After watching last night's fight, it seems like Randy can destroy just about anyone in the clinch. Nogueira is quicker and more agile than Gonzaga, but he's also almost 20lbs lighter. His boxing is a bit better too. I actually think Randy would win a decision if they fought. Nogueira would be in it the entire fight, but Randy would just be too much with the takedowns and clinch work. He seems to be hitting a hell of a lot harder now too. He's a bad matchup for just about everyone at HW.
I can't act like I always thought Randy was this good. I really thought the move to HW was ill advised, to say the least. Boy did he prove me wrong.
you're not alone. He is so very impressive right now. His new boxing skills
have taken him to a new level. Plus, he just seems to have a second wind.
I bet his new wife can be thanked as much as any new trainers or sparring
partners.
The guy's got a new lease on life and he's redefining... a hell of a lot of
shit.
I think that even Fedor, who I'd favor slightly, would have to fight a
flawless fight to beat him right now.
you said it- mino's a better boxer, but less of a physical presence. i would also give him an edge in toughness and having an effective mma jiu-jitsu game that gonzaga has yet to demonstrate.
i also think randy's gotten good enough at the various aspects of mma that he'd be able to work nog like a terrier for 25 minutes and walk off with the belt, leaving mino looking like he had an altercation with a combination edger/trimmer.
totally incomparable. Gonzaga is bigger and stronger, Nogueira is a lot better with submissions and has proven his ability to fight through adversity and still win. The key for Gonzaga was to get the top position against Randy, Mino has a good chance to win from the bottom too.
you really think nogueira will submit Randy off his back? he's got great mma bjj, and although is guard is dangerous, he hasn't submitted any top heavyweights from the guard. I can't see it happening at all to be honest. Randy will do well in the clinch, take him down rather easily, and win a decision based on gnp from the guard (which isn't the most damaging, but it wins fights).
I don't know if Mirko could avoid the takedowns. He seems to do well against freestyle wrestlers, but how's he gonna do against a guy who can ram him into the cage and manhandle him in the clinch? Fedor used similar takedowns against Crocop with great success, and CC had the ropes to stick his butt out between.
If he can stay out of the clinch and keep Randy from catching one of his kicks, then yea, Mirko will do very well. I'd certainly like to see it.
Randy cant KO Nog. Randy isnt going to sub Nog. Nog has superior stand up and superior submissions. Couture only chance is winning by repeated take downs out pointing Nogs better boxing/submission attempts.
Nog's a better boxer than Gonzaga so he might be able to put up a better struggle standing. He's also not afraid of pulling guard or getting put on his back from a takedown. It would definitely be an intersting fight.