Ryan's strategy will be the key to victory!!!

[Martial Artist]

What if Ryan comes out and doesn't push the fight at all!!! I think that,that will screw Sak's strategy up big-time.Anyway,if Ryan beats Sak,then the Rickson X Sak fight is all but lost(as if it isn't already).I hope to see Ryan put Sak in his place.

Any thoughts???

[sakattack]

Why do you want Ryan to put Sak in his place? What place should that be?

Anyway, there's no chance. Just think about it. Sak has beaten or drawn against Conan, Goes, Newton, Belfort, Metzger, Igor (lost decision but gave him a hard time) and three Gracies.

The amazing thing is that not one of these guys have gotten Sak on his back. Ryan is too emotional and will give Sak openings. Sak by submission.

[Martial Artist]

Ryan is to emotional?Dude,read my post! I said what if comes out and plays -D-!!!Yup,thats gonna leave all the openings.

[Marcus]

Emotiion or no, Ryan isn't talented enough to beat Sak. Of course anything can happen, but Sak has already beaten Renzo and Royce who are better than Ryan. I think it will take a striker to beat Sak.

[sccr06]

Is Ryan bigger or stronger or more technical than Renzo? I was really impressed with Sak's ability to beat Renzo. I have always thought he was the best Gracie other than Rickson.
I asked if Ryan was bigger or stronger because I wonder if he will try to use heavier striking against Sak?

I just wish UFC and Pride would figure out some kind of middleground on fighter contracts. I would like to see some of the Pride fighters in UFC.

[PatrickH]

I don't believe that this will be a blow out one way or the other. As everyone has seen ANYTHING can happen in the world of MMA. I do give Sak the edge because he has proven that he can force "his fight" on his opponent but I'll never count Ryan out of any fight until it's over. He does fight on emotion which could work in his favor if his conditioning is favorable. The one thing about the Renzo/Sak fight was that the 2 fighters almost had too much respect for each other's ability so they were afraid to "mix it up." I don't think we'll see that with an emotional fighter like Ryan and this is a plus in his playbook because you never know what he'll do. I expect a hard fought fight.

Another thing I left out about Ryan playing defense (Martial artist). This strategy would help him to survive but winning is not an option by playing defense when you're fighting a Japanese fighter in Japan. It would be extremely hard for Ryan to win a favorable decision in Japan.

[sakattack]

Martial Artist dude - Ryan is too emotional and will not have the discipline to hold back. You're assuming he can hold back dude. We'll see by week's end dude.

[Martial Artist]

We will see dude

[Jaguar Wong]

sakattack, I thought Sak had to throw in the towel in the second round against Igor. After a 90min fight against Royce, I don't think he had enough to last the time limit against Igor.

I would like to see Ryan to win as well, but I'm still rooting for Sak. I think you're right about holding back, martial artist. But I don't think it's gonna throw off Sak's game, I just think it'll be better for Ryan because he won't get too careless. Sak's got a thick skull and I don't think he's got all the tenants living up stairs anymore if you know what I mean. He'll walk into some shots to tangle up the guy. Just watch the UFC Japan fight against Conan. He just stands there taking some big shots then he drops down for a single leg. (for all you guys that think Big John was right for stopping that fight, watch again, Sak drops for the leg out of desparation, but he wasn't out on his feet or anything)

If Ryan want's to beat Sak, he'll have to take his time to make Sak get too cocky and drop his guard. He's already beaten some of the Gracie's best, so he will get cocky if Ryan can put up a strong defense to make Sak go for the silly moves like some kind of cartwheeling attack or something equally crazy/silly. If Ryan can capitalize on that, then he's got a chance.

Unfortunately I think he'll explode out of the gates with some big shots trying to cut Sak down early. He just doesn't have the weight behind his strikes to rock Sakuraba, unless he can land a clean shot. It's just too risky, and he'll end up accidentally scrambling into a leg lock, or a kimura or something out of the blue. I don't think Sak will KO him, though. He'll just take some punishment to get in close and use his size. Maybe if Ryan has been working on his closed guard. I don't think Sak does so well trying to pass the guard, and if he can't get the striking room he needs, then maybe he'll fall into a triangle, or armbar. Ya never know.

I'm still rooting for Sak, though. But I wish Ryan luck anyways.