According to Ariel Helwani's twitter there will be a story on mmafighting.com about how they've agreed to fight at ufc 123. Who you got? I would have picked BJ before the two Edgar fights but Hughes has picked up a couple of wins whilst BJ has lost and now I'm not sure who to pick.
Damn it, I unfortunately see Hughes losing this, he is past his physical best, although still incredibly skilled. How about another Renzo protegee?
This is an interesting fight. I think people were ready to write Hughes off when he lost 3 out of 4 fights. Those 3 losses, 2 to Pierre and 1 to Alves, were to two of the division's best. Now Hughes is on a 3 fight win streak, and has me wondering if he could be the next Randy Couture. What I mean by that is I am wondering if he can overcome aging by adding to his skill set. Hughes striking is noticeably better recently.
I want to believe, I really do. I just don't know though, I notice little things like Almeida being able to push him away a few times, that wouldn't have happened before. Here's hoping I'm wrong.
I don't know that I would pick him over BJ. With no title at stake, it's going to be scheduled for 3 rounds. Hughes has a chance to decision Penn, but I think a 3 round fight favors BJ. I'm just saying I don't believe Hughes is shot. I think that his arsenal will allow him to be competitive with the best for some time. I think he can hang with most people in the welterweight top 10, and maybe knock off a top 5 guy here and there.
I hope you are right. I wouldn't want Hughes to beat BJ, but I would like a strong and resurgent Hughes performing well in big fights again. The guy is a legend, I very much hope he becomes another Couture and not another Liddell, in terms of late-career form.
I hope BJ chokes him out agian. Difficult fight to pick Hughes being past his physically prime means little to me as phyiscally ill always believe BJ is the better athlete and more skilled fighter this is why he proved to be a much better fighter in the 1st fight and in the first 2 rounds of the rematch. However Hughes has what BJ cant seem to gain and thats the natural size and strength of a legitmate Welterweight and much better conditoning. You know Hughes will be the same fighter in round 3 as he is in round 1 I doubt BJ will be. I think BJ can keep it standing as Matt has a much slower shot then the really fast Frank Edgar and BJ is a good level or two above Matt on the feet I can see him winning by a slower paced decision or even a stoppage but I think BJ's best fight is to follow what he did in 04. BJ has underatted takedowns and Hughes although a great wrestler isnt exactly perfect in his takedown defense, Serra put him on his back quite easily. Outstrike Hughes, try and get the fight to the ground, GNP and use your superior Jiujitsu skills. Hughes is probably best off driving for doubles or singles, pushing BJ into the cage and trying to wear him out. Making a prediction now ill go with BJ RNC in round 2 but im not confident to be honest. Cant wait for this fight though.
I dunno. BJ either got outclassed or he has aged and couldn't get his shots or timing right. Hughes looks to have revitalised himself but he is still past his physical best. Interesting fight IF BJ comes in shape.
You can just watch BJ's training and tell he lacks the intensity and focus of some of the other top fights in the sport. The guy trains hard but not as hard as anyone like you see with fellas like Couture, GSP, Hughes and many others. To fight at Welterweight it just looks like BJ does his normal routine but just doesnt cut any weight.
I disagree alittle bit. Ive never felt like BJ really looked like **** in his 4 UFC Welterweight fights. GSP I he looked pretty good but lost a close decision now in the rematch he looked like he didnt belong anywhere near that cage. Vs Hughes remember he destroyed him the 1st time and won the first 2 rounds before gassing and suffering a broken rib in the rematch. Is he the same fighter as a Lightweight ? No but hes done VERY well vs Hughes in his 2 previous fights vs him at 170 no reason to believe he cant pull out a victory. Whether he will or not is up for debate obviously.
I agree with a lot of what you said. However Hughes proved he has the formula to beat Penn. He was the first man to stop him and stop him brutally. As you pointed out, BJ won the first 2 rounds with Hughes in the rematch, but as that fight turned out, all Hughes needed was to win 1 round and he put him away. BJ threw an arsonal at Hughes but he weathered the storm and kept pushing while Penn ran out of gas. BJ's gas tank at 170 is suspect and he's lost his last 2 fights there by stoppage. I don't think its impossible for Penn to win, but Hughes looks pretty tough right now, and I think his hands are just as good as BJ's right now with a little bit better Boxing mentality like head movement, call me crazy. I see Hughes getting up for this fight like he does against a Gracie and a Gracie representative. This is gonna be very interesting. I can't wait.
Sorry dude, Coleman belongs in a retirement home for the elderly. Hughes is still formidable for anyone. Couture vs Coleman is a pathetic comparison.