"Turn my career around..."

[Johnny Toetags]

Okay, here's the concept.

We focus on one fighter, and one fighter only and discuss ways they can improve their careers. Be it careers moves, change of camps, weight division shifting, areas they need improvement in, fights they should have, etc.

Obviously, we should focus on fighters that are struggling.

When we're all reasonably satisfied, we'll move on to another guy.


Got it?

Good.


Let's begin with...

[Johnny Toetags]

Jeff "Stalin's Organ" Monson.

http://kulturystyka.pl/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/att1hl6.jpg

Can he still make 205? That's a definite place to start from, imo. Thoughts?

[Kilroy]

But he is sooo slow, can he really compete with the light-hevies?

[GNP]

He can make a better effort to finish his fights to make him more appealing to the crowd. Also, he can stop calling out Kimbo and ripping thin magazines in half.

[kcb]

He needs to spend about a year with a nutritionist to get him down to 205. Once there, he'll probably have added speed and endurance that he doesn't have right now.

[Zigga-Zagga]

Jeff "Stalin's Organ" Monson.

http://kulturystyka.pl/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/att1hl6.jpg

Can he still make 205? That's a definite place to start from, imo. Thoughts?

Jesus guys, you could at least try.

Monson loves his power in submission wrestling plus he'd have to really hurt himself to make 205. If he did make LHW however, it's a good division in the sense that it's a striker-heavy div in the UFC... and on the outside it does not exist.

But the issue with Monson regardless of the weight division honesty is him being a one trick poney. I'd say he needs to work a shitload on his striking, not to KO people but at least force them to respond. Fedor has much success in getting people to ground due to his striking. The semi-loopers are quite simple and he won't be KOing guys left and right, but even guys like CroCop (the PIRDE Mirko, not this new shitty version) have to respect the fact that while one-sided semi-loopers, they do come in fast and hard.

To get people thinking that Monson might actually do something else then shoot would really help in his takedowns.

On the ground he has the power and he has the base, so why the hell not soften people up with some g'n'p. Work on just fucking a guy up just from inside the guard, and getting a sub will be a whole lot easier eventually.

Basically I'm saying that going from shoot-sub-Monson he'd have to become punch-shoot-punch-sub-Monson.

I guess basically I'm saying he should become Fedor, huh...

[Zigga-Zagga]

But realistically, he's 37. It's not like he'll evolve from the shoot-sub guy. And I'm a fucking Monson-fan. But maybe it's time for him to concentrate on submission wrestling.

[S.R.]

"Monson here"

That always cracked me up.

Interesting idea that I hope takes off. Unfortunately, I'm at work and can only make cheap one liners.

Reps Zigga. Good post.

[dragomort]

Monson

Promotion: Sell his personality. He's got some radical political views and people are going to hate him or love him, either way it makes a more interesting character than at current. Of course he'll still have to win to make the most of it.

Camp: Right now he's like a big Sherk, so he could try Minnesota for a while and all. He could benefit learning new skills, but for an old hand perfecting the old skills is generally the only real course that works.

Division: He actually used to be a LHW, but he seems to be more comfy at HW fighting people far larger than he is. Hell, some people at 205 are bigger than him I think. It'd be worth looking at, but it seems he's happy at HW, so he should go all out on it at least and plan accordingly to make the best of it.

Improvement: His boxing game is ok, but he has horrid reach and can't seem to use it to set up a takedown, thus making things a bit rough. Added to that, his style is more suffocating than adept at finishing and you've got potential problems. He needs to set things up a bit more smoothly and just become faster on the punch-to-shoot and shot-to-punch should it fail. He's never going to learn to kick effectively or anything, but his base skills are fairly good for fighting. He just needs to utilize them better to not be so predictable or at least make it so that it's more dangerous to make the predictability moot.

Fights Needed: In the UFC, Frank Mir & Mark Coleman. Mir likely can't sub him or put him away standing and should have some hype left after his tuf finale battle where he's destroyed. Coleman has a similar skill set and all, but Monson should be the favorite against the newly minted yet vastly aged UFC HoFer. Elsewhere is a toss up as contracts seem to fly around like crazy lately and all the big boys are in Affliction where he shouldn't be right now if he wants to build his name more.

[Johnny Toetags]

finally! reps

Okay, seems we have a concensus on Monson. I agree with everything mostly. I always thought the guy would be a very marketable property (Get it? Property? Monson? Get it?) for a promotion. I would like Mir/Monson fight. I even think a Monson/Nogueira fight could be better than we think.

Moving on...

maybe someone more mainstream will get this party jumping.

Kazushi Sakuraba.
http://koti.kapsi.fi/~mixer/photos/RussianMMA/2007/sakuraba's_face_arona.jpg

Now here's a guy who has obviously TRIED to turn himself around...

[dragomort]

Saku:

Retire and do facework for a promotion.

Occassionally come out of retirement for big matches against other legends like Rickson, Royce rematch, Tamura, etc

[heckyl]

serious thread. keep it on topic guys.

[Acefrank]

I would like to see Liddell go down to 185 , and Jardine go up to heavyweight

[Johnny Toetags]

I would like to see Liddell go down to 185 , and Jardine go up to heavyweight

I would like you to read before you post.

[remy]

Saku:

I'm in agreement with dragomort, and I think that his reply is serious. I don't necessarily think his skill set is lacking, his grappling is undeniably good, and his striking is much improved. However, a second half career of fighting monsters who brutalized him has just taken too much of a toll on his body.

A fresh, undamaged saku would do well by implementing a better diet/strength/conditioning routine (and quitting smoking) and staying in a more natural weight class (185). Additionally, some extra striking would help his grappling much for the same reason as Monson; improved defense and repsonse to be able to work towards the takedown.

[jiddu]

saku is easy: retire

people in japan love him, I'm sure he can make money by standing in front of a camera or printing his face/name on stuff

I don't see his career turning around no matter what unless he's put in against tailored lower level opponents.

[Zigga-Zagga]

Saku. The smoking drinking phenomenon?

Gimmick matches. Puroresu stars and Gracies at around 185 lbs. That's all...

How 'bout Franklin? Aurelio?

[dragomort]

I guess we're done with Saku for the night then. I'll think up the next one, I guess....

http://www.knucklepit.com/_tdavid%20loiseau21.jpg

David "The Crow" Loiseau

[L Vokal]

Who the fuck deleted my post?

[EndlessFighter]

David Loiseau needs some major mental rehabilitation.

My "Turn my career around" candidate goes to Yuki Kondo,although I don't think it can be done.

[BobbyBrez]

I was with Loiseau and Tony Fryk at the TUF finale (Serra/Lytle) @ the HR and Loiseau, with a straight face, asked a girl if they go to his hotel room.

He said in his funny French/Canadian/Black accent:

"I rhelly wants to yourinatee on you."

Probably the funniest thing I've ever heard.

[DAZEDJELLYLEGS]

Not sure Loiseau is a good candidate. He had his chance and he wasnt quite good enough. No shame there. He had losses to Horn and Rivera even before before his illfated title challenge.

Still, I think his mental game is weak. Just like a poor chin I dont think its something that can be fixed although unlike a bad chin there is some scope for small improvement. Maybe a shift to a team where they push your ass hard. Loiseau has the tools but he needs his head whipping into shape.

He also looks too much like Zab Judah with that lightbulb head of his.

[dragomort]

He was doing well and got beaten, which happens. However, he's been on a downward slide ever since then in a bad way and it's nice to speculate what could get him back to that level if not better. He's still a game competitor, just not performing to the level he's capable of lately

[TILSON]

I think the Crow needs to focus more on his wrestling. He is one of those guys that likes to knock guys silly with his bows and kicks and that is fine but when that does not work he needs to learn how to win fights. I think that a move to Vegas to train with Extreme Couture would be the only thing that could make him a player again.

Following instructions is a good thing.

[dragomort]

I'd say some of Couture's gameplanning advice would be well served as well. Anyway, I'll start things up again I suppose...


http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011209/spr3.jpg

Hunt-o!

[KD=KO]

I'm having a hard time thinking of the right adjective, I don't want to say 'great' or 'good' but i think he could have been of those strange fighters that could knock of top flight competition and give certain styles a lot of probs. Although, I could be generalizing so much I'm not making any fucking sense. Either way, throughout his K-1 career and MMA, he's never looked like he took conditioning or training 100% seriously, and it's obvious that he'll never round his game and put serious time into other facets of martial arts.

[chuck]

Yup. Dazed is right. The Crow is physically a specimen but he is little more than decent at most else. If he wasn't in such shape, he'd be wouldnt have made it so far. and in the big league, everyone is in good shape. unfortunately while you can get a guy fit, you cant teach a guy new MMA tricks easily. he is young but really needs to make some progress sharpish for him to get back into the big league.

[FRANKIE]

I'm going to assume we're done with both Sakuraba and Loiseau. When this thread first popped up I was thinking Hansen, but he just took care of that by himself. So let's go with Hermes Franca. Obviously, he has to work on his wrestling. What else should he do?

[dragomort]

Well, we're supposed to all chip in on one at a time and once we reach a consensus move onto the next. It's just not catching on at all... I wouldn't say Hermes is that fallen from grace though really. He lost to two similar fighters in a row is all and did better in his second go around. I would say he needs consistancy with his training though, as he creates new camps or shifts membership every month it seems like and that's gotta get to you this late in your career.... But we're supposed to be on Hunt!

So, I'll finish up on Hunt as well while I'm at it and we'll move on to Hermes.

Promotion: Huge Samoan ass beater that has a chin of granite and a cool demeanor from all I've seen. If an org can't promote him, they can't promote anyone.

Camp: Seriously, learn how to avoid the damn takedown and not pretend you're confident in anyone else's guard, even at HW. I think any camp could be very beneficial to him really, but the best would be one that got him to work his ass off, as his biggest flaw is laziness going by rumors. Since he's big in Japan, joining the lose affiliation with ATT-Killer Bee could work like what Yamamoto was doing if he's serious about it.

Division: He needs to be a HW. That's HW or close to it, not SHW even if there is no distinction where many orgs are concerned. While he'd own the division and make him money should they do it well, he performs poorly when he gets that high on the scale, plain and simple, and it'd encourage his weakpoint in laziness, not benefitting anyone.

Fights Needed: Affliction can get him Goodridge (Dream too,) I'm sure, or Buentello. My dream right now for him is Rothwell vs Hunt, but that's not his best fight for his self interest. Dream doesn't have much for HW other than Overeem and an immediate rematch is a no. Their other HW in CroCop would be a nice rematch to see which one will still be relevant, but a dangerous one again for Hunt to get on track.

Hunt-JLB would be fun though, as always and safe regardless. I doubt JLB will be subbing him at all, he has a passing interest at least in doing MMA shows and their K-1 fights are practically legendary. Even if he loses it'll be an entertaining bout against an icon, can't go wrong. That's the best choice I can think of all around really and it can lead into a possible CC-Hunt rematch next where they won't both be on their last legs, hopefully for his next bout.

Now, back to Franca by request!

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/articlefiles/6214-Hermes%20Franca_Fight.jpg

[Allatura]

I'll follow the proven format.

Promotion: Sell his fights. The man doesn't exactly bore people now does he? He's a really cool guy with the fans, and is quite colorful. Haven Goldy and Joe give him a manufactured nickname like "The Toad" (cause he looks like the Xmen villain).

Camp: He's does ok away from ATT, so I guess he's ok with that. He could tighten up his striking if he wants to hang with a BJ.

Division: I'd work him at the LW in the UFC and WEC, make sure he gets plenty of work so he isn't dumb again and takes that needle. The WEC guys are mainly wrestling based, which showed to be his kryptonite. Once he gets passed a couple of them, call him to the big show.

Improvement: Needs to tighten up his striking... he has that crazy right hand but needs to smooth out his knees and his stance. Oh, and some takedown defense would be wise. When Sherk beats you, its not because you didn't know what he was going to do... its because you couldn't stop him.

Fights Needed: Sam Stout would be fun, as would Yves Edwards should he ever return to the UFC/WEC, but in reality he needs to get past a Josh Thompson-like fighter. But I'd be perfectly happy with Franca/Tyson Griffin. That'll steal the show as the second fight if it doesn't end early. Roger Huerta wouldn't be bad either. But Franca has plenty left in the tank. Don't write him off just yet.

[dragomort]

Division: I'd work him at the LHW in the UFC and WEC

Stann vs Franca would be epic! :p I think it's a bit early to say he needs turning around, but 3 in a row is more than possible depending on what's next for him. It's a proactive career-turnaround :) I like the idea of having him try to get his strap at the WEC back though, as there are less uber-wrestlers to give him problems and a lot of credit to be gained on a rising org.

[dragomort]

Promotion: Get him out in person to sell his fights. Guy's colorful and charismatic, use it.

Camp: AKA would definitely help with their cache of wrestlers to teach him countermeasures, but he likes his ronin-ness I suppose, so he might be able to make it w/ GSP to work on his counter-wrestling. If anyone can solve that dillema and work with a ronin-type, that's the way to go

Division: WEC champion LW sounds better and pays better than the wrestling heavy UFC division that's screwing hm right now

Improvement: His main weakness is his wrestling counter-measures. Everything else he does is great, but he's shown an acchiles heel and needs to correct it pronto. The knees are a good start, but the ability to scramble out of bad positions on strong wrestlers and the ability to use some wrestling of his own couldn't hurt. And he seems still capable of learning plenty of new tricks for the time being.

Fights Needed: Varner to claim the crown once he goes to the WEC (if he does), but he should leave on a high note to go there and challenge vacated champ to current champ (if they can't sell that, they need help). So, in the UFC currently an excellent hype fight where he's a favorite would be a rematch with Nate Diaz whom he's already beaten in solid fashion and it could be built either way for the UFC.

Next:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_Nr8YwyRfZ5E/Rqv23BULWXI/AAAAAAAAAYs/rYOXqODqMc0/s400/l_3e1f128ce4d669828369cf7d18089c6f.jpg

Denis Kang!

[Allatura]

I just realized i put LHW instead of LW. Epic Fail on my part.

[Bishop]

Denis Kang

If you look down the list of fighters he has defeated during that hot streak, he didn't defeat anybody that stands out. His only big win in the last 2 years or so has been against Gono, who now fights at 170/WW. The problem with Kang is that he is a B-Level fighter, which is proven when he has faced against B+ - A level fighters. Since his loss to Misaki, he has gone 2-2 with 2 straight losses. He was knocked out by a judoka (Akiyama) and was tapped out by Mousasi....both of whom are definately better than Kang as a fighter, but neither are A-Level fighters at the moment.

Kang needs to step it up and he needs to fight more B-Level competition and then be more cautious in his approach when fighting better fighters. He's got the "go-for-broke" style, but it hasn't paid off for him. He needs to be more technical instead of going head first in every fight

[dragomort]

Denis Kang

If you look down the list of fighters he has defeated during that hot streak, he didn't defeat anybody that stands out. His only big win in the last 2 years or so has been against Gono, who now fights at 170/WW. The problem with Kang is that he is a B-Level fighter, which is proven when he has faced against B+ - A level fighters. Since his loss to Misaki, he has gone 2-2 with 2 straight losses. He was knocked out by a judoka (Akiyama) and was tapped out by Mousasi....both of whom are definately better than Kang as a fighter, but neither are A-Level fighters at the moment.

Kang needs to step it up and he needs to fight more B-Level competition and then be more cautious in his approach when fighting better fighters. He's got the "go-for-broke" style, but it hasn't paid off for him. He needs to be more technical instead of going head first in every fight

Possibly correct, but what would take him to the A-level would be the question. Is it simply a matter of better strategical planning as you suggest or can other factors be used to mitigate the perceived difference in skill sets? Also, where could he go to help gain the knowledge and skills necessary to do it. I just find the uber-speculation part of it a bit too intriguing, I guess :o