http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/8/1/1599648/alan-belcher-apologizes-to-his Damn, Belcher has a detached retina. That's some rough luck. Leben comes off his UFC 116 medical suspension tomorrow, so you know he'd take that fight in a heartbeat. September 15th is far enough away for him to get in a six-week training camp and he's probably still fairly sharp from his UFC 116 bout. Maia's wrestling isn't that great, and he was knocked silly by Nate Marquardt. Could Leben catch him with a similar shot and keep going back up the ranks?
No way Leben fights again. Quarry, Grove or some unproven prospect like Dalloway or Kyle Noke. At any rate, I doubt it remains the ME unless the UFC does what they have been seemingly unable to do, and actually sign someone like a Santiago, Filho, Khalidov.
Leben probably is the front runner, if he's ok with fighting for what would be a 3rd fight in 4 months. As for a Leben-Maia fight, it's a good contest. I'd favour Demian....besides the power, there's not all that much between them on the feet. Sure Maia wants this one on the ground, but it's not like Leben is likely to outbox Maia. Once it's on the ground (and don't completely dismiss Maia's ability to takedown, ask Chael Sonnen)...then you worry for Leben, he has submission defeats on his record, and as much as he'd say he's improved, Maia's on another level.
Nope. Leben hits hard, and takes a good shot, but he's slow and very easy to hit. Leben is overall the better striker (based on that power and durability), but he's not going to outclass Maia on the feet.....Maia showed improved stand-up vs Miller, and say all you want about the Silva fight....Anderson's antics etc...but he did make it to the final bell.
You don't need to outclass someone to either beat them or knock them silly. That's like saying Shogun wasn't going to outclass Machida on the feet.
I take you're point, but i don't think you're quite grasping mine. Leben is the better striker. If it was a stand-up fight, i'd have no hesitation in picking Leben to win by knockout. But i don't believe, that he is overwhelmingly better than Maia.....i just don't think that whilst on the feet he has it all his own way. That's all. Maia's game is to get the fight to the ground, but i don't believe his stand-up is that terrible, and Leben's that good, that if he doesn't secure the takedown rightaway, that he's all of a sudden in big trouble.
I still don't get your point. If Maia can't get the takedown he will flat out lose, and likely by knockout. He doesn't take a punch well either, and is probably slower than Leben.
You guys know I am a bit of a NW homer, but I will tell you this. If given the oppurtunity, Leben won't turn it down. In fact, I know that his camp just called Dana and let him know they would take the fight if offered. Dana actually told them to take a breath and give Chris a rest. He told them he has plans for Chris but it won't likely be Meia. But then Dana told them to be ready just in case:doh: Chris has great takedown defense. The guy has rolled with some of the best wrestlers in MMA. Randy, Lindland, Sonnen, Horn, Hendo, and the list goes on. I am not saying Meia couldn't win this one, that would be foolish. But he would have to land something big and fast in the way of a submission, because Leben is keeping this on his feet.
Personally I would favor Leben if the same version showed up that subbed Akiyama. And speaking of Akiyama, he loses to Leben and gets a main event spot against Bisping. Leben better get something strong in his next fight. And If I'm Dana White and Leben wants Maia, I'll let him have it. Leben deserves it for stepping up to fight Akiyama.
To be honest with you, I don't know if anyone in the division outside of Silva should be a betting favorite against this version of the Crippler. Personally I want to see Belfort-Leben with the winner getting Silva or Sonnen. I know Belfort is next in line already but make this fight in the meantime. What a war that could be.
Oh please, I'd even pick Miranda over Leben. He's not that good. At all, Wanderlei, even Bisping would beat him, Belfort would flat out murder him.
Maybe.. But I've watched Leben for a long time and he seems like a much more dedicated fighter now. This is a different beast than we saw a couple years ago.
Marquardt also would have his way with Leben. Leben just isn't good, he comes in shape and has a granite chin, pretty good boxing and heavy hands but that's about it. He was the beneficiary of facing two opponents who gassed out, played into his game and got beat.
For about 3 minutes. Belfort would crush Leben. I would not want to see that fight because I love watching both guys.
Did they gas out or did he gas them out with pressure and heavy hands? Leben plays to his strengths, and people have to be wary of the dynamite at the ends of his wrists.
Well Akiyama just has terrible cardio, and he always has. Simpson is arguable but he clearly didn't come in his best shape, probably took him too lightly, and got into stupid exchanges with him despite having a fragile chin.
how did Akiyama play into his game? His game is to take you into deep waters and crack your chin. He subbed Akiyama. I guarantee you Akiyama never thought he had to worry about anything from the top position. I would take Leben over Wandy at this stage and I would pick him to put Bisbing to sleep via brutal ko. Belfort would beat leben, yes crush him. Marquardt is an interesting one. Could be a great fight.
Regardless, Leben-Belfort would be a very fun striking war while it last. And if Vitor doesn't crack that chin, watch out. It amazes me the love Belfort gets at 185 when we have no clue how he will be at that weight NOW.
