**Official UFC 72: VICTORY Thread**

[dallaskd]

Main Card:

Rich Franklin#4 MW vs. Yushin Okami
Hector Ramirez vs. Forrest Griffin
Rory Singer vs. Jason MacDonald
Clay Guida vs. Tyson Griffin

Under Card:

Jason Tan vs. Marcus Davis
Tom Murphy vs. Jake O'Brien
Eddie Sanchez vs. Colin Robinson
Scott Smith vs. Ed Herman
Dustin Hazelett vs. Stevie Lynch

[LEONARD]

Damn fool...you're getting earlier and earlier with the official threads! They're supposed to be a day or 2 before the event so everybody can chime in with their picks without having to go back and make changes for injury replacements...

We still have 3 big cards before UFC 72, which is a turd (although Griffin - Guida will probably be a badass fight)...

- K-1 HERO'S / ELITE XC: JUNE 2 ON PPV & SHOWTIME
- WEC: JUNE 3 ON VERSUS NETWORK
- UFC FIGHT NIGHT 10: JUNE 12 IN FLORIDA

6 cards in June... :dizzy :dizzy

Starting tonight with K-1 Dynamite...which I'll be streaming....

:fro

[dallaskd]

It seems like Dana is really advertising the upcoming WEC fight alot.

[ATRAIN]

Hey........can anyone make me a custom UFC avitar?

[Evan]

It seems like Dana is really advertising the upcoming WEC fight alot.

He wants people to forget Elite XC, K-1 and IFL. If people want something other than UFC he wants it to still be in the realm of Zuffa.

Dana White is in smother mode right now.

Any by the way...why is Eddie Sanchez ever allowed to fight in the UFC again after running away from Cro Cop at 67?

[dallaskd]

Hey........can anyone make me a custom UFC avitar?

sure, what fighter?

[dallaskd]

Any by the way...why is Eddie Sanchez ever allowed to fight in the UFC again after running away from Cro Cop at 67?

Eddie Sanchez had the balls to go in there with Mirko and being well mismatched. ill give him that and hey he was undefeated going into that fight.

[ATRAIN]

sure, what fighter?


Rampage doing his howl :)

[dallaskd]

Rampage doing his howl :)

http://subfighter.com/userimages/Image/MMA%20Fighters/Rampage3.gif

http://subfighter.com/userimages/Image/MMA%20Fighters/Rampage11.gif

http://subfighter.com/userimages/Image/MMA%20Fighters/Rampage1.gif

http://subfighter.com/userimages/Image/MMA%20Fighters/Rampage.jpg

http://subfighter.com/userimages/Image/MMA%20Fighters/Rampage2.gif

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/vanillavick9/rampage2.jpg

[LEONARD]

Main card airs in the United States live on pay-per-view at 3:00 PM Eastern (USA) Time / 12:00 PM Pacific (USA) Time...

UFC 72: JUNE 16, 2007 IN BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Main Card Bouts:
-Rich Franklin (#4 MW) vs. Yushin Okami
-Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez
-Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida
-Jason MacDonald vs. Rory Singer
-Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith

Preliminary Bouts:
-Marcus Davis vs. Jason Tan
-Eddie Sanchez vs. Colin Robinson
-Dustin Hazelett vs. Stevie Lynch

Previews
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=7902
http://www.mmahq.com/2007/06/14/ufc-72-victory-preview/

Tyson Griffin video interview
http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1197

Tyson Griffin vs Urijah Faber (Faber's only loss)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_O5NyLYKay0

Ed Herman interview
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4123

[Evan]

I am going to have my review up in a few hours. This was a hard preview to do as it wasn't easy finding videos of some of these guys.

Are they not doing bets on this one?

[LEONARD]

I doubt if there will be a vBookie...full on Finals mode around here right now...

[Evan]

Well what do they think this site is?! hah

[LEONARD]

I know right!

Odds...just bet the same amount on all the underdogs and you'll probably come out ahead...
http://www.zewkey.com/mma_betting_super_page.htm

[LEONARD]

Everybody made weight...ESPN was there covering it live...
http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19877

Pre-fight interviews and press-conf are starting to show up
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=MultiMedia.video

Notes from the Press Conf
http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19872

ESPN preview
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=2904332

[LEONARD]

Betting breakdown
http://www.zewkey.com/ezflyer%20ufc%2072.htm

[dallaskd]

Betting breakdown
http://www.zewkey.com/ezflyer%20ufc%2072.htm

r we gonna get a vbookie?

[JROLLA]

I'm excited. UFC 71 didn't disappoint. I will be at my buddies house watching this.

[Evan]

I just got done watching the UFC 72 preview. I am not sure I have ever been less impressed with a fighter on that show than Hector Ramirez. He seemed so low energy, out of shape, and dispassionate.

[LEONARD]

Not going to be a sellout (even with only 10k seats)
http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/16/ufc-72-not-a-hot-ticket-in-belfast/

Sherdog's picks
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=7930

Ramirez article
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4146

Performity's picks
http://ufcjunkie.com/2007/06/15/performifys-picks-for-ufc-72-griffin-vs-okami/

[dallaskd]

Eddie Sanchez changed his nickname?

[Evan]

Eddie Sanchez changed his nickname?

:lol

[LEONARD]

Josh Gross picked Ramirez... :ihit

[Evan]

Gross also said Rampage has never been the same since he converted to Christianity and has lost his edge.

This was in April I think.

[Evan]

I want your picks Leonard.

[LEONARD]

10 min's...

My picks are in bold above :fro

Can't be right all the time (Gross)...lots of people that was a possibility...

[ATRAIN]

I have to work......can you guys post the fight results after they happen :) PLEASSSSE

[Evan]

10 min's...

My picks are in bold above :fro

Sorry, I have a huge bandwidth sucking program loading and I didn't see the whole page. :fro


Can't be right all the time (Gross)...lots of people that was a possibility...

I just thought it was a weird reason to knock Rampage.

[Evan]

I have to work......can you guys post the fight results after they happen :) PLEASSSSE

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4150&zoneid=2


word

[LEONARD]

Crazy 1st rd from Smith - Herman

[Evan]

man these fans know the UFC.

Randy looks vicious with a shaved head.

[Evan]

so far, just awesome.

[Evan]

Clay Vs Tyson. Top 10 fight of the year.

[LEONARD]

2 great fights to start it off...damn, I thought Guida might get the decision. VERY close fight. Griffin did some damage off his back in the 3rd...

I'm off...gonna have to DL the rest...

[ATRAIN]

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4150&zoneid=2


word


Sweet man thanks!!, Wish I was off to see this....oh well.

[Evan]

You bet.

No worries. Free event next Saturday night. TUF finale.

[ATRAIN]

You bet.

No worries. Free event next Saturday night. TUF finale.

Yeah ill be watching that........well maybe I have to go to a wedding.

[dallaskd]

Clay got robbed! But still an amazing fight.

[dallaskd]

this card really impressed me, i wasnt that excited about it at first but it was really good. Franklin some what let me down but ill give him props for sticking it out. Okami did absolutely nothing until that 3rd round. Forrest looked fantastic.

[Evan]

Franklin was really playing cautious but a win is a win. I suspect a injury

[LEONARD]

Griffin - Guida didn't disappoint. This fight had it all...one of the best of the year so far IMO. Decision could've gone either way. Split the first 2 rounds and close in the 3rd. I thought the difference was Griffin doing damage from the bottom even when Guida had position. Griffin was winning the standup in the first couple min's of the round too. Rogan/Goldberg were all over Guida's nuts for being on top but he wasn't doing much with it...

Forrest looked much better...

Herman - Smith was good too...had a little bit of everything.

I wish Marcus Davis would get a better opponent so we could get a better read on him...

Okami was very tentative early on like he was afraid he would gas or something. The 1st 2 rounds were pretty boring. Then he turned it on in the 3rd and was really close to finishing with a kimura...I thought he had him...

Rich is praying that Nate beats Silva... :lol

I can't remember the last time all the favorites won on a Pride or UFC card... :dizzy

Overall, not a bad card for the lack of big names / talent. I expect that this will be the last "weak" card. The rest of the year will be insanity... :fro

[Evan]

I can't remember the last time all the favorites won on a Pride or UFC card... :dizzy

Welcome to me from October to April. :drunk

[LEONARD]

For those thinking that Guida was robbed, re-watch the 3rd round WITH THE SOUND DOWN. (assuming that most have rd 1 to Griffin and rd 2 to Guida). If you still think it was a robbery after rewatching it, that's fine. Just don't let Rogan and Goldberg influence your impression of what's happening...

First 1:10 - Tyson Griffin won the standup, including a big MT knee, and stuffed a takedown.

Next minute - Guida gets a takedown, Tyson rolls him and ends up on top in an odd position, delivers about 7 elbows and a couple hammerfists...with a heel hook attempt in between (fairly weak attempt). Guida lands 3 backfists before they scramble again.

Next minute - more scrambling with Guida having the better position for the most part. Not much striking going on.

Next 50 sec - Guida in Tyson's guard. Tyson lands 3 or 4 solid elbows from the bottom, a few backfists, and an upkick. Guida lands a few hammerfists (the best ones to Tyson's chest) and a couple punches get thru.

Last min - Knee to the body from Guida, a couple small elbows from Tyson, more scrambling but Guida maintains top position, another couple knees to the body from Guida, and then a wild flurry in the last 10 seconds where very little lands.

Guida had position and a takedown but didn't do much with it. Tyson landed some big shots and did more with worse position IMO and won the round... :fro

[IX_Equilibrium]

I think Guida won, but it was very close. I would definitely like to see a rematch. Both guys are extraordinary talents.

[Evan]

I think it was very close.

I wish the scoring system was more clear.

[LEONARD]

Post fight press conf notes
http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/55873/UFC-72:-Post-Fight-Press-Conference-Notes.htm

Facts and figures:

The show had a paid attendance of 7,850 for a take of $1.2m. This is a new Odyssey Arena record, beating the former record holder, Dolly Parton. This was also the first event in the Arena's history to be screened internationally.

Fight of the night: Clay Guida vs. Tyson Griffin.
KO of the night: Marcus Davis
Submission of the night: Ed Herman

What Dana said:

Dana was very nervous about this show, as he wanted to continue to break records. He didn't want to be the number 2 event in the arena behind Dolly Parton.

He praised the fans and the amount of noise they made, saying 7,000 made the noise of 70,000.

Replying to a question, he noted there would be more Irish fighters in future. In 2002, the talent pool was quite shallow and it would seem that UFC 38 was a catalyst for MMA in the UK. Now, the talent pool is so deep and it will keep improving.

There will likely be a rematch between Clay Guida and Tyson Griffin.

Rich Franklin is next in line for the Middleweight title.

Dan Henderson and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's light heavyweight title match WILL be title vs. title, winner takes both titles. When signing for the fight, Henderson made no mention of fighting at 185 and seems to feel more comfortable at 205. Dana said he wants Dan to stay at one weight or the other and would be reluctant to let Henderson switch between 185 and 205.

Dana also mentioned that PRIDE is "a mess" and it is still the plan to run the companies seperately. This will lead to the planned "Super Bowl of MMA". However, the issues, which Dana did not go into, need to be resolved.

Kurt Angle is a "nice guy" but cannot go straight into the octagon. He would be destroyed by a mixed martial artist. If he's serious about it and will train in MMA, then Dana will consider it but right now, it's not on the cards.

The next show in Ireland will likely be next year and the UFC are looking at Dublin.

In his opinion, Dustin Hazelett and Ed Herman did well.

Finally, when asked, Dana said he did not watch K-1 Dynamite USA show.

What Rich Franklin said:

Rich did not see the fight going as it did. He tried to be patient and stay out of the clinch but when he got into the clinch, he became comfortable. Possibly too comfortable, which led to him being taken down in the third. He later confirmed that Okami was awkward and it made it hard for him.

He did not feel overwhelmed by Okami's strength.

Of the Silva and Marquardt, he obviously wants to fight Silva, due to the history between them.

He did not feel in danger in Okami's third-round kimura attempt and actually felt the earlier choke was closer to getting submission.

What Yushin Okami said:
Yushin said that Rich Franklin is one of his favourite fighters and he learned a lot from the bout. He felt he gave a good performance and that Rich is probably the best fighter with whom he's ever been in the cage. He will try and take this experience and use it to make him a better fighter.

What Forrest Griffin said:

His post-match apologies was to people to whom he'd been rude. Forrest said the pressure of fame get to you and he felt he'd lost a little of himself for a while. He has bounced back from that and wants to apologize to those he offended when it was all getting a bit too much.

He felt he gave a good performance and Ramirez was tough.

He appreciated the football crowd atmosphere, calling it cool. It was not a distraction and if he got that sort of reaction, he'd jump at the chance to come back.

He said that the six month layoff was a double-edged sword. While it probably helped him in some ways, he feels he let himself go a little and it played with his head mentally. It was tough making weight for the fight and he's had some terrible luck with injuries and infections, notably the staph infection he had. However, he feels good to be back.

When there was discussion of a fight between Tito Ortiz and Forrest within the next year, Forrest said he wanted the fight. Dana confirmed that it was originally meant for this card but Tito wouldn't fight in Northern Ireland. The fight could be on the cards and it depends on the outcome of Tito's fight with Rashad Evans.

What Jason McDonald said:

He felt Rory Singer was disrespectful at the weigh-in and it backfired on him, as it lit a fire under "the Athlete".

He said his slow starting can be a problem but he felt much better coming out for the second than he did for the first.

He agreed with Okami that Rich Franklin was the best fighter he has ever faced and it was an excellent measuring stick to see just how far he has to improve to make the upper echelons. He feels he's one of the best around but Franklin and Silva are a class above.

What everybody else said:

Eddie Sanchez felt that his opponent, Colin Sullivan, was a tough fighter but he didn't feel hurt in that fight and that the armbar in the first round helped him regain top position. Colin Sullivan said he delivered on his promise of an exciting fight, ending via a knockout. Sullivan mentioned that he felt an adrenaline dump and, as a result, he was exhausted after just one round. He also appreciated the massive reaction for him and mentioned that the UFC was head and shoulders above anything they (he and Lynch) have ever done. Stevie Lynch said the crowd reaction was awesome.

Marcus Davis said that, although dangerous, he wanted the win to be by knockout and would not have taken a submission if it was there. His dream is to fight, not win titles and, as a result, he is living the dream. When some mention the nine-in-a-row as a fluke, he laughs it off, saying it is the luck of the Irish. Marcus also mentioned that he toured Northern Ireland for a few days leading up to the show, looking at historic landmarks and visiting new places.

Tyson Griffin was unsurprised by the reaction to his win, as if you win a split decision and finish the match on your back, the crowd are not going to understand this being a victory. Tyson felt he won the match. Likewise, Guida felt he won the match and said he entered a good performance

Quinton Jackson was also in attendance, being his usual shy and retiring self, suggesting Marcus Davis is copying his fighting style.

After the conference, I managed to speak to Jay Hieron about the Los Angeles Anacondas and he seems very positive about the team's chances to win the World Team Championship, speaking highly of his teammate Chris Horodecki.

I shall be back with a report of the live event tomorrow.

[dallaskd]

I loved the Irish fans doing their chants during the Griffin-Ramirez fight.