Dream Match

By Paul Sims 

http://www.octaringsports.blogspot.com 

Anderson vs Jones

Imagine Hulk vs Juggernaut, Jordan vs Kobe, Floyd vs Leonard, or Superman vs Thor.  Vis a vis that will turn your torso upside down.  These compelling fights never happened and hardly could you toss them into reality as obviously those conflicts ripen into young or yet business prohibits.  Nevertheless, there are plenty that resembles such competition that could occur anytime soon.

Anderson Silva vs Jon Jones.  Two of the current best combat fighters in the world perhaps considered greatest of all time particularly in the world of MMA. 

Jon Jones, a young lion, started his career for being recognized as a versatile and skilled fighter with perfect body structure et al. Just several fights after Brandon Vera, he by now succeeded to annihilate a champion and defended his belt against future Hall of Famers and top Contenders in a single division not by just a decision but in a dominating fashion such as submission and one sided unanimous decision.  To make it more savage, most of his opponents that were known of knocking their opponents down or being skilled in a standup onslaught were all backpedalling could not even throw a series of combination against him.  The only person did not reel under his bed was Lyoto Machida, however, he was being submitted and lost his consciousness afterwards.  His next slated bout will be against a big time knockout artist Dan Henderson which we may consider a little bit tougher than his last fight.  Jones cited about moving into the Heavyweight divisions that we may find not easier to conquer with the likes of Dos Santos, Velasquez, Overeem, and Carwin.  That obviously sums up into one conclusion- he is just too much for Light Heavyweight Division.

Anderson Silva, many considers as a Legend, greatest MMA and UFC fighter in the World ever, and most skilled fighter.  He is not being tagged as hyped or overrated because his multiple fights proves how dominating he is knocking, submitting or even toying opponents down with embarrassment.  With a win with his upcoming fight, that would put him as the certain best Middleweight champion in the world and there will be no reason for him to stay in the division but to move up or retire.  His legacy is secured even years before he fought Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson.  Silva will be facing his best competitor yet for the second time around that will seal all the doubts lingered coming from his performance on their first bout.  Many believed he was an underrated Jui Jitsu black belter, but that did not yank him back for not using that skill saving the supposedly upset of the year seconds before it ended.  His age is catching up but apparently does not reflect with the way he fights as the onslaught and reflexes were even rising if not the same; his fight against Belfort and Okami proves it all.  

Fans are clamouring with this fight but it seems Dana White does not even mull about this, perhaps too risky for both fighters specifically for Jon Jones.  But does money matters most? Competition matters most?  Then this fight must happen.  Boxing is being criticized by experts and the UFC itself for not bringing quality and frequently cherrypicking fights, therefore, if this much I consider inevitable bout that should be happen imminently before it gets too late, then all of the accusations is considered illusion. What is the difference?

Time to drop the Curtain Fedor

By Paul Sims

http://www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

Ten years back right after his first defeat, Fedor Emelianenko, many considered the Greatest MMA fighter of all Time, drastically conquered and besieged the sport with his compelling feature every facet of his game. Minus the lateral movement, the last Emperor possessed how it takes to be a legend.

Ten years back, the last emperor was unstoppable of relinquishing all top contenders in the Heavyweight division Pride circa days; that there were no men I could ever mull over standing toe to toe against him other than Nogueira, that you may find absurd as he (Nogueira) was even being defeated in a dominating fashion. Same year of their second fight, Fedor was on the verge of losing a probable KO against the immense Randleman through a dangerous head first superflex or superslam, yet later on manage to escape with a kimura submission.

2005 while everyone admiring the gifted skills of the Legend Cro cop, Fedor was overpowering him as if you witness a kid that was being thrown by his huge Brother every corner of the room. The fatal Mirko head kick was entirely useless in the event.

You might have been wondering the size disparity or something. Well how about a 7 foot monster Hong Man Choi that only required a round of his Fedor experience before fallen into an armbar trap. How about the guy who owned a Boxing pure skill Arlovski, which despite the quickness advantage on the tip of their exchanges, got knocked on the canvass out cold. Or the gigantic primed Rogers whom managed to dominate Fedor on the ground that his face was inundated with blood, still conceded because of the feared Fedor’s haymaker.

Those when I thought of him being indestructible, a machine, or even the God of MMA until...

2010 when Fabricio Werdum, a BJJ specialist that was just defeated by two top notches Heavyweight mammoths Dos Santos and Overeem easily; broken and tear hearts all Fedor fan apart. It was a well intended plan tactic that lured the last emperor to fall into the hands of the mischievous Jiu Jitsu expert that eventually easily tangled him tight into the triangle choke. Post fight he was quoted of saying “The one who doesn't fall never stands up”.

That defeat was not that convincing one for me and I even consider it as a fluke just like his first L or yet with no different with Brock’s first one with Mir.

Strikeforce had bigger plans for him, instead of pitting him against Werdum for the rematch, they slated a fight against a once thought stationary tall guy Bigfoot Silva. When the fight commenced, both had their moments as they stood each other exchanging blows. However, when the bigger guy took advantage with his size being able to drop Fedor on the ground and controlled the ground game by executing the side control smoothly before sitting on a full mount control, everyone started to realize how ruthless we were when we underestimated the power of a 7 footer draped with his black JJ belt.

Fedor wasn’t being KOed albeit being badly beaten and if it wasn’t for the doctor stoppage, truly he could still be able to bounce back.

Apparently, as the turnout for those consecutive fights, the management thought of him fighting in the lower class. Hence, it was decided to give another legendary but risky fighter named Dan Henderson. Same built size, striking power, and ground game with only one exception. Fedor used to fight Heavyweight fighters with the likes of the towering Silva, Choi, Nogueria and a potential bout with Overeem, while Hendo fights a fighter with a capacity limited into Light Heavyweight. Accordingly, it made Hendo into a huge underdog. But that was only the perception of the fans that frequently drop disbelief into the revelation of the game.

For the third time around, Fedor Emelianenko had gone crushed and this time it was in a KO surprised. It wasn’t me if the turnout could be accepted abruptly without scrutinizing the details first. Initially, the stoppage seemed to be overly premature and watching both replays after the fight made me much firm in my supposition.

Herb Dean, the most active MMA referee now days deserves all the respect more than any middleman inside the octagon made me think twice of believing that call was an untimely one. Thus, for the tenth rerun made my opinion on the contrary. It was a clear shot that made Fedor lost his consciousness for a bit which made Herb stopping the fight, but Fedor started to turn a sudden twist when the fight was called a halt. That made it so confusing, but then it was so clear that the retrained occurred when he was lost with the haymaker.

This time there were no excuses and no alibis but acceptance. Fedor’s days are over and he was being drop by a guy that will turn 41 few months more. I accept the defeat more than acknowledging his fighting skill declination, although his action speaks clearer than my words.

Nonetheless, there will be no one that could ever persuade me of replacing him as the greatest badass fighter that ever strike, submit and choke inside the MMA den.

Heavyweight Matches

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

Bored now days? To each is his own that what they say, and in my humbly ARROGANT opinion promoters offered nothing but mediocre fights since Cain beat the hell out of the bearded monster.

However, heavyweight division is getting exciting as ever as Strikeforce been planning to come up with a brilliant idea where all superstars fighting in a Tournament type of game. Yes, you read it right, Strikeforce not UFC and for the first time around an MMA promotion will dominate a division outside a company commissioned by Dana White.

We don’t just expect top heavyweights set against each other, but we are even about to witness the unexpected return of two of the Greatest Heavyweights EVER namely Fedor and Overeem.

Legendary Fedor that came from an instant upset against Werdum which happens to be on the other bracket as well will probably get a chance to have their second encounter around. On the other hand, it was Overeem that shocked the world crowned as the K-1 Ground Prix 2010 Champion and had beaten Duffee in Dynamite Promotion weeks later.

Apart from that, this will be the last fight for Fedor inside his Strikeforce contract and if Coker fails to entice him re-signing the extension, we may probably see Fedor next inside Dana’s crib. How good is that? I mean, we are not just going to see the long awaited Overeem-Fedor match finally happen; yes we are not just about to see the possibility of Fedor’s vengeance against Werdum being witnessed by all fightfreaks that definitely awards him a chance to prove the world being a legitimate King of MMA; but we are going to expect even more the possibility of him fighting Cain, Carwin, Dos Santos or even Brock inside the Cage in the mere future.

For now, let us first enjoy the luxury fights they could offer us.

Iron Fist

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

MMA dubbed the Couture-Toney fight as MMA vs Boxing match. Boxing fans will surely find this prejudiced. It was the same thing I felt that I thought Dana or whoever labeled it fouled offensive to the one who governs Boxing.

A totally unfair and biased BS thing that an aged fighter who will make his debut in the MMA world, fight a freestyle MMA fight type, set him up pit toe to toe against a veteran grappler/fence clincher, and still labeled him as a Boxer against an MMA fighter.

This will be more likely a one sided fight in favor of Couture. And that would be the only thoughts of Dana White and the whole gang for now, expecting to see how people eventually realize that a Boxer won’t get any chance beating up an MMA fighter inside Octagon or anywhere else in a street fight. But the thing is, how if the 10oz less gloves strike onto the face of an MMA fighter?

Yes, Toney was never been an offensive fighter, in resemblance with Floyd Mayweather or Pernell Whitaker. But ALL Boxers has been trained hard to defend and definitely PUNCH no more any less. Vitality has never been a huge factor inside the Gym in amateur Boxing, on the reason that they have been donned by a protective headgear with sometimes body armor, and in order to crack the armor up is to improve the punching power and speed up to the limit.

Take a look of an MMA Veteran Tim Silva, who just caught by a straight punch by a Boxer named Ray Mercer. It was the only punch threw in the fight that made the MMA veteran turned out like Ricky Hatton stunned cold in the canvas before the game was declared over.

This never ending Boxing-MMA competition question will never be answered on 28 or 29 here in UAE. But absolutely, it will be an acid test of a Boxer’s iron fist without the 10oz gloves.

Who are you picking? I turn my LIGHTS OUT!

A Lucky Choke

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

Now days, fights has been extremely disappointing after a good performance turned out to be a defeat because of a well intended tactic Triangle Choke submission. A submission mostly utilized by a Jui Jitsu or a Judo fighter, uses their two legs wrapping around opponents and strangles neck by a form of triangle like shape while yanking the other hand until finally suffocates the opponent in the latter end.

The latest was the 4-1 favorite Anderson Silva who underwent a bad beating from the very first round till amid of fifth against Chael Sonnen, but in time managed to run away the title using a choke submission.

A bad beating consistently suffered bashing without any counter that seems referee Rosenthal was on the verge of stopping the fight and he can see nothing but a vague direction to come back with a good counter; until in some way, Silva found a remedy which is the throttle choke.

However, a rematch would be there absolutely, and for him to remove any skepticism, he must by all means dictate the bout and find a way to decisively obtain judges favor or finish the bout by way of Knockout.

Sonnen suffered the same fate as Carwin and Fedor being victimized from their last bout, but then again, it was more upsetting since the pounding was consistent and the scorecards favored him from first through the end of fourth round, in compared to the first and second round submission against Fedor and Carwin.

Several fighters consider it as the Last resort especially those who specializes stand up fights. A fighter like Brock Lesnar or Roy Nelson would be the least person I would expect to use this strategy since both of their broad body and legs are not suited to be being flexible and stretchy. Nonetheless, it brought Brock to a victory even if he suffered a brutal beating against Carwin.

What are the things that these Triangle Choke victims have in common?

Power, aggressiveness, Stand up/ground fight skills, and to top them all - No Submission Defense.

A Lost Emperor inside the Lost Kingdom

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

After a defeat against the triangle tangled choke with armbar of Fabricio Werdum last June 2010, an immediate rematch for Fedor Emelianenko has been set instantly that will occur either October or November.

Will it truly be fair for the current Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem in the first place, who has been dying and craving to make his fight against Fedor happen over his long entire career? Or better yet to fight the guy who just beat the hell out of the Last Emperor?

Certainly Not.

Obviously, Strikeforce is being dubbed a nut hugger of anyone that makes the company profitable. And now that Jake Shields signed the contract for UFC, after Dana White slammed a quote in their face “He’s (Shields) Mine”, will make it even worst. The only fighter next but way under Fedor’s popularity would be Dan Henderson, Overeem, and the apparent forthcoming Dave Batista.

Do not get me wrong, I am a genuine hardcore Fedor fan where I even considered him as the GOAT where solidifies the fact that once I asked Mr. Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports a question in facebook “who will win between the primer Tyson and Fedor in a street fight”, he cited “Fedor no doubt!”.

However, it does not take away the reality where contenders are all squeezing elbow to elbow inside UFC and for him to seal his legacy and shuts detractors’ mouth at once; he must sign the friggin UFC contract and make it possible to fight against those monstrous Lesnar, Carwin, Velasquez or Dos Santos.

Remember Fedor, when Lesnar quoted you as “a Champion inside your little world”?

Unfortunately, MMA world reminds me of Boxing politics or much even worst to the point that they could not be able to matchup guys in any way under separate promotions. They can only get better when a promotional company such as UFC possess quality fighters and make fights happen that fans really worth watching for. I toss the credit for Dana White.

Nevertheless, it won’t reach the perfect stature and such embarrassment will definitely without end hang around if they won’t give the Great Fedor Emelianenko a chance to prove that without a doubt he is the greatest fighter of all Time.

Introduction - Boxing and MMA as one

By Paul Sims
octaringsports.blogspot.com










Boxing Arena

Have you ever wondered how it feels like combat sports such as Boxing or MMA could be the source of your living? Discipline, intense workout, exhausting cardiovascular exercise, agility improvement, and vitality where eventually being pit against another guy who might surpass the training you have done? And so on and so forth.

In Boxing, people have their own reasons why do they love the Sport. Some consider it as a stepping stone, while others as a Hobby. Mostly in Philippines, the dissimilarity of financial stature reflects the way of training a boxer undertake. With pricey facilities, first class gyms and experience trainers, chances are higher to reach Professional level. But then, an underprivileged boxer is more likely to focus on the training, and for that reason, courage will still prevail.

I do not think Erik Morales has ever undergone hard inexpensive training the same amateur experience of Manny Pacquiao during the pre circa 90's Blow by Blow era; same thing goes to Cuban compare to American boxers. Amateur fights are indeed vital source of experience in preparation of your upcoming professional fights, hence, a professional Boxer is considered as well trained and prepared fighter.








UFC Octagon


Meanwhile, MMA is on the other way around. Albeit most of the MMA fighters are experienced Martial Artist before they get into the cage, some of them are being highly regarded as top contender abruptly when they only fought professional bouts several times or never at all. The likes of Brock Lesnar who just went inside the cage roughly 6-7 times yet still recognized as the current best heavyweight fighter in the world. A You Tube sensation namely Kimbo Slice got his chance to go all the way became a professional MMA fighter in an instant and being priced as the EliteXC Main Event fighter.

However, without the 10 oz Gloves, few limitations and rule still one heck of a task to do. Take a peek of the current pound for pound king Anderson Silva. This guy was a professional Boxer and holding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt too, not to mention that he still managed to show some Muay Thai mastery during his fights. In short, versatility is the main component for being a pound for pound King

In general view, I consider Boxing as more technical sports than MMA, however, an MMA fighter must possess more skills but not limited to grappling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu or boxing for you to become a potential champion.

Different Sports with the same Vision. Let us tackle Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.