Chris Leben Vs. Jorge Rivera

glockmn · 12-21-2005, 10:48 AM

I think Rivera will win this one what do you think?

Thrash13 · 12-21-2005, 10:53 AM

I have underestimated Leben in his last two fights, and I'm not going to do it again. I'm picking the Crippler, Catsmasher, or whatever the hell his nickname is currently. This could easily be the fight of the night at UFN3, and I hope they slug it out for a round or two. Leben has proven he can take it to the ground and be effective. He submitted Dewees in shocking fashion....for me anyway.

I'll be honest, I'm looking more forward to UFN3 than I am UFC57. Sylvia/Silva, Bonnar/Irvin, and Leben/Rivera is an awesome foundation for a LIVE event. It's going to be fun.

Unknown · 12-21-2005, 12:39 PM

Money is on Leben. Before UFN 2 I would have said Jorge should take it to the ground but now I am not so sure because Leben showed some impressive submission skills in his last fight. I think they will stand and trade punches for awhile and that Jorge will get knocked out. I don't see Leben getting knocked out anytime soon.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 12-21-2005, 04:38 PM

dont underestimate jorge either now.... hallman couldnt SUB him in his last fight and hes one of the best. jorge is also one of the best strikers and clinchers (see rich franklin fight) he is a TOUGH guy to KO, but i like leben too so we will see, should be a great fight!

SWIBC · 12-21-2005, 05:13 PM

I would take Rivera over Leben but should be an excellent fight.

glockmn · 12-21-2005, 05:14 PM

I think if it goes to the ground leben will take it but I think Rivera will win the stand up

Unknown · 12-21-2005, 05:23 PM

I don't underestimate Jorge. After all he beat the Crow. But Leben has an Iron Jaw, KO power and submissions if you get him down. As for seeing the Rich Frankling fight to see Jorge's clinch, I dissagree. Franklin v Rivera had some very bad Clinch work. The only reason that Rich got the upperhand in the clinch was because Jorge didn't really do anything. He wasn't going for a takedown and he was content to keep his hands behind Rich's neck while he was getting punched. Jorge landed a few good body punches and a few good knees (althought one was too the groin if I remember right), but they weren't anything specal.

Leben on the other hand is from Team Quest and I have yet to see a fighter come out of team quest and have bad clinch skills. I really don't think that Jorge will be using the clinch to his advantage at all in this fight.

As for Jorge's striking yeah he is good but I don't think he is good enought to knock out leben. As for his chin yeah Franklin hit him hard and droped him without knocking him out but I still think that if Leben strings together a few punches Jorge will be taking a nap in the octagon.

glockmn · 12-22-2005, 09:40 AM

I think both fighters have a great chance this is a good match up it is going to be a great fight I just think Rivera will be the winner I think Leben's head is too big right now

geckster7 · 12-22-2005, 10:58 AM

I think Leben relies (to a certain extent) on intimidation. If Jorge can weather the initial storm we'll have a good match on our hands. I like Rivera's chances.

two_guns_blazing · 12-22-2005, 11:18 AM

I like Leben, haven't seen too much of Rivera. But I'm beginning to wonder if outside of Sanchez, Leben may be the best of the TUF 1 group, even counting Griffin. Looking forward to this fight more than the others.

glockmn · 12-22-2005, 10:18 PM

It seems to me that they got better fighters out of the first Tuff

Unknown · 12-22-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockmn

It seems to me that they got better fighters out of the first Tuff

I don't know man, Stevenson is no Joke. Prior to TUF 2 I saw him in a KOtC show and he impressed me. I rember thinking that I would be seeing him in the UFC real soon.

As for Leben being the best I disagree. He dosn't have the takedown defense to keep it on the feet against most people, although he has show some submissions as well but against someone like Kos, Diego, or even Quarry he would have problem, as he did during the show.

glockmn · 12-22-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown

I don't know man, Stevenson is no Joke. Prior to TUF 2 I saw him in a KOtC show and he impressed me. I rember thinking that I would be seeing him in the UFC real soon.

As for Leben being the best I disagree. He dosn't have the takedown defense to keep it on the feet against most people, although he has show some submissions as well but against someone like Kos, Diego, or even Quarry he would have problem, as he did during the show.

yeah but you only named one fighter from tuff 2 and you named 4 from tuff 1

Unknown · 12-22-2005, 10:42 PM

Ok allow me to name fighters from TUF 2 who were good. hmmm.....thinking oh yeah all of the welterweights. (with the exception of that guy who quit at the begining) Other than that guy who quit every welterweight on the show was very good and if it wasn't for the very stacked UFC welterweight devision they could all have a place in the UFC. It was just the Heavyweights that made TUF 2 seem worse than TUF 1.

And as for my leben comment I was responding to the comment about Leben being the best from TUF 1.

RobOne · 12-23-2005, 06:55 AM

I will take Rivera, over Leben. I am sorry this guy gave Rich a run for his money, and beat the Crow. I still have yet to see Lebens devestating punching power. I havent really even seen him throw an impressive missed power punch, let alone one that connects. I would put some money on a Rivera win too, any takers. I will put up money to the first 2 that inbox me.

Thrash13 · 12-23-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobOne

I will take Rivera, over Leben. I am sorry this guy gave Rich a run for his money, and beat the Crow. I still have yet to see Lebens devestating punching power. I havent really even seen him throw an impressive missed power punch, let alone one that connects. I would put some money on a Rivera win too, any takers. I will put up money to the first 2 that inbox me.

Leben hit Patrick Cote with several bombs, but Cote is one tough dude! On the other hand, Cote hit Leben with his fair share as well. Leben will leave himself open to take a shot if it means sacrificing to get in a shot or two of his own. He definitely hit Cote with a few bombs that could have taken a lot of guys down. That's the fight I saw anyway. I need to go watch that again now that I think of it.

glockmn · 12-23-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown

Ok allow me to name fighters from TUF 2 who were good. hmmm.....thinking oh yeah all of the welterweights. (with the exception of that guy who quit at the begining) Other than that guy who quit every welterweight on the show was very good and if it wasn't for the very stacked UFC welterweight devision they could all have a place in the UFC. It was just the Heavyweights that made TUF 2 seem worse than TUF 1.

And as for my leben comment I was responding to the comment about Leben being the best from TUF 1.

I see what you are saying.

what I was saying is the UFC got more fighters with Bigger names from season 1

Thrash13 · 12-23-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockmn

I see what you are saying.

what I was saying is the UFC got more fighters with Bigger names from season 1

It's really an unfair comparison because the TUF1 fighters have had 6 more months in the spotlight and a lot more fights since the show. Once the guys from TUF2 get a few fights under their belts, we will know a little more on the situation.

Sure the names are bigger from TUF1 because many of them have fought on more than one occasion either on PPV or LIVE TV.

glockmn · 12-23-2005, 08:39 PM

I don't see season 2 being as successfull as the 1st season.

kane · 12-23-2005, 08:53 PM

overall tuff 1 has more depth to it and season 2. I think lebens power is over rated and needs to learn how to throw a kick. But he is exciting to watch and I hope it is a slugfest like the cote match and shows us his power with a knockout.