4 those who train. (BJvsSherk)

Dahntay23 · 05-04-2008, 05:10 PM

((LONG READ)) For those who train or fight M.M.A., If you were Sean Sherk, what would be your strategy be vs. Penn. Before you here mine out, I have creditials, not alot and I trust there will be better opinions and strategies out here than mine. I'm going to take my knowledge for a test drive so feel free to critique.
I am yet to fight, if I do I assume it will be The Warrior Cage Fighting org, it's a small org in the midwest. I'm atleast a half a year away from my first fight. I train out of owensboro kentucky, via Nice Guys submission fighting. I train in all areas, but our main point of emphasis is BJJ.
Back on tangent, I don't mean to sound like Sherk is a far cry from beating BJ Penn. It is very possible, but BJ Penn is just one of those guys you hate to fight because of his dextarity and he's just very solid in all aspects. He really doesn't have a weakness other than maybe endurance. So, here's what I would do.

The fight obviously starts standing so there's obviously going to be a stategy as far as strikeing, even if you want the fight on the ground. When we all think of Sherk's stand-up, we don't think of it as any better than very mediocre. However, 95% of his fights have been at 170 where he has given up reach to almost every opponent at 5'5-5'6. I'm not a golden gloves boxing champion, but I don't think Sherk's stand up is that pitiful. Is it as good as BJ Penns? - no, but he won the standup agaist Diaz and held his own against Hermes other than eating knees when he went for the double. Not that Hermes and Diaz are on the same level, but not slouches none the less. Technically they are almost or just as good, but just lack the power. Still, i don't look for Sherk to make this a boxing match. I think Sherk will use alot of foot work and mix things up, just enough, but no more than he has to to get BJ backing up against the fence, execute some dirty boxing before going to a TD.
This is going to be very difficult for Sherk to get the TD here. I think Sherk would be better off going for a single so he can be in BJ's half guard, but getting a SLTD on Penn is near impossible. (refer back to Hughes/Penn II) I don't think Sherk wants to spend alot of time in BJ's guard to be honest. He's short limbed and I think BJ will nuetralize Sherks GnP in full guard and Sherk will be in danger of arm bars and triangles the whole time. I think if Sherk can get the SLTD, that is where he wants to be where he can sit back, nuetralize one of BJ's legs, control his body somewhat and pick his shots. I look for him to sit back on BJ's leg and work some body shots and some GnP, soften him up and try for side control, but if not I think he will feel comfortable and do just fine in half guard. I think if Sherk inflicts some damage and drags it out into later rounds Sherk has a great chance. My prediction: I look for this fight to be pretty back in forth, but I think early in the 3rd round BJ, pulls this one out.
Thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Fixation · 05-04-2008, 05:19 PM

pretty much the same thing im sure Sherk is going to do.

Look for the early takedown, position over submission. Keep top position, dont take any chances, peck away. try to avoid boxing with Penn, especially early. Try to get the fight into the 3rd round or later, see where Penn's cardio is at that point.

Sherk's only advantage in this fight is his athletic ability, needs to use his tools and hope BJ's gas tank is half full. BJ can hurt him standing quickly, can hurt him on the ground quickly if he exposes himself.

Sherk needs to play it very safe, take no chances and just go for the W. Sherk has never been exciting, this fight surely isnt one to try and be exciting in. The W is the most important thing in the world for Sherk right now, because i feel if he loses his UFC career is in danger.

mr_hardy · 05-04-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fixation

pretty much the same thing im sure Sherk is going to do.

Look for the early takedown, position over submission. Keep top position, dont take any chances, peck away. try to avoid boxing with Penn, especially early. Try to get the fight into the 3rd round or later, see where Penn's cardio is at that point.

Sherk's only advantage in this fight is his athletic ability, needs to use his tools and hope BJ's gas tank is half full. BJ can hurt him standing quickly, can hurt him on the ground quickly if he exposes himself.

Sherk needs to play it very safe, take no chances and just go for the W. Sherk has never been exciting, this fight surely isnt one to try and be exciting in. The W is the most important thing in the world for Sherk right now, because i feel if he loses his UFC career is in danger.

I think this is the answer. Also, sherk did not 'hold his own' in the standup against Franca - he got rocked big 2 or 3 times and wanted none of franca standing up.

Ethan Cage · 05-04-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fixation

pretty much the same thing im sure Sherk is going to do.

Look for the early takedown, position over submission. Keep top position, dont take any chances, peck away. try to avoid boxing with Penn, especially early. Try to get the fight into the 3rd round or later, see where Penn's cardio is at that point.

Sherk's only advantage in this fight is his athletic ability, needs to use his tools and hope BJ's gas tank is half full. BJ can hurt him standing quickly, can hurt him on the ground quickly if he exposes himself.

Sherk needs to play it very safe, take no chances and just go for the W. Sherk has never been exciting, this fight surely isnt one to try and be exciting in. The W is the most important thing in the world for Sherk right now, because i feel if he loses his UFC career is in danger.

Sherk will have no choice but try and grind it out to the later rounds. But i disaggree with the last thing you said. His UFC career will not be in danger he wins fights, I just don't think he will win this fight.

DaDiazBros · 05-04-2008, 05:30 PM

Pretty good analysis, although I hate to say it but its easier said then done.

How Sherk is training is probably the best way for him to get ready for this fight. Penn is one of the toughest guys to train for because oh his flexibility and solid all around game. You can't bring in many guys with his attributes.

As for the fight, I see this fight going BJ Penn's favor by submission or TKO in the 3rd.

PureBreed · 05-04-2008, 05:31 PM

Penn is amazing with his subs, but Sherk won't get subbed. hes been training long enough to know good sub defense, and he knows how to keep calm in a bad spot. I think his boxing is crisper then Penns, so he shouldn't have a problem standing. I think its just gonna come down to who can do the most damage early

Bullitt68 · 05-04-2008, 05:32 PM

On the feet, Sherk really needs to work his MT. His leg kicks are so underutilized and yet they are very accurate and powerful. He was hitting GSP with some pretty good leg kicks, and against Franca, he hit him with a HARD, chopping leg kick that I hope to see out of him against BJ.

Trying to box with BJ would be a bad idea. Sherk has underrated striking, but why give BJ that chance? I think he should only punch as a counter to BJ's attack like in this exchange with GSP:

If Sherk's going to be kicking BJ, he better be ready for BJ's punches. He should also make sure to set up his TD's so he can get in deep on the double and not have to deal with BJ's flexibility and pummeling ability.

It's going to be a tough fight for Sherk, but if he makes sure to incorporate leg kicks on the feet, set up his TD's and get in deep on BJ, and keep pressure on him from bell to bell, both on the feet, in the clinch, and on the ground, I think he's more than capable of pulling it off and getting his belt back.

Dahntay23 · 05-04-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureBreed

Penn is amazing with his subs, but Sherk won't get subbed. hes been training long enough to know good sub defense, and he knows how to keep calm in a bad spot. I think his boxing is crisper then Penns, so he shouldn't have a problem standing. I think its just gonna come down to who can do the most damage early

Agree. Sherk has quick hands, but he's ot going to hurt BJ significantly.

Dahntay23 · 05-04-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt68

On the feet, Sherk really needs to work his MT. His leg kicks are so underutilized and yet they are very accurate and powerful. He was hitting GSP with some pretty good leg kicks, and against Franca, he hit him with a HARD, chopping leg kick that I hope to see out of him against BJ.

Trying to box with BJ would be a bad idea. Sherk has underrated striking, but why give BJ that chance? I think he should only punch as a counter to BJ's attack like in this exchange with GSP:

If Sherk's going to be kicking BJ, he better be ready for BJ's punches. He should also make sure to set up his TD's so he can get in deep on the double and not have to deal with BJ's flexibility and pummeling ability.

It's going to be a tough fight for Sherk, but if he makes sure to incorporate leg kicks on the feet, set up his TD's and get in deep on BJ, and keep pressure on him from bell to bell, both on the feet, in the clinch, and on the ground, I think he's more than capable of pulling it off and getting his belt back.

1,000% Agreed and thanks for the gifs.

DaDiazBros · 05-04-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureBreed

Penn is amazing with his subs, but Sherk won't get subbed. hes been training long enough to know good sub defense, and he knows how to keep calm in a bad spot. I think his boxing is crisper then Penns, so he shouldn't have a problem standing. I think its just gonna come down to who can do the most damage early

People were saying this about Joe Stevenson too, but look what happened.