[kazeoni555]

i think josh will destroy rizzo

[Lavos]

Barnett puzzles me sometimes...

He's obviously very good at submissions, but despite showing good striking and wrestling sometimes he gets tooled at both quite often.

At the start of the Yoshida fight, Yoshida lands strikes flush on Barnett's chin and he just freezes. Had it been someone other than Yoshida, I suspect it would have been quite dangerous for Barnett even with his solid chin.

His wrestling is always been a bit suspect, the guy is a self proclaimed wrestler but he's had trouble having the dominant position in many of his most recent fights. It's a mystery.

Regardless, I'm as big a Barnett fan you'll find on here and I'm pulling for him to win but Rizzo always has a puncher's chance.

[ShotokanBB'n'MB]

Originally Posted by Lavos

Barnett puzzles me sometimes...

He's obviously very good at submissions, but despite showing good striking and wrestling sometimes he gets tooled at both quite often.

At the start of the Yoshida fight, Yoshida lands strikes flush on Barnett's chin and he just freezes. Had it been someone other than Yoshida, I suspect it would have been quite dangerous for Barnett even with his solid chin.

His wrestling is always been a bit suspect, the guy is a self proclaimed wrestler but he's had trouble having the dominant position in many of his most recent fights. It's a mystery.

Regardless, I'm as big a Barnett fan you'll find on here and I'm pulling for him to win but Rizzo always has a puncher's chance.

I think the difference in his wrestling is the style of wrestling he does. From what I understand he is a pro wrestler that has adapted to fighting. This is different from collegiate wrestling. The pro wresters I have seen have been based on more throws and "big" moves whereas the collegiate guys have a lot different control base. Having said that I am very sure someone knows better than I the differences in these styles. I dont know much myself but my thoughts are the impressions given to me through watching the fighters. Havent seen a lot of barnetts stuff though

[DSHO]

I would be surprised if Rizzo wins much less puts Barnett away.....i think Barnett takes this either by sub or decision.

[Seano]

Originally Posted by Bullitt68

I see the chronology differently. I think he'll start off not even thinking about the TD, strike with Rizzo for a while, and either take the initiative himself and go to the clinch or clinch after getting hit with Rizzo's punches. Either way, I think the TD's will come after some time spent striking on the feet. It's just going to be a matter of what makes him go for the TD, his own initiative or his not liking Rizzo's power.

When he does start working for TD's, while Rizzo has a great sprawl, he can be taken down from the clinch, and Josh's size and clinch work will result in this fight hitting the mat where it'll be Josh all the way.

You may be right. I've already heard Barnett (in an interview on MMA weekly, I think) say he wanted to stand with Rizzo, which immediately causes me to suspect he'll shoot immediately in the fight.

[cilhawk]

No freakin' way. Rizzo should be fighting in the IFL's old man's division. Barnett by whateva he wants.

[iowapoet_29]

I've got Barnett winning this one easy

[Safari_Punch]

If Barnett gets KO'd, Rizzo is back in the top 10.

However, Barnett is not going to get KO'd. He's going to lay a beating on Rizzo, then tap him with a nifty toe hold.

[Halfway]

Originally Posted by Bullitt68

I'd be VERY surprised to see him put Josh away again. I think Josh will stand with him the way he did Aleks before working to the clinch, putting Rizzo down, and working him with GNP until he either stops him (does anybody cut easier than Rizzo?) or finds a submission.

Tons of ways for Josh to win this one and only one way for Rizzo, and I don't see it happening for him. I think Josh has improved far beyond where Rizzo is at and I think he'll show it in this fight.

That's exactly how I see it too. Its not the same Rizzo as before.

[JUSTIN SCHALK]

Your living in the past.. Barnett will make short work of Rizzo,,,