The Sunday Sprawl 8.09.08: Volume 11 - UFC 87
Posted by Alex Mattis on 08.10.2008
GSP still on top, Lesnar may be on his way there, and Huerta's trip has been cut short. Come on in for a look at the main card of UFC 87.
I come to you a humbled man. Not only were my predictions God awful wrong, but three men that I hate to see lose... lost. Putting all my personal feelings aside this was an excellent show with plenty of good fights. For this week's edition of "The Sunday Sprawl" I'm going to take and in-depth look at the main card of the event.
Damien Maia Vs. Jason MacDonald
Winner: Damien Maia via RD3 (2:44) Submission:
What an awesome jiu-jitsu battle this one turned out to be. Joe Rogan was right when he called this fight a chess match, that's really what it was. Both men made the right moves at certain times, both men had each other in trouble at certain points, and the victory didn't come until one man made a mistake. The first round of this fight was a ton of fun to watch. I was shocked when MacDonald slipped out of that triangle choke, that thing was deep. He came back and put Maia in a bit of trouble. The 2nd round was more of the same, good jiu-jitsu. Then in the 3rd MacDonald made the mistake and got choked out. This was an impressive performance from both fighters but Maia looked great and I think he has the potential to become a top player in the middle weight division.
Kenny Florian Vs. Roger Huerta
Winner: Kenny Florian via Unanimous Decision:
"He's like Machida, but I hate his fucking guts." Fellow Triple Threater Zach Brown leaned over and muttered this to me as the 3rd round of the Huerta-Florian drew near to a close. It's a true statement. While I can't stand Kenny, he was very smart and tactical in this fight. So much so that I think he dominated the fight with the pace he choose and showed that he is one of the top lightweights in the UFC. Huerta put up a fight and tried to do what he does best but Florian wouldn't let him get anything off. The fight was exciting, but not as good as I was expecting. I think Huerta will one day be at the top of the lightweight heap, but he needs to look at this fight and figure out what adjustments and improvements he needs to make. As for Florian a title shot may be in the future for him, but I don't think he is ready for BJ. I think another fight under a top opponent is in store for Kenny before he can start thinking of a title shot.
Manny Gamburyan Vs. Rob Emerson
Winner: Rob Emerson via RD1 (0:12) TKO:
Words can't describe how happy this fight made me. As I made mention of before I was watching this event with fellow columnist Zach Brown. Zach has been on the Manny War Wagon ever since TUF 5. We still get in debates about whether or not Nate Diaz would have won had it not been for Manny's injury. Anyway, I have always told Zach that I think Manny is overrated and hyped himself up too much. So going into this one Zach was talking about how Emerson was going to get murdered, then 12 seconds later Zach sat there with a stunned look on his face as I shoved my middle finger into his face while chanting "Overrated! (clap*clap*clap-clap-clap*)" Awesome KO from Rob and a chance to shine blown by Manny. This KO almost made up for my entire night of heartbreak.
Brock Lesnar Vs. Heath Herring
Winner: Brock Lesnar via Unanimous Decision:
This was hard to watch. I knew it was going to be bad when Herring wouldn't even look Brock in the eye at the stare down. Someone who left me feedback last week predicted Lesnar by lay n' pray, I honestly didn't think Brock would use that strategy... well I was wrong. Brock nailed Heath with a massive shot that rocked him, but other than that didn't really look to finish. He did show so nice ground n' pound and put his strength on display. Going into this fight I told people that I would be 10x more impressed if Brock beat Heath than if he had defeated Mir. Well consider me impressed. Heath tried to do what he could and showed the heart he has come to be known for but he was over powered and pretty much over matched. Brock Lesnar is a money hungry, selfish asshole but he's an extremely talented money hungry, selfish asshole. I think this freak of nature surely has a future in the sport of MMA, but only against the right opponents. Against the likes of Nog, Werdum, etc Brock would be wilted. Oh, and I just want to send a genuine Fuck You out to Brock for the disrespect he showed Heath at the end of the fight. You beat the man decisively you don't have to mock him and make fun of his heritage. Who the fuck you think you are? Tito? Fuck you Brock, fuck you.
UFC Welterweight Title Bout: Georges St. Pierre Vs. Jon Fitch
Winner: Georges St. Pierre via Unanimous Decision:
The main event lived up to its potential and showed that GSP is truly the top welterweight in the world and that Jon Fitch is one of the toughest guys in all of MMA. This was a title fight in every sense, the fight went the distance and the men left everything that had in the octagon. St. Pierre had more trouble with Fitch than any other opponent he has faced since his loss to Serra and even dropped a round to Jon. Fitch should really be applauded for the effort he put in, saying that GSP looked great and answered any of the doubts I have written about him. Fitch will have to start back on square one and work his way back to the top. It's hard to tell where GSP goes from here, he just beat the undisputed #2 in the welterweight division and has a small pool of challengers to work with. Perhaps the winner of Thiago Silva-Diego Sanchez could get a crack, but I and many others would like to see the BJ Penn-GSP rematch for some welterweight gold.
Well, that's all for me this week.
Remember feedback, as always, is welcome at slash_632@hotmail.com.
Totally agree with Brock's classless antics at the end of the fight. I can't wait for a guy like Cain or Shane Carwin to humble him (similar type fighters) as guys like Werdum and Nog will eat the big dumbass alive.
Posted By: Jay (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 08:13 PM
"Oh, and I just want to send a genuine Fuck You out to Brock for the disrespect he showed Heath at the end of the fight. You beat the man decisively you don't have to mock him and make fun of his heritage. Who the fuck you think you are? Tito? Fuck you Brock, fuck you."
lol @ people getting their panties in a bunch over this.
Posted By: Guest#4661 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Oh, and I just want to send a genuine Fuck You out to Brock for the disrespect he showed Heath at the end of the fight. You beat the man decisively you don't have to mock him and make fun of his heritage. Who the fuck you think you are? Tito? Fuck you Brock, fuck you. Damn sounds like you want his Texas Steer right up your ass
Posted By: Guest#1269 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Brock didn't want to win by submission, he wanted to send a message to the rest of the UFC: "Here comes the pain." He did just that, too. There's a good reason Herring wouldn't look Lesnar in the eye after the smack he talked about putting the nail in Lesnar's coffin. You think that doesn't motivate Lesnar? You could see it in Lesnar's face that he was there to hurt Herring and he did just that. I'll give Herring props for not quiting as some of those knees on the ground by Lesnar would have made 99.999% of the men in this world cry for their mama to come save them.
Posted By: King Durin (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
i say FUCK YOU ALEX.
Brock Lesnar is nothing but humble and confident.
Brock didnt mock or make his first opponent look like an ass, he was professional.
Heath Herring talked so much shit up to the fight. the only thing Brock said is that it is goin to be a good fight.
Herring is a cocky fucker, "Oh ive fought bigger wrestlers then this guy" yea and he probably lost.
Herring deserves to be made an ass of. and what Brock did was epic. ESPECIALLY at the end of the first round when he pushed Herring.
Heath Herring is a little BITCH!
And as for you Alex, do your research before you talk shit.
Posted By: illMakeYouTap18 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I completely agree. Lesnar has zero class. For a guy that could easily be the new face of the UFC, he certainly didn't act like it. I was hoping Joe Rogan would smack him for stealing the mic, LOL!
Posted By: Guest#5734 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 10:11 PM
illMakeYouTap18:
Research? Do your's buddy.
-Lesnar talked plenty of shit leading into his fight with Mir. "So he broke Tim Sylvia's arm. Who cares?" Remember that quote?
-You know why Lesnar didn't mock Frank Mir? Because he mad a dumbass rookie mistake and got submitted.
-Heath didn't talk intense shit. He stated facts. He had fought similar wrestlers, he does have more experience, and if Lesnar would have lost it could have been an end to his UFC run.
-Epic? What a big right hand then lan n' pray? If that was epic then what Fedor did to Tim Syliva must be Biblical.
-Herring is no bitch, he's one of the most game fighters around, he just was over matched and overpowered.
-I gave Lesnar his props for being a beast, I'm just saying that he didn't have to be such a cock after the fight. But then again anyone who has followed his career should know that he's a prick and should have expected stuff like this.
-Alex
Posted By: Alex Mattis (Registered) on August 10, 2008 at 10:22 PM
"St. Pierre had more trouble with Fitch than any other opponent he has faced since his loss to Serra and even dropped a round to Jon."
Jon was definately tough, and put up one helluva match. But GSP won the fight 50-43, 50-44, 50-44. He didn't drop a round to Fitch
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Alex:
As a matter of fact. i dont recall ever hearing Lesnar say that. And yes he did make a rookie mistake. To be honest, i dont Lesnar is a good fighter at all. He has a shit load to learn, i could probably beat him at Jiu-Jitsu and im 5'10" at 162. But he knows where hes at and he knows not underestimate anyone and at the same time hes gonna talk but not as much as Herring did before this fight. Frank Mir was also gettin dominated 99.9% of that fight.
and yea if you do follow his career back to WWE he was a prick. and sorry to break it to you, wrestling is fake and its all a character.
conclusion, im just glad Herring was made a fool out of.
Posted By: illMakeYouTap18 (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 01:02 AM
and by first opponent i meant Min Soo Kim.
Posted By: illMakeYouTap18 (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 01:38 AM
Alex,
Don't be such a mark. He put on a show, popped the crowd and played it for all it's worth. He's making himself into a star and he's making UFC a ton of bank by doing it. As for Lay N' Pray... Tell Matt Serra that GSP stopped him with Lay N' Pray.
The fact is, Brock fought one of the top Heavy Weights in the world and physically embarrassed him. Heath is a tough, tough bastard. If the Brock that fought Heath had fought Mir, Brock would be "coaching" TUF with Heath Herring this season. Because Mir's ribs would be pulverized by the BRUTAL knees Brock was hitting Heath with.
Brock is improving like any gifted individual does only he's also one of the most physically gifted men in the world as well. So a guy who doesn't know how to put in hooks and is just learning a guillotine and a rear naked still decimated Heath Herring.
People said he was having trouble at 1:30 into the fight with Mir. That he didn't have the gas. Well, tell Heath Herring that Brock Lesnar is gonna gas out on him, wait it out and he'll have an easy round 2.
Nobody hates Koscheck as much as I do and you'll not find a man who's quicker to criticize his early LNP snooze fests, but you also have to realize that now he's an accomplished, well rounded fighter who demands respect. I still hate him, but he's good.
Brock in his third fight nearly knocked out the guy who was BEGGING Brock to stand with him. He mashed his face into a thick paste. Remember Koscheck's fight with Diego? Kos tried to lay and pray and his face was more purple than Barney. Brock looked unblemished.
If you hate Brock so much, do yourself a favor and don't buy into the act. You really want to hurt him, ignore him.
Oh, sorry, I guess you probably can't. But good luck trying.
-Mike
Posted By: RanmaSolo (Registered) on August 11, 2008 at 07:35 AM
" Pierre had more trouble with Fitch than any other opponent he has faced since his loss to Serra and even dropped a round to Jon."
Really? Because i could have sworn the judges scored it 50-43 50-44 (twice) for St.Pierre... If YOU thought Fitch took the second round then you could have simply said "in my opinion".
Posted By: Samer (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Thiago Alves not Thiago Silva, just to pile on.
Posted By: Guest#5631 (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Alex, nice article and nice non-biased reporting, don't quit your day job!
Posted By: Colin (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM
"Oh, and I just want to send a genuine Fuck You out to Brock for the disrespect he showed Heath at the end of the fight. You beat the man decisively you don't have to mock him and make fun of his heritage. Who the fuck you think you are? Tito? Fuck you Brock, fuck you"
CONGRATULATIONS to make yourself look like a GENIUNE TOOL and GIANT FOOL with this MMA Groupie Fan Boy statement .
Should I REMIND YOU how HERRING Treated Brock like a PIECE OF SHIT BEFORE the FIGHT ?
How he totally disrespected him and trashed talked him ?
So Herring mocks his opponent and treats him like SHIT It's NORMAL and when Brock responded to it by totally EMBARASSING him to DEATH it's a "shame"?
Lesnar did THE RIGHT THING and he was way TOO NICE doing so .
If I was Brock I would have totally mock Herring to death forever for long long long minutes to come .
Oh wait he made a mockery of him by totally ass raping him for 15 pure minutes of MMA greatness .
Keep crying Herring groupie, Here comes THE PAIN for the Texas Gay Lousy Horse IMO
Posted By: Guest#6242 (Guest) on August 11, 2008 at 10:45 AM
RanmaSolo:
I'm giving the man props for his physical gifts, and I understand that he could be a dominant force.
Guest#5631:
Thanks for the correction. I suppose I had Machida on the brain and got my Thiago's messed up.
Samer:
Yes, I should have elaborated and said that in MY OPINION Fitch took the 2nd round.
Colin:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the point of having a column was to express opinion's. If I was writing a news article you claim to me being too bias may be relevant.
Guest#6242:
I'm not even that big of a Herring fan, and I'm not all heartbroken that he lost. He got his ass whopped and I know that. I don't remember too much slander coming from Herring before the fight.
-Alex
Posted By: Alex Mattis (Registered) on August 11, 2008 at 12:48 PM
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