Shogun vs. Griffin at UFC 76

[The Oracle]

In my opinion BJ Penn is the best round 1 fighter in the history of mma.If you view all of his fights he usually takes it to his oppents with ease in the first round.His problems occur after the first round.All of this usually guarantees some of the most exciting bouts that I have witnessed.

 

[Manji]

I think BJ Penn's lack of conditioning may be a bit overstated....
Really...His conditioning was only an issue in two of his fights (he's had 16 MMA Pro fights)....The Renzo Gracie fight (K-1 Hawaii - which he won) and the GSP fight....(and in the GSP fight he blamed it on overtraining / physical fatigue)

Penn lost the second Hughes fight because of a torn rib muscle and not because of being gassed....

Sure BJ likes to party and get fucked up (heard he got hammered before both his seminars in Toronto) but when it comes to down to training for a fight he's a professional....


Finally got to watch the GSP / Penn fight....
Found a crappy video on the net that showed only the second and third rounds....
GSP was really lucky that he won that fight....I think that fight underscored how takedowns are given too much importance in UFC fights....

GSP only won the second and third round because he took him down but did nothing after the takedown ....No attempted submissions or effective ground and pound....
In the end; GSP suffered way more damage then Penn (who didn't even look like he had a scratch on him) yet somehow he got the win....

The UFC scoring system has got to change.....the current system is kind of fucked....

 

[Manji]

Oh yeah....

Since this is a thread about Shogun....

Shogun is a photographic spread in the latest issue of Vanity Fair...He's holding a model on his shoulders.....Its in the "Blame It on Brazil" section...

 

[Judge_Knoll]

How about Couture v.s Gonzaga?

Tough one to call because I've only seen Gonzaga fight once. However, I'm picking him due to the youth factor and from everything I've read about him.

I see the UFC gave Cro-Cop and easier fight this time.

 

[iluvquarks]

How about Couture v.s Gonzaga?

Tough one to call because I've only seen Gonzaga fight once. However, I'm picking him due to the youth factor and from everything I've read about him.

I see the UFC gave Cro-Cop and easier fight this time.

First off I agree with all the Shogun assesments of the previous posters. Also, regarding Penn, his problems are basically psychological and motivational, much like Gomi and GSP. Those are three of the most talented athletes in MMA that for some reason don't always bring their A game. Of course, with GSP, had he demolished Serra I wouldn't have put him on this list. FWIW, I think Shogun takes it and GSP takes it as well.

As for Gonzaga, I think he's legit but it's really hard to tell from the Mirko fight because that was an unmotivated, zombied out with no game plan Mirko that he fought. I really don't think he would have beat the Mirko that won the grand prix. Still, Gonzaga's kick was fast and he seems like a strong wrestler to boot. Unless he's got a chin made of glass, I can't see how Randy can beat this guy - bigger, stronger, hits harder, a tad bit faster. Randy's advantage is experience and coming up with a great game plan and executing it. A great advantage indeed, but in this case, I don't think it's enough.

 

[Judge_Knoll]

My best guess would be Gonzaga by decision. Should be a very technical fight.

Also, just read that Brock Lesnar is in negotiations with the UFC. He will be in attendance tomorrow night.

 

[iluvquarks]

Also, just read that Brock Lesnar is in negotiations with the UFC. He will be in attendance tomorrow night.

Isn't there a 265 lb weight limit for HWs in the UFC? I haven't seen him in a long time but during his wrestling days, wasn't he around the 300 range? I could be wrong.

 

[Manji]

I could be wrong...but I think I heard that Brock cut his weight down to 260....although he is listed at 285 on Sherdog...