UFC 131, 6.11.2011, Van, BC (Carwin vs. Dos Santos)

[Bernman]

Correct, his exact weight was 231 pounds. I remember because there was an enormous weight differential between the two fighters. It was something like 30 pounds. Herman chose a weight which suited him, which is a reasonable strategy. Other fighters pack fat/muscle on their bodies to reach the max limit which creates even more nonathletic and gas fests at heavyweight than there would normally be. For the health and fairness purposes and entertainment level for the fans, there should be a 225-235 lb class.

[bbms]

I think JDS is equally talented as Cain but I think Cain is just a bad matchup for JDS.

Cain wins it if his health is right imho.

JdS didn't show any weakspots yet, just like Cain.

I think JdS broke something at his right hand. he didn't use his right since the knockdown at first round. He made a couple of right hand strikes, then changed to the left one and didn't actually use his right since then. Something went wrong.

[CPT]

Correct, his exact weight was 231 pounds. I remember because there was an enormous weight differential between the two fighters. It was something like 30 pounds. Herman chose a weight which suited him, which is a reasonable strategy. Other fighters pack fat/muscle on their bodies to reach the max limit which creates even more nonathletic and gas fests at heavyweight than there would normally be. For the health and fairness purposes and entertainment level for the fans, there should be a 225-235 lb class.

I suppose there's a health and fairness argument to be made for the creation of a 235 lb class, but certainly not one based on entertainment. Heavyweight is the weakest division in MMA as it is; how would cutting it in half be more entertaining? You real fired up for the Tim Sylvia vs. Big Foot Silva main event title fight? I'm not. And it's not even the guys at the top that would be the real problem. Try making a list of the top 30 HWs in the world right now. About halfway through, it gets downright depressing. Now, imagine having to cut that in half, and making two top 30s? Even cutting it in half is being too nice, because of all of the guys around 250 and under who would probably just cut the weight. I wouldn't want to take up card space with two divisions of guys between 235-265. Less opportunity for the smaller weight classes. That would be the real shame, because we know that the heavier divisions are thought of as the money makers.

And for what it's worth, think of all the best heavyweights in MMA history. A huge percentage of them are in the 235 range, give or take 5-10 pounds. They did just fine. You can make up size difference with speed and skill, especially when the speed and skill of some of the behemoths of MMA is so low. Taking away that element would be taking away one of the only things which makes HW MMA fights interesting.

[REDDzone]

Despite early reports, Cain is the favorite against JDS (-150 to -170ish range). Kind of pissed, I was going to jump ALL OVER a Cain bet were he the underdog.

[Posey H8er]

^same here man haha. but regardless the odds aren't going to be that sexy when fight days comes around because it's such a good matchup.

[CPT]

I wonder if it was reported wrong (I find that unlikely), or if the line actually just moved that much.

I guess the bookmakers figured that there would be people willing to pay a price on JDS after his performance, but there must have been more people wanting to jump on Cain as an underdog (not a huge one, you still had to lay money from what I heard).

I'm probably staying away from this fight betting wise though. Unless the line gets crazy on either side, I don't see much value in betting on a fight this close to call. If I had to make a pick, I'd probably pick JDS, if only because of Velasquez coming back from injury, and the history of fighters coming back from long layoffs. I'm sure my pick will change several times between now and the fight, and I like that. I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy the fight.

[High 5]

I'm having a hard time forgetting Velasquez/Kongo. I really like both fighters, but Cain's chin is still a question mark for me and JDS crushes faces.

[REDDzone]

I wonder if it was reported wrong (I find that unlikely), or if the line actually just moved that much.

I think it was only one book who put out the odds that very night, and they had JDS as the favorite. Since then, other books have released their starting odds, and the few I follow (bodog, sportsbook) started Cain at I think -150.

[cowboyronnie]

Huh, who woulda thought Nick Ring could lay such a beating? That was a cool fight. The guy has really good boxing, muay thai, BJJ and conditioning.

[Cammo101]

Huh, who woulda thought Nick Ring could lay such a beating? That was a cool fight. The guy has really good boxing, muay thai, BJJ and conditioning.

Ring vs. Weidman seems like such an obvious next fight for both guys.

[duppyy]

Huh, who woulda thought Nick Ring could lay such a beating? That was a cool fight. The guy has really good boxing, muay thai, BJJ and conditioning.

There was a reason why he was Rampage's first pick.

I think he just never fully recovered from that knee injury or w/e it was.

[Bankai]

Apparently the UFC 131 is being blamed for the Vancouver Riots... excuse me while I go bang my head.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/6/21/22 ... oard-chair