Evans vs. Nogueira

This is the official discussion thread for Evans vs. Nogueira. Let's see what you've got.

Should be a comfortably decision for Rashad.

So many exciting fights for Lil Nog out there but they keep giving him wrestlers.

http://www.ufc.com/media/156-Rashad-PF-INTV

Rashad isn't worried about his fight with lil Nog.

Tough fight to pick. Both have faced some of the same fighters and had great performances. Both have faced champions or legends and come up short. Rashad comes in with the cardio, wrestling, and speed advantage, while Nog comes in with the experience, submission game, and accurate dangerous boxing.

The "X-factor" for Nog, is that he trains with Lyoto Machida, a guy who has beaten Rashad. He also trains with JDS, Anderson Silva, and Big Nog. Nog also loves to be the underdog coming into a fight. It seems to make him perform better when noone expects him to win.

The "X-factor" for Rashad, is that Nog has had problems in the past with wrestlers who can strike. You factor that in with Rashad's speed and athleticism, and it could be a very long night for Nog.

Nog has been hot and cold since coming to the UFC. I'm going with Rashad because he consistantly performs well, and implements his gameplan to come out with the victory. Evans' only 2 losses has been to Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones. IMO, the odds are in Evans' favor coming into this fight.

I don't see either fighter finishing the other, but I'm sure it will be a very good fight, that could have a ton of surprises, and quite possibly the unexpected FOTN.

Evans easy win.

I don't think evans will finish. 

Minotoro has good boxing, and excellent submissions, but he has had problems with wrestlers in the past (Brillz). I believe Rashad has good boxing skills with good head movement, and has speed advantage that he wil use out manuever Lil Nog. Evans has superior wrestling, and has a bjj blackbelt to avoid the submissions and grind out a victory.

I hope Shad gets KO'ed here rooting for Lil Nog all the way but the chances are very slim..

100% pulling for Nog, but I need to pick Evans. But honestly, I don;t know about this one. Rashad seems far too confident in this fight, he truly thinks he can outbox Nog and he really isn't worried about Nog and his ground game. That could be trouble for Rashad. 

@Mike same for me. Noguiera did show great TDD in the Davis fight. Maybe he won't tire out this time.

Evans is the highest favorite along Overeem on this card and for a reason. Rashad is better in every area and should be able to neutralize anything Nogueira throws at him. My deal breakers are the following : Nogueira is coming off a Knee Injury, followed by a long layoff + Nogueira does poorly against quality wrestlers - (See P. Davis and R. Bader). Nogueira is too hard headed to get knocked out so I'll go with Evans decision.

Im hoping Nog gets the W all though I do believe the chances of that are slim to none. He needs to watch out for that over hand right neck breaking chuck liddell punch and he "SHOULD" be ok lol.

Nogueira has a good chin. If he loses, it will be by decision. His striking is way better than Evans.

Evans possesses a pretty decent speed advantage here. That will be the difference in the fight

Live2wrestle, picking Nogueira like a boss. I don't know if I have your confidence in Nogueira or the unified judging but I'm hoping you're right. I think this fight could look a lot like Rashad/Rampage. 
Even if Nogueira stuffs most takedowns all Rashad needs is one per round for a 30-27 these days. I hope I'm wrong but Rashad by decision is the safest pick. 

Yeah, while Nog's chances of winning arent the best I do think he has a decent chance if his TDD has continued to improve. Unfortunately he will probably have to finish for reasons that we saw Hioki lose by last week. The only fight Nog didnt look very good against the TD was against Brilz, he stuffed many of Bader's and stuffed every double from Phil. You also cant overlook his ability to sweep, in his last few fights when he got taken down he almost immediately swept back to his feet.

I think this will be very close.  Evans will edge it out with a few takedowns, but Nogueira will have his moments. 

....either that or Rashad will throw 1 huge strike at some point and just level Nog.  I think the decision is more likely though. 

Sucks for me to pick against a Nog brother, but I think Rashad's speed and wrestling will win him a decision here.

I think it'll be exactly like Nogueira/Davis. Except Evans will use some striking to set up his takedowns instead what Davis did in just pressing forward.