IronMan

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okimherenow2

Well so far in his carear he has only fought 2 real BJJ practitioners doerksen and Ninja. The other guys might have studied it alittle, but I don't think they were that good at it when they fought him. If he faces another decent BJJ guy I think he might lose.

My comparison goes beyond the level of BJJ, (though I don't think that Filho's as technical as Rickson was when Rickson hit the big stage, more of a young Rickson, getting used to full contact over in Brazil, but still doing phenomenally) because both are phenomenal wrestlers. Part of that comes from years of grappling, and part of that comes from their comfort with pulling guard when their sprawled on. The only time I've ever seen Paulo fail to do that is against Sonnen, and he got his back taken, but he survived that position just fine.

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His striking might look like a joke, because it's not the technical, aggressive muay thai we're used to seeing out of Brazilians nowadays. The fact is, that's not what he needs to win fights, because he's not built like a technical thai striker. He doesn't have the long arms and legs to control distance or use that spider guard off of his back the way that Silva does, and most people think that, as a result of that, Silva is a more technical fighter. The fact is, Filho bases his game on an entirely different weapon, and this is what takes me back to the comparison to Rickson Gracie.

I understand he doesn't need to stand and strike with ppl to win fights. All he has to do is take down the non-knowing BJJ guys and sub them. If he want's to make it in the UFC or a diff org. he has to get more well rounded and not just use his BJJ to win. If he doesn't I think he will get killed against a decent well rounded fighter.

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When Paulo is standing up, he does something that Rickson didn't really do because he so rarely fought wrestlers, and that's brawl. Paulo uses that brawling to work his way into the clinch and show opponents that he's not afraid to go toe-to-toe. He's hurt alot of guys that way, and it's one of the reasons why his jiu-jitsu is so effective, because his opponents are a little bit dazed and intimidated by his strikes.

He did that against Sonnen and looked what happend, he got messed up bad in that fight standing. If Sonnen was smart he would of kept it standing and Ko'ed him. I know he is not really made to stand with ppl and trade, but he at least needs to learn how to throw a punch correctly. Boxing is not a sin and he really needs to learn it at least alittle.

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Honestly, watch Filho's fights from Pride. I recommend his fights with Chonan and Misaki, as those are the ones where we've really seen his submission game mature (and the use of his tricept hook, where he catches his opponents upper arm, which is something that alot of Brazilian guys neglect in MMA, but he's starting to pick up on it). He's got better ground skills than Silva and a serious chin, even better than Henderson's in my opinion, but I still think Anderson is a better fighter.

His ground game was looking better towards the end of PRIDE ill give you that. To say his ground game is better than Silva's? well all I have to say to that is I agree with you 100%. I still think Nog just gave him his BB b/c they are really good friends.

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Still, I think that Filho is a force, and if you watch those fights (or his fight with JoeDoe) I think you'll understand what I'm talking about. He shows an incredible level of improvement between fights and I personally find it very impressive that he hasn't just settled into a winning strategy. He slipped a little bit in the Sonnen fight, and I think he learned alot, even over the course of that fight. One thing is for sure, that's not a mistake I expect him to make again.

I just went back and watched the doerksen fight and im still not impressed by him. Filho didn't do anything to doerksen when he got him to the ground. He may be showing impovements but I still think he will get owned in the UFC or a diff org. I really think Sonnen has his number and I think he will beat him the next time they fight.

IcemanCometh

Rhino's ground game isn't totally shit and I think that is where how he might win it...he subbed that Cuba guy with a slick armbar so we shall see. Altho I mostly agree you.

IronMan

I credit his groundgame in previous posts, and I agree that it's not terrible. (Stann's probably isn't either, I just haven't really seen it yet)

Still, going with Stann on this one. I like his explosiveness.

OK, I disagree with your post on Filho, and while I think he got caught by Sonnen, I think he'd still beat him if they fought again.

You're entitled to your opinion, but the fact is, Filho's been dominant in the WEC and is ranked #2 by most people. He's undefeated and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Also, given the pathetic quality of jiu-jitsu (with the exception of Anderson) in the top tier of the UFC Middleweight division, I think he'd be in pretty good shape.

Who in that division has a serious submission game?

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bbjd7

Ironman you forgot Almedia who's ground game is IMO right there with Filho's.

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IronMan

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bbjd7

I'm biased on Almedia since I did a couple of seminars and trained at his gym for a month till he drive got to be too much but he is insane. I do think however that Almedia would be a very tough test for Filho since he would defiantly have the best MMA BJJ he's faced.

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IronMan

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Fearless13

I have only heard of WEC recently so can someone fill me in on their champions/roster. I know they specialize in lighter fighters, but thats about all I know. Sorry it's off topic.

bbjd7

I would agree that Filho is stronger however if you've ever seen Almedia's grappling match with Josh Barnett at ADCC you can see he can adapt to a size difference (I know it's grappling not MMA however I have a feeling Filho vs Almedia would turn into a grappling match.

I think a good fight also would be Lister vs Almedia I think that would be crazy on the ground.

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