Ufc 79

[SuperZippy]

Date: Dec. 29, 2007
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View

MAIN CARD

Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
Lyoto Machida vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard
Soa Palalei vs. Eddie Sanchez

UNDERCARD

Luis Cane vs. James Irvin
Manny Gamburyan vs. Nate Mohr
Dean Lister vs. Jordan Radev
Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans

[Magister]

This great card could be eaten up by the Pat/Giants game.

[SuperZippy]

This great card could be eaten up by the Pat/Giants game.

i love football, but really don't care to see ne win again....

[The Flush]

Why not watch both???

[Philosofy]

I thought the Liddel/Silva fight was lackluster.

[SuperZippy]

I thought the Liddel/Silva fight was lackluster.

really, what were you looking for...

[ahartman]

I thought the Liddel/Silva fight was lackluster.

Really? Except for the last 60-90 seconds where Liddell got on his horse (boring but smart), I thought it was a pretty good fight.

Loved seeing Hughes get beat - didn't even tap with his free hand - just screamed it like a little girl.

I can only hope the Soku & Silva losses quiet the PRIDE fanboys.

[ClutchBrake]

I thought it was a pretty solid night of fights. Well, except for the horrendously lackluster Sanchez/Palalei fight. That fight had no business being on the main card.

The Liddell/Silva fight was both exciting and something of a letdown for me. Chuck was great, but Wanderlei just didn't fight the way I hoped for. Granted, his old style likely would have gotten him KO'd but once the fight was clearly Liddell's I would have liked to have seen the old Wanderlei. Regardless I still love Wanderlei and can't wait to see him in the Octagon again.

I was deliriously happy when Clementi subbed Melvin. Couldn't have happened to a "nicer" guy. And Clementi talking trash afterwards was awesome. Usually I'm opposed to that type of thing but Melvin deserved it for everything he says and does. Rich said it best, nothing worse than a guy who talks a lot of s*&# and can't back it up. Awesome.

The Hughes/GSP went exactly as I dreamed it would. Fighting like that I can't think of anyone to take on GSP. Maybe Penn will stay motivated but get bored at LW. I'd LOVE another matchup between GSP and Penn. The Serra match can't get here soon enough.

As for Hughes, he's an arrogant prick, but before I knew what he was like he was one of my favorite fighters and a huge reason I became a fan of MMA. There are two more fights I'd like to see out of Hughes: Serra and Penn. The Penn fight probably won't happen but hopefully we'll get Serra after the GSP fight.

[goblue97]

I thought it was a great card. Liddell / Silva lived up to my expectations and I thought it was great to see GSP absolutely dominate Hughes like that. It doesn't appear that anyone can match up with GSP right now. He looked absolutley unstoppable. Bad night for Team Quest fighters though.

[TAsunder]

Is it a rule that if your opponent screams in pain that it is a "verbal submission"? I've seen people scream in pain before and the fight continued.

[Jebberwocky!]

Is it a rule that if your opponent screams in pain that it is a "verbal submission"? I've seen people scream in pain before and the fight continued.

only when they scream "Tap Tap Tap" like a little girl :D

I loved seeing Hughes get owned but before we annoint GSP god, there is a little rematch I want to see.

Can the world be shocked twice in a row?

I can't believe that Silva didn't kick more - did he not watch the Chuck's last loss?

[laststarfighter]

Is it a rule that if your opponent screams in pain that it is a "verbal submission"? I've seen people scream in pain before and the fight continued.

He didn't scream in pain. If you read his lips he said, "I tap. I tap. I tap."

To answer your question, screaming in pain is not a verbal submission. However, it is up to the discretion of the referee to stop the fight even if you don't tap. A ref isn't going to just stand there and watch your arm get broken just because you're too macho to tapout.

[goblue97]

He didn't scream in pain. If you read his lips he said, "I tap. I tap. I tap."

To answer your question, screaming in pain is not a verbal submission. However, it is up to the discretion of the referee to stop the fight even if you don't tap. A ref isn't going to just stand there and watch your arm get broken just because you're too macho to tapout.
A perfect example of this would be the latest WEC event (DEC 12th) where this exact thing happened. I won't name the fighters involved but one of the guys screamed in pain and the ref subsequently stopped the fight. It was controversial but in the end the ref's decision was all that mattered.

[goblue97]

Can the world be shocked twice in a row?


No way can Serra beat GSP again. Many have said that 9 times out of 10, GSP wins that fight. I would take it further and say that 99 times out of 100, GSP comes out on top. Georges used that loss to keep him focused. Like he said, it was da best ting dat coulda appened for eem.:)

[SuperZippy]

i like matt hughes and he was absolutely dominated...gsp is going to destroy serra...assuming serra even comes back to the octagon...

silva/liddell fight was great...

sokoju was horrible...rogan pimping him all night and that performance was brutal...

loved seeing manny back in the octagon...

[Jebberwocky!]

sokoju was horrible...rogan pimping him all night and that performance was brutal...

it's always fun when the announcers have is a$$ backwards. Your critique was spot on - brutal!

[mrowe8]

How can someone say Liddell vs. Silva was lackluster? If you know the fighters it was exactly as expected. The only let down was more of a suprise then a let down. I really thought one of them would get knocked out.

The ref will actually stand by and watch arms get broken though. Hughes popped Gracies arm when they fought.

[Philosofy]

I thought the Liddel/Silva fight was lackluster.

I guess I expected a slugfest until one got knocked out. I was disappointed when Chuck had him against the fence, landing bomb after bomb, then got tired and walked nonchalantly to the middle of the ring. It starts at 2:50 left in the 3rd, he rocks Wandy, has him on the ropes, then walks away. He should have finished him.

I thought it was funny with 1:00 left in the 2nd round, Goldie says "There is no one sitting here in the arena!" When, in the background, you couldn't see anyone standing.

[Casual]

I wasn’t all that pleased with the UFC 79 card myself. I thought the first three fights left tons to be desired.

I couldn't care any less about Melvin and cant understand why the UFC continues to bring him back. He loses more than he wins and he doesn’t seem to be improving.

The Soko/Machida fight was weak because Machida totally worked Soko over. I mean, Soko did absolutely nothing to Machida. Machida should most def get a title shot or either face Jardine/Liddell/Rashad for #1 contender.

Sanchez/Palwhatthe****ever was a huge waste of both time and money. Sao looked like he belongs in some backyard wrestling tough man contest, not the UFC. I'm sure Dana and Joe Silva were pissed about his performance.

As for the last 2 fights, they totally saved the night for me. Before that, I was going chalk this year up to being a bad one for the UFC. Overall, I thought Boxing crushed MMA this year with the exception of the Pride card from earlier this year.

[Philosofy]

Is it just me, or is the UFC more concerned with personalities and conflicts rather than fights? Matt Hughes used to (seem to) be a decent guy: now he's being marketed as a jerk. They hype up the Melvin fight as bad blood. Title fights get put on delay so the champion can coach the Ultimate Fighter show. And don't get me going about TUF. Dana White claims he doesn't want thugs in the UFC, then takes these kids and glorifies it when they trash the house. TUF could be about training strategies, teaching techniques, fighting strategies, etc, which would make it more interesting for the novice, non-martial art viewer to understand the sport. Instead we just get a lot of drinking.

[ahartman]

Is it just me, or is the UFC more concerned with personalities and conflicts rather than fights? Matt Hughes used to (seem to) be a decent guy: now he's being marketed as a jerk. They hype up the Melvin fight as bad blood. Title fights get put on delay so the champion can coach the Ultimate Fighter show. And don't get me going about TUF. Dana White claims he doesn't want thugs in the UFC, then takes these kids and glorifies it when they trash the house. TUF could be about training strategies, teaching techniques, fighting strategies, etc, which would make it more interesting for the novice, non-martial art viewer to understand the sport. Instead we just get a lot of drinking.

I don't necessarily disagree with your first statement, however the rest of your post really doesn't back that up...

1) Matt Hughes was always an ass - a holier-than-though ass
2) Guillard has always been a whiny punk - I don't think anyone likes this guy
3) Serra blew out his back - that's why he wasn't fighting, had nothing to do with coaching TUF

I would love to see the UFC start matching up fighters rather than protect people until they can manufacture what they think will bring big PPV buys.

TUF is a reality show - people like to watch train wrecks. You'd lose a big part of the audience if you take the goons out of the equation. Who wants to watch someone train 24/7? Look at Mac Danzig - you want to watch 8 weeks of guys like him?

[KungFuCow]

Is it just me, or is the UFC more concerned with personalities and conflicts rather than fights? Matt Hughes used to (seem to) be a decent guy: now he's being marketed as a jerk. They hype up the Melvin fight as bad blood. Title fights get put on delay so the champion can coach the Ultimate Fighter show. And don't get me going about TUF. Dana White claims he doesn't want thugs in the UFC, then takes these kids and glorifies it when they trash the house. TUF could be about training strategies, teaching techniques, fighting strategies, etc, which would make it more interesting for the novice, non-martial art viewer to understand the sport. Instead we just get a lot of drinking.


IIRC, SpikeTV has editting control over TUF.. I dont know where I read that but somewhere....

[goblue97]

And don't get me going about TUF.
I see what you are saying but if it wasn't for The Ultimate Fighter, there may not be a UFC anymore or it may not be as big as it is. Dana White has said himself that the Finale of Season one is the biggest reason the UFC is where it is today.

[ClutchBrake]

3) Serra blew out his back - that's why he wasn't fighting, had nothing to do with coaching TUF

I think what he means is that the fight with Hughes was delayed until after TUF aired. Serra won the belt in April and because of TUF wasn't scheduled to defend it until 12/29. That is nearly NINE freakin' months. He should have defended in July or August. And then the injury. By the time Serra gets around to defending it will have been a year since he won it. That is pretty lame.

And now we have Rampage and Forrest as TUF coaches. Granted, Rampage and Forrest are both recovering from injuries right now so acting as coaches isn't a bad deal. What is, though, is that once again we will have to wait until AFTER the next season of TUF before they fight. I have no problem with them being coaches. I do have a problem with title defenses and fighters being put on hold because of a reality show.

[Philosofy]

I think what he means is that the fight with Hughes was delayed until after TUF aired. Serra won the belt in April and because of TUF wasn't scheduled to defend it until 12/29. That is nearly NINE freakin' months. He should have defended in July or August. And then the injury. By the time Serra gets around to defending it will have been a year since he won it. That is pretty lame.

And now we have Rampage and Forrest as TUF coaches. Granted, Rampage and Forrest are both recovering from injuries right now so acting as coaches isn't a bad deal. What is, though, is that once again we will have to wait until AFTER the next season of TUF before they fight. I have no problem with them being coaches. I do have a problem with title defenses and fighters being put on hold because of a reality show.


Exactly.

And how many MMA fans actually watch TUF for the drama? I'm much more interested in MMA strategies and techniques than someone short sheeting someone else's bed.

I think Dana is trying to incorporate a WWE mentality in the UFC, building up "grudges", whether they're real or not. I'm all for a good old fashioned rivalry, but I think the only reason Gullard and Clementi made it to the main card was because of the drama between them. I never really watched Pride, but did they do the same kind of crap?

[ahartman]

Exactly.

And how many MMA fans actually watch TUF for the drama? I'm much more interested in MMA strategies and techniques than someone short sheeting someone else's bed.

I think Dana is trying to incorporate a WWE mentality in the UFC, building up "grudges", whether they're real or not. I'm all for a good old fashioned rivalry, but I think the only reason Gullard and Clementi made it to the main card was because of the drama between them. I never really watched Pride, but did they do the same kind of crap?

Gotcha. I can see that point.

I don't believe you had the same drama level in Pride, but I didn't watch it either.

Think of TUF as an educational show - I learned what an Upper Decker was this season!

I watch TUF for the personalities and because I'm a sucker for a train wreck. There are occasionally decent fights in there, too.

Turn it into an instructional series and you lose 90% of the current audience. I dont' think you get that back with people who only want to see strategy & techniques.

I'll tell you what I did watch about 20 times though - Jens Pulver submitting Cub Swanson in 35 seconds with a wicked anaconda choke a couple of weeks ago in that WEC event. I slowed it down and still can't see the moment when he locked it in.

[Jebberwocky!]

I'll tell you what I did watch about 20 times though - Jens Pulver submitting Cub Swanson in 35 seconds with a wicked anaconda choke a couple of weeks ago in that WEC event. I slowed it down and still can't see the moment when he locked it in.

20 times and that didn't take that long to watch :)

There are some decent fights on WEC - every once in a while.

[ClutchBrake]

One thing I've really enjoyed about TUF is seeing the fighters on the show and then the finale. Often times there is such dramatic improvement.

I've really enjoyed the WEC events. Check out the replay shows they have as well. Some great fights there too.

[supham]

The reason I thought Chuck's fight was disappointing is that I don't think he will ever be champ again. He used to walk through his opponents brawling... Rampage kicked his ass because that is not his style. So when he meets a brawler, Silva, and can not dominate him... I just don't see it happening for him. So I guess I was more sad than disapointed.

[Jebberwocky!]

I thought Chuck was pretty dominating - I also thought that Silva had one heck of a chin. Dude could take a punch!

[The Flush]

Every time I see a Pride fighter lose in the UFC, I can't help but wonder if they had been on steroids while in Pride, but had to quit because of the drug testing in the US.

GSP might be the most exciting fighter in the UFC right now, and he seems pretty classy. I hope they line up some good fights for him.

I also like Uriah Faber at 145 in the WEC. I can't wait to see him fight Pulver.

[KungFuCow]

Every time I see a Pride fighter lose in the UFC, I can't help but wonder if they had been on steroids while in Pride, but had to quit because of the drug testing in the US.

GSP might be the most exciting fighter in the UFC right now, and he seems pretty classy. I hope they line up some good fights for him.

I also like Uriah Faber at 145 in the WEC. I can't wait to see him fight Pulver.


Just look at Wanderlai at UFC 79 and your questions should be answered. He was MUCH smaller.

[TAsunder]

That WEC event was fun indeed.

I don't think TUF needs to be a dry instructional series to be a lot more appealing, but I do think they could do with some major changes. It is getting kind of stale.

[ClutchBrake]

Just look at Wanderlai at UFC 79 and your questions should be answered. He was MUCH smaller.

Rampage and Cro Cop as well. Neither are anywhere near the size they were when they fought in Pride. Though perhaps it could have to do with Japan being more lax with official weight as well.

Cro Cop has put on about ten pounds of muscle and looks great though. He made an appearance on New Year's at a pro wrestling event in Japan.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of Cro Cop. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YlB4E61cukI)

[The Flush]

I was once again impressed with GSP's ability to out-wrestle a wrestler, just like he did in his last fight.

[keithcarberry]

I am livd with my brand new tivo hd. I just paid $45 bucks to record and watch ufc 81. Tivo deleted it as soon as I was finished watching it. My wife went to bed and was excited to watch the last fights she missed! What's up with that. I had Directv with no problems in the past. Not I have comcast with the new Tivo and it really bites! I don't know where to go with my anger. Any answers to this? Oh, by the way Direct tv had it in HD but Comcast did not........agh!

[packerfan]

I am livd with my brand new tivo hd. I just paid $45 bucks to record and watch ufc 81. Tivo deleted it as soon as I was finished watching it. My wife went to bed and was excited to watch the last fights she missed! What's up with that. I had Directv with no problems in the past. Not I have comcast with the new Tivo and it really bites! I don't know where to go with my anger. Any answers to this? Oh, by the way Direct tv had it in HD but Comcast did not........agh!

It's never too late to switch back to directv.

[bareyb]

I am livd with my brand new tivo hd. I just paid $45 bucks to record and watch ufc 81. Tivo deleted it as soon as I was finished watching it. My wife went to bed and was excited to watch the last fights she missed! What's up with that. I had Directv with no problems in the past. Not I have comcast with the new Tivo and it really bites! I don't know where to go with my anger. Any answers to this? Oh, by the way Direct tv had it in HD but Comcast did not........agh!

Call Comcast and tell them what happened. They may give you a "re-play" for free. The first time I recorded a UFC with the DRM installed it deleted the whole thing before I'd had a chance to see ANY of it! I had no idea it was going to do that either. I called Comcast and they gave me my money back.

The only way to avoid this happening in the future is to NOT use HDMI cables or record it simultaneously on a Comcast DVR. The Commie box doesn't have DRM. Yet.