UFC 123 Discussion **SPOILERS**

scudzilla

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LsxuBufSE

FIGHT CARD

205 lbs. – Quinton Jackson (30-8) vs. Lyoto Machida (16-1)
170 lbs. – B.J. Penn (15-7-1) vs. Matt Hughes (45-7)
185 lbs. – Aaron Simpson (7-1) vs. Mark Munoz (8-2)
185 lbs. – Gerald Harris (16-2) vs. Maiquel Jose Falcao Goncalves (25-3, 1 NC)
155 lbs. – George Sotiropoulos (13-2) vs. Joe Lauzon (18-5)
170 lbs. – Brian Foster (16-5) vs. Matt Brown (13-9)
155 lbs. – Tyson Griffin (14-4) vs. Nik Lentz (21-3-2)
205 lbs. – Phil Davis (7-0) vs. Tim Boetsch (12-3)
155 lbs. – Edson Barboza (6-0) vs. Darren Elkins (12-2)
170 lbs. – Karo Parisyan (27-5, 1 NC) vs. Dennis Hallman (65-13-2, 1 NC)
155 lbs. – Paul Kelly (11-3) vs. T.J. O’Brien (16-3)


ONLY NEED FOR SPOILERS IN THIS THREAD IS IF YOU KNOW ANY UNDERCARD FIGHTS, AS THESE MAY BE SLOTTED INTO THE MAIN PPV

scudzilla

Looking forward to the 2 top fights here, not that arsed about the rest.

I have Lyoto by TKO in the 2nd, really unsure about BJ/Hughes, all depends on how BJ's head is coming into the fight.

Have i ever mentioned how much i hate Dampage?

gimmick

I would like to see Machida KO Rampage very early on to have him well shut up. I really do not like Rampage either.

Going by their previous fights, BJ Vs Hughes could be a cracker. I think Hughes will take it though. He looked great in his last few fights.

t-ha

scudzilla wrote: »

Looking forward to the 2 top fights here, not that arsed about the rest.

Really? I think there's alot of good fights on this card!



I reckon the Dragon takes this 9 times out of ten, but there is that uncertainty after Lyoto went down to basically a single shot from Shogun. Rampage generally doesn't have the speed or inclination to use kicks that got Shogun his win, but he does typically catch everyone he fights at least once with a stanky-leg inducing shot & I'm not convinced Lyoto can take it.

Hughes has looked good lately, but I think Penn has been consistently fighting the better competition so it's hard to compare. I reckon BJ get's it done.

Some other picks...
George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon - Joe looked better than ever last time out so lets see if he can get anything off against Soto. I suspect the Aussie can shut him down though.

Brian Foster vs. Matt Brown - sloppy war. A war that Foster will win.

Nick Lentz - wake me up when it's over... zzzzzz

Karo Parisyan vs. Dennis Hallman - always hoping that Karo will show up as his old self and start throwing guys around again.

Some of the other fights have the potential to be good if they go a certain way. Munoz's ground and pound is terrifying. Harris & Davis can both pull off pretty big slams given the chance, although the risk is they can also wet blanket for 15 minutes... we'll see!

Definitely a card worth getting though IMO.

YouSavedMyLife

205 lbs. – Quinton Jackson (30-8) vs. Lyoto Machida (16-1)
170 lbs. – B.J. Penn (15-7-1) vs. Matt Hughes (45-7)
185 lbs. – Aaron Simpson (7-1) vs. Mark Munoz (8-2)
185 lbs. – Gerald Harris (16-2) vs. Maiquel Jose Falcao Goncalves (25-3, 1 NC)
155 lbs. – George Sotiropoulos (13-2) vs. Joe Lauzon (18-5)
170 lbs. – Brian Foster (16-5) vs. Matt Brown (13-9)
155 lbs. – Tyson Griffin (14-4) vs. Nik Lentz (21-3-2)
205 lbs. – Phil Davis (7-0) vs. Tim Boetsch (12-3)
155 lbs. – Edson Barboza (6-0) vs. Darren Elkins (12-2)
170 lbs. – Karo Parisyan (27-5, 1 NC) vs. Dennis Hallman (65-13-2, 1 NC)
155 lbs. – Paul Kelly (11-3) vs. T.J. O’Brien (16-3)

Some of the fights i honestly have no idea how they will go. I can see Machida losing, that being said im rooting for Rampage, cause i find hes a funny bastard Hughes has looked great in his last 2 fights where as BJ just looked lazy and jaded. Looking forward to watching Sotiropoulos fight again and i reckon he can take the win. His BJJ is a thing of beauty and his boxing is very crisp, but you can see he lacks KO power. Soto to tie Lauzon up on the ground and pull out a sub in the 3rd if Lauzon gets careless. Lentz to win, i forsee big booing from the crowd duing this fight, ZzZzZzZ. Phil Davis ftw, hes on a stormer. Guy looks like a superhero

YouSavedMyLife

YouSavedMyLife wrote: »

Phil Davis ftw, hes on a stormer. Guy looks like a superhero

Yeah I really like this guy. He's a big prospect in a division that seems to be brimming with young guys at this stage. 2 years down the line nobody can predict the way the 205 division is going to be like. Jon Jones, Ryan Bader, Matt Hammil,Phil Davis, Karlos Vemola. They're all doing well at the moment. I just stuck Vemola in there for his KO of the night at 122. But it's gonna be an interesting division in a year or two's time. Just adds to an already stacked division.

golfman

Apart from the 2 main events the match up I'm most looking forward to is
George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon

I really like watching both fighters but after Lauzon's schooling of Gabe Rudiger @ UFC 118 I've been dying to see him fight again. That was one of the most impressive displays of mma I've seen in a long time. (trying to find a video of it but can't)

I don't want either to lose but I think George could sneak this.

chopperbyrne

Think this will be a very good card.

Unless Rampage has really worked on checking kicks or has decided to use his wrestling and take Lyoto down, then I can only see The Dragon winning that one.

Think Hughes will beat BJ, who just looks to be in it for the money these days.

Hopefully Karo will be Judo throwing like mad again.

Matt Brown tends to have good fights too.

This may well end up being one of the best UFC cards of the year.

Zero-Cool

Lyota vs Rampage. Lyoto, undefeated for so long, surely there was a better fighter to put him against than Rampage? Is this just trying to make Lyoto look good to get him back to contendor fight quickly. Poor Rampage is gonna be made bits of i'm afraid. Mad to see Shogun fight again!

riffmongous

I'm looking forward to seeing Karo fight again, I just hope he's fully fit for once

unknown13

I am picking Rampage to spark Machida. I still believe Machida will have his hands down low and rampage will connect with the left hook and put him to sleep.

Hughes is going to beat BJ. BJ moving up to face a very in form Hughes is a bad move.

Tones69

Cant wait for this one, a lot of important fights. Hope Rampage pulls it off but his only real hope against machida is to spark him out, can see machida winning a decision on this one and frustrating rampage, BJ v hughes im dying to see, hope BJ does it for sure. Fight of the night could deffo be joe lau vs sots, cant wait for it! I also think Brian foster vs Matt brown could be a great brawl! Mainly out of the rest then it would be nice to see Paul kelly get a win and also Tyson griffin, great card lined up! Interesting to see what way Karo is after a long lay off

Oh_Noes

Not really bothered about the main event. I can see Machida taking that very easily unless Rampage has found some new lease of life and drastically upgraded his skill set, but I doubt he has.

Definitely most excited for Lauzon and Sotiropoulis, both such aggressive and skillful fighters, I reckon the winner of that fight is on route to a title shot.

Also really looking forward to both Phil Davis and Gerald Harris' fights. Both of them look like real contenders, they're up there with John Jones very much in the new mold of very athletic, powerful and highly skilled Light Heavyweights.

Not sure what to make of the Penn/Hughes fight. I don't think BJ was at all motivated to fight Edgar in both their fights. If the same guy that destroyed Diego Sanchez shows up then we're in for a stormer. Especially since Hughes looked fantastic in his last fight.

PerrinV2

Countdown Show

http://mmavideolinks.to/tv-shows/45-misc-ufc-tv-shows/9700-countdown-to-ufc-123.html

DeVore

Machida 9 times out of 10. But Rampage has the power to cause something loony to happen. Still... Machida.

Hughes looked great recently, Penn looked poor... I'm going with Hughes but I'm really looking forward to that fight!

Sotiropoulis put on a war last time I saw him if memory serves and won FOTN no? Maybe I was hallucinating

DeV.

scudzilla

DeVore wrote: »

Machida 9 times out of 10. But Rampage has the power to cause something loony to happen. Still... Machida.

Hughes looked great recently, Penn looked poor... I'm going with Hughes but I'm really looking forward to that fight!

Sotiropoulis put on a war last time I saw him if memory serves and won FOTN no? Maybe I was hallucinating

DeV.

I'm with ya on the Hughes/BJ fight, Hughes has been on top form recently and is definately on a crusade before he retires, As for BJ, all depends what BJ turns up, and Hughes is gonna have a big size advantage.

As for George Sot, he's on a 6 fight win streak since entering UFC and in his last 2 he owned Joe Stevenson and beat Pelegrino, i think you're right in saying it was FOTN, he should win comfortably on Sat

unknown13

George got FOTN against Stevenson

Sosynski / Bonner II was FOTN at 116 BUT I think two FOTN bonuses might have been issued that night as it was a very good card.

Mellor

Oh_Noes wrote: »

Definitely most excited for Lauzon and Sotiropoulis, both such aggressive and skillful fighters, I reckon the winner of that fight is on route to a title shot.

scudzilla wrote: »

As for George Sot, he's on a 6 fight win streak since entering UFC and in his last 2 he owned Joe Stevenson and beat Pelegrino, i think you're right in saying it was FOTN, he should win comfortably on Sat

Dana has already mentioned that Sots is in the running for a title shot after UFC 110 (Joe stevenson). Even Roop and Dent were decent oppondents that he beat easily.
I think he'll win by sub.

My biggest problem is that he should really be fighting for the belt in sydney's next card (better headline tham bisping again), but it may be too close to the NYD card, plus overseas title shots are not common.

Actually, new prediction, Sots to win by sub, and fight for the No.1 spot in sydney in march. Against, hmm, Ben Henderson

Mellor

You're right, was a great card (read, Lesnar defense Card) Akiyama v Leben got the other one

That_Guy

Should be a good card. Really can't see Penn beating Hughes.

Penn looked a shadow of himself when he lost to Edgar last time out.

As per the main event.... Close to call but Machida just edges this for me.

livinginkorea

I recon Machida and Hughes will win. Hughes is going well, recon BJ is just looking lazy now and has no intention of trying to get the title back. Although he is relatively young at 31 I think he doesn't have the desire anymore.

Still who knows how it's going to go.

TheProdigy

I'm surprised with all the comments about BJ tbh, he was very motivated in his last fight against Edgar it was just a bad stylistic match-up for him. I wouldn't consider Hughes to be on top form either, he was fortunate to beat Matt Serra after being hurt badly in the fight, he beat a very mediocre fighter in Renzo Gracie, and although he did finish well against Almeida it wasn't that big a punch that dropped Ricardo imo.

In saying that the only issue which worries me is that Troy Mandaloniz is BJ's head trainer. Bj's lack of a gameplan was evident in his last fight and I would wonder how effective he will be when he is essentially training himself, his corner lacks versatility when things aren't going to plan for BJ and can't see that improving with the current trainers. I will only question BJ's determination and commitment to the sport if he loses tonight, because if he has trained sufficiently and prepared well he should beat Hughes, who is just a little better than an average fighter at the moment.

I think Machida will probably kick the legs out of Rampage and win a decision..Would love it if Rampage caught him though but can't see it happening.

Joe Lauzon v Sotiropoulos should be a really intriguing grappling match, with lots of action on the ground. Lauzon was epic when he destroyed Reudiger but I think George is just favourite for this fight, but would be great to see Joe win. I'm also looking forward to see how the stand-up plays out between these too aswell, should be a good fight.

MrStuffins

So much negativity here for BJ! BJ to win a decision. I can't see Hughes handling him to be honest!

Also, giving Rampage even a chance in this fight tonight is very generous. Yes, he has power, but there's no way in hell he's gonna be able to catch Machida. Rampage is slow, Machida is lightning fast, machida via TKO in Round 2 (If he lets Rampage get out of Round 1).

Tones69

Machida (But i want rampage to win)
Penn
Phil Davis
George Sots
Gerald harris

Safe enough 5er bet i think?

OOORRRR theyre doing a favourites special, BJ, machida and Sots to win, 20 returns 70, hmmmmmmmm

scudzilla

Just put a 10euro bet on Machida to win by KO/TKO at 3/1

Damn i ahte dampage (thought i'd let ya ll know that....again)

Tones69

scudzilla wrote: »

Just put a 10euro bet on Machida to win by KO/TKO at 3/1

Damn i ahte dampage (thought i'd let ya ll know that....again)

In any round? Thats a very good bet

edit: It says KO on paddypower, does that include TKO too? Man ud be sick if he stopped him by TKO and they didnt cover it

scudzilla

Tones69 wrote: »

In any round? Thats a very good bet

edit: It says KO on paddypower, does that include TKO too? Man ud be sick if he stopped him by TKO and they didnt cover it

Yep, any round, and a TKO is covered so either TKO/KO will be good :D:D

Tones69

scudzilla wrote: »

Yep, any round, and a TKO is covered so either TKO/KO will be good :D:D

hmmm good so, i see penn is 6/1 to stop hughes, well worth a fiver bet i reckon

zuroph

time is this on at?

MrStuffins

Machida
Penn
Harris
Davis
George S
Karo
Griffin

€10 returns €117


The Penn and Griffin fights would be the ones i'd be kinda worried about.

Tones69

zuroph wrote: »

time is this on at?

2am 2 prelims, then 3am main card

scudzilla

Tones69 wrote: »

2am 2 prelims, then 3am main card

Midday for me, get up at 9, download it, take dog for a walk, feet up, bacon butty and a huge mug of tea. Now if Carlsberg did Sundays.......

MrStuffins

scudzilla wrote: »

Midday for me, get up at 9, download it, take dog for a walk, feet up, bacon butty and a huge mug of tea. Now if Carlsberg did Sundays.......

Same here. main Event wont be til about 6am my time, so i'll be downloading tomorrow and having myself a lazy Sunday.

Last Sunday was awesome. UFC (alas a poor card) and both "big" Boxing matches.

Tones69

I normally stay up for them , but gettin friend to record it and watching it in the morn in his house, not the same as watching live though!

MrStuffins

Tones69 wrote: »

I normally stay up for them , but gettin friend to record it and watching it in the morn in his house, not the same as watching live though!

I ALWAYS stayed up for them but i'm living abroad now and can't watch live unless it's a stream.

If it's a fight i'm dying for i'll watch a stream, otherwise i can live with watchng the next day. Not really excited for tonights Main event. it'll be a One-Sided beatdown.

Penn v Hughes i'm excited for.... but not enough to watch a stream.

Tones69

MrStuffins wrote: »

I ALWAYS stayed up for them but i'm living abroad now and can't watch live unless it's a stream.

If it's a fight i'm dying for i'll watch a stream, otherwise i can live with watchng the next day. Not really excited for tonights Main event. it'll be a One-Sided beatdown.

Penn v Hughes i'm excited for.... but not enough to watch a stream.

What country are you in now that they dont have the live station?
I think the machida fight could go either way to be honest, Ive Machida backed but im worried about it as one or 2 heavy fists from quincy could F him up

MrStuffins

Tones69 wrote: »

What country are you in now that they dont have the live station?
I think the machida fight could go either way to be honest, Ive Machida backed but im worried about it as one or 2 heavy fists from quincy could F him up

I'm in Spain. Bloody Spanish haven't even heard of UFC! Still no MMA on TV.

I agree Rampage COULD Knock him out.... but i cant see him being fast enough to catch him!

unknown13

I will be staying up because Martinez / Williams are fighting aswell which is going to be cracking.

MrStuffins

unknown13 wrote: »

I will be staying up because Martinez / Williams are fighting aswell which is going to be cracking.

This is also part of my sunday afternoon viewing

Daniel2oo9

Ill be up

Daniel2oo9

I Want rampage to win but we all know he wont.
BJ Takes this i'd say.

unknown13

I have rampage ko'ing machida.

Take a look at Dana's Vlog for the weigh ins. Antoine Dodson from the Bed Intruders song is featured :pac::pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-3lqo5y_xw

sonic.trip

MrStuffins wrote: »

Machida
Penn
Harris
Davis
George S
Karo
Griffin

€10 returns €117


The Penn and Griffin fights would be the ones i'd be kinda worried about.

I think this where you lose:p

I done a 10er double on sots and lentz

edit: I think hughes looked great in his last fight but think BJ will still take it, also think machida will get a unanimous decision. wins fro sot, munoz

MrStuffins

sonic.trip wrote: »

I think this where you lose:p

I done a 10er double on sots and lentz

I think hughes looked great last figh but think he will take it, also think machida will get a unanimous decision. wins fro sot, munoz

You fancy Lentz? His wrestling is sick but i think Tyson is good enough to keep it on the feet. And a fight between Griffin and Lentz on the feet is horribly one-sided!

TheProdigy

I can't see Lentz winning this, I'm not cracked on his wrestling either tbh. Saw him live against Winner and at times he had difficulty taking Winner down and keeping him down, he just pressed him against the fence alot of the time. I think Tyson will be able to stuff his shots and could TKO him if he applies enough pressure on the feet.

Oh_Noes

Deleted User wrote: »

Take a look at Dana's Vlog for the weigh ins. Antoine Dodson from the Bed Intruders song is featured :pac::pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-3lqo5y_xw

Did Antoine get a sex change?

Oh_Noes

Oh_Noes wrote: »

Did Antoine get a sex change?

Haha he looks malnourished anyway. Talking about Personal Assistants he must have it rolling in!

EDIT: On Lentz V Griffin. The sick loss to Gomi is gonna have him stoked to win this one so I'm predicting a decisive win for Griffin.

MonkeyBalls

Anyone staying up to watch it?

ESPN don't seem to be showing the prelims, according to my tv guide. But the website says otherwise. ESPN listings always seem to be fcked up - there have been many times I've recorded UFC unleashed or something and went to watch it and it's been basketball or racing

Daniel2oo9

MonkeyBalls wrote: »

Anyone staying up to watch it?

ESPN don't seem to be showing the prelims, according to my tv guide. But the website says otherwise. ESPN listings always seem to be fcked up - there have been many times I've recorded UFC unleashed or something and went to watch it and it's been basketball or racing

The prelims are showing on mine alright.

Daniel2oo9

Daniel2oo9 wrote: »

The prelims are showing on mine alright.

+1 for staying up to watch it... Are they showing the Karo prelim? Please let early Karo show up.