TUF Finale (Ellenberger vs Kampmann)

[Gold Chain]

This is a fine matchup.
http://www.heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2012/ ... ve-finale/

[Nemesis21]

I like this fight.

[CPT]

I like the fight, but it leaves the division in a bit of a weird place.

It's clearly a #1 contender/title eliminator/whatever you want to call it fight, but the timing doesn't really match up.

GSP vs. Condit is slated to go down around November, which would already be 5 months off for the winner of this fight. Tack another 4-6 months on if they have to wait for the GSP/Condit winner.

Maybe it's insurance in case GSP's recovery doesn't go as quickly as expected?

I guess the winner could fight the Koscheck/Hendricks winner around the time of the GSP/Condit fight?

[REDDzone]

I hate how Condit isn't taking another fight. It sucks the best two divisions in the sport seem to be stagnant, add the flyweight fiasco and its just frustrating.

[jennybess]

Tack another 4-6 months on if they have to wait for the GSP/Condit winner.

[SDM]

Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann
Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta
Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer
Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira
Max Holloway vs. Pat Schilling
Daron Cruickshank vs. Chris Tickle
Myles Jury vs. Chris Saunders
Cristiano Marcello vs. Sam Sicilia
Jeremy Larsen vs. Joe Proctor
John Albert vs. Erik Perez

On Friday. Excellent main event. John Albert's fun to watch. Brookins/Oliveira should be good. The rest? Bah.

[REDDzone]

I like Ellenberger and Kampmann. Kind of nervous for Kampmann: his defense + Ellenberger's power could lead to bad things.

[SDM]

The chin vs. opponent's power/your lack of striking defense thing is a wild card I haven't figured out yet when it comes to making picks. Cerrone and KZ keep defying the odds while guys like Roop get taken out. I think Kampmann's more talented from a skills standpoint, but he's tentative and seems to abandon gameplans. Ellenberger's been great for his entire career, but Kampmann is technical and he can wrestle, also has more experience at the top of the division. It's a pick em for me right now.

[REDDzone]

I agree its tough. Ellenberger really impressed me last fight with his ability to still throw hard when moving back and out of range, but Diego's game of moving forward is clearly a lot different than Kampmann's counter striking style. I think if Kampmann can survive the first round and a half-ish, he can take advantage of Ellenberger's tendency to fade (vs Diego, vs Condit) and his own tendency to finish strong (vs Shields, vs Story, vs Diego, vs Alves). Question for me is can Ellenberger hurt him early? Or maybe one of these guys throws a wrench in my vision and goes for a takedown? Not sure, haven't thought about this card until you posted it, tbh.

[Gold Chain]

This is basically Kampmann's career thus far.

Get a few wins, then lose the important one.

I like Jake, but would rather see Kampmann win, just because he got robbed in a couple decisions.

[REDDzone]

WW is such a mess. GSP true champ hurt. Condit interim champ waiting for GSP.

Is Hendricks still waiting, or is he fighting Rory? Winner of that fight has a claim, especially Hendricks. Ellenberger/Kampmann winner will have a legit claim, especially Ellenberger. Diaz, although suspended, is 1/2 of one of the biggest fights the ufc could make in GSP/Diaz.

[Gold Chain]

Condit has not earned the right to not defend that strap.

He eeked out a controversial decision in a fight where 50% of people thought he lost.

Man, do we really have to wait until November to see a WW title fight again?

Brookins vs Oliviera looks to be a good tilt.

[REDDzone]

If Condit waits he waits. I'm personally disappointed, but I get it. But what's the point of the interim title then?

[Gold Chain]

If Condit waits he waits. I'm personally disappointed, but I get it. But what's the point of the interim title then?

Bingo. Although, Cesar Gracie is trying to do the same with Nate right now, and I'm sure he would've done that with Nick.

I just don't like interim titles.

Watch Faber win one now. uhhhh, yuck.

[REDDzone]

I'd be fine with the interim titles if they produced more good matchups. But the ufc does not use them effectively at all. Remember when Carwin was interim champ? What was the point of that? He fought Brock immediately after getting it.

If Condit being interim champ led to Condit vs Ellenberger/Hendricks/Rory II or even multiple of those matches, I'd be cool with it.

[REDDzone]

Any ideas why Vick isn't fighting tonight? Did he get hurt or something on the last one? If they go by merit I'm curious why guys like Marcello who was thoroughly dominated on the show would get a fight on the finale over him...

[SDM]

Marcello has a bit of a name from his Chute Box days. It's probably the Kyle Watson treatment... seeing what these revered specialists with direct ties to UFC stars can do in the Octagon even if we know that close analysis indicates they probably aren't at this level in MMA.

[REDDzone]

Plus, his name just makes him sound like a worlds bjj champ, amirite? "Christiano Marcello".

Although if that is the criterion, they should have just signed Renato Laranja. He and Nate Diaz have unfinished business from my understanding. lol

[SDM]

Also, he put Crazy Horse to sleep. That's worth at least one fight in the UFC, disabling a violent homeless person. We've seen what they're capable of, as of late.

[REDDzone]

lol Have you ever seen the clip of the dozens of Crazy Horse mug shots?

Amazing.