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[Afro]

Originally Posted by ccl2087

I agee with that. Team Quest would be good for Rashad too, I think he just needs to go to a team that understands his wrestling talent, and would be able to help him use it to his advantage (like Team Quest or Team Punishment).

or Team Extreme, continue working with Rich Franklin

Matt Hamill is part of Team Extreme as well.

[bmore_aki]

Originally Posted by ArMnHC

gimme a f*ckin' break! i guess the UFC expects Rashad to beat Lambert because of that crap video they put together. The video is only 30 seconds long because that's all the footage they could muster from his fights...LMFAO!

Ok, you knew it would only take my ass half-a-second to jump in on this whack ass thread! I'm an unabashed fan of Rashad Evans and have more than enough reasons why he shouldn't be counted out.

Everybody is hating on Rahsad's training camp...can someone name his camp and their flawed training methods?!? Yeah, I already looked into some of the folks he's training with? If you got nothing concrete to say about who he trains with...shut your trap!

Now let run it down.

Rashad is a hell of a wrestler, a former junior college national champ. And though the name of the game is MMA and not wrestling, you've seen no one test his wrestling game at all. When some one test your game, you step it up. There is no need to use more than necessary to win a fight. Or he could burn himself out on the ground and make it more exciting for YOU....

Second, though he's not KO'd anyone in the UFC, he's boxing skills are very precise. He's not flinging haymakers or windmills (hello Bonnar/Griffin). Dude is an accurate puncher who racks up points and keeps his opponent honest. Developing power will come in time with him improving his boxing skill.

Third. Bisping is very impressive but he's not the athlete Rashad is. Rashad is a guy who wrestled in college and was a two-way athlete in football. Find out what positions he played and you tell me if it takes athelicism to play them!?! Again, the name of the game MMA...but bringing freakish athleticism to the table doesn't hurt you either. He knows how to condition himself. Since dropping to 205, he's come to every fight looking ready to work. Have you forgotten that one underestimated trait of a wrestler is strength? This is yet another thing that we've not even seen an opponent challenge (and I contend get his ass handed to after attempting). Name some guys at his stage of development who are stronger, faster or more conditioned than him at 205.

Lastly, he's getting marketed for two main reasons. The first is that he's a homegrown talent. The base of support UFC has built from TUF knows him and love him or hate him, he's a recognizable face. At least you can't say, "Who's this nobody I'm paying to see...". Damned if he do and damned if he don't. Also, Rashad extends the UFC's fanbase beyond its 20-something white guy viewership and brings African-Americans into the fanbase mix. Boxing has large numbers of Black and Latino fans who are rabid followers. The UFC is not just going to consede that fanbase by keeping Rashad on unbroadcast undercards. He's not being rushed, he's fighting talent of equal skill level. Believe or not the UFC is running a business and might have an idea what they are doing with him...

Ask yourself why you are so willing to overlook all his upside. Ask yourself why you want to take his relative youth in the sport out of context. When you got that answer, you'll know why I'm defending him. I say keep hatin. As his game expands and his opponents bring more out of him, stay off the bandwagon and his jock.

[Mastiff_owner]

Most of the posts have not bashed his wrestling ability. i for one am bashing his ability or lack there of to finish a fight. You are right when you say he is fighting people of equal talent. But if he is so freakishly strong and such a freakish athlete that is so prepared why isn't he finishing them?

the reason people are questioning his team is because he is fighting out of greg jackson's camp. They are all wrestlers there. The most well rounded fighter they have is Nathan marquardt and Diego Sanchez that I am aware of. Neither has great standup or submissions. They are just not putting out well rounded fighters. Diego is having some success but that is from his ground and pound. I don't see the same fire in Rashad as I see in Diego the killer instinct when he has his opponent on the ground and can control them with his wrestling.

the talent and potential are there but until he gets a more well rounded game or a new camp to fight out of he will always be a boring second tier fighter, that will never get a title shot.

By the way there are plenty of talented African American and Hispanic fighters that I would pay top dollar to watch. Rashad just isn't one of them.

[bmore_aki]

Originally Posted by Mastiff_owner

Most of the posts have not bashed his wrestling ability. i for one am bashing his ability or lack there of to finish a fight. You are right when you say he is fighting people of equal talent. But if he is so freakishly strong and such a freakish athlete that is so prepared why isn't he finishing them?

the reason people are questioning his team is because he is fighting out of greg jackson's camp. They are all wrestlers there. The most well rounded fighter they have is Nathan marquardt and Diego Sanchez that I am aware of. Neither has great standup or submissions. They are just not putting out well rounded fighters. Diego is having some success but that is from his ground and pound. I don't see the same fire in Rashad as I see in Diego the killer instinct when he has his opponent on the ground and can control them with his wrestling.

the talent and potential are there but until he gets a more well rounded game or a new camp to fight out of he will always be a boring second tier fighter, that will never get a title shot.

By the way there are plenty of talented African American and Hispanic fighters that I would pay top dollar to watch. Rashad just isn't one of them.

Mastiff...though I don't agree with all what you said, I respect the way you laid it out. I feel you've summed up what he has and what you think he should have to be a better fighter. Instead of bashing him you're "breaking it down" for me.

True there is definitely more to his game he needs. No doubt about that. But I think we are watching a fighter who's physical tools make him a good set of clay for molding.

Though I've never cared that he's not KO'd or submitted anyone yet, I agree with you that he has to fulfill that potential to be considered a dangerous opponent. With scoring being a relatively new pheneonom in MMA, I just don't see winning decisions being appreciated by a large fanbase.

Hell scoring is an institution in boxing now and technical boxers (even "exciting" ones) are still not well loved if they tend to win on decisions.

I just want the man to be given his due for where he is. If we are still having the conversation about he's not winning by submission or KO a year or 18 months from now...i will back down a bit more.

I hope he show's more improvement in his game and KO's Lambert... how'd that be for the haters?!?

[Mastiff_owner]

If he KO's Lambert I will def give him more props but will still have my questions. You hit the nail on the head when you said he is good clay for molding. I just wish for his sake he would let someone else mold it lol.

As far as scoring goes I personally hate the way the UFC scores the fights. I have seen fighters jump guard and the opponent gets points for a takedown! WTF is going on with that. I think the way pride scores it is best. The fighters get points for trying to finish the fight I.E going for subs or GnP or landing the clean shots. Boxing's judges are one of the reasons i have not watched a lot of boxing the last two - three years. I just got fed up with bad decisions. Oh well.

Anyway Hopefully Rashad puts up a good showing and proves to everyone that he can finish. I think a strong GnP TKO would be great for him.

[ArMnHC]

Originally Posted by bmore_aki

Ok, you knew it would only take my ass half-a-second to jump in on this whack ass thread! I'm an unabashed fan of Rashad Evans and have more than enough reasons why he shouldn't be counted out.

Everybody is hating on Rahsad's training camp...can someone name his camp and their flawed training methods?!? Yeah, I already looked into some of the folks he's training with? If you got nothing concrete to say about who he trains with...shut your trap!

Now let run it down.

Rashad is a hell of a wrestler, a former junior college national champ. And though the name of the game is MMA and not wrestling, you've seen no one test his wrestling game at all. When some one test your game, you step it up. There is no need to use more than necessary to win a fight. Or he could burn himself out on the ground and make it more exciting for YOU....

Second, though he's not KO'd anyone in the UFC, he's boxing skills are very precise. He's not flinging haymakers or windmills (hello Bonnar/Griffin). Dude is an accurate puncher who racks up points and keeps his opponent honest. Developing power will come in time with him improving his boxing skill.

Third. Bisping is very impressive but he's not the athlete Rashad is. Rashad is a guy who wrestled in college and was a two-way athlete in football. Find out what positions he played and you tell me if it takes athelicism to play them!?! Again, the name of the game MMA...but bringing freakish athleticism to the table doesn't hurt you either. He knows how to condition himself. Since dropping to 205, he's come to every fight looking ready to work. Have you forgotten that one underestimated trait of a wrestler is strength? This is yet another thing that we've not even seen an opponent challenge (and I contend get his ass handed to after attempting). Name some guys at his stage of development who are stronger, faster or more conditioned than him at 205.

Lastly, he's getting marketed for two main reasons. The first is that he's a homegrown talent. The base of support UFC has built from TUF knows him and love him or hate him, he's a recognizable face. At least you can't say, "Who's this nobody I'm paying to see...". Damned if he do and damned if he don't. Also, Rashad extends the UFC's fanbase beyond its 20-something white guy viewership and brings African-Americans into the fanbase mix. Boxing has large numbers of Black and Latino fans who are rabid followers. The UFC is not just going to consede that fanbase by keeping Rashad on unbroadcast undercards. He's not being rushed, he's fighting talent of equal skill level. Believe or not the UFC is running a business and might have an idea what they are doing with him...

Ask yourself why you are so willing to overlook all his upside. Ask yourself why you want to take his relative youth in the sport out of context. When you got that answer, you'll know why I'm defending him. I say keep hatin. As his game expands and his opponents bring more out of him, stay off the bandwagon and his jock.

damn what took you so long? people like you make this shit interesting ! im still not a fan of Rashad, regardless of what you say. until he shows more skill, i never will be a fan. the guy bores the shit out of me and if it's a Rashad fight then im most likely gunna get up and take a bathroom break. but his fight with Lambert does interest me, so i will definitely be tuning in for it. it's the first time most of us are gunna see Lambert fight and im excited for it! unlike Rashad, Lambert has finished all his fights in the UFC...the finisher vs. the unfinished LOL! and please don't play the race card here. Rashad is not the only fighter to bring in an African American fan base. if anything, the veterans on TUF 4 are bringing in a better fan base then Rashad has. plus there is David Loiseau and Yves Edwards to name a few! i think Mastiff Owner laid it out perfectly, like you said.

[ArMnHC]

[QUOTE=Mastiff_owner]If he KO's Lambert I will def give him more props but will still have my questions. QUOTE]

same here!

[Afro]

I just dont understand the jumping to conclussions, why shouldnt an undefeated guy who may not of finished most of his fights but hes dominated just about everyone hes fought get a chance to develope? hes labeled so many things even though hes in the stage of cross training and becoming a true MMA fighter.. let him develope!

[prophet665]

Originally Posted by bmore_aki

Ok, you knew it would only take my ass half-a-second to jump in on this whack ass thread! ...

If you go back and look at the single reason I have given for not wanting to watch a Evans fight, it is that he is boring. I have never questioned his raw talent, past athletic accomplishments, prowness at football, or any other thing he has done in the sporting world.

Its not that I don't appreciate a technical skills clinic, its just that I don't want to play $40 to see one.

If he is molded in to a great fighter later on, then I will definitely start to enjoy his fights. Until that time, he is either a chance for me to go relieve my bladder or he is a victim to the mighty 30 second fast forward button. If he does something exciting, I have this other cool little button that lets me reverse 5 seconds at a time.

Isn't technology wonderful.

[Afro]

I find Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar to be much more boring though