MMA Analytics 02.04.07: Technique Over Brawn Wins at UFC 81

Posted by Leland Roling on 02.04.2008

Timex should sponsor Nogueira because he keeps taking a beating and keeps on ticking. "Minotauro" Nogueira managed to survive once again, and then tap out a much bigger opponent in Tim Sylvia by using some slick ground skills. It was vintage Nogueira at its finest. Frank Mir showed us that jiu-jitsu is still king of the hill when it comes to technique vs. strength. We'll look over UFC 81's matchups and more in this edition of MMA Analytics.

In the history of mixed martial arts, there has always been an obsession with matchups that feature the smaller, but technically sound fighters against the gargantuan muscle-ridden Goliaths with mammoth arms. UFC 81 featured two matchups that fit the mold. Frank Mir took on the behemoth, but inexperienced Brock Lesnar, and the legendary Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira once again entered a fight where he was smaller and at a disadvantage to his opponent Tim Sylvia. Both matchups produced exciting results, and proved that technique, experience, brains, and survivability can overcome Goliath.

Frank Mir taps into his encyclopedia of jiu-jitsu

Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut on Saturday night, and he was deemed the favorite in a battle with an experienced jiu-jitsu black belt in Frank Mir. Most of the favoritism toward Mir revolved around his behemoth size and strength. For many years, Brock Lesnar was one of the prominent faces in the world of professional wrestling. On a daily basis, he threw grown men that were nearly the same size as himself around in a ring. Would his size and strength translate to punishing attacks in the cage?

Unfortunately for Brock Lesnar, he wasn't privy to the knowledge that most mixed martial arts fans have experienced first hand. PRIDE proved time and time again that technique is a behemoth in itself in a different way. The UFC has also done the same at times, but not with the extravagant David vs. Goliath matchups that PRIDE has produced. Lesnar clearly didn't realize the full extent of Frank Mir's skills.

Mir managed to endure an onslaught of attacks from Lesnar as he gained top control early in the fight. Mir was able to avoid heavy damage, but was still being pummeled heavily by hammerfists and strikes. Steve Mazagatti called a stop to the action during the first flurry as Lesnar hammered Mir in the back of the head in one of his flurries. Lesnar was deducted a point, but most fans felt that Mir was simply lucky to have the action stopped. The fight began from a standing position once again, and Lesnar tackles Mir to the floor for the second time.

The biggest problem for Mir in this battle could be seen while on his back. He wasn't able to lock in Lesnar's massive arms when he went for armbar attempts early in the fight. Lesnar would simply overpower the hold. Mir also couldn't get his arms around Lesnar's thick neck. There was absolutely no way Mir could work any type of arm or neck submission without endangering himself or slipping the hold. Mir's knowledge of his opponent and vast knowledge of jiu-jitsu helped Mir transition to a different gameplan that ended the hype of Brock Lesnar.

Mir managed to slyly put his leg under Lesnar's stance and kick out his knee, dropping Lesnar to the floor for a split second. It was more than enough time for Mir to roll Lesnar into a kneebar position and tap him out. The kneebar isn't used regularly, but it's effective against larger opponents who have a physique like Lesnar. An impressive victory for Frank Mir who has been criticized for his lackluster performances following his accident. It looks like the old Frank Mir may very well be back and dangerous as ever.

Vintage Nogueira brings back memories

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira should be sponsored by Timex. He's takes a beating, and keeps on ticking. That's been the slogan that Nogueira has lived by for most of his career. In some instances, he's managed to only outlast the onslaught of his opponents long enough to lose by decision, but Nogueira is impossible to finish. In fact, he's never been finished, and that includes two bouts with Fedor Emelianenko. Fedor absolutely crushed Nogueira, but "Minotauro" still managed to survive. Saturday night wasn't much different.

Nogueira took a mean one-two combination from Sylvia early in the first round that nearly put Nogueira out of the fight. In classic Nogueira style, he managed to pull Sylvia into guard, recover, and then stand with Sylvia once more.

Stylistically, Nogueira wasn't at a huge disadvantage. His boxing has always improved and in recent years, it's been a mainstay in his standup game. The problem is that Tim Sylvia's reach and range is tough to overcome for any fighter. It's been the main reason for Sylvia's success. Nogueira did, however, have the significant advantage on the ground, and it was exactly where he needed to get Sylvia.

Nogueira managed to take down Sylvia late in the first round, but the bell saved Sylvia from a jiu-jitsu clinic. The second round was much of the same as the first round. A lot of standup, but Nogueira managed to have a bit more luck avoiding huge shots and dishing out some punishment of his own. Incredibly, we entered the third round almost on even ground again. Nogueira had survived the combination from Sylvia early, and managed to recover as he had in nearly all of his big fights before Sylvia.

In the third round, Nogueira pulled Sylvia into guard, and as Sylvia tried to get back up, Nogueira began the process of winning the fight. He managed to keep Sylvia down by grabbing his knee, and then sweeping into side control. Once into side control, he set up the armbar attempt that Sylvia recognized immediately. As Sylvia tried to get out of the attempt and to his feet, Nogueira successfully sunk in the guillotine choke and won the epic battle. An impressive display of ground skill and survivability against a taller, lengthier opponent in Tim Sylvia.

The legacy of Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira continues. He's managed to be one of the only PRIDE fighters to come from the organization who has been successful in the cage. His skills continue to impress even today. His iron chin is legendary, and his jiu-jitsu skills are still dangerous to deal with for anyone. His transition skills are also very good. Moving from the armbar attempt and catching Tim as he tried to escape was quintessential Nogueira.

Marquardt, Almeida, and the rest

Nathan Marquardt showed "Gumby" that strength coupled with great grappling technique still prevails in a matchup of similar styles. Although Jeremy Horn almost pulled off an impressive omoplata on Marquardt at the end of the first round, Marquardt was still much more powerful. He sunk in a guillotine choke from hell on Horn as he tried to takedown Marquardt against the fence. Although I think Marquardt's standup is lacking, he should definitely begin making another run for a title shot.

Ricardo Almeida also won by a guillotine choke against Rob Yundt, a newcomer to the UFC who took the battle on three day's notice. It was an impressive submission due to the transition and quickness that it ended the fight. Almeida needs to prove his mettle against a solid opponent in his next matchup, and I'm sure the UFC will try to capitalize on the Marquardt/Almeida rematch. Both guys were involved in a controversial Pancrase fight that ended with Almeida choking out Marquardt and holding the choke past the tap. The rematch could have fireworks.

Chris Lytle destroyed UFC newcomer Kyle Bradley with huge haymakers and strikes that ended the fight in only :33 seconds. Tim Boetsch surprised many fans by using what looked like Muay Thai skills instead of his bread and butter wrestling skills. Boetsch used timely front kicks, good wrestling, and a sloppy judo throw from hell to demolish David Heath. Boetsch took the fight on a week's notice.

Tyson Griffin defeated Gleison Tibau in another decision win. Griffin had some flashes of knockout brilliance, but Tibau's chin seemed unphased by the shots he was taking. Griffin still managed to dominate Tibau, and didn't let Tibau's takedowns result in any damage. Impressive wrestling skills by Griffin crushed Tibau's chances of getting anything going on the ground.

Rob Emerson somehow managed to defeat a much better fighter than himself. Keita "K-Taro" Nakamura wasn't fighting the right gameplan, and tried to stand with Emerson. Emerson has some much improved standup, and Keita looked terrible in his range fighting. All of his takedowns were nullified by the bell, and he was unable to mount any ground game early in the rounds to set up submission attempts. A terrible gameplan, and it resulted in a big loss to a subpar fighter in Rob Emerson.

In other preliminary action, Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman managed to defeat Terry Martin via decision, putting him on the comeback trail in a division that lacks talent.

Final thoughts

Overall, the event didn't disappoint those fans looking to see technique overcome the adversity that is brought by the massive body types of Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia. They were two exciting fights, and they brought on the feelings of nostalgia to this writer. Frank Mir of old was back in the Octagon again. He took some punishment, and then turned the tides in one foul swoop, catching Lesnar's leg and transitioning to a rare kneebar.

The legacy of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira only increased more with his win over Tim Sylvia. He becomes the first fighter to gain both the PRIDE heavyweight title and UFC heavyweight title. He also showed fans everywhere that his chin is still a rock, and that he should never be counted out of a fight. Couture needs to come out of his cave, man up to the strategist that is "Minotauro", and defend his title. After all, Couture was completely wrong in his prediction of the battle.

Leland Roling is the editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com.