Crocop will win OWGP

Banderlei-Silba · 09-03-2006, 07:38 PM

Ok im saying Crocop can win the OWGP if he comes in good shape like the other guys are gonna. I could not include "if he comes in shape" on the thread name because its too long. So here is my theory:

First off, I think that Crocop will beat Wanderlei because although both have evolved since their first meeting, Crocop has improved more. His hands have gotten better for MMA and his submission defence and TD defence are awesome. He is gonna be the better striker on the feet, if it goes to the ground I can see Wanderlei having better striking if hes on top, with punches, knees, kicks, etc.

But besides the randleman fight where Crocop was already rocked, who has KO'ed or TKO'ed him from the top position with strikes? Also, I dont think Silva can submit him on the ground because of Mirko's extensive training with Werdum and other JJ guys.

On the feet, I feel that Crocop will throw occasional left kicks which will land and he will counterpunch silva's rushes. He could get rocked with punches but after the Hunt fight I dont think Silva has the technical and power punching to put Mirko away standing. If you look at slow motion in the Hunt-Mirko MMA fight you can see he took some SHOTS to the head and body. Crocop's TD defence is gonna be too much for Silva, cuz Fedor had trouble taking him down, Coleman coudlnt, neither could Randleman in the rematch. In the clinch he will be at a disadvantage against the wildness of Silva's punches and knees, but hey, hes a K-1 level striker, they can take alot of body shots before going down. It will go to the ground possibly, but I feel that not too much damage is gonna be done to him as we saw in his fights against barnett, Fedor. Eventually the UD will be granted to him after a rough and rumble affair.

Now, the Noguiera and Barnett fight is also gonna be a war, both guys can take a shot, and they are VERY hard to submit. If anything, Barnett could be submitted but because of his strenght, conditioning in the past fights, and knowledge of the submission game in MMA, I think this is also gonna be a decision, probably to Noguiera. If barnett does win, I dont think he can beat Crocop standing, maybe he will wear him down but Crocop will still land the more damaging strikes which would give points on the scorecards to him. Also as we saw, Barnett is gonna have a heck of a hard time taking Crocop down, but the new improved Barnett could.

If he does take him down, a TKO from Ground and Pound wont happen (stated before), plus Barnett is never known for KO'ing people (other than a few fights against C level fighters), he softens them up for the submission. Crocop is good at defending GnP and he aint no Mark Hunt to get submitted like that, he'll probably wait for ref standup or use his legs to push Barnett away and get up.

If Nog fights Crocop, this is gonna be harder for Crocop cuz of Nog's improved boxing abilities, but its nothing that Crocop hasnt seen before, i mean although he was backpedalling against Hunt the whole fight, he landed alot of shots, and Noguiera's standup defence isnt like Hunt's, so hes gonna try to take it down sooner or later, which with his wreslting I dont see happening. If he takes Crocop down, then he could very well submit him but I really dont see him taking Crocop down. Crocop is too strong and he wont be making that mistake again. This is the only element of Danger for Mirko, being submitted by Nog, but because of his strenght and toughness he would hold his guard as hard as he can and wait for a standup, he will not risk opening the guard. Noguiera is not gonna be flinging Crocop to the mat easily to gain sidemount because he isnt a very good upperbody thrower. If anything, I can see Crocop throwing Nog down if hes frustrated or worn down in the standup, so that he can score points with punches and standup if a sub is coming.

So there it is guys, I've put alot of money on Mirko to win this OWGP, IF and IF he comes in Shape he can pull it off. This is his last chance to be tourney champ and hes missing this, unlike the other 3 who are or have been champs in the past, so he would rather die than lose.

With all that said, WAR MIRKO!!!!

DjHnd · 09-03-2006, 07:45 PM

I also believe mirko can win, given that he doesnt gas like fedor fight.

TheChance · 09-03-2006, 07:46 PM

first post in the thread. W00t

Noobios · 09-03-2006, 07:46 PM

I agree except I think he'll knock Wanderlei and maybe even Nogueira out if he faces them. Good arguments. War Mirko!!!

strangesub · 09-03-2006, 07:46 PM

i agree whitey. Mirko had Nog KOed at the end of the first round but nog was saved by the bell. Barnett doesnt have the ability to beat mirko. Wandy will be his biggets test and i think wandy hasnt progressed as much as mirko has...im saying LHK KO.

TheChance · 09-03-2006, 07:48 PM

damn. beat by mere seconds. Anyway I'm going for Barnett. Mosstly because I'm one of those asshole that likes to chant "USA, USA" when I want an american fighter to win.

Banderlei-Silba · 09-03-2006, 07:48 PM

Thanks for acknowledging my good insight, unlike some flamers. So im not a newb whitebelt after all eh? Just kidding, but yea I hope Mirko wins this thing. I like all these fighters, but out of all 4, Mirko deserves this the most, I mean, for such an excellent fighter, hes never been Champ? thats just sad. Nog does not need another belt! He would be owned by Fedor. Barnett's been champ in the UFC and Silva has had the best run as Champ in MMA history, so it would only be fair for Mirko to have good luck and win this GP

DaTruth · 09-03-2006, 07:50 PM

I too think that CC is gonna come out on top in the end. Most people have Wand and Nog's are the favorites and Barnett as the darkhorse, but i think that CC will T/KO Wand and then go on to beat nog/josh out in the 2nd round by strikes.

_Sonic_ · 09-03-2006, 07:52 PM

Mirko will win

Twitch · 09-03-2006, 07:53 PM

Can't argue with anything you said. Crocop's striking is superior to any of the other three. I doubt anyone can argue with that. It's his evolution as an MMA fighter that swings him as the favourite IMHO. His takedown defence and/or confidence from the guard will obviously be the difference. Those big ol' legs could probably sweep anyone, including Barnett. Will he try to keep standing, or attempt some g n' p? Time will tell...