Did mmalinker.com get shut down? I get redirected to a page that says broken link.

Their server is probably just down temporarily.

Hermes Franca out, Jeremy Stephens in against Joe Lauzon next weekend, should be a good card.

Do most of us agree that BJ has a lot of value at -160?

You mean +160? Isn't he the underdog vs GSP?

Yes, my mistake. As Steve said, if BJ is even a dog here, I don't think he's near +160.

Agree. I like BJ in this fight so getting +160 sounds like a steal. I think we will see the BJ of old and GSP is going to be eating some heavy leather.

OH MAN

I have never been this pumped for a card. This fight is so sick. It's like I'm 9, and I'm waiting to get a nintendo for christmas.

Lyoto Thiago is also incredibly exciting to me. I'm not a huge fan of Lyoto but I have a feeling he'll step it up a little and talent's talent. Two undefeated's a big deal obv.

Man, the return of Stephan Bonnar too. Good god just let me open one gift now!!

When Fitch/Gono's an undercard fight, it's a hell of a night.

Yea and Guida/Diaz should be very good too.

Looks like I am in the minority but I dont see GSP losing this fight.

You're not in the minority. Apparently the book believes that GSP will win.

It's a crazy fight imo, and I'm not touching it.

In theory, I should be on BJ because it is so close. It's about as close to even money as I have ever seen. So many variables.

I'm going to make a basic prediction. If it goes the distance, GSP wins.

This "should" or "could" be the toughest fight that either of them have fought. GSP will push the pace and BJ will test GSP's heart. They will both be better fighters after this.

GSP actually has more pressure and a lot more to lose in this fight.

Anyone else love Guida at -115? His takedowns and submission avoidance I thought had him ~-180.

-115? That's kinda horrible. He is at +108 at Pinnacle and honestly I just don't see how that is possibly. Agree with your assessment. Although I don't think Guida is not submittable I don't think he will be submitted in this fight. I really hated that sentence structure.

I was reluctant to watch the UFC primetime 3 part show preceding the GSP/Bj fight but I ended being pleasantly surprised. I was really looking forward to seeing this weeks episode and it has pumped me up even more. I love GSP and am a huge homer, but his attitude and focus seem stronger than BJ's. You can see their demenor and confidence before a fight and be able to tell who is going to win. I just can't see GSP lose this unless their is a huge fluke.

This will also be the first time I pay for a PPV because I will be at a ski resort over the week end. I can't freaking wait!

Good show but really should only done for the 3 or 4 superfights a year. GSP didnt look any smaller than Rashad and his thighs were bigger. Sure BJ might take fighting more serious than he did 3 years ago but GSP has improved by leaps and bounds since then aswell.

was Rashad one of the guys training with GSP. I saw Jardine, who "said" he was stronger than most lightheavy weights, they mentioned Canadian Olympic wrestlers too. His camp is stacked. Hopefully he wins this and I read rumors of Silva vs GSP perhaps at the end of the year, I guess GSP would have to jump up to 185 for that, but that would a sick fight too.

You must have seen the second of three episodes. Pretty hard to confuse Rashad and Jardine lol. In the third episode it showed Rashad coming to Montreal to train with GSP.

OK so I have a small problem. I will be working Saturday night (bartending a wedding) and will not be able to watch it live even on the net. Is there a site someone can PM me or link up that I can watch the fights after they happen. I don't know if I will be able to YouTube them in time either. I don't mind paying 40$ for the replay but I want to watch them w/o knowing the results before.

Thanks guys.

Yahoo should have them up after they happen for full price. Or you can get home and buy the replay.

GSP: I'm going to fight smart and that's what's going to give me the win.
That scares me. It seems like he's going to try staying away using kicks making for a boring fight. I hope, so bad, BJ KOs him via jab.

If you are into the whole thievery thing this site usually has fights up the day after: http://www.mmalinker.com/

Seems to be down now...don't remember the last time I looked at any fights on there so maybe it is gone....

Performify trashed Guida and said he is going to get subbed in the first round. I will be kind of surprised if that happens.

So far I have Guida and BJ for small bets and trying to get a small play on Kim and a larger bet on Machida. Come on Bdc!! I know you are in LA, but hook a brother up!

I'm pretty ready for disappointment for the GSP fight. I guess GSP is a favorite and will try to win by decision in a boring fight, and I would be so disappointed to see it.

From the way he "makes" it sound, he wants to destroy him. "Make an example of this guy," is something he and his trainer said.

If you watched the prime time shows the way that GSP trains is CRAZZZZYYY compared to what they showed BJ doing. Editing can always make a show how it wants to.

He also said he has guys that are better then BJ at EVERY discipline. Who is better then BJ at BJJ? Marquardt? Don't think so. you can't prepare for his flexibility and dexterity unless who bring in a who knows Rubber Guard like Bravo. I mean maybe he gets it when he trains Jui Jitsu only (he just got his black belt). But IMO don't see a guy in his camp that can do what BJ can on the ground from the guard.

I will admit though in the last episode when BJ was sprinting under water carry a rock, that was some sick stuff to see, coming from someone who ran Cross Country and Track on scholarship all through college.

I like both fighters and have a hard time betting on either one in this case. I think GSP wins via a decision (he couldn't put away Fitch, but destroyed him. However Ithink there is great value at betting on BJ @ -160.

Can't wait to watch it.

Also what are your thoughts on Silva and Machida? Silva is a brawler who comes to destroy his opponents and Machida is methodical. I see Silva coming in strong and Machida knocks him out with some kind of punch kick combo.

long post sorry

I think BJ is an easy pick in this fight. I don't see it being 50/50 like others, I think BJ should be the favorite in this fight. To me, GSP has to fight a perfect fight and he will need to have the same game plan as the first fight and hope to wear BJ down and grind out a decision. I don't see GSP being able to stop BJ, he couldn't stop Koscheck or Fitch. GSP while flashy with some of his combos has always been a grinding type fighter who tries to wear you out before he takes any chances, he doesn't really have great power in his strikes. I just don't see GSP being able to fight a perfect fight for 25 minutes against a motivated and in shape BJ Penn.

BJ can finish this fight from anywhere. His boxing is better than GSP's, he's got more power and probably faster hands as well. His defense is also better and he can stay in the pocket, slip punches and counter. GSP has to go in and out and often times has a bad habit of going straight back with his hands down and the way I see the fight unfolding is BJ will crack him with an overhead right to knock him down and finish him with strikes on the ground. His BJJ is also much better as well and if BJ does get on top of GSP, he will more than likely finish him quickly as well.

The only edges I really give GSP are his cardio, strength and wrestling. I just don't think those things are enough against a fighter as dynamic as BJ, because anywhere this fight goes GSP is going to be in danger. His best strategy is just to go the lay and pray route and hope for the best. As I said before, he's going to have to fight a perfect fight to pull this one out and I don't see it happening.

Other than that, I also like Diaz, Tavares and Machida on this card as well.

Cardio, strength and wrestling are basically the key to this fight. If GSP takes him down, the fight is likely over because he'll be too strong for BJ to do anything. The only way I see BJ winning this fight is by knockout. I don't think that GSP will get submitted by anything other than a triangle because if it's on the ground I think BJ will be smothered. And as far as BJ mounting GSP, this just won't happen.

Nonetheless, I'm pumped for the fight. I think it really can go either way, favoring GSP imo. I definitely think there is value in betting BJ though.

I highly doubt GSP is going to be going out there aggressive looking to make a statement. He's been fighting safe and not putting himself in harms way ever since the Matt Serra fight. I still think there's a kind of mental block with him where he doesn't like to get hit and is scared of getting KO'd again. It also wouldn't be a good idea GSP to be overaggressive, because BJ will likely find openings and make him pay. GSP will need to fight the perfect fight where he stays out of range with his kicks and mixes up his striking and takedowns to try to frustrate BJ and win a decision that way. If they do end up in a slug fest type fight, BJ is going to win because he has the better chin and is the better inside pocket fighter.

I really wouldn't put much stock into what UFC Primetime showed. Obviously BJ is taking this fight seriously, it's the fight he wants the most and he's already lost to him once. You think he's not going to be training hard for a fight like this?

Training camps for fighters is always different. Fedor trains with mostly unknowns and he's doing just fine. It's also not like BJ isn't bringing in world class guys at specific disciplines. He's got some great wrestlers, strikers and BJJ players in his camp, they're just not well known MMA fighters like GSP has in his camp.

GSP just got his black belt and he's probably a slightly above average black belt, but BJ is a world champion black belt. There's a huge difference between the two.

I really do think that GSP is quite a bit different since that Serra fight. His game plans as of late have been to out do his opponents at their greatest strengths (Koscheck, Fitch). He basically destroyed both of them at what they were supposed to be better at. Can he do that with BJ, hell no. But I really won't be surprised though if he's the aggressor and goes after him though.

How do you figure BJ get's smothered? GSP did nothing in the first fight against BJ when he had him on the ground, couldn't pass, couldn't land any punches. BJ got back to his feet a few times with his butterfly guard and had a near omaplata as well. This was also against an out of shape BJ Penn. BJ's never had his guard passed in BJJ or MMA competition aside from his second fight against Hughes where he broke his rib. I think GSP's strength is getting overrated in this fight, BJ is pretty strong himself. The guy's fought against Machida and at 185, it's not like he's not used to fighting someone bigger.

Why do you think BJ can't get mount on GSP? He was on his back against Fitch and Koscheck for brief stretches. BJ has some of the sickest guard passing in MMA. I don't think it's unfathomable that BJ could take GSP down or get a sweep and get on top.

By smothered, I mean lay and pray. Ya, BJ's a strong guy, but there's no way he has the strength of GSP. I see it much the same as the last fight tbh. Close, with GSP getting the edge because of takedowns and ground control.

I totally agree that BJ is taking this fight VERRRY serious. I said what those Prime Time episodes showed was BJ not training as hard as GSP. Editing can do that very easily. They only showed BJ training with other guys in the last show, so who knows what really went on.
I do think BJ is going to be a handful for GSP, I can't pick against either fighter honestly. IF GSP controls him via takedowns and does not get subbed I think he wins. Any other scenarioo and I think BJ has a slight advantage.
I was basically saying I like GSP but would rather bet on BJ esp. @ -160.


Lets talk about Machida vs Silva. Thoughts anyone???...


I also just watched the Fedor vs Arlovski fight, I wonder what would have happened if he had not gone for the flying knee. He had some FAST hands and was winning the round til he did that cocky move. I wish it could have gone a few rounds, would Fedor "flip the switch," like he seems to do in some fights?

I haven't looked today......but I'm pretty sure you mean BJ at +160

I won't be able to see the fights tomorrow night either, will be @ hockey game.

Then I probably won't see it Sunday cause of the superbowl. Damnit! I have to avoid ESPN, these forums, rotoworld, sports blogs, AOL, news portals etc until late Monday. I hate that.

Just so long as CNBC doesn't mention it on Monday I should be able to avoid the result! And that's like 10:1

you are right b/c he's the underdog right?

Good GSP weighed in at 170. Always gotta worry about a championship fight when he is cutting so much weight after the Lutter/Silva debacle. BJ weighed in at 168.

So here are my pix........

Machida
Diaz
Tavares
Kim
Arroyo

Still up in the air on Penn vs St. Pierre.....

Check out the stare down between GSP and Penn at the weigh in. Intense stuff. I am very comfortable with a large sum on GSP. I hope this fight does get more buys than Couture/Lesnar. It would prove that even the casual fan is getting smarter about the game. Dana's prediction 1.3 million buys is very high imo. If it gets between 800k-1mill it would be oustanding imo. If your on the fence about this card I strongly urge you to get this one. Probally wont see another ME like this all year and probally wont see as deep a card till 100 in July.

BJ had a great line in the second all access or whatever it's called.

"He's obviously confused"........speaking of GSP.

I'm amazed at how confident some people are in who the winner will be. I honestly have no clue, and I have analyzed this fight from every aspect.

Hey all,

I dont post in this thread as often as I should but I read it often and think there is great discussion here. I should note I am not a jdrury impostor. . .our profiles just look very similar!

I can't remember ever being more excited for a fight! I like GSP. . .i just can't see BJ being able to achieve a dominant position on the ground . . .GSP is too strong and his wrestling is too good. Also if BJ wins we will have to wait months longer to see those titles get defended.

The Machida fight is also very exciting, although i have no idea what Dana and Silva are doing in terms of matchmaking at 205. . .Page should be fighting either Rashad or Forrest, imo. If Machida wins and has to fight the winner of Page/Jardine, that will be a major injustice.

Also, does anyone have a link to tonight's event? I tried the one's that were posted for the last one but it doesnt look like those are going to work this time. Thanks in advance.

channelsurfing.net is usually pretty good.

I'm watching it through TVU Player. You have to download the software, but there is a channel on there called 'MMA-TV' that streams most events for free, I've watched WEC, UFC and Affliction cards on there before.

BOOM.


OH CANADA!!!

GSP vs. Superman, who takes it?

Can I say that I broke even without giving anything away?

yeah it's usually pretty good until the last thirty seconds of the MAIN FUCKING EVENT AND THEN IT CUTS OFF GOD DAMN IT

LOL @ SAL PARADISE

I crushed you. 5.5% ROI.

hey don't laugh BL, you won 55bi for your poker level

Josh Gross on Sherdog's Beatdown After The Bell has just reported that BJ's trainer, Rudy Valentino, just texted him saying they have filed a complaint to the commission saying GSP greased up his back. As big of a BJ fan as I am, I hope that doesn't go anywhere.

Boring card sadly, until the last two fights. Machida destroyed Silva and GSP rocked the shit. Nice

Just watched it (had it taped because of football), wow GSP destroyed him. That was disgusting. And nice to see Lyoto get a great finish. Hopefully the UFC stops tagging him as boring because he's slowly becoming one of my favorite fighters.

And that kid who fought Bonner, he's going to be really good imo. Get him some conditioning and wow. That kid has a lot of talent for not having much experience in MMA.

As great of a fighter as BJ is at 155, i don't think he has any business trying to move up to 170. He has trouble bulking up to make weight and its too hard for him to compete with someone who rehydrates to 185. He really should just continue to dominate the lightweight division and not worry about anything else.

As for him complaining that GSP greased himself down, that's what the referees check for before they enter the ring and obv that wasn't an issue prefight when GSP was being checked so that will not hold up. I also find people who make excuses like that petty and classless. Somebody has to lose, too bad it was you, get over it.

I really think the fight should've been stopped sooner in the 4th round, he took a massive beating and most of it was uncalled for. He clearly couldn't do anything against the vicious g&p of GSP and considering he got his head beat in the previous 3 rounds as well, you had to know there was nothing left in his tank. I even think he was complaining he was spent during the break after round 3. It got sad to watch after the first 1.5 minutes of round 4.

the kid who fought bonner really impressed me too, for having such little experience and not much knowledge of MMA, this kid showed a maturity of a veteran with a great natural ability...in a little while, he very well could be a household name.

BJ is 13-5-1


Not sure he is any longer a "great fighter". He has training issues... doesn't focus.... and shouldn't fight up in weight.


GSP is awesome.