411’s Countdown to UFC 73: Stacked Report 7.06.07

Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.06.2007

The final hype for tomorrow night’s show!

-Dana and Joe hype how this could be the best UFC card ever Dana loves putting on big events and this is one, Two big title bouts, Tito vs. Rashad and the debut of BIG NOG! Joe breaks down the fights as far as importance and feuds. Dana says they all like to finish fight and it will be MADNESS!

Silva vs. Marquardt

-They are both high level and well-rounded fighters. Silva always looks for a knockout. Nate says he hasn't shown all of his skills yet but plans to against Silva. Dana says they both have great tools and this is a dangerous fight for Silva. Silva says he always has to prove himself as the champ. Joe says this is a very deadly fight since Nate is dangerous. Silva discusses that he has to be prepared for al facets of the game.

-Nate has been working a lot of boxing, and Silva says he will not go 5-rounds with him. Joe says Silva is deadly standing, he has it all and is perfectly technical. A level above everyone else. Silva says beating Leben got him the Franklin fight, and I dominated him. He got more responsibilities and trains even harder. Dana says there are no kinks in his armor. He submitted Lutter and proved that. Silva says he is totally ready.

-Nate has it all as well Joe says, a great middleweight and a very tough opponent for Silva. His last fight was against a striker and it was tough due to the last minute change but is ready for this bout. He schooled Dean Lister and that makes him feel like he is prepared here. Joe says he beat top guys and deserves the shot here. This fight will be art.

-We move to see Silva training. They discuss his focus and training regiment. We see his weight training as well as training with bigger guys to improve strength and endurance. He is good on the ground, but just doesn't prefer it. Vitor Belfort discusses his skill. Silva trains like an animal.

-At Nate's camp in New Mexico, high altitude! They run some crazy steps and they run the mountain, torturous. He puts over the team concept and mental training. His coach says Nate pushes really hard, as does his conditioning coaches. He has worked his footwork a lot and stand up, he has great punching power. Couture says Nate could take it to the ground and have a big advantage there. Couture says if he is stuck banging with Silva that's bad news. Joe reiterates this and says he has to go to the ground. Nate will push and push, make it a war and come out on top. Silva respects Nate and anticipates a great fight.

Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca

-A lot of the Sherk stuff is the same from the All Access special, which I reviewed earlier today.

-We see Franca begging for his title shot months ago. Dana says this is a deadly fight no matter where they are, standing or on the ground. They say Sherk is actually 180 walking around, but cuts to 155. Lame. Franca says going to the ground is his home, and he welcomes that. Sherk says he doesn't dance around he fights.

-We see Franca training now. He has his own academy, it is his life. He is there more than at his home. Constant training and it opens his mind better. Franca walked away for a bit in 2005 out of disappointment. His people believed in him and that motivated him to go back and he is glad His students are his family and his motivation. This is huge for him, life changing in fact.

-Dana puts both guys over as great all around fighters. Joe says Franca is an odd fighter in the way he punches, not technical but devastating.

Tito vs. Rashad

-Tito says Rashad is great, he got the best in Rashad for this fight. Couture says this is huge for Rashad. Tito will impose his will and take him out. Joe says Tito wants to hold on and if he loses he is in trouble. Couture says the Tito/Chuck fight showed a new, mature Tito. He got caught going head to head, he should have been smarter. Tito said he could have taken a softer opponent, but refused. Rashad is undefeated and wants the title shot. Tito wants that shot and he will get it after he defeated Rashad. Joe says Tito has experienced it all, victory and defeat.

-Rashad wants to prove himself, because Tito is the best. Couture says Rashad has really improved and shows that every time out. Joe says that he is hot and had learned to finish. Rashad wants this to be exciting, and you cannot discount Tito. He wants to be tested and this is it. Couture says Rashad deserves this fight Tito feels like he might be a stepping stone and wants to prove he isn't. Rashad says Tito tried to get into his head but it didn't work, he will shut him up. Couture says Tito tried to make this emotional, and it may have worked. Joe agrees, it is a mental game as well as a physical one. Rashad has to not get crazy and stay to the plan and use technique. Rashad says he is running his mouth. Tito says he will make Rashad famous.

-Off to BIG BEAR with Tito. He bought De La Hoya's old place, a champion's house. All he did was replace the ring with an Octagon. He has a separate house for his trainers. He stays here for everything. Joe puts over his conditioning and work ethic. We see Tito's wrestling partners from Cal. Tito hopes Rashad tried to kick because he'll eat elbows all night long. Tito is still in his prime and will be here for a long time.

-Rashad trains in New Mexico with Marquardt. He trains very similar to him as well. It all comes down to someone getting their ass beat, and it will not be Rashad.

Herring vs. BIG NOG

-We see clips of NOG in PRIDE. Dana says he is unknown to a lot of UFC fans. Couture says he is awesome in submissions and coming to UFC he wants to show what he is all about. Joe reiterates NASTY submissions.

-Herring is a worthy opponent. He looked great against Imes and they have fought before. Herring wanted the rematch and got it. He wants to beat NOG and badly. Joe says this is big for the division, a nasty fighter.

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