Comments on: Nate Marquardt Crushes Demian Maia At UFC 102

By: edub

edub — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:28:05 +0000

I agree with everything Rich said except I think the Rich fight was extremely close.

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:58:42 +0000

I don’t understand why everyone’s opinions on Hendo have changed..

He seems like same old Hendo to me.. He came in and lost to Rampage.. OK, that’s reasonable.. Rampage was the best fighter in the division when that happened, and he still is (right behind Machida, of course).. besides, he looked great in that fight IMO.. Then he goes on to face Anderson.. I won’t touch on that because it’s ANDERSON FREAKING SILVA.. Since then, he’s looked great.. He beat Rousimar, who, I think will be fighting for the title within the next 2 years.. Then, he beat Franklin.. Maybe I need to rewatch that but I still don’t think it was THAT close.. and finally, he destroyed Bisping..

He doesn’t seem that much different to me.. He still throws bombs, he still uses that mean, brute force to get guys to the ground, and he still dominates his fights..

By: Bullylover

Bullylover — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:21:40 +0000

i say just throw Nate and Dan in the octagon and let the chips fall were they fall. No doubt they both deserve title shots but not everyone gets what they deserve. To be honest Henderson doesn’t seem like the great fighter that he was in pride. Henderson is without a doubt a legend and has fought only the best in the world but he seems to be close to the twighlight of his career soon. Remember this guy has been fighting the same time as randy coutoure and maqny fighters from that time peroid are now the “then” generation of fighters. Henderson has fought solid competition since in the ufc and still has what it takes to be a great fighter. But do you really see him being MW champion and ruling for a long time. His striking looks poor compared to fighters such as marquardt,rampage, others.this being said i wish henderson all the luck in the world.He will always be an icon in mma.

By: hindsightufuk

hindsightufuk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:50:08 +0000

its either or really isnt it. i would begrudge either of them a shot at Anderson. i think Nate stands a better chance, but Dan is Dan, he’s like Randy, never count him out

By: edub

edub — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:35:21 +0000

Now you guys are gonna hate on me for this, but if one or the other had to fight Anderson I think it should be Hendo. Hear me out.

“I believe that THREE STRAIGHT DOMINATING KNOCKOUTS over guys like Kampmann, Gouveia, and Maia make Nate TRULY DESERVING of a title shot.. I mean, he knocked out Kampmann and Maia (neither of which had ever been knocked out previously) in a combined time of LESS THAN TWO MINUTES, and striking isn’t even his strong suit!
That’s scary..”

This is a great post by Rich S. so I just figured rather than listing Nates attributes Id just latch on to urs.

Now for Hendo.

After the Anderson fight he fought Rousimar Palhares. He did what he was supposed to do and beat him in a decision. Rousimar is a great fighter and hasnt really had the ability to showcase his skills agains top tier opponents yet(Although the armbar on Salaverry was sweet.)

In his last fight against Bisping he knocked a guy out who had never been knocked out before, and has shown heart to claw his way back into fights he was losing.(Hamil, Rashad). No one had dominated Bisping like that and Hendo made it look easy.

The Franklin fight is the one that puts dan over the top for me. Rich is a guy who IMO is the second best MW in the world and I think he proved it with solid wins over Lutter, Okami, and Macdonald. I know for a fact that Id still bet on Rich in a rematch with Hendo or a match up with Marquardt for that matter. But Hendo beat him. He didnt look dominating when he did it(and the eye poke in the third round might have saved the fight for him) but he still got the W.

Hopefully we wont have to see either get shafted and let em fight for the spot.

By: hindsightufuk

hindsightufuk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:10:50 +0000

watch a fighter evolve

By: hindsightufuk

hindsightufuk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:10:10 +0000

gotta agree with Rich, i think Nates recent performances have been awesome, his striking has become top notch and its a pleasure to watch a fight evolve. people will soon forget he is a scary submission grappler. as long as he doesnt forget he’ll go far

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:03:30 +0000

BigDave, You think Silva’s just coasting and taking easy fighters?

I don’t think ANYBODY wanted to see him fight Cote, or Leites, but at the time, they were the only contenders available for the shot.. So, he took the fights..

And I would like to think it’s safe to say that those were the only fights that would warrant the belief that he’s coasting..

After all, before that he had 5 straight fights over guys like Lutter (who, although undeserving in some eyes, posed some problems), Franklin, Marquardt, and Henderson..

And before you mention James Irvin, he IS quite the solid fighter, and it was Spider’s first fight at 205 in the UFC.. As for Forrest, he was a former champ and Anderson’s second fight in that division..

Now, back on topic,
I like Nate and Hendo, and I want both of them to get title shots..
Hendo beat the bigger names in Franklin and Bisping, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get the shot..

But honestly, I believe that THREE STRAIGHT DOMINATING KNOCKOUTS over guys like Kampmann, Gouveia, and Maia make Nate TRULY DESERVING of a title shot.. I mean, he knocked out Kampmann and Maia (neither of which had ever been knocked out previously) in a combined time of LESS THAN TWO MINUTES, and striking isn’t even his strong suit!
That’s scary..

By: edub

edub — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:37:11 +0000

Everybody’s entitled to their opinion but I think Silva can pretty much do whatever he wants.

“it seems like Anderson “showboat” Silva wants nothing to do with top level opponents in any weightclass.”

I know you joke around alot Dave but you cant really believe this. He just went up a weight class and took on a top three opponent. I think hed rather them fight first because it would make a clear cut number one contender. I doubt he would wanna fight another Cote or Leites so going up in weight to fight somewhat meaningful matches in the mean time makes since. There are fights for him at LHW or HW that would be great.(Ex. Anderson vs. Crocop or Anderson vs. Vera).

There are many options for fights with the greatest fighter in the world, and he has earned the right to be the one who makes the decisions.

By: moosebaby02

moosebaby02 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:25:51 +0000

who they put in front of Silva is not his fault and as for Machida vs Silva if that fight ever happens between two best friedns i see Silva destroying Machida. Silva has a better offensive attack then Machida so far as for what i have seen from both of them

By: Jstew3785

Jstew3785 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:33:50 +0000

BigDave- Is it Silva’s fault that he is just that good and makes everyone look bad? Does he get to pick his opponents? Forrest Griffin is a former LHW champ, is that not top level competition? Sorry man, but you are way off base here. I understand you don’t like Silva and I respect that, but the rest of what you said is just nonsense.

By: BigDave

BigDave — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:21:14 +0000

I can honestly say I didnt see it going the way it did but hats off to Nate he did what he had to do caught Maia getting careless wiht his hands down and lights out. Nate vs Hendo could be a great fight but I think it could be for a vacated title because it seems like Anderson “showboat” Silva wants nothing to do with top level opponents in any weightclass. I used to really like Silva but over his last 4-5 fights I’ve lost ever bit of respect for him. He is just coasting collecting paychecks for fighting guys that have no buisness being in the same ring as him. I’m hoping they feed Silva to Machida and he gets absolutely anilatied.

By: Angry Mike

Angry Mike — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:03:35 +0000

Devastating ko of Maia, but that means nothing for a rematch with Silva. Everybody knew going into the Maia/Marquardt fight that Marquardt is a better striker than Maia, and everybody knows that Silva is a better striker than Marquardt. And Marquardt’s and Silva’s bjj skills cancel one another, so it’s unlikely the fight would stay on the ground for any length of time. Better to have a Marquardt v. Henderson fight before throwing either of them back in with Silva.

By: moosebaby02

moosebaby02 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:33:25 +0000

I would have loved to see this one go a little farther then it did. I had Mia only cause I thought he would some how get it to the ground. What a great punch. I see maybe Hendo getting a shot first before Nate cause of his KO over an unproven Bisbing but who am I to say anything. Nate deserves “THE” shot at the spider cause of his growth since losing the last time against Anderson. This would be a great match up. Nate is looking sick on his feet. Where Hendo just looks like the same guy with on punch. Okami I love and is no push over but he likes the judges to much and to me has no killer instinct. Before Anderson gives away his MW belt and im with you on the vacant thing Jstew3785 just not yet cause a fight with Nate would be to great to pass up. I say let them go at it and if Nate wins and that’s a BIG IF then Anderson can move up if he wants to eventually fight his best friend and if Anderson wins then he can give up his belt and move up to eventually fight his best friend.

By: Jstew3785

Jstew3785 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:35:50 +0000

Exactly Sergio. I don’t think Marquardt will beat Silva, but he does stand the best chance. I have a hunch that Marquardt and Hendo will be fighting for the vacant MW title…..

By: Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:31:52 +0000

Hendo is still the same fighter that lost to Silva 18 months ago.

Marquardt has vastly improved in the two years since his failed title bid. I want THIS rematch.

By: fanoftna33

fanoftna33 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:05:38 +0000

I think if Maia stays at MW and keeps improving his striking he will be a top 3 guy or champ in a year or two.

By: hindsightufuk

hindsightufuk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:03:32 +0000

i honestly dont think Dan can beat silva anymore, i just dont think he has it in him. dont get me wrong i love the guy, he’s a legend, but i dont see any difference from the first fight, except maybe it wouldnt last as long.
I really think Nate has the best chance

By: MMA-LOGIC

MMA-LOGIC — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:53:21 +0000

Honestly guys if Maia can’t take you down he has nothing to offer, why did you think this was going to be a great fight. Maia will never be a true contender except in BJJ, a shame but it is true.
If you want to know who should fight Anderson next I would say someone with a good take down/wrestling and sub defense like Hendo, Okami.

By: Batman

Batman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:19:57 +0000

Nate should get the next title shot then henderson will get his