Taking into account Houston's peformance last night, was this fight thrown? Its pretty clear Houston has alot of heart as he hung onto that single leg for dear life despite being badly hurt. He even turned Vale Tudo appearing to fight on instinct with those two headbutts that he wasnt penalised for. He then came back to destroy Soko who just crumbled under the pressure as usual. He's peformances in the UFC were much of the ilk "KO or be KO'ed". He fought Kimbo at catchweight and fought like a dear caught in a cars headlights!? This didnt seem like the same dude who was scrapping on parking lots much the same way Kimbo was? Anyone else reckon the fix was in?
I'd say no just because of how boring the fight was. If it was a work you would think they'd try to stage a KO or something interesting. You'd also figure UFC would keep Houston around, at least for another fight.
Then how do you explain the differences in his peformances pre Kimbo and post Kimbo? We know he's a brawler. But all of a sudden Kimbo puts the fear of god in him when Kimbo has no fighting experience other than some Youtube brawls? Doesnt make much sense to me unless Houston was nursing an injury.
It was an odd fight for sure but if it was a work why would the UFC cut Houston right afterward? You'd think they would keep him around considering the potential media **** storm it would be if it got out that Zuffa was fixing fights.
I think Houston trained with Calib Starnes for that fight, he has his hit and run stategy going and was trying to tap Kimbo's bad leg and then run. People were expecting fireworks for that fight but that sure didn't happen.
**** knows. that was one of the worst fights i've ever seen. and you are right. houston was and still is a pure brawler. very strange.
I just remember thinking that Houston was an idiot for not actually throwing the leg kicks, he was scared for some reason. I don't think it was thrown, I just think he showed that he isn't the best gameplanner, I remember being furious after the fight, both at him and the judges because I thought he did enough to win 2 rounds.