Kalib's Statement

I'm pretty much indifferent here on this situation still. It was a bad performance and that's all there is to it.

Also, Hughes is fighting Alves on the UFC 85 card now. He says win or lose, he'll still be fighting Serra next. That card will be free on Spike now as well.

That statement is laughable. He lost all credibility here -



If this is one of the reasons why he thinks he deserves more money, he's out to lunch. Even if some consider Leben one of the top of the UFC's MW division, it's only because it's a piss poor division and lacks depth.

And how about this -



Orly???

nice

Dangerous fight for Hughes

Where are you seeing that it's free?
UFC.com has not updated it on the "Events" link at least

I'd pay for it; but what a fantasic card for free.
I'm looking forward to Kappman v Conquistador (and a host of other fights, obv) - give more visibility to potential MW eventual contender challengers

UFC made Irvin vs. Evans, Leben vs. Bisping, and Hughes vs. Alves official. Throw in Davis/Swick and Vera/Werdum and now this card is totally loaded. Rivera/Kampmann and Marquardt/Leites are preshow. I'd be pretty surprised if this ended up on Spike, but that would be totally awesome.


TFN posted something today, but said the UFC announced it would be on Spike.
http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=7007

Where did you see this? On the press release of the Hughes/Alves fight on there website is says ppv in north america.

I'm really looking forward to upcoming fights in the future. Can't wait until the next UFC on May 24th? Pretty sure that's when it is. I'm going to that one for sure. Stacked card.

No need to comment on the last UFC too much. Everything has already been said.

The one fight that shocked the hell out of me was Lutter vs Franklin.

I had no action on any of these fights.

But after watching the countdown show, I felt sick to my stomach for not betting on Lutter. And I would have bet huge.

I just don't get him at all. He had Silva mounted and Franklin mounted and couldn't finish the job. And everyone in the UFC talks about his legenday BJJ skills.

It's funny, in the old days if you were mounted that was it. I remember when Mario Sperrry got out of mount and everyone went crazy. Like someone got knocked out and then did a back flip to land a kick and knock someone else out at the same time. Obv exaggerating.

I know that people have much better submission defense these days, but it just seems like that guys blows the most dominant positions EVERY time. What's even more disturbing. He has NO cardio. Does he just not train for fights. I don't get it.

Ok, looking forward to the next UFC..........

I remember reading it from several places that it was going to be free on Spike, but I'm beginning to doubt that it will be after taking a look at the updated card. It seems pretty stacked.

This is the rumoured card right now.

1) Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves

2) Fabricio Werdum vs. Brandon vera

3) Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben

4) Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick

5) Rashad Evans vs. James Irvin

6) Nathan Marquardt vs. Thales Leitas

7) Martin Kampmann vs. Jorge Rivera

8) Ryo Chonan vs. Roan Carneiro

9) Matt Wiman vs. Thiago Tavares

10) Jason Lambert vs. Luiz Cane

11) Antoni Hardonk vs. Neil Wain

12) Jess Liaudin vs. Paul Taylor

I totally agree.
The evolution of MMA has been intersting in several aspects, one being the battle of offensive skill set vs strength, conditioning and defense.
Once a person has basic defensive skills for the ground game (including TD defense), it becomes a striking and conditioning war of attrition.
OTOH, with litte skills in ground game vs a legit BJJ fighter, then skill often wins. See Lesner vs Mir

finally if your skill set is generally decent but not world class and your not Tony Atlas, you better have heart and a good chin. See Chris Leben

I hated Leben after TUF but he has deffinatly grown on me as a fighter. Throws bombs and takes bombs. I give him a decent shot against Bisbing but he could get KTFO in 15 seconds aswell. Actually his grappling has come along.

Leben started as a grappler. He just happened to have really heavy hands. I honestly don't see Bisping knocking him out. Technically, I think Bisping is a better fighter, but I think Chris has more heart and a hell of a chin. I'm curious to see what the line is on that fight.

I would love to see Chris training with someone like GSP or BJ Penn. I think he has a lot of tools to work with. And yes I know that he is a middleweight while the other two are welter and light respectively.

This would be a huge gift if it was free. Honestly, after the last PPV with Starnes's (and McCarthy's somewhat) performance it would not completely shock me to see Dana give this one to us, but I still think it is a bit of wishful thinking.

This card is THAT good I wish it was in Vegas. I need a better excuse than craps to get out there. One fight on the entire card that is meh to me and that's just because I know nothing about Neil Wain and Hardonk just doesn't do it for me.

I think he'll have better grappling than Bisping and certainly more power standing. He did a real nice job on his back against Starnes who's a black belt. Bisping has better technique standing, but I think he can only win this fight by decision, because Leben's got a real good chin and Bisping doesn't have a ton of power behind his strikes. It'll be an interesting fight and I think it's an even match-up. I would pick Leben, because he has the power to end the fight with 1 shot, whereas Bisping almost has to fight a perfect fight to win. I think Bisping will open as a slight favourite, probably around -140 ish.

A bit pre-mature, but are you interested in making a wager on this fight? I'll take Bisping at even if you'd like. Nothing huge, but for $10-$20.

I get first dibs if boogie turns it down. Stars transfer is the only way I could do it.

Go for it.

If that is the line I am staying away. I think with Bisbing popularity and record I think he will probally be in the -200 range. Leben always looks so small against his 185 competition. If he loses this he should consider 170 imo.

Here's another link to a post Kalib made on another site. It's a better explanation of the situation, so have a read.

Kalib Starnes Post

I saw that there today. That thread was getting out of control, so they locked it up before it got way too out of control.

On the 84 vid on ufc.com
Tito: "I think my standup is a lot better than his"..............

Hey, I'm a Tito fan, but......... this guys a ninja...

This fight really has the potential to be up there with Starnes/Quarry. Both guys have been know to lay and pray for the win, or at least do what it takes to win, and that's it. Both guys have sub par stand up (Machida is no Cung Le). Style wise, I thinks it's gonna suck. That's probably why the UFC did it.....a nice parting gift for Tito.

I hope it's a good fight though.

Machida's standup is more solid than Chuck's is. They both are counter punchers, but Machida just doesn't have the raw power of Chuck. It certainly won't be a Starnes/Quarry. Neither guy will be running.

There certainly may be some lay and pray, but if both are healthy I expect to see some fireworks. I certainly don't expect anything less from Machida and I think Tito has too much pride to put in anything less than 100%.

edit: certainly

See the UFC fired Travis Lutter aswell. Funny if Franklin didnt slip out of that armbar he would probally fighting Silva in the fall instead of looking for work.

patience will pay off.
from May 24th to July 5th there are 7 MMA events, 3 are UFCs. + 1 TUF final

Pulver vs Faber too.

CBS debut of Kimbo

Every time I hear this guy talk or read something he posts, I'm more convinced that he doesn't belong in the world of professional MMA fighting.

I am actually thinking that Tito is a good bet in this fight. I just read that he is at +170.

Machida's standup is definitely solid (he did KO Franklin) and I think he trains with Anderson Silva, but the fact that there may be some lay 'n' pray seems a reason for Tito to be a good bet. I think when Tito gets the worst of it standing he will take it down. We saw Machida get taken down by Sokoudjou and I don't think his takedown defense is that good. Obviously Sokoudjou is a judo practitioner, but even when he fought BJ Penn, BJ was able to take him down.

I think Tito can probably take him down and hold him down, even though Machida's BJJ is good (that sweep he performed on Sokoudjou was nice). Also, after looking at Machida's record on Sherdog, I don't see any fights where he has been up against a wrestler.

Thoughts?

Joe Rogan asking Kalib Starnes about his latest injury ...

The closest guy that fit's the wrestler bill would be Sokoudjou. He does train with all of the wrestling guys, and obviously his takedowns are good. I just don't think Sok had any idea what to do when the fight got to the ground. I guess all he is good at is crazy one punch knockouts.

I totally agree that Tito is a good bet. If it gets to the ground, I definitely think he has the advantage. I'm not sold on Machida having great standup. Maybe a good tactical/counterpunch striker, but he's not great at all. He also looked gassed in his last fight, so that could be an advantage for Tito as well.

Right, but I think Tito is a better technical wrestler than Sokoudjou. I don't think Machida will be able to sweep him nearly as easily as he did Sokoudjou. He definitely looked tired during round 2 against Sokoudjou. I think that is maybe because he is a bit small for 205, but I'm not sure. In any case, I also don't think he is going to be nearly as strong as Tito and is going to have a tough time getting up if Tito puts him on his back.

In regards to Machida's standup, I think it is definitely good. It's not great though, I can name several guys at 205 with more power behind their punches and a few guys at 205 who seem more technical. I actually think Sokoudjou's standup is better than Machida's. He is powerful and has awesome kicks, but the guy needs desperately to work on his juijitsu.

One thing worth mentioning as well is that Machida had Sokoudjou in mount and couldn't finish him with punches. I think Tito wins by UD.

I would give anyone +200 and Tito...

PM if interested.

I'll give you +200 if you put your shirt back on and have Jessica take hers back off.

I disagree, twelve years of TKD and his dad is some sort of Sensei. I'm not saying that's the end all be all, but he outstruck Franklin, BJ, and possibly Soko... he has striking.

I'm with you guys and have bet Tito fairly largely

I don't disagree but BJ doesnt really count because Machida is just way bigger....

That was when BJ was looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy though and about 190. Agreed though, naturally Lyoto is much bigger.

Machida just doesn't fight with power. It's all about counter punching and taking away fighters strengths. I'd hardly consider him a striker.

I understand what you're saying and agree he's far form elite compared to a lot of fighters, but that counter punching style is what has done Tito in, has it not? He goes on a flury and then is on his back, much like the last Chuck fight?

I guess I'm just playing devils advocate in a way but really feel like for Tito to win he needs to use his wrestling and lay and pray which won't make it exciting I really hope he wins so the UFC can't screw him over too bad. Plus, the night will be plenty of fun as it is with Wandy and Jardine and Sherk/BJ

Not saying it hasn't ever happened, but when has a healthy Tito ever "layed and prayed"? He was one of the innovators of ground and pound and has phenomenal MMA wrestling. You simply can't compare Soko's and Tito's ground skills. If Tito gets Machida on the ground it won't be to lay on top of him. Tito will be looking to put his head through the canvas.

Oh I agree. I used 'lay and pray' because it was used previously by someone else. I meant his American style upper body strength wrestling, something Machida might struggle with. And I don't consider Franklin in 03 with this caliber wrestling because I really don't think he learned a lot of what he knows now, which still isn't up to Tito, from Hughes.

I find it hard not to root for Tito here. I mean I guess it's 80% that he ends up in Elite and fights Frank again, who wants to see that? I want another Tito/Forrest or similar fights. Tito needs to stay in the UFC in my eyes and the only way for that to happen is a dominating performance over Machida, so that's what I'll be pulling for.

Lyoto isn't a good striker? Are you guys serious? He's got some sick stand-up. Just because he isn't knocking people out left and right doesn't mean his stand-up isn't wicked. It's pin point and accurate and he also avoids any damage at all. His style of fighting is to keep the fight on the feet and to hit you while avoid getting hit. If you don't call somebody like that a striker, I'm not sure what you call him then.

Soko is an awesome judoka player, just because he knocked out Arona and Little Nog doesn't mean he's some amazing striker. He has power in his striking, but it's not particularly sharp or anything like that and he got outclassed by Machida when standing. Soko is solid on the ground, judoka's have submissions. People just underestimate how good Machida's ground game is. He's a black belt for a reason.

I expect Machida to win, but stylistically Tito is not that good a match-up for him, because of Tito's wrestling. Tito could conceivably take Machida down, lay in his guard and do just enough to not get stood back up. He handled Soko's takedown's pretty well though, so we'll have to see what happens. Machida is still dangerous off his back though and Machida would pick Tito apart standing.

gg sir

From Kevin Iole's column this week:

"The IFL is bleeding money and likely won’t last past its next show. Elite XC in its most recent SEC report also conceded it may not have the funds to last the rest of the year. If it’s not able to pull at least a 2.5 rating on CBS for its May 31 show, it may be in jeopardy of failing."

Now, when I heard about the UFC releasing so many guys I have to say in the back of my mind I thought they are hoping these other organizations pick them up and spend way too much money on them. If what Iole says is true, I did not realize Elite XC was in that much trouble. If that is the case, there is no doubt in my mind that the UFC is doing exactly that. Yes, the UFC needed to trim their roster, but they are releasing fighters who have made enough of a name for themselves that they could command a decent contract from these other organizations.

The problem is there is to much fragmentation. You need to walk before you run and 1 viable alternative to the UFC is what is needed. Probally will be elite xc or affliction if Cubans money gets behind it. The production of the UFC is so polished that everything else does feel second rate in comparison


I hope Matt Brown destroys Jeremy May

LOL!!!!

A 2.5 in prime time CBS should be a given? I was looking in the 4's at least...

What was everybody's view on TUF tonight?? I found it to be a pretty boring fight, though I do agree with Dana that Brandon was definately far busier in the fight and took no punishment. It's the kind of fight I hate to see...Guy 1 tries repeatedly to take Guy 2 down while Guy 2 is relentless with the knees/punches. Guy 1 finally gets Guy 2 down and lays on top of him for a few minutes while landing 7 knees to the side. Round ends. Next round: rinse, repeat, and he gets the W. I'm really looking forward to next weeks fight. Hopefully it's not a dud, but that Jeremy kid seems super childish and annoying and Matt doesn't look like a kid I would want to fuck with.

I don't think anyone is really arguing that Machida isn't a good striker. We are simply saying he's not exceptional. While he is elusive, he doesn't have good head movement and is sometimes flat footed. Also at times he keeps his hands a little low. The reason I like Sokoudjou's striking over Machida's is that he does have good head movement, his stance is wide meaning he can throw fast and powerful leg kicks and he's light on his feet. He also has nice power, the nog brothers have solid chins but he still flash KOed one of them. And his kicks are just f*cking sexy.

The thing is, I don't really like Ortiz and I am not a fan of his. I am a fan of Machida's, but when I try to analyze this match I just think that Tito takes it by UD. Stylistically he is just a bad match up for Machida.

Everything hinges on whether Tito can get the take down.

Here's why I think he can:

Tito has already fought a similar fighter to Machida: Wanderlei.

Here is what makes Wandy similar to Machida: He is a good striker and a black belt in BJJ.
Here is what makes them different: Wandy is a more powerful striker, Machida is a more technical striker. Machida's jits is better.

Wandy's main shortcoming is his wrestling. The people who give him problems are better strikers and strong wrestlers. Tito has beaten him, Arona has beaten him, Liddell, Hendo and Mirko. Basically, wrestler, wrestler, better striker with wrestling, striker with wrestling and better striker.

Tito's problems come from: strikers with good wrestling/TD defense and stronger wrestlers. This is why he has losses to Couture and Liddell.

Now let's look at Machida's past fights:

There is nobody on his resume that is similar to Ortiz. BUT, we have seen that he can be taken down. BJ Penn took him down and kept him there a decent amount, but Machida did get back up. We have seen Sokoudjou take him down, although he did get swept.

Here is something about Penn that is similar to Tito: he has good take downs.
Here is something about Tito that is different to Penn: he's 50lbs heavier.

Can Tito take him down? I think so.
Can Machida sweep Tito? I don't think so.
Can Machida get back up? I don't think so.

I want Machida to take it, but you have stated Tito is not the best match for Machida stylistically. So basically it boils down to this, if Tito is +170 and we lay $100 on Tito. Tito only has to win 37% of the time for it to be a good bet. Do I think Tito can win more than 37% of the time? Yeah I do.

The one thing that Tito has to do in order to get a takedown is actually set it up. He can't rely on straight shooting against Machida because he circles well and has decent movement. He'll have to get him up against the cage and try a single leg, or, he'll have to be willing to exchange with him which could me a mistake. Machida will outpoint him to death standing.

I vote that we should change this term to "Starnes-ing" or something to that effect.

LOOOOOOOL!!!

Unless I am reading wrong, I still see a TON of....gasp....TITO LOVE?

I'll repost again since people must have missed it the 1st time...

The line is currently +170 Tito....I'll give ANYONE HERE +200 and Tito.

If u are a small time "baller" and dont' wanna risk much...that's cool too. I will take any all bets up to $250 (unless I know u and then we can talk more...just don't know everyone well enough to potentially get rolled for more that $250.)

AGAIN....TITO FANS UNITE!!!! I am GIVING u +200....all u have to do is bet on the 900 year old, Donald Trumped, Jenna Jameson skeleton phucking, cro magnum man head having, COULDN'T EVEN GET IN THE RING W/ DANA HOMO, TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORTIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!

PM if interested obv...

PM sent sir.

Adam must have heard me talking about the Machida fight.

I rarely get excited about how people match up, but I LOVE Machida vs Ortiz.

I have never been more confident in a pick.

Machida wins this fight AINIC.

Can you explain your reasons? Obviously you guys have read my thoughts but I'd like to read yours.