UFC 114 Discussion

Ali_1748 wrote:

Anyone actually have the courage to give Rashad credit ?

Yeah, he looked slightly better than he did against Thiago Silva.

That was one of Rampage's worst performances. Ali, you complained about Bisping not commiting, just imagine how the Rampage fans feel. Rampage is almost always the slower fighter but he goes after it. Tonight, even when he had Rashad hurt he did not go after it. I'm far more disappointed in Jackson's performance than i am impressed by Rashad...because that was the Rampage that lost his edge and i saw nothing new from Rashad that would lead me to believe that if he fought Lyoto Machida again, he would not get smoked again..because he can't take Lyoto down. Lyoto can even out dance him.

Ali_1748 wrote:

KingsOwn19 wrote:

THe bright side...atleast we get to watch Shogun decapitate this guy.

Just like Rampage was suppose to decapitate him ?

You really think Shad will beat Shogun??No one at LHW is beating shogun for a very long time.

I was very impressed with Rashad. His wrestling is as good as I thought and a lot better than people [wolf] have given him credit for. As for as slugging, the pair are one and one, and Rampage's shot came off a TD attempt and not an exchange, like Rashad's. I actually think Rashad should have trusted his striking a little more than he did.

As for Rampage, he always looks to counter, but gets credit for being a slugger. It's rare that you ever see him throw the first shot and tonight was no different.

I would give you a rep boom if you were accurate about what I have said leading up to this fight fool. Have you read anything I've said about this in the last six months? Anyway, Rampage blocked most of Rashad's takedowns most of the fight mostly based on size and power, which has always been the criticism I have had for Rashad Evans and his wrestling. But as I figured, the training with Mo, Carwin, and Cormier has paid off big time. His technique and power seem to be improving. Once Rampage was gassed in the third round, Evans after being hurt was able to take control in the wrestling department. Still, Evans size and ability to hold LHW's down will always stop him from being as effecting a GnP fighter as he could be. I stil favor a move to middleweight.

Anyway the story of this fight was the speed difference between the two fighters, which was what I have said from the very beginning. Rashad fought an awesome fight and I really can't understand all the hate. He outclassed Rampage for the majority of the bout. He didn't put himself in bad situations and didn't play with Rampages power, but he did go on the offensive from the clinch and turned up the gound and pound several times during the fight. He did exactly what those of us who were leaning his way said he had to to win. I knew Rashad's durability would be tested during the fight, and that the fight's outcome would likely hinge on that. I think Rashad showed a lot of heart to hang on.

Rashad haters/Rampage fans must accept that Rashad completely owned Rampage. He owned him on tuf, he owned him in the cage.

I didn't see what u saw, Kings is right, when Shad was in trouble and grabbed the back of the short, that saved his ass.

Normal Rampage finishes this fight

Subzero1983 wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

KingsOwn19 wrote:

THe bright side...atleast we get to watch Shogun decapitate this guy.

Just like Rampage was suppose to decapitate him ?

You really think Shad will beat Shogun??No one at LHW is beating shogun for a very long time.

No, but almost everyone claimed Rampage was going to dominate and destroy Rashad.

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

I didn't see what u saw, Kings is right, when Shad was in trouble and grabbed the back of the short, that saved his ass.

Normal Rampage finishes this fight

Normal Rampage is still a slow plodder who relies on brute strength and power. Rashad is too fast and athletic for him.

Almost everyone.

That was arguably Evan's best performance and Rampage's worst.

Rashad made Rampage look slow. Machida made Rashad look slow. Shogun made Machida look slow. Interesting.

Shogun will knock Rashad out though.

Normal Rampage wins when old Dan Hendersons, Wanderlei Silvas, and Chuck Liddells try to slug it out with him.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Almost everyone.

That was arguably Evan's best performance and Rampage's worst.

Rashad made Rampage look slow. Machida made Rashad look slow. Shogun made Machida look slow. Interesting.

Shogun will knock Rashad out though.

Probably, but his power and speed will make it fun for a couple rounds.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

I would give you a rep boom if you were accurate about what I have said leading up to this fight fool. Have you read anything I've said about this in the last six months? Anyway, Rampage blocked most of Rashad's takedowns most of the fight mostly based on size and power, which has always been the criticism I have had for Rashad Evans and his wrestling. But as I figured, the training with Mo, Carwin, and Cormier has paid off big time. His technique and power seem to be improving. Once Rampage was gassed in the third round, Evans after being hurt was able to take control in the wrestling department. Still, Evans size and ability to hold LHW's down will always stop him from being as effecting a GnP fighter as he could be. I stil favor a move to middleweight.

Anyway the story of this fight was the speed difference between the two fighters, which was what I have said from the very beginning. Rashad fought an awesome fight and I really can't understand all the hate. He outclassed Rampage for the majority of the bout. He didn't put himself in bad situations and didn't play with Rampages power, but he did go on the offensive from the clinch and turned up the gound and pound several times during the fight. He did exactly what those of us who were leaning his way said he had to to win. I knew Rashad's durability would be tested during the fight, and that the fight's outcome would likely hinge on that. I think Rashad showed a lot of heart to hang on.

Rashad haters/Rampage fans must accept that Rashad completely owned Rampage. He owned him on tuf, he owned him in the cage.

My bad, I've been out of the loop lately. I just thought I remember reading a long time ago that you thought Rashad's wrestling was overrated, but I also recall you being one of the few that took Rashad in this match. How sick was that double-leg in the first? Seriously, how many guys have that kind of explosion?

Quinton was owned in this fight. He landed the KO punch and still couldn't finish Rashad -- I think that will only embolden Rashad in a rematch to know that his power isn't as immortal as his camp has been insisting for the past few months. If anything, Rashad respected Quinton's stand-up too much and probably should have traded a little more.

As for Evans vs. Rua, wrestling will be a huge factor here. Obviously Rashad cannot trade with Shogun, but he will be able to take him down at a greater clip than Rampage. If he can turn it into a wrestling match and avoid the subs, then this is a winnable fight for Evans, where I'm not sure if he could takedown Machida. I could see a rock, paper, scissors scenario playing out with the LHW title, but I don't think anyone on this board will agree with me.

I know it was not the most crowd friendly fight, but Rashad didn't just lay on Rampage when he got him down he was hitting him with some good shots, anyone that cuts from 250 to get down to 205 is going be able to get a man who cuts maybe 10- 15 pounds off of him, but I thought Rashad turned up his ground game, as far as Shogun I think he will have to train very different for Rashad then he did for Machida, Rashad showed me alot tonight, he didn't stand and trade which would've been nice to see, he did Rock Rampage and he took him down as well. I think the Shogun fight will be a very good fight, but Machida is waiting in the wing and I don't think Rashad has a chance against him.

Rashad did a lot for the gay community last night.