FightNetwork.com has confirmed recent rumors that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (30-4-1) and Cheick Kongo (11-3) will clash in a heavyweight bout at UFC 79 on December 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Earlier reports that Noguiera would face Frank Mir now appear to be completely erroneous.
Barring the possible signing of PRIDE FC champion, Fedor Emelianenko, in the next few months, the winner of the fight will more than likely earn the next crack at current titleholder, Randy Couture, in early 2008.
“Minotauro” is the former PRIDE FC division champion who made his Octagon debut with a decision win over Heath Herring at UFC 73: “Stacked” on July 7. He’s about as complete a fighter as it gets, boasting fantastic Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and a sharp stand up game.
Kongo, on the other hand, is a devastating kickboxer. The Parisian does not perform well when the fight goes to the ground, which could mean big trouble against a talent like “Big Nog.”
“The French Sensation” earned a spot near the top of the heap with his recent decision win over Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 75: “Champion vs. Champion” last month. Kongo has a solid record in the UFC (5-1) since joining the organization in 2006.
UFC 79 features the 170-pound title fight between welterweight champion Matt Serra and Matt Hughes. BJ Penn is expected to fight either Sean Sherk or Joe Stevenson for the lightweight title. And Wanderlei Silva is expected to make his much anticipated return to the UFC on the New Year’s Eve weekend event.
Stay tuned for more updates … this card is turning out to be rock solid.
63 Comments »
this SHOULD BE an easy fight for big nog, kongo is horrible on the ground and can’t defend takedowns either. but i’m not gonna say that somebody has “no chance” anymore because everyone that steps in there has a chance.
If this goes to the ground, I would have to assume that Big Nog rips off Kongo’s arm. Kongo’s only chance is to land a knee during the Big Nog’s takedown-shot.
Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.
why … oh why is this not in jersey?!
[quote comment=”163285″]Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.[/quote]
He is training with Rampage, so Im sure this is the biggest area of the game that they are working on. To be honest, Cheick looked good on the ground against Cro Cop…
I wouldn’t be that surprised at all if Kongo won. I’d say Big Nog is the favorite, but Kongo is freaking huge. What a scary-looking dude, I still can’t believe that he’s French.
Ever since the Nog fight was final, I bet he’s literally spent hours every day on his takedown and BJJ defense. He’ll have the strength advantage and better striking. If he keeps it from going to the ground, I think he wins it.
This might be a very good underdog bet if they make it fairly lopsided.
[quote comment=”163296″][quote comment=”163285″]Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.[/quote]
He is training with Rampage, so Im sure this is the biggest area of the game that they are working on. To be honest, Cheick looked good on the ground against Cro Cop…[/quote]
He looked good on the ground against cro cop is not saying much. Cro Cop does not have a good ground game though, he has enoughof a ground game to survive. Big Nog is the ground game for this weight class. Training with Rampage may help him stuff some single legs, but it won’t keep him from getting swallowed by a submission…
Big Nog 4WU
summon BJJ blackbelter
Minautoru is indestructable
whenever a creature dealt damage by minautoru is put into graveyard from play, instead put that creature under your control
3/6
Check Kongo 4BB
summon kickboxer
Double Strike
Whenever an opponent’s creature attacks, tap Check Kongo
5/4
lights out for big nog
can’t wait to see minatauro in the octagon again. he has the best submission skills of any heavyweight in the world.he trains hard and has great stamina. he’s fought and defeted some of the biggest men ever in the game.i.e.bob sapp,mark coleman just off the top.minatauro also trains boxing with the cuban national team,so his stand up isn’t bad. i’d say kongo has a punchers chance,but that’s about it. i think kongo will be on his back most of the time,and get one of those long limbs submitted,however minatauro likes to fight from his back also and may fall into guard.either way,i say he controls the fight and submits kongo! minatauro loves the triangle with the armbar and sometimes takes some punishment while working it,like all submission guys do,but big nog is used to that and can normally handle it.he’s also smart and experienced enough to plan moves to set up submissions 3or4 moves ahead of time.kongo will have no answer for minotauros’experienced set-up’s!
[quote comment=”163296″][quote comment=”163285″]Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.[/quote]
He is training with Rampage, so Im sure this is the biggest area of the game that they are working on. To be honest, Cheick looked good on the ground against Cro Cop…[/quote]
Luppers is right, Rampage’s camp is amazing. The cro cop fight would of been a bit different if Kongo wasn’t training with Rampage. Kongo has improved alot on the ground, and mma in general. When it does go to the ground Kongo will probably hold him until they stand it(like CC fight) he is very strong and has long arms. Nog is confident in standing for a bit, and might try to stay standing to try it out if the ref keeps standing it up. Dont get me wrong Nog’s stand up is great, but Kongo’s is world class. All it take’s is one hit and if Nog stands around to long..LIGHTS OUT!!…remember he did just out-strike Mirko CC. None the less’ should be a good fight to an already STACKED card. Cant wait.
Next to Forrest Griffin, Kongo is most improved fighter of 2007′
Kongo has a chance but herring kicked big nog in the head and he still didnt go out. I take big nog by submission in round 2.
Yeah Herring kicked him hard. Kongo kicks harder.
plus i think after that kick that knocked him down, that fight should have been stopped. Nog did get KO’d, then he regained when getting hit with punches. And even if he wasn’t KO’d he wasn’t intelligently defending himslef. Herring got robbed.(just my opinion)
[quote comment=”163296″][quote comment=”163285″]Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.[/quote]
He is training with Rampage, so Im sure this is the biggest area of the game that they are working on. To be honest, Cheick looked good on the ground against Cro Cop…[/quote]
..Dude that is CropCop ?? who has no ground..Kongo’d only chance is Standing..and Nog is good enuff in that realm to close the distance and put him on the Deck.. This is a BJJ BLk belt vs a Blue Belt..hey I know its MMA..and types of surprises and stuff..but I don’t see Kongo beating Nog on the deck for 3 rounds.. Nog by Triangle Choke/ Armbar ( Mark Coleman style ) second round.
[quote comment=”163479″]lights out for big nog[/quote]
obviously you never watched pride fc when “big nog” was heavyweight champion and everyone was gunnen for him.he’s a very well trained,very disciplined fighter,who can really execute.he’s fought bigger guys than kongo and win,somtimes when you thought he was going to loose,because he looks like sometimes he makes himself vulnerable when he’s going for a submission but more than not he pulls it off.i’ve never seen him go to sleep so if it’s lights out for anyone,it’s kongo that will have a little nap. remember minatauro is no little guy either at 6′3″ 230lbs.nobody i’ve ever seen that big has the submission skills that even compare with MINITAURO!
if this fight goes to the ground it will go the distance.. Kongo has exelent cardio…and has been working on his gorund game solid for the last 9 months… Kongo will suprise all of you again…. i am a huge fan of big nog..i dont see him finishing Kongo.. size diffrence is a factor in this fight.. i just some how see the upset again….this is looking to be a great fight….(just my opinion)
[quote comment=”163396″]Big Nog
4WU
summon BJJ blackbelter
Minautoru is indestructable
whenever a creature dealt damage by minautoru is put into graveyard from play, instead put that creature under your control
3/6[/quote]
TRanslation????
be careful saying this guy will beat this guy because he can’t fight on the ground or he can’t strike, if big nog takes a kick to the head from congo, its good night. you never know anymore. on paper means nothing
I think this is such a crap match up, Kongo v Arlovski would have been a much better fight both guys being very technical in the stand up and also Arlovski would have had no choice but to put up a good fight or Kongo would have battered him. I Think that matchup would definately have brought out the best in Arlovski, now if this fight goes to the ground it is as good as over. Who knows maybe there’s a small chance Kongo will not let it go to the ground, he seems to be getting better with every fight.
[quote comment=”163608″]I think this is such a crap match up, Kongo v Arlovski would have been a much better fight both guys being very technical in the stand up and also Arlovski would have had no choice but to put up a good fight or Kongo would have battered him. I Think that matchup would definately have brought out the best in Arlovski, now if this fight goes to the ground it is as good as over. Who knows maybe there’s a small chance Kongo will not let it go to the ground, he seems to be getting better with every fight.[/quote]
i disagree with the AA/Kongo match.
Kongo just beat Mirko and doesn’t deserve an opponant like AA,
He deserves to fight a possible #1 contender, not AA who has been hot/cold for the last year.
Maybe when they resign AA they can put him up agianst Cro cop.
I like AA, always have. And i would like to see him face Kongo(sometime?) but he does not get the ok from me to fight a guy who just beat Cro cop. but then again it’s not my decision.
[quote post=”3479″]if this fight goes to the ground it will go the distance.. Kongo has exelent cardio…and has been working on his gorund game solid for the last 9 months… Kongo will suprise all of you again…. i am a huge fan of big nog..i dont see him finishing Kongo.. size diffrence is a factor in this fight.. i just some how see the upset again….this is looking to be a great fight….(just my opinion) [/quote]
Big Nog has been training BJJ for probably over 20 years. You really think that someone with 9 months of training on his back would be anywhere the level of Big Nog. All the UFC only fans didn’t get to see Big Nog fight his game when he fought Herring. FOr some reason, he kept the fight standing way too much.
[quote comment=”163396″]Big Nog
4WU
summon BJJ blackbelter
Minautoru is indestructable
whenever a creature dealt damage by minautoru is put into graveyard from play, instead put that creature under your control
3/6[/quote]
[quote comment=”163399″]Check Kongo
4BB
summon kickboxer
Double Strike
Whenever an opponent’s creature attacks, tap Check Kongo
5/4[/quote]
Are you playing Dungeons and Dragon or something?
[quote comment=”163622″][quote post=”3479″]if this fight goes to the ground it will go the distance.. Kongo has exelent cardio…and has been working on his gorund game solid for the last 9 months… Kongo will suprise all of you again…. i am a huge fan of big nog..i dont see him finishing Kongo.. size diffrence is a factor in this fight.. i just some how see the upset again….this is looking to be a great fight….(just my opinion) [/quote]
Big Nog has been training BJJ for probably over 20 years. You really think that someone with 9 months of training on his back would be anywhere the level of Big Nog. All the UFC only fans didn’t get to see Big Nog fight his game when he fought Herring. FOr some reason, he kept the fight standing way too much.[/quote]
it does not matter what you did twenty years ago, its where you are at today, i think nog will win, but i would not be surprised if it were a close fight or if congo won
It’s funny how you can see those that ONLY watch UFC.
Cheick Kongo is an improving fighter now that he is in the proper camp. Noone at that camp given the amount of time that he has been there can prepare him for what “Big Nog” has to offer on the ground. He [Nog] has been tested against world class strikers and has come out on top. Cheick however, has yet to be tested by a world class submission artist. This will be a big test for Cheick, he stands less of a chance to win this one than he did to win against Cro-Cop. We all saw how that ended though, MMA always has upsets, and if Cheick wins, this will be a big one.
Big Nog by 1st round sub most likely. But if Kongo can get shot in…
Cheik has great stand up. He definitely has a chance at winning on the feet. On the ground its Big Nog all the way. A lightweight can hold his own on the ground against cro cop. I’m sure Kongo’s ground is much improved, but when you start with zero ground game, much improved isn’t a lot.
[quote comment=”163656″]It’s funny how you can see those that ONLY watch UFC.
Cheick Kongo is an improving fighter now that he is in the proper camp. Noone at that camp given the amount of time that he has been there can prepare him for what “Big Nog” has to offer on the ground. He [Nog] has been tested against world class strikers and has come out on top. Cheick however, has yet to be tested by a world class submission artist. This will be a big test for Cheick, he stands less of a chance to win this one than he did to win against Cro-Cop. We all saw how that ended though, MMA always has upsets, and if Cheick wins, this will be a big one.[/quote]
if you are referring to me as “those that only watch ufc” you my friend are mistaken. i was one who looked at the ufc as being inferior to pride, i admitt i was a huge pride nut hugger and still believe man for man pride was better. my question is this? at what point are upsets not upsets just a misjudgement in talent.upsets are few and far between not every ppv. this sport is hard to predict and every week someone says this guy will beat this guy because he can do this and the other guy can’t do that and what happens, we find out we were wrong
I think couture could destroy Kongo. Nog though will take a little work - although he didn’t look so great against Herring.
[quote comment=”163672″][quote comment=”163656″]It’s funny how you can see those that ONLY watch UFC.
Cheick Kongo is an improving fighter now that he is in the proper camp. Noone at that camp given the amount of time that he has been there can prepare him for what “Big Nog” has to offer on the ground. He [Nog] has been tested against world class strikers and has come out on top. Cheick however, has yet to be tested by a world class submission artist. This will be a big test for Cheick, he stands less of a chance to win this one than he did to win against Cro-Cop. We all saw how that ended though, MMA always has upsets, and if Cheick wins, this will be a big one.[/quote]
if you are referring to me as “those that only watch ufc” you my friend are mistaken. i was one who looked at the ufc as being inferior to pride, i admitt i was a huge pride nut hugger and still believe man for man pride was better. my question is this? at what point are upsets not upsets just a misjudgement in talent.upsets are few and far between not every ppv. this sport is hard to predict and every week someone says this guy will beat this guy because he can do this and the other guy can’t do that and what happens, we find out we were wrong[/quote]
I wasn’t talking about you. I was talking about all these people that think that Nog is a nobody because all they have seen is his fight in the UFC. Just because he had a lackluster fight against Heath Herring in his UFC debut doesn’t mean anything. He is a dominant fighter and the UFC fans havent even seen his ground game, which is where he is at his strongest. Which is coincidentally where Cheick is at his weakest. If you watch his fights against Cro-Cop or Fedor or Herring I, you will see that he is good at neutralizing peoples striking.
[quote comment=”163579″][quote comment=”163479″]lights out for big nog[/quote]
obviously you never watched pride fc when “big nog” was heavyweight champion and everyone was gunnen for him.he’s a very well trained,very disciplined fighter,who can really execute.he’s fought bigger guys than kongo and win,somtimes when you thought he was going to loose,because he looks like sometimes he makes himself vulnerable when he’s going for a submission but more than not he pulls it off.i’ve never seen him go to sleep so if it’s lights out for anyone,it’s kongo that will have a little nap. remember minatauro is no little guy either at 6′3″ 230lbs.nobody i’ve ever seen that big has the submission skills that even compare with MINITAURO![/quote]
your just blabbin on there pal, i know all of that.
the next greatest heavyweight out there is brandon vera he should get the title shot when he beats sylvia.not if.i was gutted when he had the contract dispute but now he is back watch him go.i still beleive,if dana gives him the fights,that he will be the first fighter to own both hvy and lhw belts.he can make 205 no problem.fedor and randy are the alpha males at the moment but they wont b around 4 eva.
Damn! Can I get some Props… I reported this fight would happen last week!!
No way in hell, that Kongo will be able to defend himself on the ground against Big Nog. Nog’s chin i s legendary, and I dont see Kongo being able to stop Nog’s takedowns.
My prediction is: The 1st time Nog takes Kongo down he will submit him!!!!!!! Kongo wont be able to stop the takedown, as soon as the fight goes to the ground it will be over… Submission style! Kongo will not be able to stand up after Nog takes him down… This fight ends 1 of 3 ways, Kimura, Triangle choke, or Arm bar (although I doubt a triangle choke will happen since there is no way Kongo takes Noguerra down so Nog can put him in his dangerous guard.
I will be betting heavy on Noguerra in this one!
[quote comment=”163559″][quote comment=”163296″][quote comment=”163285″]Cheick is one strong dude, but as we have seen, his ground game is extremely weak and Rodrigo is one bad dude on the ground. I see this easily being a round 2 submission, with Round 1 a feeling out type of round.[/quote]
He is training with Rampage, so Im sure this is the biggest area of the game that they are working on. To be honest, Cheick looked good on the ground against Cro Cop…[/quote]
Luppers is right, Rampage’s camp is amazing. The cro cop fight would of been a bit different if Kongo wasn’t training with Rampage. Kongo has improved alot on the ground, and mma in general. When it does go to the ground Kongo will probably hold him until they stand it(like CC fight) he is very strong and has long arms. Nog is confident in standing for a bit, and might try to stay standing to try it out if the ref keeps standing it up. Dont get me wrong Nog’s stand up is great, but Kongo’s is world class. All it take’s is one hit and if Nog stands around to long..LIGHTS OUT!!…remember he did just out-strike Mirko CC. None the less’ should be a good fight to an already STACKED card. Cant wait.[/quote]
If Cro Cop didn’t break his rib in the first round he would have been much more aggressive in rounds 2 and 3. Cro Cop won the stand up in round one by his aggression. If he wasn’t protecting his rib and taking knees to the balls that fight would have gone differently. Watch the second and third rounds Cro Cop didn’t even attempt to stalk Congo like he did in the first.
That being said when Nog and Cro Cop fought. Cro Cop destroyed him in the first round and almost ended the fight. Early in the second round Nog took Cro Cop down and finished the fight with an arm bar. I don’t care who Congo is training with it won’t stop him from getting submitted.
Jel brought up a good point. If Nog can’t get the take down initially he may pull guard and with Congo’s long arms that would probably be a better position for Nog to submit him.
i told you guys last week about this fight, if big nog fights like he did against herring in july he will lose against kongo. but if he fights like he did in pride this should be a easy fight for him. big nog has one of the best submission skills for his class, if your in his guard he’ll submit him. i wonder who wanderli silva will fight. maybe chuck??
wow what a card
bj penn vs big daddy
serra vs hughes
big nog vs kongo
silva vs lidell??
This fight will end in the ground with big nog finishing congo in bjj fashion. No way congo can keep this fight on his feet. This is going to be a great fight for big nog to show he’s the #1 contender for the hw belt.
Congo is a very impressive fighter but the big dogs in front are all ground fighters, so i think he’s gone as far as his skills can take him.
what a horrible match up for kongo after a big win…everyone knows he can’t handle anybody once the fight goes to the ground and now he’ll be fighting probably the best there is on the ground in the hw division…good luck kongo, i hope you can fit A LOT of ground work into training camp before this fight, you’re gonna need it…big nog 1st or 2nd round sub…
Grea point Jel: Noguerra doesn’t have to take Kongo down (which I believe he can anyway). All Nog has to do is pull guard and he can easily rip one of Kongo’s long ass arms off.
Big Nog, survived Cro Cop’s stand up, when cro cop was in his prime and considered the most dangerous striker in the world. I dont see Kongo throwing anything at Nog that he hasn’t seen and dealt with already. He beat a dangerous kickboxer Cro cop, he beat Sammy Shilt, who is even taller and bigger then Kongo.
I know this is mma and anythng can happen, but come on, I dont see how Nog can possibly loose this fight, not with that legandary chin of his, his world class submissions, and endless mma experience!!!!
Nog by submission in round 1
[quote comment=”163656″]It’s funny how you can see those that ONLY watch UFC.
Cheick Kongo is an improving fighter now that he is in the proper camp. Noone at that camp given the amount of time that he has been there can prepare him for what “Big Nog” has to offer on the ground. He [Nog] has been tested against world class strikers and has come out on top. Cheick however, has yet to be tested by a world class submission artist. This will be a big test for Cheick, he stands less of a chance to win this one than he did to win against Cro-Cop. We all saw how that ended though, MMA always has upsets, and if Cheick wins, this will be a big one.[/quote]
i really agree with you! to take a guy who’s been training on the ground for 9mts and say he’ll be alright against someone that’s been submitting guy’s almost since he was in diapers is crazy!MINATAURO has fought guys like mark coleman,and what about semmy schilt he’s what 7′2″ and then there’s bob sapp and his steroid induced massive body.what i’m saying is that kongo won’t even be the biggest man that big nog has chocked out. whenMINATAURO was pride heavyweight champion everyone wanted apiece of him.more often than not they got chocked out. big nog himself is 6′3″and about 230lbs.i don’t care who it is,if you’re that big with submission skills like minatauro has the opponent is in danger. 9 mts training on the ground does not prepare kongo for a guy like MINATAURO,and like i said, he’s fought guys bigger and better than kongo. if kongo gets out of the 1st round he’s doing well,but by the 3rd round he’ll be lucky to be able to take a full breath.
Kongo is a scary dude but if Cro Cop hadn’t had a rib broken in the first round he may have won. Kongo lost the first round. I think if you can weather Kongo for the first round without severe damage he can be beat standing up or on the ground because his endurance level.
Think about it, as big as he is and the size advantage he had on Cro Cop he still couldn’t finish him, it went to a decision.
big nog’s bjj is insane!!! look at his fight with dan henderson, granted hendo is a lot smaller, but watch that fight, hendo did absolutely nothing that entire fight except submission defense and reversals, literally every second of that fight. watch his fight with bob sapp, someone way bigger then kongo, and he was taking a beating from sapp on the ground, tapped him out. to someone who said “i dont care what he did 20 years ago”…he didnt beat someone 20 years ago, hes been training in bjj for like 20 years theres a difference. kongo has been training in bjj maybe the last few months, your not gonna be able to defend against a bjj master after a few months. kongo’s ground game is TERRIBLE. even in the cro cop fight, cro cop mounted at the end of the first round and was throwing punches from the top. if cro cop was better in bjj, easy armbar. for big nog that wont be a problem
UFCMania, I think you are mistaken about nogueira being as complete a fighter as it gets. I agree that his stand up has been improving and he does look sharp now. No one can deny his BJJ skills, but his wrestling is awful. He has terrible takedown defense and even worse takedowns. With a fighter like Kongo, he is going to have to take this fight to the ground… fast. I love Big Nog and all, but I think that he has a good chance of losing this fight.
ufc 77 fight card was updated.. go now
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.FightCard&eid=871
Kongo is a beast but Nog is in a different class period. He is a better all around fighter, of course Kongo has better stand up, but all around skill level Nog is gonna be too much for him. I see this fight ending in the second or early third at most by submission. Nog’s first fight with Herring was just like most pride fighters first fights in the cage, not impressive but he is gonna destroy kongo. Unless a lucky shot lands for Kongo he doesnt have much of a chance. I totally agree with the guy who said the Truth is the next big thing. I cant wait to see him crush Tim the Lame-n-wack silvia. After that he deserves a shot in my book.
I would think that Big Nog would be the favorite but we’ve seen how PRIDE guys have done in the UFC (Herring doesn’t count because he was a PRIDE guy before he came to the UFC)
This fight is tailor made for Nog. It will be another stalled out decision win for him.
I saw Nog’s fight with CroCop, he took several of those trademark left head kicks and got all busted up by Cro Cop. End of the first round CC was winning, but Nog really impressed me, he truly does have a heart of a champion. He came back in the second round and finally scored a takedown, and submitted CC. I think that head kick from Herring was a fluke, it must have hit a sweet spot because Ive never seen Nog rocked like that. Nog has what it takes to win this fight, good standup, one of the best ground games around, and a lot of heart. I know CC was beat by Kongo, but that does not mean that Kongo is a better fighter, it just means that he was better on that day. CC is a shadow of what he once was, I hope he can push through this tough time, but I think he will retire after this contract is up.
I will not rule out Kongo because I have learned my lesson so many times this year in ruling guys out early. Although I feel it should be an easy fight for Nog as long as he’s doesnt get caught like he did against Herring.
[quote post=”3479″]nobody i’ve ever seen that big has the submission skills that even compare with MINITAURO! [/quote]
Mir’s JJ is in the same league
Fedor’s grappling/submissions are second to none
[quote comment=”163255″]this SHOULD BE an easy fight for big nog, kongo is horrible on the ground and can’t defend takedowns either. but i’m not gonna say that somebody has “no chance” anymore because everyone that steps in there has a chance.[/quote]
Big nog has a glassjaw, so yeah, congo could just as easily end this fight Quick!
Wear a cup!
Josh Barnett is definately in my top 3 submission heavyweights, he is lot better than Mir.
[quote comment=”163617″][quote comment=”163608″]I think this is such a crap match up, Kongo v Arlovski would have been a much better fight both guys being very technical in the stand up and also Arlovski would have had no choice but to put up a good fight or Kongo would have battered him. I Think that matchup would definately have brought out the best in Arlovski, now if this fight goes to the ground it is as good as over. Who knows maybe there’s a small chance Kongo will not let it go to the ground, he seems to be getting better with every fight.[/quote]
i disagree with the AA/Kongo match.
Kongo just beat Mirko and doesn’t deserve an opponant like AA,
He deserves to fight a possible #1 contender, not AA who has been hot/cold for the last year.
Maybe when they resign AA they can put him up agianst Cro cop.
I like AA, always have. And i would like to see him face Kongo(sometime?) but he does not get the ok from me to fight a guy who just beat Cro cop. but then again it’s not my decision.[/quote]
When you put it like that, I have to agree with you.
[quote post=”3479″]Big nog has a glassjaw, so yeah, congo could just as easily end this fight Quick! [/quote]
JSOPH, I REALLY hope that you were being sarcastic with the ‘Big Nog has a glassjaw’ comment. But upon further review, I see that you spell Kongo with a “C”, which makes me think that you just don’t know too much about MMA. It is widely known throughout the world of MMA that Big Nog and Cabbage Correria have the 2 best chins in all of MMA. I, myself, would throw Henderson in there at number 3.
So, let me teach you a thing or two about Big Nog:
For starters, at the age of 10 he was ran over by a truck and was in a coma. He lost a rib and part of his liver and had to be hospitalized for eleven months. The fact that he then decided to compete in MMA just shows how tough he is. This is why he has that huge scar on his lower back.
He has 36 Pro fights, with only 4 losses, and he has NEVER BEEN KNOCKED OUT. How can someone that has never been KO’d in pro 36 fights have a glass jaw. Also, in his 4 losses, he has NEVER even been finished. Every won of his losses came by decision. He lost by unanimous decsion to Fedor twice, and he lost by split decision to Josh Barnett and Dan Henderson. Yup, DAN HENDERSON beat Big Nog.
On paper Nog gets the win period. Nog’s ground game is just on another level. His stiking has improved with a lot of boxing training. Has anyone seen the fight with Josh Barnett, the stood up a lot in that last fight and Josh is no push over. He can take a punch, kick or slam and recover as seen in the past. It is hard to predict what will happen because of the lucky strikes that can end it all. Kongo does have a chance and training with Rampage team will help. Someone made mention of Nog getting kicked by Heath, well Heath is no push over and he is bigger than Kongo and hits just as hard or even harder then Kongo, do your research and has way more experience and has fought with Nog two other times. Plus Nog is new to the UFC and just started training in a cage with in the pass year or so. Once he gets use to that cage he will use it to pull out some wicked submission just like Gracie in his hay day. Every fight can go either way but on paper Nog gets the nod and at the fight I have Nog winning by armbar 2nd round!
Why is this the heavyweight contender bout. In my oppinion both Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia are more legitimate contenders than Cheik Kongo.
good point. i’d venture to say that it’s called a contender bout only cause congo is new (and to be fair - really excellent).
But after big nog rips Congos arm off , or punches his lights out, or disconnects his knee caps or whatever he chooses… Tim sylvia would become more of a contender- although i doubt sylvia will be next in line given his recent defeat at the hands of couture.
i’d love to see a crocop congo rematch. it be about who’s fight it’d become. crocop was definitely on the prowl at the beginning. If they both worked on their ground game a lot the fight could be won there strange as it seems). think kimbo vs ray mercer - strange apples and porange analogy i know). Vera is still hot but hasn’t really beaten anyoneon the level of congo let alone big nog - lets see if he gets past the one punch death man tim sylvia. that would be impressive but it’s like drawing straws in a way because if big tim lands even p your dead but if he doesn’t a skillful fighter could really pick sylvia apart. the fedor vs semmy shilt would be similar to what vera should probably aim for. stay close or far - but out of striking range (big i know) and watch for a hook coming out of the clinch or off the mat.
my advice to congo. when in doubt - TAP. save your joints for a fight you can win.
now lets not count kongo out of this fight….i mean i am pretty sure many ppl picked cro cop to bounce back ( from his knock out loss) and just walk through kongo and knock him out….but if you’s forgot kongo handled cro cop and beat ‘the most feared striker’ ….. same could happen in this fight
Kongo isn’t that good of a fighter. The only notable fighter he beat was Cro Cop who had 2 weeks to prepare for the fight because of a broken ankle and torn tendons in his leg he suffered in his last fight. I’m sick of hearing that Kongo has a good ground game, He doesn’t! He looked a little less than compitant on the ground against Cro Cop who stinks on the ground. Granted Kongo’s striking did look good, but no steller. In my opinion this fight shouldn’t decide who fights for the title. I believe that Sylvia vs Vera should be the #1 contender bout.
If Kongo keeps it standing, he’ll win by (T)KO. If Noguiera gets it to the ground, he submits Kongo via armbar. NO WAY THIS FIGHT MAKES IT 3 ROUNDS!
[quote comment=”168421″]Kongo isn’t that good of a fighter. The only notable fighter he beat was Cro Cop who had 2 weeks to prepare for the fight because of a broken ankle and torn tendons in his leg he suffered in his last fight. I’m sick of hearing that Kongo has a good ground game, He doesn’t! He looked a little less than compitant on the ground against Cro Cop who stinks on the ground. Granted Kongo’s striking did look good, but no steller. In my opinion this fight shouldn’t decide who fights for the title. I believe that Sylvia vs Vera should be the #1 contender bout.[/quote]
Dude- Vera is pretty much starting all over again in my book. He hasn’t fought in almost a year. And Sylvia has been out of the action for like 9 months too. If Sylvia wins by brutal KO then you can make a case he is up near the top because he did just loose the belt his last time out. Vera’s toughest opponent to date has been washed up Frank Mir. He still has 2 or 3 fights to go to get into contention. Although they gave Jeff Monson a title shot without beating anybody. Don’t forget Arlovski is waiting too.