Mario Sperry could beat Henderson

[Americana]

I'd like to see the Zen Machine against Henderson or Couture. Those would be great match ups. Any thoughts?

[Guest]

Mario VS. SAK

[Americana]

I enjoy watching the zen machine fight. Having seen his vale todo tapes, I can say that Mario practices exactly what he preaches.

Sperry has built up quite a reputation for himself, mostly in grappling events. I would think he could get a Pride match up for the asking. On the other hand, Sperry seems to be making a living from bjj and submission only events. He doesn't seem to be serious about no rules fighting anymore. It seems like quite a few of the bjj up and comers are avoiding "no rules" events. Perhaps it's all the rules. Also, why do nhb if you can make a living from grappling events.

[bobby_steeles]

i remember reading an interview he did where he was saying the japanese promoters were only offering him fractions of what other fighters were recieving. something like his $10,000 to mark kerr's $40-$50,000--it was a while ago so these numbers may be off, but he was describing that much of a difference.

[Robbie]

I haven't had an opportunity to see Mario sperry fight,but from what I hear he is a very good fighter.

[Americana]

I've seen Sperry's fights in Extreme Fighting and UFC Austrailia. He's an extremely methodical and technical jiu jitsu fighter. I have Sperry's Vale Tudo tapes and he practices exactly what he preaches.

Against lesser fighters (say a Harold Howard type), Sperry is devastating. Against better fighters (Vernon White, Igor Zinoviev), Sperry has dominated, but has shown an inability to finish. For example, in Extreme Fighting against Zinoviev, Sperry dominated the entire fight positionally, effortlessly getting the mount, knee on stomach etc. However, Sperry was unable to submit Zinoviev and Zinoviev eventually took the fight after Sperry was badly cut.

Sperry's credentials in grappling are outstanding. He used a clock choke to dispose of Royler Gracie. He'll be fighting Kerr in a superfight at the upcoming Abu Dhabi.

I'd love to see Sperry against Rizzo or Coleman. However, Sperry is not an explosive fighter a la Frank Sham. It could be a rather technical boring fight.

[Martial Artist]

I like to watch Sperry fight in Grappling events.But in NHB hes hes not even top 25.

[Americana]

I agree that Sperry cannot be in the top 25. However, I'd still like to see him do nhb. After the last couple of Pride events, that aren't too many bjj fighters left in the top 25.