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TUF 15 Discussion

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#1 · (Edited)
Watching the first episode atm, Justin Lawrence, what a guy!

It sucks that Jeff Smith lost, looked like a good guy and IMO would've subbed him if it was at least 2 rounds.
 
#39 ·
Cruz got cocky there with the match-making. I think he was so jacked up on adrenaline that he wasn't thinking clearly.

The gamble could pay off, of course. Taking out Faber's top 2 picks in the first 2 fights would be epic. I'm just concerned that Marcello matches up with Lawrence better than anybody else.
 
#40 ·
I thought the Cruz dare was awesome. Faber looked stunned and a bit of a fool for not being able to pick anyone (Cruz was made out to be a fool by Faber earlier in the show when he called him out about talking crap about him and bringing his family into it). Also made for great TV and the fact that none of the fighters stood up to take the fight was pretty weak.

I agree though that putting him up against Marcello next week isn't the greatest move. The finals are basically happening next week. I kind of think Dana is pissed with the decision and also probably pissed Cruickshank went down early. I would be if I were him, but you can't orchestrate the fights.
 
#41 ·
Man, too bad for cruickshank, he got caught, I hope they bring him back later on the show, he was outrageously dominating up to the point Vic got a lucky break.

nonetheless, it's part of the game and it's part of what makes it great
 
#42 ·
I'd not even call it a lucky break. It was a well placed knee to an opponent shooting in. It landed, and the kid deserved the win. I think it obvious who the better fighter is all around, but if you pick your moment and you strike, then all the power to you.

Really looking forward to next week's fight. I think Lawrence might be a total beast, but I'm not going to sleep on Marcello, who also seems legit. Should be an awesome fight.
 
#45 ·
I thought Vick admitted that he was throwing a high kick after his combination because that's what his corner told him to do? Then Daron went for a take down as he did that and it looked like a knee being thrown. I could be taking his words out of context, but he didn't intend on throwing that knee.

Either way, it was Daron's fault for miscalculating his take down. Vick is a tall lanky guy with a lot of range, he should expect him to have a good chance of countering his take downs.

I can't believe the guy congratulated Daron in his post fight interview after he got knocked out.
 
#43 ·
Surprised this board is so dead, think its a pretty good TUF season so far.

Cruz really messed with Faber and his team last night, giving them the opportunity to pick a fighter to go against his best fighter. You can tell Faber really didn't know how to approach it, being caught off guard. He didn't want to pick anyone since he didn't know if the fighters were ready for that fight, but when he asked the fighters if anyone wanted to step up, I'm surprised no one stepped up on the opportunity.

This is a contest, and if you don't think you can beat their best guy, then you already lost the show. Everyone was just waiting for someone else to step up, and it showed. People can say whatever excuses they want, but they are there to win it, and I was disappointed by the lack of desire to prove themselves. Everyone wants an easy road to the finals. But if you end up beating their best guy, then everyone else might be less eager to face you, giving you a huge advantage in the psyche department.

Great fight, and great all around episode.
 
#44 ·
Surprised this board is so dead, think its a pretty good TUF season so far.

Cruz really messed with Faber and his team last night, giving them the opportunity to pick a fighter to go against his best fighter. You can tell Faber really didn't know how to approach it, being caught off guard. He didn't want to pick anyone since he didn't know if the fighters were ready for that fight, but when he asked the fighters if anyone wanted to step up, I'm surprised no one stepped up on the opportunity.

This is a contest, and if you don't think you can beat their best guy, then you already lost the show. Everyone was just waiting for someone else to step up, and it showed. People can say whatever excuses they want, but they are there to win it, and I was disappointed by the lack of desire to prove themselves. Everyone wants an easy road to the finals. But if you end up beating their best guy, then everyone else might be less eager to face you, giving you a huge advantage in the psyche department.

Great fight, and great all around episode.
That was a great move by Cruz.
Even better when all the fighters basically pussed out,
that right there had all of then cornered in a mind trap.
That's gotta have some mental impact in Faber's team,
it's not often a entire team is afraid of one guy.

I'm surprised Dana allowed it, it kind of is a similar
situation as to that when Penn just asked the fighters who wanted to be part of his team in TUF Penn vs Pulver.
 
#48 ·
It's funny because Lawrence isn't anywhere near their best guy.

In fact, Marcelo should make quick work of him. Lawrence is just some kid with a bit athletic ability and flexibility...nothing special. Certainly not 4th degree black belt special.


I love Cruz's team though, what a bunch of characters. Phil Davis, Lloyd "HOOOOOO!" Irvin, and crazy ass Mike Easton in the background. :laugh:
 
#49 ·
I think Vick along with a lot of the guys on the show have great skills and a tremendous upside to them. I actually wasn't surprised to see him get the big win. Vick's still young and seems to be just establishing his MMA skills the kids got a tone of potential. I could even see him winning the whole darn thing.
 
#50 ·
I kind of agree with Mr. Roflcopter over here. I looked up Lawrence's record and I was kind of surprised. I missed his record on the show, but I figured it must have been impressive for the hype he's been getting. He's undefeated, but his record is only 3-0 with one submission and 2 decision wins. The kid has a lack of experience and people are kind of putting this hype around him over ONE round where he looked great. Many fighters in the past have looked phenomenal for ONE round. I don't need to mention any names, but these are guys who have looked unstoppable in a round, and then went on to be a bust. Don't get me wrong, the hype could potentially be real, but it's way too early to be convinced.

I think we all can agree that Marcello is probably light years ahead in BJJ. If he puts the much less experienced Lawrence on his back, he will undoubtedly be in some trouble. I think that Marcello's experience and BJJ should help him a lot in this fight.

I'm guessing Cruz picked this fight because he feels that Lawrence is well rounded while Marcello may be one dimensional. It's a risky strategy, but it is smart in a way. He's trying to take out one of Faber's best guys early with a more well rounded guy that may be able to keep the fight standing. I expect him to train take down defense a lot for this fight.

It bothers me a little seeing Cruz ask Faber who he wanted Lawrence to fight, like he had so much faith in a guy with only 3 professional fights and having two go the distance. Then you see Lawrence with a smile, this kid knows he's the favorite to win in a lot of peoples eyes. If that goes to his head and he thinks these guys are actually afraid of him, that could be his down fall in the competition. I don't think these guys are afraid of him, they're professional fighters. I'd like to think they wouldn't be afraid of doing their job. They probably just don't want to fight yet, and want to absorb more knowledge and training before stepping into the octagon. It also wouldn't hurt to have the easiest road to the finals. This competition isn't about looking like a hero or a total bad ass, it's about winning, getting that prize, and that UFC contract.
 
#51 ·
Ya, when Lawrence and Marcello were squaring off at the end of the show it looked like man vs boy. Marcello is def going to have the experience factor and the better BJJ. I really think Marcello is a top candidate to win the show.
 
#52 ·
Good point, there was a big gap just from the square off. I'm sort of against Marcello even being on the show because I think it should be for upcoming prospects who want to break out into the sport. He is 34 with a lot of credentials under his belt. It's like when Roy Nelson was on the show. I could see Marcello as a favorite winning this thing just because he is probably further mentally than most on the show.

If Lawrence did beat him, that would send a clear message. It would also help some of the guys breathe easier knowing that the guy with the best BJJ in the house is out of the tournament. I still think that Marcello will beat Lawrence, though.
 
#54 ·
I don't know why people are so obsessed with Marcello in this fight, Lawrence is way ahead of him on the feet and is going to KO him. Lawrence has the best technique of anybody on the show and is also very aggressive and relentless. The dude trains with Black House, I think he can handle his shit.
 
#55 ·
yea, on the prelim fights, lawrence looked like he was on a whole other level.

but then again, cruickshank also looked kinda special.

anything can happen, but I wouldn't count Lawrence out

experience does mean a lot, but I do believe that raw talent can top experience anyday of the week. look at Jon Jones steamrolling through not only veterans, but also legends during their prime or still very close.

he litterally broke rampage


I don't know, when Lawrence was saying he was training with AS, if he trained with him once for 5 minutes or if he spars with the dude everyday.

On the other hand, if Marcello was really THAT good, he'd probably be on the UFC right now. I love Roy Nelson and all, but even tho he's holding his own, he's not exactly your "premium" type of fighter either. Talent like Lawrence, I can see that holding a belt in the future. I'd be very susprised if Nelson ever even gets a shot at one.
 
#56 ·
Lawrence may well go in there and knock Marcello's head off.

It was brilliant what Cruz did... the entire Faber team = :confused05:

That's some brilliant mind games right there. If Lawrence wins this fight he is going to have every one there believing the hype and being petrified of him if they weren't already.
 
#59 ·
Well, that was an absorbing episode ! I didn't think it would make any difference, but being only literally days behind all the action happening leading up to the fight, really made a difference. Really gave it a fresh feel, added by the live pre fight warm ups etc.

Have always been a Cruz fan over Faber. Both these guys are intelligent, professional, hard workers and looking like great coaches. Like their fights, they are basically two studs that are evenly matched in almost everything. Probably, the strongest 1 2 in any weight class.

Cruz just has that little something extra about himself though, and I think it showed tonight. Whilst Faber tried to make Cruz look bad with some accusatory shit, he only barely succeeded. Conversely, Cruz made Faber look like a complete fool by playing within the rules of the game, not bringing in any outside stuff and stunning Faber and his team with a swerve.

I hope it pays off big time, and Lawrence pulls through.

It may be with Lawrence that we witnessed his best performance ever, in the qualifying fight. Obviously, it seems to be Lawrence that reacted best out of all of them, to the initial swerve pf being told it was a 1 rounder, and he really went for it brilliantly inside that one round.

Very interesting fight coming up.

Gutted Cruickshank lost though, always support any Detroit lads, and they guy had a great all round package. Hope he gets another shot somehow
 
#61 · (Edited)
People shouldn't be so convinced that Faber's team is afraid of Lawrence. Yeah, they're afraid of a guy with a 3-0 record with two fights going the distance. (Not including his TUF fight) All because he looked great for one round after he blitzed his opponent. We've seen guys look phenomenal before and turn out to be a bust down the line. These are guys who have been training hard themselves and are professionals, to say they backed down out of fear is kind of disrespectful. Does anybody really want an early fight after just fighting shortly before that? Some might, but it's understandable to want to take it easy and absorb some training before stepping up to the plate. Marcello didn't step up when asked, but did he look at all afraid when Cruz called out his name? Not at all, he looked extremely confident once he got into a fighting stance with Lawrence. I'd find it hard to imagine that he would be afraid of a guy with very little experience when he has 15 fights under his belt with a lot of accomplishments outside of MMA.

I'm not saying Lawrence is or isn't the real deal, but people are looking into that part of the show where nobody stepped up to fight him a little too much in my opinion.



Marcello had an impressive win against the Eddie Bravo black belt, I agree. The fact that he completely shut down and dominated a guy who Bravo considers one of his top prospects shows how legit he is on the ground. I expected him to have the better ground game, but I thought it would have at least been competitive.
 
#66 ·
It looks like Marcello is preparing to stand and exchange with Lawrence. Anyone else think this might not be a good idea? I guess it's good to remain unpredictable and perhaps throw Lawrence off a little, but if Marcello gets a good chance to take this fight to the ground, he probably should in my opinion.
 
#70 ·
Wow, Marcello had a bad game plan. He kept throwing leg kicks like he was trying to be a kick boxer and Faber had to tell him a hundred times to keep his chin down. What a disappointing performance.

Lawrence looked alright, he wasn't as aggressive but that's probably because he knew he'd be at risk for a take down. Nice finish for him.
 
#72 · (Edited)
It seemed like his strategy was to throw leg kicks and leave his chin out there when Faber kept specifically telling him to leave his chin down. I don't understand why a guy with his BJJ credentials would want to kick box with a younger guy who is faster and hits harder. Especially when he's in a very important tournament.

On the other hand, I'm kind of glad Marcello didn't win. He should have gotten a contract already and I still feel like this show should be for upcoming prospects who want to make a break through in this sport. Not that he or anybody else for that matter doesn't have the right to participate, it's a great opportunity for any fighter. I just hope the young prospects will be successful on the show.
 
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