UFC LHW 16-Man Tourney: Match #3
by ---Cole--- on Mar 18, 2010 8:41 PM EDT
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PrintThis go-round we will again be switching up the tournament format. Unlike the LW thru MW divisions, there really isn't a clear cut, dominant world beater in the Light Heavyweight class. Since Chuck Liddell ruled the division from 2004 - 2006, the LHW championship has essentially been a revolving door, as no one has managed to successfully defend the title more than 1 time (Machida will be the next to have that opportunity). For that reason, I have included the current LHW Champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida in this tournament.
We will poll each fight individually, for 1 day, beginning with opening round Match #1. MMA Mania has the most knowledgeable MMA online community, so please feel free to post your pick in the comments along with your analysis of how you see the fights breaking down. Hopefully this will give us something to do on slow news days.
***NOTE*** In the event of a tie, a randomly selected Maniac will act as the tie breaker. That Maniac will be the 1st person to write a comment in the post thread. So if you are the 1st to post a comment, make sure to include which fighter you voted for!!!!
1 L. Machida
16 K. Jardine
Match1 1 L. Machida
QF1 Winner QF1
Match 2 9 R. Franklin
8 F. Griffin
9 R. Franklin
Semi-Final 1
5 R. Evans
12 R. Bader
Match 3 Winner 5/12
QF2 Winner QF2
Match 4 Winner 4/13
4 Q. Jackson
13 L. Cane
Tournament Championship
6 A. Nogueira
11 J. Jones
Match 5 Winner 6/11
QF3 Winner QF3
Match 6 Winner 3/14
3 A. Silva
14 C. Liddell
Semi-Final 2
7 T. Silva
10 R. Couture
Match 7 Winner 7/10
QF4 Winner QF4
Match 8 Winner 2/15
2 M. Rua
15 B. Vera
Match #2: Griffin fought to the bitter end, but it seems Rich had an "Ace" up his sleeve. Franklin comes away with the victory earning 55% of the vote. This sets up a big second round showdown between Rich and The Dragon.
Match #3: Despite the considerable distance between their respective seeds, I see Bader/Evans as a very even match-up. Evans has a speed / lateral movement advantage and technical standup. But I would say Bader has a slight edge in the wrestling and strength departments. So..., either someone is going to sleep in this one, or we are destined for a somewhat boring decision. The winner of this one will await either Rampage or Cane...
So lets hear it Maniacs. Will the favorites move on, or will we see an underdog rise to the top? You decide.
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Bader.
But a true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies. - Kenny Powers
you forget that jardine has already fought bader and will reveal all of his secrets to sugar!!!
I get my ass kicked for money, all you gotta do is talk motherfucker.... Rampage Pride GP03
by DrewMoney$$$ on Mar 18, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
dont see how Bader can beat Rashad
Rashad is better everywhere
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
Disagree. Bader is much larger, a better wrestler and probably a better striker. Rashad’s striking got exposed against Silva
Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider
and Bader's striking got exposed vs Eric Schafer
Not to mention he’s entirely one-dimensional on his feet. I highly doubt that Bader would have been able to pull off what Rashad did to Chuck, or take that punch from Thiago and survive. Bader couldn’t control Jardine on the ground, what makes you think he could keep T.Silva on the ground?
And since when did getting caught vs Thiago Silva mean that your striking is “exposed” or sucks or anything? Thiago has BIG power, and Rashad got caught once that whole fight.
Bader is NO WHERE near Rashad’s striking, or wrestling for that matter. Of course, imho…
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
I seem to remember Bader battering Schafer in that fight…
The myth of Rashad’s striking has been living off of that Chuck knockout for over a year now—a fight which he was losing up until that punch. And let’s not forget this is the same chuck who lost to Keith Jardine…Hell, he was even getting outstruck by Forrest before the finish.
Come to think of it, Rashad has never consistently outstruck anyone of any note.
And the fact that you think Rashad is somehow a better wrestler than Bader is absurd. Bader was far more accomplished than Rashad and is much bigger.
Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider
Schafer got battered the first round yes.
But the 2nd and 3rd rounds he hit Bader a few times, something I assure you wouldn’t happen vs Rashad. Captain Ernesto is correct, Bader is real stiff when he’s punches, and leaves big openings for counters, which Rashad would capitalize on all day with his speed and power.
I think you are right in saying that Rashad hasn’t consitently outstruck anyone. I never thought of that, so good point, but it doesn’t mean hes a bad striker, or that Bader is better than him. Bader would get outstruck by Forrest too, imo, and wouldn’t be able to hang with Chuck. And, no one has EVER KO’d Chuck that way. One punch out cold.
As far as wrestling in MMA, how is Bader more accomplished? Yeah, he has a size advantage, but nearly everyone has a size advantage over Rashad, yet only one person has beat him. Bader’s wrestling is his strongest area, but I dont think he could keep down Rashad, or any of Rashads’ recent opponents. Jardine was able to get up from under Bader, where T.Silva, a BJJ Black Belt, couldn’t do anything.
I’m appreciating you arguement too, Frosnt. Just so this doesn’t turn into a pissing contest. :P
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
by Synyster_08 on Mar 18, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice to keep it civilized.
I’m basing my wrestling argument on Bader having a better college wrestling career than Rashad. I can’t really say one or the other is more “accomplished” in wrestling in mma because there’s no objective way of measuring that but Bader was by far the better pure wrestler.
As for the striking, Rashad leaves himself open a bit when he’s in close range. However, he does have dynamic offense. If he could shore up his defensive skills I think he could be a pretty good striker.
Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider
Bader's striking is ugly
He throws wide loopy punches, and he reaches too far. Bader’s got power, but Rashad’s got speed and technique, which more often than not, trumps power. I’m surprised the poll is as close as it is.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
I'm with you Synyster
I think their wrestling would negate each other and it would remain on the feet where Rashad is much quicker and more fluid. You can’t deny Bader has big power and while his striking has improved by leaps and bounds he still looked sort of stiff and not all that comfortable striking with Jardine. I just see Suga running circles around Darth peppering him with jabs and counters until he lands the KO bomb.
by Captain Ernesto on Mar 18, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Im surprised rich won
he was down a fair amount when I voted
" Im surprised GSP can get his jeans on with all these people clinging to his nuts"- Dan Hardy
I like Bader.
But he’s not quite ready for Evans yet.
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