[MyFistYourFace]

I was at work today, but instead of working I was imagining scenarios for Final Conflict. So, pretty much I'm gonna share with all of you what I was pondering. Feel free to intelligently add opposing or agreeing opinions.

I'm gonna list all the possible matchups between the final four and who has the best chance of winning this whole thing and who has the worst.

I'll start with Crocop.
If crocop were to fight Barnett again I believe he will once again win a decision. He has the ability to dish out sufficient damage and stay on his feet enough to convince the judges that he was the closest to finishing the fight. This fight will look much like their last but I think that because of Barnett's better condidtioning the fight will be at a faster pace.

If Crocop were to fight Noguiera I believe that he would win this fight as well. Unlike their last fight, Crocop's takedown/sub-defense has increased even more and that will be the factor. He will win a decision in a similar fashion as he would with Barnett but I think that this would be an easier fight for him than with Barnett because of Nog's lack of takedown skills(respectively).

If Crocop were to face Silva I do not think he can win this one. Technically Crocop is a better striker than Silva, but silva fights at a higher pace and is more relentless with his onslaught. Damage will be dealt to both in this fight making the final round difficult but Silva will push for a narrow decision win over Mirko.

I give Crocop a 75% chance of winnning the OWGP.

Discuss your thoughts and I will move onto Nogueira.

[MyFistYourFace]

anyone?

[platypus]

i think it makes the most sense to see Mirko / Silva , Nog / barnett.

Most likely it will be Nog / Mirko in the finals.

Silva is the only fighter Mirko did not decisively lose or win against, and their styles make for a more exciting fight then the other matchups. This also gives Nogueira a tougher road to the finals, having to beat both barnett and mirko in one night. He's the favourite to win the tournament, if nothing strange happens like a cut.

[DetroitFu]

i think cro cop will land a flying scissor kick on silva's head and knock him out

[v1tal1]

decent analysis.

CC is in fact a far superior technical striker than Silva. But I would contend CC can only win a fight with Silva via Ko/Tko. Silva is too aggressive to not get the nod from the judges. Also, if you created a fighting style archetype that is CC's kryptonite...it would be Silva's. As many have noted. CC hates to be pressed. He likes to sit on the outside and outstrike people, wearing them down for the inevitable LHK.

CC should handle Nog, IMO. Nog is a much improved striker, but isn't up to the task of banging with CC. CC will most likely avoid most of the takedowns and simply standup when the fight goes down. CC has improved more on the ground than Nog has improved his standup. CC via dec.

CC v. Barnett. Barnett seems more motivated than I remember him (post-piss test pop). I still think CC is the favorite, but this seems like the most likely "upset" possiblity.

The way I see it...if Nog faces Silva and CC faces Barnett:
Silva defeats Nog via split dec.
CC defeats barnett via dec.

finals
Silva defeats CC via dec.

The most dangerous fighter for Silva--Barnett; most dangerous for CC--Silva; most dangerous for Nog--CC; most dangerous for Barnett--CC

[Bullitt68]

Cro Cop's conditioning has been a question mark as of late, but he knows how hard Final Conflict is going to be, so I have to think he's going to come into the event in great shape. With that said, if he is in good shape and focused, I can only see a rematch with Barnett going even better for him. He may still be unable to KO him, but it wouldn't be surprising and I can see a more clear-cut decision win for him.

Against Nog, I really hope they don't push for this in the semi's because it has finals written all over it. However, if they do fight, I agree again with CC winning a decision, but if he plans to do so, he needs to really punish Nog like the first fight, because Nog has never lost a decision in PRIDE against anyone not named Fedor Emelianenko, so Mirko would have to work the body shots like last time and stuff each and every takedown, otherwise I could see him possibly losing a controversial decision despite a great performance. I'm really looking forward to this rematch in the finals, assuming they both make it.

Wanderlei is the hardest one to call, but to base a rematch off of the first fight is inconclusive. Cro Cop was so new to MMA, and in the past four years since their first match, he has evolved into one of the best fighters in the world with the best TD defense in the game. I could see the fight looking the same in the respect that both fighters would be wary of the other, only this time around, I don't see Wanderlei having as much success taking CC down. I could see either one winning a decision (I honestly can't see CC scoring an LHK on Wand nor can I see Wand KO'ing Mirko), but I would still have to give Mirko the edge solely because I don't think Wand would be able to take him down again, and on the feet, it would be very similar to the first fight with Wanderlei pressing the fight but CC scoring the most damage.

Just because I can see CC winning each fight doesn't mean I think he'll take the tournament, but he's got a better shot than Barnett, who I believe would lose to either CC or Nog, and Silva, who I believe would lose to both Nog and Barnett, the fight with Mirko being too close to call.

Nog is definitely the favorite, but after that, I say Mirko, Barnett, and lastly, Wanderlei, being the very capable underdog for this tournament.

[hurley999]

I honestly do not see Silva winning against Mirko.How many fights did Mirko have in Pride when they first fought? (Maybe his first but I dont remember) Anyways, Mirko has improved drastically since then in all his game. Not to say Silva hasnt improved but I just dont see him beating Mirko, id literally bet the house on that one.

The person I think Silva has the best chance at beating is Nog. In my opinion Josh is just too big for Silva especially with Barnetts take-down offense. With Nog he can stand at least and I dont think he is better striker than Mirko.

You gotta give Silva credit though, he really did Fujita a hell of a beating

[testmario]

I agree that Silva will be a difficult match for CC. Silva will not try to take him down, he will close the distance, taking the effectivity of CCs kicks away, and putting him within knees and hooks range. CC can't win, i don't see how he would win.

[Soap]

This thread should be CC's Run in the OWGP Analysis

Your not really giving any other analysis. but it was good

[Tapout_monster]

Originally Posted by v1tal1

decent analysis.

CC is in fact a far superior technical striker than Silva. But I would contend CC can only win a fight with Silva via Ko/Tko. Silva is too aggressive to not get the nod from the judges. Also, if you created a fighting style archetype that is CC's kryptonite...it would be Silva's. As many have noted. CC hates to be pressed. He likes to sit on the outside and outstrike people, wearing them down for the inevitable LHK.

CC should handle Nog, IMO. Nog is a much improved striker, but isn't up to the task of banging with CC. CC will most likely avoid most of the takedowns and simply standup when the fight goes down. CC has improved more on the ground than Nog has improved his standup. CC via dec.

CC v. Barnett. Barnett seems more motivated than I remember him (post-piss test pop). I still think CC is the favorite, but this seems like the most likely "upset" possiblity.

The way I see it...if Nog faces Silva and CC faces Barnett:
Silva defeats Nog via split dec.
CC defeats barnett via dec.

finals
Silva defeats CC via dec.

The most dangerous fighter for Silva--Barnett; most dangerous for CC--Silva; most dangerous for Nog--CC; most dangerous for Barnett--CC

i agree with you for the most part but i think nog has a good chance of winning if he gets the takedown or pulls gaurd. but i dont think he will sub CC