UFC 94 Georges St-Pierre Vs. BJ Penn your thoughts?

[Von Milash]

Bonnar officially changed his nickname to "The waste".

[Heavy D]

Not terribly surprised by the outcome of the BJ GSP fight, just wasn't prepared for how bad of a beatdown it would be.

That kind of exciting KO is exactly what the UFC needed from Machida. That one HL reel will be enough to excite casual fans, especially when added onto his other legit dominations. Add onto that the fustercluck that the LHW division seems to be right now, and this is the perfect time for him to get his title shot. Can't wait to see him take that belt.

[Von Milash]

Machida shocked everyone. He actually engaged to some extent.

[VictorCharlie]

If Machida doesn't get the next title shot I'll be dissapointed. I think Jackson and Griffin should have to fight each other before one of them gets another crack at the title. Put Machida in against Rashad at 99 or 100 have Griffin fight the Chuck/Shogun winner. If he wins then have him fight Jackson for the next title shot.

[Taeth]

How can people not like Machida? Look at his resume... though him against Penn wasn't exactly a barn burner, he's great at everything, and he deserves the title shot, He is a really small LHW IMO, and it will be interesting to see how his skills compare to the size and speed of Evans, or the size and determination of Forrest, or even the raw power and good boxing skills of Rampage.

[the_PRODIGY]

Rampage vs Rashad
Rampage vs Machida
Rampage vs Shogun2
Rampage vs Forrest2
Rampage vs Chuck2 would be all great fights.

and Forrest vs Chuck, Machida vs Rashad, Machida vs Chuck would also be a cracker

[VictorCharlie]

not to quibble over details but it would be Rampage vs Chuck 3 but I will speculate on some of these

Rampage vs Rashad
- Rashad has all of the physical tools and has become pretty well rounded. Greg Jackson will put together a good plan. I think Rampage still has the edge on striking. If this is true then Rashad will need get the fight to ground. While he may be a better wrestler I think Page's strength and experience will make it difficult for Rashad to keep him there. Rampage by UD or late TKO

Rampage vs Machida
- Machida's defense is very good, but his beard will be tested. Page will land and we will just have to see if Machida's jaw can hold up. I don't think Page can win a decision against this guy but I do think he could wear Machida down and win a late round KO in a 5 rounder. This is a tough call but I'd take Machida by SD

Ramage vs Shogun 2
-Whether its previous steroid use, too many injuries, different rules or something else Shogun isn't close to his Pride self. Barring dramatic turnaround Rampage by brutal 2nd round KO

Rampage vs Forrest 2
-Griffin is a total wildcard. The guy comes in good shape with a good plan and ready to fight. This guy could easily be undefeated in the Octagon. I thought he beat Ortiz and was winning against both Jardine and Rashad when he got iced. The truth is the guy will once again push Page to his limits but I think Quinton will be better prepared with his new camp. This time he will find a chink in Forrest armor and put him away in the 4th

Rashad vs Machida
-This should be the next LHW title fight. Even with Rashad's evolution he can't match this guy on the feet. So can Jackson work up a plan to put Lyoto on the mat? I don't think so. Machida picks him apart for a UD

Chuck vs anybody
-Even with the slowing of reflexes and general decline from wear and tear Chuck has been figured out and hasn't made any changes to his game. People have figured out the low hands, looping punches and that Chuck is much better as a counter puncher than as an aggressor. The guys still has a great TD defense and is always one punch from ending any fight but until he can start haveing a better gameplan and change up his style he isn't going to win much against top caliber LHWs. I do pick him to beat Shogun though. Chuck really needs to change training camps or bring in some new guys if he is serious about ever wearing LHW gold again.

[Heavy D]

Blah....Chuck is done. I feel it's far too late in his career to be making any considerable changes to his fight game, especially considering how little it has ever changed at all. He HAD the tools to become a much more complete fighter, but his days of bullshit wins are over. He was never that good, he was just a very strong puncher. I look at him the same way I look at Tyson...he had all the tools, but could never get away from the allure of punching your way to every victory instead of using a good gameplan and technical skill set. I've called it for years, and I'm happy to see these younger fighters proving me right by destroying Chuck.

Page vs Machida or Evans vs Machida are probably the only two fights that genuinely excite me on that list. The only other one I would add would be Forrest vs Machida. I think that it's gonna take more than a good gameplan or skill set to beat Machida...it's gonna take heart, and nobody has shown me more heart than Forrest.

[VictorCharlie]

Blah....Chuck is done. I feel it's far too late in his career to be making any considerable changes to his fight game, especially considering how little it has ever changed at all. He HAD the tools to become a much more complete fighter, but his days of bullshit wins are over. He was never that good, he was just a very strong puncher.

Heavy I might tend to agree that Chuck is past it and that the game has evolved past him but to say he was never that good is just absurd. You don't beat these guys by just getting BS wins

Couture
Sobral
Ortiz
Belfort
Wanderlei
Horn
Overeem
Metzger
Bustamante
Monson
Randleman

The guy could never win again but with that resume will be one of the best LHWs to ever lace them up

[Kev]

not to quibble over details but it would be Rampage vs Chuck 3 but I will speculate on some of these

Rampage vs Rashad
- Rashad has all of the physical tools and has become pretty well rounded. Greg Jackson will put together a good plan. I think Rampage still has the edge on striking. If this is true then Rashad will need get the fight to ground. While he may be a better wrestler I think Page's strength and experience will make it difficult for Rashad to keep him there. Rampage by UD or late TKO

Rampage vs Machida
- Machida's defense is very good, but his beard will be tested. Page will land and we will just have to see if Machida's jaw can hold up. I don't think Page can win a decision against this guy but I do think he could wear Machida down and win a late round KO in a 5 rounder. This is a tough call but I'd take Machida by SD

Ramage vs Shogun 2
-Whether its previous steroid use, too many injuries, different rules or something else Shogun isn't close to his Pride self. Barring dramatic turnaround Rampage by brutal 2nd round KO

Rampage vs Forrest 2
-Griffin is a total wildcard. The guy comes in good shape with a good plan and ready to fight. This guy could easily be undefeated in the Octagon. I thought he beat Ortiz and was winning against both Jardine and Rashad when he got iced. The truth is the guy will once again push Page to his limits but I think Quinton will be better prepared with his new camp. This time he will find a chink in Forrest armor and put him away in the 4th

Rashad vs Machida
-This should be the next LHW title fight. Even with Rashad's evolution he can't match this guy on the feet. So can Jackson work up a plan to put Lyoto on the mat? I don't think so. Machida picks him apart for a UD

Chuck vs anybody
-Even with the slowing of reflexes and general decline from wear and tear Chuck has been figured out and hasn't made any changes to his game. People have figured out the low hands, looping punches and that Chuck is much better as a counter puncher than as an aggressor. The guys still has a great TD defense and is always one punch from ending any fight but until he can start haveing a better gameplan and change up his style he isn't going to win much against top caliber LHWs. I do pick him to beat Shogun though. Chuck really needs to change training camps or bring in some new guys if he is serious about ever wearing LHW gold again.

Good analysis VanChilds, out of interest how do you see Anderson Silva doing against these guys if he does move up as planned?

I'd love to see Silva mix it with these guys.

You ever reckon we could see Fedor in the UFC and if so in this light heavyweight weight class? I was suprised how small Tito made him look in the affliction card, I reckon he could easily make this weight.

In fact I think an Anderson Silva vs Fedor showdown at 185 would be techinically possible and would pit the worlds two best fighters against each other. Wonder if it will ever happen?

[Von Milash]

actually an interesting argument b/w Van and D. Two old foes that make this place all the better.

And I can actually see it both ways. Chuck is a legend, awesome power in his prime...

but...

a very one dimensional game. Is that truly "great." He had a bad tendency to drop his hands.

So, probably guy who was a BIT of a big fish in a small pond (which many old school UFCers are) but at the same time had one of the the best right hands we've ever seen, who could drop ANYONE.. PROVIDED he could make them fight HIS fight. That's harder to do all the time as the game evolves.

[VictorCharlie]

A guy can only fight in the era he has. I think we can safely say Marciano would have a lot of problems with the bigger HWs of today. This in no way takes away from how great he was. I agree that even a prime Chuck would be behind the curve on where MMA has evolved to today, but there was a period of time where he was as good as any LHW in the world. His resume is full of KOs against top notch fighters. As far as one dimensional goes. Hughes is another example of a great fighter who also hasn't evolved. The guy epitomizes one dimensional but does this take away from his legacy?

[VictorCharlie]

Bilbo,

Anderson has shown he has no problem fighting at 205. I think he would demolish Forrest. Rashad to me is a less experienced Rampage. Great athlete, good wrestling and vastly improved striking but he would be in over his head. He will get a take down or two and have his moments but eventually the Spider gets a ko or sub no later than the 3rd. Rampage is a tough call. After watching the Forrest fight I firmly believe that Anderson could out "plan" Quinton. I don't think this would be a very exciting fight early on. Anderson would use his reach and technique to frustrate Rampage. If its a 5 rounder Rampage will lose patience and ratchet up the pressure and get caught in the Spider clinch. See Rampage vs Wandy 1&2 for results. I believe that Anderson Silva is the kryptonite to Machida. His size/techniqu/balance will make it very hard for Lyoto to be a counter puncher. I believe that Machida will have to press the action to win this one. That being said no one fights backing up better that Anderson. Spider by SD.

Now about Mr. Emelianko: I dont think we ever see this fight. Anderson is eyeing the end of his career and getting Fedor under contract will be tough. Affliction may or may not go under either way they are running out of options for their cash cow. After Barnett who will they match him with? W/O Fedor can they sell tickets? Anyway lets just say this fight did happen at 205. Fedor could make this weight after taking a big shit. Fedor isn't a technical striker. He has great hand speed and power but he doesn't striker with technique or a definitive game plan. His ground game is about as dynamic as they come. The man pulls subs out of thin air. He has a great chin, gas tank and never gets rattled. Most importantly the guys just knows how to win. Anderson's size and technique won't be an issue. He is neither the biggest or best striker Fedor as faced. He wont have a better ground game either. So the question isn't if, its how Fedor would win. I don't know how but this fight wouldn't go the distance and Mr Emelianko would have his hand raised at the end

[Von Milash]

A guy can only fight in the era he has. I think we can safely say Marciano would have a lot of problems with the bigger HWs of today. This in no way takes away from how great he was. I agree that even a prime Chuck would be behind the curve on where MMA has evolved to today, but there was a period of time where he was as good as any LHW in the world. His resume is full of KOs against top notch fighters. As far as one dimensional goes. Hughes is another example of a great fighter who also hasn't evolved. The guy epitomizes one dimensional but does this take away from his legacy?

No, of course it doesn't. When they were at their primes, they were the best.

[Heavy D]

I fully understand the havoc that Chuck wrought upon the LHW division, but ever since I first saw him fight all those years ago, I immediately noticed that any decent striker should be able to eat him alive. He quasi proved me wrong with Tiger White, but even then, I felt he was losing until he got that magic jab that dropped White (although I admit, my memory MAY be tainted on that one). Randy Couture exposed that hardcore in their first fight, and even in their second and third. However, he wasn't quite able to avoid that right. I will take nothing away from his legacy, I guess, but in my eyes, he was simply never a very good fighter, simply a good puncher with a good enough jaw.