[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Affliction does has an advantage over the UFC as far as putting on a stacked card is concerned, strangely enough. UFC is at a point where they are trying to sustain a year-round sport and put on a good card every month, at least. They've got the names to put together a card this good, but they have to spread the fighters out in order to make each month's fights compelling enough to buy.

Affliction, on the other hand, has nothing to lose by throwing every big name they can sing on one card. They don't have to worry about having enough big names to put on another event after one month.

I like the competition. It's going to force the UFC to work harder, pay fighters more, and have a better product than they would otherwise. Look at the free card for example, this would never have happened if it wasn't for Affliction.

I have to admit my knowledge of the Dream/Asian fighters is not what it should be. I just don't get the opportunity to watch them, as I don't order ppvs. It's hard to justify to the wife buying Dream fights with fighters I don't know when I can go to the casino and watch UFC for free. Other than catching Pride reruns on cable, which tend to feature fighters i already know, I don't hve the exposure I need. Something to work on, I suppose.

[amphibian]

Raymond Luxury Yacht;333764 said:

Affliction does has an advantage over the UFC as far as putting on a stacked card is concerned, strangely enough. UFC is at a point where they are trying to sustain a year-round sport and put on a good card every month, at least. They've got the names to put together a card this good, but they have to spread the fighters out in order to make each month's fights compelling enough to buy.

Affliction, on the other hand, has nothing to lose by throwing every big name they can sing on one card. They don't have to worry about having enough big names to put on another event after one month.

I like the competition. It's going to force the UFC to work harder, pay fighters more, and have a better product than they would otherwise. Look at the free card for example, this would never have happened if it wasn't for Affliction.

I have to admit my knowledge of the Dream/Asian fighters is not what it should be. I just don't get the opportunity to watch them, as I don't order ppvs. It's hard to justify to the wife buying Dream fights with fighters I don't know when I can go to the casino and watch UFC for free. Other than catching Pride reruns on cable, which tend to feature fighters i already know, I don't hve the exposure I need. Something to work on, I suppose.

I know it's not the best way to support the sport, but there's some video blogs out there. That's what I'm using for everything non-UFC.

Why doesn't the UFC put together a searchable video archive of every fight in their history and host it on their site? The initial costs would be considerable, but not only would they be archiving their sport's history, they'd also gain repeat eyeballs and crack some wallets.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

They have that, but it's like 3$ a fight, and it's not a complete archive.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

I just went off on the comment board of mmajunkie.com. It's impossible to actually discuss mma there because all it is is internet tough guys calling each other names. Here's what i posted. I doubt it will help.

"The quality of the comments on this site keep sinking lower and lower, which is a shame because the articles are great. Those of you who log on and do nothing but tell each other "you suck" or "you're gay" or "I could beat your ass" or "if you don't train you are automatically wrong about everything" are keeping this site from being an adult place to have an intelligent conversation about mma. Try and show some class. If you disagree with someone, respectfully tell them so and give your reasons why. If the best reason you have is "you're a douche bag" your argument probably isn't as strong as you think. The general public will continue to see mma as being a sport for meatheads if you, the fans continue to act like it's true. The sad fact is that when I want to have an adult, informed, mature conversation about mma i have to go to the mma thread on theforums of my favorite author, not to a mma site. Grow up.

Of course, if you are one of the people who tries to have intellectual debate and exchange of ideas on this site, I am not speaking to you."

*
*

[paladin]

junkie is great for information and shitty for discussion for sure

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

I haven't checked to see if it got any reaction yet. It's like a high school locker room in there. Not a lot of maturity.

[Pig Iron]

I only read mma.tv, have to check mmajunkie out. Envy you guys who can order the PPVs etc. Europe is so backwaters

@No-God: cool. What team/teacher are you with (if you care to write that on a forum)?

[paladin]

well, you could find a friend in the states with a slingbox. i dont have one though

[Pig Iron]

I get most of them with t**rents anyway, but a couple of days later. The internet is great. Remember when I ordered video-tapes with early UFC, Pride and some Brazilian stuff (BVT I think). Customs loved to add tax on those. (Hm seems like I try to be some old-school guy here, Im not very knowledgeable or anything - obviously - just a fan).

[No-God]

Pig Iron;334291 said:

I only read mma.tv, have to check mmajunkie out. Envy you guys who can order the PPVs etc. Europe is so backwaters

@No-God: cool. What team/teacher are you with (if you care to write that on a forum)?

Gracie Barra (Renato Sobral and Roger Gracie's team). I'm also an affiliate of Marc Laimon, so I'm on good terms with guys like Frank Mir and Kevin Randleman.

[No-God]

Raymond Luxury Yacht;333764 said:

Affliction does has an advantage over the UFC as far as putting on a stacked card is concerned, strangely enough. UFC is at a point where they are trying to sustain a year-round sport and put on a good card every month, at least. They've got the names to put together a card this good, but they have to spread the fighters out in order to make each month's fights compelling enough to buy.

Affliction, on the other hand, has nothing to lose by throwing every big name they can sing on one card. They don't have to worry about having enough big names to put on another event after one month.

I like the competition. It's going to force the UFC to work harder, pay fighters more, and have a better product than they would otherwise. Look at the free card for example, this would never have happened if it wasn't for Affliction.

I have to admit my knowledge of the Dream/Asian fighters is not what it should be. I just don't get the opportunity to watch them, as I don't order ppvs. It's hard to justify to the wife buying Dream fights with fighters I don't know when I can go to the casino and watch UFC for free. Other than catching Pride reruns on cable, which tend to feature fighters i already know, I don't hve the exposure I need. Something to work on, I suppose.

I've been an avid fan of PRIDE since they started, in 1996 (or 1997...). Sherdog.com is usually a great website to learn about MMA in general, let alone Japanese MMA. I actually prefer Japanese MMA, because it has a much better rule system and the fighters tend to be more skilled in one thing (as opposed to being carbon copies of each other - a la wrestler with striking exp).

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

No-God;334540 said:

I've been an avid fan of PRIDE since they started, in 1996 (or 1997...). Sherdog.com is usually a great website to learn about MMA in general, let alone Japanese MMA. I actually prefer Japanese MMA, because it has a much better rule system and the fighters tend to be more skilled in one thing (as opposed to being carbon copies of each other - a la wrestler with striking exp).

Do you compete? I like the old Pride stuff, and I'm sure I would like the Dream fights if I had the chance to watch, but I have a few gripes with Japanese MMA.

First, the ring. I feel it's not well suited for a sport that involves ground fighting. It makes me cringe every time I see someone deliberately slip through the ropes to avoid a submission attempt. It also leads to way too many restarts when the action gets too close to the edge. I've seen a few occasions where a fighter gains an advantage when the ringside guys come up and push on the fighters to keep them in the ring. It's a tradeoff though, visibility for spectators is better, I think.

I also don't like a lot of the matchups. It seems the Japanese often set up mismatched fights, just to see a star win. (Think Fedor vs. the giant Korean.) Or you see guys that aren't nearly as cross-trained as they should be, Kickboxers with no ground game, or BJJ guys with no standup. In some ways, it sometimes reminds me of the early days of the UFC, trying to create a spectacle rather than a legit athletic contest.

Don't think I'm completely bashing them though. There are some great fighters overseas, who i would love to fight over here where I can see them. I'm not saying all of the matchups are bad, some are great. I'm also not saying all the fighters are one dimensional, it just seems like there is a higher percentage. I've seen some great Pride fights and fighters, and the fan support is amazing.

[Pig Iron]

No-God;334537 said:

Gracie Barra (Renato Sobral and Roger Gracie's team). I'm also an affiliate of Marc Laimon, so I'm on good terms with guys like Frank Mir and Kevin Randleman.

Nice. Roger seems incredible. Do you know who he will fight next?

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Kim Couture got her jaw broke in her mma debut. Still went 3 rounds to lose the decision. Damn. I'm impressed.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Free UFC live on spike tonight. Anybody planning on watching?

[No-God]

Pig Iron;334761 said:

Nice. Roger seems incredible. Do you know who he will fight next?

I've heard Fujita's name being thrown around, but that's even less than a rumor right now. I also heard a Roger Gracie vs Hidehiko Yoshida possibility for NYE, but thats also less than a rumor.

I have competed in amateur MMA, but I never went pro. And I probably never will. I do complete in grappling/jiu jitsu competitions though (at a high level).

I see the argument for Japanese MMA. As it were, that is why I love Japanese MMA
From my standpoint, I've fought in a ring and I've fought in a cage, and I would argue that the ring does not affect the fight as much as the cage does. The ring does cause a few restarts, but generally, the ring doesn't help with takedowns like the cage does.

I kind of agree with your comments about the matchups though. They have a history of silly matchups, but on the other hand, they have other fights that the UFC hasn't even come close to matching (Silva/Arona II, Fedor/CroCop, Gomi/Kawajiri).

I also agree that they're less well-rounded than UFC fighters, but I would argue that they are better fighters overall. I realise all mediocre UFC fighters are well rounded in everything, but not amazing at anything. But if you look at the best fighters in the world, they're well versed in everything, but they've mastered something. Both Silvas (Anderson and Wanderlei), Arona, Nogueria, Sherk, Vitor Ribiero, Ronaldo Souza dos Santos, etc. Occasionally, you get someone who has mastered everything (BJ Penn, GSP, Fedor), but that's few and far between.

I would argue that, if you threw Ricardo Arona, one of the absolute best grapplers in MMA and the world, against somebody who is well-rounded, like Jardine, Arona would maul him. His mastery in one art would allow him to outclass his opponent in the theatre he wants. A jack of all trades doesn't have the skill in any of them to control where the fight goes. He only has the skills to fight in any theatre of fighting.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

No-God;336025 said:

I've heard Fujita's name being thrown around, but that's even less than a rumor right now. I also heard a Roger Gracie vs Hidehiko Yoshida possibility for NYE, but thats also less than a rumor.

I have competed in amateur MMA, but I never went pro. And I probably never will. I do complete in grappling/jiu jitsu competitions though (at a high level).

I see the argument for Japanese MMA. As it were, that is why I love Japanese MMA
From my standpoint, I've fought in a ring and I've fought in a cage, and I would argue that the ring does not affect the fight as much as the cage does. The ring does cause a few restarts, but generally, the ring doesn't help with takedowns like the cage does.

I kind of agree with your comments about the matchups though. They have a history of silly matchups, but on the other hand, they have other fights that the UFC hasn't even come close to matching (Silva/Arona II, Fedor/CroCop, Gomi/Kawajiri).

I also agree that they're less well-rounded than UFC fighters, but I would argue that they are better fighters overall. I realise all mediocre UFC fighters are well rounded in everything, but not amazing at anything. But if you look at the best fighters in the world, they're well versed in everything, but they've mastered something. Both Silvas (Anderson and Wanderlei), Arona, Nogueria, Sherk, Vitor Ribiero, Ronaldo Souza dos Santos, etc. Occasionally, you get someone who has mastered everything (BJ Penn, GSP, Fedor), but that's few and far between.

I would argue that, if you threw Ricardo Arona, one of the absolute best grapplers in MMA and the world, against somebody who is well-rounded, like Jardine, Arona would maul him. His mastery in one art would allow him to outclass his opponent in the theatre he wants. A jack of all trades doesn't have the skill in any of them to control where the fight goes. He only has the skills to fight in any theatre of fighting.

Hmmm. Somehow we're taking different sides of the argument, but still agreeing on everything! Well said.

Is Jardine well-rounded though? I don't remember much from his season of TUF, and his UFC fights typically are all standup, at least until someone gets KOd. What's his grappling background?

[No-God]

If I'm not mistaken, Jardine has a strong wrestling background (like many American fighters do). I'm not sure if it's a particularly good wrestling background, but apparently he's decent at it. Kind of like Chuck Liddell - he has a wrestling background as well, but you'd never know it except for his standups.

Jardine was just an example, though. I'm not a very big fan of his, but if I'm not mistaken, he fits the classic example of what I mean.

[amphibian]

No-God;336025 said:

I would argue that, if you threw Ricardo Arona, one of the absolute best grapplers in MMA and the world, against somebody who is well-rounded, like Jardine, Arona would maul him. His mastery in one art would allow him to outclass his opponent in the theatre he wants. A jack of all trades doesn't have the skill in any of them to control where the fight goes. He only has the skills to fight in any theatre of fighting.

You have to be very good at one other phase of the game in order to beat a jack of all trades. Using your Arona example, he'd have to take Jardine down to get him on the ground to put the fight on his terms. If Jardine's takedown defense is consistently better than Arona's takedowns, he might be able to finish it standing or take the win on points.

Randy Couture is a great example of someone in between the jack and the master. He wants the fight to move into situations where he's better than the opponent (usually clinch and g'n'p) and he's good enough in his weaker areas that he can actually push the fight there.

I'm a fan of the cage - even if it's completely decimated CroCop's game.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

No-God;336059 said:

Jardine was just an example, though. I'm not a very big fan of his, but if I'm not mistaken, he fits the classic example of what I mean.

Yeah, I wasn't disputing your point, I was just curious about where jardine came from style-wise.

@amphibian: It's no one fault but his own that the cage hurt CroCop. He admitted that he never trained with a cage before entering the UFC, as he didn't think it make much of a difference. Wrong. If he comes back, which he said he will, I expect him to fix that. Proble with CroCop is though, he's one of the old school guys with one dominant style. His takedown defense isn't what it needs to be, and his groundgame is not too impressive. I think he has submitted people before, but on the bottom he typically looks like he's just trying to hold on and avoid damage and hop for a restart. A sprawl and brawl fighter has to have a good sprawl, and be able to get back up if taken down.

Rumor has it if Anderson Silva is successful in his LHW debut, there might be a Silva/Liddell fight in the works. If so, I predict one of the most successful UFC PPVs ever. I would love to see that fight.