“Despite not getting the outcome I was hoping for, I feel I opened a lot of eyes, both the fighters and the fans know exactly how serious I was when speaking before the fight. I’m not just another guy…. I’m pretty sure I’ll be back considering how this fight got set up and how it went down despite the loss…. I feel like I showed I should be fighting top guys. It would be a shame for the UFC to put me at the bottom of the division, but I’ll take what I can get.”
– Chris Wilson — who stepped up on short notice to take on top welterweight contender Jon Fitch at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” on March 1 — tells SutureMagazine.com that he feels his debut performance earned him another shot inside the Octagon. “The Professor” lost a hard fought unanimous decision, but he looked solid in doing so.
March 4th, 2008
25 Comments »
I thought he had a chance in the first round… he did a great job against Fitch…
Really glad Fitch won though
Wilson looked good. I had him winning the first round, only one judge saw it my way. I’m looking forward to seeing him fight again soon.
Chris Wilson came to fight on Saturday! I was thoroughly impressed with every part of his game. Plus, he is a HUGE welterwieght. I mean, seriously, he is huge, he made Fitch look small, and everyone always talks about how big of a WW Fitch is.
Who are some good next opponents for Chris Wilson? I agree that he shouldn’t start at the very bottom of the division fighting TUF rejects like Billy Miles, but I also don’t think that he should be fed to the wolves immediately, so to say. I mean, I can see him getting a fight with Diego Sanchez, but I would like to see Wilson get sort of an easier fight to get a UFC win under his belt first. I would think that both Wilson and Diego would both want that fight. Wilson would be fighting another big name, and Diego lost to Fitch because he felt he was undersized and too weak. Wilson would be a good test to see how Diego’s new strength and conditioning has been going.
[quote comment=”343770″]Chris Wilson came to fight on Saturday! I was thoroughly impressed with every part of his game. Plus, he is a HUGE welterwieght. I mean, seriously, he is huge, he made Fitch look small, and everyone always talks about how big of a WW Fitch is.
Who are some good next opponents for Chris Wilson? I agree that he shouldn’t start at the very bottom of the division fighting TUF rejects like Billy Miles, but I also don’t think that he should be fed to the wolves immediately, so to say. I mean, I can see him getting a fight with Diego Sanchez, but I would like to see Wilson get sort of an easier fight to get a UFC win under his belt first. I would think that both Wilson and Diego would both want that fight. Wilson would be fighting another big name, and Diego lost to Fitch because he felt he was undersized and too weak. Wilson would be a good test to see how Diego’s new strength and conditioning has been going.[/quote]
I agree…Wilson looked like a huge WW…I had no idea he was that big. I think with his size and reach and very technical stiking he could make some waves in the WW division. He needs to work on his sprawl a bit more though.
I don’t think they should put him in there with Diego. I say put Diego back in with Koscheck and lets see what he can do with Koscheck when healthy. I think 2 good opponents for Wilson are the 2 gatekeepers for the division…Chris Lytle or Josh Burkman. It’s not the bottom of the division but a win would solidify his spot as an above average WW and then he can build his name from there.
Agree with Buster. Burkman or Lytle should be a nice fight for him.
I say give him Hazelett, he impressed me standing up with Kos. Had Kos dazed for a sec but got caught with that kick. He’s young but looks like he has potential. Anyone agree with this matchup?
Right on Hazelett is the man he should go against.
[quote comment=”343753″]Wilson looked good. I had him winning the first round, only one judge saw it my way. I’m looking forward to seeing him fight again soon.[/quote]
I also had himm winning the first round i find it wierd how i can watch a fight with a bunch of guys and all of us agree who won a round and none of the judges will see it our way but yes he will be back in the ufc he almost won if there was a lil more time left at the end of the 2nd round
Wilson was impressive.
Who was Fitch scheduled to fight?
[quote comment=”343831″]Wilson was impressive.
Who was Fitch scheduled to fight?[/quote]
Akhiro Gono.
The great thing about a matchup between Wilson and Hazelett is that it will guarantee one of them a win inside the cage (draws are pretty rare in the UFC), which should help to boost confidence and ranking.
2 or 3 big wins for either of them should see them rising quite quickly at 170…
[quote post=”5206″]Wilson was impressive.
Who was Fitch scheduled to fight?[/quote]
Fitch was scheduled to fight tough Japanese fighter Akihiro Gono
It almost sounds like he was happy or content to lose. Its hard to respect or take him seriously after that. Sure he got that 1 punch in that rocked Fitch. But it looked like Fitch was just kind of toying with him, trying to stand up with him. When Fitch finally went back to his bread and butter: wrestling, it was over. Plus the WW division is stacked with COMPLETE fighters: fighters that have solid standup and ground game. I see Chris Wilson suffering the same fate with Diego, Karo, Koscheck, Hughes, Serra. Basicly, he’ll be in the back of a very long line. Fitch needs to work on his striking to be able to even move in on GSP. Doesn’t he train at a kickboxing academy?!? Overall , I was more unimpressed with Fitch than impressed with Mr. Wilson. But bottom line, he won me some $ so I cant complain.
they should throw Wilson vs Paul Taylor or Dustin Hazelett, wow fireworks
another good one would be Paul Kelly vs Marcus Davis but, hes already fighting Swick
Chris Wilson impressed the hell out of me Saturday.
[quote comment=”343786″][quote comment=”343770″]Chris Wilson came to fight on Saturday! I was thoroughly impressed with every part of his game. Plus, he is a HUGE welterwieght. I mean, seriously, he is huge, he made Fitch look small, and everyone always talks about how big of a WW Fitch is.
Who are some good next opponents for Chris Wilson? I agree that he shouldn’t start at the very bottom of the division fighting TUF rejects like Billy Miles, but I also don’t think that he should be fed to the wolves immediately, so to say. I mean, I can see him getting a fight with Diego Sanchez, but I would like to see Wilson get sort of an easier fight to get a UFC win under his belt first. I would think that both Wilson and Diego would both want that fight. Wilson would be fighting another big name, and Diego lost to Fitch because he felt he was undersized and too weak. Wilson would be a good test to see how Diego’s new strength and conditioning has been going.[/quote]
I agree…Wilson looked like a huge WW…I had no idea he was that big. I think with his size and reach and very technical stiking he could make some waves in the WW division. He needs to work on his sprawl a bit more though.
I don’t think they should put him in there with Diego. I say put Diego back in with Koscheck and lets see what he can do with Koscheck when healthy. I think 2 good opponents for Wilson are the 2 gatekeepers for the division…Chris Lytle or Josh Burkman. It’s not the bottom of the division but a win would solidify his spot as an above average WW and then he can build his name from there.[/quote]
Very impressed with Wilson. I say Chris Lytle vs. Wilson would make for a very explosive fight. I would also put him up against SWICK if the fight against marcus Davis falls through. I think Swick is over-rated and I would love to see him Bang it out with Wilson.
He clearly won the first round, I want to see more Chris Wilson NOW!
I mean I was in a state of chock… I thought Fitch was going to kick his ass, still glad Fitch won but I’m sure we haven’t seen Wilson the last time inside the Octagon.
Chris Wilson taught a few classes here at Icon during his stay in Honolulu this year.
The dude has some sick combinations, very knowledgable very sharp. It was great taking his classes I hope he does well in the UFC.
Wow…some really good ideas on this post! I like the Swick idea and also like the Hazelett idea. I think he’s going to make some waves at 170lbs.
I love it how the week after an event, everyone falls in love with a fighter who was unknown going into the weekend and 75% of the people were Bashing.
Props to Joe Silva for providing us with some very solid new, no named talent in the past year. Everyone Bashed Houston, then he became an internet favorite, then we laughed at Boetsch, now he is a god… the everyone trashed Wilson, now he is adored.
I say it all the time, just cause you never heard of a certain fighter it doesnt mean that he doesnt belong in the UFC and that you wont be entertained by him. We are to quick to hate. Give these fighters a chance. joe Silva has proven to know a thing or two about talent.
Definitely would like to see Wilson back..he did great against one of if not the top guy in the weight class..he was impressive and I am sure Joe Silva and Dana took note of this…good luck to him and I hope we see the kid again!
i think that fitch fight put WILSON in the top 5. Fitch has fought and beaten easily - larson, sanchez, alves, burkman, hironaka, roan carneiro and wilson, BY FAR, put up the biggest fight.
WAR CHRIS WILSON!
[quote comment=”344264″]I love it how the week after an event, everyone falls in love with a fighter who was unknown going into the weekend and 75% of the people were Bashing.
Props to Joe Silva for providing us with some very solid new, no named talent in the past year. Everyone Bashed Houston, then he became an internet favorite, then we laughed at Boetsch, now he is a god… the everyone trashed Wilson, now he is adored.
I say it all the time, just cause you never heard of a certain fighter it doesnt mean that he doesnt belong in the UFC and that you wont be entertained by him. We are to quick to hate. Give these fighters a chance. joe Silva has proven to know a thing or two about talent.[/quote]
So True - that’s why I can’t stand it when everyone starts saying this guy hasn’t beat anyone or he got rocked by some no name scrub! Total BS - like I said in previous posts….no one knew who GSP was at one point. Only time will tell how good some of these guys are.
[quote comment=”344908″][quote comment=”344264″]I love it how the week after an event, everyone falls in love with a fighter who was unknown going into the weekend and 75% of the people were Bashing.
Props to Joe Silva for providing us with some very solid new, no named talent in the past year. Everyone Bashed Houston, then he became an internet favorite, then we laughed at Boetsch, now he is a god… the everyone trashed Wilson, now he is adored.
I say it all the time, just cause you never heard of a certain fighter it doesnt mean that he doesnt belong in the UFC and that you wont be entertained by him. We are to quick to hate. Give these fighters a chance. joe Silva has proven to know a thing or two about talent.[/quote]
So True - that’s why I can’t stand it when everyone starts saying this guy hasn’t beat anyone or he got rocked by some no name scrub! Total BS - like I said in previous posts….no one knew who GSP was at one point. Only time will tell how good some of these guys are.[/quote]
This was the same point Fitch made on this site a couple of weeks ago. He said Wilson was the real deal but unheard of and it turned out to be very true.