Tuesday
Apr102007
UFC 68 and 2 become 1
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 10:54PM
UFC 68
Right I think I may have now recovered from UFC 68 sufficiently to allow me to write something that is more than about 10 words - 2 of which were Randy Couture.
It has to be said that following the fight (one of the few where I was actually shouting at the screen) I was siding with Joe Rogan with this "man I am lost for words" It was one of the best fights I have seen in a long time. Matt Hughes v's BJ Penn had me on the edge of my seat but this one had me on my feet.
You had to know it was gonna be a good fight when in the first 14 seconds Couture had knocked Tim Sylvia back on his butt. That was a good start and not what anyone expected - we were all sat watching and expecting that Randy would go for the take down and that Tim would knock him down and win. Guess that goes to show that you never can tell eh.
From round one Couture's speed and strength were astounding and there were even cases where Randy got Tim on the ground. This was not all one way by any means - Tim is a big guy and Randy would struggle to hold him down and move him around.
As each round went on you were on the edge of the seat knowing that at any second it could all be over. All it would take was one hit from Sylvia and it would be over - we were just waiting for shades of Couture/Liddell 3. Eventually round 5 comes along you hear Sylvia's corner say that he has lost 4 rounds and he has to win this one and Sylvia seems confused and unaware that he is on round 5. Round 5 seems to take for ever as we wait to see just who will make it to the end. By this stage the crowd are one their feet and they seem to be counting down the last 10 seconds. Then the bell goes and the place goes mad - Randy Couture is again a heavy weight champion.
UFC and Pride
These are the cards that the UFC needs to have in order to keep folks coming back to watch the fights. This year there are more fights planned than ever with a minimum of 1 a month and all it will take is one or 2 'dull' shows and folks will stop watching it. This would be bad news for the sport but could have an even greater impact now that UFC and Pride are one and the same. You turn folks away and they will not come back to pay for more fights - thats just the way of it.
It is an interesting thing to ponder (should such things interest you) - what will happen now that Pride and the UFC are one and the same. On one hand it can be good for the fans and even the fighter short term. Fans can see the fights they want (Liddell v's Silva) without there being any inter organization bantering or debate but what will happen when there is no competition for pay - will the fighters continue to work for buttons - when there is no where else for them to go - what else can they do. If the fighters are not being paid well then how will they perform. If they are not performing then will folks want to watch them - who will want to see lack luster fights of possible badly matched opponents.
Time will tell how things will work out and as an MMA fan I hope they work out for the greater good - but I cannot help but have my doubts
Right I think I may have now recovered from UFC 68 sufficiently to allow me to write something that is more than about 10 words - 2 of which were Randy Couture.
It has to be said that following the fight (one of the few where I was actually shouting at the screen) I was siding with Joe Rogan with this "man I am lost for words" It was one of the best fights I have seen in a long time. Matt Hughes v's BJ Penn had me on the edge of my seat but this one had me on my feet.
You had to know it was gonna be a good fight when in the first 14 seconds Couture had knocked Tim Sylvia back on his butt. That was a good start and not what anyone expected - we were all sat watching and expecting that Randy would go for the take down and that Tim would knock him down and win. Guess that goes to show that you never can tell eh.
From round one Couture's speed and strength were astounding and there were even cases where Randy got Tim on the ground. This was not all one way by any means - Tim is a big guy and Randy would struggle to hold him down and move him around.
As each round went on you were on the edge of the seat knowing that at any second it could all be over. All it would take was one hit from Sylvia and it would be over - we were just waiting for shades of Couture/Liddell 3. Eventually round 5 comes along you hear Sylvia's corner say that he has lost 4 rounds and he has to win this one and Sylvia seems confused and unaware that he is on round 5. Round 5 seems to take for ever as we wait to see just who will make it to the end. By this stage the crowd are one their feet and they seem to be counting down the last 10 seconds. Then the bell goes and the place goes mad - Randy Couture is again a heavy weight champion.
UFC and Pride
These are the cards that the UFC needs to have in order to keep folks coming back to watch the fights. This year there are more fights planned than ever with a minimum of 1 a month and all it will take is one or 2 'dull' shows and folks will stop watching it. This would be bad news for the sport but could have an even greater impact now that UFC and Pride are one and the same. You turn folks away and they will not come back to pay for more fights - thats just the way of it.
It is an interesting thing to ponder (should such things interest you) - what will happen now that Pride and the UFC are one and the same. On one hand it can be good for the fans and even the fighter short term. Fans can see the fights they want (Liddell v's Silva) without there being any inter organization bantering or debate but what will happen when there is no competition for pay - will the fighters continue to work for buttons - when there is no where else for them to go - what else can they do. If the fighters are not being paid well then how will they perform. If they are not performing then will folks want to watch them - who will want to see lack luster fights of possible badly matched opponents.
Time will tell how things will work out and as an MMA fan I hope they work out for the greater good - but I cannot help but have my doubts
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