Sherdog.com's new odd couple are back for another mind-numbing installment of the Great Sherdog Debate. Managing Editor Mike Fridley is on an unstoppable pace as he has set all sorts of GSD records in his still-blossoming career while fan favorite hard-luck columnist Mike Sloan is caught in a downward spiral.
Sloan truly believes that his luck will change with this debate, but Fridley doubts such misfortunes will be corrected. Today, they debate one of the most important fights -- if not
the most important -- of 2007:
Dan Henderson (Pictures) versus
Quinton Jackson (Pictures).
It's funny, really, that when this fight was announced a few months ago, I had mixed emotions. First I thought it was a terrific fight and couldn't contain my joy at the thought of "Hendo" scrapping it out with "Rampage." However, once I realized that this fight was actually going to happen and not just another Zuffa pipe dream, I sorta got bummed out, Fridley.
To me, this fight is a slam-dunk for Henderson and I think Zuffa rushed to make this. The UFC should have allowed "Rampage" to defend his title at least once and allow Henderson, one of the greatest fighters in history, to build a name for himself here in America.
On the heels of his shocking annihilation of
Chuck Liddell (Pictures), it truly is sad to see Jackson's light heavyweight championship reign end without a singular defense.
But before you start bellowing nonsense about how smart you are and how you've owned me in these debates, spare yourself the energy because you're wasting your time. Aside from brute strength and maybe striking technique there is no aspect of the fight that Jackson has an edge over Henderson.
Jackson has a weaker chin, far worse cardio, is nowhere near the wrestler and doesn't have the same determination. To me, this isn't close. Henderson also won't be ripping it up at clubs days before his fight like some other fighters.
And besides, any time Henderson has had to face an elite opponent he's stepped up and the vast majority of the time he's won. Check it out:
Vitor Belfort (Pictures),
Murilo Bustamante (Pictures) (twice),
Wanderlei Silva (Pictures),
Carlos Newton (Pictures) (when he mattered),
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures),
Renzo Gracie (Pictures) and a dubious loss to
Ricardo Arona (Pictures) when he was elite. The list goes on and on. The same can't be said for Rampage.
Oh, and don't even bother mentioning how he lost to
Kazuo Misaki (Pictures) -- he looked past him and then whipped him in the rematch.
You're right about one thing, Sloan. Hendo will not be ripping it up at clubs in the weeks leading up to the fight. Not that the 37 year old lives that lifestyle anyways, but in case you haven't heard: the PRIDE ace's wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last week.
Turns out that UFC President Dana White would not budge from their Sept. 8 UFC 75 plans, so the couple decided (with approval from their obstetrician), to deliver the baby by way of C-section a full week early so Dan could be present to witness the birth of his child.
Irrelevant fodder for a published debate? Not so fast, my bandwagon-piloting friend.
A solid sports handicapper observes the details that most pundits and fans alike overlook. Sometimes it isn't all Xs and Os Mikey boy -- just ask Frank Rosenthal of
Casino fame.
In the weeks leading up to Saturday's battle, Henderson's mind will be far from the biggest fight of his stellar career. While young Quinton spent the final stage of his camp sweating it out in the gym under the tutelage of Juanito Ibarra, your boy was soaking up the blessings of an extension of his DNA in a cramped hospital room with the distractions of family and well wishes.
While the elder fighter is always game, never out of shape and grittier than the Memphis native, the mental baggage that will accompany him across the pond will be the deciding factor in this duel of champions.
Jackson will compete with a strong mind and a clear conscious, knowing that he had taken every step in his preparation to become the first legit world champion in the history of mixed martial arts.
I expect Quinton to thoroughly dominate the Team Quest champ on his way to racking up a shockingly easy unanimous decision after five hard-fought rounds.
Henderson, though a fantastic wrester, has proven that he is susceptible to takedowns when he displays an open-striking game. Quinton will rough him up on the feet, and then cement his victory on the ground after he lifts Henderson into the air and deposits him on his melon.
I see it unfolding much like Jackson's bout with Liddell in Japan, with the howling Southerner putting dents in his foe's frame with elbows to the midsection.
Much like Jackson, who will need an extra shelf in his trophy case to house his new golden hardware, I will move a step closer to Charles Haley status as I score "one for the thumb" with my fifth consecutive victory on MMA media's biggest stage.
Five and 0, chump.
Wow, what an easy KO win for "The Count." These two guys went at it on the game show but this time it's for real. I feel bad for Hamill, actually.
I don't think it will be easy at first, but Bisping will put the Queen City native away via strikes in the second round.
If there was ever a time to catch "Cro Cop" when he badly needed a win, this is the time. Too bad for the massive Kongo he's not the guy to do it. "Cro Cop" will rebound with a spectacular highlight reel knockout. Early.
Is it just me or is the Croatian rushing his return to the cage after such a brutal knockout at UFC 70? While a few more months of rest would aid his chances, I'm still predicting the legend to reign victorious in London. "Cro Cop" by split decision after three uninspiring frames.
I'm willing to bet that Alexander is not some flash in the pan with a fluke destruction of a credible opponent in Jardine. I'll wager $4 that Houston scores another impressive stoppage late in the first.
Agreed. Like comedian Ron White so eloquently says, this boy has a lot of quit in him. Sakara, after a strong start, will waiver in the second round before falling victim to strikes against the fence. Alexander by TKO in the second round.
I don't believe I have ever seen Drwal fight before. Looking at his record, he looks like a fierce dude. Knowing what Silva is capable of, my pick is Silva via second round stoppage just because I've actually seen him fight before.
Octagon debut jitters anyone? Drwal has skills but Silva is a seasoned vet with enough experience to put the Polish fighter away with relative ease. Silva by KO in the opening period.
Another awesome fight, on paper at least. Both guys are very good but my pick is Davis because he's on a more impressive roll.
Davis should win, but this one may not be pretty. The American will taste victory after notching a unanimous decision after 15 minutes.
Etim has submitted everybody he's faced save for one bloke. This cat is for real when it comes to feasting on lower-level competition. Tibau has rebounded from his loss to
Nick Diaz (Pictures) and he'll have to rebound again after this fight. Etim by arm-triangle in the second.
Perhaps the most ignorant prediction you've ever made. Tibau will cruise to a score of 30-27.
Hmm. Not sure how good Torres actually is. Liaudin has fought many more times but he's also lost plenty along the way. I say Torres by decision, but that's with apprehension.
While Liaudin has the advantage when it comes to experience, it will aid him little in this first round submission loss. Torres by rear-naked choke in the opening stage.
This is the one fight I'm not really looking forward to and it probably won't even be televised. TAILS! Siver by decision.
Unlike my mentally challenged colleague, I'm going with Kotani all the way in this one. I don't foresee a barnburner by any means, but this should be an entertaining contest. Kotani by Kimura in the second stanza.
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