UFC 85 Preview Live Blog
11:36
Who wins the UFC 85 main event?
Matt Hughes
 ( 67% )
Thiago Alves
 ( 33% )

Friday June 6, 2008 11:36 
11:36
I'll be starting the chat at 1 p.m. Eastern. In the mean time you can start asking questions, or make your pick for the main event.

Friday June 6, 2008 11:36 
11:58
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
Why aren't people talking more about Werdum-Vera? I think that's a great fight
Friday June 6, 2008 11:58 Dan
12:00
I agree, it's a very good fight. I think the reason more people aren't talking about it is that the heavyweight division in UFC is perceived as fairly weak right now, with so many of the top heavyweights not part of UFC. But I think the Werdum-Vera winner will probably be one win away from a title shot in 2009.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:00 
12:02
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
So it looks like Alves missed weight, what will that mean for the fight?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:02 KingEngland
12:03
For those who didn't hear, Alves weighed in at 174. Absolutely inexcusable. The fight will go on, but it means that even if Alves wins, he won't get a lot of credit for it. I've been an Alves fan, but failure to make weight shows a lack of dedication that Dana White will not take kindly to.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:03 
12:03
[Comment From JasonJason: ] 
Will the British judges gift-wrap another victory for Bisping?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:03 Jason
12:03
Well, I don't necessarily believe that decision was as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:03 
12:04
But I do think Bisping is going to win.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:04 
12:06
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
Any speculation as to what Dana White's BIG announcement will be next Thursday?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:06 KingEngland
12:07
For those who haven't heard, Dana White told ESPN the Magazine that he's going to have a "mind blowing" announcement next week. I would assume that it's some kind of partnership, like maybe UFC being on HBO, but I really don't know. The way Dana built it up, it had better be big.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:07 
12:09
[Comment From BillBill: ] 
Don't you think you're being a little hard on Alves? It's hard to make weight
Friday June 6, 2008 12:09 Bill
12:10
Sure, it's hard, but he agreed to a fight at 170 pounds, and he's supposed to be a professional.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:10 
12:10
If he couldn't make the weight, he shouldn't have taken the fight.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:10 
12:10
I thought he was a welterweight title contender down the road, but this makes it very hard to see Dana giving him a title shot any time soon.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:10 
12:14
[Comment From jayjay: ] 
what happened to last year's UF5 WINNER?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:14 jay
12:14
You're referring to Nate Diaz.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:14 
12:14
Last I heard he's expected to fight Josh Neer next.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:14 
12:15
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
Any chance that UFC and WEC will merge? Why exactly are they separate entities?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:15 KingEngland
12:16
Basically, they're separate entities because Dana White likes it that way. I would guess that they probably won't merge, at least not any time soon, but I do think it's a shame that WEC has two terriffic fighters in Miguel Torres and Urijah Faber and that they're not recognized quite as much because they're not in UFC.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:16 
12:16
[Comment From DonDon: ] 
Any chance Rogan and Goldberg trash EliteXC for the sorry show they put on last weekend?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:16 Don
12:17
My guess is they won't say much about it.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:17 
12:17
I think they would prefer to act as though EliteXC doesn't exist.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:17 
12:18
And let's face it, UFC 85 is a better card than EliteXC was, although obviously free TV vs. 50 bucks is also a pretty big difference.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:18 
12:18
[Comment From JAYJAY: ] 
I MEAN THE GUY WHO BEAT TOMMY SPEER
Friday June 6, 2008 12:18 JAY
12:18
Mac Danzig
Friday June 6, 2008 12:18 
12:18
He beat Mark Bocek at UFC 83.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:18 
12:19
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Dana has a tremendous ego. He seems like a very bright guy, but for some reason, every now and then, his ego gets in the way of his business.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:19 Steve
12:19
I would agree that he has an ego.

Friday June 6, 2008 12:19 
12:19
I'm not so sure he lets it get in the way of business, though.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:19 
12:20
He sometimes uses that ego as part of the promotion of fights, and I have no problem with that.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:20 
12:20
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I'll give you an example. the UFC should have been the one on CBS, but he had a disagreement with the announcing, thus paving the way for an upstart to steal the work the UFC has done over the years.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:20 Steve
12:21
True, part of the reason UFC isn't on network TV is that Dana wants to control everythng. But another part of it is that   it does quite well on pay per view. It's hard to blame him for that.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:21 
12:22
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
and also thiago alves is going to beat the piss outta over the hill, cocky matt Hughes who is looking past this fight to fight matt sera whos going to give him a beat down for another one in the loss column
Friday June 6, 2008 12:22 Dan
12:22
I don't know about that, but weighing more than your opponent is certainly a nice advantage.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:22 
12:23
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
One person who like Elite tell me a notable person Kimbo has beat...just one thats all i ask and then tell me that he has earned a mainstream, main card fight
Friday June 6, 2008 12:23 Dan
12:23
You're right, he hasn't beaten anyone of note; Thompson is Kimbo's best victory.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:23 
12:23
If Kimbo beats Brett Rogers, that would be an even better victory.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:23 
12:23
The elephant in the room in EliteXC is Antonio Silva, who is a better fighter than Kimbo but not as marketable as Kimbo.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:23 
12:24
I don't think they're going to put those two in the cage together any time soon, for the simple reason that Silva will end the Kimbo mistique.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:24 
12:24
Which sucks if you're Silva, but that's business.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:24 
12:25
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
What do you think about adjusting the weigh ins, to be closer to the fight time, so we don't watch "195 lb" fighters that are actually 205-210?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:25 Steve
12:25
I love that idea.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:25 
12:25
Unfortunately, I think the fight promoters hate it.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:25 
12:26
[Comment From DonDon: ] 
I've never fought an MMA match, but 4 pounds doesn't seem like a big advantage. Heavyweights fight at very different weights and the heavies guys don't always win. Is 4 pounds that big of a deal?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:26 Don
12:27
That's a fair point, but when you're fighting at welterweight, getting to just the right weight is a big part of your preparation. When your opponent blows off thta part of the preparation, you've got to feel like you're at a disadvantage.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:27 
12:28
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
i'd like to see Kimbo vs. Bob Sapp.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:28 Steve
12:28
If you want the MMA version of a freak show, by all means.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:28 
12:28
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I think you're right. It's silly, though, that training for a fight turns into training to cut weight at the last minute. Not to mention Dangerous...
Friday June 6, 2008 12:28 Steve
12:29
Yeah, I'm mostly worried about it with high school wrestling -- there are young kids doing dangerous things to their bodies to make weight.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:29 
12:29
[Comment From JeremyJeremy: ] 
Not making weight is like someone in my profession(lawyer) missing a statute of limitations.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:29 Jeremy
12:29
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
you should see 2 tired fighters that are energized and wouldnt be as good of a show
Friday June 6, 2008 12:29 Dan
12:29
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
Any chance a UFC fight will be coming to Chicago? Any rumors as to upcoming cities for the PPVs?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:29 KingEngland
12:30
I think Chicago is likley in 2009 or 2010.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:30 
12:30
What we know right now is UFC 85 is in London, UFC 86 is in Las Vegas, UFC 87 is in Minneapolis and UFC 88 is in Atlanta.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:30 
12:30
I also think Philippines and Germany are likely to get UFC shows by the end of 2009.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:30 
12:31
[Comment From MDTMDT: ] 
If it wasn't for the mess that has been the top of this card (this is the THIRD try at the main event) Alves might well have been punted out of his match, right?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:31 MDT
12:31
Well, I don't think they would have canceled the fight, but certainly, this never would have been a main event in the first place if it weren't for all those injuries at the top of the card.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:31 
12:32
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
what about Japan?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:32 Dan
12:32
From the people I've talked to, UFC doesn't seem all that excited about going into Japan. They seem happy enough letting the Japanese organizations dominate their own home turf.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:32 
12:32
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
While MMA is popular around the country, nowhere does the gate start to approach the gate that you get in Vegas. It seems that no matter what's available, they still do 4-5 shows a year from Vegas, out of 12.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:32 Steve
12:33
Absolutely.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:33 
12:33
Vegas is huge for UFC, always will be, no matter how much they branch out.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:33 
12:33
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Japan is famous for lying about their attendance figures. Often, they used to claim a higher attendance at a show than was physically possible for the building...
Friday June 6, 2008 12:33 Steve
12:33
[Comment From DonDon: ] 
Is Marcus Davis going to be able to refer to himself as the "Irish Hand Grenade"? Or are the Political Correctness Police going to hold it back again?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:33 Don
12:33
Yes, they have been using that nickname in the promotions.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:33 
12:34
I know last time they were in London some people were offended by it.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:34 
12:34
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
What do you think about Vera / Werdum? I think when Vera is on, he's near impossible to stop. It's just a matter of whether he'll be on or not.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:34 Steve
12:35
Agreed. Vera just has so much talent. I really think he's improving, although at age 30 he won't be in his prime much longer.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:35 
12:35
[Comment From Steve K.Steve K.: ] 
Davis seems to be a pretty solid favorite over Swick. Do you agree?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:35 Steve K.
12:35
Yes, I'm picking Davis.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:35 
12:35
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
vera is a monster coming off a loss with something to prove
Friday June 6, 2008 12:35 Dan
12:36
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I believe that was his first loss. And, he broke his hand in the first round.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:36 Steve
12:36
[Comment From MDTMDT: ] 
Bisping seems to keep popping up near the top of the card, especially in Britain for obvious reasons, but do you ever see him as a top-tier fighter? He hasn't particularly impressed me since the Sinosic fight and that wasn't immense competition. Is he getting by just by being a familiar face/company man?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:36 MDT
12:37
I think he can be a very good fighter at middleweight, though not an Anderson Silva-caliber fighter.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:37 
12:38
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Bisping was fighting at a weight class higher than he should have. Now that he's dropped a weight class, we should be seeing more of him, and he should look better in those fights as well.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:38 Steve
12:38
agreed.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:38 
12:39
[Comment From Steve K.Steve K.: ] 
Is there any reason to think Antoni Hardonk has learned even a semblance of a ground game?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:39 Steve K.
12:39
No.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:39 
12:40
He is who he is, he's not going to develop a ground game at age 32, I don't think.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:40 
12:40
[Comment From DonDon: ] 
How many more top level fights do you think Hughes has left in him?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:40 Don
12:40
Not many.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:40 
12:40
There's talk that he could fight Alves, then Serra, and then GSP again if he wins both.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:40 
12:41
I just can't see him having much of a chance against GSP.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:41 
12:42
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
what are your thoughts on the Affliction show, being filled w/ former UFC?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:42 Steve
12:42
It's a good card.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:42 
12:43
The question is whether Affliction can build up a long-term MMA promotion, rather than just one good card.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:43 
12:43
I'm skeptical.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:43 
12:43
[Comment From DrewDrew: ] 
You think Dana White will announce an event on July 19 something like Ortiz-Shamrock IV: Turning the page of a new chapter?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:43 Drew
12:43
I actually do think there will be another Ortiz-Shamrock fight some day, but I don't think it'll be in UFC.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:43 
12:43
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
that'll never happen
Friday June 6, 2008 12:43 Steve
12:45
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
the next ortiz/shamrock might be in a parking lot somewhere
Friday June 6, 2008 12:45 Steve
12:45
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
they both have big mouths, and can't fight effectively enough to back it up.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:45 Steve
12:45
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I think the last time Shamrock won a fight was against Kimo...
Friday June 6, 2008 12:45 Steve
12:45
[Comment From DrewDrew: ] 
MDS, Ortiz-Shamrock IV, I meant to put it on Spike to counter Affliction Pay-Per View. You know UFC is going to do everything in their power to crush any competition they perceive to be a threat
Friday June 6, 2008 12:45 Drew
12:46
Well, I don't know about that particular fight, but you raise a good point, one I may write more about down the road.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:46 
12:46
I think there's a real chance that UFC will get some guys together and try to put on a decent card on Spike July 19

Friday June 6, 2008 12:46 
12:47
Which would be devastating to Affliction.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:47 
12:47
Not many people are going to pay 50 bucks for Affliction if UFC is putting on an even halfway decent show on basic cable at the same time.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:47 
12:47
[Comment From DonDon: ] 
Any chance UFC gets into women's MMA?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:47 Don
12:47
I wish they would, but Dana says he's not into it.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:47 
12:48
I like women's MMA. I was impressed with Gina Carano's showing, even though I was unimpressed with her failure to make weight.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:48 
12:48
[Comment From MDTMDT: ] 
In the course of two weeks we've seen EliteXC on CBS, a couple big WEC fights on Versus, and this weekend UFC on PPV, with Affliction next month. Do you think all these federations getting exposure is good for the sport, or are we heading towards a boxing-type situation where all the split rosters are going to rob the fans of great matchups? And is the trend in the next few years going to be even more startups or will we see more mergers like UFC/Pride?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:48 MDT
12:49
Excellent question, and another one I plan to write more about down the road. Suffice to say, I think it's better for the fans if the best fighters fight each other, which doesn't happen if the best fighters are all signing exclusive deals with separate organizations.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:49 
12:49
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
So what does everyone think danas big annoucement for next weekw ill be
Friday June 6, 2008 12:49 Rich
12:49
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Dana doesn't like anything below 155lb, or women fighters. That's why 145's and 135's are banished to WEC.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:49 Steve
12:49
[Comment From DrewDrew: ] 
I think Dana wouldn't mind, there is just not a lot of women competitors to have a women's division in UFC or WEC.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:49 Drew
12:50
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
Is there anyone in the UFC that you think you could beat in the octagon?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:50 KingEngland
12:50
Maybe Edith Labelle.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:50 
12:50
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
i think zuffa should showcase faber on a bigger stage even if its just to show his fights on a ufc card then maybe down the road put him on the card
Friday June 6, 2008 12:50 Rich
12:51
Agreed

Friday June 6, 2008 12:51 
12:51
Faber is a tremendous athlete, as is Miguel Torres.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:51 
12:52
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
agreed as well. Uriah Faber is a star, but Dana doesn't know it because he's too small. If he could bulk up a bit, and come into 155 at UFC, Dana would recognize it, but he might not do as well against the larger opponents.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:52 Steve
12:52
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
Have you seen a better fight this year than the Faber fight? I think it was to be the top fight of the year so far, but I'm guessing you see more fights than I do. The Torres fight before it should be up there too.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:52 KingEngland
12:54
Faber-Pulver was a great fight. Certainly one of the best this year. I also very much enjoyed the Shamrock-Le fight, that would be another contender for the best fight of the year.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:54 
12:54
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
i think the ufc announcement will be a tv deal and first main event will be shogun vs liddell
Friday June 6, 2008 12:54 Rich
12:54
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I hope you're right about the TV deal. That would be nice
Friday June 6, 2008 12:54 Steve
12:54
Certainly possible. There's a lot of talk that Chuck Liddell will be in the main event at UFC 88 in Atlanta.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:54 
12:55
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Maybe, UFC is buying Spike, and they're going to change the name to UFCTV.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:55 Steve
12:55
[Comment From MDTMDT: ] 
Does UFC's contract with Spike preclude them from any network TV?
Friday June 6, 2008 12:55 MDT
12:55
[Comment From TyTy: ] 
i don't think so
Friday June 6, 2008 12:55 Ty
12:55
[Comment From TyTy: ] 
UFC is too greedy to let that slide
Friday June 6, 2008 12:55 Ty
12:56
I don't know for sure, but if there's a network willing to pony up enough money, I'm sure Spike could be persuaded to allow it.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:56 
12:56
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
I don't think so either. Spike is so far into bed with the UFC, they owe them nearly all of the profit they've made over the past few years.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:56 Steve
12:56
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
the rumor is that if it is a tv deal its from fox
Friday June 6, 2008 12:56 Rich
12:56
[Comment From DrewDrew: ] 
I like the idea of the best fighters fighting each other, but from a business standpoint it is not a good idea. What if Anderson Silva goes against Robbie Lawler and let just say Silva loses, that would make the UFC Middleweight Title look crap. Also, allowing a fighter to fight away and possibly get injured is killing a potential money making fight for a promoter. Why do you think the Titans were overprotective in not allowing Pacman to participate on TNA.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:56 Drew
12:57
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
FOX, ESPN, and HBO are dominating the rumor mill.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:57 KingEngland
12:57
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
As is the possible announcement of a fight at Madison Square Garden, but I don't think the fact that New York is allowing an MMA fight is big enough news.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:57 KingEngland
12:58
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
ny isnt licensed yet
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 Rich
12:58
[Comment From SteveSteve: ] 
Fox would be great. They've built their company on controversial shows, etc. That would be a nice fit.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 Steve
12:58
[Comment From DrewDrew: ] 
If UFC is going to have to be on a Network or premium cable. Their deal with Spike prevents them from working with other cable networks. If it is ESPN, it will more likely air on ABC.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 Drew
12:58
[Comment From KingEnglandKingEngland: ] 
My bet is a Mike Tyson/Kimbo Slice announcement, but I'm an idiot.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 KingEngland
12:58
[Comment From RichRich: ] 
but matt serra(who lives 10 min from me) and dana white had a meeting with nys
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 Rich
12:58
[Comment From MDTMDT: ] 
They'd almost definitely have to buyout the Spike deal if it was ESPN... I can understand a jump to network might be okay in the terms but a jump to another basic cable station would be doubtful. I'd be pretty shocked if ESPN wasn't into MMA in the next six months, though, especially since they're one of the only networks still supporting boxing.
Friday June 6, 2008 12:58 MDT
1:00
OK, everyone. That's it for me. Thanks so much for taking some time out of your Friday to chat with me, and I hope you'll come back tomorrow at 3 p.m. Eastern for my UFC 85 live blog.
Friday June 6, 2008 1:00 
1:00



 
 
 
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