Ok so now we now who will fight in the final 8. What are your predictions. If I could put together the Final 8 this is what it would look like ( plus my predictions ) Badr Hari vs Le Banner (possible for a war will end in a knockout either way) Bonjasky vs Karaev Overeem vs Zimmerman (slugfest) Schilt vs Teixeira Badr Hari vs Bonjasky (crudge match) Overeem vs Schilt (The Beast vs The Giant) Badr Hari vs Overeem
I would like him to win but his boxing game does not seem to have improved at all. Plus Ghita did not show him the respect ( I mean he was not afraid of him ) as Schilts opponents used to be before he got knocked out by Hari. I think with Hari, Overeem, and some more punchers in the Final 8 changes are he will get knocked out again.
Schilt vs Overeem would be great for MMA if Overeem won; an MMA fighter beating both the smaller champ (Hari) and Schilt would finally show to the rest of the world which has been plainly obvious to me for a few years: that K1 strikers, while still obviously better on average, are not even remotely close to bein as much better as they are often thought of and portrayed. K1 level striker no longer automatically means significantly better striker than a good MMA striker. Not just in MMA, where they have to be worried about the rest of the game, but even in just straight up striking. Due to the shrinking talent pool and aging of the old greats, the gap is getting smaller and smaller by the day.
And this isn't what a lot of people will label it as; it's not me hating on strikers, which I honestly don't think I do. The same thing applies to ADCC and Mundial champs being outgrappled, wrestlers getting taken down, guys with boxing pedigrees getting KO'd with punches. Just proud of how MMA is becoming better at everything.
Schilt vs Overeem would indeed be awesome. But for either Schilt or Overeem to beat Hari it really depends on what round of the tournament they wil meet. I don't see Overeem beating Hari if they meet in the final. In the fight against Aerts Overeem was already looking for breath. Now how will that play out if he has to fight Hari in the final?
The actual line-up for the Final 8 which they made today is... Ruslan Karaev vs Badr Hari Alistair Overeem vs Ewerton Teixeira Jerome Le Banner vs Semmy Schilt Errol Zimmerman vs Remy Bonjasky
Thats not a bad draw. The last time Hari and Karaev fought it was a exciting fight, so I don't mind a rematch. I think Overeem is in the easier half of the draw, I still don't see him getting into the final though. I'm hoping to see a Hari vs Overeem rematch in the semis. Zimmerman vs Bonjasky could be interesting and Schilt will probably beat Le Banner.
Nice draw. All the top fighters have chosen a beatable opponent except for Bonjasky of course. I am afraid poor Teixeira is going trough the meat grinder. The think the final will be between either Hari/Schilt or Overeem/Schilt. A rematch in the final between Hari/Schilt would be most interesting.
Remy didn't have to either. He was 4th up and could have chosen an empty bracket but Zimmerman called him out and Bonjasky accepted. I still expect Bonjasky to win even though Zimmerman is my favourite fighter in the tourney atm. (the fight that is, not the GP)
I know. I like Zimmerman as well. seems to have a nice personality and is a spectacular fighter. I favour Bonjasky 60/40 when they fight. Zimmerman has more then a fair change.
My predictions for the Final 8 KARAEV VS BADR HARI Hari by KO. This a rematch between these two fighters. Last time Hari knocked Karaev out seconds after being knocked down himself. I think Karaev will come out swinging for the fences hoping to land something on Hari's chin since that will be his only options to win the fight, or even to end the fight standing on his feet. If Karaev knocks Hari down like he did last time tough, Hari's changes of winning the Final 8 will get smaller. OVEREEM VS TEIXEIRA Overeem will demolish Teixeira. KO1 LE BANNER VS SCHILT Schilt by stoppage or injury. Le Banner should not be to hard of a opponent for Schilt. Le Banner is one dimensional although he will come to fight. Hari did lay out the blue print to beat Schilt. Just bring the fight to him and knock him out whit faster and better boxing technique which really is Schilt's weak point. Hari was not the first to beat Schilt that way. Aerts has beat him yhat way before and it has been done in MMA also. Altough not imposible I just don't think Le Banner can pull it off and Schilt will punish him with knee's when he comes inside. Plus Le Banner is prone to injury's. ZIMMERMAN VS BONJASKY Bonjasky UD 5. Bonjasky is the best technical kick boxer of all fighters in the Final 8. And I think he will be a little to fundamental sound to get beaten by Zimmerman altough not impossible. I favor Bonjasky 60/40 to win the fight wich will 3, 4, or 5 competitive rounds. HARI VS OVEREEM Overeem by KO. Another rematch for Hari. One that he did lose last time. Based on the outcome of there last meeting plus Overeem having the easier oponent in the 1/4 Final I think Overeem will win. SCHILT VS BONJASKY Schilt by stoppage. Schilt is probably the worst opponent possible for Bonjasky. Bonjasky never has shown that he has a answer to beat the towering Schilt and has been beaten by Schilt in humiliating fashion before. Also Bonjasky has the most competitive oponent in the 1/4 final. OVEREEM vs SCHILT Very interesting Final. Schilt can be beaten by powerfull punchers. And Overeem is that and willing to trade. On the other hand Schilt might be the only opponent that Overeem might not be able to manhandle in the clinch. Overeems best weapons are his strenght and knees, wich happen to be strong weapons in schilt's arsenal also. I pick Schilt to win the Final. Because Schilt has done it 3 times before already and Overeem is knew to the scene. Antother thing is that i have my doubts if Overeems stamina will hold out over three fights on one night.
Is it just me or doesnt anyoen else get bored of the same K1 merrigoround? Its the same fighters year in year out with the same fights again and again.
