I thought Shogun would win. I was going for Shogun. I also like Dan and never doubted he could also win.
I'm not gonna talk about what heart both guys showed. My biggest point may be how sloppy Shogun looked. He didnt have the movement, the defense, the technical striking that he need to have to beat Dan imo. I am basing that over his fights vs Machida though and Machida and Dan may be too different to compare.
I'm not sure we got to see enough of Shogun before getting clocked (like the Jones fight) but he looked sloppy, sluggish - just not that sharp. Again, this could all be because Dan hurt him early enough and he never fully recovered (like the Jones fight).
I just cant believe he got tagged that easily by the H-Bomb. I cant believe that he didnt try and pick Dan off from more of a distance than going in so aggressively.
I will say that Dan may be in his prime now, esp having that right hand as seasoned as ever. He did counter Shogun with the accuracy and zip he needed. Which then brings me to the necessary subject IMO of his TRT use. No, i dont know what Shogun is on or not. But could Dan be the in the shape he is in now at 41 and survived that 5th round without it?
Yes, we can throw Randy and Chael and any other known users of this as well. Even if there is the arguement that "everyone" is on some shit, Dan, Randy and Chael are confirmed cases of TRT, no?
Anyhow, though it was a war and both guys left their hearts and blood in the ring, I still have to say Im disappointed in the way Shogun fought from the techinical striking game aspect. Dan has been beaten by Anderson, Lil Nog, even Misaki via technical striking. I thought Shogun would be able to put himself in that category.
I was wrong.
DUKE!
Duke, if you read this thread, id love to hear what you thought about the striking breakdown between them 2. Was this just a case of Shogun rolling the dice and losing?
The TRT thing is ridiculous. It's approved, so it's not cheating.
Striking wise, getting tagged good once is usually enough to make otherwise skilled fighters lose their focus on technique.
eliwoo - The TRT thing is ridiculous. It's approved, so it's not cheating.
Technically speaking.
eliwoo - Striking wise, getting tagged good once is usually enough to make otherwise skilled fighters lose their focus on technique.
Agreed.
I thought he looked ok, the way Dan fights makes him hard to hit. Shogun throws a lot of power into his punches as well which affects his speed.
I think you hit on it in your post when you said Shogun got hurt early and never fully recovered. It was very telling to me when Shogun, a terrific striker, was trying to take Dan down and turn it into a ground fight after eating punches in round 1. 
I thought Shogun would mix it up more with Kicks. When he used them they were effective. Dan also used the inside round kick to setup his H-Bomb. I think what messed Shogun up was when he shot in early in the fight and got clipped by a big shot from Dan. I think that was what put on the back foot for the first couple of rounds. Was a great fight though.
Elvis
Funaki Masakatsu #1 - I think you hit on it in your post when you said Shogun got hurt early and never fully recovered. It was very telling to me when Shogun, a terrific striker, was trying to take Dan down and turn it into a ground fight after eating punches in round 1. <img src="/images/phone/apple.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
True but he also tried to take Machida down in both fights.
Elvis - I thought Shogun would mix it up more with Kicks. When he used them they were effective. Dan also used the inside round kick to setup his H-Bomb. I think what messed Shogun up was when he shot in early in the fight and got clipped by a big shot from Dan. I think that was what put on the back foot for the first couple of rounds. Was a great fight though.
Elvis
The lead inside leg kick is such a basic MT tech that Shogun should be ready for that shit imo. Dan has shown that as his great set up for the H-Bomb though.
I think Shogun's strategy should have been to fight a bit more conservatively in Rs 1 and 2 and fought more from the outside.
Shogun is never going to wear a championship belt again. He simply isn't in shape and he doesn't possess the skill set. He is yesterday. He knows it. We know it. But everyone lives the lie.
if Dan had been 5 years younger he REALLY would have beat Shogun's ass. smh.
I think Shogun got clipped early and it definately affected him through the first few rounds. I think that definately affected his gameplan.
Agree with Wasa, I was shocked that Shogun's striking looked so terrible. Very few kicks, just kept getting sucked into trading ugly hooks. I also haven't seen that kind of gut on him before.
I'm all for TRT though. I like seeing athletes perform at their best.
Shogun looked seriously out of shape tonight. He found his rhythm after round 3, but physically and technically he didn't look his best.
If he wants the belt back, he's going to have to tighten everything up a bit.
Authority Figure - Shogun is never going to wear a championship belt again. He simply isn't in shape and he doesn't possess the skill set. He is yesterday. He knows it. We know it. But everyone lives the lie.
if Dan had been 5 years younger he REALLY would have beat Shogun's ass. smh.
Dan lost to Misaki 5 years ago, bro.
orcus - Agree with Wasa, I was shocked that Shogun's striking looked so terrible. Very few kicks, just kept getting sucked into trading ugly hooks. I also haven't seen that kind of gut on him before.
I'm all for TRT though. I like seeing athletes perform at their best.<br type="_moz" />
Shogun was the first to roll the dice and he did so too carelessly imo or should not have attacked so full out so soon. He fought Dan's game sorta.
Dan is more muscular than ever at 41. Testo for the win!
s98ronin - Dan is more muscular than ever at 41. Testo for the win!
This.
...
Shogun looked out of shape, knees keeping him from training like he should? Either way, Im sure getting hit hard by Henderson changed alot of the game plan. I think he abandoned leg kicks to avoid the counter right hand.
Nobody seems to be mentioning how hard Hendo got wobbled a couple times, he has been dropped before, but damn, he took some BIG shots in this fight.
Man both guys took some big shots and just kept on coming...