

UFC road show: Montreal out, Portland in - MMA Experts Blog - Mixed Martial Arts - Yahoo! Sports

He would not comment on other fights on the card, though he did say the anticipated welterweight title fight between champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight champion B.J. Penn would be moved to Super Bowl weekend on Jan. 31, 2009, in Las Vegas

I'll keep it simple.....

GSP = amazing. I'm all aboard the GSP - BJ fight. I understand the protesting about them crossing the divisions......but this is one case where you have to let that go. No one on earth DOESN'T want to see this fight!

Fitch = heart of a lion, chin of granite! He should have went night night more than a few times. He'll go back to work and will be 100% better in his next fight. I can't believe that he won't be getting another title shot again sometime down the line.

Herring = agree with ASUcrus, he'll be an entry test for fighters into the HW division.

Lesner = Gigantic, fast, great wrestling, WWE!! I hate him and will always root against him based completely on personality alone. Yeah, I can do that. We all can. Even though he'll eventually be the HW champ. :|

Florian = wow. He's a machine and he's probably the smartest guy in the cage today. I don't think I've ever seen another fighter stick so solidly to a gameplan like he can. The only person I don't think he can get buy is BJ. BUT, who knows!

Huerta = He'll be shooting himself in the foot if he doesn't iron things out with Dana. If so, he'll remain a top 10 for a long time, and who knows could even one day be champ as well. The skills and heart are all there.

And some quick bites on some of the others....
Emerson = hailing form Irvine, where I live, got a good punch in. If he doesn't land that he taps before the 2nd round.
Gamburian = I agree would do well down in a 145 class, but I think he can still do some damage in the 155. If he loses bad in his next fight he should put some thought to it.
Congo = Lesner next. Just needs to learn how to sprawl.
Maia = love to watch his ground game. top level for sure.
McDonald = fighting again within a month, that's heart. I like it.

Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Venue: Phillips Arena
Broadcast: Pay Per View

MAIN CARD

* Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell
* Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill
* Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares
* Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares
* Tim Boetsch vs. Mike Patt
* Matt Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim
* Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan
* Jason Lambert vs. Jason MacDonald

**************************************************

* Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell = I go with CHUCK via unanimous.
* Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill = I go with HAMILL via unanimous.
* Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida = I go YOSHIDA via TKO.
* Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares = Tough one, but PALHARES vis sub.
* Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt = MARQUARDT via tko

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares = tough again, but TAVARES via sub
* Tim Boetsch vs. Mike Patt = Don't know Patt, so I go with BOETSCH
* Matt Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim = Matt is a stud, but I think KIM takes this one.
* Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan = I think I like CARNEIRO in this one
* Jason Lambert vs. Jason MacDonald = MacDONALD takes this one via sub

What do you guys think?