I haven’t bet yet either but I’m starting to lean toward Forrest more and more. Not that I think his cardio will be an issue but we’ve never really seen anyone put a beating on Rashad either. We all know Forrest can take some serious punishment and still keep coming. I think this might be the first fight Rashad is in where he has to dig deep and rely on his conditioning/heart; but in those departments I gotta give it to forrest.

Even if Evans gets top position for some GnP, so what? Griffin has been under Ortiz and Shogun in those departments, took a beating and come back in both fights. It doesn’t matter how hard Rashad tries to grind him out he won’t be able to demoralize/take Forrests mind out of the fight. For me that just leaves the stand up, I don’t see Forrest chasing Rashad around the cage with his hands down like Chuck did; my mind might change depending on what else comes up but right now I’m starting to think Forrest is the better bet.

great post dood!

u make a lot of good points about this match-up.

thanks for the insight~

I’m a big fan of Forrest and I’ll be rooting for him in this fight, but if I was going to bet I’d put money on Rashad. I think this is a really close fight to call and because of that I’d put my money on the underdog. I see Rashad having a better chance at getting the KO but Forrest having a better shot at a submission. I think either could win a decision, but the fact that Forrest has already fought a 5 round war might give him an edge. Rashad did seem to fade a bit at the end of his fight with Bisping, but he also looked great in the third round against Tito. However it goes, I’m excited for this fight.

see i knew i would forget some peeps on my list~

i just noticed

u ~ along with my boy ojr and

alot of uk bloggers i missed on my list.

there might be hundreds of peeps on this site daily~

but only about 30 mma nerdz that post comments that

attract my attention.

Stink: Tuff one to call man! I am a little anti forrest by nature so if you detect any bias in my post please ignore me.. Lets break it down, and feel we to correct me in aspects that you dont agree with.

Conditioning: I will never say that anyone is in better shape to fight than Forrest is, Im not that looney. I respect his cardio, heart and toughness…But I dont think Rashad is too far off in those regards. He showed a lot of heart against Tito. Like Forrest, it took him a while to realize that he belonged in there with Tito. Once he felt comfortable he started whooping his ass….showed tons of heart and more importantly composure during that fight.

Standing up: I think Rashad has the advantage in the hands and Forrest has the advantage in the kicks, but Rashad’s best friend and training partner Jardine has as nasty of leg kicks as it gets so you better believe that Rashad will be prepared for those. I would have to give the advantage to Rashad because in the end, He has more3 chance of ENDING it standing than Forrest does.

Ground game is interesting: Can Rashad outwrestle Forrest and G n P him while staying out of Forrests good jits game? I dunno, but at this stage in Rashad’s career, I have to think that he should be able to ground n pound Forrest without getting caught in a silly triangle or armbar.

Gameplan: I think they cancel each other out. This fight wont be won by greg Jackson or Couture….Both fighters will be prepared and have solid gameplans. Its up to the fighters to deliver.

Personally, I am betting Rashad because I think he has more ways to end the fight and I am sick of picking against the guy!

What worries me about Forrest is if on the ground Forrest scrambles and gets Rashads back in like the 4th or 5th round, I dont know if Rashad will quit on me or not. I know Forrest isnt quitting.

Dunno whats going to happen, my money (small amount) is on Rashad). Save the Big Bucks for Noguiera!

Yea I’m not too sure about the winner of Griffin vs Rashad, I might just throw all the money in my acct on Wanderlei and forget about the rest of the fights. I’m just leaning toward Forrest because I have yet to see Evans in an all out war, no one’s really put him in a bad spot that he had to battle back from; the heart could be/could not be there, I don’t really know, but in a battle of wills/heart (and I believe thats what this will come down to) I have to go with Griffin. If their both bloody, beat up, tired and hurt the one that will keep on fighting like the fight just started is gonna be Griffin.

Forrest has that in common with Wandi, I’d love to see some of their sparring sessions.

What up stink. Forrest all the way. I am not sold on Rashad. Draw to Tito, squeaked one out agaisn’t a 185er and KOed (as much as I hate to admit) an aging Chuck. Forrest has fought much better guys and won. He has been tested for 5 rounds and no one has a bigger heart. I also think he has something to prove. Many people (I am not 1 of them), don’t even think he deserves that belt. I think he wants to go out there, put a whooping on Rashad and prove that he is the real 205 champ. There is nothing Rashad can do that he hasn’t already seen and defended successfully.

At first, I was liking Rashad, especially at the +120. But odds have changed slightly, and so has my opinion. Now I am thinking that Forrest is going to fight this fight very similar to the Rampage fight as far as the standup goes. At first I was able to picture Rashad KO’ing Forrest just like he did to Chuck, but the more I think about it, the less likely I think it is. Its not like Rashad has been this one punch KO artist for years…

The key to this fight I think will be how often Evans is successfully able to take Forrest down and hit him a few times while down there. As of now, I got Forrest eeking out a VERY TIGHT Rampage’esgue decision win to keep the belt, most likely split again.

But as far as betting goes, Stinky., I am with you. I got NO ACTION on this fight yet. If odds change drastically in either direction, I’ll take someone, but as of now, I’m sitting this fight out.

The odds for the Wanderlei/Rampage fight are even, but I see this fight being more Even. A better argument can be made on why Wanderlei or Rampge will win than can be made for either Forrest or Evans. Did that make sense???? I don’t know… Just typing as it comes to my mind and not going to bother re-reading before posting…

well stinky, I say the money is on rashad, but how can anyone count out forrest

And just remember, you all thought Forrest was going to lose to Shogun and you probably lost money. Then you thought, okay, no way he loses to Rampage and you probably lost even more money. Maybe its time to change how you think about Forrest???

WE also assumed that Shogun had 2 acls that were intact!

BNF: That was NOT Shogun, that was a gimpy shell of his former self, untrained do to knee injuries. Forrest lost to Tito, so I guess Rashads Draw is better. Forrest got killed by Jardine. Rashad beat CHuck, yes on the decline…Rashad taking shots from a big boy like Brad Imes back in the day was very impressive. Do u really think Forrest could take a Brad Imes punch? Not so sure about it! As for your comment about Rashad eeking out a win over BISPING…..Forrest wouldnt be able to finish Bisping either. THey are actually quit similar in fight resume…I give the slight advantage to shad…Then again, I CANT STAND FORREST!

Suga Shad!

I get your point BNF. I too formerly hated on Forrest. Of course that Shogun upset was somethin’, but a few days after the Rampage fight, I was still stunned by the fact that Forrest was the one wearin’ the belt. Now, I guess it’s time to validate that champ status Forrest! Griffin by either submission or decision!

There is no way I will bet on this fight. I always bet against Evans and I always lose. I will just enjoy this one for the fight and root for Forrest.

DDT; I might do the same thing; I think in just about every fight they’ve been in I’ve bet against both of them.

John, Forrest lost the 1st round to Tito and won the 2nd and 3rd. That was a bullsh*t split decision and that fight was almost a year and a half before Rashad even fought him. Tito was better then. Jardine caught Forrest and that was a lesson learned. That actually worked to his advantage going forward.

If you tell me that beating Chuck and Bisbing is more impressive than beating Rampage and Shogun then I know you really just don’t like Forrest and you are not thinking objectivly.

Oh yeah, LMAO at Brad Imes. I checked him, of 12 wins 1 TKO and 1 KO. I could probably take a punch from that dude. BTW, where is he now? Give up on the weak chin Forrest thing. He went 5 rounds in a fight where Rampage was basically trying to hit is head over the cage. I respect your opinion, but that is just silly.

If rashad tweeks his nipples, its all over baby.

BNF!!!! I hate Forrest more than any other fighter…what do u expect me to say?

my unbiased oppinion is that they are pretty even as fighters and as resume’s are concerned. Anyone’s guess is as good as mine…since they are equla, bet against who you dont like… Forrest has to go down! He will prove to be a 1 pump chump!

I don’t really understand what you don’t like about Forrest. He’s a humble guy who works hard and has a great attitude. Plus, he has more heart than any fighter on the planet. From my perspective there’s nothing about him not to like, although I suppose that fact alone could irritate some people.

Because Forrest beat 2 of his favorite fighters.

I dont count Him beating a peg-leged Shogun as a win.

I dont think he ever deserved to fight for the title and that is very important to me! Thats why I like hearing guys like Bisping say that they havent “EARNED the right” to fight for the title. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night thats why its very important to have guys who earned their shot fighting for the title and Forrest loosing to Jardine, then beating Hector “give me a break” Ramirez, and then beating a GIMP shogun, iMO, shouldnt get you a title shot in the best division in mma!

correction: I dont count Him beating a peg-leged Shogun as a win that should make you the #1 contender!

Then you must really hate Rampage for getting his title shot after beating Marvin Eastman, or Anderson after beating Leben. Give me a break John. Is it who you beat, where, or how? There are several factors and if you didn’t complain about those you can’t complain about Forrest.

I got Forrest in this one. If Rashad goes for the take down I think there is a pretty good chance Forrest stuffs it. He trains with better wrestlers at Xtreme Couture. I think he can frusterate Rashad and use his reach to keep him at bay. I’m not counting on Rashad KOing him like he did Liddell either. Forrest is one of the best in the buissness at moving in and out (besides Machida) and I think he might just be a little too quick for Rashad to land that big right hand. Both guys are quick as hell, but I think Forrest’s reach and hight might make the difference in this fight. Forrest is one of the best at using his length. And plus Forrest out struck Rampage, arguably, who most will agree is the better striker than Rashad. So why can’t he do it again? And lastly the Jackson camp is due for a loss.

Stinky !!!

Whats up son? Thanks for the shout out!

Griffin v. Rashad

I won’t go into a detailed analysis because I find their intangibles, heart and desire to be too close to call.

However, I will give the edge to Rashad based on…

Pure athleticism.

Griffin will not be able to stuff Rashad’s takedowns the entire fight.

This will be the saving grace that will give the man from MI the edge over the everyday man hero, Griffin.

Say word to Big Bird!

I don’t think you can blame Forrest for accepting a title shot when it was offered to him. It’s the same situation that Brock was in, and either of them would have been foolish to decline. Pete Spratt was offered a WW title shot years ago and turned it down, and how well did that turn out for him? You have to take your opportunities as they arise. And as far as Bisping saying he hasn’t earned the right to fight for the title yet, do you think he would say the same thing if he thought he could beat Anderson Silva? He needs more time to develop and improve if he wants to stand a chance in that fight so postponing a title shot is in his best interest.

It’s no secret…I’m probably the biggest Rashad fan on this site and have been since TUF 2. Obviously I think Rashad takes this via 3rd round TKO. This fight will end not unlike the Jardine/Griffin fight with Rashad catching Forrest with a solid combo of punches that will daze him long enough for Rashad to secure a takedown and start raining down some blows that’ll make Forrest’s head bounce off the canvas.

Forrest’s keys to victory are to use his jabs and circle a lot…he’s going to have the reach advantage as well as solid footwork. He needs to get Rashad on his back…a place he’s never been and use his superior jits to make something happen or to get Rashad in the later rounds where his cardio could make the difference in decisioning him in rounds 4 and 5. Work the leg kicks like he did against Page.

Rashad’s keys to victory are to keep in Forrest’s face…there’s no real one punch KO threat like there was with Chuck. He needs to get inside that reach and let Forrest feel his new found hand speed and power. Push the pace…get him against the fence and take him down. He needs to check the leg kicks and get that overhand right going again…cause the later rounds favor Forrest.

BNF: Rampage was on a 3 fight win streak before besting Eastman and 1 of those wins was a hard-fought battle with Lindland. Factor in his previous butchering of Liddell and that all adds up to a legitimate shot at Chucks title. Whether you were a fan or not, PRIDE was equal to the UFC and at one point the premier organization. You wouldnt discredit a premier AFC player from starting in the NFC because his accomplishments were made in another division would you?

Anderson Silva was on a 4 fight win streak (the Okami loss was a DQ)………….

Buster, I’ve also been a Shad fan since TUF and picked him to win it. Its cool to see a fellow fan amongst all the long-time haters.

I see people comparing Rampage to Rashad in terms of gauging how well Evans matches up against Forrest. I say you cant compare the two. Yes both are rooted in wrestling but they use their tools differently. Rampage uses brute strength for his takedowns and Rashad uses a page from the Couture book of takedowns by using the cage as an additional tool. Evans is the quicker of the two and has much better footwork while Rampage is a flatfooted head hunter. Shad is also quicker, smarter and more atheletic. I think you all see where I’m going with this, right?

Shad vs Griffin will be a very technical fight. If it goes to decision I see it playing out like this:

Rd 1 (Forrest): We’ll see Forrest use his reach advantage and establish the jab in the 1st, frustrating Evans which will cause him to try and force the takedown but Forrest will use his size and strength to stuff Shads takedown attempts.

Rd 2 (Shad): Shad will find his range and start winning the stand up by the middle of the 2nd, then go on to start mixing up the combinations and takedowns. His superior athleticism will frustrate the Gump.

Rd 3 (Shad/Griffin): continue frustrating Forrest in the 3rd but will not be able to hold Griffin down, more takedowns ensue but Griffin will be looking to make Rashad pay for every shot. Expect to see multiple sub attempts from Griffins guard.

Rd 4 (Griffin): the same in the 4th with Shad looking to pass guard and finish a la Lambert.

Rd 5 (Shad): Look for Sugar to lean on Forrest and press him against the fence and use some dirty boxing with more takedowns. Takedowns will be the deciding factor that wins this round.

Due to the height difference I say Rashad needs to watch for the knees while on the inside and the head kick while on the outside. If he can avoid those things he wins this fight by split decision.

The funny thing here is that the fight probably wont look anything like my description. Watch it end with something like a brutal KO in the 1st or sub in the opening seconds of the 2nd LOL

stinky -san, this is a “goldschlagered-up”chefdaddy coming at you now, so beware. Man, IMO, I wouldn’t bet a dime on this one! My heart and gut aren’t even torn, they are strictly undecided. both guys have heart and conditioning, skills etc. But how to decide? Whooo….that’s beyond tough. I guess, as of this moment, I would side with Forrest. But the one thing I worry about? It would be Rashad taking him down; doing the lay ‘n pray for 5 rounds. Striking, I give to Griffin. Heart, I give to Griffin. But boring @ss dominance? That’s Rashad all the way. My recomendation? Go out. Drink hard with numerous hotties and enjoy the fight. Man, it’s just too close to call!

stink~ thanks for the props. Here’s my unthought out unintelligible opinion of this fight. They are pretty evenly matched and it’s a tough fight to break down but in all honesty….I just can’t get up for this fight. Maybe it’s b/c they’re both TUF guys. I love Forrest but even tho Shad is undefeated this just doesn’t seem like a BIG fight to me. Therefore I haven’t put any real effort into thinking about how it will go down. Just don’t care. For some reason I am actually expecting one or both of them to go out there and lay an egg. Expect one guy to show up to fight and one to not look like himself. There’s really no reason for me to think this. Call it a gut feeling. Plus everyone else above me alreay broke the fight down…..I’m really mailing it in today.

It’s because Dean Lister is one of the most boring fighters on earth and most of his fights suck.I can’t understand why anyone who has seen a Dean Lister fight is clamoring for his fight with Okami to be shown live on the PPV.

Cuz they are both top ranked MW’s and the outcome of this fight actually matters for once, as far as title contention.

Well if you want to nit-pick, he started out moderately c*cky (no different than most), and every subsequent win he’s gotten more so… especially without a loss to temper his attitude. His signature ‘nipple tweak’… WTF! Weird!! Yeah, he’s definitely gotten more c*cky.

Yeah, but the nipple tweak thing seems to work for him. It’s worked for GSP and Jardine, too. It may be weird, but it seems to be effective.

would you like to bet on that fight since your so sure?

I don’t think Mir could TKO Nogueira if they let him fight with a baseball bat. If a truck couldn’t take out Nogueira when he was 10, Mir’s not about to do it now.

This is just a silly debate. Mir isnt even close to the class that Nog’s in. Mir aka the heavyweight travis lutter cant fight 2 solid rounds. For anyone to think that Mir can beat Nog in under 2 rounds is just insane. mir will be lucky to go to the later rounds, but I doubt it. Nog is going to TKO mIR!!!! Nog made Werdum look silly on the ground, so Mir’’s ground game does not worry me.

Frank Mir will be nervous when the cage shuts….For Nogueira, it will be another day on the brazilian beach!

Be easy, and Bet Nogueira!

Truth.

I agree, Nog for the win. But it’s interesting so see that the betting odds are in favor of Mir for the win, big time. I think we all know better!