Slow Day in MMA News, Lets Talk about US!

Since it's a slow day in the world of MMA, I thought it would be cool to talk about Tapology and ourselves.. anything at all regarding the same.  I'll get a brief start going..

I live in PA, am 30 and have been a fan of MMA since I was a teenager.  Work for the railroad and rarely ever miss an event regardless of promotion/stature.  I like Tapology b/c of the environment it fosters.  I wish we could edit/delete our posts... maybe have categories of threads for the forums, but all in all, I appreciate the type of place this is thus far. 

^ That's why he's awesome...imagine if back in the PRIDE days they did Manhoef vs Wanderlei!!! Someone's going out in the first minute haha.

man, bad enough Melvin had all that power, he would be a darker version of Wandy had he been in Pride in its hay day, somebody with that much power, soccer kicking and stomping your head after he dropped you with a brutal punch, scary lol

Who would you guys pick in a stand up only fight... Melvin or Anderson?

@Kalibo I'd take Chael in that fight!!

Is that a serious question? Melvin would get obliterated ala James Irvin.

Chase is right

That's a pretty tough call Kalibbibles but I think I might take Melvin Manhoef. Anderson Silva's style of striking is adapted to make sure he doesn't get taken down which is why it's so effective. He's definitely the most accurate striker ever too and he's the most creative as well. In a stand up only fight though, a lot of Anderson's strikes that he uses would be kinda useless. He's also a well known counter striker and against Melvin Manhoef who's extremely aggressive, I don't know if that strategy would work. Manhoef has some of the most power in MMA history and he's got the potential to KO anyone, including Iron Chin Anderson. He's also technically sound, unlike some other power strikers that Anderson's faced.

Anderson silva DESTROYS strikers.. And melvin isnt Better than them.

If you look at Anderson's record, Prime Melvin Manhoef would be far and away the best striker he's ever faced. And like I said before, a lot of Anderson's strikes are tailor made to avoid the takedown which would be useless in a standup only fight.

* Edited at 07.05.2012, 12:47 PM ET *

Chael Sonnen thinks Little Miss Anderson needs to work harder if his strikes "are tailor made to avoid the takedown"

@SoccerKick CHECK OUT THE BREAKDOWN I'LL BE POSTING TODAY! It'll talk all about it.

Melvin recently got ktfo'd by robbie lawler... I know thats not prime manhoef, but still..

but still? but it isn't Prime Manhoef so that fight goes out the window.

Also, Robbie Lawler's got some serious power too.

Anik, you don't know what you are talking about, plain and simple. By the time Melvin loaded up one of his shots Anderson would be somewhere else about to punch his unprotected face off. 

"Anik, you don't know what you are talking about."


alright then, enlighten me. tell me exactly how anderson would beat melvin, 'cause I gave a good reason why I think Melvin could beat Anderson and you...did not.

I did actually, it's pretty simple. Melvin is a very deliberate power puncher, he loads up telegraphed shots that puts guys out who can't match his power and athleticism. Robbie Lawler proved this perfectly, when he throws his bombs he completely leaves his self unprotected, thus leaving huge openings for counter strikes on strikes he misses on. 

What is Anderson famous for? doing EXACTLY that. Like it's one of the simplest things out there to observe in a matchup I don't know why I even need to explain it to you. Manhoef looks vicious when he's just knocking out talented but unathletic Asian guys, Anderson would be able to match his speed and I can't even begin to explain how easily he would avoid Melvin's bombs and then obliterate him with counter strikes.

Like I said, there is a strong possibility it looks exactly like the Irvin fight, with Manhoef trying to throw one of his huge leg kicks, Anderson realizing it because Manhoef loads up so much, catching it, then knocking his block off.

Do I need to break it down any further for you?

My god. Anderson would just move his head and counter. The guy drops people with jabs who dont leave the openings Melvin leaves. 

Don't bring up the Lawler fight, that's past his prime. In my opinion, a Prime Manhoef could beat Silva.

Anderson is an excellent counter striker yes but the only fighter that I think brought the same level of aggression that a guy like Manhoef brings was Chael Sonnen, who clearly beat Anderson in the stand up game. Manhoef has enough power to stifle Anderson Silva and while Anderson would capitalize on any mistake Manhoef makes, people ruling out Manhoef like he's got no chance is foolish.

In a pure stand up fight, Anderson would have to change a fair amount of the strikes he normally uses like his jab and his side kick. Because of Manhoef's aggression, I don't think he'd be able to generate enough power on his kicks since Manhoef would be so close to him. He could still rely on his amazing boxing but Manhoef's got great boxing too.

That's my take, Anderson would be the favorite but Manhoef would have a chance.

Leaving to Vegas in a hour for the fan expo, I'm so pumped.  It's going to be a 6 hour drive though

@ FresnoMMA
That's awesome, have fun!!