Jeff Monson vs Marcio Cruz, possibility for UFC 59

St.Pierre_is_the_best · 03-19-2006, 04:08 PM

I have found on a ufc site that it is possible that Jeff "the Snowman" Monson will be having another match against Marcio Cruz. Jeff Monson will tower over Cruz in size but it is interesting to see Marcio's jui jitsu against someone who is so massive like Monson.

Jras0001 · 03-19-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St.Pierre_is_the_best

I have found on a ufc site that it is possible that Jeff "the Snowman" Monson will be having another match against Marcio Cruz. Jeff Monson will tower over Cruz in size but it is interesting to see Marcio's jui jitsu against someone who is so massive like Monson.

monsons no joke on the ground. i believe hes competed at abu dabi as well...

[Danny] · 03-19-2006, 04:53 PM

He's a ADCC Champion as is Cruz.

compcast · 03-19-2006, 05:30 PM

yeah jeff looked good against brandon lee hinkle but against chuck liddle back in the day at lhw not so good. i think he is a good addition in the hw division because they really need him

[Danny] · 03-19-2006, 07:43 PM

He looked drained against Chuck. He a small but effective heavyweight.

RobOne · 03-19-2006, 08:24 PM

I like Monson but i think he is screwed in terms of size. He looked horrible as a LHW. He had to cut way to much weight to make that weight limit. But he is to small for HW. Sure he can be a contender, but giving up 6-8" inches against guys like Arlovski, Mir, Cruz, and Silva is gonna be tough on him. But the division is depleted. so I dont see many problems for him.

St.Pierre_is_the_best · 03-19-2006, 10:20 PM

Monson may give up some size, but he is ripped and strong for his size. Most hw are not really ripped besides a few, and they do not have the pound for pound strength that Monson possesses. I think it would be interesting to fight AA because if he got intight with Arlovski, it would be the two strongest hw in my opinion starting to grapple and I would like to see him try to submit AA. I think he will be able to beat Cruz on teh ground if they do fight.

angryjonny · 03-20-2006, 12:04 AM

This fight if it happens will be a ground war no doubt. You guys are forgetting that Monson can take away the reach advantage by taking it to the ground. Which is where he will do just fine with any HW at. And what's the deal with knocking him for a fight that happened over 5 years ago? That's like saying Andrei is a chump because he got knocked out by Datsik.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 03-20-2006, 06:18 AM

definently will goto the ground... cruz is an AWFUL striker... and wont even try to use the reach, if anyone wants it standings its monson..

[Danny] · 03-20-2006, 08:32 AM

I think Monsoon will win by rear naked choke in the second round. He looks to strong for Cruz and is just as talented on the ground.

mepersoner · 03-20-2006, 09:01 AM

Monson and Cruz have grappled a couple times and Cruz has only "won" once (rules of the tournament were that the can opener could be used to break guard, but not as a submission... Cruz, rather than opening his guard to relieve the pressure, tapped immediately, disqualifying Monson from the tournament).

Monson and Cruz have a real beef, Cruz doesn't like Monson because he *can't* beat Monson, Monson doesn't like Cruz because Cruz pulled that stunt.

If they faced off in the cage, Monson has more experience in MMA and stand-up, and a better ground game. Monson wherever it goes (when it hits the ground, it'll be be a war).

Crashsti · 03-20-2006, 09:02 AM

i have read alot about Monson and his training. he is trained in conditioning by the guys who own IntoCombat.com. so its guaranteed that they guy is in top shape and can probably go 10 rounds if he had too. he also trains alot on explosive strength. the man has come a long way since he fought Chuck 5 years ago. he may not be the biggest, or the best striker but as a combat grappler the guy is probably unstoppable. as for Cruz and his BJJ? BJJ is no longer new, everyone trains for it, maybe not in it, but to defend against it. he should be one to watch in the next year or two.

St.Pierre_is_the_best · 03-20-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mepersoner

Monson and Cruz have grappled a couple times and Cruz has only "won" once (rules of the tournament were that the can opener could be used to break guard, but not as a submission... Cruz, rather than opening his guard to relieve the pressure, tapped immediately, disqualifying Monson from the tournament).

Monson and Cruz have a real beef, Cruz doesn't like Monson because he *can't* beat Monson, Monson doesn't like Cruz because Cruz pulled that stunt.

If they faced off in the cage, Monson has more experience in MMA and stand-up, and a better ground game. Monson wherever it goes (when it hits the ground, it'll be be a war).

Thats actually really interesting to know. I never knew that and now I am interested to see it even more now. I think the UFC would be smart to build up Monson for a title shot, because until Mir fights again and starts getting back into contention, they will need to get AA a challenger. Monson would be a good opponent for Arlovski to fight.

mepersoner · 03-20-2006, 09:05 PM

Yeah... Monson protested naked about his disqualification.

The_Iceman · 03-20-2006, 10:24 PM

could happen but not at UFC 59, due to a recent car accident, check it out.

http://www.mmanews.com/fullreport_ufc.php?articleId=82

angryjonny · 03-20-2006, 10:56 PM

Dang that sucks glad they made it out without serious injury. But I don't think that would affect a possible matchup with Cruz, they were referencing Thompson's and Monson's scheduled WCFC fights the following day, not a possible matchup with Marcio. So hopefully he isn't hurt, the article didn't make it sound that way at least. That way the fight can get signed.

St.Pierre_is_the_best · 03-23-2006, 05:27 PM

It is now official. Even though the car accidnet happened, the UFC has announced that Monson will be battling Cruz on UFC 59. Now I am even more stoked for UFC 59.

PghPens71 · 03-23-2006, 10:10 PM

AWESOME. I definitely cant wait.
Go snowman.

dagenhamdave · 03-23-2006, 11:23 PM

I think Cruz will get this one. Watching him dismantle Mir gives me confidence in his striking and grappling. Monson does not like to be hit so as soon as Cruz starts the beating, I see it ending.

angryjonny · 03-23-2006, 11:44 PM

Man I'm pumped for this fight. I'm glad it's going down. It has the makings to be a war. Plus there is true bad blood between these two and they are both amazing grapplers. Striking would go to Monson even with him being shorter but I think Cruz really may struggle with him on the ground. Short, stocky guys are always a problem when they got skills like Monson does.