Comments on: Postcard from the Couch: The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale

By: LMG

LMG — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:34:10 +0000

chief , I am aware he trains in MMA. Matter of fact, he often trains with a former boss of mine. Which is why I would have preferred to see him doing a bit in a gym as opposed to in the stands, where it came off as boring. Seeing James and his un-Tony Atlas-like body in the gym would have been a treat…and a surprise for those who didn’t know he has skills. And, not to mention, funny.

By: chief

chief — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:06:54 +0000

Although you may be right, Kevin James does train in mma with Randy Couture so the guy does know what he’s talking about but I see your point.

By: buzzcramp

buzzcramp — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:41:02 +0000

I guess I’m in the minority, but I wanted Junie to kick ass. Especially Kaplan’s ass, whom I find to be much more annoying than Junie.

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:37:42 +0000

“David Kaplan walking to the Octagon and dancing to “Tenderness” by General Public in sunglasses and bling was fantastic.”

To each his own, I guess, but I went into the night like everyone else wanting to see Junie get his @$$ beat but after seeing this terribly cheesey display by Kaplan, I was rooting for Junie to slap the “Diamond Cutter” on Diamond Dave Kaplan.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:39:59 +0000

definitely a much better format. finally glad to see the time table gone.

By: Grappo

Grappo — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:42:38 +0000

What is the correct way to pronounce Efrain and Magalhaes? I heard them said about 10 different ways during the show, and on TUF. That drives me crazy! Almost as crazy as when Bruce Buffer tries to say Massachusetts and Tacoma.

By: Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:46:27 +0000

“ne has to wonder if Junie was as good as he was this night, if he wouldn’t have beaten “Made in Mexico” Efrian. Expect a rematch in the near future…”

They’ll hold off, at least for a year, depending on how each’s career go. Look at Griffin/Bonnar.

“I was disappointed by Nover’s loss in that I really think he is more talented than Efrain. ”

I felt the same way. I didn’t really keep up with this season but I had my DVR set up to record every episode. Before watching the Finale, I watched the episode each finalist has fought in, and Nover impressed me the most. You are right, however, in saying a gameplan can overcome almost any disadvantage. Escudero impressed the hell out of me, reading Nover’s stand up and taking him down at will.

Nover, no doubt, has a future in the UFC but definitely has to work on his takedown defense.

By: Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:36:10 +0000

“Rogan did have one rare misstep though. Before the Nover/Escudero fight, Goldberg set up Rogan into talking about Escudero, to which Rogan responded by saying, “…Dana White has said that he looks like Anderson Silva at 155 pounds.” Of course, Rogan had meant to say this about Nover. Goldberg, however, smoothly corrected Rogan without making him look bad. A minor slip indeed – but hey, I’m a perfectionist, alright?”

I noticed that too. Rogan clarified himself but it got me confused, not having watched this season or kept up with the gossip.

Great analysis, I always enjoy reading your columns.

And yes, the FFTT Fight Night was exceptionally done.

By: darkmetal

darkmetal — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:31:00 +0000

I actually thought this event was better than usual. My evidence?

Junie Browning coming off as the fighter we all expected him to be (but never was) during the season of TUF. One has to wonder if Junie was as good as he was this night, if he wouldn’t have beaten “Made in Mexico” Efrian. Expect a rematch in the near future…

The Bader/Vinnie fight was the defining fight for me. Everyone, including myself, expected Vinnie to get the fight to the ground and find a way to sub Ryan ASAP. It was a surprise when we found out just how powerful Bader is when he drops and almost KO’s Vinnie even during a blocked punch. This was the fight that Big Nog wanted and the fight went the way he wanted, and against an upstart foolish enough to demean Nog’s BJJ. How sweet it is!

I was disappointed by Nover’s loss in that I really think he is more talented than Efrain. However, it just goes to show you if you have a good gameplan you can win against a superior fighter. I think if Nover had a bit more experience, he would have been able to apply feints to get Efrain to duck down and blasted him with uppercuts. He didn’t, and he lost. So it goes.