UFC 93 - Irish fight night

Last night was dominated by 3 things, judges, fights lasting the distance and cardio.
Shogun Coleman fight was a bit of a none starter! Not sure if cardio was the real issue or the fact neither fighter had fought in over a year.
Coleman looks dead on his feet from the 3rd minute of the fight, Shogan didn't last much longer, the fact it went to the 3rd and a half job upper cut finishing the match for a TKO for Shogun proved two things, cutting weight @ 44 isnt right or easy. 2nd thing Shogun is not the fighter he once was. One to miss if you missed the fight last night! If I were Coleman i'd retire now, it was almost embarrassing watching the hall of famer in action.

Palhares looked good until his cardio/fitness took over, he struggled to put Horn away when he had his back five plus times, with experience Horn knew he would have to tuck in and take a beating. There is no doubting Palhares' abilities and could be a real force but has to improve his cardio.

Denis Kang's debut disappointed, although dominating stand up and on the matt, he lost by tapping from a fairly deep guillotine choke, the octagon debut often has that effect on new fighters to UFC but someone of Kang's abilites and eros you would have expected better, again you have to give it to Alan Belcher for his submission victory.

The slog fest that was Davis Lytle did not disappoint! Davis won the fight, his boxing was of a higher class and standard, if it went to the ground which both fighters swear they would not and credit it did not I think Lytle would have taken the victory. The Dublin crowd reaction to The Irish Hand Grenade was awesome.

Henderson Franklin fight was one for the technical fan, I would score it a draw but Henderson did land some bombs, Franklin landing good kicks which in my opinion should score higher then throwing a throwing over hand right. Good win for Hendo nevertheless - he will now coach Team USA against UK finest Michael Bisping selected fighters. I predict now Team USA will win hands down.
I think if Henderson beats Bisping he will close to another title shot.... unsuccessful in my opinion as there are too many diverse fighters in front of him.

All in all not a bad fight card and some promising results... the next forthnight will waiting for UFC 94 BJ Penn Vs GSP, the hype is amazing, the fight will be a classic and a fight literally which has all MMA fans excited.

Danny Denhard

UFC 92 predicitons

My UFC 92 predictions

• Evans will be crowned champion, he has shown in this last handful of fights, he plans each fight from the first punch to the last, Griffin's never say die attitude won't be enough to break down Evans. Rampage should have beaten him in the last fight. Evans might wrap up this fight in a couple of rounds. 
  
• Nogueira will beat Mir, Nogueira will either knock him down (Nog stand up is far better than Mir) and he will ground Mir down. It wouldn't surprise me if Nog makes Mir tap as Mir has been far too outspoken and Nog's ground game is sick. Nogueria win will line up a very interesting fight between Lesnar and him.  
  
• Rampage has to step up and beat the axe murder, Rampage has already lost twice to Silva in Pride and he will be back to his best otherwise he might find himself right down the pecking order. KO early for Rampage. His training has increased and improved 5 fold since Pride. The only way I see Quinton losing this fight is if he has lost the fight in his head already. 
  
• Kongo ever improving will have to stop the new comer Al Turk from trying to take him down. Kongo is well known for his take down defence, I think Kongo will win by KO or  ground and pound. New comers never have the greatest first night in the Octagon! Nerves and skills will win tonight. I think if he wins he has to get the winner of Nogueria/Mir and Lesnar. Dana White good luck saying no this time. 
• Matt Hamill back from his lose to his mate Rich Franklin and will overcome Reese, Hamill TKO.  

Off the main card 

• Closest fight for me to call, but Ryo win after 3  
  
• Evensen will be too big and too strong - although his lose to Kongo might be in the back of his head.
• CB looks too strong  
• Okami another ground and pound win
• Hardonk KO.

http://uk.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.fightCard&eid=1783 

 

Danny Denhard

Thought of the day 23/12/08

Thought of the day
2 days and counting to xmas, 3 days and counting to xmas football, 5 days and counting to UFC 92, 8 days until New Years......

Danny Denhard

My Top Five fighters in UFC

5. Raschad Evans aka Sugar - After his win over Chuck, sorry massive KO, he made people stand and notice. He is a bad dude as Joe Rogan would say and don't be surprised if he has a tight game plan and win's the title again Forrest at Ultimate 2008.
4. Thiago Alves aka "the pitbull" - the hottest talent in the UFC at the moment, his clinical win over Koscheck was top notch. His knock power and leg kicks will stop anyone. Definitely the next big thing!
3. Georges St-Pierre aka Rush aka GSP - since his last lose, he has been amazing. His recent wins have been so professional! Even has the American crowd chanting his name over U-S-A.
2. BJ Penn aka "the prodigy" - This is quite possibly the most charismatic fighter in the UFC. I think he could defeat GSP @ UFC 94. If his conditioning is right, then this could be the hardest fight for him.
1. Anderson Spider Silva - truly is greatest pound for pound fighter in the UFC. His stand up is amazing and his ground game is so under estimated, he will blow away anyone in his way!

Danny Denhard