Renzo v. Dan Henderson

[Americana]

First, let me say that Renzo is the one Gracie I truly admire. Renzo puts it on the line again and again, as opposed to his own brother Ralph who's still making these ridiculous challenges to Roy Jones, Jr. (BTW, I challenged Pete Sampras to a game of handball. The chicken bastard has yet to even respond!)

I'm a little suprised Renzo is taking this fight. He's usually a little more careful in his opponents (Yes for the most part Renzo is VERY SELECTIVE in who he fights).

Henderson will likely win by decision. Alan Goes, who is a far better striker than Renzo, was ground 'n pounded by Henderson. Goes also did not come close to submitting Henderson. Nor did Carlos Newton. Renzo will not do better in submissions than those guys.

Renzo is also not as athletic as Goes or Newton (Renzo has got to be pushing his mid-30's). He will not be as resistant to Henderson's good takedowns.

Look for a Henderson takedown/G'nP victory.

[DIRE WOLF]

Good point but I am still going with Renzo.

[Americana]

Also, this is the first real wrestler to Renzo has faced. I don't count that little 5'6" weight lifter from WCC.

It is an advantage for Renzo not to be in an Octagon. Pushing a guys head up against the fence is one hell of an advantage. Still, what game plan has Renzo got? I guess he can hope for a take down followed by a guard kick (a la Oleg T) to the face. But I don't think Henderson will fall for it.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Henderson is a joke. He probably will take Renzo down and not get subbed, but does that mean that he won? No sir. I want to see Henderson win by sub or stoppage, then I'll take my hat off to him. Otherwise he should go back to his sport.

[Bau13]

Goes is a much better striker than Renzo??
Damn...Renzo's striking must SUCK....

[sakattack]

I like Renzo a lot also. But he seems susceptible to takedowns based on his past fights. Could be a boring decision for Henderson.

[Dhalsim]

Hmmm! Goes had an armlock from the guard but Henderson held onto the fence, Goes sunk in a rear choke but was pulled off, Newton had an armlock from the guard and Henderson was grimmacing but powered out! Nope, I guess they never came close to submitting him!? His luck will run out.

[Americana]

Dhalsim:

Sounds like you have a bad case of sour grapes. If only those damn wrestlers would stop powering out of legitimate submissions, are lives would be better. It's really a form of cheating!

[Mad Dog]

First you say you admire Renzo for putting it on the line, then you say he's very selective in who he fights...These are somewhat contradictory statements.

[CityBum]

Renzo is alot more skilled and aggresive than Henderson. Americana just seems to be favoring wrestlers again. No big surprise. I wish your opponent the best, he'll need it to beat Renzo.

[Americana]

Of the Gracies, I admire Renzo the most. He's not my most admired fighter.

Renzo has not fought alot of top middle weight fighters. Sak is the exception and Renzo lost. Renzo did not fight Tito, Mezger, Bohlander, Jackson, Shamrock, Newton, Goes, etc etc. He mostly tries to fight Japanese prowrestlers.

[CityBum]

Renzo is a proven fighter. Tito is on the climb. But to to say Renzo doesn't fight top guys like who, Mezger, Bolander, Jackson, Newton and Goes???????? Youve got to be kidding me. Tell me your joking. These guys are good, but they are still trying to make a top prized fight. They on the bottom looking up. Most of these names mentioned AREN"T as good as you make them to be. Jackson, oh please. Newton, is a good fighter, very athletic, however will not perform well against a good grappler that is as strong or stronger than himself.

[macdawg]

I picking Renzo by submission. Goes and Newton aren't in the same league as Renzo in submissions. Sorry.

[Mako]

I too was shocked to see Renzo take this fight.
Props to him for taking on such a tough opponent!

That being said, if Henderson attacks from the guard, Renzo will sub him. If Henderson lays in his guard, and plays it safe, he'll win by judges decision.

And Goes "isn't even in Renzo's league in submissions"
are you serious?!?!? Really, you're kidding, right? From what position? What do you base a statement like that on?

Goes has got one of the most beautiful open guards/triangles/armbars in the game. Very fluid.

[Guest]

Goes is a Coke-head and Renzo is not.
It will be a great fight.