UFC 129: Shields v. GSP

[Next Big Thing]

He may not seem like much on paper, but I think Shields has the best ground game of any opponent GSP has faced. He owned Fitch in a grappling/submission match they had and he gutted it out against Hendo at 185.

I'm not saying he's going to beat GSP, but I do believe that he could be an interesting fight for him. He's not going to have the ego/stupidity of Koscheck in thinking he can stand with him.


Couture vs. Machida is also rumored as the co- main event. I'd rather not see that.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Fitch has also beaten him in a grappling match.

[CSL]

Even Jake Shields' name bores me.

[VSG]

Is his dad going to be cheerleader again?

[MoFo]

No doubt the Diaz bros will be the highlight of Shields' fight again. Probably start a fight with the Canadian crowd for cheering GSP.

[Kris P Lettus]

I bet he fails a drug test for steroids in 2011..

[IC Champion]

Jake Shields?

[Kris P Lettus]

Yep..

[Next Big Thing]

You mad he beat your boy Hendo? Just playing. What makes you say that though?

[Kris P Lettus]

Bacne

[Reavant]

Fitch has also beaten him in a grappling match.

Other way around. And shields schooled him.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Other way around. And shields schooled him.

I've seen Fitch beat Shields in a grappling match.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

They are 1-1 as I implied.

[Next Big Thing]

Fitch won their first match but it wasn't nearly as dominant as Jake's win at the Gracie tournament.

I wouldn't mind seeing those two link up in the Octagon. Some may call it a boring match up, but I like the technical grapplers.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Doesn't change the point I made ;)

[alvarado52]

I'm going to get this ppv because ive been having trouble falling asleep lately.

[Kris P Lettus]

lol

[Next Big Thing]

Jose Aldo is going to be on the card so that should provide some excitement. They're going to feed Hominick to him if he beats Roop.

[Next Big Thing]

Couture is fighting Machida as well. Not looking forward to that one.

[Kris P Lettus]

I dunno, I kinda like it.. Either Couture gets KTFO or can keep it close, out grapple, and dirty box him..

I like that he's still taking big fights and fight the best guys out there.. He's a warrior..

[Krimzon7]

If Machida loses this one, HIS THIRD 'official' LOSS IN A ROW....

Shouldn't he be cut?

I'm just asking?



and don't you dare give me that 'exciting fights saves his job' bullshit either!

[Next Big Thing]

If Lyoto Machida loses to a guy who was driving and voting before he was even born he definitely should be cut. I don't think the UFC would care either. It's not like his fighting style is that exciting or he's an entertaining personality that hypes fights.

Diaz is fighting MacDonald on that card too. This PPV is going to be awesome.

Shields is +400. I'm thinking about trying the odds on that one. I wouldn't be surprised if GSP won, there's no better setting for an upset than in Toronto against the Golden Boy in his presumably final fight at Welterweight before he is crowned the greatest welterweight of all time and undisputed pound for pound best.

[The Mask]

cutting machida would be ridiculous. the 3 and out isn't a cast iron rule, especially at light heavyweight. shogun beat him fair and square, the loss to rampage was dubious, although a loss to couture would be really bad for him. that said the ufc needs name fighters right now and as an ex champion he definitely counts as one.

[Next Big Thing]

Brandon Vera is a name and he too has lost to good fighters like Jon Jones, Thiago Silva and Randy Couture in a dubious decision. So if they cut him I don't think it would be so ridiculous for them to cut Machida. Also, Vera has always been a guy who can hype a fight on the mic.

It's not like Machida is a guy who is a big draw, moves a lot of merchandise or is a name the casual fan knows or cares about so he's not going to get cut the same slack as a guy like BJ Penn. Plus, guys who are on their third losses and get spared are usually guys who go out on put on fight of the night type performances. Machida isn't that type of guy and there's no way the UFC could justify keeping him around and paying him the type of money they're paying him.

If this fight with Couture stinks up the joint and kills the buzz in that stadium because all he's doing is circling, he will be cut if he loses. If the UFC thought so highly of Machida and his former champ status, they'd give him a fight that would help him get back into contention and be viewed as a legit contender not a glorified exhibition fight against a guy who is almost 50.

By the way, who was the last fighter with three losses that the UFC kept around? I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just curious to see who it was. I know Bonnar was kept after three losses, but Dana is on record as saying him and Forrest would have a job in the UFC for life. Chuck's another guy, but Dana rides his nuts and there's no way the UFC would cut a legend like that.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

By the way, who was the last fighter with three losses that the UFC kept around?
Keith Jardine. They only cut him after the fourth loss in a row.

[Krimzon7]

Jardine, Ortiz, Liddell. End of list...and of the three names, two should never be cut!

[Krimzon7]

I also think that Crocop has some status of being a bit teflon with the losses. He's still a huge international name, even if he doesn't factor in any real title contention.

[Kris P Lettus]

Jardine, Ortiz, Liddell. End of list...and of the three names, two should never be cut!

Hope you mean Jardine and Liddell..

[Krimzon7]

Hope you mean Jardine and Liddell..


:lol: I was ready for some Ortiz hate. Look, I don't like the dude, and think he's an uber douche. But facts are facts. and four of the most influential names in the History of the UFC are Liddell, Ortiz, Griffin and Bonnar literally in that order. Ortiz is still the longest reigning LHW champion in UFC history IIRC.

gotta give the douche his props. He is the Oakland Raiders of the UFC, a pain in the ass to deal with, but no less as important as the good guys.

[The Show Off]

:lol: I was ready for some Ortiz hate. Look, I don't like the dude, and think he's an uber douche. But facts are facts. and four of the most influential names in the History of the UFC are Liddell, Ortiz, Griffin and Bonnar literally in that order. Ortiz is still the longest reigning LHW champion in UFC history IIRC.

gotta give the douche his props. He is the Oakland Raiders of the UFC, a pain in the ass to deal with, but no less as important as the good guys.

I might put Couture in there before I were to put Stephan Bonnar but your point is well said.

Tito Ortiz suffers from the same trouble as Keith Jardine in that he has fought great compitition which is why he's lost. And when Ortiz fought easy compititon (Shamrock) he dominated.

Against Hamill Ortiz looked the best he has in years. Ortiz will never be a contender again but he's a great barometer to see if a guy is worthy of the next step. Not to mention Tito could still generate ratings based on his name which is more than can be said than 95% of people in the UFC.

Ortiz stands a good chance again Lil Nog. Obviously Ortiz is passed his prime but the guy is box office and is still and adequate fighter.

[abec]

titos on a 423209 fight losing streak, i'm sure they'd give machida another chance.

[Next Big Thing]

Tito is a guy who was the face of the company for a long time. Dana may not like him, but I think he respects that enough to give him a fourth fight for redemption.

Plus, Ortiz is a name that the casual fan knows more than a guy like Machida and a bigger draw so you can't really compare those two situations.

[The Mask]

machida ortiz pink slip match

[Kris P Lettus]

Be about the only time I'd pull for Machida..

:(

[IC Champion]

Jose Aldo will fight at UFC 129 http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=6042444

[Funky Fly]

Machida worked Ortiz when they fought. Pretty much out pointed him every round (reversed a huge takedown in the 1st, locked a submission in in the 2nd but time ran out, brutal knee to the liver in the 3rd) and got some solid shots in here and there.

Machida/Couture is a toss up. Couture likes to work in the clinch and Machida is pretty good at not getting trapped in the clinch (all that sumo shit). Gotta give the stand up edge to Lyoto. We've all seen how bad Machida is off his back, so if couture takes it to the ground (hell, even if Machida does) the difference in strength might prove to be too much. Ground game edge: Randy.

[abec]

I hope Machida loses.