T1B

Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn.

Who/Why?

Last time, Penn pulled out a submission.

This time, Hughes will be more aware of what's going on.

I don't see Penn pulling that out again, but do see him winning in a split decision.

Discuss.

Fuck no it's not too early.

As for Penn winning, I honestly have no fucking idea. I don't know whether it was a fluke or if Penn's gameplan and execution is a poisonous mix for Hughes. I honestly expect Hughes to dominate the 2nd fight because he'll be very determined to avenge the loss. Then he can fight GSP and wall off the rest of the competition again.

The real stud to watch out for in this weight class is Diego Sanchez. That amazing finish vs. Karo was legendary, and I agreed with the decision because of how Diego finished the fight.

I've seen Penn fight 3 times now - he never looks imposing but he never gets hurt and never looks winded.

Almost like a pudgier Royce Gracie.

Diego Sanchez vs. Karo fight was a classic.

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Is it too early to talk about what a suck card the Pride Vegas Show will be?

How the Hell do they Trot out Coleman for a title shot at Fedor?

Surprised coleman hasn't had the sense to hang 'em up like Couture

UFC 63 has a cool website.

I'm amped.

KC Scott wrote:I've seen Penn fight 3 times now - he never looks imposing but he never gets hurt and never looks winded.

Almost like a pudgier Royce Gracie.

Diego Sanchez vs. Karo fight was a classic.

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Is it too early to talk about what a suck card the Pride Vegas Show will be?

How the Hell do they Trot out Coleman for a title shot at Fedor?

Surprised coleman hasn't had the sense to hang 'em up like Couture

Penn gassed against St. Pierre and that's why he lost the fight.

I agree with you. Coleman doesn't deserve to be in the same ring with Fedor at this stage of the game but Pride needed an American face in the main event.

I've skipped the last two UFC ppvs, but Hughes is one of my favorite fighters to watch.

I think Penn might take it, but hopefully I'm wrong.

I also think the Crow will take Swick.

Hughes seems to learn and get better with each fight. It seems like he displays something new in his arsenal each fight. His jiu-jitsu, though "basic" is disturbingly effective given his strength and power. He has those kimuras and rear naked chokes down to a science. That armbar that he slapped on St. Pierre a couple of years ago was brilliant given the situation and who his opponent was.

Dude is a sponge. I feel that Penn is going to pay dearly for that first fight.

I also think that Loiseau is going to cream Swick.

Damn, Penn vs Hughes was a great fight.

Note to BJ....

Was the Rashad fight any good? The dude that was hosting the fight has DirecTV and with Murphy's Law the way that it is... a storm went through and we lost the signal right when the first fight ended, only to return when the third fight was starting.

I read that he finally finished someone off.

Rack Fu wrote:Damn, Penn vs Hughes was a great fight.

Note to BJ....

No doubt. Penn had the first two rounds, but was gassed after that. In the interview, Hughes even made mention of that in some odd way.

**If** the second round was 30 seconds longer, maybe even only 10, Penn would have taken it.

Rashad actually looked pretty good last night.

64 doesn't look good enough yet to buy. 65 does.

It's a shame that Penn doesn't have the work ethic to go with his freakish talent. He'd be almost unbeatable if he did.

RACK HGH!!!!!

Sin,
Matt Hughes



I mean, c'mon now...let's be real here.


And for a guy who has no clue what he's doing in MMA, Evans looked pretty darn good. Was still completely unable to finish, except when it was gift wrapped for him.

Dinsdale wrote: And for a guy who has no clue what he's doing in MMA, Evans looked pretty darn good. Was still completely unable to finish, except when it was gift wrapped for him.

Once he learns some BJJ & striking skills, Evans could be a monster. He's a physical specimen. Really fast for a LHW.

Evans already has pretty good striking, especially for a wrestler. He's got fast hands. I think he'd whup Forrest Griffin right now and give Tito a run for his money.

The Penn-Hughes fight was amazing. I thought Hughes-Trigg 2 was the best fight I'd ever seen, but holy shite, that was an incredible fight.

Those who are still stuck with the MMA as "human cockfighting" cliche from ten years ago are missing a LOT.

First Sanchez-Karo and now Hughes-Penn.

I may never watch another fricken boxing match again.

Uncle Fester wrote:Evans already has pretty good striking, especially for a wrestler.

I disagree, to an extent. While he's an unbelievably powerful man, his striking was pretty much poo. Fairly horrid, matter of fact...hence, his inability to finish.


Striking isn't about how hard you can hit(because Evans has no problems there), it about when you hit them. When a wrassler with that skill level gains front or even side control on the mat, it's time to position oneself for what we used to call the "pahpow." Evans had many, many opportunities to do so, and didn't take advantage, which put his victory at risk.

But, I attribute this to inexperience, certainly not any lack of talent. The big question mark with the wrestlers is always about how long it will take them to "unlearn" the skills that they've spent most of their lives learning...which seems to favor the smarter guys(sup Randy U&L).

Actually, the fight was the main event at a buddy's birthday party...one of my old BJJ training partners, matter of fact. And even dude's 16yo stepson(BJJ guy and wrestler) was even jumping out of the chair, screaming at the TV, bitching about Evans lack of MMA technique.

Don't confuse "lack of technique" with lack of talent or MAD skills, but Evans has a looooong way to go before he gets with the experienced guys.

The party ended with a bunch of us mid-to-late-thirty-somethings saying shit like "you know, if I were to spend 4 hours a day for the next month doing stretching and calesthinics, I could probably start training hard again....nah"