View Full Version : UFC 98 - Evans vs Machida
Bit reluctant to start this thread with over a week to go after all the injuries that have already hit this card. Mir, Rampage, Koscheck, Irvin, Okami and Alexander were all scheduled to fight on this card at various points.
Main card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - both are counter-fighters so this has the potential to be really dull, though I've never really been bored by Machida's fights in the past, Evans gets hit more than Machida does but he also hits harder, don't think he'll be able to land on Machida though, Lyoto by decision or TKO
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - Hughes to take this with some ground and pound, he may struggle with the likes of GSP and Alves, but they're gigantic while Serra's too small for welterweight
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - bit of a toss up fight, both hit hard and have a poor ground game so it should end by KO, props to Professor X and Soszynski though for doing back-to-back UFCs
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen - Miller by sub
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Edgar is basically Sherk lite, can't see any way he wins this
Prelims
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs Chris Wilson - another tough one to call, Larson's got a great record but he's mostly fought low-quality opposition and has lost when he's stepped up in competition, Wilson is somewhere between that
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs Tim Hague - Barry looked dangerous in his debut, if he wins here I hope we get a leg kick war between he and Hardonk
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs Kyle Bradley - Nover by TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao - Soszynski by decision
Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs Brandon Wolff - Yoshida by sub
Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs George Roop - Roop by sub
nobbyiscool
11 May 2009, 18:41
i can't say i'm looking forward to this one as much as i have been for most of the others over the past couple of years...
i'm a big fan of machida and evans - i don't find machida boring at all, and i loved evans right back to TUF when everyone thought he was a show boating tool.
i agree with you ross about the danger of a dull fight here... i don't see it happening though. i'm excited about the potential here.
hughes has become a spud. like most, i'm not a fan of serra. but hughes is past it. hughes to dominate with wrestling and ground and pound for the first 2 rounds, before serra gets a tko on a tired hughes in the third.
ahhh, i hate shaun sherk - the tip here is that we'll all be bored to tears.
the other fights? well, i can be sympathetic towards a card ravaged by injuries, but neither of these fights have any place being on a pay per view main card... i just hope they're entertaining.
Cassius_Clay
11 May 2009, 23:49
God I hope Serra gets his ass kicked. Still cant believe that spud beat GSP.
RobbyRoy
12 May 2009, 00:04
Main card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - Either way I would be happy with, but I have a slight preference towards Evans. I think Machida will pick Evans about for 3 rounds but Evans will eventually get a takedown and TKO Machida. More likely is a Evans flash KO or a Machida decision.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - Hughes by size. Serra will be about as determined as it gets though, so anything's possible.
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - KO after a 2 minute slugfest.
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen - Tough one, but I'll also say Miller by sub
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Can't see Edgar taking this, but it would be a huge scalp if he did. Sherk is basically unbeatable against anyone not named Penn.
Prelims
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs Chris Wilson - Bleh, Larson I guess.
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs Tim Hague - I don't know Hague but I assume Barry is supposed to knock him out.
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs Kyle Bradley - Nover by TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao - Soszynski is more likely, but I think Gusmao is in with a real shot here. TKO 2nd.
Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs Brandon Wolff - Yoshida by sub
Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs George Roop - Decision. Both will be gone soon I'd say.
Main card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - Agree with RR, that this is likely going to be a decision for Machida if it goes the distance so Evans will have to finish it. I just hope that machida gets put in positions he's not used to be nice to see Rashad use his wrestling and put machida on his back and set up some GnP. Tough pick really, but being optimistic of a good fight, I'll say Evans to get the better of the fight early, but Machida to start taking the later rounds enough for a decision or possible late TKO. Very much a 50/50 fight. Actually really excited for this fight.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - Can't see Hughes losing this. Hughes by GnP.
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - Professor X looked to have some good standup and looked pertty good against Kang. Hopefully his cardio is a little better this time, if it is, he'll take the win. McFedries will probably be cut if he loses.
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen - Step up for Miller, but I think he can defeat Sonnen who is pretty one dimensional.
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Sherk is a monster and I think would probably win a rematch vs Penn, terrible gameplan last time. I'm hoping for BJ vs Sherk II so a win should put him pretty close to a shot again.
Prelims
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs Chris Wilson
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs Tim Hague - Barry by leg kick destruction if it goes more than a round, wouldn't be suprised though if Hague beasted Barry early as he his a huge mofo.
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs Kyle Bradley - Nover by TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao - Tough fight to pick, Krzysztof going back to back, but I think he has the edge in experience and is probably slightly more well rounded.
Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs Brandon Wolff - Yoshida
Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs George Roop - Decision.
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - Picking a 2nd round KO or TKO. I think Machida will show how good he really is and then I think he'll beat Rampage in his first defence. This fight should be Rampages defence but I've gone on about that enough already :D Then I'd hope for Shogun to be on the radar.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - Hughes easy.
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - I think this will be a good fight if X can keep it going for all 3.
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Sherk should manhandel Edgar and take him down at will.
Prelims
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs Chris Wilson
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs Tim Hague - As mag says the kicks. will be a good war
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs Kyle Bradley - Nover to show his skill, really impressed me in TUF
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao
Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs Brandon Wolff - Yoshida
Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs George Roop - Roop
RobbyRoy
23 May 2009, 02:40
Anyone got any odds?
I'm massively looking forward to the three big fights in this event!
Main card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - I just think Machida is an all-round better fighter. Evans has come close to losing in a number of his fights and it's time for his luck to run out. No one's got near Machida and I don't think Evans will either. Machida by KO in the 2nd.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - The battle of the two Matts - neither of whom I like. I'm sort of hoping they belt each other silly. :p This might be Hughes' last fight and I think he'll finish his career on a high. TKO in the 2nd.
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - X by TKO.
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen - Miller by sub
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Huge fan of Edgar, so I really hope he wins, but my head says Sherk. Winner of this deserves a title shot.
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao - Soszynski by TKO.
RobbyRoy
23 May 2009, 13:09
Anyone got any odds?
It seems Hughes and Sherk are huge favourites, and Evans is going in the underdog.
I'm so pumped for the main event. I can't remember the last time I was a big fan of both fighters and didn't really have any idea who would win. Kawajiri vs JZ is another one coming up with the same situation. Also, it's a bit weird seeing a lot of people, including myself, tipping either Evans or Machida by KO. Neither have ever been knocked out, or to my knowledge, knocked down. I guess it's got a lot to do with the fact that people don't want to see decisions, we want finishes.
I watched the preview show on Fox Sports last night, which had a lot of focus on Hughes/Serra. Anyone got any thoughts on their feud? I like Serra, and think Hughes is a bit of a dick, but Serra coming out and talking so much shit was pretty low. On the fight, I really think Serra is in with a shot here. I know I tipped Hughes, but he really hasn't looked very good for a while and this is the perfect time for Serra to fight him.
TheTrav
23 May 2009, 19:05
I really hope Hughes gets his arse kicked, not a massive fan of Serra either, but I have hated Hughes for as long as I can remember. Machida V Evans can go either way, just hope it's not boring, I like both fighters, so really just want to see a good fight. Other than these 2 fights, I am barely interested in anything else. Though lately with the UFC, the undercard fights have been pretty action packed, guess that's all we can really hope for.
RobbyRoy
24 May 2009, 15:20
Firstly, woah. Unless Shogun turned up in his prime form and fully fit, I can't see Machida ever losing. With the footwork, speed, accuracy and KO power, he's just incredible. Evans was disappointing as he didn't really do anything, but it was obvious even Greg Jackson had no idea how to beat Machida. Rampage is in trouble I think.
It was boring event overall, a couple of big knockouts, but overall it was underwhelming. I thought Serra won, but I guess under UFC rules Hughes may have done enough. I was surpised by McFedries win but he's in with a shot against most due to his explosive KO power. Not sure wtf Sherk was thinking but he got thoroughly outstruck by Edgar who I think is pretty impressive. Gray Maynard is sure looking really good now as well.
mad_eagle
24 May 2009, 15:29
Wow...we all just sat their in stunned silence. That was INSANE! I think Rashad is still trying to figure out what happens
Forrest Gimp
24 May 2009, 19:47
Machida is very, very impressive. Watching the GIFs in slo-mo over on Sherdog makes it even more so. He's got it all, with no obvious weaknesses whatsoever. I'm not sure anyone in the division stands a chance against him they way he's going, as he's just getting better and better. Scary.
Yeah can't disagree bloody hell what a fighter. I'm still shaking my head. It will take some serious gameplan to beat machida - couture maybe? I said straight after the fight that i thought the way to beat him (easier said than done obviously) was to get him in the clinch against the fence and dirty box him and control the fight not let him control it. Cramp him up and just maul him. Couture is the only guy i could think of that could do that sort of thing to him but then again how old is he 45? Would probably get ko'd coming in. Jeez machida great style very difficult to beat and what timing it's just amazing to watch isnt it.
Machida is the new Fedor, no doubt about it. A flawless performance over a very good fighter in Rashad. Almost reminded me of Fedor's domination of other top contemporaries.
He has to be in the top p4p talk now, GSP/Fedor & Machida for me, with Anderson 4th.
Sorry Deej, but Randy would be TKO'd into the next life. If you are looking for a Couture contemporary, Hendo would be your next best bet. Out of the 205's though, a top shape Shogun or Forrest Griffin might be able to get him uncomfortable. Honestly though, the more I think about it, Machida could really be a superfight vs Fedor. I do still see Fedor overwhelming him, but Lyoto has the edge in a couple of departments which is a strange thing to say against Fedor. Fedor would need to get Machida on his back and GnP him to death, if it kept standing I could see Fedor being challenged. He is the real deal.
I honestly get chills thinking about how good a fight between Fedor and Machida could be.
Other than that, Hughes was almost lucky to get the W there. Really frustrating seeing the UFC's scoring bias for wrestlers. Hughes could never have as successful a career if it was in Pride. Its just the way the rules and the scoring are, you just need a takedown and ground control for over half a round and you have the round won. Do that twice and your in business. There were also a few opportunities where Serra could have finished the fight if there were knees on the ground. Still, it was a reasonable fight, and I was impressed by Serra who I thought would be pummled. Great conditioning and really took it to hughes. Great trip to side control at the end.
Professor X I felt sorry for, but the stoppage was there. I still think he'll get another fight as he took the fight on short notice. McFedries was good though.
Edgar was the most suprising improvement for me. Utterly took apart Sherk for 15 minutes. Brilliantly executed gameplan and looked to actually wear out Sherk. Very impressive. Could be in line for a shot, and is actually a small for a 155er. Edgar vs Florien would be a fight I'd love to see.
Awesome showing from Lyoto, Rashad managed to land maybe two solid shots at best. Looks like it'll be Machida and Rampage coaching on TUF and then fighting for the title in December, and Rampage will rightly go into the fight as a big underdog too. Machida vs a healthy Shogun interests me as a competitive fight, Shogun has a relentless pace and agression that Machida has never encountered. Otherwise, I can't see any of the current crop of LHW contenders figuring out Machida. I think Deej's right in that Couture's style is the best equipped to cause Machida problems but I'm not sure if a 46 year old Randy could pull it off anymore.
Hughes and Serra was a bit dull at times. Serra did the most damage but the first and second rounds were both only 10-9 either way and I thought Hughes slightly edged out the third round.
Disappointed with how Sherk fought. It's a bit annoying watching wrestlers like Sherk, Koscheck and Tyson Griffin abandon their key strength completely and look to stand and bang the whole fight. Sherk and Kos are both right out of title contention at the moment because of how they've fought in their last outings.
Sonnen vs Miller was pretty average but given that Sonnen probably would have been bounced from the UFC with another quick submission loss I can't really blame him for being cautious, particularly since he almost stupidly got choked out in about a minute here.
Barry looks to be another heavyweight K-1 kickboxer with a non-existent ground game. Suspect we'll still get him in a leg kick war with Hardonk next despite the loss. Good outings from Larson and Soszynski as well.
A great photoshop job from the UG.
http://i41.tinypic.com/so8y6x.jpg
Machida is the man, finally have my new LHW to follow after the demise of Chuck(no homo, bandwagon). Machida V Rampage will be intersting both so explosive, one thing Ive learnt Is to never underestimate Rampage though.
Watching Hughes blanket Serra was frustrating, Mazzagatti you bastard, you should've given Serra a chance In the exhibition-esque fight. But for real I really like Serra, and really hate Hughes, and didnt give Serra much hope in this fight, I was suprised how good he actually went against a dominating wrestler in Hughes even though he has seen better days. Also agree the UFC no knee rule played into Hughes, His head was there for Serra to tee off on to, ohwell.
Lance_Armstrong
27 May 2009, 10:52
http://www.fightscoops.com/UFC/UFC_98_Payouts_Announced.shtml
http://www.fightscoops.com/UFC/UFC_99_Full_Fight_Card_Details_Inside.shtml
For mine, it was another enjoyable card, mostly because two of my very favourite fighters put in incredible performances.
Light Heavyweight Championship: Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida - I was always very confident Machida would win this fight. This man is a machine! :D He's just so dangerous, so brilliant and so entertaining to watch because he's so crafty as well! Speed, power, gameplan, conditioning, striking precision... he even seemed to have the better of Rashad in the wrestling.
Get used to seeing Machida at the top because I don't think this man is going to be beaten for a long time! :D
As for Rashad, the guy is all class. Whilst so many black American superstar athletes seem to have massive egos, Rashad comes across as a very down-to-earth fellow who behaves himself and is the consummate professional. I think he's a great role model.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra - This fight turned out to be pretty disappointing in terms of entertainment value, but I was glad it went the three rounds. Hughes got the decision but it could easily have gone the other way. I'm really hoping these two will fight a rematch and settle once and for all who's the better fighter!
Middleweight bout: Drew McFedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam - Just Drew doing what he does best - hitting hard. He's never going to win a title, but he can certainly entertain! A good stoppage by Lavigne also - protecting the fighter was the right decision.
Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen - Disappointing performance by Miller in what was a very boring fight. Credos to Sonnen though. Good performance.
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar - Absolutely amazing performance by Frankie Edgar! Even I doubted he could win this, but his performance was just incredible. Such lightning speed. Dominating Sherk for three rounds surely gives him a chance of winning the LW title at some stage.
Prelims
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs Chris Wilson - Very entertaining fight this one. Some very good submission skills shown by both fighters. We should see more of Larson after his solid win.
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs Tim Hague - Joe Rogan called Hague a "gentle giant" but he didn't look very gentle to me! Good debut for him but Barry was disappointing.
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Andre Gusmao - Gusmao was very disappointing. Should have tried to get Soszynski on his back.
nobbyiscool
28 May 2009, 21:54
i'm not going to go through the whole card - just highlights.
i've loved edgar since the griffen fight , he furthered that... was superior in every way to sherk.
was glad hughes won. i really could've seen serra winning it. IF the judges scored the headbut a knockdown, he wins that round. and personally, i wish serra wins the fight - a take down + lying on top of your opponent vs working the guard and going for submissions (not to mention the awesome overhook takedown)? i hope serra wins that round.
machida? awesome.
i've been a massive fan since the sokodjou fight - but having said that, seeing comments that he's better p4p than fedor and this garbage shits me. 2 fights ago no one liked machida cos he was 'boring'. people have short memories.
how do u beat him? a boxer can't hit him, a bjj guy can't submit him... maybe a top class wrestler who will risk getting kicked in the head... maybe an awesome muay thai guy.
so, with that said, the fight i'm creaming my pants to see? machida vs anderson silva. people would call it boring, but i can't imagine a better technical match up in mma today. hopefully it happens in the next year. and it'd be a perfect opportunity if dana wants to test wandy silvas theory that ufc needs a 195 division - it'd be the perfect weight for spider vs lyoto.
It's going to be Rampage vs Rashad on TUF after Rampage passed on a title fight to take a fight against Evans. Lyoto's going to make his first defense against somebody else in September or October, Shogun being the most obvious candidate.
It's going to be Rampage vs Rashad on TUF after Rampage passed on a title fight to take a fight against Evans.
That is truly amazing. I'd love to know the reasoning.
I'm getting sick of these fighters getting drawn into the TUF shows as coaches, takes almost forever until they finally fight.
Not good as a Shogun fan. Would like to see him notch up a few more W's to get his game on again. He's a man who needs confidence. Not much else floating round in the 205 class that's in cycle for a shot though. Give Machida some time at the top with a dude like Vera or Hammill, give Shogun some momentum, Then you'd have Machida Page, which will be huge, and then Machida/Page vs Shogun which will be also huge.
Forrest Gimp
29 May 2009, 17:11
I'm getting sick of these fighters getting drawn into the TUF shows as coaches, takes almost forever until they finally fight.
I'm just glad there not tying up the title for the sake of the show again.
RobbyRoy
29 May 2009, 23:05
I want Shogun to have at least one more fight before taking on Machida. Maybe Machida can have Vera or Hamill as drew suggested, winner of that fights Page/Evans and then the winner of that fights the winner of maybe Shogun/Cane.
Jonesy1987
3 Jun 2009, 06:46
Machida is the man, its mind boggling watching him, such pace on the counter, no idea how to beat him.
How Hughes won the fight I'll never know, dominated the second period on the mat but didn't try any submission attempts only switched from half mount to side control, in the third while Hughes was the initiator again, but Serra was the only one trying things on the ground and finished with trip at the end, thought rounds 1 and 3 for sure to Serra :confused:
Chuck Liddell
4 Jun 2009, 12:56
Machida V Shogun has been set for the 24th of October.
Machida V Shogun has been set for the 24th of October.
Dead Horse?