Ufc 76

[Evan]

09/22/2007 7pm PT/10pm ET

Main Event
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Kazuhiro Nakamura Vs. Lyoto Machida
Jon Fitch Vs. Diego Sanchez

Swing bouts
Diego Saraiva Vs. Jeremy Stephens
Scott Junk Vs. Christian Wellisch

Michihiro Omigawa Vs. Matt Wiman (AKA wtf?! vs wtf?) I predict a mutual knock out by spareness and the fans lose. There is no winner here folks. Move along.

Anthony Johnson vs. Rich Clementi (possible fight)

[Soul_Patch]

Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Kazuhiro Nakamura Vs. Lyoto Machida
Jon Fitch Vs. Diego Sanchez

Swing bouts
Diego Saraiva Vs. Jeremy Stephens
Scott Junk Vs. Christian Wellisch

I pick my fav Jardine, i know he is the underdog, but the guy is an animal, and i think he will suprise us.

I like Forrest Griffin, but i think he is outmatched here...will see.

[LEONARD]

Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Kazuhiro Nakamura Vs. Lyoto Machida
Jon Fitch Vs. Diego Sanchez

Swing bouts
Diego Saraiva Vs. Jeremy Stephens
Scott Junk Vs. Christian Wellisch
Michihiro Omigawa Vs. Matt Wiman

Your forget Rich Clementi vs Anthony Johnson, young grasshopper!!
UFC.com doesn't have it yet, but I think it's a done deal to fill the slot due to Lambert's injury...

I wouldn't mind seeing Jardine win...he'll make it interesting, but I just can't see it happening.

Griffin - Tavares should be another fight of the year candidate...Griffin has a knack for getting into those...

Forrest better hope that Shogun gases early, otherwise I can't see any way for him to win. MAYBE the perfectly placed punch, but Shogun has shown that he can recover quickly (ie, Lil Nog) from a big shot on the jaw. The only fight Forrest has finished in the UFC with punches is Elvis Sinosic... :oops

I'd love to see Nakamura beat Machida, but I think Machida will take it via decision.

And Fitch will handle up on Diego and get closer to his title shot... :fro

I don't get the Omigawa signing when there are so many top LW's in Japan, many of which are free agents right now... :bang

[oligarchy]

Main Event
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Kazuhiro Nakamura Vs. Lyoto Machida
Jon Fitch Vs. Diego Sanchez

Swing bouts
Diego Saraiva Vs. Jeremy Stephens
Scott Junk Vs. Christian Wellisch
Michihiro Omigawa Vs. Matt Wiman

I thought there was one more ?

Edit: Rich Clementi vs Anthony Johnson

[Evan]

Man I dunno.....I thought Johnson has back problems but we will see.

[Evan]

I thought there was one more ?

Possible. I updated my top post.

The fight has been added and taken off once or twice, I think.

[LEONARD]

Weigh-ins at 6:00 tomorrow (CT)
http://mmajunkie.com/2007/09/20/ufc-76-weigh-ins-airing-online-tomorrow/

Fitch Interview
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5140000.html

[LEONARD]

Shogun on ESPN.com (also Chuck, Forrest, and Jardine)
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3029141&categoryId=2881270

[LEONARD]

Pre-fight videos
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=MultiMedia.video

Greatest preview in the history of previews...
http://www.mmahaven.com/2007/09/20/ufc-76-preview-and-predictions/

Chuck training pictures...
http://fightlinker.com/?p=635

Some Shogun greatness...enjoy...
http://www.sprawl-n-brawl.com/2007/09/devastation-of-mauricio-shogun-rua.html
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22v4j_maurico-shogun-rua-highlight-by-mug_fun
http://mmafightvideos.blogspot.com/2007/09/mauricio-shogun-rua-vs-ricardo-arona.html

We've yet to see Shogun of 2005 since he dislocated his elbow...maybe we will tomorrow...

[sa_butta]

Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Kazuhiro Nakamura Vs. Lyoto Machida
Jon Fitch Vs. Diego Sanchez

[Evan]

Poor Forrest........nobody is picking him

[LEONARD]

Pre-fight press conf...
http://www.ocregister.com/video/index.php?bcpid=1127694947&bclid=1127690720&bctid=1184506680


Poor Forrest........nobody is picking him

I swear...it wouldn't shock me if he won...he just can't though!! :lol

[Evan]

I won't even blink if he wins.

The only thing that would shock me now is if Luke Commo beat Fedor.......

[desflood]

Diaz/Gomi... Alexander/Jardine... Couture/Sylvia... Serra/St. Pierre...

I would actually be amazed if Forrest did not win this fight.

[2centsworth]

I would actually be amazed if Forrest did not win this fight.

what have you been smoking. Shogun is the future of the sport. Even people like me pay money to see that guy. He's the best I've ever seen.

I'll be surprised if it's not one of the worst beat downs in UFC history.

[desflood]

what have you been smoking. Shogun is the future of the sport. Even people like me pay money to see that guy. He's the best I've ever seen.

I'll be surprised if it's not one of the worst beat downs in UFC history.
Yeah, I've heard of that Shogun guy :lol Georges St. Pierre has also been called the future of the sport, as well as Gomi. Some even said Tim Sylvia and Keith Jardine, although I have my own thoughts about those two (especially Sylvia). What is likely to happen is obvious, but lately there have been many not-so-likely things happening that are difficult to ignore. Those things give me pause about proclaiming Shogun's victory to the world before the weigh-ins even take place.

[Evan]

hey everyone PM Kori for vBookie!

I aksed her but either I am on her ignore list or it takes more than one.

/betting ignore list

[2centsworth]

Yeah, I've heard of that Shogun guy :lol Georges St. Pierre has also been called the future of the sport, as well as Gomi. Some even said Tim Sylvia and Keith Jardine, although I have my own thoughts about those two (especially Sylvia). What is likely to happen is obvious, but lately there have been many not-so-likely things happening that are difficult to ignore. Those things give me pause about proclaiming Shogun's victory to the world before the weigh-ins even take place.i get the sarcasm. better late than never. Shogun is certainly my favorite fighter

[Evan]

He is the man and he is so young we could see him for another decade before he loses a step.

[desflood]

i get the sarcasm. better late than never. Shogun is certainly my favorite fighter
I like the guy also. So young, but so talented already... someday he'll be truly amazing. I only hesitate to pick him as the definite winner because of Forrest's recent realization that sometimes a smart fight is better than an exciting fight. Honestly, I could see Forrest taking a decision. He's a clown, but very bright, and he probably won't knowingly put himself in any really dangerous positions. He's finally learned to box instead of just swing (thank goodness, since he doesn't really have knockout power anyway) and he's always been able to hang on the ground pretty well, even if he's not as comfortable there.

And hell, if Randy Couture can beat Tim Sylvia... :lol

[2centsworth]

I like the guy also. So young, but so talented already... someday he'll be truly amazing. I only hesitate to pick him as the definite winner because of Forrest's recent realization that sometimes a smart fight is better than an exciting fight. Honestly, I could see Forrest taking a decision. He's a clown, but very bright, and he probably won't knowingly put himself in any really dangerous positions. He's finally learned to box instead of just swing (thank goodness, since he doesn't really have knockout power anyway) and he's always been able to hang on the ground pretty well, even if he's not as comfortable there.

And hell, if Randy Couture can beat Tim Sylvia... :lol
Shogun should overwhelm Griffin. Sometimes no matter what you've learned or how good you are the other guy is just better. I expect Shogun to pummel Griffin.

[desflood]

I expect Shogun to pummel Griffin.
As do I. But I also expected GSP to pummel Serra, Sylvia to pummel Couture, and Crocop to kill both Gonzaga and Kongo. Even more recently, everybody expected Bisping to manhandle Matt Hamill, but look how that turned out. Things are not always as clear-cut as they seem. On the other hand, at some point this weird upset streak is going to have to end, right? Right?

[ALVAREZ6]

:lol at the chuck training pictures

[LEONARD]

Shogun interview
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/rua-ufc-sanchez-1848903-fight-font

Public places showing UFC 76
http://ufcmania.com/2007/09/21/watch-ufc-76-places-sports-bars-and-restaurants-airing-the-ppv-event-list/

[cornbread]

Chuck
Tyson
Shogun
Lyoto
Fitch

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Hopefully this will be the end of Chuck Lidell.

[Evan]

Hopefully this will be the end of Chuck Lidell.


why?

[Rip-Hamilton32]

why?
yeah why? hes a good guy and a great fighter

[Mr Dio]

Very disappointed in CB....very.....
An Effin' RNC on Shogun????? :lol

I almost want to ask for a partial refund.......... :lol

[kobe_bryant]

wow. chuck gets beat on decision.

forrest is the man.

who fights silva? who fights rampage?

[spurs=bling]

Damn what the fuck happend to Chuck??

I'll admit that I thought Keith was going to lose.

[desflood]

So... how about that Forrest Griffin, eh?

[Evan]

MMA is just crazy right now. Its been so stable for so long and now everyone is cross training disciplines the playing field is level. It will settle down in a year or so.

This sport is so new, it is just part of the growing pain. Over all the best will still win over time.

[Soul_Patch]

UFC 76: Judges Decision


Lol where were all the knock outs?!? Great fights regardless, i think it was well worth the money.

[Evan]

Yeah no matter what, great fights.

[oligarchy]

LHW just got really mixed. Jardine and Griffin rematch? Griffin and Rampage?

Wanderlei looked pretty disappointed when Chuck lost, but will they still fight? Chuck looked more like he was throwing the fight then anything. I guess he just didn't want it. I mean a minute left in the fight and you know you're losing, yet you stand and wait to counter. WTF? Either KTFO out of Jardine or get KO'd. It was disappointing to see Chuck lose again, but I guess he can go back to the Vernon White's of MMA.

Tyson Griffin looked great with escape after escape. Wonder who he's up against next? I'd LOVE to see him fight Florian.

Fitch looks like he has been underrated for awhile. I wonder who will he take on next? I'd actually like to see him and Karo go at it, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him with the next title contention.

Sherdoggers are going crazy about Rua and the excuses are running rampant. GREAT performance by Griffin.

[DarkReign]

Anybody know any sites with the fight videos?

You know, without having to pay for them?

[DarkReign]

nvm...found em

Pride isnt doing well in the UFC. At all.

[Evan]

High levels of cross training is what is causing this chaos. It will settle down.

This has only been going on for less than a year but we just have to deal with this weirdness for a little longer.

Chute Boxe gassing. I have read some crazy things about CB the past year. That place is as crazy as MFS. Dysfunctional and disorganized from top to bottom. Trainers leaving and opening their own academy's. Fights about money. Real Fighter did an awesome write up on this. I had no idea. They are years away from what they were. Hoodathunkit.

Oh and DarkReign....naughty naughty. lol
:nope

[dallaskd]

Holy Shit. thats all i have to say in this thread.

[dallaskd]

Diaz/Gomi... Alexander/Jardine... Couture/Sylvia... Serra/St. Pierre...

I would actually be amazed if Forrest did not win this fight.

Soku???? come on now.

[sa_butta]

I am done, this is ridiculous. Rua losing on a choke and then Liddell. What is wrong with the UFC??

[Evan]

Not sure why everyone is freaking out. This is a very recent thing. Its part of a new sport that is adjusting.

Again...its because everyone is cross training disciplines..It will settle down.

And I would ask what is wrong with Rua, not th UFC.

How is that elbow doing?

[DarkReign]

I am done, this is ridiculous. Rua losing on a choke and then Liddell. What is wrong with the UFC??

Sucks when you cant heal-stomp downed opponents.

[cornbread]

I think Evan is right on. The days of fighters who train part-time because of day jobs and fighters who focus on one style are over. There is more parity and higher overall quality of fighters than ever before.

Don't throw in the towel as a fan because things are shaking up. Enjoy the ride.

[cornbread]

Oh, and don't bet the farm on anybody.

[LEONARD]

I don't know what to think really...I KNOW I've never seen THAT Shogun before. It's beyond me how he could gas so hard when he's used to 10 min 1st rds & 20 min fights. I've never seen him gas anything close to that in any fight. I've been saying for a while that we still haven't seen the pre-dislocated elbow Shogun since he came back from the injury. He's been winning, but not like he was before the Coleman fight...

Cyrille Diabate - was being outstruck before taking him down and beating him up
Kevin Randleman - easy sub win
Nakamura - couldn't finish him, fairly easy decision, Nak struck with him but was taken down at will
Overeem - wasn't looking that great standing, but was at least able to finish him with strikes on the ground (patented Overeem gas'ing)

I thought that MAYBE he was turning the corner after the Overeem fight, but after last night I just don't know. I never would've guessed that he'd be completely spent after 2 min's of the 2nd round...ridiculous.

1. Maybe the "adrenaline dump" that they talk about so much got him? It's not like he came out with his hair on fire though...he was tentative from the start. He seemed pretty calm and relaxed??

2. Wasn't in shape? Seems plausible given the recent changes...ie, not training with Wanderlei, married his Victoria Secret model GF just 2 weeks ago, etc. Maybe he took Forrest a little lightly, but you'd think he would be smarter than that.

3. Wasn't juicing? Always a possibility. Body type is not an indication of whether or not somebody is on something or not (ie, Rafael Palmeiro).

I'd like to think it was #1 and/or #2...if #3, he better figure out a way to get his cardio up without roids. He's got all the skills and he's young. He can be back in title contention within a year if he gets his $hit together. He needs to train with Wanderlei IMO. I think his next fight should be a mid-level guy to get him back on track.

Props to Forrest...he'll always bring cardio, a gameplan, and heart. I was pulling for Shogun but Forrest winning is almost as good. He's one of my favorite fighters...

Chuck is talking about retirement...I hope he doesn't go that route yet. I don't expect that he will. He'll get pissed and decide he doesn't want to go out with 2 straight losses. Lots of big money fights out there for him still...

Mayhem is hilarious...I think he'll go to ProElite after his last WEC fight...he's all over their website doing interviews, etc. I'm sure Zuffa/Dana just LOVES that... :lol
http://i9.tinypic.com/4xojspk.gif

I don't see why they still don't do Wand vs Chuck on Dec 29th. Both would be coming off back to back losses...why not??

If not, Wand vs Forrest? Maybe Forrest wants another shot at CB...winner gets Rampage...

Fitch is a beast...too powerful for Diego, who's thinking about dropping to LW (would be smart).

Tyson Griffin that much closer to a title shot.

Poor Machida...the guy just keeps winning but can't finish a fight, or make a fight exciting.

Anthony Johnson...*shakes head*... :lol

[cornbread]

:lol ^^^Mayhem.

[tlongII]

It's clear to me that Pride just wasn't as good as I thought it was. The UFC has proven to be at least its equal. I wouldn't be surprised that the Pride fighters having to take drug tests impacts their performance as well. Personally, I LOVE all these upsets! I pretty much expect Couture to beat Fedor now.

[desflood]

Soku???? come on now.
Look man, if I had to remember and list all the upsets this year, it would take several hours :lol Forgive me for missing this one, for heaven's sake.

lol @ Mayhem. I had a friend over who's a new, learning mma fan. She spotted him in the background and asked me, "Who is that guy?" The disapproval in her voice was clear. I was stuck. How do you explain someone like Mayhem? :dizzy

[LEONARD]

Press Conf Videos (youtube, will probably disappear soon)
http://www.pancrase.org/ufc-76-video-official-post-fight-press-conference-for-ufc-76/09-24-2007/

Sherdog Minute by Minute
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=9193

Dana says Chuck vs Silva is just "not meant to happen"...
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2007/09/23/dana-white-silva-vs-liddell-just-not-meant-to-happen/

Dana press conf recap (pre and post fight)...
http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Dana-White-Unleashes-Loads-Of-Big-News-On-Ferrall-Show.html
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2007/09/23/the-dana-white-show-a-recap-of-danas-ufc-76-related-comments/

Sam Caplan's post-fight rant on ESPN radio in Las Vegas...
http://mrsunshinevegas.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/sam-caplan-cbsportscom-ufc-76-post-fight/

Sam referenced some of his amateur fights on youtube...here they are...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=abSG3ig-f4k (lost)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8nk7lVUebyU (lost)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=D1-3uNXxjlI (lost)

Trigg was on also...
http://mrsunshinevegas.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/frank-trigg-post-fight-ufc-76/

[2centsworth]

Will MMA be the first sport to thrive long-term without Superstars?

[LEONARD]

I REALLY hope "CompuStrike" isn't incorporated into MMA judging...
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Ah5ooxjIbYbTq_PBdM6xaAaUxLYF?slug=ys-092307compustrike

[DarkReign]

The MMA equivalent of the BCS Computer. *blech*

Tell ya man, Jardine has one helluva chin. I seen his fight with Bonnar, which was extremely close, but the Jardine that fought Liddell was light-years beyond that Bonnar fight.

Its fun to watch a guy dramatically improve his game. Everyone is bagging on the outcome, because Jardine isnt a household name. So what? The legends of MMA should be remembered and revered, I agree. But no one is invincible. The sport has blown up (as if I need to say that here). The sheer amount of competition in the "minor leagues" insures the young, no-name, up-and-comers are very well equipped to make some noise in the big leagues.

I say its all good, overall. It will balance out in about a year. Someone will become dominant (although for much shorter lengths of time than say, boxing), then lose to someone else.

Keeps it fresh, IMO.

[LEONARD]

The MMA equivalent of the BCS Computer. *blech*

Tell ya man, Jardine has one helluva chin. I seen his fight with Bonnar, which was extremely close, but the Jardine that fought Liddell was light-years beyond that Bonnar fight.

Its fun to watch a guy dramatically improve his game. Everyone is bagging on the outcome, because Jardine isnt a household name. So what? The legends of MMA should be remembered and revered, I agree. But no one is invincible. The sport has blown up (as if I need to say that here). The sheer amount of competition in the "minor leagues" insures the young, no-name, up-and-comers are very well equipped to make some noise in the big leagues.

I say its all good, overall. It will balance out in about a year. Someone will become dominant (although for much shorter lengths of time than say, boxing), then lose to someone else.

Keeps it fresh, IMO.

Good points...

I like Jardine. He's definitely come a long way since failing as a HW on TUF 2...and he rebounded nicely after getting launched into orbit by Alexander's uppercut :lol

I thought he got screwed in the Bonnar fight...he brutally worked over Bonnar's legs...

I think Rampage will be dominant for as long as he keeps training like he has for his last 2 fights...but anything can happen :dizzy

[IX_Equilibrium]

Forrest winning is almost as good. He's one of my favorite fighters...




Wow, thats a 180 from posts you've made before.

[LEONARD]

Wow, thats a 180 from posts you've made before.

Huh? Show me where I've said that I don't like Forrest...

[LEONARD]

The total payroll for the event was $954,000.

The full amounts included:

Keith Jardine ($14,000) def. Chuck Liddell ($500,000)
Forrest Griffin ($44,000) def. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua ($150,000)
Jon Fitch ($44,000) def. Diego Sanchez ($22,000)
Lyoto Machida ($50,000) def. Kazuhiro Nakamura ($20,000)
Tyson Griffin ($24,000) def. Thiago Tavares ($9,000)
Rich Clementi ($24,000) def. Anthony Johnson ($5,000)
Jeremy Stephens ($6,000) def. Diego Saraiva ($3,000)
Christian Wellisch ($14,000) def. Scott Junk ($4,000)
Matt Wiman ($16,000) def. Michihiro Omigawa ($5,000)

We know that all of them made quite a bit more (for example, Couture made $4M for his last fight), but it's still funny that Jardine got $14k to Chuck 1/2 million...

Tyson Griffin and Tavares got fight of the night ($40k bonus) and sub of the night went to Forrest ($40k)...

[oligarchy]

LOL at the disparity in pay between the people that were upset and those that upset them. No KO of the night bonus for "Knockout" is ironic?

[LEONARD]

Should've had a Decision of the Night for Machida...king of the decision...