Originally Posted by 100%Jiu-Jitsu
Many people have been discounting The African Assassin, Sokoudjo's chances against heavy favorite Antonio Rogerio Noguiera on this coming Pride USA card. While it is no surprise the oddsmakers are favoring the experience of little Nog, true MMA fans realize the strong potential for an upset in this fight.
One need look only look at one picture of Sokoudjo to appreciate the huge strength advantage he will have over Noguiera. As Pride FC's official website states, he "has been building up his physique since childhood". Noguiera does not have those years of experience in the gym, building up the type of explosive power he will need to handle the athleticism the Camaroonian phenom brings to this match-up. In Rogerio's loss to Vladimir Matyushenko, his inability to keep up with the raw power of the Russian wrestler was the deciding factor. Sokoudjou presents a similar, perhaps even more threatening challenge.
Similarly, Sokoudjou's Judo experience will be a huge obstacle for Rogerio. The last time he faced a Judo stylist, he was pushed to the limit, narrowly winning a split decision over Nakamura. Sokoudjou brings impressive Judo credentials. As Pride FC's website notes, he is "Champion of the 2001 and bronze medalist at the 2003 US Open Judo Championships, SOKOUDJOU has also defeated Shinichi Shinohara and is considered by many as the next Olympic candidate."
This Judo experience gives Sokoudjou two unique advantages. First, he will be able to dictate where the fight takes place. Rogerio has very limited takedowns. Sokoudjou will be able to stay on his feet, where his speed advantage will be most pronounced, and, according to Pride, “He is particularly improving his punches at the standing position.” Noguiera may have technical stand up, but it is influenced strongly by his training with the Cuban Olympic boxing team. This is not amateur boxing- there is no headgear, and the emphasis is on knocking out your opponent, not tagging him softly. At best, Rogerio will be able to survive Sokoudjou’s brutal onslaught.
Second, even if he somehow gets the fight to the ground, Sokoudjou is unlikely to fall victim to his Jiu-Jitsu attack. While Rogerio may be related to the greatest submission fighter in MMA history, he has never displayed his older brother’s talent for applying Jiu-Jitsu against an opponent using strikes. Sokoudjou has the submission experience to hang with Rogerio, and the brutal power to inflict deadly damage from the top.
Also, in the stand up, Noguiera relies heavily on his hooks. Sokoudjou has a built in counter to this physically. He has long dreadlocks that pad all but the very front of his face. Any punches that impact the side of his head will be deadened by this naturalhair barrier. His physique is also so amazing, it is doubtful Noguiera will be able to do any substantial damage with body shots. Brawling with Sokoudjou would be the equivalent of using a sling shot against an M-1 Abrams tank.
Many people will discount my analysis based on Sokoudjou’s recent loss to Glover Teixeira. However, anyone who saw that fight knows it was a war packed into a little over a minute. Yes, Sokoudjou lost, but he showed the heart of a champion, and there is no chance that Noguiera packs the same dynamite in his fists that Teixeira does.
Also, many non-believers will cite Sokoudjou’s lack of experience, and claim he has only fought cans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every fighter Sokoudjou has beat, has ONLY lost to him. Noguiera will be the first fighter Sokoudjou has ever fought that is not undefeated. Such a drop down in competition will undoubtedly bolster his confidence, only increasing the ferocity of initial barrage.
His relative inexperience also will be lessened by his current training regime. Middle champion Dan Henderson is improving his wrestling, and teaching him his patented looping overhand right. Henderson has already fought Noguiera, and will be able to impart many valuable pieces of insight to his pupil. Noguiera enjoys no such advantage. Sokoudjou is coming at Noguiera as an unknown, but dangerous commodity. If he did not have a chance, Team Quest would not have put him in this situation. They are in the business of training champion, not freak shows.
At -1400, I’ll be putting my money where my mouth is. I feel like this is a sure thing, and I am not going to pass it up. Instead of going to Vegas this weekend and wasting my money, I’m going to win a sure thing, putting down ten large for THE AFRICAN ASSASIN! Wish me luck gentleman.
One need look only look at one picture of Sokoudjo to appreciate the huge strength advantage he will have over Noguiera. As Pride FC's official website states, he "has been building up his physique since childhood". Noguiera does not have those years of experience in the gym, building up the type of explosive power he will need to handle the athleticism the Camaroonian phenom brings to this match-up. In Rogerio's loss to Vladimir Matyushenko, his inability to keep up with the raw power of the Russian wrestler was the deciding factor. Sokoudjou presents a similar, perhaps even more threatening challenge.
Similarly, Sokoudjou's Judo experience will be a huge obstacle for Rogerio. The last time he faced a Judo stylist, he was pushed to the limit, narrowly winning a split decision over Nakamura. Sokoudjou brings impressive Judo credentials. As Pride FC's website notes, he is "Champion of the 2001 and bronze medalist at the 2003 US Open Judo Championships, SOKOUDJOU has also defeated Shinichi Shinohara and is considered by many as the next Olympic candidate."
This Judo experience gives Sokoudjou two unique advantages. First, he will be able to dictate where the fight takes place. Rogerio has very limited takedowns. Sokoudjou will be able to stay on his feet, where his speed advantage will be most pronounced, and, according to Pride, “He is particularly improving his punches at the standing position.” Noguiera may have technical stand up, but it is influenced strongly by his training with the Cuban Olympic boxing team. This is not amateur boxing- there is no headgear, and the emphasis is on knocking out your opponent, not tagging him softly. At best, Rogerio will be able to survive Sokoudjou’s brutal onslaught.
Second, even if he somehow gets the fight to the ground, Sokoudjou is unlikely to fall victim to his Jiu-Jitsu attack. While Rogerio may be related to the greatest submission fighter in MMA history, he has never displayed his older brother’s talent for applying Jiu-Jitsu against an opponent using strikes. Sokoudjou has the submission experience to hang with Rogerio, and the brutal power to inflict deadly damage from the top.
Also, in the stand up, Noguiera relies heavily on his hooks. Sokoudjou has a built in counter to this physically. He has long dreadlocks that pad all but the very front of his face. Any punches that impact the side of his head will be deadened by this naturalhair barrier. His physique is also so amazing, it is doubtful Noguiera will be able to do any substantial damage with body shots. Brawling with Sokoudjou would be the equivalent of using a sling shot against an M-1 Abrams tank.
Many people will discount my analysis based on Sokoudjou’s recent loss to Glover Teixeira. However, anyone who saw that fight knows it was a war packed into a little over a minute. Yes, Sokoudjou lost, but he showed the heart of a champion, and there is no chance that Noguiera packs the same dynamite in his fists that Teixeira does.
Also, many non-believers will cite Sokoudjou’s lack of experience, and claim he has only fought cans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every fighter Sokoudjou has beat, has ONLY lost to him. Noguiera will be the first fighter Sokoudjou has ever fought that is not undefeated. Such a drop down in competition will undoubtedly bolster his confidence, only increasing the ferocity of initial barrage.
His relative inexperience also will be lessened by his current training regime. Middle champion Dan Henderson is improving his wrestling, and teaching him his patented looping overhand right. Henderson has already fought Noguiera, and will be able to impart many valuable pieces of insight to his pupil. Noguiera enjoys no such advantage. Sokoudjou is coming at Noguiera as an unknown, but dangerous commodity. If he did not have a chance, Team Quest would not have put him in this situation. They are in the business of training champion, not freak shows.
At -1400, I’ll be putting my money where my mouth is. I feel like this is a sure thing, and I am not going to pass it up. Instead of going to Vegas this weekend and wasting my money, I’m going to win a sure thing, putting down ten large for THE AFRICAN ASSASIN! Wish me luck gentleman.