Nog has solid boxing skills. He won Bronze at the Pan America Games tourny and iv seen him in a fair few amatuer bouts boxing for Brazil. On the mat or standing up Forrest doesnt have a chance. People need to start realising pronto that this guy really isnt a fraction as good as his made out to be popular or not.
I've seen the fight. It was a great performance but timing is more a display of intelligence. Knowing what to throw, when to throw, gauging someones movements, rythm etc Silva is on that level. Forrest has faced good strikers in Jackson, Rua etc but they failed to time him. The level of timing Silva had was frightening that night. Not sure if Nog has that level. If he does, he is special.
With wins over 3 of the best 205ers ever I don't think anyone can really say he isn't very good. Jackson, Rua and Ortiz on anyones record is pretty damn good. The guy has solid Muay Thai and BJJ skills. He has wholes as he is herky jerky standing up, can be taken down, I don't think I've seen great top game etc BUT he's got moves to upset the apple cart. He's done it a good few times now.
His top game is solid he mounted Rampage and when that happened I figured with Rampage's strength he would shake Forrest off but Forrest had a good base and keep that mount for nearly the entire 2 round. Forrest mounted Shogun and finished him with the RNC although Shogun was badly gassed its an impressive feat. I like Forrest Jiujitsu game overall his sweeps are good to he swept Tito in the rematch which I dont recall anyone ever sweeping Tito. Overall id say his guard isnt a strong point he doesnt control posture and takes GNP beatings and I think his submission attempts are very slowed and telegraphed plus if I remember correctly he tried hooking the wrong leg when he had Rampage in a Triangle. That said this is a good BJJ fighter while Rogerio Nogueira is on an elite level.
I think Forrest Griffin's greatest asset is those roundhouse kicks. It basically won him the Tito rematch and the Rampage fight 2 of his 3 greatest wins.
I totally forgot about Griffin spending the whole round on Jackson. He's pretty much a jack of all trades with no overwhelming talent in speed, strength, power etc His size is really his strong point as he is tall, rangey, heavily muscled and really a heavyweight losing nearly 20pounds! Standing, it's the herky jerky style, bouncing on his toes, head up etc that can be exposed massively. Silva knew it would be non stop punches to set up his roundhouses. The rest was history.
When you really look at his weakness standing is almost the same weakness on the ground. Off his back I think he does things wide he doesnt keep guys close enough to him so he leaves a big target and takes punishment Tito cracked him with elbows in both fights, had recovered for the most part vs Jardine but the GNP finished him and of course GNP is how Evans took away his title. Standing like you mentioned his head is up straight and he leaves a target for clean and flush shots.
Cannot wait to see Lil Nog again, he's certainly one of my favorite fighters. Shogun vs. Nog 1 :thumbsup
rua was a wreck, so that shouldnt really be mentioned. To me, Rampage is overrated and his footwork is quite slow. He doesnt present the same movement/footwork that lil nog is bringing and its not even close. That is the key difference, rogerio will close the distance much quicker and be out the pocket, before forest gets a chance. as said, i dont think the difference will be as in the silva fight, but i got a hunch it will be close to.