As much as I am praying for a "Minotoro" victory I just don't see it happening. Rashad is way too fast, too strong and too good at this point. Nogueira is an amazing fighter but... He has lost to Ryan Bader, Phill Davis and Arguably Jason Brilz (alot of people think Brilz deserved the nod) and beat a washed up Tito Ortiz who folded like a lawn chair after taking some shots to the body and head (though it was a great combo by nog) Rashad is on the same level as far as MMA wrestling goes as Davis and Bader are arguably (not talking pure collegiate wrestling and some may think Phil is a better MMA wrestler but it is arguable). He is more explosive than Bader and Davis, has way better striking, power and is way faster. His take downs are setup by punches and kicks and unpredictability. I am the biggest Nog brother fan out there. My heroes!....but he has trouble with good strong MMA wrestlers. I just cant see little Nog winning unless he can avoid the take down and score a KO. People think Rashad is "chinny" but he doesn't get hit that often anymore and he has great recovery. I see Rashad avoiding Nogs boxing, moving in and out like against rampage, catching him with some shots, pushing him against the cage, taking him down and either pounding him out or taking a 50-45 decision (just because Nog has the heart of a lion and is tough to put away)
I fully agree. I don't give Nog much more than a 1/5 chance to pull something off here. Likely he'll be dominated.
I'm not sure who thinks Phil is a better mma wrestler than Rashad. Pretty sure their fight showed the exact opposite. If anything Phil is the better pure folkstyle wrestler and Rashad the better mma wrestler.
I just want to say again Nogueira is one of my MMA idols and he is fully capable of pulling off a victory, but yes you are right.... Bad Matchup.. Nog Loses
you are right mcclarse, I almost forgot about that fight. Ill have to watch it again. I just knew some people might say Phil is better at taking people down or something, or that his take down defense just isnt good... yata yata yata
Nog has struggled with the wrestlers, but has shown improvement as well. It'll be interesting, but I think you're right. Also, rewatch the Brilz fight. It was a good decision. That was a case of "One guy was supposed to get embarrassed, but ended up doing much better that I thought".
Yeah, weird match-up. Maybe they're trying to hype up Rashad with a dominant win over a relatively big name for a possible mw fight with Silva.
I dont even understand why Lil Nog should be fighting Rashad. Hes been totally unimpresive in his UFC career and now hes fighting a top 3 lhw? They just want to throw two big names in the cage. Very little possibility that Rashad loses
I agree with this part too...I could not have more respect for the guy, but it's hard to picture a win here.
I just never want to see Him KOed again. I have flashbacks of the Sokodjou fight when I go to sleep at night :icon_evil lol
I agree with this. I've thought Lil Nog has looked slow since he's come to the UFC and his "amazing boxing" has looked anything but that. I think he gets dominated by Rashad and either gets finished or loses a clear decision.
I'm not sure who thinks Phil is a better mma wrestler than Rashad. Pretty sure their fight showed the exact opposite. If anything Phil is the better pure folkstyle wrestler and Rashad the better mma wrestler.
I hope Lil Nog throws a flying knee when Shad is going for a TD and we get Shad face 2.0. They need to give Lil Nog a break with these goddamned wrestlers. This is the 5th wrestler in a row.
I said I agree with you before. I just think some people might think that Phils offensive wrestling could be better and that his take down defense isn't the greatest. I don't believe that I was just saying what others may think. I also need to rewatch that fight. If i recall Davis Vs Evans was kind of boring right?
