Chuck Lidell vs. Murillo Bustamante

[Newbie]

What I found really interesting about this fight is that Murillo Bustamante took Chuck Lidelll down to th ground a couple of times. One thing that comes to my mind is the fact that Jeff Mosen was completely unable to take Chuck Lidell down to the ground. Jeff Monsen was a very good Divisoin I NCAA Wrestler, whereas Murilllo Bustamante is a GJJ practicioner.

Additionally, I thought that Murillo Bustamante outsruck him as well and desreved the decision.

[Rob B]

Absolutely

I've never really liked Bustamente throughout the years but i have to give him his do. I really thought he won this match, he got more takedowns, striking was about even and he was clearly more aggresive that Chuck. The announcers said that Chuck was the best striker in the UFC, which is laughable. He looked like a toughman competitor with a non existant jab and throwing wild telegraphed hooks. i'm really dissapointed with this decision.

[MEB Boy]

I remember reading that Tito Ortiz said he had a real hard time taking Chuck Lidell down whenever they sparred. So I thought Murillo would never take Chuck down.

But Murillo did a very good job of taking him down several times quite easily. I only wish he'd have been able to keep him there. None of us understood why Murillo continually did two things over and over that never seemed to work. They were:

a. Murillo caught Chuck's leg several times and would start to lift it and then let go of the leg to try a punch. This failed several times, b/c Murillo's punch never connected and Chuck would regain his footing. Why didn't Murillo just hold on to the leg and lift it to the damn ceiling until Chuck fell to the ground?

b. Murillo tried the same heel-hook all night long every single time he got to the ground and Chuck always stepped out of it and stood back up. Why didn't Murillo ever try anything else? Maybe he could have put Chuck into the closed guard and then try something. But after failing the same technique all night long, we just didn't know why he didn't try anything else.

By the way, I watched the UFC with about 8 or so other people and we all felt that Murillo won outright. The decision win for Chuck was a travesty. I wonder if Chuck trained hard or not. He had a nice, soft big 'ole gut, and he was slow and tired pretty quickly. He never put any stikes in a combo and just tried the old looping, single strike to 'take his head off' punch all night long. He was gasping for air and just defended Bustamante's takedowns all night.

Bustamante won and hopefully he'll get invited back.

MEB Boy

[sccr06]

I agree. My buddy and I watched the fight and could not believe they gave it to Liddel. But I told my friend, "Murillo won but I'll bet the judges don't give it to him." Had he pressed Liddel more in the last round I think they might have been swayed but....

I guess that is part of ring savvy; knowing what the judges are looking for. Still I thought Chuck lost that one. He did look slow and out of shape. Murillo did not look as tired and matchd Chuck standing up.

If Liddel meets Tito in that shape, Tito will kill him. I think with more agressiveness and more stand-up work, Murillo v. Tito would be a good match.

[Szczepankiewicz]

I am not one for the Tito bandwagon, but I think if either Liddel or Bustamante fight Tito like they fought each other, Tito will bury both of them for real.

I was really looking forward to that fight after hearing all the great things Liddel could do. Man, what a disappointment.

[Twisted up]

Bustamante won that fight. I'm wondering what fight the judges were watching.....

[oviedoh45]

I find the decision questionable but Murillo being the fighter that he is couldn't keep Chuck on the ground. Although he did an excellent job of keeping up with him Chuck is the better fighter..

[sccr06]

That's a good point and I can see the judges giving Liddel points for keeping the fight off the ground but in the last round, Murillo was beating Liddel at standup too.

I think the thing that really shocked me was that it was not a split decision. Wasn't the score 30-19 or something really one-sided like that?

I guess Zuffa better start looking for some others opponents for Tito because I don't see either one of those two beating him.