UFC 79: Nemesis - Rants and Raves 12.31.07

Posted by Caleb Newby on 12.31.2007

UFC 79 is in the books! 411 MMA Editor Caleb Newby weighs in with his first day take of Saturday's winners and losers.

Getting your fill of MMA action yet? Na, me either.

Welcome to Rants and Raves, post event reaction to the highs and lows of UFC 79. I'm Caleb Newby, editor of our MMA content here on 411. No need for any long winded intro here. Let's jump right into what's stuck in my craw from Saturday night along with a smattering of rave reviews for the guys that brought their A game.

RANTS AND RAVES - UFC 79

Rant: Melvin Guillard is such a waste. He has talent but is doing himself no favors by making enemies with everyone from fans and fighters alike. And the cocaine use. That's not helping either. There are MMA "bad guys" and actual bad guys. Tim Sylvia is the former. Guillard is the latter.


Rave: Rich Clementi was smooth on the ground, as was expected. His omaplata sweep was particularly smooth. And normally I'd frown on post fight comments like the ones that Rich made, but considering the circumstances and those involved, I didn't mind one bit. Good on him, and congratulations for a high profile win.


Rant: Mike Goldberg proclaiming "THE STARS HAVE COME OUT TONIGHT!" after showing some guy who I only assume is an MTV D-list "celebrity". It's stupid and insulting, particularly after seeing the real stars come out for Hatton/Mayweather a few weeks earlier.


Rave: Sokoudjou wearing a predator mask to the ring was a highlight of the night. You just know he's seen the photoshops online of him in the predator getup and liked it. This is the man that jokes (I hope he is joking) about taking MMA to Africa to fight a giraffe. Good humor by the Sokoudjou.



If only he had the wristblades too


Rave: How impressive did Machida look? His timing is uncanny, his sweeps were phenomenal, and on top of that, he actually finished his opponent. I'm glad they gave him a chance to speak about where he stacks up in the division after the fight. He is such a unique style matchup for any fighter but is often overlooked when talked about for title contention. With a four fight win streak in the UFC, and a perfect overall record, he shouldn't be more than one more fight away from a title shot. Jardine/Machida perhaps?


Rant: Sokoudjou had nothing to offer from his back. Fortunately for him, he is only 23 years old, and has a small handful of fights to his name. He is young, talented, charismatic, and exciting so his career shouldn't be in any danger. And there is certainly no shame in losing to Machida. Everyone else has. Consider this a half rant.


Rant: The Eddie Sanchez and Soa Palelei fight was a waste. Let's call it really what it is. This is the UFC's "thank you" to Sanchez for being cannon fodder to Cro Cop's debut. So they give him a televised fight on a PPV against a guy that he stood a great chance of defeating. Problem is, heavyweight fights can really suck if the guys are not top tier, and this was a shining example. This isn't to say that Sanchez doesn't have a future, because he does and is young, but it was a killer event for the vibe of the show.


Rant: Was the taunting by Sanzhez after the fight really needed? It was slow and plodding, nothing to get too cocky about, and taunting someone who is obviously in pain wasn't needed. I think Sanchez realized this after too in his post fight interview as he was falling all over himself to say that Palelei would be back.


Rant x3: It would have been nice to have more of an explanation regarding the Big Tim/Big Nog fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. There had to be more than a few fans scratching their heads at that, wondering where Couture is. Hopefully Rogan is allowed to elaborate during future broadcasts.


Rant x4: How many times during the broadcast do you think Rogan bites his tongue on a retort to some Goldberg comment. I swear you can see the thoughts pop in Joe's head as he tries to hold in his laughter and keep his smart-aleck comment to himself. I know he calls Goldberg out now and then, but I am surprised it isn't much more often than it is.


Rave: The entire Silva/Liddell fight was fantastic, even if Dana White promised us it wouldn't go to a decision. Ha. *ahem* Both guys showed us something, but particularly Liddell. His takedowns and spinning backfist were fantastic for reasons of sheer diversity. Just putting in the idea that he could shoot will make opponents have to worry about something else, and a more dynamic striking game beyond simple throwing and counterpunching is only a good thing and will only serve to prolong his career as a top tier Light-Heavyweight. Smart gameplan all around by The Iceman.


Rant: All that being said, Liddell under no circumstances should get a shot at Rampage within 2008. He's lost to him twice convincingly; a third fight is just silly. Liddell better be rooting for Forrest as a Liddell/Forrest fight for the strap has money written all over it.


Rave: How amazing is Georges St. Pierre? He is perhaps the most dynamic, exciting, athletic, well rounded fighters I've ever seen. He totally outclassed Hughes in the wrestling game, and we know how potent of a striker he is. GSP's technique on the ground jostling for position was textbook. And that takedown defense may be second to none in all of MMA. With how focused Pierre will be for the Serra fight, it's going to be a long (or very, very short) night for the current welterweight champ.


Rave: Manny Gamburyan is a pitbull. I haven't heard what the extent of the injury to Nate Mohr is yet, but it looked brutal. But I do love my leg submissions. Rarely get to see them so I'd started to forgot how painful they can be. Good win for Manny, let's hope he can stay healthy.


That does it for the debut edition of Rants and Raves - UFC 79 edition. Feel free to comment on what impressed (or failed to impress) you on Saturday.