Inside The Clinch

10 Things I learned from UFC 108

outsider620 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:42:50 +0000

10) Jake Ellenberger, Jim Miller and Junior Dos Santos are indeed the real deal. This trio will make a lot of noise in their respective weight classes.

9) If Joe Rogan calls you a “Tough Competitor” it means that you suck and will probably need assistance leaving the octagonor get carried off on a stretcher. If you’re a fighter and you hear those words don’t bother showing up for the fight. Because the only reason you got the call is because no one else would take it.

8) It wasn’t a good night to have the last name of Lauzon. As both Joe and Dan both got to take home a nice shiny loss to kick off 2010. Dan got choked out and put in a kimura at the same time my a very game Cole Miller and Joe spent three rounds getting kicked and punched in the face by Sam Stout before waiting to hear the judges’ scorecard which everyone in the building knew what it said.

7) Matin Kampmann looks like a decent fighter when he’s not getting punched in the face by Paul Daley. When last I saw him the Hitman was getting smashed all over the cage, but on Saturday night Kampmann returned to form looking like a serious contender to the 170lb throne taking care of Jacob Volkmann in the first round of their match up. Night and day performances. It’s a shame because his loss to Daley probably set him back a few fights before he can get his shot. I’d like to see him fight a Koscheck or FItch sometime soon.

6) While he’ll probably get cut pretty soon, I’d really like to make a case for Jacob Volkman. This guy has shown me a lot in his last two performances that I hope get him another fight in the UFC. The guy can really take a punch and has a pretty good skill set the only thing that he lacks is a strong striking game. If he could get with the right people I think he’d be someone to really keep your eye on.

5) Dustin Hazlett’s chin was tested and…. it failed. He probably is still having a hard time putting sentences together after that shot. (whew) And he has none to blame but himself, why he would even attempt to stand and trade with Daley blows my mind. I’ll bet anyone money next time he steps into the octagon with a striker he doesn’t go any longer than 20 seconds before he tries to take that fighter to the ground.

4) Paul Daley had his hands surgically removed and replace with cinder blocks. That’s two pretty good fighters that he’s made a mess of and I’ll bet they’re itching to put him in a title fight but while I think this guy puts on a mean show until I see him work off of his back I’ll reserve my judgement.

3) Thiago Silva’s cardio was put to the test…. and failed. I understand he spent the first 2 rounds trying to peel Rashad off of him like a pair of draws after 20 minutes in the Sauna but you have got to be able to finish this fight if your Silva. Evans was done a few more punches would have ended this fight but he just couldn’t do it. Instead of trying to get the crowd motivated and clowning around he should have been swinging for the fences. What he was thinking I’ll never know but what he wasn’t thinkig was how he was going to finish this fight which he was one flurry away from stealing.

2) Rashad Evan’s chin was tested….and failed. This guy dominated the first two rounds and took a shot in the third that sent him dancing around the cage for the final 2 minutes of the round leaving not knowing who he was or how he got there. In a moment of truth I bet Rashad would tell you that he probably couldn’t spell his name let alone finish that fight but since Silva had already blown his load Rashad was able to stagger around the cage and tie him up long enough to finish the fight.

1) Before this fight I would have bet the farm that Rashad could have beaten Rampage 8 or 9 timess out of 10 but after seeing that mess on Saturday I’m not so sure. Evans under Greg Jackson has really made himself into an elite fighter but if he can’t take a big shot guys are going to load up each and everytime they step into the cage with this guy hoping they can make him dance just like Thiago did. And if Rashad got rocked by a Silva punch what ‘s he going to do when Jackson hits him come May.

Overall 108 was a solid card with some pretty good fights that showcased some up and comers and helped shape our opinions on some familiar faces. (B-/C+) Looking forward to 109.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Outsider returns

outsider620 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:02:11 +0000

It’s been a while but, I’m back. Had a lot going on in my world so I didn’t have any time to sit my ass down and post anything, but I assure you all 2010 is the year of the Outsider. My thanks to Nufaction for holding it down in my absence. Stay tuned I’ll be giving you all my two cents on this weekends UFC event and a year in review. It’s good to be back, I’ll see you all in 2010 have a healthy and safe New Year.

Posted in MMA

UFC 105 Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:02:19 +0000

Round 1 Vera comes out striking Randy goes right to the clinch and starts to work. The ref splits them and Randy goes right back to the clinch. Randy takes Vera down but he gets back to his feet. Round 1 ends in the clinch. Round 2 starts with Vera keeping his distance. Randy gets poked in the eye, they stop for a moment. At the restart Randy immediately goes to the clinch. The ref splits them again. Vera keeps his distance and lands a heavy body kick and some punches that hurt Randy. They go to the ground with Vera in Randys guard. The ref stands them up and they clinch again and the round ends. Round 3 Randy takes the center of the ring. Randy come in on Vera with punches and then clinches, working the dirty boxing. The ref splits them again Vera lands a big kick to the body that hurts Randy then they clinch. Vera takes Randy down off the clinch an mounts with 20 seconds. Randy bucks and gets to his feet they triad strikes as the round comes to an end. Randy wins by unanimous decision.

Orlando Nunez

Posted in Uncategorized

UFC 105 Mike Swick vs Dan Hardy

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:26:05 +0000

Round 1 Swick takes the center of the ring and tries to go for a clinch but takes a right hand on the way in. They battle in the clinch for a while until Swick lands a knee to the groin. The ref separates them for a rest then they start up again. Swick goes to the clinch again, Hardy landing some knees to the body in the clinch. At the end of the round they break out of the clinch and exchange some punches. Round 2 swick gets hit and gets wobbly then they clinch. Hardy softens Swick up in the clinch with body shots. The ref breaks them up and resets them in the center of the ring. Swick looks hesitant to engage. The last 20 seconds they clinch again. Round 3 this time Hardy takes the center. They get into a slug fest and Swick gets a hit with a big punch. They clinch and Swick pulls guard. The ref stands them up, Swick takes the center. Then they clinch with 10 seconds left in the round until the horn sounds. Hardy wins by unanimous decision.

Orlando Nunez

Posted in Uncategorized

UFC 105 Mike Bisping vs Denis Kang

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:48:52 +0000

Round 1 no touch Bisping takes the center of the ring. Kang lands a straight right hand that drops Bisping and the fight goes to the ground. Bisping defends on the ground superbly. Kang mounts twice and Bisping escapes and puts Kang back in the guard. Kang had ground control the whole round but Bisping ends the round with no punishment taken. Round 2 again Bisping takes the center of the ring and looks hesitant to engage. Kang always looking to land the right hand. Bisping takes Kang Down and starts a barrage of G&P, Kang gets up and Bisping gets another easy take down and some more G&P. Kang is cut and they scramble and Kang gets to his feet. Later kang looks wobbly and Bisping takes him down yet again. Finally Bisping finishes him off up agents the cage with some punches in bunches, ref stoppage.
Orlando Nunez
Alcatel-Lucent
CCSD Resident Engineer
Email: orlando.nunez@alcatel-lucent.com
Cell: 702-421-7056

Posted in Uncategorized

UFC 105 Andre Winner vs Rolando Delgado

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:19:41 +0000

Delgado comes out aggressively until Winner lands a lightning fast right hand that drops Delgado. Delgado gets up and in what seems like a replay of the first right hand that dropped Delgado, Winner shock Delgado with another blazing fast right hand that send Delgado to bed early. I can here Mr. Sandman playing in the background.
Orlando Nunez
Alcatel-Lucent
CCSD Resident Engineer
Email: orlando.nunez@alcatel-lucent.com
Cell: 702-421-7056

Posted in Uncategorized

UFC 105

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:06:39 +0000

Matt Brown vs James Wilks
Both come out pushing the pace and Wilks clinching up and attempting some take downs. The ref separates them and they come back together striking, Brown winning the exchange. Later Wilks lands a head kick followed by an upper cut and get a take down late in the round. 2nd round early Brown lands a flying knee that puts Wilks on his back. After a short scramble they get back on there feet. Wilks starts looking gased towards the end of the round yet he had a beautiful sweep giving him top position on the ground. Then Matt wraps a triangle with 5 seconds left and the round ends. 3rd round Wilks goes right to the clinch and tries a take down. After a short scramble wilks puts a kamora on Brown which he slips out of and ends up in the mount. Brown starts the G&P and the ref stops the fight.
Orlando Nunez
Alcatel-Lucent
CCSD Resident Engineer
Email: orlando.nunez@alcatel-lucent.com
Cell: 702-421-7056

Posted in Uncategorized

UFC 105

nufaction — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:43:34 +0000

Pearson vs Riley
Ross came out in the first round looking crisp. Nice short strikes and mixing it up with knees, kicks and elbows in each combo and he takes round one. Round 2 Ross comes out with much of the same, pushing the pace and controlling the center of the ring. At the end of the round Ross lands a vicious knee that cuts Riley and stops the fight due to facial reconstruction.

Orlando Nunez

Posted in Uncategorized

The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Episode 5

nufaction — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:31:20 +0000

Justin Wren vs Wes Sims
We’re seeing progress here MMA fans. This season of TUF may yet be saved. Justin Wren by arm triangle in the first round I would of never believed it. That is exactly what makes MMA the greatest sport on the planet. I also must add that I love the fact that Sims was trash talking and then was put to sleep in the first round (Humble pie anyone). In this episode we got to see the coaches go at it some more, Absolutely classic when Rashad was standing there talking down to Rampage. He even called him a sorry ass right before Rampage closed the door as he retreated. The sad part about it is that Rampage doesn’t have a leg to stand on because his coaching record sucks. That why Rashad replied “we can see that” every time Rampage said “I know what I’m doing”. Before TUF season 10 started I was not a big Rashad Evens fan, I mean I celebrated when Machita blasted him with that knockout punch. Maybe it was all the showboating that Rashad was doing in the ring that just bothered me. However, now I have gained respect for him after watching him coach this season. He brings a well rounded knowledge of the sport. He cares for the fighters regardless of what team they are on. He has a good work ethic about practice and best of all he seems to tell it how it is. Rashad straight up told Rampage that his coaching is garbage and that the fighters need his support win, lose or draw. Big up to Rashad, now I can follow you on twitter.

Orlando Nunez

Posted in Uncategorized

The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Episode 4

nufaction — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:44:11 +0000

Brendan Schaub vs Demico Rogers
Finally a real honest to goodness fight. Its funny how the only difference between the two heavyweights this week and the ones from previous weeks is conditioning. This weeks fighters aren’t any more skilled that the rest of the bunch with the exception on Roy Nelson (how could we forget) but Schaub and Rogers are way more athletic than lumps we have seen so far. Rogers displayed he has the potential and hunger to win. His ground and pound was effective and dominant. Schaub capitalized on a terrible mount attempt by Rogers and in the scramble Schaub adorned Rogers neck with a beautiful anaconda tie that was way to tight for Rogers taste. So he tapped. In all seriousness, I didn’t think the anacanda choke looked all that tight but Schaub deserves the win. If you can’t breathe you can’t fight. I also feel that Rogers lost the fight due to poor, no wait horrible coaching. Up until this episode of TUF I had Ken Shamrock as the worst coach ever on TUF. However, the new crowning champion of "Worst TUF coach" goes to the Rampage’s entire coaching staff. Rampage and Tiki great for TV, not so good for your carrier. Unfortunately Rogers found out the same way Kimbo and Shivers did.

Rampage: Hey our fighter is going in the octagon in a couple of hours, why don’t we grab lunch and then show up ten minutes before the fight that way we have enough time to wrap his hands.
Tiki: Yea that will give me time to trim my goat-tee and pass by wallmart.

What a bunch of douches. I lost lots of respect for them but in their defense it could be the way the show was edited…sure!

Orlando Nunez

Posted in Uncategorized