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Post by habbalah on Dec 16, 2007 19:09:07 GMT -5
With out patting myself on the back for anything I wanted to make a thread that broke down the stepping stones that some fighters have suffered as individuals making it.. or not making it in the ufc.
I'm going to be using Rampage Jackson as the figure head, because objectively he's a good example of what works.
His key to success? Continuing to surrond himself with new trainers and continue to improve his over all fight game. It's not about refinding the old Rampage or really the old anything. The day where you start looking back instead of ahead is the day you stop really improving and really just try hanging on.
Little things to look at in the fight game that Page has had as an edge over some of his fellow fighters who have made a change in fight company.
Time Zones
As silly as it sounds thngs like jet leg can really catch up with fighters. Frank Trigg's mentioned it before that it can really screw with your cartio into a match. Considering this is Page's back yard as it were at least to some degree.
Food
Again.. I know it sounds silly but when you travel and eat a foreign cuisince it's not entirely impossible to have a reaction. I mean even if you show up in the states or what ever a day before the fight.. you could easily eat something at a hotel that just plays havoc on your bodies immune system.
Nerves
I'm reminded of Shogun facing off against Forrest Grittin and how he seemed kinda winded after even the first round. That deep.. deep breath he took after the round ended. Did he work extra hard in that first round to impress his new boss and company? Rampage has to some degree found his comfort zone here.
Focus
Is it possible when Rampage fought Yoon in Pride he just wanted to put a check in the box and get the hell out of dodge? When Shogun fought Forrest... was he really thinking about Forrest.. or what he had to look forward to after he beat him? Was he thinking about all the great exposure that would happen after picking up a couple english words here and there... With his "I love America" Remark in Pride.. playing to the ground.. embracing the ufc as if it had always been his home. Was he thinking about the match.. more than the fight? More about the money, and the fame?
I have to admit... when the net was going around blasting page for being all about the Chedda (and all the other remarks) i dove right on it with them. But so far when he's fought Dan Handerson and Chuck LIddel... he's fought like a man who realy wanted to win the fight... not just cash in.
Space
Fedor's has gone on record in one of his interviews that even he has noticed the cage has more room than a ring. Between the panic.... the nerves.. and chasing a fighter down with him having more room to maneuver I could see why some fighters like Cro Cop have had some trouble.
When Page fought Liddel in the ufc.. and Chuck kept backing up what did page do? He threw up his hands and said "Come on Chuck." And Liddel came at him. It was something simple but it worked.
Werdum was forced to chase after Arlvoski for the most of his fight and fell behind in the fight due to his lack of a ability to focus Arlovski to fight his fight. (He did try.. A very memorable slap in the third round that came to little to late to coax the pit bull into a fight).
Thoughts? I left some points open such as Anderson and discussing being pinned up against the cage vs a brake in action to pull fighters away from the ropes. Keep in mind.. it's a breif momeny to catch ones breath... but it's now one fighters don't have anymore.
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Post by habbalah on Dec 17, 2007 5:40:16 GMT -5
The latest buzz around the net is Zuffa and Arlovski are looking to part ways soon.
I guess you can toss his name in with Sergai's, Alex's, Roman's, Monson's, Perdo's, and the countless others of potentially good competitive heavy weight fights we'll see in 2008 that will be under a independent banner.
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Post by Cosmic Crippler on Dec 17, 2007 15:06:43 GMT -5
I think these are really great points. It seems like a lot of people over look all the obstacles fighters have to over come even before the fight. Points A-Z have to be lined up perfectly for a fighter to be on his "A" game. That's why I have so much respect for these guys. I've wrestled and boxed (no where near fighting) and know what it feels like to have one thing "off" and have it screw up your performance. Though I totally agree with you on ''focus" I think the Shogun loss was due to Griffin's game plan. Griffin out boxed and out wrestled him. Getting your takedowns stuffed over and over is extremely tiring. It could very well be Shogun's focus was off that night but I feel it was Griffin's perfect execution of a perfect game plan. That fight was one of the many where I told all my friends "Yeah, watch this PRIDE guy destroy this UFC fighter. You guys have no idea." Since then no one listens to me anymore  |
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Post by habbalah on Dec 17, 2007 16:52:38 GMT -5
Well I basically said the same thing about Gonzaga and Cro Cop. Granted mine was more like
"As much as I'd be amused if Gonzaga won, I wouldn't hold my breath."
There is no silver stamp that goes on a fighters hand that gives him a invisible shield to walk over talent till the day he retires.
Phil Baroni won in Pride, because honestly I think no one scouted him. I think he was taken lightly and rose to the occasion. Look at Ryo’s remarks before fighting him. “I want to beat Phil so I can move on to fighting top level UFC fighters.” It sounded like his focus was miles away from the target at hand.
It's easy to blame the roids.. but how often do guys who juice up win?
Vitor (lost)
Phil when he got caught (lost)
Powel (lost)
Bonnar (lost)
Franca (lost) (kinda doesn't count.. considering both guys where juiced)
Sherk (win) (kinda doesn't count.. considering both guys where juiced)
Alves (win)
I'm sure I'm missing a few, but it seems to hurt more than help.
And if fighters are getting smaller from Pride to UFC...if it's not roids perhaps there just not taking the fights as series.
I mean what does that say? "I don't need to train as hard because of who I am and what I've done.. oh look I'm losing now."
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Post by habbalah on Dec 18, 2007 17:46:43 GMT -5
Brothers Murilo Rua (Pictures) and Mauricio Rua (Pictures) announced Tuesday that they have left Chute Boxe.
The brothers said their departure from the Brazilian team was friendly. They will form their own squad in Massachusetts.
"We regret the departure of Mauricio and Murilo Rua (Pictures)," said Chute Boxe trainer Rudimar Fedrigo in an official statement. "They are fighters born here at Chute Boxe and left the team to form their own in the United States. Remember that the doors of Chute Boxe will always be open to both, and I wish good luck and success in their new job."
Under the guidance of Fedrigo and other Chute Boxe trainers, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua rose to prominence as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. He sat atop most 205-pound and pound-for-pound rankings before Forrest Griffin (Pictures) submitted the Brazilian in September. Older brother "Ninja" recently relinquished the EliteXC middleweight belt to Robbie Lawler (Pictures).
My, my, my things have changed. Chute box with out those two? Considered they've been called the future of Chute box.. where does that leave Chute box now?
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Post by DUCE on Dec 20, 2007 7:50:23 GMT -5
Brothers Murilo Rua (Pictures) and Mauricio Rua (Pictures) announced Tuesday that they have left Chute Boxe.
The brothers said their departure from the Brazilian team was friendly. They will form their own squad in Massachusetts.
"We regret the departure of Mauricio and Murilo Rua (Pictures)," said Chute Boxe trainer Rudimar Fedrigo in an official statement. "They are fighters born here at Chute Boxe and left the team to form their own in the United States. Remember that the doors of Chute Boxe will always be open to both, and I wish good luck and success in their new job."
Under the guidance of Fedrigo and other Chute Boxe trainers, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua rose to prominence as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. He sat atop most 205-pound and pound-for-pound rankings before Forrest Griffin (Pictures) submitted the Brazilian in September. Older brother "Ninja" recently relinquished the EliteXC middleweight belt to Robbie Lawler (Pictures).My, my, my things have changed. Chute box with out those two? Considered they've been called the future of Chute box.. where does that leave Chute box now? Thiago Silva, Luiz Azeredo, Evan Tanner, and Werdum. |
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Post by DUCE on Dec 20, 2007 7:58:28 GMT -5
Well I basically said the same thing about Gonzaga and Cro Cop. Granted mine was more like "As much as I'd be amused if Gonzaga won, I wouldn't hold my breath." There is no silver stamp that goes on a fighters hand that gives him a invisible shield to walk over talent till the day he retires. Phil Baroni won in Pride, because honestly I think no one scouted him. I think he was taken lightly and rose to the occasion. Look at Ryo’s remarks before fighting him. “I want to beat Phil so I can move on to fighting top level UFC fighters.” It sounded like his focus was miles away from the target at hand. It's easy to blame the roids.. but how often do guys who juice up win? Vitor (lost) Phil when he got caught (lost) Powel (lost) Bonnar (lost) Franca (lost) (kinda doesn't count.. considering both guys where juiced) Sherk (win) (kinda doesn't count.. considering both guys where juiced) Alves (win) I'm sure I'm missing a few, but it seems to hurt more than help. And if fighters are getting smaller from Pride to UFC...if it's not roids perhaps there just not taking the fights as series. I mean what does that say? "I don't need to train as hard because of who I am and what I've done.. oh look I'm losing now." The MONEY! Lots of $$$ changes people. After Rua won the grand prix he was different( Coleman injury added to that). How does Cro Cop fund his political career? Fighting. Your right the mindset isn't there. It is now. These guys will fight harder or get even worse because they have become a different person/fighter. |
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Post by habbalah on Dec 25, 2007 18:14:17 GMT -5
Brothers Murilo Rua (Pictures) and Mauricio Rua (Pictures) announced Tuesday that they have left Chute Boxe.
The brothers said their departure from the Brazilian team was friendly. They will form their own squad in Massachusetts.
"We regret the departure of Mauricio and Murilo Rua (Pictures)," said Chute Boxe trainer Rudimar Fedrigo in an official statement. "They are fighters born here at Chute Boxe and left the team to form their own in the United States. Remember that the doors of Chute Boxe will always be open to both, and I wish good luck and success in their new job."
Under the guidance of Fedrigo and other Chute Boxe trainers, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua rose to prominence as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. He sat atop most 205-pound and pound-for-pound rankings before Forrest Griffin (Pictures) submitted the Brazilian in September. Older brother "Ninja" recently relinquished the EliteXC middleweight belt to Robbie Lawler (Pictures).My, my, my things have changed. Chute box with out those two? Considered they've been called the future of Chute box.. where does that leave Chute box now? Thiago Silva, Luiz Azeredo, Evan Tanner, and Werdum. Werdums in Chute Box? Thank you. I did not know that. I thought Tanner was in the american branch of chute box... is there a big difference? Is Gonzaga still Chute box? |
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Post by DUCE on Dec 26, 2007 12:43:18 GMT -5
Gonzaga dropped out of chute box before the Cro Cop fight.
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Post by habbalah on Dec 28, 2007 17:13:46 GMT -5
Thank you.
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Post by habbalah on Dec 30, 2007 3:30:45 GMT -5
Well the fight has come and gone and we’ve had some questions answered.
Now with out trolling may I objectively ask that Wanderlei's muscle mass looked different than it normally did? The kind of muscle mass that was obtained as a result of hard work... more condensed. The kind you might have see on Randy Couture and yet he looked smaller (maybe I'm just use to seeing him being the bigger guy at light heavy weight).
He looked small for a light heavy weight (is going to skip around the juice questions).
With Wanderlei’s smaller frame at light heavy weight in the ufc... would he be better suited at a smaller weight class? Can he make 180?
We could have a battle between him and Anderson. I only point this out because I recall in the past seeing Wanderlei bulk over fighters like Sakuraba.. And now in the states for what ever reason... he now seems like the small man. For what ever reason.
In all honesty, with Wanderlei's frame, will he be able to stop take downs from fighters like Tito, Rashad, Lambert and so on? I know it's not fair to talk about Liddel's take downs considering Wanderlei was quite drained by the time they happened but with his weakness against wrestlers he might be better suited at middle weight where there's less depth with fighters on the ground (at least with the same level of take downs),
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Post by habbalah on Jan 2, 2008 22:07:04 GMT -5
Wanderlei Silva looked great in a losing effort to Liddell and got over huge with the live crowd in his UFC re-debut. With two victories over Jackson, Silva is a natural challenger at 205, but the most interesting immediate possibilities might be at Middleweight. Reports out of Xtreme Couture suggested that he looked more like a natural middleweight and the evidence from the weigh-in at UFC 79 seem to suggest that he's not cutting much weight at 205. There Silva would have a quicker and easier road to the title and is an attractive matchup with either Anderson Silva or Dan Henderson. Hughes has also long entertained thoughts of moving up to 185 and could try to rejuvenate him career there as well. "www.mmapayout.com/2007/01/ufc-79-review-iceman-cometh-again.html |
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Post by DUCE on Jan 3, 2008 2:20:44 GMT -5
My take is have a Grand Prix at 185 with;
Wanderlei Silva
Yushin Okami
Matt Hughes
Nathan Marquardt
with Minowa challenging Brock Larsen as the opening fight of the PPV broadcast.
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Post by habbalah on Jan 3, 2008 6:20:40 GMT -5
Well It just has me wondering about one little thing.
I always thought it was a convincing argument that mma fans have suggested the main reason for Wanderlei consistently beating Sakuraba was in fact due to Wanderlei's size advantage over Sakuraba.
And now... Wanderlei looks like the small man at light heavy.
Is one of the biggest disadvantages fighters have coming to the states... is the degree of weight cutting you find in the ufc?
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Post by DUCE on Jan 4, 2008 16:45:29 GMT -5
Did you notice Ben Rothwell is creeping into MMA Heavyweight top ten(Sherdog)
LOOK AT MMAWEEKLY's 205 top ten
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)
#1 Light Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Quinton Jackson
2. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
3. Dan Henderson
4. Chuck Liddell
5. Lyoto Machida
6. Keith Jardine
7. Forrest Griffin
8. Wanderlei Silva
9. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
10. Ricardo Arona
(how can they have MATT SERRA AT #2 and use the same logic to place Forrest at seventh)
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Post by habbalah on Jan 4, 2008 23:32:38 GMT -5
I know what you mean but lets be honest.
You, I, and most mma fans are just waiting to see Forrest pop. More so than Serra. Serra gets alot crap i feel namely because of his size. I feel his talent is on par with anyone.
I'm happy to chear for Serra. I'm happy to have him hold the belt. I'd be glad if he beat GSP a second time, but I feel it's kinda doubtful. In two or so months from now that ranking will seem a bit more on target.
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Post by DUCE on Jan 15, 2008 5:47:28 GMT -5
 ;D  |
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Post by habbalah on Jan 15, 2008 17:17:35 GMT -5
I'd give you a mulligan and call this nonsequitur but than you'd get offended.
I’d suggest the random placement of the picture shows your off yours meds in a attempt to give you a mulligan but your sooo sensitive (Took the Duce path there, I just thougth I’d point that out).
I’m not responding with an insult in this thread so I’m just going to assume your plugging one of your favorite books.
(You know when I first typed that... I didn't realize that could come off as really jaggish, considering I've heard bad thnigs about the book). So instead I'm going to say sir your totally of topic.
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Post by habbalah on Jan 16, 2008 6:17:50 GMT -5
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Post by habbalah on Jan 21, 2008 22:50:01 GMT -5
No where else to put this but Tito has taken the fight with Machida.
In all honesty I kinda consider it a waist of Machida's time right now.
Isn’t it screwed up that a hot new star needs to use a washed up old has been to put himself over? Oh wait heh I almost thought I was talking about Tito not to long ago
Still if Machida can be beaten wrestling is likely to be the key. So what injury do you think Tito will use after the fight to explain how his performance dipped after the first round?
Somebody save that line, mark my words I see it coming.
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