The Open Weight GP

Dragan

Okay guys,

so the rounds were announced, it's Wandy for Mirko, and Nog Vs Barnett.

Personally these were the fights i wanted to see....what do you guys think, and who do you feel will take it?

And with the winner being pegged to take on Version 2.3 on New Years Eve what are the chances of the respective athletes agains the greatest Heavyweight on the planet?

dlofnep

Crocop and Nog are both favourites but both fights with be competitive.

FiannaGym.com

I didnt really think these were great match ups. I would have prefered to see the two strikers fighting the two grapplers, rather than each other. I mean, Wand versus Nog would be incredible, but now we might not get to see it happen.

Eitherway it will rock. As usual in a Pride GP from now on there is no easy matches for anyone... Roll on Fedor versus Wand!!!

Peace

Dragan

dlofnep wrote:

Crocop and Nog are both favourites but both fights with be competitive.

I would think that there is little to no chance of the two winners getting to the final with no damage. As such, it will really be a case of the one who gets there with the LEAST ammount of damage!!!

I would be unsure about CC, no doubt he is a threat to any living human, but the last time he fought Wandy, the rules were designed to limit the ground game somewhat.

No matter what way it goes though, i am hoping for some great fights!!!!

Dragan

Dragan wrote:

I would think that there is little to no chance of the two winners getting to the final with no damage. As such, it will really be a case of the one who gets there with the LEAST ammount of damage!!!

Which will probably be the grapplers.

dlofnep

Dragan wrote:

I would be unsure about CC, no doubt he is a threat to any living human, but the last time he fought Wandy, the rules were designed to limit the ground game somewhat.

Last time he fought Wanderlei, he had only beein in the MMA game a couple of months. Since then he's been training BJJ with Werdum and worked lots on his takedown defense. His takedown defense is now seen as the best takedown defense from a striker. The rules allowed 30 seconds on the ground the last time - It did favour Wandy, but this time Crocop is a real mixed martial artist.

Crocop takes this one IMO. Wandy is great, a legend of MMA but Crocop is going to put a hurting on him. I hope it's a very competitive match.

dlofnep

FiannaGym.com wrote:

I didnt really think these were great match ups.

Because Crocop and Wandy will throw bombs at each other and it has the makings of the most entertaining MMA fight of the year. Nog is too big for Wandy, has too much reach and would smother him on the ground - Wouldn't make for a good fight. Barnett/Nog needs to happen because we need to see the outcome of the fight, if only for the results. It will be a good fight either way.

i think this setup is spot on.

Roper

I know what you mean dlofnep, but if I want to watch a striking match I'll watch K1 or boxing. I agree with Fianna, the other match ups would have put the M in MMA (eh, the first one I mean... the first M)

Dragan

Maybe DSE thinking was that if they have two stiker/grappler semi's….they might end up with a striker/striker or a grappler/grappler final.

This way, the final of the GP will definitely have that striker/grappler dynamic, which for me always makes for a very good match?

dlofnep

Roper wrote:

I know what you mean dlofnep, but if I want to watch a striking match I'll watch K1 or boxing. I agree with Fianna, the other match ups would have put the M in MMA (eh, the first one I mean... the first M)

If you're trying to convince me you don't like a good old slugfest then you're lieing. And you are incorrect. Wanderlei is a bjj black belt with decent wrestling and wild but powerful striking - Crocop is a typical striker with great takedown defence. This in itself is a MMA match. Just because you might not see much of a ground game does not mean it's not mixed martial arts.

BJJ is not MMA and it doesn't always have to display itself in MMA. Remember that. I think these brackets could not of been anymore perfect.

Roper

dlofnep wrote:

If you're trying to convince me you don't like a good old slugfest then you're lieing.

No no, I love a slugfest but I hope Wand wants to take CC down. I don't think he will though. Truth is, of all the guys I'd want to see in a stand-up fight in MMA its these two. I'd just prefer the mix of styles the vice versa draw would have made possible.

BJJ is not MMA and it doesn't always have to display itself in MMA. Remember that.

Thanks Sensei, its a lesson I'll never forget:rolleyes:

dlofnep

Roper wrote:

No no, I love a slugfest but I hope Wand wants to take CC down. I don't think he will though. Truth is, of all the guys I'd want to see in a stand-up fight in MMA its these two. I'd just prefer the mix of styles the vice versa draw would have made possible.


Thanks Sensei, its a lesson I'll never forget:rolleyes:

My point being was that mixed martial arts doesn't always have to illustrate a ground game. I appreciate watching all ranges of MMA. I like the technical aspects of both striking, clinch and ground.. Just because two predominant strikers are going to have a fight does not mean it's not an MMA fight.. there is still the option for them to clinch and still the option for them to bring it to the ground.

I think the brackets picked are the best matchups based on this.

Valmont

dlofnep wrote:

I think the brackets picked are the best matchups based on this.

I'm with you on that one. They couldn't have Wand vs. Nog as a semi because that would mean Cro cop vs. Barnett 3. They only just fought each other at pride 30, no one wants to see that again.


And some people say if they want to watch a kickboxing fight they'll watch K-1, why? K-1 has 3 3minute rounds, big gloves and no clinching.

Compare that to a 20 minute, small gloved fight that has clinching and takedowns if they want to. I can't wait for Wand vs. Cro Cop. It's been a while since they fought and cro cop is a better developed MMA fighter than he was back then so it'll be a good fight.

As for Nog vs. Barnett, I really don't have a clue! It could be good or bad but either way my money is on Nog.

dlofnep

Valmont is correct.

Roper

dlofnep wrote:

My point being was that mixed martial arts doesn't always have to illustrate a ground game. I appreciate watching all ranges of MMA. I like the technical aspects of both striking, clinch and ground.. Just because two predominant strikers are going to have a fight does not mean it's not an MMA fight.. there is still the option for them to clinch and still the option for them to bring it to the ground.

Oh! So THATS what MMA is!! Here's me thinking it was just lieing down boxing.

I was making a statement based upon my preferences dlofnep.

dlofnep

Roper wrote:

Oh! So THATS what MMA is!! Here's me thinking it was just lieing down boxing.

I was making a statement based upon my preferences dlofnep.

Re: Crocop/Wanderlei

Roper wrote:

I know what you mean dlofnep, but if I want to watch a striking match I'll watch K1 or boxing. I agree with Fianna, the other match ups would have put the M in MMA (eh, the first one I mean... the first M)

Now you see what i'm getting at. You seem to be contradicting yourself.

Mola.mola

mouth watering. i agree with roper i like to see all three ranges in the one match up. I don't think silva is going to attempt to take crocop down, i think it will be similar to AA v TS but, well, with much better fighters.

dlofnep

Mola.mola wrote:

mouth watering. i agree with roper i like to see all three ranges in the one match up. I don't think silva is going to attempt to take crocop down, i think it will be similar to AA v TS but, well, with much better fighters.

He took him down in their last fight. It's a possibility for this fight. Wanderlei knows Crocop's striking is far more elite than him. If you're not excited with this matchup, something is seriously wrong. This is going to be sparkling.

Mola.mola

righteo well we'll see what happens. correct me if i'm wrong we have to go back a long way to see wandy win by submission. i don't see crocop being beaten by GnP. but it's not as if i have some inside information. i just can't wait.

dlofnep

Wanderlei hasn't really needed to submit anyone due to the fact he's usually knocked them out first, he does have the ability - But I don't think he'd submit Crocop either. But if he's in trouble standing, he will clinch and try to take Crocop down for sure.

Roper

Whats the point, I mean, really...

Mola Mola has a good point, the last Wand submission win was *drumroll* 30th January 2000. I can't see this one ending by that. Maybe GnP but Crocops takedown defence is fantastic (as pointed out above).

It should be an excellent match up don't get me wrong. For the sake of what I myself personally me on my own my opinion like to see, it could have been a better draw.

Also, I don't see how I was contradicting myself, unless you took obvious sarcasm for real. Anyhoo, on with the discussion about the merits of this GP.

dlofnep

Might be something to do with the fact he's knocked out 16 people since that submission.

In your opinion it could of been a better draw.. Giving Nog/Wanderlei and Crocop v Barnett for the third time? That doesn't sound like a good draw to me at all.

And also, I don't think you were being sarcastic in saying

but if I want to watch a striking match I'll watch K1 or boxing.

And then afterwards saying it wasn't really MMA. But then again i could be wrong - it's hard to read sarcastic tone on the internet..

FiannaGym.com

I think someone is spending a little too much tim eon the underground. The UG is great because people are ignorant and rude to each other, and in the vast anonimaty that exist there that is fine, I dont think it is here.

Anyway I do think Wand versus Nog would be a great fight. I agree with you dlofnep that it may not make a very entertaining fight. But as a fellow athlete of these guys I dont care, I'm watching great fighters fight, it doesnt need to be anything more that Nog crushing Wand on the ground and using his longer reach to satisfy me. Maybe you watch pride to be "entertained" but there is more going on there for me. In short, I want to see how Wand can deal with Nog, not Crocop, which I think will look alot like Wand V Hunt and Wand V Crocop 1. I'll be glad to get a chance to see how much Cropcop has improved though.

Peace

Roper

Roper wrote:

Oh! So THATS what MMA is!! Here's me thinking it was just lieing down boxing.

Eh, this was the sarcasm bit, not the one you quoted.:rolleyes:

Might be something to do with the fact he's knocked out 16 people since that submission.

Agreed, but that doesn't make it any more likely he'll try to take CC down.

In your opinion it could of been a better draw.. Giving Nog/Wanderlei and Crocop v Barnett for the third time? That doesn't sound like a good draw to me at all.

Okay.
See what I did there? I let you have your opinion without trying to give you an unneccessary lesson in the ins and outs of MMA. Try it sometime.;)

dlofnep

FiannaGym.com wrote:

I think someone is spending a little too much tim eon the underground. The UG is great because people are ignorant and rude to each other, and in the vast anonimaty that exist there that is fine, I dont think it is here.

Anyway I do think Wand versus Nog would be a great fight. I agree with you dlofnep that it may not make a very entertaining fight. But as a fellow athlete of these guys I dont care, I'm watching great fighters fight, it doesnt need to be anything more that Nog crushing Wand on the ground and using his longer reach to satisfy me. Maybe you watch pride to be "entertained" but there is more going on there for me. In short, I want to see how Wand can deal with Nog, not Crocop, which I think will look alot like Wand V Hunt and Wand V Crocop 1. I'll be glad to get a chance to see how much Cropcop has improved though.

Peace

Nothing to do with the UG. I speak for myself, not for any community.

I watch MMA because UI enjoy it. I want the most entertaining fights. Wand Crocop and Nog/Barnett would be the most entertaining brackets IMO.

See what I did there? I let you have your opinion without trying to give you an unneccessary lesson in the ins and outs of MMA. Try it sometime

Roper, it had nothing to do with the fact that your opinion differed to mine. It had to do with the fact that you considered Wand/Crcop a k-1 matchup instead of an MMA fight. They cover all ranges in training but you are expecting only one range. Is it possible that they will only strike? Yes of course it is? Is it posible that they will cover all ranges? Of course it is. It's MMA.

I was not trying to educate you in to intricacies of MMA. I was not trying to talk down to you. I'm sure you understand quite perfectly the different ranges of MMA. I was merely trying to get across to you that Wanderlei has other options than striking and that in his last fight with Crocop he opted to use these.

I think the current brackets will be excellent and time will tell if I'm right or wrong. Other than that, it's hearsay.. Is it not?

Roper

dlofnep wrote:

Roper, it had nothing to do with the fact that your opinion differed to mine. It had to do with the fact that you considered Wand/Crcop a k-1 matchup instead of an MMA fight.

No, I didn't say that. I said if I wanted to watch stand-up I'd prefer to watch K1. I think this will be a predominantly stand-up match, hell maybe it won't maybe they'll go to ground after 30 seconds.

I had difficulty with your tone (hard to get across on the internet I know), plenty of people have different opinions to me here but I like to think I keep it polite and respectful.

Mola.mola

lads just forget it to be honest.

a you misunderstood me
b no you misunderstood me
a no YOU misunderstood me

It would be so mad if Wanderlei one the PRIDE OP GP, beat fedor on New Year's, went on to beat Chuck and then Tim Sylvia!

Valmont

Mola.mola wrote:

It would be so mad if Wanderlei one the PRIDE OP GP, beat fedor on New Year's, went on to beat Chuck and then Tim Sylvia!

I don't think anyone is giving Wanderlei a chance in that department but it is a good possibility. I don't know if he could beat Fyodor, but I'd put money on him knocking out Tim Sylvia.

Clive

I'll put a tenner on Wandy to beat Crocop if anyone I know is interested.

I'd love to see Silva versus Mino in the final - a great spin on the BTT versus Chute Boxe feud.