UFC on Fox 4 - August 4th @ 8PM ET

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Mauricio Rua(21-6) defeats Brandon Vera(12-6) - TKO

Lyota Machida(18-3) vs. Ryan Bader(14-3) - KO

Joe Lauzon(28-7) defeats Jamie Varner(20-7-1) - Submission

Mike Swick(15-4) defeats DeMarques Johnson(16-11) - KO


UFC on Fuel TV - @ 5PM ET

Nam Phan(18-10) defeats Cole Miller(18-6) - Split Decision

Phil Davis(9-1) vs. Wagner Prado(8-0) - No Contest

Rani Yahya(17-7) defeats Josh Grispi(14-4) - Submission

Phil De Fries(9-1) defeats Oli Thompson(9-4) - Submission

Manvel Gamburyan(12-7) defeats Michihiro Omigawa(13-12-1) - Unanimous Decision

John Moraga(11-1) defeats Ulysses Gomez(9-3) - KO

 

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Hopefully the card is as awesome as it looks.


Phil Davis is on the preliminary card which will be shown on Fuel TV. Kind of weird that going 9-0 and losing to Rashad Evans by decision gets him dropped to a preliminary card on Fuel TV. He'll be facing first time UFC fighter Wagner Prado who is 8-0. Never heard of any of the competition he has faced to get to 8-0 so I'm assuming Phil Davis will make quick work of him.

 

[Notorious B.E.N]

This looks like a good card. Prolly could make more on this one than last nights if they put this on ppv.

 

[VOLtage]

Mauricio Rua(20-6) vs. Brandon Vera(12-5)

Lyota Machida(17-3) vs. Ryan Bader(14-2)

Travis Browne(13-0-1) vs. Ben Rothwell(32-8)

Jamie Varner(20-6-1) vs. Joe Lauzon(21-7)

Predictions:
Machida - KO
Ben Rothwell -TKO
Lauzon - decision
Rua- TKO

I love Rua and Machida fights. Hoping they deliver.

 

[shelbyvillevol]

I really think Vera could beat Shogun. I may pick him in an upset. I think Machida is going to wreck Bader. I also, like Browne and Lauzon.

 

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I really think Vera could beat Shogun. I may pick him in an upset. I think Machida is going to wreck Bader. I also, like Browne and Lauzon.

Hope not. Shogun is one of my fav. fighters.

Gotta love a fighter that has 17 knock outs in 20 wins.

Although, it does concern me that Vera has a 5 inch reach advantage. That 5 inch reach could be a huge factor. Hopefully Shogun can blow through it and KO him.

 

[Blake25p]

I would rather pay for this than that crap Saturday.

 

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Mauricio Rua-Brandon Vera fight will decide No. 1 contender - ESPN



This fight just got so much bigger.

Don't really think beating Vera is worthy of a title shot but Shogun's history is so I see nothing wrong with him getting the next title shot if he gets the W. Vera on the other hand... his quote is perfect.

"Dana throwing (the title announcement) out there," Vera said. "This is almost like winning the lottery twice.

This was a good fight for Vera already but if he wins, it doesn't seem like it should warrant a title shot given his track record. This is an unbelievable opportunity for Vera.

With that being said... I think Shogun is primed for a knock out. This was already a fight he needed but with a title shot at stake, this would probably be the worst loss of Shogun's career if he loses.

 

[VOLtage]

I agree this shouldn't automatically mean a title fight for Vera. Lets say Vera just lands a lucky shot on Rua, but Machida destroys Bader, I think Machida should get the opportunity again. I've always thought that out of all the people Jones has faced already Machida has the best skill set and style to possibly beat Jones.

 

[shelbyvillevol]

Dana backed off that statement, and said that the Machida-Bader winner could also get a title shot, pending their outcome. The crappy part is Bones has already destroyed all 4 of these guys. I know he probably isn't ready or deserving, but I say go ahead and give Gustafsson the next title shot. That appeals to me more than anyone of these.

 

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That's good Dana backed off the statement since I don't think Vera deserves a title shot even if he wins.

And although Machida beat Shogun last time they fought, Machida went from 16-0 to 17-3. Shogun's recent fights are a bit sketch but 1-3 in your last 4 fights is hard to look past as far as getting a title shot goes. Then you look at Gustaffsson's only loss being to Phil Davis and Phil Davis's only loss being to Rashad Evans.

Keep in mind, Shogun fought Jones coming off a major injury which is why I think he deserves a shot over Evans/Machida if he wins his next fight. Maybe that injury was his undoing but I have to believe his injury made a difference. If I were making a list of fights I want to see it would be something like...

1. Shogun(If he's fully healthy)
2. Gustafsson/Machida
3. Davis/Evans

For all I know, maybe Davis could somehow upset Jones. Evans might even be Jones biggest challenge but I do know that I didn't enjoy Evans last fights against both Jones and Davis. It's pretty weird how Davis dropped out of favor big time with a loss to Evans. At this point though, I'd like to see Weidman or a healthy Shogun against Jones. Hopefully Shogun puts on a strong showing against Vera and leaves no doubt he's back to full health. Unless he just dominates in a decision against Vera, I think Shogun needs to finish Vera. Otherwise I'll question his health because he's had multiple surgeries on his knees. He still looks solid enough but he hasn't looked the same.

Should add that everything changes if Henderson were to somehow beat Jones. I'm not a Bones fan(I was against Rashad) but there is no denying that he's special. If and when he loses that title, he should be the first to get a rematch but if someone else gets the shot, all bets are off. The division has amazing talent that's pretty even. After Bones that is. A handful of guys below him could split every other fight but the problem is taking the title from Jon Jones. Good luck...

 

[n_huffhines]

I've got a non-title fight match up for Bones Jones....how about Stefan Struve at 235 lbs catch weight?

 

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That would be something. I think what people really want is Silva vs. GSP or Silva vs. Jones.

Most think Silva would destroy GSP but I'm not completely convinced if Silva moves down in weight. I could easily see Silva owning him but I'm not certain. GSP is pretty good and rangy with a good build. The people talking about him moving up to fight Bones though.... I don't see it. Bones would move up before he moves down and if Silva wants to move up, I think Jones would tear Silva a new one.

If weight classes are being changed, I want Silva and GSP. I'm fairly certain I know the outcome of Silva vs. Bones. Then again, my opinion is no better that Bones will crush Silva as the people that believe Silva would crush GSP. Silva very well may crush GSP but I think GSP would give Silva a better fight than Silva would give Jones. jmo

Edit: This is assuming Silva were to move down or move up. Silva would crush GSP if GSP moved up but it could be a fight if Silva moved down. No way Jones moves down though. Bones would move up before down and I don't see Silva winning if he moves up.

 

[n_huffhines]

I agree that Silva/GSP is a better matchup than Jones/Silva, but I want to see Silva lose.

 

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I agree that Silva/GSP is a better matchup than Jones/Silva, but I want to see Silva lose.

Me too.

I'm not sure you need Bones for that though if Silva moves up. I know he's the best P4P fighter but he's also aging and the guys above him might be the best division in MMA. If we wants to move up, I believe others could beat him. He just a freak of nature for his weight class. Kind of like Jones is for light heavyweight. As much as I think Jones is great, how could he even move up in weight and face a guy like Brock Lesnar? Guys like that would be a terrible matchup for Jones if he moved up.

Silva has basically run out of opponents and Jones is about to as well. That's why changing divisions is so interesting. But damn... Silva jumping to Jones or Jones jumping to JDS in their arrival to a new weight class, I don't know about that. I'd think the current champion would own them if they move up.

 

[VOLtage]

1) Would love to see Jones vs. Stefan Struve. Wont even need to do a catch weight since eventually Jones will move up.

2) Not convinced Silva or Jones will have too much trouble moving up in weight classes. They both share the same advantage in that they are tall. Silva when he fought at 205 looked like that was the natural division for how big he was. Jones also has plenty of space on that body of his to add some serious muscle. He's taller than Brock and is the same height as dos Santos; plus has the reach advantage.

 

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I had a really long write up but for some reason the site went wacky on me and told me I needed to log in when I clicked reply and after I logged in, it said something about already being logged in so I couldn't post. So... everything is gone and I guess I'll just try to sum it up.

I agree that Jon Jones has size the to add weight and move up but my thinking is that it wouldn't be natural to put on 40lbs of muscle in a few months and he wouldn't be used to fighting at that weight. He's always been bigger than everyone at 205 and could stuff their take downs but a lot of the top fighters in the heavyweight division are former college wrestlers and even won national championships. That's why I think a guy like Lesnar who is 265 would be able to jump all over Bones if it were one of his first fights. He may have stopped 100% of the take down attempts at 205 but I'm not sure he can put on 40lbs in a few months and immediately step into the ring with the top fighters. They also dish out way bigger bombs.

So it's not that I don't think Bones can't be a heavyweight and be one of the top heavyweights over time. I just think he should spend a minimum of 8 months putting on 40lbs and training if he wants to step into the ring against JDS, Cain, Overeem, Lesnar, Mir or Carwin. If I were forced to put money on him in his first fight against one of those guys after putting on 40lbs in a few months, I think they'd kick his ass.

I know it's a terrible comparison and it's a completely different situation but how much weight has Bray put on in the 2-3 years he's been on campus? Putting on 40 pounds of muscle is easier said than done and if he just immediately puts on 40 pounds, that's not natural. So now he's not only trying to prevent 240-265lb former wrestlers(instead of 205lbs) from taking him down and avoiding the biggest blows he's ever seen but he's still trying to get in tune with his new body.

Maybe you're right and he could immediately step into the ring with the top fighters in the heavyweight division but I have serious doubts about it. I feel the realistic route would be training 6 months for a middle of the pack heavyweight. Then train 5 months for another middle of the pack heavyweight. After he's gotten by those 2 guys and puts in another 5 months preparing for one of the top fighters, he'll be more accustomed to fighting heavyweights and know how to use his new body. All of the kinks will be worked out and he'll have a legit heavyweight body.

We might just disagree but I think if he put on 40lbs in just few months, then immediately steps into the ring with one of the top heavyweights, he's just asking to get thrown to the ground and get pummeled.

 

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Forgot to comment on Silva.

While I think Bones can move up since he's young and has time to transition, Silva is 37 and I just don't think he could beat Bones at this point in his career at 205. I wouldn't mind seeing him fight Shogun, Machida or Evans though and think those fights could go either way. For whatever reason, I feel like Bones would handle Silva. For the most part, he handles everyone so that's probably why. Too bad those other fights won't happen. Silva would only move up for a title fight. If he wants to fight Jones, I'd watch it but I just think it would be Bones fight to lose.

At this point, the only fights left for Silva and Jones in their weight class...

Silva - Weidman
Jones - Henderson, Shogun, Gustaffson, Davis

From there I'd like to see Silva fight GSP unless Rua wins the title. And if Jones runs the table, I'd like to see him move up.

 

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Anderson Silva's distaste for Jon Jones fight doesn't equate - Los Angeles Times

July 8, 2012

Anderson Silva wagged his finger "no" to the idea of him possibly fighting Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight Jon Jones.

Chris Weidman Lashes Out at Anderson Silva - Yahoo! Sports

July 29, 2012

Jorge Guimaraes - one of Silva's managers - recently stated that the only fight that makes sense for his client right now is a super-fight against Georges St Pierre, referring to Weidman and others in the current middleweight title mix as "amateur kids."

So it looks like Silva is pushing for a GSP fight and wants no part of Jon Jones.

There is a little more to both of the articles...

In the first article, Dana was asked if he would force Silva to fight Jones. He said negotiating with him is difficult so he's not sure he can force him but he did say Silva told him he wouldn't fight Sonnen again. We saw that turned out so he's hinting that he might be able to convince Silva to fight Jones.

In the second article, Weidman said if Silva doesn't want to fight him, Silva should move up and fight Jones. He basically called out Silva for wanting to fight the smaller guy(GSP) while refusing to fight the bigger guy(Jones).

 

[TOP]

Here's another article on Silva saying no to fighting Jones and wanting to fight GSP.


Anderson Silva Still Talking GSP Fight, But Says No Way to a Possible Jones Pairing | | Cagepotato

Anderson Silva made a stop on the Max & Marcellus show on ESPN 710 radio this morning and made some interesting comments about some of his potential future fights.

Although he mentioned his upcoming rematch with Chael Sonnen, who he says ” no respect nothing,” “The Spider” named injured welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre as his most apt opponent out of anyone in the UFC right now.

“Georges is the best fighter in this sport. My opinion is it a great, great, great fight — me and Georges. I like Georges. He’s a good man. He’s a good guy for this sport, and he represents the sport [well] to all the people in Canada,” he explained. “Maybe one day this fight is the good fight.”

When asked if he might move up a weight class (like St-Pierre will likely have to do to make the fight happen) to face Jon Jones, Silva rejected the notion because “Bones” is in a different weight class. Ironic, isn’t it, since he’s willing to fight a welterweight.

And here's an article about GSP saying he'd fight Silva if he has time to put on weight. What he's saying is exactly my thinking on Bones putting on weight. GSP goes in depth about how it takes time to put on weight and how you have to do it the right way. So Bones immediately putting on 40lbs and stepping into the ring with top fighters is just begging for an ass kicking imo.


Georges St-Pierre Says If Given Time To Put On Weight He Will Fight Anderson Silva | MMASucka

For me to go up in weight class, I need to consider a lot of things. Because if I go up, I cannot go back down. I cannot play with my weight easy like that… Anderson used to fight at 168-pounds a few years ago in Japan, so I don’t know what his weight is. I think he walks around at 230-pounds, he’s very big. I don’t know if he can cut down. I walk around at 188-190-pounds. Putting on or losing too much weight, for me, is very hard. I’m always about the same size, I’ve got an ectomorph type physique. I could (put on the weight to fight Silva), it just depends on the amount of time I have to do it. If I do it, I have to do it well, it takes time. But, if the UFC is willing to give me the time to do so, and not make me fight during that period of time, and also not make him fight during that period of time, because if he fights and something happens, you know he loses and now he’s not invincible, everything goes out the window. It just depends on the outcome of whats going on and what people are going to expect.

 

[shelbyvillevol]

GSP has to get past Condit before he can think about a super-fight with Anderson. I honestly think Condit has a real good shot at beating GSP, too. If it is a guarantee that the 2 will fight, I hope GSP beats Condit. Anderson's manager is right. There's no MW contender that is even close to Silva, and it's almost an insult to put one of those guys in the octagon with him at this point.

 

[n_huffhines]

I don't know, man. Going from Light Heavyweight to Heavyweight is a huge jump. We're talking 55 lbs. I'd almost like them to have a 240 lbs class, and then a super-heavyweight class that doesn't have a cap.

 

[VOLtage]

Oh I agree that Jones shouldn't take a heavyweight fight with only a few months to put on weight. That would be disastrous. I think he would need 8 to 10 months at the least to properly get his body ready. As for facing bigger wrestlers though I don't think that will be a problem. Silva, GSP, BJ Penn, dos Santos - all those guys have made a living off of people with better wrestling backgrounds than them, and I don't see Jones struggling against wrestlers either. Evans was a great wrestler in college. Plus Jones is amazing at roman-greco wrestling which is considered by a lot of people to be more suited for MMA than freestyle.

As for the UFC adding a Cruiserweight division (230), that's not in the near future since that weight class isn't in the Unified Rules of MMA. Would love to see a Super Heavyweight class but honestly there isn't enough good talent in the world right now for the UFC to add that. Super Fight League has SHW fights and really that aren't that great.

When it comes to GSP vs. Silva I agree with shelbyvillevol. GSP needs to get past Condit first. It took Frank Mir a few fights to recover from his leg injury and really he's never been the same.

 

[VOLtage]

The odds.

UFC On FOX 4 Odds For The Under Card:

Phil Davis (-600) vs. Wagner Prado (+400)
Josh Grispi (-180) vs. Rani Yahya (+150)
Manny Gamburyan (-150) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (+120)
Cole Miller (-140) vs. Nam Phan (+110)
Phil de Fries (-220) vs. Oli Thompson (+170)
Ulysses Gomez (-250) vs. John Moraga (+190)

UFC On FOX 4 Odds For The Main Card:

Mauricio Rua (-400) vs. Brandon Vera (+300)
Lyoto Machida (-370) vs. Ryan Bader (+280)
Jamie Varner (-115) vs. Joe Lauzon (-115)
Mike Swick (-250) vs. Damarques Johnson (+190)

 

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Wish today was Saturday.