Dos Santos vs Gonzaga co-headline on VS

I think Im picking the upset Gabe by KO.

Doubt Gonzo's gonna want to stand with Jr, most likely we'll see him try for some takedowns, which we haven't seen anyone really do on Dos Santos, interested to see Dos Santos ground game since he's trained with the Nog's and Maia.

I don't think JDS has been babied...i just don't think they are allowing him to move forward. He's had a few fights since Werdum and not one of his opponents, not even this next one is as good as Werdum. So, he's fighting good guys but i don't understand why UFC is taking it so slow with him when one win against middle of the pack fighters like Heath Herring(Brock Lesnar) and Gabe(Shane Carwin) put guys right in the title picture.

I mean, it's not like JDS has not been convincing. I had my doubts after Werdum, because i think Werdum was ridiculously out of shape and did not have a smart gameplan, but he keeps doing it..I don't think Gabe Gonzaga is a step forward.

Werdum KO'd Gonzaga twice. The JDS win over Werdum is way more impressive than Carwin's over GG.

And in no way has JDS had an easy road. That Yvel fight was a huge gamble because of Yvel's sick stand-up and really there's nothing to gain invictory since Yvel is unknown/unranked. JDS should not have had to take that bout.

All that being said, we still have yet to see JDS's ground game and I hope GG tests it, but somehow I think he will try to slug it out the he does with everyone now.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I don't think JDS has been babied...i just don't think they are allowing him to move forward. He's had a few fights since Werdum and not one of his opponents, not even this next one is as good as Werdum. So, he's fighting good guys but i don't understand why UFC is taking it so slow with him when one win against middle of the pack fighters like Heath Herring(Brock Lesnar) and Gabe(Shane Carwin) put guys right in the title picture.

I mean, it's not like JDS has not been convincing. I had my doubts after Werdum, because i think Werdum was ridiculously out of shape and did not have a smart gameplan, but he keeps doing it..I don't think Gabe Gonzaga is a step forward.

I think it has to do with age and hype.

Brock got his shot for obvious reasons. Carwin on the other hand gets moved in front of Cain & Santos because he is older and about equally impressive. Plus it is probably a bigger draw because we get to see 2 huge guys going at as opposed to just Brock.

Good test for JDS but I don't expect Gonzaga to last long.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

Bigs03 wrote:

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

how has JDS been babied? Everyone he has faced is dangerous. He has faced pretty solid competion IMO.

He hasn't really been babied but he hasn't fought any top contendors either. He hasn't fought Mir, Kongo, Gonzaga, Cain, Nog, Carwin, or even Herring. Without beating any of those guys I don't know how you can really justify giving him a title shot. At least now he'll get to fight Gonzaga, that's a logical next step for him anyway.

I consider Werdum and CC atleast on par with Herring and even Gonzaga himself. But I would say his road in the UFC has been harder then Carwins. Carwin also never fought a top guy like Kongo, Mir, Cain and Nog. I know he was suppose to before everything fell apart but still you think he is worthy of mentioning with "top guys" but IMO JDS is every bit as impressive.

Werdum is a great win and he is on par with Gonzaga, maybe even a bit better. Cro Cop isn't on par with anyone in the UFC anymore except maybe Mostapha Al-Turk. I'm not saying JDS hasn't been impressive, he has been very impressive and he deserves to move on up the ladder in the HW division. All I'm saying is I don't see how you can justify giving him a title shot right now. They need to have a number one contendor match between him and Cain IMO. If he can beat Cain then by all means, give him a shot at the belt.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Bigs didn't he flatten a number 1 contender who was in a win and in title situation, who is still on a lot of top ten lists? A guy who around the same time also stopped Gonzaga and Vera. Gonzaga is good, but his only real top ten win was CC, who JDS has also just beat.

I suppose though that this fight is worthwhile from a ground game perspective. Gonzaga if he can make it to the ground should test where he is there. He hasn't faced a lot of stiff competition on the ground yet.

Yes he dominated Werdum, then went on to dominate Struve and Cro Cop. All I'm saying is he doesn't deserve a title shot yet...that's it. He's been great. I don't understand how I got negative votes on that post, I wasn't discrediting him I was just saying I need to see him beat one of the guys I mentioned before I can really consider giving him a title shot.

If you ask me, Carwin doesn't deserve a shot right now. Obviously, from a size standpoint it makes sense because Brock had been steamrolling people who were smaller than him. I think Dana and Joe Silva fast tracked him to give Brock a challenge size wise. Carwin has been impressive but he needs to do more IMO to get a title shot than just beat Gonzaga.

As far as Herring, you're absolutely correct, he's not a top 10 or even top 15 guy anymore. I don't think we can totally discredit him for the loss to Brock, though. Most guys would've suffered the same fate and the first punch Brock landed was devestating as you know. Herring is a name, though, and he's got a lot of experience. To me, a win for JDS over Herring is more impressive than a win over Cro Cop at this point.

I feel you bigs, and I didn't vote any post down. I knew you'd suspect me though when I saw it.

Ultimately I like this match more than I originally did a couple days ago because of the ground game questions surrounding JDS.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

I feel you bigs, and I didn't vote any post down. I knew you'd suspect me though when I saw it.

Ultimately I like this match more than I originally did a couple days ago because of the ground game questions surrounding JDS.

Actually I didn't suspect you because I think you and I agree for the most part on this issue. I'm not sure who did or why but I didn't think I said anything that bad.

Whatever.

Gonzaga is going to kick JDS head off, derail a title challenger, then lose under pressure to a Couture that also just beat a wounded Brock...



nevermind that was just a nightmare I had in passing...

I don't think UFC expected JDS to pass all of the test they have given him. They already had a line of competitors for the title with Carwin, Cain, Nog and Mir. I don't think the UFC wanted him that line just yet but he has been so impressive they won't be able to deny him much longer.

well if jds hits anywhere near as hard as carwin it could be lights out for GG but on paper GG should take this.

sokolkevin wrote:

well if jds hits anywhere near as hard as carwin it could be lights out for GG but on paper GG should take this.

I don't know, if Gabe can't get it to the mat he's probably going to get KO'd viciously. I'd put my money on JDS here. If it goes to the ground Gonzaga definitely has an advantage as he's a black belt.

Bigs03 wrote:

sokolkevin wrote:

well if jds hits anywhere near as hard as carwin it could be lights out for GG but on paper GG should take this.

I don't know, if Gabe can't get it to the mat he's probably going to get KO'd viciously. I'd put my money on JDS here. If it goes to the ground Gonzaga definitely has an advantage as he's a black belt.

IMO JDS has a more impressive resume in the UFC then Gonzaga. I'm pretty sure most people would agree. I don't see how JDS is not favored in this fight.

I think he has fought good guys. JDS via talent

Wow... I think this card is almost more worthy of PPV billing than 106 or 108. They are doing a great job with this one...