“ How hard was the cut to 205? ” – Joe Rogan
“ Not too bad. ” – Mark Coleman
“ Not too bad. ” – Mark Coleman
I watched UFC 93 after watching Barcelona’s match against Deportivo de la Coruna. Missed out on the first two fights of the main card (Davis vs. Kelly & Kang vs. Belcher).
Totally forgot that UFC 93 was in Europe, I was thinking it was still the usual US timing before the event started, it was by luck that I was checking through Sherdog then suddenly found out on their front page their live Play-By-Play was going through. I was like “Dammit it’s in Dublin I forgot! European timing!”
Luckily when I started watching it they were just starting the Palhares – Horn fight.
Thus this post is my review on the remaining three fights.
Totally forgot that UFC 93 was in Europe, I was thinking it was still the usual US timing before the event started, it was by luck that I was checking through Sherdog then suddenly found out on their front page their live Play-By-Play was going through. I was like “Dammit it’s in Dublin I forgot! European timing!”
Luckily when I started watching it they were just starting the Palhares – Horn fight.
Thus this post is my review on the remaining three fights.
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Rousimar Palhares vs. Jeremy Horn
On Palhares’ performance in the fight, it showed the powerful fighter he is and the strength he possesses in throwing and surplex Horn several times. Man, those were some powerful slams from the smaller guy in the fight!
The time he had Horn and the ground he was pounding away at the American and Palhares managed to held up against a taller fighter.
The negative point to say about Palhares’s performance is that he was unable to finish Jeremy Horn.
On Horn’s performance in the fight, the good point is that he himself held up against Palhares’ threats (especially the Brazilian’s ground duel and submission attempts when they were on the ground) and he managed to bring the fight to a decision. The negative point on Horn though is probably that he couldn’t really do much against or to overpower Palhares. The only thing I remembered that Horn had an advantage over Palhares during the fight was when he mounted on Palhares and looked like and what was commented by Rogan when he seemingly had that arm triangle position and attempt (but did not materialize).
The time he had Horn and the ground he was pounding away at the American and Palhares managed to held up against a taller fighter.
The negative point to say about Palhares’s performance is that he was unable to finish Jeremy Horn.
On Horn’s performance in the fight, the good point is that he himself held up against Palhares’ threats (especially the Brazilian’s ground duel and submission attempts when they were on the ground) and he managed to bring the fight to a decision. The negative point on Horn though is probably that he couldn’t really do much against or to overpower Palhares. The only thing I remembered that Horn had an advantage over Palhares during the fight was when he mounted on Palhares and looked like and what was commented by Rogan when he seemingly had that arm triangle position and attempt (but did not materialize).
Looking at the future of these fighters, I believe that Palhares could get to fight more ‘mid-tier’ competitions (guys who are making ways on becoming among the MW contenders), whereas for Jeremy Horn I think if he still fights with the UFC perhaps they’ll put him on the under card and maybe fight younger fighters.
My Fight Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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Mauricio Rua vs. Mark Coleman
Okay, first thing first. This was not a boring fight (as some forum threads suggest). It was terrible and awful due to the ‘exhaustive’ performance shown by both Coleman and Shogun and at the pace they were going up against each other as the fight progressed into the later rounds, but personally I found it was not boring in either way. I think the first round was the best and most exciting of the fight.
The biggest positive point for Shogun is that he got the win. Other good points to note out are that he was hitting Coleman throughout the rounds. Shogun showed different skill sets from striking (we saw punches, jabs, knees especially from the clinch and kicks, and at the end there was that uppercut that dropped Coleman) and there was his ground positioning and control when both fighters were on the ground. Besides he had that Omaplata attempt at the end of round two. Shogun also was countering Coleman’s wrestling on the ground. Shogun also had good chin in that he was not dropped by Coleman’s punches.
The bad thing about Shogun here? Man, he gassed! He was slow in the second and was terrible in the third round and that usual sloppy striking of his. Not forgetting as the rounds progressed his hands were down and he was getting hit by Coleman. Besides that he was unable to finish Coleman early and there was also the takedowns from the UFC Hall of Famer. The other big negative point was that why did his Omaplata did not materialized? When he was attempting the Omaplata I saw Coleman was just lying on the floor motionless as if he was dead. At that moment the round was finishing so I was unsure whether Shogun really was bad enough in not able to finish the fight then. I’m not even sure whether Coleman even knew that the round was finishing quick.
Coming on to Mark Coleman’s showing; the good thing to say about him was that he made takedowns in bringing Shogun to the floor, he was striking against Shogun and help up against the Brazilian until the eventual KO. Coleman gets some point for his heart in this fight. The bad point: just terrible fighting pace and shape. Coleman was like literally exhausted from halfway of round one up until the end of the fight.
I wouldn’t disagree with the ref’s stoppage of the fight.
Although I would like to say that had the fight ended up in a decision, there would be the surprise chance that Coleman could have won it (swaying on points from the judges as he had Shogun’s back and punching constantly on the Brazilian in the last minutes of the final round), even though in the end I still think that Shogun did more to win (IMO he won the first round). Nonetheless, I think the bad point that both fighters could endure with after this is that they might not be so looked upon in their next fights regardless of who they’ll fight since they were not in the best of fighting shape.
The biggest positive point for Shogun is that he got the win. Other good points to note out are that he was hitting Coleman throughout the rounds. Shogun showed different skill sets from striking (we saw punches, jabs, knees especially from the clinch and kicks, and at the end there was that uppercut that dropped Coleman) and there was his ground positioning and control when both fighters were on the ground. Besides he had that Omaplata attempt at the end of round two. Shogun also was countering Coleman’s wrestling on the ground. Shogun also had good chin in that he was not dropped by Coleman’s punches.
The bad thing about Shogun here? Man, he gassed! He was slow in the second and was terrible in the third round and that usual sloppy striking of his. Not forgetting as the rounds progressed his hands were down and he was getting hit by Coleman. Besides that he was unable to finish Coleman early and there was also the takedowns from the UFC Hall of Famer. The other big negative point was that why did his Omaplata did not materialized? When he was attempting the Omaplata I saw Coleman was just lying on the floor motionless as if he was dead. At that moment the round was finishing so I was unsure whether Shogun really was bad enough in not able to finish the fight then. I’m not even sure whether Coleman even knew that the round was finishing quick.
Coming on to Mark Coleman’s showing; the good thing to say about him was that he made takedowns in bringing Shogun to the floor, he was striking against Shogun and help up against the Brazilian until the eventual KO. Coleman gets some point for his heart in this fight. The bad point: just terrible fighting pace and shape. Coleman was like literally exhausted from halfway of round one up until the end of the fight.
I wouldn’t disagree with the ref’s stoppage of the fight.
Although I would like to say that had the fight ended up in a decision, there would be the surprise chance that Coleman could have won it (swaying on points from the judges as he had Shogun’s back and punching constantly on the Brazilian in the last minutes of the final round), even though in the end I still think that Shogun did more to win (IMO he won the first round). Nonetheless, I think the bad point that both fighters could endure with after this is that they might not be so looked upon in their next fights regardless of who they’ll fight since they were not in the best of fighting shape.
My Fight Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
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Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson
In the first round, Dan Henderson’s punches hit Franklin and they probably did more damage of the round. And there was that moment when Hendo had Franklin pressed against the cage and he was punching at Franklin’s head. The point to say about Franklin in the first round however was that he threw the leg kicks. Franklin however emerged from the round bleeding from some cuts on his head.
The second round had more of a clinching duel about halfway of the fight but it looked as if neither fighter could punish the other much. Afterwards it ended with Hendo getting takedown and being on top of Franklin, controlling and making the strikes (and gaining the points). The third round had some sluggish exchanges between the two. Franklin did more in this round in trying to get more points for himself.
The eye poke that occurred towards the end of the final round and the entire fight was perhaps the biggest negative point of the fight. Who knows whether it could prove substantial enough on the outcome of the fight, considering that the fight was ruled a split decision win for Henderson and the fact that there was 37 seconds left.
Regarding this fight, I think that Hendo is a tough fighter, he emerged unscathed after it ended. He also made the takedowns during the fight. Rich Franklin couldn’t really punish Henderson much.
As of now, Hendo is slated to meet up against Bisping in the future (via The Ultimate Fighter). I think for Franklin however, maybe he’ll get to fight other top 205 fighters who are on losing ends.
The second round had more of a clinching duel about halfway of the fight but it looked as if neither fighter could punish the other much. Afterwards it ended with Hendo getting takedown and being on top of Franklin, controlling and making the strikes (and gaining the points). The third round had some sluggish exchanges between the two. Franklin did more in this round in trying to get more points for himself.
The eye poke that occurred towards the end of the final round and the entire fight was perhaps the biggest negative point of the fight. Who knows whether it could prove substantial enough on the outcome of the fight, considering that the fight was ruled a split decision win for Henderson and the fact that there was 37 seconds left.
Regarding this fight, I think that Hendo is a tough fighter, he emerged unscathed after it ended. He also made the takedowns during the fight. Rich Franklin couldn’t really punish Henderson much.
As of now, Hendo is slated to meet up against Bisping in the future (via The Ultimate Fighter). I think for Franklin however, maybe he’ll get to fight other top 205 fighters who are on losing ends.
My Fight Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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Other thoughts…..
- On Shogun
Being a fan of Mauricio Rua, I can’t help but feel compelled to write on some of my concerns that I have.
Now, he’s got the win, that’s good. It was a good fight (in my eyes) but the cardio shown by Shogun was not good. He’s fighting an ‘old’ guy and he couldn’t finish him early. Besides that, Coleman himself got some moments over Shogun (the takedowns and the punches). The thing is basing on his performance against Coleman, it doesn’t look good should Shogun gets paired up against the other top contenders in the 205 division.
His punching is still sloppy (hands down) and even though his chin held up against Coleman’s punches, it doesn’t look good should he eat punches from the stronger fighters in the division. There might be the moment that (coupled with the fact of his cardio issues) he might get dropped bad in his future fights.
The cardio is really worrying. The knee injuries concern and rehabilitation might’ve played a factor in his fight with Coleman, but worryingly it can still be a big doubt in later fights as well. Wrestling would be another factor; those with good wrestling power would be another uneasy concern for Shogun’s future fights.
I think and strongly hope that Shogun works hard on his cardio and overall shape and pace. If he was non stop relentless like he was in his PRIDE fights then he could still be among the most dangerous fighters in that over talented crowded division in the UFC. And he needs to improve his striking in terms of not inviting for strong counter fighters that are able to inflict real big damage on him.
Now, he’s got the win, that’s good. It was a good fight (in my eyes) but the cardio shown by Shogun was not good. He’s fighting an ‘old’ guy and he couldn’t finish him early. Besides that, Coleman himself got some moments over Shogun (the takedowns and the punches). The thing is basing on his performance against Coleman, it doesn’t look good should Shogun gets paired up against the other top contenders in the 205 division.
His punching is still sloppy (hands down) and even though his chin held up against Coleman’s punches, it doesn’t look good should he eat punches from the stronger fighters in the division. There might be the moment that (coupled with the fact of his cardio issues) he might get dropped bad in his future fights.
The cardio is really worrying. The knee injuries concern and rehabilitation might’ve played a factor in his fight with Coleman, but worryingly it can still be a big doubt in later fights as well. Wrestling would be another factor; those with good wrestling power would be another uneasy concern for Shogun’s future fights.
I think and strongly hope that Shogun works hard on his cardio and overall shape and pace. If he was non stop relentless like he was in his PRIDE fights then he could still be among the most dangerous fighters in that over talented crowded division in the UFC. And he needs to improve his striking in terms of not inviting for strong counter fighters that are able to inflict real big damage on him.
- On Phil Baroni’s ‘cornering’
Oh man, Baroni’s cornering talk was probably about the best thing going on in the Shogun – Coleman fight! In fact, I think it was the best thing going on in the entire event, ha!
"He’s dead tired! He’s dead tired!”
“You won that round!”
“You’re winning the fight!”
“You’re doing awesome!”
“You a warrior, you’re a legend, you’re winning a great fu-king fight!”
“It’s a great fu-king fight you’re gonna fu-king win dude!”
The funny thing was not only the ‘motivational’ stuff Baroni was saying but the matter that when he was saying them Coleman looked liked he was totally lost and none of Baroni’s talk looked as it made any sense to him! “You won that round!”
“You’re winning the fight!”
“You’re doing awesome!”
“You a warrior, you’re a legend, you’re winning a great fu-king fight!”
“It’s a great fu-king fight you’re gonna fu-king win dude!”
But man, it’s still some great talk from Baroni to fire up Coleman nonetheless! Although I don’t think they were that substantial in terms of tactical factor…
Phil Baroni cornering / pushing / motivating Coleman
looking lost...
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