UFC 61 Chatter--Spoiler Alert!

[Sohan]

UFC 61 had so much promise, but was a little disappointing. Thank God for Ken Shamrock, though. He may need to retire, but I'm sure going to miss his hilariously idiotic temper tantrums that erupt every time he's baited by Tito Ortiz. Does anyone remember: "I'm going to spank you"? Or, "I'm going to knock your hair black"? Hahaha. Who needs Mike Tyson when Ken is around to amuse us?

Silvia v. Arlovski--Started promising, but 5 rounds later, I had found my cure for insomnia. It looked like one of those lousy heavyweight boxing matches that you watch in the late hours on cable. Arlovski no longer impresses me at all. He didn't even try to take Silvia down, where he would have had a distinct advantage. Silvia's reach confounded Arlovski all night. Tim Silvia may be UFC champ, but he couldn't beat Bob Sapp.... and Fedor? Not a chance, even with 8 inches of height advantage.

Ortiz v. Shamrock---A first round KO from 6 straight elbows that Ken couldn't answer. Is anyone really surprised at this? Shamrock loses his cool yet again--Tito knows he gets under his skin and it affects his ability to fight effectively. They needed the police to enter the ring following the fight to keep Shamrock from getting his hiney whipped twice in one night. Certainly at 42, he really needs to hang it up before he gets seriously hurt--but I'd love to watch a few more of his press conferences. Ken certainly learned how to talk it up back when he was a pro wrestler. Though Shamrock started strong, it seemed to me a desperate effort by a fighter who is way past his prime. I'd REALLY like to see Ortiz get another shot against Liddell. Perhaps this one would end differently.

Burkman v. Neer--Good submission avoidance by Burkman throughout. I like this guy, but would like to have seen him end it in a KO rather than decision. Not a boring fight, though.

Mir v. Christison--Sadly, Frank Mir is not the fighter he was before his motorcycle accident back in 2004. He is overweight, slow, and unfit, although it doesn't take much to succeed as a UFC heavyweight these days, so maybe he has a shot after all. He wins in a close but unanimous decision that IMO really could have gone either way, though Frank probably pulled it out with some action at the end. I have always liked him, but his glory days seem to be over unless he dramatically improves his conditioning.

Edwards v. Stevenson--I was really pulling for Yves in this one and hoped he would be as good as he has been in the previous fights I've seen him in. He looked sharp, but unfortunately doctor stoppage was necessary before the third round began due to a nasty head cut. Assuredly, Yves will be back to win again, but Joe Stevenson is a heck of a fighter with a lot of experience and talent. His TUF win was no fluke. Nice to see him bounce back after losing to Neer, who lost to Burkman this same night.

With respect,

Sohan

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for the recap...I missed this one. I figured Shamrock wouldn't do too well. He has been on the downhill slide for a while, now. Maybe Shamrock and Tyson should fight it out! They could start with the press conference, and then just walk straight to the ring. It would be fun, all 5 minutes of it.

[Shogun of Harlem]

Was it me or did Mir look REALLY out of shape ?

[UseoForce]

I'd have to disagree about Sapp beating Sylvia, but other than that, you're right on Sohan.

[bushido_man96]

I'd have to disagree about Sapp beating Sylvia, but other than that, you're right on Sohan.

It would make for a good fight, though. If anything, it would be a slugfest.

[White_Tiger]

I thought Dean stopped the Ortiz/Shamrock a bit fast, but maybe it was because I had $40 invested.

[ShotokanKid]

I thought Dean stopped the Ortiz/Shamrock a bit fast, but maybe it was because I had $40 invested.

LOL. I agree that it was a bit fast.

Anyone know where online you can see the post fight press conference?

[Sohan]

I'd have to disagree about Sapp beating Sylvia, but other than that, you're right on Sohan.

It would make for a good fight, though. If anything, it would be a slugfest.

I'm just not all that impressed with Tim Sylvia as a top heavyweight. Arlovski was slowed down in a big way when he injured himself checking one of Tim's kicks early on, so he lost his base of support on that leg for the last 3 rounds, according to Sherdog.com. They say his leg swelled to four times normal size following the bout. Perhaps AA would have had better chances with two good legs, but even so, neither fighter was terribly impressive from the get-go. Each fighter's strategist should get spitbucket duty for their next fight...

Sapp is a medocre fighter at best, but he is SO strong and massive(regardless whether its pharmaceutically enhanced or not), I think he makes up for that glaring deficiency somewhat. However, if a fight went too long, though, Tim would have a distinct advantage in conditioning. I'll concede that Sapp-Sylvia would be closer than I probably imagine, but I'd still go with Sapp.

But I also thought Arlovski would destroy Tim last time and this time and was dead wrong, so there you go.

With respect,

Sohan

[bushido_man96]

I am in agreement with Sohan about the whole heavyweight division of the UFC in general. I never look forward to the heavyweight fights like a do the others. None of them are very impressive.

[bushido_man96]

I thought Dean stopped the Ortiz/Shamrock a bit fast, but maybe it was because I had $40 invested.

I think Herb Dean has a habit of stopping fights fast. He is definitely the quickest at it. If I had to choose a ref, I have to go with Big John.