Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

Anyone else catch the UFC 81 countdown?

3K views 65 replies 30 participants last post by  BloodJunkie 
#1 ·
I just watched it, and I've got to say I'm really confident in my picks.

Frank Mir's striking looks much better than it has in the past (especially compared to Lesnar's loopy punches), and he's training with a world-class wrestler, similar in build to Lesnar. I also think Frank's fighting attitude is much better than Brock's, as Brock Lesnar repeatedly says he "doesn't care" about Frank's BJJ, when I think he should be more concerned about that than anything.

I'm also really confident in picking Nogueira over Sylvia. Nogueira's training his stand-up with Anderson at Black House, he's spending more time on his wrestling (thank God!) and he looked in incredible shape, working like a beast. Tim will obviously come in shape to fight 5 rounds, but his training really looked tame compared to Nog's, his stand-up looked sloppy even in sparring too.

This card's going to be great, I can't wait.:thumb02:

What did you guys think?
 
#3 ·
There is definently a difference in intelligance between Lesnar and Mir. Lesnar was like "I sweated alot" and kept saying things like that.
 
#4 ·
lesnar looks like hes taken a few to many roids, that guys head is the size of a basketball. but I agree i think mir takes this one he is obviously more well rounded and i think his experience will be too much for brock to handle. even if you do train as hard as they are saying lesnar is, your not gonna learn if your not fighting top competetion.
as for nog sylvia, that one is tough. of course im cheering for nog but sylvia just seems to have a skill at pulling out decisions
 
#5 ·
I'm liking that Nog said he has refocused himself.
 
#6 ·
We hear the same BS from Tim everytime in the pre-hype...."it's gonna be a new aggressive Tim Sylvia"...fu#king bull...

I'm glad I'm taking Nog, he really surprised me w/ his athleticism...something I never really thought he had a ton of

I'm still confident in Lesnar. Frankly, I'm more confident. Frank can spar with a 200lb wrestler like that dude all he wants, I think he will feel something new in the octagon, and I don't think he's going to be prepared for it.
 
#7 ·
I sure hope you're right, dude. I have this weird feeling something completely unexpected is going to happen though, like Lesnar by armbar or Sylvia by rear naked choke or something. I'm not sure who I want to win more, Mir or Nog. If they lose, they lose, but I sure hope it ain't by Lesnar submitting Mir or Sylvia submitting Nog. :confused05:
 
#14 ·
Absolutely, Nogueira looked like a frickin' beast. Imagine Nogueira with sick takedowns and solid ground and pound.. :confused05:


My picks have changed after watching the countdown show. Lesnar doesn't seem to have a care in the world, and I think his carelessness and lack of respect for Mir's ground game is gonna have him caught in a submission. I thought Lesnar was gonna put him on his back and grind him out, but I can't see that happening now. Frank Mir by submission in the first or second.

Nogeuira's fitness seems to have changed drastically since the Herring fight, and I think he's going to be durable enough to shut Sylvia down in the later rounds. I don't know if he'll finish him, but I've gotta go with Nogeuira based on how improved and sharp he looks. Nogeuira's training partners are also much better than Sylvia's.

I'm excited as hell for the card too man. :thumbsup:
Couldn't agree more man. :thumb02:
 
#9 ·
My picks have changed after watching the countdown show. Lesnar doesn't seem to have a care in the world, and I think his carelessness and lack of respect for Mir's ground game is gonna have him caught in a submission. I thought Lesnar was gonna put him on his back and grind him out, but I can't see that happening now. Frank Mir by submission in the first or second.

Nogeuira's fitness seems to have changed drastically since the Herring fight, and I think he's going to be durable enough to shut Sylvia down in the later rounds. I don't know if he'll finish him, but I've gotta go with Nogeuira based on how improved and sharp he looks. Nogeuira's training partners are also much better than Sylvia's.

I'm excited as hell for the card too man. :thumbsup:
 
#65 ·
Nogeuira's fitness seems to have changed drastically since the Herring fight, and I think he's going to be durable enough to shut Sylvia down in the later rounds. I don't know if he'll finish him, but I've gotta go with Nogeuira based on how improved and sharp he looks. Nogeuira's training partners are also much better than Sylvia's.
What was wrong with Nogueira's fitness in the Herring fight?
 
#11 ·
After seeing Lesnar say "who cares" when refering to Mir snapping Sylvia's arm, I really hope Lesnar walks out of the arena with 2 broken arms. Not that I don't like Lesnar, I just not a fan of the lack of respect he has for a fighter that has waaaay more skill and experience. Maybe he should be taught a lesson.
 
#18 ·
Lesner should put on a good show. He is physical and seems confident, if not "cocky" in himself. Mir is VERY focused, he doesnt want to lose to some show-pony from dancey-land.

The lack of respect is appalling. You should NEVER brush off an ex title holder, let alone someone who has broken an arm in the octagon.
 
#12 ·
Even though I've backed the Lesnar horse since people began to jump the gun on him, his mindset compared to Mir's was as simple as few of you guys alluded to, 'I don't care'. Not that I can't see Lesnar overwhelming Mir, which is a definite variable, however Mir will likely catch him in the midst of a few sloppy shots while trying to pass guard.

As for Nog-Tim, I'm still a little sketchy on a prediction. It would be refreshing to see Nog take the win, and rematch Werdum, however Tim will definitely be in top form for this fight. Ideally it could go either way.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Of course the countdown was like a highlight reel. A lot of fighters say different things, and sometimes its a reflection of what they believe, on what they are focused on, or just BS. It's actually good too hear fighters say "I will b eat him, and I see this happening..." at least they are visualizing the win. Confidence does help.

Lesnar spoke out against Mir, but not directly- just against Mir's technique. We also never see what questions they ask the fighters or what question provoked the answer "So what if he broke Sylvia's arm..." Personally I see no disrespect towards Mir in that statement, but whatever.
Mir talked about career ending moves and breaking things. You could take that as being right up punk alley and a real disregard towards anyone.

Mir claims he has his athleticism again...I am really skeptical about that. We have heard "HE is in shape now...he was injured last time...This is a brand new fighter X..." several times. Mir's striking is ok, but nowhere near worldclass. And they basically showed just one combo.

Nog says he is better shape than ever, real surprise statement. I want to hear a fighter say: "Yeah, I had a lot of little chocolate donuts leading up to this match, but I rinsed 'em down with beer. So, I'll be fine."

Sylvia said "Labalu, Timmmy!" Or something like that again and will follow that statement up with the same boring strategy.

With all these countdowns and positive statements we are always sure to hear: "I'm not making excuses, but I was injured...." after fights.


I sound a little skeptical about the whole interview thing, because it really doesn't matter. It builds anticipation, but really, means squat. It is just marketing. I'd rather hear Randy's picks, or some other analysis. What counts is what will happen in the ring, and nothing else when it is said and done.



My prediction: Sylvia beats Nog, TKO
My sincere hope: Lesnar beats Mir (and I used too like Mir and really still do)I just have this 50/50 suspicion that DW wants Lesnar too lose to show the UFC is better than the WWE.

Brock is in a good position entering the MMA world. But the truth is that his gain is no one's loss. There are several times in life where somebody gets ahead of you because of something or another. Get over it, go earn it on your own, and stop whining about it.
 
#59 ·
I just have this 50/50 suspicion that DW wants Lesnar too lose to show the UFC is better than the WWE.
I had that same feeling when Dana said, "The only reason Brock is here is because he has a solid wrestling background." Dana almost sounded like he was unconvinced himself that Brock belonged in the UFC.

Dana White is in a win-win. Either a former champion can officially be declared as being back or he has a new rising star. Add to it that the HW title will be decided and it should be an awesome show!
 
#21 ·
I think its funny that people think that Lesnar's "simple" talking is evidence that he is not taking the fight seriously. He stated, as Chuck Liddell often does, that he is not going to change what he does so he can avoid what Mir is good at. He did say he just has to be aware of it. Yeah thats real simple. If anything last night made me realize how much Mir is really concerned about Lesnar. As for Lesnar's care free attitude I look at it like this. If your little brother walked in your room and said I'm back from the orient and said "I am a karate master now meet me outside i'm about to bust yo ass" how many of you would honestly be worried about that. Can it be a grave mistake, yes, but confidence should not be mistaken for over confidence. Frank Mir is in alot of trouble and he may not be prepared for what is about to happen.
 
#23 ·
I'm sorry, but I sincerely doubt Frank Mir is not going to be prepared for this fight. The fact he's showing concern, simply shows how seriously he is taking the fight, which is bad news for Brock.

Frank's looking at this intelligently, he knows that Brock is going to grow faster than most athletes that transfer to MMA because of his collegiate background and the amount of money he has to fly in top-talent and train every day.


People can say whatever they want about Frank not having World-Class striking and I find that to be irrelevant. He doesn't need WC striking to beat Brock Lesnar. Watch the sparring video with Lesnar, do you not see how flat-footed he is? Look at how loopy his punches are, doesn't help that he throws with his arms either.

You can call the Countdowns "highlight reels" and "hype videos", which they obviously are. However, there's also some merit to them in that we get to see what specific training the fighters are engaging for in preparation. From what I could see, Mir and Nogueira look to be training harder for their fights than their opponents are.
 
#30 ·
See, personally I didn't view Lesnar as disrespecting Mir, or writing him off. What he's doing is not letting himself be intimidated. That's why he said "so what" to mention of Mir breaking Tim's arm. You can't let that kind fo thing get into your head and go into a fight scared getting an arm broken.

It looks to me like Brock is training his ass off. That alone tells you that he is not dismissing Mir's ability. If he were truely underestimating Mir he would not be training so hard.

Brock's confident, and I can't hold that against him. I don't see him as being overconfident though...same with Mir. I really like Mir a lot, and I'll be a bit disappointed regardless of who wins / loses...

Ash
 
#37 ·
Wow man, great post. I was about to type something just like that, but I came to this post and you just summed it all up plus more ;)
 
#32 ·
Good points made, I was watching the countdown and was pretty amazed with some of the comments Brock made ( like you said " I don't care about his Jitz" ), I think that Brock is showing a poor attitude about training a hole in his game. Mirs jitz is not something to overlook and I think Brock may be in for a rude awakening. I like Mirs attitude going into this fight. He looks good and is training well. I also thought it was funny listening to Brock go on and on, this guy never shuts up, he just goes on and on about himself.
 
#34 ·
I dont think he underestimates Frank...he just doesnt care...See his eyes at the end of the interview on the website?? A bit crazzy

Frank Mir has to be intimidated slightly, where i think Brock isnt in the least. (Maybe a mistake i agree)
 
#42 ·
How can you be so sure? By watching his highlight reel powerslams? :confused:

I don't think Lesnar is "disrespecting" Frank Mir, I just don't think he's giving Mir's BJJ game much of a thought. He just keeps saying how he's going to "beat Mir" and "it will be hard for Mir to do anything my fist in his mouth".

I don't think Brock Lesnar understands that his wrestling credentials won't carry him in this sport. Frank Mir will teach him that with a prompt submissions. :dunno:
 
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