UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

[Wet Bandit]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

So where does Nog go from here? Rematch with Mir? Winner of Lesnar/Carwin?

If Lesnar wins, I'd say Lesnar/Nog. If Nog loses that, let him rematch Mir then.

I can see the case for having Nog rematch Mir before a title shot, but that would mean Nog wouldn't be ready for a potential title match until next summer, and I just don't see another viable contender for Lesnar in the meantime if he gets by Carwin.

Might as well cash in on Nog's stock while it's at its highest.

[throwmonkey]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Mir's got a fight with Kongo coming up.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

So what happened to Ed Herman? ACL? It looked like that, because he was still sort of able to walk until he put all his weight on it with that kick and then he crumbled.

[goh]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

To me thats somewhat strange considering 16,000+ is a pretty big number I thought but compared to Philly it was a little short since Philly did 17,411 in attendance.

Though compared to Montreal where they sell out ~22,000 in about 30 minutes (I thought they said 9 minutes actually but that doesn't sound feasible) it's not so good. Pretty sure they sellout in Vegas every time too.

I'd say Brock/Nog next for Nog,if Brock wins.

[The Chef]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Though compared to Montreal where they sell out ~22,000 in about 30 minutes (I thought they said 9 minutes actually but that doesn't sound feasible) it's not so good. Pretty sure they sellout in Vegas every time too.

I'd say Brock/Nog next for Nog,if Brock wins.

Comparing it to Vegas is pointless as they hold the cards there in a much smaller venue, for instance, UFC 100 sold out at 9,793 tickets so thats not really a good indication of how poorly or well Portland did. Dana mentioned missing on the price and that leading to not selling out so I guess he figures they overpriced them here for the first show but he did say they would be coming back but probably after going to Seattle first. Either way, I think Portland was respectable enough numbers wise to warrant a return by the UFC in the future.

[MachoMyers]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Anyone know if there is a Dana White video blog for 102? Can't seem to find it (too early still?)

[MC Fatigue]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Anyone know if there is a Dana White video blog for 102? Can't seem to find it (too early still?)

He's not doing blogs anymore - just the fighters are.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Final numbers were 16,088 fans for a live gate of $1.92 million and was also one of the top five in Oregon history for a live event so the fans certainly showed up. Now that Im back finally I wanted to mention how weird it is when your sitting there watching the fight with no commentary, its almost like you become so accustomed to hearing Goldberg and Rogan disecting things that when they arent there it feels weird. Anyone else who went and saw UFC live feel the same way? For some reason it really stood out to me when the night initially got going.

EDIT- While watching the post fight press conference I noticed that Dana wasnt thrilled that they didnt sell out making comments about missing on the ticket prices and how he felt they should have been able to sell out. To me thats somewhat strange considering 16,000+ is a pretty big number I thought but compared to Philly it was a little short since Philly did 17,411 in attendance.

Its funny that you mention that because I was thinking the same thing when I watched 101 live. They actually sell headphones at the event so people can listen to the commentary if they want too. Its strange but this is the only sporting event that Ive been to that I missed the commentary.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Comparing it to Vegas is pointless as they hold the cards there in a much smaller venue, for instance, UFC 100 sold out at 9,793 tickets so thats not really a good indication of how poorly or well Portland did. Dana mentioned missing on the price and that leading to not selling out so I guess he figures they overpriced them here for the first show but he did say they would be coming back but probably after going to Seattle first. Either way, I think Portland was respectable enough numbers wise to warrant a return by the UFC in the future.

I disagree with that. This is one of the few recent UFC events where tickets were still available up until the day of the event. Whats even sadder is that Dana packed this event with local guys like Couture and Leben. Philly sold out in a day (except for the front row seats). Vegas and Canada always sell out quickly too.

[DueceDiggla]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Wonder who gets cut after this one. Leben should def be cut IMO. I would also cut Herman, Hague and McCully

[Wet Bandit]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

No way should Leben be cut yet. He's popular, he's 8-5 in the UFC, and he's pretty reliable in terms of putting on a good fight. Not every fighter in the UFC has to be a championship contender or some up-and-comer on a 5-fight win streak. There's a place for guys like Leben.

Also, I really hope that a fight between Hendo and Marquardt doesn't happen. I think it's bull**** the crap Silva and his management are trying to pull. There's two obvious contenders for his title. They're talking about how they're willing to wait for the result of that fight before defending the title again, but that would mean the MW champ would defend his title once in about 15 months. That's insane.

Plus, if they fight each other, one of them won't get a title shot, because there's no way a guy gets one coming off a loss. I get that there's no clear number one contender, but so what? It's not worth sabotaging one of the guys just so we can distinguish between 1a and 1b.

Let Hendo go first, because he's more likely to be ready sooner. And then let Marquardt go next. Hopefully by that time, another challenger emerges to fight for the MW title next summer (maybe Okami).

If Silva finds that disagreeable, he can give up his title and move up to LHW and mess around in that division all he wants.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

I thought the card looked horrible on paper but it turned out to be good. I enjoyed 102 more than 101.

Here are some general thoughts:

- Vera vs. Soszynski was a snooze fest. The unintentional comedy was provided by Hendo. He told Soszyski (I think it was after the 2nd round) that Vera looked like he was about to quit, lol. Vera dominated him from start to finish.

- Leben vs. Rosholt was a solid match. The crowd was really into the match.

- The Silva, Marquardt, and Duffee KO's were sick.

- Couture vs. Nog was an epic battle. The match wasn't close but Couture showed me a lot of heart when he didn't tap out in the 1st or 2nd round. He was also in big time trouble when Nog was dropping hammer fists on him in the final round but luckily the ref didn't stop the match.

- I thought the Portland crowd was loud but they boo'ed too much. I knew Brock would get boo'ed but even Rashard Evans was heavily boo'ed.

- I wonder how many tickets the UFC gave away? A few days ago, White said he would be happy with 10,000 people and than the UFC said they had over 16,000 people last night. I know unemployment is high in Portland right now but I don't see them going back there in a long time.

[CueDub]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

Wonder who gets cut after this one. Leben should def be cut IMO. I would also cut Herman, Hague and McCully

I think Leben is UFC for life. He's too popular from the Ultimate Fighter show. Plus his fights are guaranteed stand-up slugfest. He could still fight on UFC fight nights.

I think Ed Herman will be back. Another popular guy from the reality show. Plus it would be pretty harsh to cut a fighter after a serious knee injury.

[The Chef]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

I disagree with that. This is one of the few recent UFC events where tickets were still available up until the day of the event. Whats even sadder is that Dana packed this event with local guys like Couture and Leben. Philly sold out in a day (except for the front row seats). Vegas and Canada always sell out quickly too.

Well Dana himself said they screwed up with the pricing of the tickets, which was the entire problem. I was looking ahead and tickets in Dallas for 103 are much cheaper once you get above the nosebleeds of course but ringside seats in Oregon were 600.00 where as in Dallas I dont believe they have even reached 500.00 so price point had a part to play in this as well. To put it in perspective, in Oregon the tickets ran 50-100-200-300-400-600 where as in Dallas they are running 50-100-150-250-350-450 so it should be plain as day as to why Portland didnt completely sell out. My question is, why the hell did they try and charge so much more for what so many viewed as an average card in a location where theyve never held an event before? I get the whole local flavor thing but to ask someone to pay 50-150 more for good seats over what is being charged in Dallas for 103 which features bigger names in Belfort, Franklin, Cro Cop, Swick, Koscheck, Trigg etc. isnt just bad planning, its ridiculous.

[The Chef]

Re: UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira

- I thought the Portland crowd was loud but they boo'ed too much. I knew Brock would get boo'ed but even Rashard Evans was heavily boo'ed.

- I wonder how many tickets the UFC gave away? A few days ago, White said he would be happy with 10,000 people and than the UFC said they had over 16,000 people last night. I know unemployment is high in Portland right now but I don't see them going back there in a long time.

What the hell is it with the constant bashing on Portland as if every other city is so much classier and doesnt boo when they shouldnt. Are you kidding me? Ive watched many PPV's and Ive heard the same lame *** boo'ing in Vegas all the time and yet somehow Portland is going to lose the ability to put on another show because they boo'd? I guess you didnt watch the post fight presser when Dana himself said they would come back but probably not before going to Seattle first, now if that lip service? Sure there is a chance, but to act like the fans were ignorantly boo'ing and that somehow all the other venues around the world are that much better is a complete joke.

I know Im taking offense to this but its been a never ending joke since the event ended, and not just here. Portland supported the IFL until they went under, ticket sales were solid for here based on price structure and other factors like unemployment and scalpers taking tickets that were already too high and marking them up even higher and in essence pricing people way out of the tickets. Im not a fan of Portland in the least but lets not get it twisted and act like Portland was a terrible town for UFC events in comparison to other venues.