UFC 98: Evans v. Machida this Saturday

[animalmother]

Attention MMA fans, UFC 98 is this Saturday on PPV. Here is the main card and few of the preliminary fights:

Rashad Evans Vs. Lyoto Machida

Name: Rashad Evans
Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 18-0-1

Name: Lyoto Machida
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 14-0-0

I'm picking Lyoto Machida in this one. This is not an easy one to pick as both fighters are top-ranked world class light heavyweights. Both are undefeated. A lot of pressure here--a title and undefeated status. This is the first time in MMA history that two undefeated fighters have fought each other for a major, recognized MMA title.


Matt Hughes Vs. Matt Serra

Name: Matt Hughes
Height: 5' 9" (175 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 43-7-0

Name: Matt Serra
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 16-5-0

I'm taking Matt Hughes. Don't like Serra.


Drew McFedries Vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Name: Drew McFedries
Height: 6' 0" (183 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 7-5-0

Name: Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 20-10-0

Not sure who take in this one. I have not seen Xavier fight. If it stays standing, I'd take Drew M. If it goes to the ground, then it will likely be Xavier.


Dan Miller Vs. Chael Sonnen

Name: Dan Miller
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 11-1-0, 1 NC

Name: Chael Sonnen
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 23-10-1

I like both but am picking Chael Sonnen.

Sean Sherk Vs. Frank Edgar

Name: Sean Sherk
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 37-3-1

Name: Frank Edgar
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 9-1-0

I'm taking Sherk in this one.

Brock Larson Vs. Chris Wilson

Name: Brock Larson
Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 26-2-0

Name: Chris Wilson
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 13-5-0, 1 NC

Easy one to pick--Larsen.

Krzysztof Soszynski Vs. Andre Gusmao

Name: Krzysztof Soszynski
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 18-9-1

Name: Andre Gusmao
Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 5-1-0

I'm taking Krzysztof Soszynski.

Picks, comments?

FYI, UFC 98 Countdown show is on Thurs night on Spike.

 

[gaucho1]

I think Evans vs. Machida could turn out to be
a very good fight.

Evans is very talented and has continued to
improve at every step.
Machida,as far as I have seen him fight,makes
it look like he has not been really challenged.
I think his skill and elusive movement is very
difficult to deal with.He is also somewhat similar to Liddel in that he functions with a
gap.
If Evans can close or take it to the ground,I
think he will have the advantage.
If Machida can maintain movement and keep the gap,I think he will catch Rashad with something
fast and sharp.
One of the more interesting recent match-ups.

I am favoring Machida.

 

[grit]

Thanks for the fighter breakdown. It looks like a great card.

For anyone that was wondering, this is how it's really gonna go down...

Machida-The guy is rediculously talented and next to impossible to train for...Rashad can win if he takes him down and lays on him for 5 rounds (not likely).
Serra-Don't care for either of these guys...I believe Serra's wrestling is better than Hughes' jiu jitsu...plus Hughes has been busy farming and getting his new school up and running.
Foupa-Pokam-Xavier should win this one going away (if he can avoid McFedries' bombs).
Miller-Both of the Miller boys are beasts. Although Chael is technical and tough, my $ goes on Dan.
Sherk-Franky is a talent, but unless you're BJ Penn, how do you deal with Sherk @ 155???
Wilson-Have you ever seen Wilson fight? He's incredible...barely lost a decision to John Fitch. Larson is strong, but Wilson will pick him apart.
Soszynski-Close call...gotta give the Polish kid the nod on this one.

I think I'll catch the fights at Buffalo Wild Wings while I play some Golden Tee over a cold one.

 

[Senior Citizen]

Originally posted by animalmother:
Matt Hughes Vs. Matt Serra


I'm taking Matt Hughes. Don't like Serra.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

I hope Matt Hughes win desisivly and announces his retirement.

I like Machida also, but Evans' hands are just so dang fast and HARD! I think if it goes to the judges Machida will win, otherwise......???

SC
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.
.
.

 

[animalmother]

UFC 98 Countdown show on Spike tonight.

 

[SW CQB 45]

making plans to go!

machida
hughes

are my picks on those fights

 

[grit]

Originally posted by SW CQB 45:
making plans to go!

Nice. I went to UFC 69 in Houston...they put on a great production. Have fun!!!

 

[animalmother]

I went to UFC 33 in Las Vegas in Sept 2001. They sure put a hell of a show on. Every fan should go to at least one live UFC event.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Sorry to disappoint

My making plans to go means going to the sports bar with a bunch of buddies.

I am on call so I will be limited to Hot Wings and Diet Coke dressed with lime.

 

[animalmother]

I bet the sports bar you've been going to gets a good turnout.

Do you think you will ever attend a live UFC event if it was in TX?

 

[SW CQB 45]

there was a WEC event in Corpus Christi Texas and when I turned on the TV that Sunday night, it show the arena I know very well.

I would have made it if I had known.

Dont really like traffic BIG towns like Houston. I lived there for 5 years (80's) and that was enough for me (traffic).

 

[animalmother]

This event is only 6 hours away. I got the beer in the fridge. Any last comments or picks?

 

[SW CQB 45]

I believe Machita will give Sugar a schoolin!

 

[gaucho1]

Machita seems to have answered some questions
with some definite answers.

I would like to see Evans fight Rampage.

I think Machita will dissect Rampage,although
I have no feel for Machita if he is soundly
taken down,so far he just evades the takedowns.

Looks like an interesting new chapter in the light heavyweight div.

 

[animalmother]

What an great event! 8 of 11 fights were shown and I went 6-1 on my picks. The title fight was awesome. I'm so jacked up over this event I won't be able to go to sleep for another 4 hours. Machida is one bad dude. He will hold the LH belt for some time to come.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I was going for Hughes because of Serra's mouth, but IMO, Serra defeated Hughes. He was the agressor. Hughes gassed earlier.

All I got to say about the Machida fight is WOW! Yes, he is illusive, but when the opportunity presented itself, he was there and with accuracy. Very decisive WIN!

 

[Senior Citizen]

Originally posted by animalmother:
What an great event! 8 of 11 fights were shown and I went 6-1 on my picks. The title fight was awesome. I'm so jacked up over this event I won't be able to go to sleep for another 4 hours. Machida is one bad dude. He will hold the LH belt for some time to come.

XXXXXXXXX

I'm hearing rumors of Jose` Conseco fighting in an open weight tournament style event in Japan. Also heard a chuckled rumor about Shaquil (sp) getting into the sport too.

I thought Hughes won all three rounds, but I guess the judges didn't have the benefit of instant replay for the accidental head to the jaw. Serra's face looked like he had been whipped. Hughes looked like he had just taken his helmet off after a sparring session! He announced he was a "free agent" and commented about Dana laughing as he said it. Wonder what kind of contract he'll get.if he even gets one? What kind of contract doe Machinda have?

Eityher way, the 2 fights I was interested in came out like I thought and hoped.

SC

 

[animalmother]

I have no doubts that Dana will resign Hughes to at least a 3 fight contract. Hughes seems to be reenergized and back on the warrior path.

Machida is not only an elusive fighter with a unique style, he is also a truly blended MMA fighter. Machida has serious ground skills. First, he is a BJJ black belt. Second, he has a good wrestling background. In his fight with Tito, it was Machida out wrestling Tito and Tito is a powrhouse wrestler.

Machida, like Anderson Silva, will just get better and better.

And it is very unlikely those two will fight. They are very good friends who have both publicly stated they would not fight each other.

 

[dsoza2003]

Machida will hold the belt for a while to come. He is great in all aspects. Thats what happens when you go into the ring focused, and stay disciplined the whole time. Having patients is hard in a fight but he is the master. I cant wait for UFC 100...Lots of good ones coming...St. Pierre is gonna put a whooping on Alves for sure. I love Henderson as a fellow wrestler but I think he is going to get beat up by Bisping. And I agree about the Hughes thing. People wrote him off but he was a driving force for a long time and looked ingreat shape lasty night. With the right motivation and confidence, he can still handle some business.

I dont know how the MIR LESNAR bout will turn out. If Mir comes out like he used to be 5 years ago he will be deadly but Damn lesnar is just a big ass mother....Like a Samurai going after a grizzly bear. If that sword hits just the right spot at the right time that bear is dead but Good luck!!!

 

[grit]

Jose Conseco is fighting Hong Man Choi at Dream 9...at over 7', Choi is a pro kick boxer. He should smash Conseco.

For sure Hughes can still fight, but he will never again be in contention. He just can't compete with the upper-tier welterweights...the sport kept evolving, and he didn't.

Machida is an incredible talent. He has been one of my favorites since he started in the UFC. Of course, it's easy to get on the bandwagon after a perfomance like that.

Evans' gameplan sucked...he should have tried to take Machida down and lay on him for 5 rounds. That would have been painful to watch, but what else do ya do against a unorthodox striker with world-class jiu jitsu and judo?

UFC 100 will be sublime. My boys and I are planning a whole day of festivities for the event...paint ball, poker tourney, Xbox tourney (w/ the new UFC game), and cook out.

The 100th show is certainly a call for celebration. To come from a fledgling organization on the brink of backrupcy to the enterprise that it is now is impressive indeed.