Light heavyweights Stephan Bonnar (10-4) and Eric Schafer (7-2-2) will clash at UFC 77 on October 20, according to a recent MySpace blog post from “Red.”
Here’s a snip:
“… my manager Jeff Curran told me that the UFC wants me to fight Stephan Bonnar! Oh snap! Stephan and I shared the same kickboxing coach (Duke Roufus) until Stephan moved out to Vegas a few weeks ago. I would probably rather fight anyone else to avoid conflicts, but business is business… So it is on!…. On paper I feel that it will be similar to the Bisping fight. His striking will be better, but my wrestling and BJJ are better. My cardio will be the key I think. Due to my knee injury, my cardio sucked versus Mike and I hit the wall fast. Now that my meniscus is fixed I can push my self again and come in ready for 3 hard rounds….”
Bonnar recently returned from an nine-month steroid suspension following his rematch with Forrest Griffin (a unanimous decision loss) at UFC 62 to submit Mike Nickels via rear naked choke in round one at UFC 73 last month.
Schafer was booked to fight Sean Salmon at UFC 71 in May, but had to withdraw from the bout because he broke a rib during training. He has two appearances inside the Octagon to his credit — a submission win (arm triangle) over Rob MacDonald at UFC 62 and a loss (technical knockout) to Bisping at UFC 66.
UFC 77 is set for the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 185-pound rematch between current middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former titleholder Rich Franklin will headline the event.
For the most recent UFC 77 fight card click here.
37 Comments »
Schafer is pretty solid. I was surprised when he lost to Bisping. Hopefully he sends Bonnar out of the UFC.
[quote comment="122287"]Schafer is pretty solid. I was surprised when he lost to Bisping. Hopefully he sends Bonnar out of the UFC.[/quote]
Not a TUF fan eh? ;P
no ones cares about this fight…
boring
Schafer REALLY needs to change his nickname. Ravishing Red sounds like the name of a 60s era Burlesque stage dancer. He’s a decent fighter, though, and I’m glad to see the ufc bringing him back.
UFC 77 is going to be a sweet card, I can feel it. I can’t wait for that main event. As for this fight, I’m a fan of both Schafer and Bonnar. Schafer gave Bisbing a run for a bit until Bisbing got under control and ended it. Bonnar is Bonnar, he brings it. I’m looking forward to seeing this card develop.
This is a B class fight. The only chance it has of being good is if they both come into the cage looking to destroy the other guy.
Bisbing isn’t a very good fighter. Just a loud mouth. In losing to him, Schafer showed he sucks. Bonnar will probably have another submition in the first round.
[quote comment="122308"]no ones cares about this fight…
boring[/quote]
Yes they do. They are two good fighters and the match up is great. Speak for yourself.
I hope there is a double knockout as I’m not really a big fan of either one.
I think out of all the TUF winners coming into the UFC for their first fight Bisping had the toughest fighter out of all of them.Schafer is very good and I am sure he will make quick work of Bonar.
[quote comment="122308"]no ones cares about this fight…
boring[/quote]
Agree.
I think schafer will take this one.Bonnar will win if it stays standing. This is a good match between good fighters.
[quote comment="122564"][quote comment="122308"]no ones cares about this fight…
boring[/quote]
Agree.[/quote]
Rofl, great MMA fans you guys are. Alot of times its the fights ‘no one cares about’ that are the best fights. I’m definitely gonna watch this fight, not eagerly anticipating it, but Ill watch it. Then again I watch any MMA I can…
[quote comment="122584"][quote comment="122564"][quote comment="122308"]no ones cares about this fight…
boring[/quote]
Agree.[/quote]
Rofl, great MMA fans you guys are. Alot of times its the fights ‘no one cares about’ that are the best fights. I’m definitely gonna watch this fight, not eagerly anticipating it, but Ill watch it. Then again I watch any MMA I can…[/quote]
..I believe match ups make fights..pitt these two together what do you get?? If I see it ok..if not ok.
I used to really like Bonnar, I thought he beat Griffin in the first fight, but his roid use really soured me on him. I don’t know what to think, I don’t want to support cheaters.
Bonnar cant finsih fights. I hate decision win fighters. Its boring. Then he went on a steroid tear. F this guy. Go Schafer!
Wow, a lot of you don’t care about Bonnar at all. You don’t think Boner is exciting? He’s a hard opponent for most fighters. Did anyone happen to see the Griffin/Bonnar fight? I did, and ya know what, I thought it was pretty good. Ravishing Red is really nothing special. I don’t ever see him coming close to the top 5 of the division, no matter what age he is. Am I eagerly anticipating this fight – no. But if its televised at the PPV, I will be interested in it at the time.
Younstoppable – the comment about Ravishing Red sounding like a 60’s era burlesque dancer had me laughing – great comment!
Say What yout like about Bonnar. He has yet to be cleaned up by anyone convincingly in UFC. Any light heavy weight would consider it a risk fighting him.
..Other than the Griffin/Bonner part1..what other fight has these two fighters had that made you go “WOW” what a fight?? in my book ZERO.
[quote comment="122603"]..Other than the Griffin/Bonner part1..what other fight has these two fighters had that made you go “WOW” what a fight?? in my book ZERO.[/quote]
I saw a couple that were ok from Bonnar, his submission of Irvin was ok, but you are right. Neither is an A level fighter.
The submission victory over Irvin was pretty good. Irvin is no joke. He didn’t tap easy either!
BOOOORRRRRIIINNNGGGG!!!! Stephan Bonnar sucks and is one of the most boring fighters ever!! Look at how big of a tool he looks in his picture. He should change his name from “The American Psycho” to “The American Sleeping Pill”
[quote comment="122602"]Say What yout like about Bonnar. He has yet to be cleaned up by anyone convincingly in UFC. Any light heavy weight would consider it a risk fighting him.[/quote]
Ummmm i dont know what your talkin about…Rashad Evans cleaned the mat with Stephan Bonnars head.
[quote comment="122627"][quote comment="122602"]Say What yout like about Bonnar. He has yet to be cleaned up by anyone convincingly in UFC. Any light heavy weight would consider it a risk fighting him.[/quote]
Ummmm i dont know what your talkin about…Rashad Evans cleaned the mat with Stephan Bonnars head.[/quote]
True. But I still think he is a bigger deal than most people here think about him. I just wouldn’t count him out just yet.
While I certainly could care less about this fight, isn’t it obvious that Stephan Bonnar is going to win this fight ? Schafer is a pretty good BJJ guy and has some nice wrestling I guess, but Bonnar has a bit of a reach on Eric and I would think more heart. Stephan will have a clear advantage of the feet and if it hits the mat, Im sure he can do well. Any thoughts ?
So you guys expect every card to be packed with blockbuster fights?
I think Bonnar/Alexander could be a more intresting match up..For in my eyes Jardine beat Bonnar but bonner was giving a decision BS Victory and Jardine got woooopd by Alexander..Fight Cards don’t need to be JamPackd..but match ups should be better picked per card.
[quote comment="122652"]While I certainly could care less about this fight, isn’t it obvious that Stephan Bonnar is going to win this fight ? Schafer is a pretty good BJJ guy and has some nice wrestling I guess, but Bonnar has a bit of a reach on Eric and I would think more heart. Stephan will have a clear advantage of the feet and if it hits the mat, Im sure he can do well. Any thoughts ?[/quote]
I agree Bonnar is going to clean him up. Bonnar is so well rounded. He needs a couple of fights like this just to get back in the swing of things.
[quote comment="122602"]Say What yout like about Bonnar. He has yet to be cleaned up by anyone convincingly in UFC. Any light heavy weight would consider it a risk fighting him.[/quote]
Machida has destroyed him.
Should be solid regardless of outcome
I think it is a risky move fighting Bonner right now, cause no one is really sure which direction his career is heading right now. He is still capable of beating almost anyone, you just dont want him to beat you if his career is heading no where though.
I’d rather see Schafer win, but I know he won’t.
Does anyone else find the picture of Ravishing Red to be Rather Annoying?
[quote post="2978"]You don’t think Boner is exciting? He’s a hard opponent for most fighters. [/quote]
Just wondering if anyone noticed my intentional mis-spelling from my previous post?
[quote comment="122886"]Does anyone else find the picture of Ravishing Red to be Rather Annoying?
[quote post="2978"]You don’t think Boner is exciting? He’s a hard opponent for most fighters. [/quote]
Just wondering if anyone noticed my intentional mis-spelling from my previous post?[/quote]
Yeah, it was amazingly witty. It was almost even funnier the second time I read it, if that’s possible.
i actually like what i was seeing out of schafer in the bisping fight at the beginning before it just went bad for him, so i kind of like the guy as a fight and think hes solid, but bonnar is the man and is gonna whoop that ass
I am really pumped about this fight. I got a chance to see the Ravishing one fight several times and other than the Bisping fight, he finished a lot of fights really fast. Bonner is going to have his hands full. this is going to make for very good fight on the card. I’m interested to see how Bonner has grown since training in Tailand, since we didn’t get to see much from the last fight.
Bonnar rocks, best fighter ever, and he Will Win.