UFC 133: Philadelphia

**The HOFF** · 04-22-11, 09:25 PM

A pair of high-profile light heavyweights looking to return to the win column will meet in Philadelphia, as Rich Franklin faces Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

UFC officials today announced the matchup, which takes place at UFC 133.

Though not yet officially announced by the promotion, UFC 133 takes place Aug. 6 in Philadelphia. The city's Wells Fargo Center is expected to host the pay-per-view event.

**The HOFF** · 04-22-11, 09:25 PM

Not a stellar card, but I am really intrigued by Akiyama/Belfort and Franklin/Nogueira.

**Ladle** · 04-23-11, 06:44 AM

A reception of a card is inextricably linked to main event, so if this card doesn't get a decent one, people are going to complain. That said, I'm personally liking what I see at the moment.

**snake11eyes** · 04-23-11, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Ladle

A reception of a card is inextricably linked to main event, so if this card doesn't get a decent one, people are going to complain. That said, I'm personally liking what I see at the moment.

I agree, but think the main event will be have to be better then decent. More like exceptional or the majority of fans will cry about this card.

**Ladle** · 04-23-11, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by snake11eyes

I agree, but think the main event will be have to be better then decent. More like exceptional or the majority of fans will cry about this card.

It's helped by the fact that the undercard is looking pretty robust. Still, people will probably complain regardless. I heard someone say that UFC 129 was "too stacked".

**JNic** · 04-23-11, 08:04 AM

im going to try and go to this. looks like a solid card

**terpkeg** · 04-23-11, 10:59 AM

Timing wise, seems like Evans v. Jones could fall here.

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 04-23-11, 12:27 PM

132 has the BW title and 134 has the MW title. With Velasquez out for a while the LHW belt should be on the line here but i heard that September is more likley for Jones/Evans

**Vaughany** · 04-25-11, 12:36 PM

Jones out injured...Phil Davis in!

**ufcmma36** · 04-25-11, 01:05 PM

is it just me or does Rashad really wanna be the only black guy in the LHW division... is it just coincidence or is he always being matched up/ having some beef with his fellow brothas? I dunno but this should be a good one.. Gotta take Suga

**illmatick** · 04-25-11, 01:15 PM

weak

**Kaladarus** · 04-25-11, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by ufcmma36

is it just me or does Rashad really wanna be the only black guy in the LHW division... is it just coincidence or is he always being matched up/ having some beef with his fellow brothas? I dunno but this should be a good one.. Gotta take Suga

I was think the same thing. Kind of funny. Sucks we don't get to see him against Jones though.

**Vrakas** · 04-25-11, 06:45 PM

Johnny bones Jones broke some bones... his own.

**corcoran65** · 04-25-11, 08:30 PM

i have no clue who will win between phil or rashad

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 04-26-11, 12:05 AM

another injury pushing back a title match. Now 3 guys can lose a shot at the title who will be the next Josh Grispi losing to Dustin Poirier when Jose Aldo pulled out of their UFC 125 title match

Anthony Pettis vs Clay Guida
Junior Dos Santos vs Brock Lesnar
Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis

**sportsfanatic** · 04-26-11, 12:08 AM

davis and rashad have identical fighting styles and about the same skill level. rashad will probably open a slight favorite or maybe it'll be a pick

**Varker** · 04-26-11, 12:20 AM

wow rashad got lucky. I think he will beat davis.

**Ladle** · 04-26-11, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by sportsfanatic

davis and rashad have identical fighting styles and about the same skill level. rashad will probably open a slight favorite or maybe it'll be a pick

Their fighting styles aren't even close to being identical. Davis has displayed an obvious flair for submissions and his guard passing is very advanced for someone who's only been training in BJJ for a relatively short while. Rashad, on the other hand, hasn't flexed any kind of submission game throughout his career. He's also not as adept at passing guard; the most impressive pieces of his ground game were seen when he pounded out Jason Lambert from mount and got to half guard against Forrest Griffin. Not much else is noteworthy.

They're completely different strikers, too. Rashad has a very hard punch, throws a lot of feints and has a natural counter striking ability, whereas Davis relies more on kicks, and generally stays on the outside except when coming forward to shoot.

**Vaughany** · 04-26-11, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by sportsfanatic

davis and rashad have identical fighting styles and about the same skill level. rashad will probably open a slight favorite or maybe it'll be a pick

Originally posted by Ladle

Their fighting styles aren't even close to being identical. Davis has displayed an obvious flair for submissions and his guard passing is very advanced for someone who's only been training in BJJ for a relatively short while. Rashad, on the other hand, hasn't flexed any kind of submission game throughout his career. He's also not as adept at passing guard; the most impressive pieces of his ground game were seen when he pounded out Jason Lambert from mount and got to half guard against Forrest Griffin. Not much else is noteworthy.

They're completely different strikers, too. Rashad has a very hard punch, throws a lot of feints and has a natural counter striking ability, whereas Davis relies more on kicks, and generally stays on the outside except when coming forward to shoot.

ha yeah I'm not sure where they are similar other than in their skin colour and they are both "explosive"!

**Vaughany** · 04-26-11, 08:54 AM

Davis out at +165 on 5dimes/Sportbet.

**PunisherIND** · 04-26-11, 10:25 AM

thanks for the heads up V, unfortunately didn't see it in time and Davis is now -110. i would have jumped on that +165.

did you get the opener or are you waiting for props?

**Vaughany** · 04-26-11, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by PunisherIND

thanks for the heads up V, unfortunately didn't see it in time and Davis is now -110. i would have jumped on that +165.

did you get the opener or are you waiting for props?

Yeah I only see Davis winning by decision so will wait for tht.

**sportsfanatic** · 04-26-11, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by Vaughany

ha yeah I'm not sure where they are similar other than in their skin colour and they are both "explosive"!

i guess i just think of them as dominant wrestlers, and that's about it.

jon jones is at the next level. the guys got elite striking, jj, and wrestling. rashad got lucky as jones would have destroyed him.

**sportsfanatic** · 04-26-11, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by Vaughany

Davis out at +165 on 5dimes/Sportbet.

wow...

**Chairib** · 04-26-11, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by sportsfanatic

i guess i just think of them as dominant wrestlers, and that's about it.

jon jones is at the next level. the guys got elite striking, jj, and wrestling. rashad got lucky as jones would have destroyed him.

**The HOFF** · 04-28-11, 01:19 PM

A welterweight bout between Mike Pierce and Johny Hendricks is in the works for UFC 133.

A source close to the negotiations told MMAjunkie.com the competitors have agreed to the bout. However, bout agreements haven't been signed, and UFC officials haven't announced the fight.

**Ladle** · 04-28-11, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by The HOFF

A welterweight bout between Mike Pierce and Johny Hendricks is in the works for UFC 133.

A source close to the negotiations told MMAjunkie.com the competitors have agreed to the bout. However, bout agreements haven't been signed, and UFC officials haven't announced the fight.

Smart fight. Very evenly matched.

**The HOFF** · 05-09-11, 03:25 PM

Anyone else like Akiyama in this spot? I think +225 is a great bet. I honestly believe Belfort's best days are behind him. He looked really small against Silva and drained too. Akiyama is a big 185 lber. He's lost his last few fights but it's not like he's getting blown out. I think Akiyama has the power to TKO Belfort.

**Chairib** · 05-09-11, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by The HOFF

Anyone else like Akiyama in this spot? I think +225 is a great bet. I honestly believe Belfort's best days are behind him. He looked really small against Silva and drained too. Akiyama is a big 185 lber. He's lost his last few fights but it's not like he's getting blown out. I think Akiyama has the power to TKO Belfort.

Nope

**Vaughany** · 05-09-11, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by The HOFF

Anyone else like Akiyama in this spot? I think +225 is a great bet. I honestly believe Belfort's best days are behind him. He looked really small against Silva and drained too. Akiyama is a big 185 lber. He's lost his last few fights but it's not like he's getting blown out. I think Akiyama has the power to TKO Belfort.

Not sure if Akiyama is a big 185lber, I've seen many people saying tht he should be at 170. I agree tho tht I think they're is a chance he can TKO Belfort tho. Also, I read somewhere the other day tht Akiyama might be pulling out of it due to injuries or something

**darko3131** · 05-09-11, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by THE_LOCKSMITH

another injury pushing back a title match. Now 3 guys can lose a shot at the title who will be the next Josh Grispi losing to Dustin Poirier when Jose Aldo pulled out of their UFC 125 title match

Anthony Pettis vs Clay Guida
Junior Dos Santos vs Brock Lesnar
Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis

I'd say JDS. Brock can use his wrestling and smother him if he can avoid getting tagged.

**Ladle** · 05-09-11, 04:38 PM

Akiyama is a big 185 lber.

Akiyama should drop some muscle and fight at 170. His frame isn't big enough for 185.

I think Akiyama has the power to TKO Belfort.

Maybe, but with the exception of the Anderson fight, Belfort has historically been able to stand up to a lot of punishment before going out. I think Akiyama would really have to lay into him, and he probably won't have the cardio to facilitate that after the first round.

Originally posted by Vaughany

Not sure if Akiyama is a big 185lber, I've seen many people saying tht he should be at 170. I agree tho tht I think they're is a chance he can TKO Belfort tho. Also, I read somewhere the other day tht Akiyama might be pulling out of it due to injuries or something

Yes, he mentioned a back injury to a foreign reporter. I guess we'll find out soon whether or not that's substantiated.

**LayingThe$Down** · 05-10-11, 07:15 PM

I too think Akiyama looks undersized at 185. Akiyama has fairly straightforward striking, not much dimension to it, and his footwork seems to be deteriorating fight by fight. He seems unable to adapt to his opponents during the fight. I think Vitor will bust him up.

Davis/Rashad is an interesting match-up, Rashad hit the lottery when his opponent was changed.. I suspect this match may look like Tito/Rashad.....in other words, like a wrestling match. It seems likely to me the better wrestler will get the victory, it won't be the striking that determines it. With that said, I think Davis has a good chance of pulling it off. I will probably be betting him. I have yet to watch any video, my opinion may change, but seems unlikely. I just think Davis is the better wrestler here, and that is where the fight will be determined imo.

Some other good matches on that card, but I haven't got around to working on them yet, though. I have been busy lately preparing to get back to work, and have been running around the mountains enjoying the spring. I have meant to post more but time has become a rare commodity around these parts.

**The HOFF** · 05-11-11, 03:02 PM

Former WEC champion Mike Brown and "The Ultimate Fighter 12" semifinalist Nam Phan will meet at UFC 133.

UFC officials today announced the featherweight fight.