Comments on: Friday fight notes before Super Bowl ‘08

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:47:57 +0000

SI has some excellent sports photography. That’s why it’s called Sports ILLUSTRATED, and that’s it’s real strength, along with it’s history of editorials.

By: Dave2

Dave2 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:35:43 +0000

Filho is like 5′8″. He needs to lay off the weights and lose (not cut) a lot of weight. Then put him in the UFC welterweight division since he won’t fight Anderson anyway. WEC is supposed to be a feeder. Who cares if they get their stars poached. It’s all Zuffa-owned.

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:31:07 +0000

I agree. He can’t compete with any of the Top 10 Light Heavyweights in the world. He was short enough as a Middleweight. I think he needs to lay off the weights, and concentrate on slimming his body down. That is his best bet.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:01:28 +0000

I can’t reasonably see Filho making a move to 205. He had enough trouble dealing with the reach of a big 185er and part of his dominance is his brute strength for a 185 fighter. This move really makes no sense for him whatsoever.

By: 45 Huddle

45 Huddle — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:46:46 +0000

Mauricio Rua is a Top 5 fighter, I don’t care what any ranking says. Both he & Chuck Liddell were tied for the #1 spot. Liddell lost to Rampage, and Rua was the lone #1 guy. Then when he lost to Forrest Griffin, Rampage became #1.

To me, this is two Top 5 contenders going for a title shot. It is a fantastic fight, but really risky for Rua. If he loses this fight, I see him going down to Middleweight.

Also, Frank Edgar vs. Gray Maynard has been confirmed for UFC Fight Night 13. That card is stacked with talent and good fights. Edgar is the linear LW Champion.

On a side note, Paulo Filho is the linear Middleweight World Champion. There are many rumors of him soon moving up to Light Heavyweight. I assume if he moves up to Light Heavyweight, that the winner of the Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson fight takes over the linear position.

By: klown

klown — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:35:44 +0000

It’s a weird match-up.

Liddell should be fighting another Top 5er, for #1 Contender.

Rua should be fighting someone in the latter half of the Top 10.

What do you do with the loser of this match?

By: Sergio

Sergio — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:24:17 +0000

MMA Weekly’s top headline: Shogun vs. Liddell.

Looks like it’s going down in June.

I couldn’t be happier.

By: Ross

Ross — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:10:54 +0000

I don’t think Wertheim would be responsible for the captions in his articles so I wouldn’t blame that blunder on him.

MMAMania is now saying that Shogun has confirmed the fight with Liddell in June. I found it interesting that Chuck said he doesn’t want to fight in the UK so I’ll guess that it’s the joint headline fight with Rampage/Griffin, which should be taking place around that time.

By: The Gaijin

The Gaijin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:38:19 +0000

Looks like the Liddell-Shogun rumours are gaining some steam.

I’m all for this fight, should be a barnburner. I think Liddell’s gotta come in as the favourite at first glance.

By: Michaelthebox

Michaelthebox — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:00:17 +0000

I wouldn’t get too up in arms, Ben. SI has been a lightweight sports mag for a while now.