''Who Does UFC Management Want to Win?'' UFC 66 Discussion.

[Noise Chopped]

1. Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz
2. Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine
3. Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz
4. Chris Leben vs. Jason MacDonald

1. I'd go with Tito Ortiz. If anything, just to set a Ortiz vs. Liddell 3. The UFC knows that if people tune in to watch a stone cold guy like Liddell for $40, numbers and money will drop (all opinion, of course). Tito's been all over, he's dating someone who "virtually" everyone knows, he's charismatic, and makes for longer fights. Not only that, but the man understands the business aspect of putting on a good, solid, and impressive fight. Not that Chuck doesn't, but Liddell is pretty one-dimensional in the mainstream audiences' mind.

2. Forrest Griffin. Again, because of how marketable he's been. People might mistake Keith with Jeff Monson or something, while Forrest is very much recognizable. He's already got a classic under his belt, and I figure it'd be pretty hard for Jardine to gain as much momentum as Forrest has over the past year.

3. Arlovski. Need I remind everyone that "THIS MAN IS NOT HUMAN." Tim Sylvia just can't carry a main event since the rematch with Andrei. Just doesn't have the attitude, and refuses to lose that ridiculous hair cut of his, hah. He may very well be a good guy 'n' all, but I really think the UFC's looking to get Arlovski back in heavy weight title contention as soon as possible.

4. Leben or McDonald's a hard one, if you ask me. Leben got emberassed by Anderson, and Jason got through Ed Herman. So, this one's up in the air if you ask me. Both have their careers on the line, which is why I'm getting this PPV. Not so much because of this fight in particular, but because top to bottom - This shit looks fantastic.

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by Subj. & Noise Chopped

1. I'd go with Tito Ortiz. If anything, just to set a Ortiz vs. Liddell 3. The UFC knows that if people tune in to watch a stone cold guy like Liddell for $40, numbers and money will drop (all opinion, of course). Tito's been all over, he's dating someone who "virtually" everyone knows, he's charismatic, and makes for longer fights. Not only that, but the man understands the business aspect of putting on a good, solid, and impressive fight. Not that Chuck doesn't, but Liddell is pretty one-dimensional in the mainstream audiences' mind.

.

I agree with you from the point that im sure the UFC would like to do another Chuck/Tito fight with the kind of numbers they are projecting for this one. But everyone knows Dana's connection to Chuck and with him being there posterboy I just cant imagine them not wanting him to keep winning. Also you say "Liddell is pretty one-dimensional in the mainsteam audiences' minds" while that may be true but he has the only dimension needed to be a SUPERSTAR in the American Fight game. (which is of course highlight reel KO power)

[jesusatemyhotdog]

I agree with every pick. The only thing I would add is that if Chuck wins, it is not that big of a deal to the Management. They can continue to push him as the baddest man on the planet. If Ortiz wins though, the UFC gets their precious trilogy.

Additional Note: Chuck is only one dimensional because he can be. Nobody has any real success taking him down. He is an accomplished wrestler, so he does have more than one dimension, he just doesn't have to employ it often.

[Noise Chopped]

Originally Posted by jesusatemyhotdog

I agree with every pick. The only thing I would add is that if Chuck wins, it is not that big of a deal to the Management. They can continue to push him as the baddest man on the planet. If Ortiz wins though, the UFC gets their precious trilogy.

Additional Note: Chuck is only one dimensional because he can be. Nobody has any real success taking him down. He is an accomplished wrestler, so he does have more than one dimension, he just doesn't have to employ it often.

Yea, Chuck does have the wrestling, but I always think back to Liddell vs. Couture 3, where he pretty much sprawled the whole way through. Hell, at one point wasn't he staring at Big John in the, "Well? He isn't doing anything, might's well put us back up so I can KO him with one punch." Literally, he stared at Big John long enough to have said all that. No surprise that he eventually ended up doing it, haha. Pretty much a win-win, but I see Tito as..."Contraversial", I guess? "Spirited"? "Emotional"? I love the guy, personally.

[jesusatemyhotdog]

Originally Posted by Subj. & Noise Chopped

Yea, Chuck does have the wrestling, but I always think back to Liddell vs. Couture 3, where he pretty much sprawled the whole way through. Hell, at one point wasn't he staring at Big John in the, "Well? He isn't doing anything, might's well put us back up so I can KO him with one punch." Literally, he stared at Big John long enough to have said all that. No surprise that he eventually ended up doing it, haha. Pretty much a win-win, but I see Tito as..."Contraversial", I guess? "Spirited"? "Emotional"? I love the guy, personally.

Ya, Randy put on a couple of clinics though in that fight and his ensuing ones.
I actually picked Tito for this one, primarily based on the fact that he is a different Tito away from the octagon than he used to be. I think that Griffin kind of sobered him up to reality. He seems more at peace and professional now, Ken Shamrock withstanding.
I just have a gut feeling that he will pull it out.

[Salvy_Mic]

Well, MMAWeekly has Quinton Jackson fighting at UFC 67 on its rumor pages, so in all honesty, the management "wins" no matter who wins between Liddell and Ortiz. Tito wins, and they can start counting the money as the fit in Ortiz/Liddell III for the summer. Chuck wins, and they can pencil in the big rematch between him and Rampage, and if anyone's seen Rampage on the Pride highlights on FSN, then it will be publicly interesting. Either way, it's a win/win situation for Dana White.

[Dork8503]

i think tito winning this would be better for the ufc in terms of money, because then they can sell the shit out of the 3rd fight and if by some chance in hell tito wins that, it gives for better fights because you know tito isnt going to ko anyone like chuck and you no one will be koing tito like chuck did and in title fights it will be going 3-5 rounds with tito so people will be getting there money for a title fight

[b0sH]

I think who ever wins out of Tito and Chuck they've got their bases pretty well covered for the next big Main event match up at LHW.

I think their bigger concerns would be Forrest and AA. I should think they would be rooting for Forrest on this one purely because he is a fan favourite with charisma and every single fight ive seen involving him has been entertaining at worst. Jardine although talented, lacks any real charisma or fanbase and I dont see where they could push him if he here to win. If Forrest won and Tito won, it would set up a nice rematch for those 2 down the line.

AA has to win for them really, he was built up for a long time to be one of their big stars and if they were to sign Cro Cop I think a match vs those two would be highlight reel stuff. AA has got exciting KO power and has a sense of theatre about him. Cruz, well tbh hes a big tall BJJ guy who beat Mir and lost to Monson, there's not really a lot else to say about him. I think they were gona use him as a stepping stone for Mir to get him back to the top but that backfired and so Monson used him instead. I dont think they would be planning to build him up.

[Frasedog]

I'm going with Chuck. He is the UFC's most recognizable fighter and really the face of the UFC. I dont think they would be thrilled if he lost .

[Frasedog]

.......Other fights I would say AA, Forrest and Leben. Im sure they want to see the fan favorites win.