How do you see it going down? If Sherk implies his usual gameplan, he's an idiot IMO, as Aoki is about the worst possible matchup for him. But could Sherk avoid the ground altogether and outbox Aoki? Or would Aoki be able to pull guard or clinch effectively? I'd favor Aoki.
Aoki would have one hell of a time trying to take sherk down. And Aoki isn't exactly that comfortable their either as you saw by his fight with JZ. Sherk UD on the feet.
aoki doesn't need to take you down to submit u. He is the only fighter to ever perform a standing armbar and could get it very easy on sherk.
that's pretty much what i was thinking as soon as i read the title of this thread.. Aoki is a very particular fighter. His latest fight just reconfirms this too. He pulls some rather acrobatic moves , constantly tries to pull sub moves but not like most fighters...his style is very awkward imo.
Just saw the fight.. . I see alot of guys talking about these two in BJs category..especially JZ.. Newsflash.. BJ will put these two in the hospital and Bj will be spending the rest of the night at Taco Bell.
It wasn't really an intentional armbar, he uses that as a throw alot, it just so happened to snap the guys arm. I think Sherk, with his short arms and brutal style, would bust up and bloody Aokis face from the guard and eventually get a stoppage.
That's like saying Anderon Silva isn't comfortable on his feet, as shown by his fight with Rich Franklin.
I agree. It looked like Aoki was trying a variation on a judo throw/sweep - and it just wrenched the guy's elbow incidentally. I'm not knowledgable in judo but perhaps someone more familar with the art could offer some insight.
I'd favor Aoki based on his arsenal that would negate most if not all of Seans strengths. Sherk will resort to wrestling at some point and lose, despite the fact that he would train for standup. Hope i make sense as i have a pounding headache.
Actually I was a little behind on Dream and hadn't seen the second fight as of my first post haha. I was talking about the first fight. However, I do think a fight with sherk would be a lot different due to the change in venue. Aoki in the UFC would be a different aoki imho. Bye bye lycra pants for extra friction (if you've grappled with a gi you know how much they help late in a fight reducing slippage from sweat), and add elbows on the ground. That right there is enough to make the ground side of his game not as effective. What I was getting at is I don't see Aoki KOing anyone on the feet anytime soon. Sherk has what it takes to win this fight it comes down to if he could implement the gameplan and pull it off. Its a tough one to call. Aoki is very very talented.
Very tough fight but I would expect Sherk to pull through in the end. Not sure how but I definetly think he edges it.
