UFC 99 video: Cheick Kongo vs Cain Velasquez is 'going to be a war'

ok attack dog: then who is a better striker at heavyweight then Kongo? Please dont say Cro Cop…because regardless of the knees to the nuts, he picked cro cop apart! in 2005, Cro Cop was a better striker, but that cro cop is long gone. He never evolved. By now everyone knows all he will do is throw left straights, left kicks to the body and head….He is probably the easiest fighter to gameplan for! Most of his wins came from fighters being afraid of him….

Kongo might not be the best fighter in the world, but there isnt a heavyweight alive that he cant strike with and in the UFC, he is the cream of the crop as far as heavyweight strikers go….Just my 2 cents!

I didn’t say there were any heavyweights better than him, I simply said he wasn’t “phenomenal” which you got carried away and said he was. Take time and read first before jumping down peoples throats!

It’s a sad enditement on the state of the HW strikers that Kongo is right up there as the best, because IMO he aint that great!

I believe so too…Kongo is more than a decent striker…my dog!

At HW in a striking match I think Overeem could beat him, I think if Cro Cop comes out and really “rediscovers” his boxing like he said he did, then I give him the rematch. I think Arlovski could beat him; wouldn’t mind seeing him fight Sylvia, if either one of them get KO’d in a match it’s a win/win for me. Like you said up top I think Dos Santos vs Kongo would be interesting; I’d definatley be pulling for Dos Santos cause imo his explosive style is much more entertaining.

I agree Overeem would be a good opponent, CC of three years ago obviously. Not so sure about AA, that chin of his is suspect, probably not Timmy.

Yea AA is probably never going to be the same; he just got KO’d twice in the first rd; it’s got to be rough. Props to Jesse Holland for calling the upset, I really didn’t think Arlovski would lose that fight.

I’m not sold on Dos Santos yet!He looks,like he’s got a broom stick shove up the a$$.

I wanted to call it, I fancied Rogers for the win but didn’t have the courage to say it out loud. I feared everyone would laugh at me if I was wrong.

I agree, I doubt AA will be the same again.

Damn Holland… ;)

Kongo’s size, not his striking, is what makes him difficult to fight. He can lean you against the cage for 5 minutes and knee you in the groin and there is not much you can do about it. His boxing is mediocre but he has good kicks – especially leg kicks. If Cain can keep Kongo from dry humping him against the cage, he will get the W.

Jesse is the man!
Kongo carries his hands down on his waist just like Dos Santos does but they get away with it… Overeem is in my opinion more explosive and technical than Kongo is..
But one thing about Kongo is that he’s so huge that his muscles kinda get in the way and slows him down when he’s throwin punches standing up..

Totally agree stevo

attack dog: I actually wasnt attacking you bro. I was curious to hear who you thought was a better striker in the UFC’s heavyweight division. When you are the best strike in an entire division of the best organization in the world…Its safe to call you Phenominal to a degree.

I never claimed that he was the best striker, but he wont be outclassed by anyone that fights at heavyweight on the feet.

ya good call stevo…his boxing isn’t bad but his reach is long and his jabs are hard…tough to get in close unless he is stunned first…I see this going in Kongo’s favour for most if not all of the fight

It’s amazing how many people do not rate Kongos striking but seem to be amazed and dazzled by Frank Mirs striking. Kongo would knock Mir out in the first round, and I didn’t think Arlovski would be able to beat him before Fedor knocked him out. Arlovski would have been knocked out cold with that punch that Herring hit him with. As far as I’m concerned he is definately the best in his division. Some may be picking holes in his technical style, but that does not stop him from being the best, he is effective, accurate and does not waste any of his shots. I must say that Cains striking was impressive and would have taken out most fighters early, his opponent just happened to have a jaw of granite. I have always rated Buentello as a striker, his last performance was faultless. Too many people underate him. Please don’t mention the Arloski fight, they both threw at the same time, he got caught, sh@t happens.

I for one have certainly never been dazzled by Mir’s striking, tko’ing a half dead nog proves nothing. You’re right Kongo would destroy him, so would most of the UFC roster. Mir aint even top 15! Herring, Cain, Carwin, Cro Cop, Randy, Big Nog (fit), Dos Santos would all own him. The only top guy he has a shot of beating is Brock and that’s only coz he is still a bit green, and it’s still a 10% chance at best.

Your way too generous k-dog!

I know alpha I cant help myself!

I agree with John, Kongo doesn’t get enough love on here. His striking is pretty damn good, and better than most give him credit for. Not a Mir fan, but I certainly would put him top 15.

Kongo’s striking is overrated. His reach is huge and he has good technique on his jab and brutal body and leg kicks, but Cro Cop a few years ago would have beheaded him. I think Cain can stand and bang with Kongo and come out on top. There, I said it.

What did you see in Cain’s striking technique that make you say that?JJ!

I just think he’s fast for his size and if he gets in close he will surprise Kongo. GnP is his best bet, but his hands looked pretty good to me. He is not as polished as Kongo, but neither was Rogers compared to Arlovski!

Good point…If Kongo,can get back up on his feet after each takedowns and keep the fight in a Kick Boxing match.Do you still believe that Cain,can beat Kongo?

If it’s standing the whole time, logic dictates that Kongo gets the better of him. But fights are often illogical in the way things turn out… and sometimes you have to go with your gut.

I realize it’s not a popular prediction, but I have a feeling Cain will out-strike Kongo! Call me crazy…

Just watched a cool new interview with Kongo where he admits to Kneeing cro cop in the nuts (the last time) on purpose! hahaha, he is the man. He said the 1st knee was unintentional. He threw it and then midway, cro cop changed positions and it landed on his nuts. Kongo then said that after that, he was kneeing cro cop in the inner thighs, and Mirko was complaining and lying saying that they were landing on his nuts…so Kongo got mad and really kneed him in the nuts on purpose.

hahahaha I find it hard not to like CHICKY CHICKY Kongo!

Nah,it’s fair enough.I just don’t buy all that hype for Cain be the next big thing.I believe that Lashley if given the right camp and training partners,could be better than him!

lol!Damn frenchy!!

We talk a lot about how they match up standing, but we havent discussed a very important aspect of stand up….THE CLINCH!!!
1st off, If kongo is smart, he will do everything in his power to keep Cain at distance using his reach, and a few teeps (muy tai push kicks)….If Cain is lucky enough to close the distance, the battle isnt over. He is going to have to deal with some devastating knees. Kongo has really tall legs so he doesnt have to bring them up very high to crack Cain in the mouth. I really like Kongo’s clinch game. I also expect Kongo to damage Cain’s legs with some brutal leg kicks (2nd to only Hardonk). A few leg kicks and Cain’s explosivness will be hindered making Kongo harder to take down and Cain a less mobile target, making him easier to hit, and messing up his footwork, which will negatively effect his striking. NOt saying this is what will happen, but this should be kongo’s strategy!

Yes, in the HANDS department, Cain can probably hang with Kongo and maybe get the better of him. But this isnt boxing. Kongo will be the better man in the kicking, knees, and clinch aspects of the fight. Kongo is really hungry right now. I really dont know how this fight will play out. BUt I know that Kongo as an underdog, over an unproven fighter facing his 1st good opponent is too much for me to pass up. I gotta bet a little something somethin on Kongo

know what Im sayin? lol

you called it. Cain’s first actually test. Fail. King-Kongo by less than thrilling UD.

THe bigger question is: Does Cain even want to take the fight to the mat. I have a feeling that he is oozing with confidence in his hands and that will be his downfall.

If he decides to wrestle, he will win this fight. NO doubt about it….but I am not so sure that he wants to wrestle. I am certain that wretsling will be the gameplan that his camp will implement for this fight, but I am not so sure Cain will want to follow it. Guys that improve a lot with their hands often fall into the trap of wanting to be exciting and deciding to strike with their opponents, which often leads to their downfall!

Not sure how this fight will play out. TO me this fight is the wildcard of the event. If either fighter is a +150 underdog or more, then I will probably bet some chump change on him….but I havent really gotten a chance to look at the odds yet. If anyone has any spare time, please post the fight odds for the UFC 99 card!

Good analysis John, see Rashad Evans for proof!

You might be right; he may come in with a strikers mentality, but that only gives Kongo one good flurry to put him away, I think if Kongo cracks Cain real good and doesn’t finish him Cain’s wrestling instincts will take over and he’ll get the fight to the ground.

they dam well better be ;)

not there yet

thanks