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Roni, I disagree totally with your analysis.

Let's disregard the "he is declining" vs "he is not declining" aspect of the conversation, for it is mainly a subjective one (like some people saying that Anderson Silva is declining, etc).

I have watched almost of Rampage's fights, from KOTC and Gladiator Challenge, through Pride and now in the UFC.

And I totally disagree when you say that he has changed the way he fights.

He has never been, as you put it, a wrestler. Never. Sometimes he wrestler, sometimes he punches, depending on the opponent... but he has always done that.

Check out his fight against Murilo Bustamante. He did everything he could to avoid the ground game.

Against Kevin Randleman? Again he wanted to keep it standing.

The same against Sakuraba, and he ended up being submitted.

These are just some examples to contradict your theory.

And now let us fast forward to his UFC fights:

- Against Eastman the fight was kept standing, for Eastman is basically a wrestler

- Against Chuck the fight was kept standing, but the fight was a short one

- Against Dan Henderson the fight had more wrestling than striking. And Rampage won the wrestling game, taking Hendo down on multiple occasions and working him there.

- Against Forrest Rampage decided to stand and trade but still had time to do a slam to escape out of a submission, like he did against Arona (with the obvious outcome difference...)

- Against Wanderlei the fight was a short one

- Against Jardine Rampage won the striking part of the fight but he also won in terms of wrestling. Yes, against what you are saying, Rampage took Jardine down, didn't just look to punch.

- And now the fight against Rashad. Nobody tries to take Rashad down.


Rampage's shortcomings are now the same as they have always been. He lost 5 fights in Pride, let's keep that in mind!

He has always relied 50% on the power punching and 50% on the wrestling. Always.

And if you want, I can get you stats soon to prove my point, that his overall gameplan hasn't changed.

I agree when you say that he likes speed and mobility in terms of striking. He does. He's flat footed.

But he has always been like that. His striking has always been stiff.

By all means, you can and should disagree with me. :)
I know it is ploemic to say so, but unlike Silva, Rampage is not on any win streak, he actually lost 2 of the past 4 and his 2 victories were against Jardine & Wandy. Both guys who are far from being dominant at 205.
Actually, Jardine was cut from UFC and Wandy moved down....

I agree when you say that he likes speed and mobility in terms of striking.
He might like it, but he sure lacks it!!! Sorry. I know it was a typo. I just coudn't resist :)

But moreover, Hyped, what I mean is basically what it seems we both agree. He is flat footed. He cannot and will not be able to keep up with this new top talent. They are way too fast for him. He might not be KO'd or submitted, but I don't see him winning on points either.

Add the fact his minds are more on Movies and less on MMA, and you get a recipe for disaster...

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 09:53 AM ET  08.27 by Roni

But moreover, Hyped, what I mean is basically what it seems we both agree. He is flat footed. He cannot and will not be able to keep up with this new top talent. They are way too fast for him. He might not be KO'd or submitted, but I don't see him winning on points either.Add the fact his minds are more on Movies and less on MMA, and you get a recipe for disaster...

Sorry about the typo :)

Yes, we agree that he doesn't have enough speed and mobility.

My point was just that he has always been like that.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  08.27 by JimJ77 Can't make it up

I dont agree. Lets not forget that Rampage was out of action for 14 months an slmost KO'd Rashad. I dont see any decline. He's a very good boxer, with power and an iron jaw. Still one of the top 4 or 5 LHW's in the world.

Basically the same thing I said in the Mir discussion.....


If Rampage is in such a decline Rashad should have beaten him easily and it shouldn't have went to the judges..... Rashad has a suspect chin exposed by Machida, and confirmed by Rampage in that final round. Rampage dropped him with a glancing blow, and just missed with the follow up shot that would have ended it. Make no mistake Rampage missed the shot, it wasn't because Rashad dodged it.

You say the top 3 are too fast for him.... I disagree completely...... Rashad wasn't that impressive over him after his 14 month layoff. And Rampage was actually looking faster than him in the late rounds in that fight until he got winded from a lack of training. Speed has never been a part of Rampages game. He has always been a banger with a little wrestling mixed in. Most of his wrestling has always been just slams and TDD. He uses that iron jaw he has to lure people in and then catches them with one of his massive punches.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:37 AM ET  08.27 by ScottC1010

Basically the same thing I said in the Mir discussion.....If Rampage is in such a decline Rashad should have beaten him easily and it shouldn't have went to the judges..... Rashad has a suspect chin exposed by Machida, and confirmed by Rampage in that final round. Rampage dropped him with a glancing blow, and just missed with the follow up shot that would have ended it. Make no mistake Rampage missed the shot, it wasn't because Rashad dodged it.

Scott, this is the same as saying RUa didn't beat Machida. it was machida who missed a punch and then rua countered...

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:40 AM ET  08.27 by ScottC1010

You say the top 3 are too fast for him.... I disagree completely...... Rashad wasn't that impressive over him after his 14 month layoff. And Rampage was actually looking faster than him in the late rounds in that fight until he got winded from a lack of training. Speed has never been a part of Rampages game. He has always been a banger with a little wrestling mixed in. Most of his wrestling has always been just slams and TDD. He uses that iron jaw he has to lure people in and then catches them with one of his massive punches.

this is balooney.
yes, he had a long layoff. But let's be honest here. before the fight, all of you were drooling as "this was the best rampage you had seen in years!!!".
Now you use the layoff like he looked like Tim Sylvia when fighting Pudzianowski.

Do you think he can catch Bones?
Do you think he could stop Rashad's takedowns?
Do you think he could beat Rua or Machida?
Those are 4 guys that are a lock at beating rampage.
Add lil Nog who has better standup than rampage and way better ground game. Take away the fact that rampage prefers the glamour of movies than training for MMA and you got it.
rampage isn't and will not be relevant anymore... unless it is to lose to top fighters.

Look, I am not saying he is garbage. I am also not saying he is not top 10. but top 5? that is a very long stretch!

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

is Rampage still planing on fighting ? I thought I read on here after the loss to Evans that he was calling it quits, I can`t recall for sure what I read.

he calls it quits every tuesday and fridays! :)

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

is Rampage still planing on fighting ? I thought I read on here after the loss to Evans that he was calling it quits, I can`t recall for sure what I read.

He's fighting Machida at UFC 123

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:14 AM ET  08.27 by Hyped78

He's fighting Machida at UFC 123

so answer me this: do you see him beating Machida?

how do you see this fight go?

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 11:43 AM ET  08.27 by JimJ77 Can't make it up

Rampage did stuff Rashads takedowns. Rashad was 1 for 8 on takedown attempts going into the final round, and Rashad took Rampage down twice after Rampage blew all of his gas on trying to finish him with like 2 minutes left in the fight.Of course he could beat Rua or Machida. I would make both of those guys favorites but to say Rampage would have no chance is ludicrous.Rampage has better standup than Lil Nog. I think you misses the fight where Lil Nog was having trouble standing with Jason Brilz. He's on of the top 4 or 5 guys in the world. Most guys here I think would agree. Well, except for the Rampage haters.

Bullcrap, Jim.

What is ludicrous is to counter all I said and call me hater when i just pointed out he is not top 5. Nothing more, nothing less.

Answer me this: if he lose his next fight against machida, do you think he should be above lil Nog? or even Bones?
So what does that say???
he is not top 5!!! and that means you are basically saying the same as I.
You are only a fanboy who can't accept he is not championship material anymore...

Bear in mind that I did say that I picked Rashad to beat Rampage.

That having been said I'll give 60% Machida and 40% Rampage.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 11:48 AM ET  08.27 by Roni

Bullcrap, Jim.What is ludicrous is to counter all I said and call me hater when i just pointed out he is not top 5. Nothing more, nothing less.Answer me this: if he lose his next fight against machida, do you think he should be above lil Nog? or even Bones? So what does that say??? he is not top 5!!! and that means you are basically saying the same as I.You are only a fanboy who can't accept he is not championship material anymore...

So you are full of what if's Roni??? Well I can play that too... What if Rampage beats Machida? Is he still in decline status? I don't think Machida can KO Rampage, but he might out point him by striking and moving. And after watching Lil Nog against his last opponent I can't say he is top 5 ahead of Rampage. You pointed out Rampage isn't top 5, but all that is is you giving your opinion that Rampage isn't top 5, that doesn't make it fact.

Fact is you have your opinion about Rampage and we have ours. Neither opinion makes a difference on the reality of the situation.

What is fact is every major ranking system has Rampage in the top 5. His last loss coming to a guy ranked in the top 3 via decision. Next up he fights another guy ranked in the top 3. So evidentlly he isn't declining as bad as you would like to think.

QUOTE(#20):

Originally posted 12:06 PM ET  08.27 by JimJ77 Can't make it up

Fair enough on the Machida-Page fight. I will say I would have to make Machida the favorite, but I can only see him winning by decision. So Rampage to me doesnt fall out of the top 5 if he loses two decisions tho the #2 and #3 guys in the world.

exactly what i was thinking... I can't see Machida KO'ing Rampage