*POSSIBLE SPOILER*Wand retiring?

[DCBooks]

Video interview over on the Dog. They now have subtitles, and edit them to make them much easier to watch. At least something on Sherdog is getting better.

Wand's interview is the same old stuff, but towards the end he talks of Shogun taking over for him in the future. I've also noticed a decline in his joy at hurting his oppponents over the last year+. Could he be thinking about going out on top? He's about to have his 29th birthday, which isn't ancient for a fighter, but it's up there.

How many more fights do you guys see in the Axe Murderer?

here's the link to the interview.
http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=341

[PhatRick]

ehhh.. I see him having at least 5 or 6 more fights...

I think he has lost that drive becuase he wants more.... He really wants the heavies.

[DCBooks]

ehhh.. I see him having at least 5 or 6 more fights...

I think he has lost that drive becuase he wants more.... He really wants the heavies.

I don't know. The first fight where I thought his stare down faltered was the Hunt fight. I'd love to see a rematch against CroCop. (Could you imagine a victory over a newly crowned Mirko HW champ?) As if Wand's legacy isn't secure, I really don't want to see him push it too far and end up like Saku.

It's hard to look at Sak's career and not remember the Multiple losses at the end more than the brilliant victories in the beginning. Hopefully time will dim his losses.

[PhatRick]

I don't know. The first fight where I thought his stare down faltered was the Hunt fight. I'd love to see a rematch against CroCop. (Could you imagine a victory over a newly crowned Mirko HW champ?) As if Wand's legacy isn't secure, I really don't want to see him push it too far and end up like Saku.

It's hard to look at Sak's career and not remember the Multiple losses at the end more than the brilliant victories in the beginning. Hopefully time will dim his losses.
yeah... I see what you are saying...

Maybe he jsut really dug his rivalry with Rampage... andcant find that same fire?

[OB Juan]

I think he's just covering his ass in case he doesn't win the GP and Shogun does. I've seen very few (if any) fighters that have it in their blood and just love fighting the way Wand does.

BTW...I SOOOO hope that Wand and Shogun make the finals. That could be an incredible fight and that's about the only way we'd ever get to see it besides as a fly on the wall in the Chute Boxe gymn.

[natecrime]

If he does, I give him 2 years max before he's back in the ring, the earlier he retires, the greater the chance of future UFC appearances if you ask me.

[DCBooks]

I think he's just covering his ass in case he doesn't win the GP and Shogun does. I've seen very few (if any) fighters that have it in their blood and just love fighting the way Wand does.

BTW...I SOOOO hope that Wand and Shogun make the finals. That could be an incredible fight and that's about the only way we'd ever get to see it besides as a fly on the wall in the Chute Boxe gymn.


Absolutely, and I see Wand celebrating more if he get beat than if he wins. I also think this is two guys that will walk into the ring and give it their all, even more because they are friends and don't want to dissappoint the other with a questionable performance.

[Johnny Toetags]

Wand's in his prime, he ain't going nowhere - not for 4 years or so.

[OB Juan]

Absolutely, and I see Wand celebrating more if he get beat than if he wins.

I just got gossebumps. I totally agree. I bet he'd be happier for Shogun beating him than if he beat Shogun.

[tak]

what happened to the old wand?

[PhatRick]

what happened to the old wand?
He's hanging out with the old Vitor an Rampage in "Old Fighter" Paradise

[my sex is artsy]

what happened to the old wand?

Hahaha. I'm gonna have to spread some rep around.

[heckyl]

MSIA, i saw that, and screw you i just woke up. lol.

[heckyl]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to my sex is artsy again.

meh, it figures.

[CHH]

My buddy was sitting next to Royce Gracie on a plane and that was Royce Gracie's opinion too (not that he's personal friends with Wand or anything). He heard through the grapevine he's so beat up and on so many pain killers that he physically can't do it much longer.

Also, Royce called Roger Gracie winning his division and the absolute division at ADCC. I guess Royce is still good for a few things.

[dy-no-mite3000]

After his last fight... I don't blame him for wanting to retire.














oooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh im making all of you think, did he spoil something for me??!?! omg what do i do?!?!?! argh!!!!! but i didnt give shit away to you all. bwahahah the aingst you all must feel.

[DCBooks]

Shit I just realized that this could constitute a spoiler. Can a mod move it to Spoilertown?

[heckyl]

you didnt reveal anything man.

[dy-no-mite3000]

or did he?!?

[my sex is artsy]

After his last fight... I don't blame him for wanting to retire.














oooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh im making all of you think, did he spoil something for me??!?! omg what do i do?!?!?! argh!!!!! but i didnt give shit away to you all. bwahahah the aingst you all must feel.

Who on this board is actually waiting until tonight anyway?

[DCBooks]

Someone could construe from the topic that both Wand and Shogun won their fights.

And if the watch the interview they know that Overeem won his match.

I doubt anybody hasn't peeked yet, but if someone has that sort of self control, I'd hate to mess them up.

[dy-no-mite3000]

Who on this board is actually waiting until tonight anyway?
yeah its only fair to those who stuck it out a week to find out, why ruin their fun :)

[dy-no-mite3000]

Someone could construe from the topic that both Wand and Shogun won their fights.

And if the watch the interview they know that Overeem won his match.

I doubt anybody hasn't peeked yet, but if someone has that sort of self control, I'd hate to mess them up.
ill move it for you.


:)

[DCBooks]

Does anyone else think that Pride is shooting themselves in the foot with the American audience by scheduling thier shows with a huge delay?

I understand that the timing is difficult, but I probably will never buy another PPV that's over 24 hours in delay. I might last a day, but I'm like Kramer when it comes to self control.

[dy-no-mite3000]

agree DC, BUT they had their show on SUNDAY NIGHT in Japan, kinda tough to produce the show and edit it down for America for a 13 hour delay broadcast. Plus Friday and Saturdays are a better sell for fight fans than anything else.

[heckyl]

im not sure how many wait, but we need to get used to this anyways, cause eventually there will be people around waiting if none now.

[heckyl]

yes we have 1 waiting!

http://www.bloodyknux.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4661

[DCBooks]

agree DC, BUT they had their show on SUNDAY NIGHT in Japan, kinda tough to produce the show and edit it down for America for a 13 hour delay broadcast. Plus Friday and Saturdays are a better sell for fight fans than anything else.

I understand why there is a delay, but I hope soon the US market will be big enough to force them to have the shows on Friday night in Japan with a Saturday PPV here.

[Oliver Klosov]

Does anyone else think that Pride is shooting themselves in the foot with the American audience by scheduling thier shows with a huge delay?

I understand that the timing is difficult, but I probably will never buy another PPV that's over 24 hours in delay. I might last a day, but I'm like Kramer when it comes to self control.


I think their American reps knew that if it aired live it would be competeing with Mayweather/Gatti for fight fans that weekend.

Also, I think WWE had a PPV.

[Bishop]

Wand's in his prime, he ain't going nowhere - not for 4 years or so.
I've heard time and time again from fighters in their 30's the early 30's is the prime years of a fighter.

JTT, rep

[DCBooks]

I've heard time and time again from fighters in their 30's the early 30's is the prime years of a fighter.

JTT, rep

I hope you're right, but from experience I can assure you that more than age, fatherhood really bring changes to your point of view.

I remember seeing Wand on his way up, destroying Hendo, trading with CroCop, practically licking his lips at the thought of burying his fists into Saku, and Metzger. He loved the fight, and more than victory he loved hurting his opponent.

Remember him jumping onto the ropes after crushing some poor fool, and screaming "I want you Bas! I want you!"?

Now he's the man to beat, and he faces all challengers, but I haven't seen the joy of late. Since Hunt, he's still an incredible Bad Ass, and the best there is with little doubt, but I'm afraid it's turned into a job for him. That doesn't mean he won't do his job, and as Nakamura's face will atest, nobody does it better. I just don't want him to fade.

I loved Mark Kerr, and he seemed like he would go on forever destroying one dangerous opponent after another, but he fell. Before that Don Frye was my favorite. When he beat Tank I was jumping on my couch. I almost cried when Coleman(who I hated, until I saw Smashing Machine) beat him down.

Wand has been the most consistant force in MMA for the last 5 years, and I know the train will derail. Hearing him speak of it in this interview worries me all the more, because I hear him verify my fears.

I don't want to face a MMA world without the Axe Murderer. Who would?