A Fan's View from his Couch: UFC 94 Preview
Is it possible to have too much anticipation, to be too hyped, too excited, too jack? NO, but I am almost there with UFC 94.
I've watched all the UFC Primetime's, DVRed all of the Unleashed featuring Penn and GSP, hell I've logged so many hours on the official UFC 94 Website that I have the beat memorized and my coworkers are now questioning my sexual preference because I am looking at "half naked dudes" all day. Yea, I'd say I'm PUMPED!
It would be easy to start by giving my thoughts on the initials, aka B.J. and G.S.P., but let’s look at the other 3 fights that could honestly headline a "Fight Night" card....
1 - Machida v Silva - not much has to be said for this one other than the records, 13-0 v 13-0, but it is even better than that. Lyoto Machida has defeated Rich Franklin, Tito Ortiz, and some dude named Penn, yes that BJ Penn. If there is one drawback for Machida it is that 8 of his 13 fights have gone to decisions meaning he isn't a huge finisher. On the other hand, Thiago Silva is the exact opposite. My man Silva is the MMA version of Mariano Rivera, HE CLOSES! 10 KO's, 2 Subs, and 1 decision. What will reign supreme, the tactitioner, or the destroyer, either way expect a war. My magic 8 ball says it will be Silva's unrelenting rush that surprises the methodical Machida and he takes him out late 2nd or 3rd.
2 - Diaz v Guida - hands down these are my two favorite lightweights. This is a fight I have wanted bad as the winner vaults into the class of Kenflo, Stevenson and Sherk. Here is the fight in three words "up or down," meaning does it go to the ground as Nate jabs until he takes it down and gets those rubber bands he calls limbs into some awkward contortion and subs Clay? Or, does the Carpenter use his unorthodox style to knockout the loud mouthed Diaz? My guess, it finds it’s way to the mat with either man on top and Nate eaks out a sub.
3 - Finch v Gono - the fact that this fight is under the "this fight may not broadcast" sticker is baffling. I understand that Dana and AKA are having a pissing contest, well boys, the only thing that comes out of that is both sides end up smelling. Give us this fight as it will be a war; two men going in opposite directions as Gono needs this one to stay relevant and Jon having only lost once (decision GSP) in his last 16 fights is still right there waiting for a shot with Alves and Koscheck. Both men like to bang so look for two men asking for sunglasses in the post fight presser. Winner, Finch, puts it to Dana and shows why he deserves his place on the roster.
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THE REMATCH: GSP v PENN
Two of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, as in two of the best on Earth. Not only are they the pound for pound best, but they are both champions in the biggest organization in the world. They had a controversial decision to end their first fight. It's the classic rich kid v poor kid, hard worker v prodigy, HELL, it’s USA v Canada! Everyone keeps using the played out moniker that this will be a "5 round war," but I say NO! There isn't, as my Mom loves to say, a "snow ball’s chance in hell" this fight goes all 25 minutes. Here it is, 60 seconds of feeling out, GSP shoots, Penn stuffs it, that goes back and forth to end a boring first round. The second Penn realizes he is better on the ground, rushes "rush" and takes it down, and in the shocker of all shockers pulls of a gogoplata and wins, for the first time ever two UFC belts. Crazy, but that is how this fan sees it happening from his couch. Let's all cross our fingers that this fight elevates MMA into the next tier of sports and pushes UFC to make a major Cable deal.
If only two of the aforementioned fights live up to what I believe they will be, this card will be a "10, a Freaking 10!"
> Don't miss our UFC 94 preview of all 10 fights on the card for Saturday night's big event!
By Greg Vorse
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
A Fan's View from his Couch