UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

You both bring up good points.

I guess I was coming from a casual fight fan's perspective. I honestly wasn't even pumped after watching that, so I was wondering what someone who didn't care as much would think after watching.

And this card is definitely one my most anticipated in a long while.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

GMS and I disagree all the time and we do here too but he makes a great point about that part of the show.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

So is there anyone picking Shogun and Penn? Seems like Bendo, Gus and Rory are all penciled in to win across the net.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I am picking BJ Penn, simply because I want him to have one last run at GSP. Penn is still sort of young so if he gets his act together he could be dominate or at least top 3 for the next 5 years. Far as Shogun, even though I like him too, I'm ready to see Gus vs Jones now next year, so I need Shogun to lose LOL.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

So is there anyone picking Shogun and Penn? Seems like Bendo, Gus and Rory are all penciled in to win across the net.

I am. I like Rory and think he is going to be a great fighter but it seems like people are assuming he's going to give BJ the GSP treatment when there is only one GSP. Look at BJ last two fights. He looked great against Fitch for the first two rounds only to gas in the last round. I dont think many will argue that Rory is a better technical wrestler than Fitch and I dont think it will be as easy as Rory thinks to takedown BJ. Against Diaz, it was another case where he gassed in the third and Diaz's unrelenting pressure gave him problems. I dont see Rory being able to take down BJ easily and Rory's standup isne even close to Diaz's level yet. I think fans are giving BJ a hard time for the Diaz loss and forgetting that Nick Diaz is probably a top 3 WW.

As for Gus, I give him a better shot at beating Shogun but I've been reading people compare this fight to Shogun/Jones and I think thats way off base. Jones uses his length like Gus but Gus hasnt shown me the diverse striking and clinch game that Jones have. I actually see this fight as more of a repeat of Rua/Vera with the only difference being Gus will use more movement than Vera did.

I think one mistake we make as fans is giving people too much credit for potential. Gus and Rory each have the potential to be champions but I'll be hard pressed to pick them over two former champions at the tail end of their prime. Especially when these are the biggest fights of their young careers at this point.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I am picking BJ Penn, simply because I want him to have one last run at GSP. Penn is still sort of young so if he gets his act together he could be dominate or at least top 3 for the next 5 years. Far as Shogun, even though I like him too, I'm ready to see Gus vs Jones now next year, so I need Shogun to lose LOL.

Dana will never make a Penn/GSP 3. Even if BJ wins his best bet is to drop back to LW and make a run at that belt or hope GSP moves up.

[The Chef]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

Dana will never make a Penn/GSP 3. Even if BJ wins his best bet is to drop back to LW and make a run at that belt or hope GSP moves up.

I would never say never, he's clearly making fights that sell and if he thinks that fight will sell I could see him doing it regardless of rankings.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I would never say never, he's clearly making fights that sell and if he thinks that fight will sell I could see him doing it regardless of rankings.

How do you sell that fight? GSP has 2 wins and smashed him in the second one. I oreder damn near every fight and wouldnt order that one. ****, I doubt GSP would even take that fight.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I really do agree with Ahoblert on people giving potential a bit too much clout, but damn, I see Rory dismantling Penn. I see something in Rory that I saw in Jones when he was coming up the ranks... that it factor. This won't be like E. Silva going out there and being stupid. Rory is one focused man, just seeing his personality and how he's been fighting for so long... I think he will be the next big thing as soon as Saturday.

IMO, I think Penn will retire permanently after Saturday.

[The Chef]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

How do you sell that fight? GSP has 2 wins and smashed him in the second one. I oreder damn near every fight and wouldnt order that one. ****, I doubt GSP would even take that fight.

Bring up the bs from the past with the grease garbage. Im sure they could sell the fight in a similar way they sold Sonnen deserving a title shot coming off, not just a loss, but a total thrashing at the hands of Silva. Penn would have to do a lot of **** talking but if he did, and all it takes is getting under GSP's skin to get him to take a fight, then I wouldnt put it past Dana White if he thinks he can sell it.

[Majingir]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

Are there any preview shows for this event? Like Countdown to UFC? UFC Primetime? Or anything like that?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I hope Dana keeps true to his word and makes the Shogun/Gus winner the #1 contender.

Also I've been wondering when GSP will leave the division just because of Rory's potential to quickly move up the ranks....

Rory is really creepy... he's an enigma much like Jones is/was.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

I really do agree with Ahoblert on people giving potential a bit too much clout, but damn, I see Rory dismantling Penn. I see something in Rory that I saw in Jones when he was coming up the ranks... that it factor. This won't be like E. Silva going out there and being stupid. Rory is one focused man, just seeing his personality and how he's been fighting for so long... I think he will be the next big thing as soon as Saturday.

IMO, I think Penn will retire permanently after Saturday.

Agreed with everything you just said. That last fight I saw him in he straight up mauled his opponent. He has a "precise power" that combination is a rarity in this sport.

I will be stunned if Penn turns back the clock on Saturday Night. If he got tore up by little Frankie imagine what Rory will do to him.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

Agreed with everything you just said. That last fight I saw him in he straight up mauled his opponent. He has a "precise power" that combination is a rarity in this sport.

I will be stunned if Penn turns back the clock on Saturday Night. If he got tore up by little Frankie imagine what Rory will do to him.

Che Mills is not BJ Penn. Its easy to maul your opponent when they have zero takedown defense. I've only watched BJ get dominated twice in his career (GSP and Diaz) and even in the Diaz fight, he won that first round. Its going to be a closer fight than people think.

[redsrule]

Re: UFC on Fox 5 - Bendo vs. Diaz, Gustafsson vs. Rua, Penn vs, MacDonald - Dec 8

Rory's chin is quite questionable, and BJ has a lot of power in his hands, especially early before he gasses, not to mention his ground game. BJ also looks in great shape. I'm going to go with the upset here.