Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

Could Pearson-Sanchez be Griffin-Bonnar-esque? At least one participant thinks so

1K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  Stun Gun 
#1 ·
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – UFC lightweights Ross Pearson and Diego Sanchez have watched each other’s careers, but from a different distance.

For Pearson, who returns to the cage following an injury layoff, his introduction to Sanchez was in 2009 at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, where the inaugural “TUF” winner fought Clay Guida. The fight made quite an impression.

“That was like, ‘S–t, these guys are for real,’” said Pearson, who that night won the Season 9 reality-show tourney and kicked off his octagon career. “This is what I worked to, and finally, I’m here.”

For Sanchez, the acquaintance is more recent. Pearson was the fighter presented by the UFC after he requested to fight somebody, or anybody, on his home soil three months after a lackluster decision loss to Myles Jury at UFC 171.

Wanting to shake off the doldrums of his setback, which he claims was aided by food poisoning, and fight in front of a hometown crowd in Albuquerque, Sanchez accepted Pearson and started watching tape. Recently, that’s included the British fighter’s workouts posted on Instagram.

“He’s buff and stuff, but that ain’t going to get his lungs strong,” Sanchez said. “He’s going to need some EPO to keep up with me in the ring, because I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Pearson (15-6 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Sanchez (24-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) meet on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card of UFC Fight Night 42, which takes place at Albuquerque’s Tingley Coliseum.

Sanchez firmly believes a title shot is within his grasp despite back-to-back losses and a career that’s seesawed several times. He thinks fans will be convinced of his worthiness when No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez fights Anthony Pettis at year’s end, calling his gutsy, if unsuccessful performance an “explanation” of his capability.

“I believe [Melendez is] going to beat Anthony Pettis and become the champion,” Sanchez said. “I firmly believe that.”

Pearson, of course, is looking at the same opportunity and thinks Sanchez is a chance to elevate his status after a fight this past fall against Melvin Guillard ended in a no-contest and a subsequent rematch was canceled due a knee injury.

“I want it to be a Stephan Bonnar-Forrest Griffin fight,” he said. “I want it to be better than the Clay Guida fight, better than the Gilbert Melendez fight. I’m coming here to state my case in the UFC lightweight division.”

Sanchez, who’s fought more than his fair share of slugfest, welcomes that idea. How realistic such a display is is another matter.

“See for me, I’ve been in a lot of wars, and if Ross is able to keep up the pace and continue to fight that fight with me, bring it on,” he said. “But I don’t see it happening. I see him dying down; I see him getting tired.

“To be really honest, I think that the blueprint is just like the Matt Brown-Erick Silva fight. I see it going down just like that.”

Either fighter would benefit greatly from a fight like the recent UFC Fight Night 40 headliner, which drew raves from UFC President Dana White and countless MMA observers. Now, the pair need to meet to see if their expectations match up with reality.
MMAjunkie
 
#2 ·
It's up to Pearson, but it's highly unlikely, look Kampmann/Sanchez was as close to Griffin/Bonnar as you can get and people were more pissed off about the result of the fight than appreciate the effort and skill both guys gave in that fight.
 
#7 ·
I wonder when the day Diego gets knocked out will be. He gets hurt, but he always recovers. I sometimes worry about his well being, but he keeps pushing the pace.

I think he will tire Pearson out. Ross is tough and all, but I don't think he can match Diego's pace, and brawling with him might not be the best strategy if he can't match Diego's pace and conditioning.

I kind of hope Diego mixes it up and goes for take downs as well. He should always keep Ross guessing.
 
#8 ·
Pearson can match his pace and won't get dragged into a brawl. Pearson is definitely the better striker but I'm not convinced he won't get caught by a blitzing Diego and if he does, he potentially gets dropped and finished.

Really struggling to call this fight I only see a Diego TKO or a Pearson win on points as possible outcomes here.
 
#19 ·
Nah, I don't think he can match Diego's pace. He doesn't have the chin, conditioning, or never say die attitude that Diego has. Of course I'm biased though, just like you, haha.

I think if Pearson wants to win this, he needs to fight intelligently and pick his shots. He doesn't have to match Diego's pace. Patience is required here.

I'm still hoping that Diego is telling the truth about being really sick against Jury. Apparently "the fight doctor" posted on twitter defending Diego's claim and said that he could barely stand that morning or something like that. As a fan, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I think Pearson may wilt during one of Diego's blitzes. I haven't been overly impressive with Pearson as of late. Then again, I feel the same about Diego. I'm just really pulling for Diego here. It's going to be almost heart breaking for me as a fan if he fails to get the win again. I don't think retirement would be too far off for him if that were the case.
 
#9 ·
It will be ridiculous if Diego stood toe to toe with heavy hitters at 170, like Kampmann and Ellenberger, only to be KO'ed/TKO'ed by Ross Pearson moving up from 145.

Ryan Couture won the first round of his fight with Pearson by pressuring him. Melvin Guillard also had success pressuring Pearson. Diego should be able to do the same without being finished.

But. Will that be the gameplan?
 
#11 ·
But. Is Ross Pearson more accurate than Martin Kampmann, Jake Ellenberger, Gilbert Melendez, Myles Jury, etc?

Pearson looks like an animal fighting George Sotiropulous and Ryan Couture. Diego fought bigger name competition at a heavier weight class.

Is there a difference between a power punch at 145 - 155 where Pearson fought. And a power punch at 170 where Diego fought?

Diego never had a problem wrestling or grappling at 170 that I remember. He never was controlled or ragdolled. Diego should have the wrestling & grappling advantage over Pearson if things go that road.

Diego should be the favorite in this fight, imo.

I think the only time in recent history Diego was finished was against BJ Penn.

Diego probably wasn't living right or training right at that point in time. It wouldn't be accurate to say that's we can expect of a motivated, in shape, Diego.
 
#20 ·
...Griffin & Bonnar was a true UFC mainstream coming out party. It was a special time and that fight made it's mark. This fight should be crazy. Especially the 1st round will be insane with Diego rushing forward. Fireworks galore. Should be some brutal exchanges. Ross won't finish Diego but may drop him if he catches him clean. Should be fight of the night...
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top