UFC Quick Quote: Tavares is confident about beating Griffin at UFC 76

I think Tyson will take it personally, but whatever I’ll pick Tavares to win just for kicks.

I only saw Tavares last fight. He looked awesome but relied a lot on his strength advantage over Black. Won’t be the case this time. I’m going to pick Griffin by decision.

This hands downwill be one of the better fights of the year I think, just like Griffins other 2 fights. Taveres is really good and does rely alot on his strength and size in this weight class and it won’t be so in this match. I think Griffin’s transitions are some of the fastest out there as well. Much faster then anyone else TAvares has fought in the past. It is supper hard to defened someone that transitions it up as fast as Griffin does. Griffin’s only flaw still is he can’t finish which Tavares does. If Tavares does not submit him early on in the match I think Griffin with a decision win…

Just like Urijah Faber, Griffin is going to go in and totally dominate this fight. Tavares seems a bit to confident and this really should be the fight of the night. I think Frankie Edgar has a better chance for a shot at the title. What does everyoned think about him???

I agree that this could be the fight of the night. Both of these guys are insane on the ground and solid on their feet. This matchup reminds me of the Diego vs. Karo fight. I wouldnt be surprised if it’s just as action packed.

can’t wait to see how this fight plays out, its a classic bjj vs. wrestler match up, i usually pick the stronger guy when its a match like that, but in this case both guys are really strong and i think i’ll have to look elsewhere to pick a winner, i think tyson has really underrated hands and very good takedown defense, i know tavares says he has good muay thai but i have to see it to believe it, so i give the stand up advatage to tyson, even so i am positive this fight will be on the ground at least half the fight and who the hell knows whats gonna happen there, they are both very very quick and are both very smart fighters, i know tyson has a solid chin but i haven’t seen tavares’ chin get tested yet so i’m not sure about his…i think tyson griffin is used to tough match ups and is gonna be well prepared for this fight to avoid being submitted, and if he can do that i think he’ll win a close decision…

This is a great match up, im looking foward to this one. Tavares is very crafty and quick but I think Griffin will over power him into a victory. The only way i see Tavares winning this match is if Tyson makes a mistake and is put into a submission…..

Tavares said he’s working hard on his Boxing and Muy Thai. If he’s to win, I think he could do it from his feet. Yes, he is great on the ground, but Griffin is great as well and has never been submitted.

Griffin is short though. A good Muy Thai fighter can pick him apart from the outside. I’m sure Tavares can stuff his take downs and I believe that is the key to beating Griffin.

Will he be able to work this game plan? who knows. A lot of fighters go back to what they know the most when they get hit hard. He could come out wanting to put on a stand up fight, then Griffin could tag him good once and he’ll probably pull guard or something.

This will be an excellent fight, it is a great match up and the winner should definately start getting some main event type matches.

If Sherk can clear his name, I’d like to see BJ Penn and him fight for the title. And if Stevenson beats Pellegino, I’d like to see him fight the winner for the right to a title shot. Or have the winner fight Huerta if he wins. This division is bringing the best fights even if the names aren’t the biggest names yet.

This being my favorite division, I love when fights like this are booked. While I know this Tavares kid has unbelievable talent, I feel that is is a lil too cocky and fighting against an opponent equal to or greater in strength such as Tyson Griffen will not work to his advantage. I think this one will certainly go to the cards and the winner will be Tyson Griffen. On another note, Tavares has not faced any top ten opponents in the 155 class so should be interesting.

Just to shape up what the 155 pound picture looks like …

Undisputed and clean Champ Sean Sherk

Contenders
1. BJ Penn – actual # 1 contender
2. Joe Stevenson – big name with big name wins over Yves, Melvin (ton of fight experience loss to Neer at 170)
3. Din Thomas – another win and he is in title picture
4. Kenny Florian – needs a win against a big name, potential match up with Din Thomas could help the 155 radar
5. Spencer Fischer – much improved and accurate stand up along with his name should get him a shot in late 2008 providing he wins next two bouts.
6. Frank Edgar – Pretty solid, has a win over Tyseon Griffen
7. Roger Huerta – UFC bringing him along slow, but his fight skill cant be denied.
8. Tyson Griffen – Has a win over Clay Guida and his next fight against tough Thiago Tavares could move him close to top 5 consideration.
9. Melvin Guillard – there may be only one guy at 155 bigger than he is (Sherk) will most likely fight end of this year or January 2008 after he comes off of suspension.
10. Clay Guida – The UFC certainly doesnt do him any favors in picking opponents, but no matter how good he is, UFC record is 1-2

Noteables :
a. Joe Lauzon
b. Hermes Franca
c. Gray Maynard
d. Nate Diaz
5. Frank Edgar -

Joe Silva needs to start having the above mentioned fighters, square off against one another and stop bringing in all of the newbies, to build their confidence. Lets start seeing some of the following

1. Kenny Florian vs. Din Thomas
2. Joe Stevenson vs. Frank Edgar
3. Roger Huerta vs. CLay Guida

This could very well happen but my vote goes to Griffen

Even though Jason Black looked like the living dead in the fight against Thiago Tavares, but Thiago impressed me just as much as any young fighter that I’ve seen fight for the first time. This kid is only 22 years old. Of course it appears that he will have the BJJ advantage against everyone in the LW division except BJ Penn. Plus, I thought his stand up was pretty impressive against Black. He looked very light on his fight. I am going to go against the grain, and go with Thiago in this fight. After seeing his last fight, I said to myself, ‘Man, I can’t wait to see this kid fight again!"

Just like Urijah Faber, Griffin is going to go in and totally dominate this fight. Tavares seems a bit to confident and this really should be the fight of the night. I think Frankie Edgar has a better chance for a shot at the title. What does everyoned think about him???

As much as I like Griffin I don’t think he will dominate this match as he wasn’t able to dominate Edgar or Guida. He can win this but I doubt he will finish Tavares if he does. My jaw dropped when I saw this match on an already stacked card and I predict this one to be the fight of the night.
Frankie Edgar is definately good but not good enough to take the belt from Sherk yet.

If anyone one has the most recent UFC Fight Night, UFC Fight Night 10 – Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout with Thiago Tavares vs. Jason Black footage, recorded on DVD or VHS, I am willing to pay for a copy of it. Please let me know if you would like to make some extra cash by replying to: itongol@shamrockoffice.com. Thank you!