UFC on Fox 3, May 5th

[Vandelay]

Post event thoughts...

-Wow was diaz impressive. Showed some defensive wrestling, worked miller over standing, finished a guy I didn't really think could be finished (especially by diaz), just an overall great performance.

- Hendricks looked bad yesterday. His striking was sloppy, his scrambling ability and/or ability to get off his back is bad, and I thought he probably should have lost the fight. He lost the first, won second, and I would have scored the third a draw. Supposedly he had mono and bronchitis a couple weeks ago so mayb that explains his poor performance.

- Palhares is weird. Showed almost no defensive concern off his back, no urgency once he got cracked, his guard wasn't as good as an elite level bb should be.

- Johnson has become adept at walking his opponent down and pinning him along the fence. He is god awful on the ground tho.

[SPX]

- Hendricks looked bad yesterday. His striking was sloppy, his scrambling ability and/or ability to get off his back is bad, and I thought he probably should have lost the fight. He lost the first, won second, and I would have scored the third a draw.

I had money on Hendricks, but really thought Kos won the first and third clearly.

[SPX]

What REALLY needs to be said here:

Alan Fucking Belcher!!!

[Svino]

When Hendricks and Pierce fought, their wrestling mostly canceled and they fought a close striking match that ended in a split decision, but could have gone either way.

When Koscheck and Pierce fought, their wrestling mostly canceled and they fought a close striking match that ended in a split decision, but could have gone either way.

And in what should have been a surprise to no-one:

When Hendricks and Koscheck fought, their wrestling mostly canceled and they fought a close striking match that ended in a split decision, but could have gone either way.

I don't think I've ever seen three fighters signal, "We're nearly interchangeable." in such a clear way. If there's any other take-away message from this, it's that Hendricks has the potential to be a little overrated now and Pierce underrated, but we'll have to see what their future odds look like.

Also, I've decided that Rogan and Goldie are a live-bettor's best friend. When they call a round wrong, it clearly influences the bettors, resulting in some insanely profitable live odds. This happened with Diaz / Condit and again with Koscheck / Hendricks last night. Hendricks was up to +600 at the end (albeit extremely briefly).

[zY|]

What REALLY needs to be said here:

Alan Fucking Belcher!!!

Agreed. All the discussion is centered around Palhares chin or his porous guard, when in all actuality, Belcher took Palhares' best, played his game, then instead of standing up and running away when he had the chance, jumped in his guard and beat his fucking brains into the mat.

Awesome.

[Svino]

I'm never too surprised when a bjj black belt is able to defend submissions. What is surprising is that he was able to reach a TKO within about 30 seconds of gaining top position.

[SPX]

Agreed. All the discussion is centered around Palhares chin or his porous guard, when in all actuality, Belcher took Palhares' best, played his game, then instead of standing up and running away when he had the chance, jumped in his guard and beat his fucking brains into the mat.

Awesome.

It was fucking bad ass. I went into that fight really wanting Belcher to win but really expecting him not to. When the fight was stopped, I was like HELL FUCKING YEAH! (Though sad for Luke's bet. . .)

BTW, apparently Belcher has an MMA school right outside of Biloxi. It's been a while since I've really spent any time in MS and I would considering going down there for a few months to train if Belcher actually teaches the classes.

https://www.alanbelchermmaclub.com

[SPX]

I'm never too surprised when a bjj black belt is able to defend submissions. What is surprising is that he was able to reach a TKO within about 30 seconds of gaining top position.

That shit was pretty awesome. I've noticed that Belcher has a very deliberate method of striking when he's on top. He doesn't just go batshit, but instead picks his punches in a way that the majority actually land on his opponent's face. We saw this in the J-Mac fight, too.

He apparently has a lot of power. He made J-Mac give up due to the sheer force of his punches and elbows. He TKOd Palhares from within guard. He also knocked out Gouveia.

[zY|]

It was fucking bad ass. I went into that fight really wanting Belcher to win but really expecting him not to. When the fight was stopped, I was like HELL FUCKING YEAH! (Though sad for Luke's bet. . .)

BTW, apparently Belcher has an MMA school right outside of Biloxi. It's been a while since I've really spent any time in MS and I would considering going down there for a few months to train if Belcher actually teaches the classes.

www.alanbelchermmaclub.com

Yeah I drove by it the other day. There were a bunch of queers in the window rolling around.

They showed his fight on the news here and him arriving at the airport to fanfare. They even showed the replay 2 or 3 times which I was quite surprised at, given the sheer violence of the finish.

[SPX]

I thought you were in Louisiana now?

[zY|]

Biloxi

[SPX]

I thought you said you used to live in Biloxi but had moved to Louisiana.

[poopoo333]

Biloxi

I think I'd be broke if I lived there.

[MMA_scientist]

post event thoughts:

Great card.

Belcher looked great. He has somehow developed his gnp into a total hulk smash. He was ready, he nearly took Palhares' back off the takedown, had he not stopped to mess around with a submission attempt on the twister, a retarded waste of time that was never going to be finished, he may have gotten to the back. As soon as he lost that, he spent the rest of the time defending, until Palhares went to his guard and just laid there. I d on't know if he gassed out or what, but he didn't control the posture, and that's what happens. Anyway, Belcher did great. I don't like Palhares at all, so I was glad to see it. Although, Belcher is kind of douche any time I hear him talk, and his tattoo is so ridiculous that there is no way he can continue to win, it was still good to see.

I gave rounds 1 and 3 to Koscheck, though I don't think it was a total robbery. Any future champ is about to become current champ, so I expect you guys to eat some shit and worship my predictive powers when it happens.

Diaz is a stud now. I really think he could give Bendo some problems over 5 rounds. It would be really damn funny if Diaz became champ. I officially think Nate is better than Nick now.

Check out the grappling on Pat Barry. I appreciated that he tried to change his strategy and actually win the fight... but then he decided not to, and let him up so he could get knocked out.

[edman5555]

Yeah he also gave up full mount too. Wierd.