I have UFC 129 on DVD, and I recommend it to buy.
It documents the biggest UFC event in it's history, held at the Skydome in Toronto in April 2011.
The main event was Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields, and that fight was interesting. In my opinion nothing happened until the final round.
Joe Rogan says Shields was "bewildered" in the octagon in the early rounds, but I don't think that was quite it. I think Shields was just reacting to Georges style in a way that helped him in later rounds. If this sport had no time limits or round limits then Jake would have eventually knocked Georges out. You can say that's bull, but watch the final round. Georges' left eye was almost shut- he couldn't see out of it and it was bothering him huge. Another round and Georges would have been in serious trouble. Jake did not do enough (in the time allowed) to finish Georges, and after the fight Georges had to admit that Jakes' stand-up and striking were way better than he had imagined. Jake held his own against St-Pierre, he went the distance with him and could've finished him if had a round or two more. Jake wasn't so much "bewildered" in the early rounds so much as he was adjusting to the style and type of fighter that Georges is. It wasn't a particularly exciting fight, no amazing displays, but it was very interesting to me. It never went to the ground, which is where Georges dominates anyone and everyone. Georges is a supremely well-rounded guy, truly fearsome as an opponent, but Jake Shields revealed that you can beat Georges if you stick to a strong plan of attack (and have the luck of Georges deciding to stand up and trade blows with you). Some may say that Jake was just trying to survive, but that's bullshit. Look closer if you think he was just trying to survive. Jake inflicted some damage to Georges face. He was in a fight.
That said, 3 years later and Jake Shields is nowhere to be found. His contract was dropped by the UFC. Dana White said he was "just another guy in the welterweight division. His stand up never improved. We look at everything when considering a fighter, including money, and Jake Shields was just another guy in the division. What is he truly going to do with the animals in this division?"
So Jake Shields is just a guy who almost beat Georges St-Pierre. That's his legacy. Yawn. What happened Jake? No desire anymore to be a Champion?
UFC 129 also has one of my favorite MMA matches ever on the card: Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture.
What Machida did here was the best thing on the whole program: send Randy Couture into permanent retirement. With a karate Kid kick to the kisser, knocking out Randy and his purdy white teeth.
I have never liked Randy Couture or his style of fighting. He seemed to always just want to wear you down with bear hugs and wrestling, usually pinning you against the cage. He had a lot of sucess with that "style" but I never respected that style one inch. Same with Brazilian Ju-Jitsu- I do not like that style of fighting for a win. It seems very cowardly to lean on submissions for victory. I can't really respect a fighter who uses everything in his arsenal to beat a guy but then resorts to desperate submissions because he has no other way of beating his opponent (FRANK MIR!) Submissions do not have a higher value than a knockout to me. Submissions are necessary and I would never say "no submissions!" in MMA, I just don't like the fact that it gives lesser fighters (Frank Mir) something to brag about, when the evidence shows they were outclassed and not as good a fighter as their opponent. I've seen it countless times where a quick submission that comes out of nowhere secures a victory for a guy who otherwise would've been destroyed. Brock Lesnar is a better athlete and fighter than Frank Mir yet Mir claimed a victory in their first fight because Mir was dropped, ragdolled and pounded like hamburger until he realized he was in deep shit and went for that kneebar and got it.
Watch the fight. Mir was desperate in that octagon. He was getting pummeled in the fetal position after Brock dropped him with a shot to the face. I still say Mir will eventually sue the UFC for brain damage. He's not making good money anymore for his fights and he will get desperate.
Just as desperate out of the ring as he was in it against Lesnar. I hate his guts. No one more arrogant or stupid in MMA than Frank Mir to me.
A useless human being who thinks his "mark on the world" is way bigger than it really is. You are (and were) nothing but a blowhard punching bag Frank. Pack it in. You're done. I said you were done before, but you don't listen. Practise what you preach Frank! You said Nogeira was "not done", that it was like "cooking a meal". HA HA HA!! So how do you describe the match at UFC 100? You said "no matter what happens, UFC 100 will be my day". LOL It sure was. Your eyes looked like two pissholes in the snow after Brock punched your jew-fro head into the canvas.
"This ain't the WWE!" Frank. But you'd never know, because you wouldn't stick your soul into that furnace. Brock stuck his soul in your game, why don't you stick yours in his? He defeated the Undertaker at Wrestlemania this year! LOL Broke that Illustrious "Streak". Never been doen before in wrestling history! I know it's "fake", but you do fake Frank. You said there is "no deceit" in the octagon. Oh Yes there is....it's you. Deceit is in the octagon when you step into it Frank. Because I happen to know you like to try to pretend you are hurt in there, to fool your opponents into a submission.
You are a Snake, Frank Mir.
I have zero respect for you and neither should anyone else.
"Set the controls for the heart of the Sun" - Pink Floyd
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks