Crusher vs Gilbert

I think this rematch has to be made. Josh Thomson was in line to face Gilbert if he won against Crusher. Since Josh lost decisively and Gilbert really has no one to face at 155 I think Crusher should be brought over to Strikefore.

without a doubt again i agree but i honestly think UFC needs to sign Krusher

was I the only guy on pick em to pick Hioki and Kawajiri???

styles make fights and while Aoki owned Kawajiri i think Kawajiri is definitely more prepared for Gil Milendez

I agree bird. I think Crusher will be the best Japanese LW to traslate to the States. Even though Shinya Aoki tapped Kawajiri in the blink of an eye. Aoki is an awesome grappler, but, because of Aoki's lame stand-up game and chinniness, he's always going to bounce back and forth between tapping elite fighters like Kawajiri and Eddie Alvarez, and getting KO'd by guys like "Jienotsu." Kawajiri's toughness and overall MMA game offers him a level of stability that a guy like Aoki doesn't have.

agree, I mean honestly who over here in the states is going to jump for a heel hook in the first 20 seconds? Other than Ken vs Franklin I cant think of anyone doing it, Kawajiri could really cross over well in the states especially if he is matched right

its becoming clear Aoki will never be able to compete against a striker that can avoid the ground and its sad because damn his submissions are sick

even more impressive considering i thought he woul be shelved for a while after that Aoki heel hook bounces back and beats a guy like Josh Thomson, if that doesnt show hes legit i dont know what does

Ha, I was just about to start this same thread last night and ask how people thought it would go down. I agree that I'd like to see Kawajiri make his way to the States and after last night a fight with Gil would be logical

this fight needs to happen, who else in SF is gonna fight Gil

Gil will have a tougher fight against Crusher, but I think he wins it in almost the same dominant fashion. Josh held his own against Kawajiri and the fight was pretty close imo. I had Kawajiri winning, but not by that much. Nice Judo and sub attempts by crusher, but Josh beat him up pretty good in that fight.

Those weak Judo trips and throws won't work against Gil.

Not digging the fact that Crusher's skills, which consisted of takedowns, maintaining top control and nothing more, are considered the best suited to compete in US MMA.

See Okami..........

captain organic wrote:

Not digging the fact that Crusher's skills, which consisted of takedowns, maintaining top control and nothing more, are considered the best suited to compete in US MMA.

Thomson has a good defensive guard. He was still ragdolled in that fight impressively

Crusher didn't do shit from the top for most of the fight. I know he won the fight, but I was more imprezzed with Thomson.

bobbitt15 wrote:

captain organic wrote:

Not digging the fact that Crusher's skills, which consisted of takedowns, maintaining top control and nothing more, are considered the best suited to compete in US MMA.

Thomson has a good defensive guard. He was still ragdolled in that fight impressively

I suggest you wath the fight again without your Kawajiri glasses on. He got beat up in that fight even if he did get many TD's and stayed in control for the most part. I think the fight was very close.

Kawajiri abused him in the clinch and mounted him like 6 times. Thomson landed 1 or 2 nice hammerfists from the bottom that opened up Crusher's nose in the first round

Like I said, Kawajiri was able to get takedowns and maintain top control, but n terms of actual offense, there was very little.

It's unfortunate that these are considered the skills necessary to compete with the top of the division.

It's about winning fights

Well it was also only one fight. Kawajiri is known for having some nice GnP, but Thomson has an active guard that makes being able to accomplish much from the top pretty difficult. Kudos to him for that, but Kawajiri being able to toss someone like Josh around was the most impressive part of the fight to me and has me wanting to see a fight with Gil

LA wrote:

It's about winning fights

Sure for the fighter.

But for me, the viewer, it's not something Im dieing to invest my time or $$$ on.

I can appreciate fighters fighting to their stengths or opponents weaknesses, and fighting smart.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Well it was also only one fight. Kawajiri is known for having some nice GnP, but Thomson has an active guard that makes being able to accomplish much from the top pretty difficult. Kudos to him for that, but Kawajiri being able to toss someone like Josh around was the most impressive part of the fight to me and has me wanting to see a fight with Gil

I don't deny it was a quality win over good opponent. But scintillating it was not.

LA wrote:

I can appreciate fighters fighting to their stengths or opponents weaknesses, and fighting smart.

meh, top control fights with little offense are boring imo.

In the 1 minutes worth of standup Thomson delivered more damage then Crusher did in 10+ minutes of top control.

You also have a special place for SF guys

I thought it was Crsuher all day and can appreciate how he controlled Thomson, you have a standing disadvantage, don't fight the fight there.

LA wrote:

You also have a special place for SF guys

I thought it was Crsuher all day and can appreciate how he controlled Thomson, you have a standing disadvantage, don't fight the fight there.

Im not arguing that Thomson won. He obviously didn't. totally agree that it's on him to keep the fight standing, and this is something he has always had problems with.

Im just making the general statement of my dislike for boring top controllers being so successful.

I prefer the fight aspect of MMA, more then the sport aspect of MMA.

LA is right Crusher dominated THomson, you can say well Thomson landed 5 really good punches, it doesnt matter, Kawajiri controlled him.

Beast take your Thomson glasses off