Mirko Crocop at Hustle (Japanese Professional Wrestling Org.)
UFC 79 Nemesis - Aftermath
GSP Dominates
I guess 110% of Matt Hughes only equals about 65% of Georges St. Pierre.
Hughes will go back and question his career, while GSP will be sitting pretty for a while. Who knows how long it will be until Serra is back and that’s a reasonably marketable match up. However, there is one fighter that continues to loom in the background and is patiently waiting for their shot, and that’s Jon Fitch. If GSP were to beat Serra, and then take out Fitch, he’ll be the supreme ruler of the 170 division. The UFC can only hope this will happen, because GSP could be a very marketable fighter.
Hughes still has some fights left in him. He can face Karo Parysian, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and even Diego Sanchez if he doesn’t decide to drop to the 155 division. There’s also the match against Arch Rival Matt Serra that was marketed for so long. Whether Serra wins or loses, he’d be up for a shot against him, so Hughes shouldn’t consider retiring just yet.
Chuck’s Still Here (In My Face)
I guess when I said the fact that styles make fights didn’t matter here. I was talking out of my ass. Chuck made me look foolish by putting a beatdown on Wanderlei. Silva looked TINY compared to Chuck, and the only time Chuck got hit is when he got into range. Chuck could have played it like Machida and just popped him at distance all three rounds. But, Chuck is Chuck. And he engaged with him multiple times, and almost paid for it, but Wanderlei was too slow to jump on a downed Liddell.
The questions still remain about the Pride guys. Shogun looked small against Forrest, but it could have had something to do with his knee, while Wanderlei looked so small, compared to his Pride days. The steroid questions still loom and with each fight they lose, the questions will get larger.
Chuck can face Shogun and probably land a title shot if he’s able to win. Chuck vs. Shogun would be an intriguing match up and would be a big seller.
Wanderlei could have his rematch with Tito, or go against a powerhouse slugger like Houston Alexander. Thiago Silva would also make a great match. It’s hard to tell if Wanderlei is going to be able to get himself set up for any type of a title shot. He’s got a long road ahead of him, and hopefully he’ll be able to regain some of the dominance that he once had.
Sokoudjou Overrated, or Lyoto Machida Underrated?
It’s a little of both. If you’re going to get in the ring/octagon and stand and trade with someone with as much power as Sokoudjou has, you’re asking for trouble. The guy is so strong, he has the kind of power to knock just about anyone out. He’s still a raw talent and has a much better head on his shoulders than Melvin. He’ll come back strong.
Lyoto is looking like the man to beat in the 205 division right now. Lyoto will get the tasks of fighting the fights nobody wants and that fight is against Keith Jardine. A win against Jardine would cement a shot against the Champion, or at the very least, a fight against Liddell. His path to the belt is almost complete.
Melvin Continues to be a Waste of Talent
Melvin is just not good on the big stage. He needs to go to the WEC and learn how to win again. He needs to check his attitude and ego at the door, get re-centered, and make a comeback. The guy is pure, raw talent, and he’s squandering it at the moment. The good thing for him is that he’s so young; he can lose fights now and still have a good career.
There are murmurings around the net about Rich Clementi’s little crotch chop to Melvin after beating him. Why anyone thinks this was unjustified is beyond me. Melvin got in the ring, walked over and gave him the double middle finger. Melvin is just lucky Rich didn’t hold in the choke and put him unconscious. Melvin brought this all on himself, and now he has to once again get back on the recovery trail.
UFC 79: Nemesis Results
Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes
Georges St. Pierre via Submission (Armbar) (Rd. 2)
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
Chuck Liddell via Unanimous Decision
Eddie Sanchez vs. Soa Palalei
Eddie Sanchez via TKO (Rd 3)
Lyoto Machida vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Lyoto Machida via Submission (Arm Triangle) (Rd 2)
Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard
Rich Clementi via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Rd 1)
James Irvin vs. Luis Cane
James Irvin via Disqualification (Illegal Knee)
Manny Gamburyan vs. Nate Mohr
Manny Gamburyan via Submission (Heel Hook) (Rd. 1)
Dean Lister vs. Jordan Radev
Dean Lister via Unanimous Decision
Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
Roan Carneiro via TKO in (Rd. 2)
Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans
Mark Bocek via Unanimous Decision
UFC 79 Nemesis - Quick Picks
Soa Palelei Vs. Eddie Sanchez
Soa is a relatively unknown fighter. This will be his first fight in the UFC, but he does have a couple of quality wins.
You remember Eddie Sanchez for giving Mirko his only win in the UFC, right? Eddie hasn’t done badly so far, though, with two wins in the UFC.
Prediction: Soa Palelei via TKO Rd. 2
Rich Clementi Vs. Melvin Guillard
I have no faith in either of these fighters. Melvin is wasting his talent, while Rich is just a mediocre fighter. Melvin *SHOULD* win this one, but he’s been known to start to crumble when he meets adversity.
Prediction: Melvin Guillard via TKO Rd. 1
Lyoto Machida Vs. Rameau Sokoudjou
Soko is riding the upset high, but I think that it comes to a stop here. Lyoto is just too illusive, too cunning, and just too cautious for Soko to make any headway. Lyoto will find a way to prolong the fight, and escape with a decision.
Prediction: Lyoto Machida via Decision Rd. 3
Chuck Liddell Vs. Wanderlei Silva
The big fight! In my personal opinion, Chuck is done. Yes, I realize styles make fights, but Chuck is getting older by the minute and a loss here might seal his career. Wanderlei hooked up with the right camp, and he looks to be in great shape. The only thing that makes me hesitant is the fact that he’s taken so many shots to the head that he still might be reeling. Hopefully this fight is as entertaining as it has been billed to be.
Prediction: Wanderlei Silva via TKO Rd. 2
Matt Hughes Vs. Georges St-Pierre
GSP *SHOULD* win this fight. He dominated Hughes before, but we’ve been hearing about how Hughes hasn’t been training like he was supposed to previously, and now he is better than ever. I don’t buy this. What I think will happen is, GSP will “surprise” everyone by taking Hughes down and pounding on him for 5 rounds. I think the only way Hughes can win is by submission or punch to the back of the skull. GSP should be able to take Hughes down and control him, and pick him apart on his feet.
Prediction: Georges St-Pierre via TKO Rd. 4
