The Thread Where Interested Parties Discuss MMA

[Sir Toose]

I hope Prestige and I aren't the only ones who will join in.

So what do you all think about MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)?

Human Cockfighting ALA John McCain?
Sport of true warriors?

Bad or good for humankind?

If you like it, who are your favorite fighters?

[downthesun]

I'm a pretty huge fan, I check Sherdog almost everyday although I don't post because it's full of pricks.

Favourite fighters:
Anderson Silva, Fedor, Rampage Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Shogun, Urijah Faber, Brock Lesnar (because I was a pretty big WWE fan), Forrest Griffen, Diego Sanchez, Diaz Brothers and Gilbert Melendez

Can't wait to see Kimbo get beaten on the Ultimate fighter, also quite gutted that Fedor v Barnett isn't happening anymore.

[Sir Toose]

Yeah I know.

I had a little confidence that Fedor was going to have some competition. Barnett is a tough dude. Stupid, evidently, but tough nonetheless.

I have no interest in seeing Fedor fight any of the other four alternates.

As for Kimbo... I hope he wins a contract. It's not his fault the promoters made him out to be something he wasn't. he seems genuine and appropriately humble.

[downthesun]

Yeah I think Lashley has potential to be a serious threat to most heavyweights in MMA but he's no way ready to face Fedor. As for Belfort, as much as I love him he's too small to be fighting someone of Fedor's size. Who were the other two potential replacements, I'm sure Fedor will just rip them apart anyway.

I guess I can see what you mean about Kimbo, it just annoys me how he had one of the highest grossing fights in terms of PPV buys and he really doesn't represent what MMA is. I'm almost certain Dana will offer him a contract, after all he is a cash cow and will be fed some cans to make him look legit although he lost to Seth Petruzeli who was pretty much a UFC standard can.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Believe it or not, I love MMA, but I had no idea it was called that until now.

I have no idea who any of the guys are. I just leave the channel on when I'm flipping through and I find two shirtless, muscular sweaty guys all over each other in compromising positions.

[Powdered Water]

I see you're in here right now Mr, The Toose. What did you think of the antics of Mr. WWE the other night?

Bad for the sport?

[The Prestige]

Ahha, nice thread mate :)

Yeah, i've been into MMA for a good while now myself. I was always reluctant to mention it in the forum because I doubted it would get a significant response.

Like I already told Sir Goose my favourite fighters are Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida. Two great light-heavyweights. It's a shame they had to fight each other ):

What do you guys think of Machida? I know he is all the rage right now in MMA, but I must say that in this case, it's fully justified. He seems unbeatable. It's the fact that he is so elusive that makes standout imo.

[Sir Toose]

I see you're in here right now Mr, The Toose. What did you think of the antics of Mr. WWE the other night?

Bad for the sport?


There have been 'bad guys' in MMA before so he's really nothing new. I think he's confused a little though about what he's supposed to be doing.

He actually reminds me of Tank Abbott (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssQxxgamEI&feature=related) when he first came into the UFC. Tank is hugely powerful, was very fast and no one could touch him for several fights. The thing about MMA though is that everyone wants to be the dragonslayer.

Abbott can't win a fight now to save his life because it didn't really take that long to figure out how to beat him.

Brock's skill level is low to be the heavyweight champ. He has huge power that's offsetting that for now.

Overall, I think the heavyweight division will step up to meet the challenge of defeating him. They'll sharpen their skills so they can be the one to say they took out Brock.

His next fight is going to be telling. Both Cain Velazquez and Shane Carwin have power, size and skill that far exceeds Brock's. Carwin may also be as physically powerful as Brock.

We shall see, it's all good :)

[Sir Toose]

What do you guys think of Machida? I know he is all the rage right now in MMA, but I must say that in this case, it's fully justified. He seems unbeatable. It's the fact that he is so elusive that makes standout imo.

Machida is the shiznit!

For now.

Someone will figure out how to defend him and how to hit him. He's like Lesnar right now... a puzzle to be solved. Eventually someone will do it but for now he looks great and sure has mad skills.

I like that he's brought Karate back to the UFC. The focus for years has been Brazilian Jui Jitsu (except for Liddell who stayed true to Karate) and now it's all cycling back again.

[The Prestige]

I see you're in here right now Mr, The Toose. What did you think of the antics of Mr. WWE the other night?

Bad for the sport?


I have mixed feelings about Lesnar's antics after the fight. On the one hand, his interview with Rogan was GOLD. It was controversial, grabbed your attention and gave the fans even more reason to root against Lesnar in his next fights, almost ensuring that people will pay as much as they can just to see if anyone can handle the cocky Lesnar and put him back down to earth.

On the OTHER hand..he was deeply disrespectful to Mir, and there was no need for that. When Mir beat him in their first fight, you didn't see Mir taking the piss out of him after the fight and offering him out even though BRock's knee almost popped. Mir was respectful and gave Brock props.
Brock acted like a complete and utter wanker. LOoking like he was going to go after Mir even though it was HE that got the TKO and Mir the one busted up, barely able to stand. It was quite nasty and a side of Lesnar I thought was only threatrical until this point. But he seemed like he meant it.

[The Prestige]

Machida is the shiznit!

For now.

Someone will figure out how to defend him and how to hit him. He's like Lesnar right now... a puzzle to be solved. Eventually someone will do it but for now he looks great and sure has mad skills.

I like that he's brought Karate back to the UFC. The focus for years has been Brazilian Jui Jitsu (except for Liddell who stayed true to Karate) and now it's all cycling back again.


Yeah, I agree. He'll be figured out at some point but it'll be awhile, mate. I wouldn't say Lesnar's much of a puzzle though. There are quite a few guys like Lesnar, but they aren't nearly as big or as strong as he is. What you need is a good striker almost the size and strength as he is with sick takedown defence and i'll bet my savings that Lesnar will be beat.

Machida on the otherhand..his style is just unique. The way he mixes up elements of Karate with basic Judo and BJJ is uncanny. I honestly think it'll be awhile till someone figures him out. Right now I still think that Rashad has the best chance out of all the LHW. Shogun too. But everyone else will fall against him.

[The Prestige]

His next fight is going to be telling. Both Cain Velazquez and Shane Carwin have power, size and skill that far exceeds Brock's. Carwin may also be as physically powerful as Brock.

We shall see, it's all good :)


I agree about Carwin but Velazquez?? I'm not saying he is weak but I don't think he is brock level strong. He might be of the same standard wrestling wise, but his ground 'n' pound looked a bit weak against Cheick Kongo. Either that or Kongo has an iron chin.

[Sir Toose]

Yeah didn't to mean to suggest in any way that Lesnar=Machida... just that both pose a problem in their weight class right now. Actually apply the same to St. Pierre.

I give Brock maybe another fight or two before someone sends him to the canvas. Valezquez or Carwin could do it, heck Mir could have done it. It's only a matter of time, I think. He said Mir caught him with a knee that made him see tweety bird so his jaw is as vulnerable as anyone elses.

For the record, I think Randy was on the track to beating him.

[rufnek]

I hope Prestige and I aren't the only ones who will join in.

So what do you all think about MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)?

Human Cockfighting ALA John McCain?
Sport of true warriors?

Bad or good for humankind?

If you like it, who are your favorite fighters?

Cockfighting pretty well describes it. They'll soon be showing executions on TV for entertainment. Conventional boxing is a brute "sports" racket that should be outlawed, yet Ali was a thing of beauty when in motion in the ring. MMA fighters look like they've just been swept out of a gutter. No style, no grace, no form--about as indistinguishable and uninteresting as two roosters in a ring.

[Sir Toose]

I agree about Carwin but Velazquez?? I'm not saying he is weak but I don't think he is brock level strong. He might be of the same standard wrestling wise, but his ground 'n' pound looked a bit weak against Cheick Kongo. Either that or Kongo has an iron chin.

It did look weak, right about that. Still, he pulled off a win against a larger and stronger opponent. Also, he has five KO wins so we know he has knockout power punching ability.

Gonzaga might be a good choice too. He's fallen a few times but I'll never forget him destroying CroCop. That was wicked.

[Sir Toose]

No style, no grace, no form--about as indistinguishable and uninteresting as two roosters in a ring.

How many matches have you actually watched and/or how much do you know about the fighters?

[The Prestige]

It did look weak, right about that. Still, he pulled off a win against a larger and stronger opponent. Also, he has five KO wins so we know he has knockout power punching ability.

Gonzaga might be a good choice too. He's fallen a few times but I'll never forget him destroying CroCop. That was wicked.


Yeah, true that. I forgot about his other wins. It'll certainly be interesting to see but I would bet on Brock just for the share fact that he is enormous. Plus Brock would have a significant reach advantage.

I was thinking Gonzaga as well but you beat me too it. Still can't believe he ended Cro Cop the way he did. I like Cro Cop :(



Cockfighting pretty well describes it. They'll soon be showing executions on TV for entertainment. Conventional boxing is a brute "sports" racket that should be outlawed, yet Ali was a thing of beauty when in motion in the ring. MMA fighters look like they've just been swept out of a gutter. No style, no grace, no form--about as indistinguishable and uninteresting as two roosters in a ring


I actually really resent that comment. I respect that you don't like it, but to say they have no style or grace?? It would like to know how many MMA fights you've actually seen. Most people who write off MMA as a 'brute sport' haven't seen the beauty and grace in which BJJ fighters use their technique. In fact, fighters who emphasis BJJ never look brutal, it looks like poetry in motion. At least to me.

[Sir Toose]

I actually really resent that comment. I respect that you don't like it, but to say they have no style or grace?? It would like to know how many MMA fights you've actually seen. Most people who write off MMA as a 'brute sport' haven't seen the beauty and grace in which BJJ fighters use their technique. In fact, fighters who emphasis BJJ never look brutal, it looks like poetry in motion. At least to me.

I respect your effort but rufnek said he's for outlawing boxing. It's doubtful that people who like the sport (us) will find any common ground with people who dislike combat sports in general.

To your point, my favorite MMA bouts are the ones that play out like chess matches. Tamdan McCrory vs. Dustin Hazelett in UFC 91 was one of the best matches, I think, to illustrate what the sport is all about. That match was one fluid submission attempt after another until Hazelett finally got a crazy reverse arm bar.

I can see where the punches and kicks would look brutal to those outside the sport. This discounts the fact, though, that the fighters love to compete and they expect to be struck. Combat sports are a lifestyle and a discipline rooted in thousands of years of human kind.

[downthesun]

Unforunatly with my crappy internet I haven't been on the site all day and so there's been quite a bit of discussion on stuff i'd like to weigh in on too.

Brock Lesnar's antics after his fight were very disrespectful to the fans, but I think Dana loved it. Every sport needs a villan, Ronaldo is pretty much a villan in football, other sports as well have fan favourites and the people everyone loves to root against. Brock doing that will create even more buzz around him and lead to even more ppv buys for the UFC. I didn't really have a problem with it, he was just happy he'd beaten the guy who said "next time i'm going to break it" about his ankle. There was quite a bid of bad blood going into the fight, at least he didn't pull the crap Riggs and Nick Diaz did, now that looked bad for the sport.

I don't think the guy is a puzzle, it's just his takedowns are damn near impossible to stop, he also had the perfect gameplan against Mir staying clost to him and not allowing him to get any space to attempt submissions. Carwin will be an interesting test and I do think he will knock Cain out in their upcoming fight. He's better than Lesnar standing up and is a huge guy, dunno about his take down D though. If he can't beat Lesnar it's going to take a very slick BJJ guy who'll sub him on the ground because now way will Lesnar stand against guys like Kongo.

With all due respect Sir Toose comparing Lesnar to Tank is a terrible comparison, Lesnar has got past some of the most legitimate fighters in MMA at his weight class, I'd say he's more like a Mark Coleman sort of fighter.

I'm not a big fan of Macida but then again I've not seen a lot of his fights, from his last two though it's obvious he's a very smart fighter and isn't just a decision machine. Like Joe Rogan says, the point of fights is to win without receiving too much punishment and I think in that sense Machida is the perfect fighter. I do find myself rooting against him a lot though but that's because LHW is stacked full of fighters I love, like his upcoming opponent Shogun (who I do think he will defeat).

[Sir Toose]

With all due respect Sir Toose comparing Lesnar to Tank is a terrible comparison, Lesnar has got past some of the most legitimate fighters in MMA at his weight class, I'd say he's more like a Mark Coleman sort of fighter.


I wasn't comparing Tank to Lesnar in apples to apples skill. I'm saying that Tank had a similar effect on the UFC at the time he was fighting as Lesnar is having now.

Were you a fan way back when?

[Powdered Water]

I remember Tank Abbott. It's weird how I sort of floated away from the sport after being very into it in its early days.

Pres touched on a bit of what I was getting at in my question. It seems to me a guy like Lesnar is bad for the sport. Especially if they ever want to become a major legitamate sports league and end up on ESPN. If they don't nip crap like Lesnar pulled in the bud they're in danger of ending up on Versus or USA next to WWE types of shows forever.

It is a sign of the times though. Poor sportsmanship and selfish ******** seem to be everywhere in sports these days so I could very well be wrong. I wish I wasn't but I probably am.

[downthesun]

I wasn't comparing Tank to Lesnar in apples to apples skill. I'm saying that Tank had a similar effect on the UFC at the time he was fighting as Lesnar is having now.

Were you a fan way back when?

Ah fair enough, I see what you mean. No I wasn't a fan back during the days of Royce and Tank but I have got hold of some of the older UFC events and watched them, not such a big fan of the bare knuckle street brawl kind of fights though.

I've been a fan from around UFC 50 and was quite into Pride as well.

[The Prestige]

To your point, my favorite MMA bouts are the ones that play out like chess matches. Tamdan McCrory vs. Dustin Hazelett in UFC 91 was one of the best matches, I think, to illustrate what the sport is all about. That match was one fluid submission attempt after another until Hazelett finally got a crazy reverse arm bar.


Yeah, I actually hadn't seen that fight until you posted it (Never got to watch 91), but I just saw it and it was a solid fight. Reminded me of the Nate Diaz/Joe Stevenson fight which I also felt looked like a human chess match.


I'm not a big fan of Macida but then again I've not seen a lot of his fights, from his last two though it's obvious he's a very smart fighter and isn't just a decision machine. Like Joe Rogan says, the point of fights is to win without receiving too much punishment and I think in that sense Machida is the perfect fighter. I do find myself rooting against him a lot though but that's because LHW is stacked full of fighters I love, like his upcoming opponent Shogun (who I do think he will defeat). Yesterday 05:15 PM


Yeah, he has been finishing fights lately, he used to frustrate me and at one point I thought he lacked quite a lot of power because he'd rock a lot of his previous opponents but not be able to finish them despite hitting them with everything he had. But obviously he is develloping more power and somehow put away Rashad.

Shogun and Rashad have the best chance at defeating Machida at LHW right now. Shogun is almost as well rounded as Machida and not overly aggressive as he used to be during his Pride days. It's an interesting match up and I think it'll answer a lot of questions about both men. If Shogun is comes with a full tank then he will pose problems for Machida on the ground as I think his BJJ might be slightly better.

Rashad just chose the wrong game plan. THis was a fight where he should have used his wrestling and clinch skills. I honestly think it could be a different result next time they meet.

[downthesun]

Wow Josh Barnett what a prick, he's pretty much single handidly brought down the one promotion which had the potential to challenge UFC in the States. I read he won't be fined or banned as well because he wasn't under license with NSAC at the time. As good a fighter as he is, the guy shouldn't be allowed in a ring/cage again, this is his 3rd negative test in his career.

I'm really pissed off, that Affliction card was stacked full of fights and fighters I wanted to see like Fedor, Vitor Belfort, Gegard, Babalu. Damn it!!!

[Sir Toose]

Exactly, downthesun.

It leaves Fedor in an interesting position though. If he doesn't pick UFC this time I'm going to have my doubts as to whether or not he's ducking it.

[The Prestige]

Exactly, downthesun.

It leaves Fedor in an interesting position though. If he doesn't pick UFC this time I'm going to have my doubts as to whether or not he's ducking it.

I've always speculated on whether or not Fedor was ducking the UFC. I mean, why not test yourself on the biggest stage of them all and remove all doubt.

But yeah, i'm with you downthesun. Affliction had quite a bit going for it and still can't believe Bartnett would mess up like that.

[downthesun]

I don't see why he'd want to duck the UFC though, although I think Brock will prove to be a serious challenge for him. I think he'll destroy the current UFC HW division, can't see anyone other than Brock really giving him trouble. He's already been through 4 former UFC champions in Randleman, Coleman, Arlovski and Sylvia and beat Big Nog 3 times.

I really think the reason he doesn't want to join the UFC is because he doesn't want to work under Dana White. It will offer him huge pay checks, worldwide exposure (especially to the casual MMA fan) and if he gets through the HW division will proove once and for all he is the best at his weight class.

[downthesun]

Is anyone else as excited as I am about the upcoming Strikeforce event? Some great fights on that card. I'm a bit disappointed that Carano v Cyborg is the main event but then again, anyone who's into women's MMA has been wanting to see this fight since these two started fighting.

I hope they find a decent replacement for Joe Riggs, Hieron has been talked about but I think Nick Diaz will get past him, in fact I think any of the reported replacements will be easy fights for Diaz.

4 belts being defended in one night is so sick. Melendez is one of my favourite fighters so I'll be rooting for him against Josh Thompson but again this will be a very close fight. The highlight of the card for me personally is no doubt the newly added LHW title fight between Sobral and Gegard, it was one of the fights I was really looking forward to on the Affliction card so I'm glad we still get to see it.

[TONGO]

I remember seeing UFC 1-15, and then came back to it years later when The Ultimate Fighter blew up MMA to the mainstream. no matter how much money they spent on public image, bribes, venues or whatever it was a reality show that put them and the MMA sport entire over the top.

Poor PRIDE. I never saw it but from their production they were ahead of UFC. Seriously UFC needs a makeover they look exactly like they did 10-15 years ago.

Forrest Griffin Vs Anderson Silva. I love Forrest. Hes unpretentious, cool, tougher than nails, and too stupid to pass on a fight. I believed Forrest would beat Shogun, and he did. I believed Forrest could beat Quinton Jackson, and he did. Andersons gonna kill him. Damn Forrest wtf are you gonna do?! He cant outstrike Andy (who could?), and Andys ground game is actually deeper than his stand-up game vs Forrest. Forrest is gonna lose, but if he wins he'll be the next Randy Couture. Ive always felt it will be a wrestler that beats Anderson Silva.

Ive got a bunch of MMA pics Ive posted elsewhere. Surprisingly theyre hard to find....

BJ Penn mortalized by GSP
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc157/Rob34207/090201_GSP_GNP2_ss_full-1.jpg

Anderson "The Spider" Silva
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc157/Rob34207/andersonsilva-1.jpg

Mirko CroCop
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc157/Rob34207/mirkoar3.jpg

[downthesun]

Tongo, I used to have that AS picture as my wallpaper, love it.

I think Forest v Silva will be a good fight, Silva's stand up is superior to Forest's but apparently Forest has sick jits from what I've heard. I still do think AS will take this fight though and will probably get Jackson or Rashad or Shogun next. Am I right in saying he doesn't want to fight Machida because they are friends?

Also, Nick Diaz v Hieron has been added to the Strikeforce card, I think this card is better than the majority of the cards that the UFC has done. It has like 5 main events on it. Although, where do they go from here? The next event will be too soon for these fighters to fight again, perhaps a HW title fight?

[Sir Toose]

Dana White is supposed to make an announcement today regarding Fedor Emelianko and his possible association with the UFC.

Fedor says he has a three fight contract with M1 (http://www.sherdog.com/videos/recent/Fedor-Emelianenko-In-His-Own-Words-2035)still in effect so we shall see.

[Sir Toose]

By the by, speaking of Fedor reminded me of my favorite Fedor fight.

Check out the flying suplay by Randleman at 1:44 and then Fedor's survival of it and subsequent kimura:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV29K-RZuwk

[downthesun]

I dunno if the UFC will actual come to an agreement with those twats at M1. Finkelstein is causing so much trouble with this whole co-promotion crap, even Aleks (Fedor's brother) came out and said M1 is messing things up for Fedor and that he doesn't like Finkelstein.

[Sir Toose]

That's another one... I'd love to see Aleks E. in the UFC. He'd be another great hw to add. He's got seriously fast hands for his size.

[spudracer]

Toose, I'm assuming that you'll be watching UFC 101, any predictions?

Seeing as I've only seen two PPV's, previously, I can't really make any educated guesses.

[Sir Toose]

Penn Vs Florian - (Penn)

Silva Vs Griffin - (Griffin) though I doubt that's the popular view.

My favorite matchup on this card is Neer vs Pellegrino. That's either going to be a war or an ultra fast KO. I'm going to have to go with Neer just because he's tougher and probably all around nastier in the octagon.

[spudracer]

I'm hoping this fight will be better than 100. The potential was there for it to be a great fight, but overall, it was hardly exciting.

[The Prestige]

[quote=Sir Toose;553236]Penn Vs Florian - (Penn)

Silva Vs Griffin - (Griffin) though I doubt that's the popular view.

[quote]


Oh man, I hope you are right about the last one. I'm starting to feel like Silva needs to be humbled nowadays..

Plus I want Griffin to be able to have done what nobody else could do so people would stop saying he's an overrated and weak fighter.


Penn vs Florian is quite hard for me to predict..I mean, how is Penn going to be mentally going into the fighter after the savage beating he took from GSP earlier this year? GSP might have broke him mentally. Florian seems real focused and he has more than a punchers chance in this fight if he can clinch with Penn.

[Sir Toose]

I'm hoping this fight will be better than 100. The potential was there for it to be a great fight, but overall, it was hardly exciting.

What!? :D

I thought 100 was great.

St Pierre proved without a doubt that technique and skill wins over power.

Henderson scored one of the most beautiful KO's I've ever seen.

Lesnar proved that he has skill as well as the ability to formulate and stick to a game plan that plays to his own strengths.

UFC 100 was faboo!

[Powdered Water]

Hey Tooth! What do you think of the next big fight coming up this weekend?

[Sir Toose]

An interesting match.

Two of them actually.

Velazquez vs Rothwell, I think will prove to be a stepping stone for Velazquez to secure a title fight. Rothwell has a puncher's chance but if it goes to the ground Velazquez will win.


Machida vs Shogun is new guard vs old guard. I can't say i've ever seen Muy Tai vs Karate at this level before. It should be a stand up match and I don't think it'll go to decision. I'm thinking KO in favor of Machida.

[Loner]

I like MMA but hate the UFC.

Here is the winning strategy. Wrestling take-down, push your opponents head into the cage, elbows.

Boring.

[zedlen]

I've been following the UFC for a few years now casually. I don't have many favorite fighters, a good fight is a good fight regardless.

I just started mma recently, enjoying it a lot. Anyone else do it ?

[Malky]

I love MMA guys you should check out fightlockdown.com its an MMA forum which I've been posting on for months its excellent best MMA forum out there by miles.

[Sir Toose]

Good fights tonite!

Most impressive was Dan Hardy IMO.

[downthesun]

I like MMA but hate the UFC.

Here is the winning strategy. Wrestling take-down, push your opponents head into the cage, elbows.

Boring.

With all due respect, I completely disagree with that statement.

Whilst some of the fighters in the UFC who started with a wrestling base like to LnP like Sherk, Maynard etc there are way more fighters in the UFC who go out into the octagon looking to finish fights.

The likes of BJ Penn, Frank Mir, Anderson Silva, Thiago Silva, Vitor Belfort, KenFlo come to mind

[Sir Toose]

Hi all,

just wondering if any of the newer members are fans?

Saw a football thread and other various sports being discussed. MMA is something I rarely miss... love the sport.

Any others?

[jiraffejustin]

I don't watch it as much as I used to. I'll still watch some of the bigger fights or when my MMA obsessed best friend sends me links to something. I watched a lot of PRIDE and I much prefer that to the current UFC model.

[Sir Toose]

Yep Pride was great. Interesting that the next UFC event is in Japan (first time) and features Pride champ Josh Barnett. Some great Japanese fighters on the card as well.

[mack]

Any thoughts on Rhonda Roussey smack talk on beating up her boyfriend, not voting for Donald Trump, and then losing the Championship match?

I cannot stand seeing women get beat, even for sport, but I HAD to see this one. That looked like it hurt, too! Yikes. Rhonda's eating a lil humble pie....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PS-lmNw0Yk

just wow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLH3uy87gVk

[jiraffejustin]

I rewatched some of the UFC 4 fights, and I wrote a little bit about some of the fights I enjoyed:

Joe Son vs Keith Hackney

Not a great fight by any tradtional terms, but it's a bizarre spectacle. First we have the Joe Son entrance which features him carrying a cross on his back that is way too big for him. This is doubly bizarre considering that Joe Son would later go to prison for sexual assault. That makes Keith Hackney punching him in the balls even better, because yes, Keith Hackney punched him in the balls... and it was legal. MMA was simultaneously awful and great back in the early days.

Joe Son is a very short man that doesn't really have any pedigree, Keith Hackney wasn't very good either, but at least had a way of finishing a fight. (Oh yeah, Joe Son claimed to invent a new martial art called Josondo, but I would not want to learn Josondo.) This fight is really only here because I like watching Joe Son get punched in the nuts and get choked out even though all he had to do to get out of the choke was turn his head.

Anthony Macias vs Dan Severn

Suplex city, bitch. That's where Severn took Macias. It's a totally unfair match-up, but check this fight out for some of the best shoot suplexes of all-time.

Keith Hackney vs Royce Gracie

Before this fight, you never got to see any of Royce's striking repertoire. In this fight, you see some of it. It isn't overly impressive to be honest, but it was nice to see Royce knee a dude from the clinch against the cage. After Royce tried to pull guard, Keith Hackney valiantly tried to ward him off despite being totally outclassed from that position. He rained down some shots that mostly missed, but Royce had to adjust for them. So there was a fun cat and mouse game for a second or two before the predictable ending. Fun fight all-together.

[jiraffejustin]

I watched a couple of fights from UFC 1:

Gerard Gordeau vs Teila Tuli

Maybe still the most brutal strike in the UFC's history happened in its very first bout. Gordeau blasts Tuli in the face with a kick while Tuli was trying to get back to his feet. The fight lasted less than a minute, so I don't guess it can be called a high quality fight. It's a must see just for the kick and Tuli's tooth flying out of the cage.

Kevin Rosier vs Zane Frazier

These two dudes just go for broke right from the beginning of the fight, footwork and head movement not required. Rosier throws these beautiful looping bombs that probably shouldn't work, but do damage even through Frazier's defense. Frazier's punches are straighter and some connect, but much like Rosier, most don't and he gasses. Frazier does get in a really sneaky knee that might have been low, but mostly likely it just connected to his soft gut. Eventually Frazier gets his head stomped on twice and his corner throws the towel in. My little write-up doesn't do this mini-war justice. It's a beautiful example of the best possible sports-dad fight.