The Tap-Out 05.26.06: UFC 60 Preview & More

Posted by Caleb Newby on 05.26.2006

Preview of UFC: 60 headlined by Hughes/Gracie. Also, when is Rich Franklin coming back?; reader predictions; and I go off topic about why you need to see Firefly!

Hey folks. I am totally wiped today. My Achilles heel is lack of sleep, and I've been down on that for a couple days now which has me just drained. Not to mention I feel pathetic getting this tired from only a few days when I know a guy that has five kids, two jobs, and is in a graduate school program. It isn't unusual for him to just miss sleeping a night or two because he is busy constantly.

In store for today is a preview of this weekend's UFC: 60 headlined by Hughes vs. Gracie but with a lackluster undercard, news from the MMA world, reader feedback and UFC 60 predictions. Oh, and at the end we'll go off topic into the tv/movie realm for a bit because I need to get something off my chest. Also, email your predictions for the UFC 60 card. Let's have at it.


UFC: 60

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabiano Scherner:

Two highly skilled BJJ practitioners meet up once again. Last time it was a submission bout that Gonzaga won. Gonzaga's most recent claim to fame was a terribly boring match at UFC 56. This one really could go either way, but Gonzaga won the last match (granted, not in MMA rules) and is the favorite.

Winner: Gonzaga


Alessio Sakara vs. Dean Lister:

Lister's the favorite, but it is another close match-up. Lister is all about the submission game while Sakara has strong standup and ground skills. While not at Lister's level in BJJ, Sakara may be good enough. Another tough call, but I'll go with the slight underdog. If Lister wins though, I sure won't be disappointed.

Winner: Sakara


Spencer Fisher vs. Matt Wiman:

On this card this is one of the easier ones for me to pick. Fisher is more experienced and has been fighting well lately. I don't know a lot about Wiman but from what I have read, I don't think he'll be taking Fisher in Wiman's UFC debut. I believe Wiman also took this fight recently.

Winner: Fisher


Melvin Guillard vs. Rick Davis:

As much as I want to pick against Guillard and take Davis, I can't. I don't have ill will towards Guillard or anything, but something about him on TUF 2 made me want to see him lose. But in my current state of mind, I can't remember what. If I remember correctly, he was just extremely overconfident on TUF. That being said, I want to see him do well, but first take a few losses. I am a bastard.
…
Fine, screw it. I'm going with the inexperienced Davis by anaconda choke. WAR DAVIS!

Winner: Davis… come on, he is called "The Flying Squirrel"!


Diego Sanchez vs. John Alessio:

What a fun war of words here. Search around and hear some great stuff from Alessio. What a character. Anyway, Sanchez has been the most dominating performer from TUF thus far in my opinion. I like Forrest more, but Diego can really go. This is predicted as the most lopsided fight of the evening. Here's hoping Diego wins here and then he gets another step up in competition.

Winner: Diego


Jeremy Horn vs. Chael Sonnen:

All I know is I am pissed this isn't Horn vs. Tanner. I want Tanner! No offense to Sonnen, but he isn't Tanner.

Winner: Horn
Loser: Me (that didn't sound right…)


Mike Swick vs. Joe Riggs:

Swick has been a shooting star as of late with a couple very quick fights. Along the way he has been classy too. I like that. I got a chuckle out of his "Swickatine" reference last fight. He is going against the experienced Joe Riggs, which will be Swick's biggest test thus far. In yet ANOTHER close fight, I am going to take Swick via a left "Swickahook".

Winner: Swick


Brandon Vera vs. Assuerio Silva:

Oh how the heavyweight world might be different had Sylvia not held the cage against Silva and lost that fight. But if wishes were horses, we would all be eating steak. Vera is on the rise in the UFC and Silva is the next step. But, of course this is another close fight according to the Vegas odds. I'll take Vera by… KO.

Winner: Vera


(non-title) Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie:

And here we go. The fight that this PPV will be bought (or not bought, according to some rumors) on. First let me say, I hate Hughes' commercial where he is throwing hay bales one minute and then on the red carpet waving the next. It is 100x hokier than Franklin's. This fight I will be solidly be rooting for Gracie. I want Gracie to sub Hughes and enact his will. Sadly, I see Hughes keeping this standing as he isn't in much danger trading blows. How will it end? Decision you say? I fear you may be right.

Winner: Hughes, country music, and flannel shirts


News


The Ultimate Fighter 4 starts filming

From MMAweekly, TUF 4 has started taping. Instead of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngsters, this season of TUF has UFC veterans who haven't been able to win the title yet. It's gonna be the middleweights and welterweights this go around. Also of note, there are no coaches, just "advisors". Who's advising? Randy Couture, Georges St. Pierre, and Mark DellaGrotte. I'm just happy that St. Pierre is getting more exposure.


Update on Rich Franklin

The talk is still of Franklin shooting for an October return. Short and sweet news bite eh?



That's it for news this week. Shoulda just called it "UFC news" to be more accurate I suppose.


Reader Response

Last week's questions:

Question #1:With the hype building for Hughes vs. Gracie, who do you see coming out with the victory, and how?

Question #2:On the last episode of "The Ultimate Fighter" Noah left the show after receiving a letter from his girlfriend that she was told he was cheating on her. Putting aside the notion of how Noah got the letter in the first place and if he should get a phone call or not, what would you do in his situation? Would you go home to be with her or continue on for the contract? Why?


First we have Chris writing in:

Hi,

Personally I would love to see Royce come out with the W. Reading the forums of Sherdog and Subfighter, the general consensus is that Royce will basically get pounded out by Hughes. While I don't dispute the fact that Hughes has Royce beaten in the takedown department, when it does go to the ground, despite being older I think Hughes would be foolish to disregard the submission abilities of Royce, after all, his last name is Gracie.
I quite frankly don't think Royce is going to get pounded out and the reason is that his guard game is utilized to receive as little damage as possible from strikes. I can see the fight being won by Hughes as a result of a split or unanimous decision but mainly based on Hughes positioning. Another thing, those that are saying Hughes could possible submit Royce, let's look at this way, Kazushi Sakuraba who by far is more submission-savvy than Hughes could ever hope to be couldn't put Royce away with a submission despite that fight going 90 minutes, I don't see Hughes pulling one off.

The whole thing with Noah, well we can say he should have toughed it out, and yes thinking about it, this was probably a once in lifetime opportunity but he made the decision and that's that. Honestly if I were in the situation, I myself would have waited it out and finished the competition. Heartless as it may sound, but if I was training full-time in MMA and had the opportunity then that's where my heart would be. Relationships can always be mended, despite how rough they get, and since this would be a career, staying in the show would hold priority.

The whole thing with Brock, yes I would be interested to see him do MMA. He's an amazing wrestler, and with some striking, and submission defense he could make a good record for himself. Honestly can't see him beating the holy trinity of PRIDE (Fedor, Noguiera, and Cro Cop), just basing that alone on the people they've beaten, but it would make for some good fights. But for training purposes I would say getting on with a team like AMC, Team Quest, or even ATT would be beneficial as those teams have a record of wrestlers going on to be successful in MMA. Contrary to what some might think, I believe he should avoid Hammerhouse at all costs, talented group of fighters, but it looks like they still haven't realized the benefit of training submissions or even defense outside of slamming out of armbars or triangle chokes.

Great column, hope to see another one soon.

Good stuff Chris. I agree with you about Noah too.


Next up is David:

Q1 No there is no way ANY fighter should leave the house for ANY reason. It is obvious that Dana is using this show to homegrow his own talent with the fans to grow "his" fanbase. People "such as myself" are Dana new heros- sucked by the Ultimate Fighter 1 season and now watch as much as I can- to tell you the truth- I don't care for most fights unless they are between TUF contestants...or very good. Dana has played this out as he has used his other shows to introduce the rest of his fighters to the TUF crowd- Now I also have begun to look at Evan tanner as someone to watch- not to mention Frank Mir. I have yet to watch a MMA PPV start to finish but I have watched a lot of UFC lately. Back top the Q at hand-> Tangent over- Dana could/should ensure that unless Noah ends up being the second coming of the Iceman or at least as marketable as Tito- he dead to the UFC- even the house ass from season 1 has gotton some push- had Noah lost and then left he'd have had more of a reason- I'll give him points for honesty- it may change had he said they'd been high school sweethearts or an old boyfreind showed up and started shoving her around then that would be something... but to cast off a 6 figure deal! forget that- Look at Chris and Nate from season 1 Chris lost TWICE on the show and has a larger fan club than Deigo! and HE WON- look at Luke Cummo for another example of just being on the show can improve your wallet. Noah is an idiot and always will be.

2. I have seen a chunk of the Gracie fights and I really hate seeing them to tell you the truth the Karate gear just seems so...bush now. Not to disrespect but it's like seeing someone with shoes in the octogon- I know they can;t kick but c'mon this is barebones cage fighting! WE KNOW YOU HAVE A BLACK BELT. Look at some of the good fights lately that Gi is almost like padding- seing how we get cuts on the shoulders and elbows- things you don't see in the first UFC's I think Matt being used to fighting "bare" is gonna be a small advantage. I also want to see Matt on the scales- he is not the heaviest guy in his division but he is SO DAMN STRONG. What is in that water??? Royce I think may have a problem facing someone that strong that can sprawl like that- Matt always seems more than will to stand and strike if he thinks he can lose the ground game- by round 3 I think he may stay on the feet. From the 4-5 fights I have seen of Royce I'm not sure he wants to box for 15 minutes- I think he wants roll around and get the tap. Hughes in 4 via ref stoppage. GNP

Thanks for the Column when is 411 gonna get a recapper for TUF?

David
Like I said before, I think Noah shoulda stuck it out, but I guess he goes by a different beat. About the gi, let me draw upon my vast experience and training in BJJ (note sarcasm Pete… don't choke me out) that the gi gives different options when fighting. It is a different strategy with a gi vs. no gi. There are certain techniques in BJJ that require a gi (or regular clothing) to be applicable. As for a TUF recapper? If I thought I could be consistent getting it in right after it ended, I would. But I don't think I can make that commitment as of yet.


And finally Alan answers the Noah question with commendable insight:

Ages 18-24 Leave and prove I'm innocent!
Ages 25-35 Screw her, I'll be champ and have any girl I want. Plus her!

That's the spirit!


Reader Predictions!!

Just copy and paste the match-ups below and email me at [e-mail] with your picks. This is the second time we've done this now and I will be keeping an overall score in addition to the event score.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabiano Scherner
Alessio Sakara vs. Dean Lister
Spencer Fisher vs. Matt Wiman
Melvin Guillard vs. Rick Davis
Diego Sanchez vs. John Alessio
Jeremy Horn vs. Chael Sonnen
Mike Swick vs. Joe Riggs
Brandon Vera vs. Assuerio Silva
Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie


This isn't the Movies/TV section!

Yeah, wrong section I know. I wanted to do a more extensive write up about this but maybe I can convince the Movie/TV zone people to let me do a special column to get into more detail (assuming it hasn't been done yet… or recently).

If you haven't yet seen the television show "Firefly" go check it out on DVD. Honestly, it is one of, if not the best television show I have ever seen. I know I am late to the Firefly party, but it is worth mentioning to the uninitiated. I'd been told to watch it before and was like "Yeah, sure. I'll do it sometime" not really planning to go out and pick it up. That was a mistake. The writing, acting, story, and character development is amazing. Just give it a chance and watch the first couple episodes and you will know what I am talking about. It's sort of an action/comedy/drama/western/sci-fi show that was cancelled prematurely by Fox.
Thankfully last year a movie was made called Serenity that continued the story. The movie did alright in the theaters but I don't think enough people knew about it. If I'm lucky there will be another movie or (if I'm REALLY lucky) another series.


Ok, that's it for going off topic. Enjoy the PPV this weekend. I'm going to see about catching it at a local sports bar if I can. Mellick's got a new music column about Korn coming up. Read it and then goto the music forums to see the controversy he is causing.

Later.