Sanchez standup has improved greatly but not to the point where hes on a Thaigo Alves level whos probablly the best striker at 170 or in his case 174. Alves takedown defense seems to be real solid so I expect this to be a brawl a real war but Alves has the advantage its one thing to dominant Fuorvanti standing and another to do it to Alves. Sanchez chin seems to be amazing but it may get to him latter if he takes enough damage. Alves UD or late stoppage. Good fight though the winner should defientally get the title shot if Penn doesnt.
Alves/Sanchez is going to be an awesome fight. This has me pumped up for some odd reason. My money is on Alves.
Yeah, I don't know if he can. If Hughes couldn't take him down I don't see how Sanchez will, and even if he does Sanchez isn't a big 170 so who knows if he can get it done even on the ground. I'll take Alves.
Sanchez and Hughes are completly different though. Sanchez is a much improved striker and alot more agressive then Hughes he might be able to make Alves think more about what Sanchez is attempting to do and maybe even force him into mistakes. Matt Hughes is just passive anymore he basically stands around for a minute throws 1-2 leg kicks that dont land then shoots from about 15 feet away. Hughes in his prime was a monster and had alot more aggression.
If Sanchez was in the ring with hughes last time out he'd have KTFO Hughes too. Hughes is shot but his lack of striking has really been exposed too now. I actually think Sanchez is going down hill too tbh. I once thought Sanchez could be the real deal but i'm not so sure anymore tbh.
Hughes isnt shot. The rest of MMA athletes have evolved. Hughes hasnt. His just a nice country boy who loves nothing more than to read his bible go hunting and wrestle. MMA is now shifting away from the ground game to accomplished strikers and fighters who can literally do it all. Hughes only used to win by over powering his opponents pounding them into the mat or submitting then. He has zero stand up boxing Muay Thai Kick boxing skills whatsover.Once his physical advantages are negated his useless if the bout remains standing.Even his Jujitsu hasnt evolved that much either.
well put, his gameplan is the same and if you can stop his takedowns you win....it's that simple. his last 3 losses to GSP and Alves wern't just loses they were brutal beatings. I even think Serra will give him a dam good match.
UFC has officially announced 3 more fights for this event. Sokoudjou v Luiz Cane Dan Hardy v Akihiro Gono Shane Carwin v Neil Wain Also with Sanchez vs Alves and Marcus Davies vs Paul Kelly being talked for this event this could turn out to be a good card. This event is starting to me of UFC 85, not many of the top fighters fighting but it has lots of good/decent competitive matchups. I am really surprised they are giving Gono to Hardy for his UFC debut, I thought they would have at least tryed to build him up a bit.
UFC 89 update: The Sanchez vs Alves fight has been moved to UFC 90. Keith Jardine has said he will be fighting Brandon Vera on this card. Was hoping Vera will fight Wand but this is still a decent fight. I wonder who they will give Wand now? If Franklin beats Hamill, thats is the only potential opponent I can think off. I also read that there is a possiblity that the Silva vs Cote title fight could take place on this card.
This 89 card looks awful and theres a PPV coming the next week so im assuming 89 may be just a free Spike card like 70 and 75.
The plan is to show it on spike. The card is far from awful, for a spike tv show I think its a quality card. The main card may look something like this: Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva Keith Jardine vs. Brandon Vera Luiz Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy There are also a few decent fights on the prelims. Also the Silva vs Cote fight could be thrown onto this card.
