Matt Hughs or Royce Gracie

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

My guess is Hughes is going to get the takedown and try to GnP Royce to submission?

No, Hughes's stratedgy is to avoid going to the ground with Royce by countering all his takedowns attemts(including jumping guard) by using his own wrestling skills. He doesnt believe Royce has the wrestling ability to take the fight to the ground. Matt Hughes will(for sure he said it himself) keep the fight standing, and he's been working extremely hard on his striking(boxing). Royce will be frustrated and desperate since he cant go to the ground w/Hughes and he'll have deal with the striking game alot, which is definetly Royce's biggest weakness. If Royce can manage to clinch with Hughes, there is only a slight chance it will go to the ground, and even then Matt is prepared. The odds of Royce Gracie losing this fight are stacked too high.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

I haven't watched any of the Hughes fights yet so I was just basing my guess on what others have told me about him. I've heard that he had a strong double leg so meh. If Royce can't take the fight to the ground then yeah it'll endup like the fight against Saku.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

You have to keep in mind that Kimo, Severn, and Shamrock all sought to take the fight to the ground so that's how Royce managed to keep the game there. Keep in mind that if Hughes has as much wrestling skill as people say he does then he definitely controls the takedowns this match. And because he controls the takedowns he will control whether the match stays standing or on the ground.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

Royce doesn't have the "wrestling skills" to take the fight to the ground? We are talking about Royce Gracie, right? He's gotten Kimo, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, and a host of other people much stronger than Hughes to the ground. And Matt Hughes is a wrestler - going to the ground is second nature for him.

My guess is that it'll end up on the ground regardless of what Matt says or does, and either Matt will get Royce with the ground n pound, or Royce will submit him. Either way, this fight happens on the mat.

Let's also remember that in Hughes' 4 losses, three have been by submission! (Rear naked, straight armbar, and guilloutine, as I recall) All to opponents certainly less skilled in submission than Royce Gracie. Hughes is strong and explosive, but he's what? 5'9" 170 pounds? Royce has dealt with guys much bigger and much stronger before. I just don't see Matt's strength being anything new to him. I'm not saying Royce will win, but I give him a solid chance, and I think anyone who writes him off is kidding themselves or just not looking at who these fighters really are and what they've done.

I hope youre right, because I want Royce to win this one.

[::: GODDESS :::]

Royce has been working on his striking? With whom?
I can't imagine him coming out with anything but his fist at waist level and his chin up with that giant bulls eye all over it.
Maybe I don't watch enough mma anymore and maybe Royce is some pound for pund amateur boxing champion in South America. Then again, maybe not.

I think my boy Matt will take him.

[LoneHusky]

I love Royce so much, and the thought of this fight makes me feel very, very sick.

It would be sweet if he won though.

[SamuraiGuy]

Brewer, true Kimo may have been stronger than Matt, but a alleged "TKD blackbelt", has nowhere near the technique or skills of matt on the ground.

Matt's technique and his strength make up for whatever strength advantage Kimo may have had over him.

You also said that Royce is the bigger fighter, Royce is the taller fighter, but Hughes cuts down from like 195-200... does Royce weigh that much? It's possible...

Someone also mentioned how Severn etc wanted to be on the ground... whereas Hughes doesnt, dont you think Severn could have kept it standing if he wanted too. Maintain posture (standing) when someone pulls gaurd is not that hard to do.

[OmaPlata]

Just remember Hughes got tossed around like a white belt the last time he faught a real BJJ black belt. Totally owned

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EABhBUv6qms&search=penn%20vs%20hughes

[SamuraiGuy]

Why didnt you refute my points, I'm not saying Hughes didnt lose, I'm saying BJ Penn got lucky, and then got lucky again with a superman punch, than choked him.

I'm not saying he lost.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

You do realize that after they weigh in they can eat again and bump their lowered weight back to normal right?

[Bjjexpertise@be]

You regain a lot of your strength after you eat. I've cut weight plenty of times. As long as you eat and drink afterwards you're fine.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

m calingo, can you please EDIT this thread's title and spell matt hughes's last name correctly, please??

[m_calingo]

m calingo, can you please EDIT this thread's title and spell matt hughes's last name correctly, please??

Done! (Add ten characters, etc.)

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

Done! (Add ten characters, etc.)

The title still says "hughs". Click edit, then "Go Advanced", then edit the "title" and it'll be done.

[m_calingo]

The title still says "hughs". Click edit, then "Go Advanced", then edit the "title" and it'll be done.

You're right--I did change the title in the thread starter, but I didn't see any options to change the poll title.

Apologies to all concerned.