Eamer
09-02-2006, 05:47 AM
4
It was in mid 2000 that Mark Coleman walked away from the Saitama Super Arena with the prize as the first ever PRIDE Grand Prix Tournament Champion. Since then the world of mixed martial arts has been obsessed with weight classes and rules in an effort to help legitimise it as a sport. Now, six years later, PRIDE FC is in their final preparations for what will once again answer the question of who is the best MMA athlete in the world, weight classes aside.
Mirko Crocop Flipovik vs Wandlerai Silva
A prototypical matchup of 2 deadly strikers who will happily stand and bang until one drops the other. Their first matchup did not live up to expectations but that is largely due to the special rules that were implemented in that fight, and CC's lack of MMA experience at that point in time. It is hard to see a clear advantage with the fighters on their feet, but the potential for instant knockout should probably go with Crocop for his left high kick. Silva tends to get wild with his punches (especially when he dislikes his opponent) and this could play into the hands of the more methodical Croatian. Having said that, Crocop's few weakness have reared their heads when challenged by an opponent who constantly and aggressively pushes the pace; something Silva is renowned (and feared) for.
If the Chutebox camp is as smart as they seem, their reverance for Mirko's high kick will have lead them to ensure that Wanderlai is well versed in takedowns from mutliple positions/scenarios. When they clinch, we may see Wanderlai only attempt one or two of his trademark Muay Thai knees before looking for underhooks to establish a takedown. I'm sure his camp sees a clear advantage on the ground for their bjj trained representative over the fairly unproven Crocop. Once he has him there, however, Silva's ability to utilise submission holds and secure a victory remains to be seen. Striking from inside Mirko’s guard (or looking to pass to the side) seems like the better option.
Mirko will be looking to showcase his incomparably good sprawl to keep this fight standing where he is most dangerous (perhaps more than anyone in the world). Crocop's reflexes and dexterity are second to none, so Wanderlai could have a tough time if he opts for the shoot. In the clinch, I don't know too many other fighters who use their upper body strength so effectively to literally push the other fighter away to create distance again and immediately re-establish their striking range. Whether Crocop has a way to counter knees in the tai-clinch is another question that will be answered come September 10.
Josh Barnett vs Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera
These are two of the better ground-fighters in the sport. Theoretically, all else being equal regarding skills; the bigger/stronger Barnett should come out on top. However, that is assuming that skill levels were even, which could be a premature assumption. While Barnett does possess a vast array of heel hooks and knee bars, his overall ground prowess just isn’t in the same league as Noguiera.
So if Barnett can’t tap out Nogueira, what other ways can he win? Strikes on the ground? Doubtful at best. Fedor threw everything that is humanly (and machinely) possible at big Nog and a knockout wasn’t forthcoming. To say the man’s chin is nothing short of phenomenal is an understatement. So it seems that by a process of elimination the big wrestler's only real chance is to establish top position on the ground and try to pound out a scorecard victory.
With rougly sixteen years of boxing training under his belt, it is safe to say Nogueira will be comfortable if the two look to stand and trade. Learning jiu jitsu under Ricardo de la Riva Goded for the better part of his MMA career has left him with a reputation for being one of the most feared submission specialists in the game. His only PRIDE losses have come at the hands of Fedor via decision, so we can effectively say that he hasn’t lost to any human combatants in the PRIDE ring. He has an uncanny ability to expose and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents, and as tough as Barnett will be to get through, I dare say Noguiera will use this tried and true method and find a way to win here too.
Non-Tourney Bouts:
-Sergei Kharitonov vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
-Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Yoshihiro Nakao
-Yosuke Nishijima vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos
Article by Ryan Eamer for http://ninjashoes.net
It was in mid 2000 that Mark Coleman walked away from the Saitama Super Arena with the prize as the first ever PRIDE Grand Prix Tournament Champion. Since then the world of mixed martial arts has been obsessed with weight classes and rules in an effort to help legitimise it as a sport. Now, six years later, PRIDE FC is in their final preparations for what will once again answer the question of who is the best MMA athlete in the world, weight classes aside.
Mirko Crocop Flipovik vs Wandlerai Silva
A prototypical matchup of 2 deadly strikers who will happily stand and bang until one drops the other. Their first matchup did not live up to expectations but that is largely due to the special rules that were implemented in that fight, and CC's lack of MMA experience at that point in time. It is hard to see a clear advantage with the fighters on their feet, but the potential for instant knockout should probably go with Crocop for his left high kick. Silva tends to get wild with his punches (especially when he dislikes his opponent) and this could play into the hands of the more methodical Croatian. Having said that, Crocop's few weakness have reared their heads when challenged by an opponent who constantly and aggressively pushes the pace; something Silva is renowned (and feared) for.
If the Chutebox camp is as smart as they seem, their reverance for Mirko's high kick will have lead them to ensure that Wanderlai is well versed in takedowns from mutliple positions/scenarios. When they clinch, we may see Wanderlai only attempt one or two of his trademark Muay Thai knees before looking for underhooks to establish a takedown. I'm sure his camp sees a clear advantage on the ground for their bjj trained representative over the fairly unproven Crocop. Once he has him there, however, Silva's ability to utilise submission holds and secure a victory remains to be seen. Striking from inside Mirko’s guard (or looking to pass to the side) seems like the better option.
Mirko will be looking to showcase his incomparably good sprawl to keep this fight standing where he is most dangerous (perhaps more than anyone in the world). Crocop's reflexes and dexterity are second to none, so Wanderlai could have a tough time if he opts for the shoot. In the clinch, I don't know too many other fighters who use their upper body strength so effectively to literally push the other fighter away to create distance again and immediately re-establish their striking range. Whether Crocop has a way to counter knees in the tai-clinch is another question that will be answered come September 10.
Josh Barnett vs Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera
These are two of the better ground-fighters in the sport. Theoretically, all else being equal regarding skills; the bigger/stronger Barnett should come out on top. However, that is assuming that skill levels were even, which could be a premature assumption. While Barnett does possess a vast array of heel hooks and knee bars, his overall ground prowess just isn’t in the same league as Noguiera.
So if Barnett can’t tap out Nogueira, what other ways can he win? Strikes on the ground? Doubtful at best. Fedor threw everything that is humanly (and machinely) possible at big Nog and a knockout wasn’t forthcoming. To say the man’s chin is nothing short of phenomenal is an understatement. So it seems that by a process of elimination the big wrestler's only real chance is to establish top position on the ground and try to pound out a scorecard victory.
With rougly sixteen years of boxing training under his belt, it is safe to say Nogueira will be comfortable if the two look to stand and trade. Learning jiu jitsu under Ricardo de la Riva Goded for the better part of his MMA career has left him with a reputation for being one of the most feared submission specialists in the game. His only PRIDE losses have come at the hands of Fedor via decision, so we can effectively say that he hasn’t lost to any human combatants in the PRIDE ring. He has an uncanny ability to expose and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents, and as tough as Barnett will be to get through, I dare say Noguiera will use this tried and true method and find a way to win here too.
Non-Tourney Bouts:
-Sergei Kharitonov vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
-Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Yoshihiro Nakao
-Yosuke Nishijima vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos
Article by Ryan Eamer for http://ninjashoes.net