UFC Fight Night 79 (11/28, Seoul, South Korea): Bendo vs. Alves

[REDDzone]

Oh I didn't realize Jorge was already on the card.

[Jasen777]

So I guess this happened.

[Bernman]

Hard to stay consistently interested when they not only dilute the cards, but then also split them between underground and mainstream. You lose context for the future.

This card happened, as did yet another split decision win for Bendo. Looks like he deserved it though from Minority Report. Had a good share of the media on his side. And it looks like it wasn't 5-round cardio based at least, because Masvidal acutally won the final rd.

[REDDzone]

I didn't watch this. I'm a fan of both guys, moreso Mavidal, but the silver lining here is that Bendo enters free agency coming off a win. I've heard a lot of people defend Coker by saying he is trying to get ratings now in order to gain more revenue to sign more legitimate fighters. I think this is a test for him, Bendo would be a huge get. I know we discussed this before, and the consensus of this board seemed to be that I'm overrating Bendo, but aint nobody on spiketv that has nearly as many scalps on their mantle as Bendo does (in order for the last 5 years): Masvidal, Thatch, Klabilov, Thomson, Melendez, Diaz, Edgarx2, Guida, Miller, Bocek, Cerronex2, Varner

[Jasen777]

He can take anyone at LW to a split decision (that's a compliment if you were wondering).

[Bernman]

He can take anyone at LW to a split decision (that's a compliment if you were wondering).

How many times Pettis gotta beat him?

[REDDzone]

He can take anyone at LW to a split decision (that's a compliment if you were wondering).

How many times Pettis gotta beat him?

RDA too.

[Bernman]

He can take anyone at LW to a split decision (that's a compliment if you were wondering).

How many times Pettis gotta beat him?

RDA too.

Was going to add it but it was 1 fight with some controversy.

[Jasen777]

Well if you guy want to be like that, I'll note that "can" doesn't mean "always has" or even "always will".

[Bernman]

Well, Matt Serra proved he "can" ko GSP, and that's better than being in an SD against somebody. I don't think "can" be in an SD against anybody at LW means a lot in MMA. Likelihoods are what matters. And being 0-2 suggests it's not very likely. I don't know if it's very likely against RDA either. Would have to see a rematch. I think Bendo could likely be in a split decision or better against all but a few LW's would be a more relevant statement, even though what you said may be accurate in the most technical of terms.

[CPT]

Ended up downloading this and watching a day late, lol.

After the initial excitement had me shut out from getting the tickets I wanted, I kind of lost interest. By event time there were plenty of tickets available and lots of people trying to unload theirs.

Some decent stuff (crazy slam KO in the very first fight), Akiyama might have been robbed, but I heard he lost so I didn't pay full attention until the fight started getting good. Kim dominated a late replacement guy, as he should. Wonder how the Masvidal fight would have gone down.

The main event was good, and I did get an overall feeling Bendo won. Anyone else think he was making a statement by taking off his UFC gloves and setting them down? He hasn't been outspoken about it, but others have said he's another guy not thrilled with the Reebok deal and looking forward to free agency. Kind of explains why he was always trying to get fights. Maybe he just uses it as leverage and gets a better deal.

[SDM]

The women's fight on the undercard was pretty good... a solid brawl.

Doo Ho Choi is pretty exciting too, I guess.

20x the points event at Shoppers Drug Mart that morning (domesticated), wanted to get there early to stock up on dishwashing tablets and chips, so I missed the main card.

[cowboyronnie]

-Watching this now

-The Koreans are not the Japanese. They are pretty aggressive with their cheers. Have there been negative cheers for opposing fighters?

-The tan lends to it, but Akiyama's back is a masterpiece.

[SDM]

Korean Zombie was in attendance and he'll be done October 2016.

[CPT]

I worry that the next Korea card will be even worse on paper. They may go with Korean Zombie's return fight and not much else, because that's about all they'll need to do well locally.

In other Korean MMA news, Road FC is trying to sign Bendo for $200,000, though nobody has made it clear if that's per fight or over the course of a few fights.

[Susan]

I didn't watch this. I'm a fan of both guys, moreso Mavidal, but the silver lining here is that Bendo enters free agency coming off a win. I've heard a lot of people defend Coker by saying he is trying to get ratings now in order to gain more revenue to sign more legitimate fighters. I think this is a test for him, Bendo would be a huge get. I know we discussed this before, and the consensus of this board seemed to be that I'm overrating Bendo, but aint nobody on spiketv that has nearly as many scalps on their mantle as Bendo does (in order for the last 5 years): Masvidal, Thatch, Klabilov, Thomson, Melendez, Diaz, Edgarx2, Guida, Miller, Bocek, Cerronex2, Varner

One piece at a time.

Honestly, look at the roster that Coker assembled at Strikeforce. If he was able to find a great marketing person to go alongside his incredible eye for talent/ability to see where opportunities are, I think they'd be capable of taking over the UFC at some point.

I think Bendo will be great for Belator, maybe not a champ but he's going to make Will Brooks more marketable.

[cowboyronnie]

watched main just now. really good. masvidal is serious addition to 170.

any discuss that Benson took his gloves off while talking to Kenny, set them on the floor of the ring? To hedge his bets that he had a chance to do that? Cos he's for sure gone? Negotiations?

[cowboyronnie]

You guys see the Steele slam KO? First on prelims. Jeez, man. Had to turn my head on those elbows. Referee, man, jump in. Oh God. Terrible stuff.

But LOL. Hearing Steele's voice...not what you'd expect.