Support NeoGAF

[Biff Hardbody]

I'm sure most of the guys who follow Pride already know this, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT. This is awesome. Is this really set to fight? I saw pics of them at a press conference, so it must be...but God damn. This is so much better then Silva fighting some can. If he beats Hunt he''s a sure canidate for fighter of the year. Taking on the much larger Hunt. Inexperienced or not, Hunt is scary with such small gloves.

Sorry Boogie, I just had to post about this. OMGOMGOMG.

 

[Boogie]

You're forgiven, Biff.

Yeah, awesome matchup. Beats the hell out of Silva beating the hell out of Sakuraba, that's for sure.

 

[shuri]

Too bad its schedule on the 31th. I would totally pay for that, but noooo, they have to schedule it on that date, fruitcakes. You dont watch ufc with your fucking granda and aunts

 

[Asbel]

Did you just call Sakuraba a can? :lol

Too bad it looks like I won't be able to catch Hunt vs Silva and the rest of this great card though.

 

[KiNeSiS]

Silva is a beast, he knocks everyone out.

The best kickboxers weren't able to knock hunt out.
He has an Iron Chin, much like rocky marciano.

He's a giant grizzly bear new zealander.

Hunt

V

Silva

But the ax murderer is the champ for a reason

 

[Boogie]

Did you just call Sakuraba a can? :lol

Against Wanderlei, Sakuraba is a can, I'm afraid.

Too bad its schedule on the 31th. I would totally pay for that, but noooo, they have to schedule it on that date, fruitcakes. You dont watch ufc with your fucking granda and aunts

It's airing in North America on Jan. 2, actually.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

I wasn't calling Sakuraba a can. I have great respect for him, and can say I am genuinely relieved he doesn't have to fight Silva again and run the risk of getting severely injured. What I was referring to was Pride tossing Silva some relatively obscure journeyman fighter like they have done a good portion of his career. He could have done that, and no one would have gotten on his case after the barn burner he had with Rampage. But he goes and takes on Mark fucking Hunt. Mad respect to Silva one way or another.

 

[Asbel]

Ok, I interpreted it wrong. Sakuraba is great. Hopefully he'll realized a 4th rematch isn't necessary. Even if he wins, it'll just be a 1-3 record so he and the mma community will still have doubts.

Silva is a great man in and out of the ring. I hope he takes Hunt out.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

How does Silva beat Hunt? That's what I'm thinking about. Silva is a BJJ black belt, but the last guy I remember him subbing is Dirty Bob. Keep in mind that Yoshida had a hard time with the massive Hunt, and grappling is Yoshi's bread and butter. So, whats left for Silva? Play tenative and go for a decision. Maybe, but you got to gfigure at some point Hunt will force the action.

When he does, its going to be very rough for Wanderlei. He's used to going out there and throwing wild punches, getting the better of an exchange. But come on, Sakuraba made him stumble from punches. What will Hunt do to him if he connects? And he will if SIlva goes for an exchange.

This is not even counting in the weight difference which is BIG. I think the only thing Silva has going for himhere is his aura of invincibility and Hunts realtive new experience in MMA. I don't mean to make it so cut and dry, but those are his big pluses that strike out at me in this matchup. Silva may be able to pull out a sub or play it smart like he did with Crocop and get a decisionn, but man...this will be a very hard fight for him that he has huge balls to take.

I'm not sure of who wins just yet, I'll save that for Boogie's thread.

 

[Vinzer Deling]

I was looking forward to a Sak-Silva IV and prayed to god that Saku pulled the major upset and retired with that win.

 

[EviLore]

I was both hoping for saku/silva 4 and dreading the prospect of it. I'd love to see Saku pull an insane win out and retire in the spotlight, but the reality is that he doesn't have much of a chance.

I also realize that Hunt's one strong mother, but I wasn't really impressed with his physique in the yoshida fight. Haven't watched him outside of Pride events, so...does he have any sort of cardio with that monster stomach of his? If Mark has great punching power, excellent kickboxing technique, and a solid chin...but little in MMA-style striking, takedown defense, or grappling ability in general...I don't think Wanderlei's fighting an impossible cause. Yeah, Wandy hasn't subbed anyone in a long time, but it looks like he has the advantage in speed, range of striking ability, an obvious acclimation to the Pride match structure, and yes, that aura of invincibility.

It'll be interesting, definitely, but I see Santa Wanderlei dismantling Mark Hunt in a long match unless he takes an unlucky shot to the chin while Mark is fresh.

 

[Biff Hardbody]

EvilLore, I hear you about Sak. I wanted him to win in some amazing fashion, but I am glad he did not fight because I think Silva could cripple him with a 4th epic beating. I'm happy it got a change, and despite his losses, Sak is still the man.

You should check out Hunt taking on Sefo, Lebanner, and Crocop in K-1 if you want to see why Hunt is held in such high regard. With Sefo he exchanged several heavy combinations and both men just stood there smiling, tough bastards. With crocop he took a full force high kick from him that did send Mark down, but then he just got up and smiled at him. This is the same kick that has brutally KOed every guy it's connected with in MMA. He had 3 wars with Lebanner that showcased his toughness and punching power.

Its true, he looks like a tub. But, he has had the cardio to do a slew of K-1 matches, some to decision and he also showed he had enough cardio to have a nearly 300+ man lie on him for 10 minutes and get up and end him with a punch. Hunt doesn't get by on cardio, but he's had enough to win the fights he has.

Cardio could be a factor. MMA is different, especially against Wandy. Remember though, Hunt is not just some big punching bag. He's got a Fujita chin or better (most would say better), has a body type that is hard to sub/takedown, and he also hits very hard with those small gloves. I don't think this is a good matchup for Silva. You have to remember, as good a MMA striker as Wandy is, Hunt has faced all sorts of strikers who are above Wandy's level. Can Wandy clinch and knee Mark like he does with everyone else? Maybe, but then Mark takes one and powers out of it. After that, well...I'm just reminded of Wandy stumbling in various fights from far less powerful hitters then Hunt. Wandy will not recover from one of Hunts punches, that I do not see happening. This isn't Sakuraba or Henderson hitting him, its 270+ former K-1 champion.

Don't think I'm counting Wandy out. He certainly has the edge in experience, and that could be the key to this. He's also shown he has the potential to end some of his fights with sub, he just works for the KO. Finally, he looks the best I've ever seen him. I've got so much respect for him for taking this fight, even if Hunt is inexperienced in MMA he's still very dangerous for Wandy. This could be fight of the night on maybe the best card we've seen yet.

Oh yeah, Santerlei is cool as hell. The one of him in the big santa suit is great.

 

[karasu]

meh.

 

[Boogie]

EvilLore, I hear you about Sak. I wanted him to win in some amazing fashion, but I am glad he did not fight because I think Silva could cripple him with a 4th epic beating. I'm happy it got a change, and despite his losses, Sak is still the man.

You should check out Hunt taking on Sefo, Lebanner, and Crocop in K-1 if you want to see why Hunt is held in such high regard. With Sefo he exchanged several heavy combinations and both men just stood there smiling, tough bastards. With crocop he took a full force high kick from him that did send Mark down, but then he just got up and smiled at him. This is the same kick that has brutally KOed every guy it's connected with in MMA. He had 3 wars with Lebanner that showcased his toughness and punching power.

Its true, he looks like a tub. But, he has had the cardio to do a slew of K-1 matches, some to decision and he also showed he had enough cardio to have a nearly 300+ man lie on him for 10 minutes and get up and end him with a punch. Hunt doesn't get by on cardio, but he's had enough to win the fights he has.

Cardio could be a factor. MMA is different, especially against Wandy. Remember though, Hunt is not just some big punching bag. He's got a Fujita chin or better (most would say better), has a body type that is hard to sub/takedown, and he also hits very hard with those small gloves. I don't think this is a good matchup for Silva. You have to remember, as good a MMA striker as Wandy is, Hunt has faced all sorts of strikers who are above Wandy's level. Can Wandy clinch and knee Mark like he does with everyone else? Maybe, but then Mark takes one and powers out of it. After that, well...I'm just reminded of Wandy stumbling in various fights from far less powerful hitters then Hunt. Wandy will not recover from one of Hunts punches, that I do not see happening. This isn't Sakuraba or Henderson hitting him, its 270+ former K-1 champion.

Don't think I'm counting Wandy out. He certainly has the edge in experience, and that could be the key to this. He's also shown he has the potential to end some of his fights with sub, he just works for the KO. Finally, he looks the best I've ever seen him. I've got so much respect for him for taking this fight, even if Hunt is inexperienced in MMA he's still very dangerous for Wandy. This could be fight of the night on maybe the best card we've seen yet.

Oh yeah, Santerlei is cool as hell. The one of him in the big santa suit is great.

Biff, there's a perfectly good "Official Pride: Shockwave New Year's Eve" Thread up now for you to post your thoughts in ;P

 

[Biff Hardbody]

ohhh, I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl!!! Will post thoughts now...

 

[Vinzer Deling]

I'm 8/11. Someone give me a cookie, please.