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Joe Silva's Matchmaking

2K views 45 replies 16 participants last post by  +Shogun+ 
#1 ·
Looking at the upcoming cards and rumored cards there are many matches that should not be. Although the matches might be exciting, there are some pretty messed up decisions which make no sense.

First we have Liddell vs. Jardine. How does this make sense? Sure they are both coming off of losses, but Liddell was Champion for a long time, if anything feed him Alexander. Alexander not only beat Jardine, but DESTROYED him, yet he gets put in a preliminary match. If Jardine pulls off this upset, which is a possibility, his career will go places, and Alexanders goes no where any time soon, win or lose.

Jon Fitch vs. Diego Sanchez (and GSP vs. Koscheck). Jon Fitch should have already had a title shot already, and you can make a case for Diego as well, before his loss to Kos, or Diego and Fitch should have squared off earlier. In my opinion, Kos did not even deserve to face Diego in the first place, but since he beat him that leaves Fitch. Fitch has 6 straight wins which were all exciting and decisive, with only 2 coming from Unanimous Decisions should be facing GSP for the number 1 contender spot.

I'm sure there are more debatable ones from rumored cards. The three I mentioned from the next two upcoming PPVs really stuck out to me, and there are many many more absolutely horrible matchmaking decisions in past PPVs.

I just figured I would vent a little and display my opinion, feel free to discuss.
 
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#7 ·
I'm not only talking about upcoming cards guys, look at some past cards. Sure some of the fights might have come out well, but the choices at the time still made no sense and the decision should not have been made in the first place. Silva and the UFC kind of play favorites with their match making.
 
#8 ·
+Shogun+ said:
I'm not only talking about upcoming cards guys, look at some past cards. Sure some of the fights might have come out well, but the choices at the time still made no sense and the decision should not have been made in the first place. Silva and the UFC kind of play favorites with their match making.
lol they usually do that.

Penn vs Pulver 2 for #1 LW contender spot. Is it because ther are both awesome fighters? Not really. Dana was banking on Penn winning, and Penn is a big name in the MMA world, so Penn having a title shot = big $$$$

Gsp vs Kos. Although it technically makes sense, Dana could have had it GSP vs Karo, or someone who actually stood a chance against GSP. GSP winning this fight is immediate money. GSP vs Hughes 3, who is truly the better fighter? GSP vs Serra 2, REMATCH!

CC vs GG. Dana was positive that CC would win, and CC vs Couture would have been a very good marketable fight. I am almost 100% sure the reason this was free on spike was to showcase CC to the world, and have people who have never seen the UFC go "Oh wow look at that dude's kicks" and then buy the PPVs. One problem with this plan, they said that about someone he didn't market at all, GG.

Serra vs Hughes. Obviously the reason for this fight is to set up the winner with a rematch to GSP, and also Dana wants to have Serra lose lol.

Big Nog vs Herring 3. If you lose to a guy 2 times decisively, chances are your already going into the fight a little upset. Pride fans know this fight was going to be fun, but ultimately Nog would win. Dana knows this, and since Herring failed him in HIS debut, he wanted to make Nog look good.

Those are just a couple of examples.
The only thing that is starting to really tick me off though is I'm not seeing any upcoming dream matches. CC vs Kongo should be good, but I would much rather see CC fight AA, Nog or Couture(same opponenets for Nog, too). Fedor isn't signed yet. Silva vs Liddell isn't gonna happen till at LEAST 2008. Shogun is fighting Forrest, which should be cool, and then gets to fight a Pride fighter, again. Nothing Dana has really done matchup wise has really been a showcase for why he bought Pride. Most of the fights happening are still Pride fighter vs Pride fighter, or Pride fighter vs Lower-Mid Tier fighter. The exception being Rampage vs Liddell 2, which sucked.
 
#10 ·
SkinnyJerm said:
I think Din vs. Spencer is a dumb matchup, especially for a headliner. Wat has Din done as of late?
Actually I really enjoy Din, all his fights are pretty good. This year alone he has victories over Clay Guida and Jeremy Stephens. All together he has 4 straight wins in the UFC, one being against Matt Serra a couple years back. I would agree with you that its bad for a headliner, but its for Ultimate Fight Night Live, you cannot expect much better. I think it will be an exciting fight.
 
#12 ·
+Shogun+ said:
Actually I really enjoy Din, all his fights are pretty good. This year alone he has victories over Clay Guida and Jeremy Stephens. All together he has 4 straight wins in the UFC, one being against Matt Serra a couple years back. I would agree with you that its bad for a headliner, but its for Ultimate Fight Night Live, you cannot expect much better. I think it will be an exciting fight.
Actually with Swick, Diaz, and Leben on the card, I think its the worst headliner. I get your point, but I still dont think he should be in there with Fisher, who I believe is a serious contender for the lightwieght title.
 
#13 ·
sk double i said:
we all know chuck didn't choose this fight with Jardine. He was given an option but my guess is that his manager chose Jardine bc he is the weakest of the three (machida and shogun).

Does anyone know how that works?
I believe Joe Silva presents the fighter and his manager with his opponent, and he can choose to sign the deal if he wants. If not, he waits for another opponent. Or if there are multiple options, which I kind of doubt, Silva again works it out with the fighter and his manager. I could be wrong, just a guess.
 
#15 ·
+Shogun+ said:
I'm not only talking about upcoming cards guys, look at some past cards. Sure some of the fights might have come out well, but the choices at the time still made no sense and the decision should not have been made in the first place. Silva and the UFC kind of play favorites with their match making.
I agree with that. It certainly seems that they play favorites. they also play to their own interests. They set up fights they want to see, not always the ones that should be.

Kos has NO business fighting GSP. Kos is good, but he hasn't earned that fight.
Diego should be fighting people a lot higher up the chain... Kos didn't earn that fight either. Sanchez was coming off of wins against Karo, Joe Riggs, etc. Theres no way Kos would have beaten those guys, so how does he get to fight diego??

And while i think it will be an amusing fight, jardine doesn't really deserve to fight lidell. What about Vera? isn't he ready for a title shot?? I thought he was a contender for both heavy and light heavy belts? maybe i'm confused, idk.

Overall, I think that the matches made are made solely to keep peoples interest and get them talking, which is working.
 
#17 ·
also, Arlovski_Fan - i disagree with you about the chuck/ rampage fight. It was short, but it went exactly how i thought it would. rampage came out and beat chuck like he said he would. only disappointment was that there weren't any signature rampage slams.
 
#19 ·
UseOf_A_Weapon said:
also, Arlovski_Fan - i disagree with you about the chuck/ rampage fight. It was short, but it went exactly how i thought it would. rampage came out and beat chuck like he said he would. only disappointment was that there weren't any signature rampage slams.
Meh, I hate it when main events end in less than 2 minutes, feels like I'm getting robbed :(
Its cool with me if Liddell was Ko'd after like 4 minutes, or if there was at least some exchanges. It just seemed like they were feeling each other out, Chuck went in while not gaurding his chin, and payed for it. Idk, just my thoughts :dunno:
 
#20 ·
+Shogun+ said:
Looking at the upcoming cards and rumored cards there are many matches that should not be. Although the matches might be exciting, there are some pretty messed up decisions which make no sense.

First we have Liddell vs. Jardine. How does this make sense? Sure they are both coming off of losses, but Liddell was Champion for a long time, if anything feed him Alexander. Alexander not only beat Jardine, but DESTROYED him, yet he gets put in a preliminary match. If Jardine pulls off this upset, which is a possibility, his career will go places, and Alexanders goes no where any time soon, win or lose.

Jon Fitch vs. Diego Sanchez (and GSP vs. Koscheck). Jon Fitch should have already had a title shot already, and you can make a case for Diego as well, before his loss to Kos, or Diego and Fitch should have squared off earlier. In my opinion, Kos did not even deserve to face Diego in the first place, but since he beat him that leaves Fitch. Fitch has 6 straight wins which were all exciting and decisive, with only 2 coming from Unanimous Decisions should be facing GSP for the number 1 contender spot.

I'm sure there are more debatable ones from rumored cards. The three I mentioned from the next two upcoming PPVs really stuck out to me, and there are many many more absolutely horrible matchmaking decisions in past PPVs.

I just figured I would vent a little and display my opinion, feel free to discuss.
1. Hmm, from the way you present yourself, I assume you are upset that Houston isn't getting to fight Chuck? Personally, I think what they are doing is trying to build him up now that he has beaten Jardine, and not hold him back. Having him fight a gate keeper like Sakara(which will air live on Spike TV) Houston's career will sky rocket even more. I think that is much better then making him the next guy to get KO'ed by Chuck. And Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine sells a bit more then Houston/Chuck, seeing as how more people know Jardine.

2. While I agree, Sanchez deserved a shot before the fight with Koscheck, now that he lost to Koscheck, doesn't that mean Koscheck should get an immediate title shot? That only makes sense. Not to mention Koscheck is popular, and has gone 7-1 in the UFC. And why didn't Kos deserve to fight Sanchez? Is this blind Kos hate? Kos was on a four fight win streak, 6-1 in the UFC, more popular and faced a little better competition then Fitch. If Fitch beats Sanchez, he should get a title shot after the winner of Kos/GSP, that's quite simple, but you suggesting that Fitch/Sanchez should have happened at 69 instead of Kos/Sanchez, or Fitch fighting GSP instead of Kos only sounds like Fitch fanboyism and blind Kos hate to me.
 
#21 ·
It's funny how even when the UFC is the most exciting it's ever been and none of the cards before 2006 have ever been as stacked as every card we've seen in 07 or have compared to all the stacked cards filled with both UFC and Pride legends soon to come, there's always some weasle finding something to over analyse and complain about. This type of thread would fit right in at Sherdog. Why don't you stop trying to play the role of the UFC management team and enjoy yourself for once.
 
#23 ·
brownpimp88 said:
1. Hmm, from the way you present yourself, I assume you are upset that Houston isn't getting to fight Chuck? Personally, I think what they are doing is trying to build him up now that he has beaten Jardine, and not hold him back. Having him fight a gate keeper like Sakara(which will air live on Spike TV) Houston's career will sky rocket even more. I think that is much better then making him the next guy to get KO'ed by Chuck. And Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine sells a bit more then Houston/Chuck, seeing as how more people know Jardine.

2. While I agree, Sanchez deserved a shot before the fight with Koscheck, now that he lost to Koscheck, doesn't that mean Koscheck should get an immediate title shot? That only makes sense. Not to mention Koscheck is popular, and has gone 7-1 in the UFC. And why didn't Kos deserve to fight Sanchez? Is this blind Kos hate? Kos was on a four fight win streak, 6-1 in the UFC, more popular and faced a little better competition then Fitch. If Fitch beats Sanchez, he should get a title shot after the winner of Kos/GSP, that's quite simple, but you suggesting that Fitch/Sanchez should have happened at 69 instead of Kos/Sanchez, or Fitch fighting GSP instead of Kos only sounds like Fitch fanboyism and blind Kos hate to me.
Actually I don't think Alexander should have fought Chuck either, but if it was going to be one of the two, he would have been the right choice, because if he did happen to win, he will gain alot more fans knowing that he deserved the fight. Kos... Yea I hate Kos, but I'm simply stating what SHOULD have happened, as I don't care a whole lot for Diego or Fitch either. You can tell me, seriously, that Kos deserved his fight with Diego? Deigo beat quality opponents in Karo, Diaz and Riggs, not to mention the rest of his opponents were all better then the ones Kos has had. A washed up Dave Menne, Jeff Joslin, Ansar, Goulet? Not to mention he lost against Fickett. After Kos beat Diego, you can still make a case for Fitch that he deserved the fight for #1 Contender before Kos.
 
#24 ·
Simon Phoenix said:
It's funny how even when the UFC is the most exciting it's ever been and none of the cards before 2006 have ever been as stacked as every card we've seen in 07 or have compared to all the stacked cards filled with both UFC and Pride legends soon to come, there's always some weasle finding something to over analyse and complain about. This type of thread would fit right in at Sherdog. Why don't you stop trying to play the role of the UFC management team and enjoy yourself for once.
As I said, most of the time they end up being pretty good fights, but the match ups just do not make any sense at all. To be honest I don't know why I'm responding to a kid who made a thread "Andrei Orlovski Is A FAR Better Heavyweight Than Fedor Emelianko". On top of that, everyone has complaints, and if they choose to vent, good for them. Thats what forums are for.
 
#25 ·
+Shogun+ said:
Actually I don't think Alexander should have fought Chuck either, but if it was going to be one of the two, he would have been the right choice, because if he did happen to win, he will gain alot more fans knowing that he deserved the fight.
And he will gain more fans on free TV if/when he KO's Sakara wouldn't you agree? Getting fed to the former LHW champion doesn't look so good on your resume. Furthermore, I would think you would be more upset its Chuck/Jardine and not Shogun/Chuck.

Kos... Yea I hate Kos, but I'm simply stating what SHOULD have happened,
That is your opinion, don't try to pass it off as fact.

as I don't care a whole lot for Diego or Fitch either.
So why are you complaining about them then?

You can tell me, seriously, that Kos deserved his fight with Diego? Deigo beat quality opponents in Karo, Diaz and Riggs, not to mention the rest of his opponents were all better then the ones Kos has had. A washed up Dave Menne, Jeff Joslin, Ansar, Goulet? Not to mention he lost against Fickett.
Then by your logic Diego should have beaten Koscheck with ease, but that wasn't the case was it?

After Kos beat Diego, you can still make a case for Fitch that he deserved the fight for #1 Contender before Kos.
Okay I think this statment more than any other you have made is points to the bigger problem of what your saying and gets to the heart of why Diego/Koscheck happened and now GSP/Koscheck is happening. Its called popularity. Silva is riding a very fine edge with making things appear like they have merit but with an eye to selling tickets. That being said would Diego/Fitch have sold more than Diego/Koscheck at that time-hell no. So instead we got Koscheck/Diego a fight many wanted to see and some felt Diego nearly lost the first time out on TUF 1. The fight itself may not have lived up the hype but it did have hype and, therefore happened. Now Fitch is in a different position more people know of him thanks to Rogan and UFN 10 so a Diego/Fitch fight makes sense with the winner going on to fight Karo with the winner of that match-up getting the winner of Hughes/Serra vs. GSP/Koscheck. Give it time and good things come to those that wait. Also do you think GSP/Fitch should be happening, or Karo/GSP or Karo/Koscheck? I am sure these match-ups were discussed but dropped for lack of star power or selling power at the moment.
 
#26 ·
IcemanCometh said:
And he will gain more fans on free TV if/when he KO's Sakara wouldn't you agree? Getting fed to the former LHW champion doesn't look so good on your resume. Furthermore, I would think you would be more upset its Chuck/Jardine and not Shogun/Chuck.
Yes, it should be a good thing. However my point is if Jardine beats Liddell, even if Alexander wins, Jardines career will skyrocket and Alexander will get left behind.


IcemanCometh said:
That is your opinion, don't try to pass it off as fact.
It is my opinion that Diego and Fitch both had better more quality opponents the Koscheck? I think not.


IcemanCometh said:
So why are you complaining about them then?


Then by your logic Diego should have beaten Koscheck with ease, but that wasn't the case was it?
Anything can happen in MMA, Kos was the better fighter that night. I am saying, going from their records and the quality of their opponents, Kos did not deserve the match, somewhat like Jardine does not deserve his match with Liddell.


IcemanCometh said:
Okay I think this statment more than any other you have made is points to the bigger problem of what your saying and gets to the heart of why Diego/Koscheck happened and now GSP/Koscheck is happening. Its called popularity. Silva is riding a very fine edge with making things appear like they have merit but with an eye to selling tickets. That being said would Diego/Fitch have sold more than Diego/Koscheck at that time-hell no. So instead we got Koscheck/Diego a fight many wanted to see and some felt Diego nearly lost the first time out on TUF 1. The fight itself may not have lived up the hype but it did have hype and, therefore happened. Now Fitch is in a different position more people know of him thanks to Rogan and UFN 10 so a Diego/Fitch fight makes sense with the winner going on to fight Karo with the winner of that match-up getting the winner of Hughes/Serra vs. GSP/Koscheck. Give it time and good things come to those that wait. Also do you think GSP/Fitch should be happening, or Karo/GSP or Karo/Koscheck? I am sure these match-ups were discussed but dropped for lack of star power or selling power at the moment.
That is my point. The real MMA fans probably would have much rather seen Diego vs. Fitch, and thats the match that made more sense. You're taking things out of context here. At the present moment? I would say it should be GSP/Fitch. If Diego was not beaten, but he was, he should of had that shot with GSP. Now since Kos has beaten Diego, I don't think that Kos would of had the same success against Diego's opponents that Diego himself had, but that is opinion. Not many people like Koscheck, so I don't know how you are saying he is the more popular choice. Maybe more well known, but not popular.
 
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