Sylvia v Gonzaga @ 68?

Mulla · 01-04-2007, 07:00 AM

http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=6478

Quote:

It is looking like Tim Sylvia (Pictures) will be squaring off against Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) in Columbus, Ohio at UFC 68 on March 3. If he is successful the “Maine-iac” will most likely get a chance to prove he belongs near the top of the world heavyweight rankings seeing that he will then, in all probability, take on Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) sometime early this summer. That is providing “Cro Cop” can get past Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut at UFC 67 from Las Vegas.

Looks like Vera may have passed on the title shot then?

Cant say the idea of Tim v Gabe interests me too much, I see it going much the same way as the Monson fight did.

I heart LNP · 01-04-2007, 07:43 AM

Wow Gonzaga is going from prelim to main event...This really puts in perspective just how weak the division is. Nothing about this fight interests me, I would actually rather see Arlovski fight Tim than Gonzaga.

Nimmy · 01-04-2007, 07:55 AM

what happened with vera?

bekind · 01-04-2007, 08:13 AM

x2!! I was excited to see Vera throw down with Tim. Interesting

Harms · 01-04-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grits207

Wow Gonzaga is going from prelim to main event...This really puts in perspective just how weak the division is. Nothing about this fight interests me, I would actually rather see Arlovski fight Tim than Gonzaga.

Same thing happened with Monson.

I heart LNP · 01-04-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimmy

what happened with vera?

His contract is up and they must not be able to get him to resign.

Notbuddyrich · 01-04-2007, 09:16 AM

Jesus H. this will be the most boring fight ever. ganzaga would get KO'd though.

Mulla · 01-04-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grits207

His contract is up and they must not be able to get him to resign.

Yeah I think he has one fight left on his current contract, but obviously if he refuses to re-sign they wont give him a title shot in case he wins the belt and then leaves for another promotion.

sitnspin · 01-04-2007, 10:19 AM

Exactly. The UFC told Brandon's management that if he wanted to be next in line for a title shot, he had to re-sign for three fights.

The problem, though, is they were probably offering him a lot less money than he'd command if he actually beat Sylvia for the title, and Vera, like Diego, doesn't want to be champ and getting paid like a mid-fielder. Rich Franklin had the same problem -- signed a five fight deal (back when they still existed) as a relative newcomer, and then won the title.

That's why Diego's in no rush to fight Rush (heh heh). He doesn't want to be champion while they still have him locked into his TUF1 contract.

asronn · 01-04-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

Exactly. The UFC told Brandon's management that if he wanted to be next in line for a title shot, he had to re-sign for three fights.

The problem, though, is they were probably offering him a lot less money than he'd command if he actually beat Sylvia for the title, and Vera, like Diego, doesn't want to be champ and getting paid like a mid-fielder. Rich Franklin had the same problem -- signed a five fight deal (back when they still existed) as a relative newcomer, and then won the title.

That's why Diego's in no rush to fight Rush (heh heh). He doesn't want to be champion while they still have him locked into his TUF1 contract.

you know that makes perfect sense..at first I thought Diego was just trying to delay being destroyed by GSP but this makes perfect sense..Those TUF contracts are like 6 fight deals right??? So his should be about up right?

Master Jones · 01-04-2007, 11:27 AM

I hate to see contract games and disputes get in the way of good fights. I'm well aware that it happens. I just wish it didn't have to go down like that.

duke09 · 01-04-2007, 12:06 PM

this is great news lol!!!

at least they have crocop.

if vera leaves, who does that leave? tim, crocop, AA and gonzaga???

its funny how much difference one fighter can make, but the division really does get worse without him.

i suspect hell go somewhere else for a while until that company goes bankrupt or cant afford him then he'll come begging dana for a job and set a record low for any contract ever signed in the history of the ufc!!

subgenius · 01-04-2007, 12:09 PM

Imagine if Gonzaga KO'd Big Tim with that superman punch that Gonzaga likes to use, LOL. That would really mess up the HW title picture.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 01-04-2007, 12:15 PM

ok a couple things here.... first off for gonzaga to get a title shot after that jordan fight makes me sick lol....
but i feel like as much as like vera, he doesnt even want to stay in the UFC because he would have 0 chance against crocop... he is a step behind crocop with a similar style in everyway.. so even if he wins, hed be locked into a new contract and have to fight crocop next... kinda a copout on his part... i dont have any problem with the UFC forcing him to sign a new contract because they dont want him to bolt right after that fight... his options at his high level are now limited.... what, goto pride and fight fedor and bignog? goodluck!

I heart LNP · 01-04-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulla

Yeah I think he has one fight left on his current contract, but obviously if he refuses to re-sign they wont give him a title shot in case he wins the belt and then leaves for another promotion.

Yes your right he does have 1 fight left.

duke09 · 01-04-2007, 02:19 PM

easy, make it a non title bout with big tim. then, if vera wins, make him sign for peanuts!!

Ryduce · 01-04-2007, 03:13 PM

With all due respect,the day of the Jordan fight Gonzaga was informed that his baby girl had died.He still got the KO,although in an uneventful fight.

His only loss is to a possible top 5 fighter Fabrico Werdum,and he held his own with him just fine.

He has great wrestling,great BJJ,and great boxing,and although Sylvia will probably be the favorite and a monster named CroCop is coming to town,I would absolutely love to see Gonzaga take that world title from Sylvia.He deserves it.

RebLMunkE · 01-04-2007, 04:46 PM

Vera really don't have the power to be trying to land a big time deal, His career is just starting to take off.......Dang man Tim has been in the UFC for a long time GSP is like the #1 or #2 WW in the world and came here as the #1 WW in Canada Matt Hughes is Matt Hughes.....Chuck, Tito, Silva, Franklin, Vera ?

Maybe in his dreams the guy is just starting to make a name for him self in the big time fights not the time to @%$@ OFF the top MMA org in the WEST son.

Resign for a few fights win the Title if you can and let Cro Cop KO you

Bomber · 01-04-2007, 04:50 PM

Vera was in a very strong bargaining position until the Cro Cop signing was announced. Vera's worth has gone down a lot since then. I hope they make a deal though, I still want to see Vera vs AA.

subgenius · 01-04-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPalltheway

ok a couple things here.... first off for gonzaga to get a title shot after that jordan fight makes me sick lol....
but i feel like as much as like vera, he doesnt even want to stay in the UFC because he would have 0 chance against crocop... he is a step behind crocop with a similar style in everyway.. so even if he wins, hed be locked into a new contract and have to fight crocop next... kinda a copout on his part... i dont have any problem with the UFC forcing him to sign a new contract because they dont want him to bolt right after that fight... his options at his high level are now limited.... what, goto pride and fight fedor and bignog? goodluck!

I think that you are wrong about where Vera wants to be or wants to stay in MMA. I mean, where else will he go that he will have a better chance? If he wanted to leave the UFC because of Cro-Cop, then what does he expect to find in PRIDE Fighting? Fedor will maul Brandon Vera as much, if not worse, than Cro-Cop. I mean, if you think the way that you implied that Vera might be thinking. Personally, I think that Vera could be the single fighter in the UFC heavyweight division that will give Cro-Cop a serious fight. Sylvia might be a challenge, but I think that Vera is (or was) the best HW in the UFC.