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(UPDATED) MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN WELTERWEIGHTS

By John Gagne

1. GEORGES ST. PIERRE
2. THIAGO ALVES
3. JON FITCH
4. JAKE SHIELDS
5. JOSH KOSCHECK
6. MATT HUGHES
7. MATT SERRA
8. CARLOS CONDIT
9. PAULO THIAGO
10. DAN HARDY

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DIEGO SANCHEZ: BETTER OFF AT 155?

 By John Gagne

 Since Diego has been in the UFC he has chose to fight out of his weight class since. He was never a big middleweight when he won the first season of TUF. When he dropped to welterweight I thought he would be much better suited for that division. But his last four fights have been less then stellar. Two of those four were losses, and the other two were less than impressive wins over sub-par competition.

Now we have a chance to see Diego to perform at what I believe is his true weight class. He will be large for a lightweight, a lot larger than he was at welterweight. He will finally have a chance to fight guys smaller than him. 

However, his first test will not be an easy one. He will take on Joe Stevenson, who has been on a slight decline as of late. Hopefully this fight will get Diego to realize that this weight class will suit his style and size better.

He already holds a win over number one contender Kenny Florian. Although that fight took place at middleweight, and Kenny has grown amensly as a fighter. The potential for a rematch at lightweight already has me wondering who will take it.

I also believe this move to lightweight creates a more realistic chance for Diego to attain a UFC title. He lost to the number three and four welterweight fighters, so that leads me to believe he would lose to GSP. Considering GSP beat both of the fighters that beat Diego. Sanchez can match up well with anyone in that weight class. He has a very good ground game. Both in submissions and submission defense, and both sides of the wrestling game, as well as cardio for days. If he an tune his striking game a little more he has a chance to fight for the lightweight title by the end of 2009 beginning of 2010. 

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DIAZ VS SHAMROCK: IS IT WORTH IT?

 By John Gagne

Recently announced is a bout between Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz. What is the point? Despite the fact that Frank beat Nick’s instructor Caesar Gracie, there is little to no reason for this fight. Frank should be more concerned about fighting guys in his division, and solidifying himself as a legend. Not as a guy who will fight anyone, whether it hurts or helps his career.

What if Nick beats Frank? Is that a big win for Nick or a huge loss for Frank? At this point it’s really hard to tell whom this bout would affect more, win or lose. To me it would appear that Frank is the one out of the two that has the most to lose. If Frank losses to Nick the next fight would be a tune up for a Cung Le rematch. Strikeforce would have to give him some one credible, so that fans wouldn’t think he was just handed the shot.

Now if Frank beats Nick, it is a great start on the road back to the Strikeforce Middle Weight Title. I just feel that Strikeforce should be looking for talent that is in each fighters respected division. Not having these “Superfights” at a catch weight. This fight being at 179lbs, which should favor Nick since he probably walks around at that already. I do not understand why Strikeforce is not trying to get a rematch with Noons, or another top guy in that weight class who is not under UFC contract. In the manner of Frank there are plenty of guys at 185 that Strikeforce could find to match up against Shamrock.

Marketing wise I can kind of see the relevance. The event will take place in San Jose, CA where Shamrock trains and resides. This location is also close to Nick Diaz in Stockton, CA, where Nick trains and resides. The numbers for this event should be huge, pending nothing happen to either fighter. I still feel they could bring an equal draw if they matched up each fighter against someone in their weight classes.

From a betting perspective the bookmakers are going to have a difficult time coming up with odds in this fight. I saw Frank is the favorite right off the bat. Although Nick is not a huge underdog, I do still see him as a slight one. My guess for the odds would be Frank Shamrock -210 Nick Diaz +200.

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UFN 17: THE REVIEW

 By John Gagne

 Last night we saw Joe Lauzon take a little bit of damage on route to a second round submission win. His ground game looked amazing. The transitions were flawless, and he changes up his attacks. Going for leg locks, arm bars and chokes, with versatility like that Lauzon will be a game opponent for anyone.

 Jeremy Stephens looked decent last night. Now that he is working with Hermes Franca. We can assume his ground game will be ever improving. If he can step up his submission defense, I think Stephens can play the roll of gatekeeper for new lightweights.

In my pick of the night Josh Neer submitted Ultimate Fighter winner Mac Danzig After I watched the Clay Guida fight again. I realized that Mac has a hard time with guys that move forward. And that is all Neer did. Neer showed decent boxing and a much-improved BJJ game. I think Josh Neer need to fight a guy like Clay Guida or Frankie Edger and see if he can be a true contender.

Cain Velazquez has kept his winning streak alive with an impressive performance. This guy is definitely going to be a threat in the heavyweight division once he has a few more fights under his belt.

 In the nights biggest upsets Rich Clementi was submitted in the very first round via guillotine. That win may have saved Gleison Tibau from his pink slip. While Rich Clementi falls back down the over populated, talent rich lightweight division.

 Overall my picks went very well. Winning 8 of 10 picks, I was hoping for a perfect night, but the loss by Rich Clementi and Matt Grice kept me at 80%. 

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MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

By John Gagne

1. “Sugar” Rashad Evans
2. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
3. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida
4. Forrest Griffin
5. Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
6. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
7. Dan “Hollywood’ Henderson”
8. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva
9. Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine
10. Antonio Rogerio Noguiera

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MMA-NEWS.NET POUND-FOR-POUND TOP TEN

By John Gagne

1. ANDERSON SILVA
2. GEORGES ST. PIERRE
3. FEDOR EMELIANEKO
4. BJ PENN
5. MIGUEL TORRES
6. RASHAD EVANS
7. QUINTON JACKSON
8. THIAGO ALVES
9. FRANK MIR
10. MIKE THOMAS BROWN

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Champion Vs. Champion
By John Gagne

The fight between GSP and BJ Penn is the biggest in MMA history. Not only is there a huge rivalry between the two combatants. They are both champions in there respected weight classes. We have seen the best versions of each man over their last few fights. I do have to say; I believe that BJ has improved more than GSP has. 

This fight is going to be a chess match. Both men know each others strengths and weaknesses. We saw in their first fight. That GSP virtually took BJ down at will. While BJ threw Georges off of his game with his jab and improved boxing. I personally thought if BJ trained a little more serious; he would have won that fight. BJ was too cocky back then. His ego definitely got the best of him in that fight. Now that he is taking this fight serious there may be a different outcome. I will analyze this fight and break down what each man will need to do to be victorious.

GSP will need to take BJ down, and hold him there. Even though BJ is great off his back. A guy as good as GSP should be able to avoid the submission attempts. While progressing to a better position and landing strikes. He will also need to use his reach and his kicks. Training with Kru Phil Nurse has allowed GSP’s Muay Thai to grow exponentially. His training with Team Jackson has also brought him amazing training partners. And a coach that can break down an opponent, and create a great game plan. 

I do see some aspects that may affect GSP’s performance. If BJ can stop the take down. GSP may get frustrated, especially if BJ can land strikes and make him pay for his failed attempts. If he allows BJ to counter punch and use his jab, he may not leave this fight the winner. 

For BJ to win he needs to avoid takedowns. That is really the biggest and most important factor of tis fight. If he can sprawl and brawl. BJ can take this fight. He also needs to out strike GSP, which he is capable of and some say may have already done. His BJJ will only come into play if GSP can get tired, or get stunned and give BJ an opening.

I think we all know what BJ cannot do in this fight…get taken down. If he is fighting off his back, it will be a long night. In the past if BJ cannot implement his game, or stay off his back he tends to fight poorly. 

Saturday night’s main event will come down to a game of inches. The first person to make a mistake, will pay for it. I do think that BJ will be victorious. I just think he has the ability to get into GSP’s head and throw him off his game. Its going to be a war, and it could go the other way. But I do not see that happening. BJ in the 4th via TKO

I would definitely place a bet on this fight. Honestly, you can bet on either fighter, depending on your personal opinion. But BJ is the underdog, and the odds for him are a lot better. And he is going to finish the fight before the 25 minute mark.

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