Clark Kent
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12-07-2009 12:10 PM:The coolest part of "The Ultimate Fighter" is the debate that follows. Which fighters really have a chance to make a mark in the sport? It's not always the winner. And even with the winner, the jury is often out for a few years. That's certainly the case with TUF 10 winner Roy Nelson, who scored a huge knockout finish of Brendan Schaub. Can the squatty 33-year-old beat anyone in the top 10? Kevin Iole from Yahoo! Sports joined Cagewriter for the debate.
Nelson's ground game and the knowledge of how to use his unique body could present trouble for any UFC heavyweight on the ground outside of Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez and Brock Lesnar. A good ground game is a helluva neutralizer when it comes to facing big punchers. It might sound crazy, but Nelson has a similar skill set with former UFC champ Frank Mir. He can't compete with other UFC heavyweights like Gabriel Gonzaga, Junior Dos Santos, Ben Rothwell, Pat Barry, Antoni Hardonk and Cheick Kongo? Isn't Nelson better than most guys in the No. 10-25 range (Stefan Struve, Cro Cop, Mostapha Al-Turk, Tim Hague, Mike Russow, Chris Tuchsherer) in UFC? I wonder if No. 25 Nelson will move ahead of No. 22 Ray Mercer in the USA Today/Bloody Elbow heavyweight world rankings?
As far as the show goes, here's the list of prospects and their upside:
1. Nelson, 33 years old, (6-foot, 264 pounds)
2. Schaub, 26 (6-4, 240)
Big kid in good condition. Has punching power and a versatile striking game. Needs to improve his standup defense and add ground game finishing elements.
3. James McSweeney, 29, (6-4, 235)
He's marketable. Easily the most cocky guy from the show. Can be an elite striker with knockout power if he sits down on his punches. Showed good power and transition offensively on the ground. Also needs to keep emotions in check during fights.
4. Jon Madsen, 29, (6-0, 247)
Showed decent footwork and good counterpunching abilities. Needs to make sure to play off his excellent wrestling more and not get suckered into thinking he has to make fights exciting.
5. Justin Wren, 23, (6-4, 251)
Huge dude who needs to work on conditioning and composure in the cage. Powerful fighter on the ground but needs to learn pacing, and play to his strengths.
6. Matt Mitrione, 31, (6-3, 255)
Incredibly raw on the ground but very strong. Wasn't overwhelmed by the 6-6, 262-pound Marcus Jones. Nelson said he has the fastest hands that he's ever worked against. Now the question is will Mitrione work hard to get in better condition, correct his striking flaws and keep from making silly mistakes that can lead to submissions?
7. Kimbo Slice, 35, (6-2, 212)
Is Kimbo really a heavyweight? He's got good punching and clinch power but he may not be able to get off the deck against elite wrestlers. Maybe he belongs down at light heavyweight.
8. Demico Rogers, 27, (6-4, 245)
Don't write off Rogers. He freaked, fought a bad fight and lost to Schaub. He's got the size and time to turn into a pretty solid heavyweight. A Mercedes Benz tech, he's got a good head on his shoulders.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
Nelson's ground game and the knowledge of how to use his unique body could present trouble for any UFC heavyweight on the ground outside of Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez and Brock Lesnar. A good ground game is a helluva neutralizer when it comes to facing big punchers. It might sound crazy, but Nelson has a similar skill set with former UFC champ Frank Mir. He can't compete with other UFC heavyweights like Gabriel Gonzaga, Junior Dos Santos, Ben Rothwell, Pat Barry, Antoni Hardonk and Cheick Kongo? Isn't Nelson better than most guys in the No. 10-25 range (Stefan Struve, Cro Cop, Mostapha Al-Turk, Tim Hague, Mike Russow, Chris Tuchsherer) in UFC? I wonder if No. 25 Nelson will move ahead of No. 22 Ray Mercer in the USA Today/Bloody Elbow heavyweight world rankings?
As far as the show goes, here's the list of prospects and their upside:
1. Nelson, 33 years old, (6-foot, 264 pounds)
2. Schaub, 26 (6-4, 240)
Big kid in good condition. Has punching power and a versatile striking game. Needs to improve his standup defense and add ground game finishing elements.
3. James McSweeney, 29, (6-4, 235)
He's marketable. Easily the most cocky guy from the show. Can be an elite striker with knockout power if he sits down on his punches. Showed good power and transition offensively on the ground. Also needs to keep emotions in check during fights.
4. Jon Madsen, 29, (6-0, 247)
Showed decent footwork and good counterpunching abilities. Needs to make sure to play off his excellent wrestling more and not get suckered into thinking he has to make fights exciting.
5. Justin Wren, 23, (6-4, 251)
Huge dude who needs to work on conditioning and composure in the cage. Powerful fighter on the ground but needs to learn pacing, and play to his strengths.
6. Matt Mitrione, 31, (6-3, 255)
Incredibly raw on the ground but very strong. Wasn't overwhelmed by the 6-6, 262-pound Marcus Jones. Nelson said he has the fastest hands that he's ever worked against. Now the question is will Mitrione work hard to get in better condition, correct his striking flaws and keep from making silly mistakes that can lead to submissions?
7. Kimbo Slice, 35, (6-2, 212)
Is Kimbo really a heavyweight? He's got good punching and clinch power but he may not be able to get off the deck against elite wrestlers. Maybe he belongs down at light heavyweight.
8. Demico Rogers, 27, (6-4, 245)
Don't write off Rogers. He freaked, fought a bad fight and lost to Schaub. He's got the size and time to turn into a pretty solid heavyweight. A Mercedes Benz tech, he's got a good head on his shoulders.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
