The Sunday Sprawl 8.31.08: Volume 13 - UFC 88 Preview
Posted by Alex Mattis on 08.31.2008
For lucky #13 a in-depth look at the headlining fights of UFC 88: Breakthrough. Can Liddell end Rashad's streak? How will Rich do at 205 this time around? A look at those questions and more on this weeks edition of "The Sunday Sprawl!"
UFC 88 is just around the corner, and after the event questions will be answered and some serious threats to the light heavy weight title will be evident. In this week's edition of The 'Sprawl we'll take a look at the main two fights of the event, and I'll give my picks for the rest of the card. Well, there's no time like the present... so let's get down to it!
It's the biggest star in the history of the sport looking to put the first blemish on the TUF 2 winner's record. Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans prepare to engage in a war that could very well determine the first opponent to Forrest Griffin's newly acquired title. Chuck is looking to prove that he is still Chuck and still has what it takes to be the top guy in the division, while Evans is looking to cement his spot as one of the best at 205 and beating Liddell is surly a way to do that. Last time we saw Chuck Liddell in the octagon he was in one of the greatest wars that the UFC has ever seen when he defeated Wanderlei Silva by decision. It was safe to say that he was back on the winning trail. Last time we saw Rashad Evans handed Michael Bisping his first loss. Prior to that he had battle Tito Ortiz to a draw. It's safe to say that Rashad Evans is on a hot streak. Both men will come into this fight with great confidence and a great desire to dispose of the other. I don't really see this fight going the distance, but I can see this one being a war for as long as it lasts.
It's arguable that a title shot is up for grabs in this one. Many think that the UFC may make Chuck the #1 contender is he is to convincingly put Rashad away. Evans would be boosted to the next level if he is able to put the legend away. Evans may be riding into this fight with a bit too much confidence. Coming in with his undefeated streak and coming in from the camp that holds a victory over the "Iceman." Greg Jackson & Co. showed that they are capable of creating a game plan that can defeat Chuck. But that loss to Jardine tough Liddell the lesson that he can not over look any fighters and that he has to be able to adjust to whatever a fight brings. I saw Josh Thompson on Inside MMA talking about the fight and he felt that Rashad may bring in the same game plan as Keith and that that would be the worst possible thing to do for Evans. Josh said that if "Sugar" were to do that, then it's going to be a long night for him and his camp. On the other hand, Rashad's striking isn't as powerful as Jardine so he may want to implement his wrestling game and try to take it to the ground. I'm not sure how successful that is going to be against Chuck. Tito Ortiz was also on the show and stated that Liddell is just a bad match up for Rashad and that "Sugar" is going to get KO'd. I have to agree. Other than Lay N' Pray I don't see a way that Evans can win this fight. So I'm gonna have to give this one to the "Iceman."
Rich Franklin is undoubtedly one of the best Middleweights in the world, he has beaten all those that the UFC has put in front of him expect of course Anderson Silva. Rich can take out the best of them, but when put against Silva, he is wilted. Rich's last fight against Travis Lutter displayed just how dominant he can be. Now he is once again going to test the 205 waters. He's been there before and had great luck. His KO of Ken Shamrock is one of the fights that put Rich on the map. I think 205 may be a great fit for Rich. He is just a physically large as a light heavy weight, in fact he is larger than Rashad Evans, and this won't have him straining as much to cut the weight. I believe that Franklin could become a top dog once in the light heavy weight division, but his entry way into the division isn't going to be easy at all. Matt Hamill is an animal. A big, incredibly power, rape-choke applying animal. He is one of those guys who has truly turned himself into a MMA fighter. Granted he still goes back to his wrestling roots, but he striking has improved greatly and he is turning into an all-around solid competitor. He showed great strength, toughness, and conditioning with his last victory over Tim Boetsch. He beat Michael Bisping, I still don't care what anybody says, and other than that he has looked very convincing in all his victories. If Hamill were to upset Rich here it could definitely boost him into to upper-elite of the LHW world.
I'm pretty sure we can all predict what each man's game plan is going to be coming into this fight. We all know Rich will want to keep it standing and do what he does best. Hamill may want to come out and shoot, attempt to use his strength and fantastic wrestling skills. Now Rich is no slouch on the ground and Matt has shown great progress with improved striking. So this could turn out to be a very interesting/exciting fight. I think Hamill will bring his A-game, and Franklin always comes to win every second of every fight he can. This should be a great fight for the fans to watch, and an important fight for the potential future of the division. Now comes the hard part, picking a winner. I think this fight may be closer than many think, and it comes down to where fight takes place. While I think Hamill could present issues for Rich on the ground, I think Rich will be able to keep on the feet long enough to win the fight.
...And my predictions for the rest of the card:
Karo Parisyan Vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida Dan Henderson Vs. Rousimar Palhares
Martin Kampmann Vs. Nate Marquardt
Thiago Tavares Vs. Kurt Pellegrino Tim Boetsch Vs. Michael Patt Dong Hyun Kim Vs. Matt Brown
Jason Lambert Vs. Jason MacDonald Roan Carneiro Vs. Ryo Chonan
And that's a wrap for me this week.
Remember feedback, as always, is welcome at slash_632@hotmail.com.
See you right back here next week with all of the fall-out from the event.
