Once again, it’s time for another UFC Pay-Per-View event. This Saturday night in Sacramento, California, UFC 73: Stacked will take place with what is easily the best fight card lineup the UFC has had in quite a long time. Two UFC title belts will be when Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca battle for the Lightweight title, while Anderson Silva and Nathan Marquardt fight for the Middleweight title.
Antonio Rodgrigo Nogueria will also make his UFC heavyweight debut as the UFC adds another top five heavyweight to their fold, and according to Monday’s MMA HQ poll results, the majority of you are most excited about seeing Tito Ortiz take on Rashad Evans. Enough small-talk, lets get into the details.
Main Card
Nathan Marquardt Vs. Anderson Silva - This UFC Middleweight title fight is one of those fight matchups that really makes you sit back and think hard while trying to analyze the outcome. A good title fight is one that truly evenly matches two fighters, and this is one of those fights.
This title shot truly is a long time coming for Nathan Marquardt. Most of us assumed Marquardt would get his title shot after defeating Ivan Salaverry back in 2005. Unfortunately for Nate, the “TUF” phenomenon was in full affect and the UFC brass deemed Nathan Quarry more deserving of a title shot, and Marquardt faded back into the shadows of the middleweight division. Well, “Nate the Great” is finally getting his shot and I think the timing couldn’t be better.
Anderson Silva is coming off knee surgery and a somewhat disappointing showing against Travis Lutter at UFC 67. Much of that disappointing performance, I feel, can be contributed to the bad knees that Silva was fighting on. “The Spider” is a very dynamic, exciting fighter and is truly a joy to watch in the technical striking game.
I just have a gut feeling that Marquardt will win this fight. I see Marquardt taking Anderson to the ground and controlling the fight from there. If Anderson’s knees are recoverd and back to 100% and he can stuff the takedowns, then we might see some more great, pinpoint striking and another title defense. Winner: Nathan Marquardt
Rashad Evans Vs. Tito Ortiz - While many fans seem to give Rashad Evans the edge in this fight, I totally disagree. While I agree that Rashad is a good Light Heavyweight and has a bright future in the UFC 205lb division, his 10-0 record doesn’t mean much in this fight. Rashad hasn’t faced an opponent anywhere near the level of Tito Ortiz yet in his career. While I do agree that Tito is probably on the down-side of his career and hasn’t really evolved his MMA game to keep pace with the current influx of MMA talent, he still has much more experience and a proven fight game than does Rashad.
One big advantage that Rashad does have is his swagger and confidence in knowing that he hasn’t lost a fight yet. On the flip-side, you probably can’t find another fighter with more confidence and swagger than Tito Ortiz. I’d, of course, give the edge in quickness and the standup game to Rashad. On the ground, Rashad is a proven wrestler but he doesn’t posses the MMA ground-and-pound game that Ortiz brings to the table. I see Ortiz winning this fight by decision. Winner: Tito Ortiz
Hermes Franca Vs. Sean Sherk - After struggling through a winless 2005, Hermes Franca has been on an excellent 8 fight winning streak and hasn’t lost a fight since. Unfortunately, 2007 seems to be the year that MMA winning streaks come to an end and I think Franca’s wild ride ends here with Sherk. Sean Sherk was a beast at 170lbs and now is looking to hold onto the 155lb belt for a while. I see this fight going much like the Sherk-Florian fight did with Sherk dominating Franca on the ground with his superior strength and freakish upper body strength. Franca should have the edge on the feet and slight advantage with submissions; however, an edge in submissions didn’t help Kenny Florian and it won’t help Hermes. Winner: Sean Sherk
Heath Herring Vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - It isn’t easy to find a heavyweight matchup with this much experience between the two fighters - Herring and Nogueira both have over 30 pro fights to their credit. Unfortunately for UFC fans, Herring and Nogueira have already fought twice before in PrideFC, a fact that the UFC hasn’t been quick to divulge. Both Herring and Nogueira were, at one time in their careers, top 5 heavyweight fighters, and many believe that “Big Nog” still is (including myself). I see this fight ending just like their first two matchups - with Nogueira’s hand raised in victory. Winner: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria
Alvin Robinson Vs. Kenny Florian - Kenny Florian looks to climb his way back into the upper tier of a heavily packed UFC lightweight division. Alvin Robinson is making his UFC debut after spending his whole career in the Ring of Fire promotion. If you like grappling and submission fighting, this might be right up your alley. If you are a fand of the standup game then you will most likely be bored in this matchup. In the end, Florian has the edge in experience and competition level, so I have to give him the nod. Winner: Kenny Florian
Undercard
Mike Nickels Vs. Stephan Bonnar - Winner: Stephan Bonnar
Diego Saraiva Vs. Jorge Gurgel - Winner: Jorge Gurgel
Chris Lytle Vs. Jason Gilliam - Winner: Chris Lytle
Mark Bocek Vs. Frank Edgar - Winner: Frank Edgar
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I got:
Marquardt
Rashad
Sherk
Nog
KenFlo
I also pretty much agree with Doc on the non-televised bouts.I think this is the first time I’ve agreed with Doc on this many fights.
SHERK
NOG
SILVA
KEN FLO
RASHAD
@Gatties,
We only disagree on the Tito-Rashad fight???? This could spell trouble!?!?!?!
DOC
ON MY VOTE FOR YOUR TOP TEN DESIGNES…. I’D HAVE TO GO WITH DESIGN NUMBER TWO…. ITS LOOKIN HOT
@Patrick,
Thanks bro. The design is pretty much finalized. Now I’ve just got to finish coding the site.
well, well here we go again….UFC 73 is just a few days away and i’m really pumped about a lot of the fighter/fights on this card. like i said befor i cant bet against my boy Anderson. he is one of my favorite fighters and one of the best out there and Marquardt is going to be a real tough one for him so i’m real excited the see this one. Shirk vs. Franca is one i’m kinda going back and forth on but when i see it in my head Shirk will take Franca down and sooner or later Franca will get his back and the choke. the Evans/Ortiz fight i think Dr.J broke down just fine. put on some slow jams turn the lights down and get ready for 15min. of slow tender man love from this fight. Nog vs. Herring should be a good fight i dont even care these two have fought twice already they never let me down befor and now there both looking for N.American fame. i dont know if Herring can ever beat Nog but they should put on a good show. i’m not going to bother saying the rest cuz this post is long enough.
Wow, I can’t believe so many guys are going with Rashad. After watching the shoving match between them, Tito looked like he almost dwarfed Rashad in size. I don’t see how Rashad will be able to out grapple Tito, I think he only has a puncher’s chance. The way to beat Tito is striking and I mean a barrage of striking ala Chuck. I still have not seen a flurry of punches from Rashad in any fight. It will be a typical boring Titty Ortiz G&P fest.
LOL RJ, man love hahaha..
but seriously.. heres my picks..
Silva vs Marquardt is pretty much a toss-up, im going with Silva on this one though.
Im going for Rashaad.. i think he will connect and rock Tito.. look at the size of opponents Rashaad faced in TUF. Obviously theyre basically untrained fighters, but they were outweighing him by what? 40 pounds or so? Thats toughness man, physical and mental toughness. Plus i think Rashaad is hungrier than Tito, i think (and hope) that Rashaad will KO Taco.
I got Sherk to win, i dont think Franca will be able to handle Sherk. Plus i want Sherk to win so he can catch a beatdown from BJ lol.
Nog all the way, no explaination necessary..
Hey Doc, who do you like in Sherk vs Penn at 155??
BV
DEF.. SHERK I THINK… HE A POWERHOUSE BRICK **** HOUSE SOSOSOSOSO STRONG
ok, so its Patrick, Amir and Richard so far who would favor Sherk over BJ at lightweight.. let me know if im wrong.. man, i hope that fight happens hehe
i think Shirks style is dated like Hughes or any other wrestler for that matter. dont get me wrong most of the guys like Shirk or Hughes have worked on the other parts of there game and these fighters by no means suck, but the era of big slams and brutal ground and pound are going away fast and a new era is comming. its not good enough to be great at one thing and just ok at something else eg. Hughes vs. St.Pierre 2, Hughes couldnt fight his way and he lost but a guy like St.Pierre never looks out of his world standing, on his back, on top any where the fight goes he can go there. thats why Shirk will be left behind because BJ Penn can strike with a great striker like Pulver and grapple with a great grappler like Hughes but a guy like Shirk needs to dictate how the fight goes or he will lose.
Exactly RJ, and another thing, having big muscles doesnt translate directly into strength. Ya, you will gain in power, but you will sacrifice dexterity and mobility on the ground. Power is nice when your on top trying to bomb someone with elbows.. but what about when a sneaky guy made of rubber like BJ wraps around and gets your back?
im telling you guys, dont sleep on BJ, im sure he will surprise Sherk with a few moves hes never seen before. Not actual different techniques, just how theyre executed, how he makes his transitions, etc..
BJ has the advantage oin the standup, and regardless of what anyone thinks, BJ also has the advantage on the ground. The only things Sherk has going for him are his strength and conditioning. I dont think it will be enough..
Me thinks BJ would win in a match with Sherk… for one BJ has fought stronger opponents like Matt Hughes and handled them well OUT OF SHAPE… so in GREAT SHAPE as he is now.. and as determined as he is and as technically superior as he is… yeah.. BJ Penn by submission in the 4th or knockout in the 2nd whichever but that would be my call all the way… Penn..
i got silva,evans,franca,big nog dr j u dont think big nog is one of the best in the world or in the top 5?Now i think sherk is straight up to strong in a match with bj but i have a gut feeling franca is going to win either way great match ups
Right on Kansas, atleast im not the only one who believes in BJ..
@Richard
yes Nog is with out a doubt top 5. you dont even know what heart is untill you see Nog fight. find Nog vs. Bob Sapp or Nog vs. Fedor fights if you wanna know about heart. this man has never been knocked out and he has been in with some real tough dudes. it takes a big heart to go the distance with Fedor twice.
If you think Anderson Silva is good on the ground than go watch his fight with Yushin Okami. He is horrible on the ground. I dont know if Nate is good enough to submit him on the ground but i see any ju jitsu guy submitting him. Also i see a wrestler ground and pounding his ***. I just dont see nate doing that because i dont think he is all that good.
the Silva vs. Okami fight Silva was doing just fine on the ground till he got him self DQ’ed for kicking Okami in the face from guard.
Okami did land a few good shots from guard but most people know how good his g’n'p is so i think that speaks on how good Okami is and not how bad Silva is.
rj
i know big nog is for sure in the top 5 i have seen those fights read drj post again and to me it seems he doesnt think so or was it just i read it wrong
yeah i dont know how to take what Doc said. maybe he thinks he is lower on the list there is a lot of really good heavy weights out there and there not all in the UFC. some people still put Cro Cop and Barnett ahead of Nog. just going by win loss records i would put Nog right under Fedor.
hmmmm…let’s see
I gotta go with:
Silva
Ortiz
Sherk
Nog
and KenFlo
@Richard & RJ
I think Big Nog is top 5 heavyweight. I guess I wasn’t clear about that in my writeup so I went ahead and updated it.
Hey Doc! or anyone..
You have a link for the weigh-ins?? i dont get espnews :( i looked around for a while and couldnt find it.. I saw something on the UFC site, but it didnt link to an actual video..
@B.V.
i’m not too sure where you can find the link but you not missing a whole lot. they show most of it on the fight channel but the only notable moment was Tito and Rashad doing a bit off lip flappin. Tito got a pretty big cheer from the crowd and it looked like he was saying to Rashad “you hear that this is my house” but that was about it.
@B.V.
hear you go http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=6720 i found it
Thanks RJ, i was at that page yesterday, but the video link wasnt there.. hmm.. anyways, im gonna check it out..
hey, i just watched Before the Bell, i noticed Randy had the exact same picks as me for this upcoming card. Lets see if me and Randy are right.. LOL
ok folks let go last chance lets hear your quick picks mine go like this:
Silva round 2 tko
Fanca round 3 rear naked
Tito judges
Nog round 3 tko
Kenflo round sub maybe armbar?
Silva round 3 stoppage
Sherk Decision
Rashaad Decision (i hope he KOs tito, but probably man love)
Nog round 2 submission
Kenny round 2 submission
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do not read past this point
if you do not want to know the results of UFC 73
WOW! nice finish by my boy Silva. domination by Shirk. a very scary moment for Nog (Yves let it go a long time!). a big finish by Kenny. and a draw. yeah a draw……what a draw? huh? i will say the judges made the right call its just funny because it never happens. i guess it sets up the rematch later. how good does Silva look? its gonna be hard to take that belt from him. one thing bad i will say is 5 fights is not cool when the show lasted 2 hours and 45 min. and there was just over 1 hour of fighting. all i’m saying is just show me a prelim fight while Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg are babbling about how great everything is lol.
*********************spoiler*****************************
do not read past this point
if you do not want to know the results of UFC 73
haha ya RJ, How bout Herring huh? too bad he couldnt capitalize on that opportunity he had in the first round. He still put up a great fight against Nog.
Sean “man love” Sherk managed to hold out, eating a few knees nicely, and not throwing the bows even though his corner was just about begging him to lol. Now im sure BJ would submit him.
Great job by kenny getting the stoppage like 5 sec before the round ended.
I agreed with the draw, they were pretty evenly matched in all aspects, i think Rashaad gave Tito too much respect in the standup. If he let go of his hands instead of going into dancing mode he might have caught tito with something. I would be with Rashaad again in a rematch.
Silva put the smackdown on Marquardt.. HARD.. i wanna see Silva Franklin 2.
very entertaining night of fights in my opinion!
@B.V.
no doubt bro, that card was cool there is always going to be somthing they need to fix or brush up on but on the whole i was very happy with most of the fights.
p.s. the fan at the event last night sucked bad they pretty much booed from the start of the first fight till the end of the last fight. they should kick these asssholes out and ban them from attending any more shows. that was one big reason i liked PRIDE so much.