Dear Renato... DUCK!
Now, I'm not a guy who likes to be wrong. It bugs me. But, I'm also a big boy and, when I back the wrong horse, I'll admit it (see my gaping, idiot face watching Mike Pyle get shaghaied in his IFL match with Rory Markham, just seconds after I told my friend Steve "watch the Pyle kid. Lot's of buzz. This is going to be a coming out party for him".
Yeah.
See I'm no stranger to the mea culpa. So please allow me a minute to sit smugly at the keyboard and simply say "Hmmph" (I'm also not an "I told you so" kinda guy, but I do relish a self-satisfied "Hmmph" when I'm right). I am forwarding the contents of this blog to Renato Sobral and his team of experts in case there is ever an opportunity for him to face Chuck Liddell again. This ain't the freakin' riddle of the sphinx. Write this down.. I WILL NOT TRADE SHOTS WITH CHUCK LIDDELL. Why do guys do this? Jeremy Horn chased him. Randy Couture chased him. Tito chased him until Chuck finally nailed him and then Chuck charged. Apparently Chuck is getting better at this, as the Sobral expedition into the Liddell wheelhouse barely had time to launch the boats before all were lost.
I'm no Liddell hater... he's the hammer, has crazy power, he seems to love his work, and the work of others...
But I want to see him challenged. I want someone to take him out of his comfort zone and really make him work. Right now, if you come in slow, he waits to line you up and then pow. If you come in fast, he backpedals, firing shots as he goes. I just looks to me like he doesn't want to get down and dirty (much like CroCop). And I don't blame Chuck. If he can drop guys with the minimum effort and risk, why deviate from the formula. If it ain't broke, etc.... But please, whomever the next guy is, make him work for it.
A second, and even more satisfied "Hmmph" to Nick Diaz. The kid can swing, and then slip on the lock when an opening presents itself. This is another guy who needs a game plan. Something that will maximize his strengths minimize his risks, namely exposing his face to unnecessary fists. Again, he'll only get better with some guidance. I"m glad to have him back and look forward to his next UFC fight... maybe another go-round with the Nightmare.
As for Forrest Griffin, kudos. But it's time to move on. Going round and round (and the distance - twice, now) with Stephan Bonnar, even with as much as they obviously bring out in each other, is not the stuff of legend. Or of a regular UFC job. Griffin needs to focus on one thing... Chuck Liddell. He's the guy with the belt. He's the guy you have to aim for. If you aren't ready for the best guy in your division, start working on that. If you don't think you'll ever be ready, enroll in a tax prep course... it's time for a new gig. He's got a KO loss to Jeremy Horn and dropped a split to Ortiz. Not bad guys to be losing to, but that sort of thing is supposed to make you stronger. Giddyup.
Yeah.
See I'm no stranger to the mea culpa. So please allow me a minute to sit smugly at the keyboard and simply say "Hmmph" (I'm also not an "I told you so" kinda guy, but I do relish a self-satisfied "Hmmph" when I'm right). I am forwarding the contents of this blog to Renato Sobral and his team of experts in case there is ever an opportunity for him to face Chuck Liddell again. This ain't the freakin' riddle of the sphinx. Write this down.. I WILL NOT TRADE SHOTS WITH CHUCK LIDDELL. Why do guys do this? Jeremy Horn chased him. Randy Couture chased him. Tito chased him until Chuck finally nailed him and then Chuck charged. Apparently Chuck is getting better at this, as the Sobral expedition into the Liddell wheelhouse barely had time to launch the boats before all were lost.
I'm no Liddell hater... he's the hammer, has crazy power, he seems to love his work, and the work of others...
But I want to see him challenged. I want someone to take him out of his comfort zone and really make him work. Right now, if you come in slow, he waits to line you up and then pow. If you come in fast, he backpedals, firing shots as he goes. I just looks to me like he doesn't want to get down and dirty (much like CroCop). And I don't blame Chuck. If he can drop guys with the minimum effort and risk, why deviate from the formula. If it ain't broke, etc.... But please, whomever the next guy is, make him work for it.
A second, and even more satisfied "Hmmph" to Nick Diaz. The kid can swing, and then slip on the lock when an opening presents itself. This is another guy who needs a game plan. Something that will maximize his strengths minimize his risks, namely exposing his face to unnecessary fists. Again, he'll only get better with some guidance. I"m glad to have him back and look forward to his next UFC fight... maybe another go-round with the Nightmare.
As for Forrest Griffin, kudos. But it's time to move on. Going round and round (and the distance - twice, now) with Stephan Bonnar, even with as much as they obviously bring out in each other, is not the stuff of legend. Or of a regular UFC job. Griffin needs to focus on one thing... Chuck Liddell. He's the guy with the belt. He's the guy you have to aim for. If you aren't ready for the best guy in your division, start working on that. If you don't think you'll ever be ready, enroll in a tax prep course... it's time for a new gig. He's got a KO loss to Jeremy Horn and dropped a split to Ortiz. Not bad guys to be losing to, but that sort of thing is supposed to make you stronger. Giddyup.
posted by Larry at 3:07 PM
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