Big Nog's Title Shot

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 03:10 AM

Is Nog getting his title shot because:

Of what he has done in his career against opponents?

Or Lack of options?

Or is it be cause of what he has done in the Octagon?

I personally think that he is getting his shot because of the lack of candidates RIGHT NOW and the fact that the UFC did not want Randy to walk.

I don't believe he deserves one based on what he has done against his performance against Herring. I think the fact that Randy beat Tim for the belt had as much to do with it, as did the lack of options.

I know Nog may be worthy of the shot but am I alone in thinking he was GIVEN the shot because of a combination of lack of options and the Randy situation?

Flying Triangle Choke · 11-25-2007, 03:19 AM

It's probably a combination of the first two things you mentioned. He has had a pretty damn good overall career, and right now there aren't alot of options. Vera just lost, Arlovski seems to be in limbo, Cro Cop has fallen off, and they probably don't think Kongo is quite ready.

Badman · 11-25-2007, 10:31 AM

Big Nog does NOT deserve a title shot (Interim or otherwise) based on his performance vs Herring.

AA and Tim Silvia should fight for the title. If Nog wants a shot at the belt, I suggest he takes a few more bouts in the UFC and actually beats somebody. The ending of the 1st round with Herring is still suspect, in my mind...

SWIBC · 11-25-2007, 10:33 AM

yup, just what the crowd wants is Tim/AA 4. Talk about a snooze fest. Biog Nog should get the shot due to his background.

earvinarp · 11-25-2007, 10:41 AM

Big Nog is a top 5 HW in the history of the sport. Anderson Silva got a title shot after fighting Leben (albeit with a very convincing ko). Nog's ability should not be questioned. He faced Herring, a very good fighter, in an unfamiliar environment and was able to beat him via unanimous decision. And that was the third time he beat Heath.

Someone like Nog has a much better chance of succeeding in the UFC than someone like Mirko. Why? Because of his much more complete skill set and his ability to finish opponents in the ground. Also, unlike Mirko, he seems able to handle opponents who are much larger than him.

IMO, even though people question his title shot, he will get the belt and keep it convincingly for a while.

Badman · 11-25-2007, 10:45 AM

You want Big Nog to fight for the title based on reputation? Or popularity?

Let Nog tangle with someone like Gonzaga first, and then we'll see what happens. Cro Cop didn't get his automatic shot after his first win in the UFC, and his first bout was a hell of a lot better than the performance Big Nog gave, and so was his reputation.

earvinarp · 11-25-2007, 10:49 AM

Nogueira's record is second only to Fedor. So I do not see a problem giving him a title shot. He has never lost against Mirko and he has avenged losses to Henderson and Barnett. The only guy he has not been able to to beat is Fedor.

The UFC brought these guys to put them in title contention at the first opportunity. Now there's a chance for Nogueira and they will take it.

After all, would you not make Federer top seed in a tournament he has never played before?

Elder · 11-25-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

After all, would you not make Federer top seed in a tournament he has never played before?

Good point, but unlike tennis tourneys where all the players drift from tournament to tournament, the UFC is a stable organization where people have a past within that organization. They don't fight in the UFC in one week then move to another one the next unless a contract is written up.
Still, even if Big Nog isn't the best fighter in line for the title shot, he seems as good a choice as any at the moment to get one.

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWIBC

yup, just what the crowd wants is Tim/AA 4. Talk about a snooze fest. Biog Nog should get the shot due to his background.

So in your opinion what has he done (in his background as you say) to dezerve the shot. I just simply must know what is so great about this guys fighting record and how he just gets a shot for no damn reason.

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

Nogueira's record is second only to Fedor. So I do not see a problem giving him a title shot. He has never lost against Mirko and he has avenged losses to Henderson and Barnett. The only guy he has not been able to to beat is Fedor.

The UFC brought these guys to put them in title contention at the first opportunity. Now there's a chance for Nogueira and they will take it.

After all, would you not make Federer top seed in a tournament he has never played before?

Kongo has never been beat by CC either, nor GG so that is not really a big deal. CC is at best B- level until he goes on another tear.

Fedor is Fedor I agree with you there but the more these guys fight (or duck fights) the more I think that it was the Pride HW division that was phony.

I really did believe they were head and shoulders above the World at that weight but now I am starting to lose confidence in that.

lwbfl · 11-25-2007, 02:19 PM

Awesome record against top quality opponents, great champion in another organization, and to top it all off, survived to a decision with FEDOR!

OneBigThrow · 11-25-2007, 02:38 PM

i have no problem with him getting a title fight, everyone else is pretty much tied up or recently fought PLUS its freakin nogueira man

FREAKIN NOGUEIRA

i dont think hell look as stiff the second go round as in his first fight in the UFC

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

i have no problem with him getting a title fight, everyone else is pretty much tied up or recently fought PLUS its freakin nogueira man

FREAKIN NOGUEIRA

i dont think hell look as stiff the second go round as in his first fight in the UFC

I see your reasoning because I mean look at CC he really picked it up when he got used to the competion right?

I just think you have to EARN a title shot and the ONLY reason he is getting one is that they are in a pickle with Randy resigning and others having recently fought. His performance in this Org has not warranted a shot.

OneBigThrow · 11-25-2007, 02:55 PM

well nogueira fought an opponent he had already been to war twice with, an opponent with much better credentials AND actual skill than eddie sanchez

plus, who else would randy even want to defend his title against? im sure that is a major factor in all this

remember nog was supposed to face cheick kongo or the winner of tim/vera (something like that im not exactly sure) but recent events have blurred things and given the situation, why not give that title shot to nog?

itll be a competitive fight, against top fighters

but yea i canneither refute or accept your position on CC's second and third fights and Nogs because nog hasnt had a 2nd or 3rd but i feel nog has the kinda tools to not get tooled by anyone in any phase of the fight is all

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

well nogueira fought an opponent he had already been to war twice with, an opponent with much better credentials AND actual skill than eddie sanchez

plus, who else would randy even want to defend his title against? im sure that is a major factor in all this

remember nog was supposed to face cheick kongo or the winner of tim/vera (something like that im not exactly sure) but recent events have blurred things and given the situation, why not give that title shot to nog?

itll be a competitive fight, against top fighters

but yea i canneither refute or accept your position on CC's second and third fights and Nogs because nog hasnt had a 2nd or 3rd but i feel nog has the kinda tools to not get tooled by anyone in any phase of the fight is all

Well I don't want to come off like I don't think he can hang (or even win). My point is that I think you should have to establish your self as a contender in that division (and org) before you waltz into a title shot situation. I think it is a bit hasty, the Randy situation kind of forced this match up and It just kinda stinks IMO

earvinarp · 11-25-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoQ1

Kongo has never been beat by CC either, nor GG so that is not really a big deal. CC is at best B- level until he goes on another tear.

Kongo lost to Carmelo Marrero, for crying out loud. That should put you out of title contention in the backyard 'hood leagues.

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

Kongo lost to Carmelo Marrero, for crying out loud. That should put you out of title contention in the backyard 'hood leagues.

Well if you read the entire post up there one of the justifications in favor of Nog as a title contender was "he never lost to CC"

So that is why I put an equally BS reply up there.

No I dont think Kongo should get a shot, nor do I believe Nog is proven in the UFC. IMO AA should be given the shot against Randy and If he is not going to fight for the UFC the Sylvia is next. Then when Nog beats a top ten UFC HW he should get his shot.

OneBigThrow · 11-25-2007, 08:24 PM

like anderson did?

i mean i feel ya, but you know i kinda want to see a HW title fight soon rather than later cant be mad at Nog v. Couture (hopefully)

KD666 · 11-25-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoQ1

Is Nog getting his title shot because:

Of what he has done in his career against opponents?

Or Lack of options?

Or is it be cause of what he has done in the Octagon?

I personally think that he is getting his shot because of the lack of candidates RIGHT NOW and the fact that the UFC did not want Randy to walk.

I don't believe he deserves one based on what he has done against his performance against Herring. I think the fact that Randy beat Tim for the belt had as much to do with it, as did the lack of options.

I know Nog may be worthy of the shot but am I alone in thinking he was GIVEN the shot because of a combination of lack of options and the Randy situation?

I agree with the lack of options. i didn't think he deserved either after his performance against Herring.

DoQ1 · 11-25-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

like anderson did?

i mean i feel ya, but you know i kinda want to see a HW title fight soon rather than later cant be mad at Nog v. Couture (hopefully)

Agreed.

I just think this is setting the standard for guys jumping ship from one org to another and just getting title shots right off the bat when there are other fighters that bust their ass for that org making $$ for that org and they get leap frogged.

No doubt Nog v. Randy is a tight match and I will watch it as I would all the other combinations.