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[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

While I agree that Melendez has some pretty great wrestling and good boxing, I think on the ground, Aoki'll be able to grapple his way into pulling a submission and I just see him maneuvering himself onto Gilbert's back and unloading a solid GNP attack on his way to grappling an RNC or getting a stoppage. Gilbert's never fought somebody with Aoki's submission and grappling prowess and that rubberguard is so retardedly dangerous, that even if Melendez can get a takedown of his own, he'll have to endure some serious submission attempts from the bottom to defend prior to unleashing some gnp of his own.

Gilbert's a really really good fighter, but I think Aoki's submission attack is so dangerous that if it goes to the ground, it's the end. With that being said, I think that Gilbert's boxing and standup, if applied akin to the Ishida fight, could allow him to score some serious points and keep Aoki at bay.

Great fight fo sho.

[TBEAR]

SF has put togther a real nice card (if it holds).

I will take Aoki sub RD 2

[mma #1 fan]

i am not sure if Aoki can fight at the same pace as gilbert can for 5 rd

[jlruthven84]

Here's the main issue I'm wondering about: is Aoki going to be allowed to wear his grappling pants? Under the unified rules, they're not allowed. And while Aoki is a phenomenal grappler, you can't argue that the traction of those pants would give him an advantage.

[pantomime horse]

Originally Posted by Masscore

I think Melendez is a tough match-up for Aoki. His boxing is not bad and he has pretty good wrestling. If he can keep it standing it could to be a very very long night for Aoki. But in the same sense, Aoki only needs this fight to get to the ground once in order to do some damage and pull off the win. I am gonna take the upset and say Melendez wins via TKO in the 3rd.

I'm pretty much in agreement with this. I will say that this could be the best fight of the night given the matchups. The other two high profile fights don't look too competitive to me, anyway.

[QOTSA420]

Originally Posted by mma #1 fan

i am not sure if Aoki can fight at the same pace as gilbert can for 5 rd

I tend to agree, if Aoki cannot establish a threat in the the grappling department early on, he may be in for some serious trouble. He will certainly have his hands full, and this fight will answer a lot of questions about both fighters. I dont see Gilbert stopping Aoki but I do see him negating his submissions and winning a UD.

[optimusjoel]

Originally Posted by QOTSA420

I tend to agree, if Aoki cannot establish a threat in the the grappling department early on, he may be in for some serious trouble. He will certainly have his hands full, and this fight will answer a lot of questions about both fighters. I dont see Gilbert stopping Aoki but I do see him negating his submissions and winning a UD.

Got to say I agree. I'm really pulling for Aoki here though. This fight I really can't say who's goign to win.

[goodtimes]

One thing to note though is that SF's rules take away 2 of the biggest GnP weapons in MMA: knees and elbows to the head of a downed opponent. SF is much more BJJ friendly in those respects imo. The card is really looking good though, can't wait.

[joeyP]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

One thing to note though is that SF's rules take away 2 of the biggest GnP weapons in MMA: knees and elbows to the head of a downed opponent. SF is much more BJJ friendly in those respects imo. The card is really looking good though, can't wait.

this is very true. However, let's be real. If Melendez wants a chance of winning this, he won't willingly take the fight to the ground

[Canes]

I think Melendez will take it. Training with the Diaz bros, Shields, and Cesar Gracie should have him prepared.