Aside from those two fights, everyone else on the card seems to be a bunch of no-names. That's the trouble with UFC vs. Pride, in a Pride event, usually everyone on the card is a recognizable name, UFC there is rarely more than just a few names on the card.
Anyways, the first match between Stephen Bonnar and Forrest Griffin was quite a good one, those two went all out. With this one, I am not entirely sure what to expect, I do think that Griffin will win this one. Griffin put up a very good effort against Tito a short while back. I would say it is safest to place faith in Griffin.
As far as Babalu and Chuck go. Though Babalu lost their first fight years ago, he has come a long way, and has not been defeated since; not to mention he has taken down some big names including Shogun Rua. Chuck took down Randy, who was a huge name (A bigger name in his time than Chuck will likely ever be). My money would go towards Babalu on this one. I feel that Babalu has a good chance of winning via decision or submission if he can avoid Chuck's KO power. Going in Babablu's favour is the fact that Chuck is slower now than he was during their first fight, and Babalu does not seem to have slowed down (he is 6-7 years younger). Babalu needs to take the fight to the ground though, standing up he will have less of a chance. I anticipate that the fight will be a short one, both Babalu and Liddel in the past couple of years have had the tendency to put everyone away very quickly (Chuck by KO, and Babalu by submission).
Of course, most want to see Silva vs. Liddel. So they want Chuck to win. Due to the Yakuza scandal, which is costing Pride a lot of money, we'll likely see more of the World's best fighters over here in North America. Now that there does seem to be a market here for it, Pride is going to want to aggressively take it. It is still a smaller market though, but in 2-3 years time it might be huge.
The major reason why it is usually difficult to get those fighters over here is the money. UFC fighters if they're good enough can make 250K per year. In Pride their fighters make about 500K per fight. The whole Yakuza scandal has caused Pride to lose one of their major television deals in Japan which is costing them millions (supposedly up to 15% of their total income), and so they are definately hurting. As it stands, they are trying to repair the relationship with the Japanese company, at the same time they are starting to make roads into North America. This Silva fight will be one of them; if it happens.
Anyways, less than two weeks from now: UFC 62. The reason I am making this post now and not next week is because there doesn't seem to be much activity on the Daily Stuff board of late.
Anyways, the first match between Stephen Bonnar and Forrest Griffin was quite a good one, those two went all out. With this one, I am not entirely sure what to expect, I do think that Griffin will win this one. Griffin put up a very good effort against Tito a short while back. I would say it is safest to place faith in Griffin.
As far as Babalu and Chuck go. Though Babalu lost their first fight years ago, he has come a long way, and has not been defeated since; not to mention he has taken down some big names including Shogun Rua. Chuck took down Randy, who was a huge name (A bigger name in his time than Chuck will likely ever be). My money would go towards Babalu on this one. I feel that Babalu has a good chance of winning via decision or submission if he can avoid Chuck's KO power. Going in Babablu's favour is the fact that Chuck is slower now than he was during their first fight, and Babalu does not seem to have slowed down (he is 6-7 years younger). Babalu needs to take the fight to the ground though, standing up he will have less of a chance. I anticipate that the fight will be a short one, both Babalu and Liddel in the past couple of years have had the tendency to put everyone away very quickly (Chuck by KO, and Babalu by submission).
Of course, most want to see Silva vs. Liddel. So they want Chuck to win. Due to the Yakuza scandal, which is costing Pride a lot of money, we'll likely see more of the World's best fighters over here in North America. Now that there does seem to be a market here for it, Pride is going to want to aggressively take it. It is still a smaller market though, but in 2-3 years time it might be huge.
The major reason why it is usually difficult to get those fighters over here is the money. UFC fighters if they're good enough can make 250K per year. In Pride their fighters make about 500K per fight. The whole Yakuza scandal has caused Pride to lose one of their major television deals in Japan which is costing them millions (supposedly up to 15% of their total income), and so they are definately hurting. As it stands, they are trying to repair the relationship with the Japanese company, at the same time they are starting to make roads into North America. This Silva fight will be one of them; if it happens.
Anyways, less than two weeks from now: UFC 62. The reason I am making this post now and not next week is because there doesn't seem to be much activity on the Daily Stuff board of late.
-Insert Inspiring Quote-
